Nun #1: Show him what you are made of!
Nun #2: Teach him a lesson!
Male visitor #1: Don't let yourself be stepped on!
Male visitor #2: Watch out for low-blows!
Male visitor #3: What a fun way to initiate a morning.
Michael started with two quick jabs aimed at Beth's face, which were stopped by Beth's arms when she crossed them in front her.
Seeing this happening, Michael decided that instead of pressing the offensive with more punches, he should try to weaken her guard by destabilizing her, and so he lightly turned his body towards his right side and shoulder-tackle Beth's in order to break her balance, however Beth, already anticipating such a move ended up being able to sidestep Michael's charge, despite the quickness of Michael's movements.
After stepping out of Michael's path towards his left side, she stepped forward in order to be parallel to Michael during his charge, and when she was finally right besides Michael, she immediately tried to hit the back of his head with her elbow.
Michael, observing Beth's movements, ended up taking advantage of the fact that his body was already halfway turned towards his right to make a quick and complete turn, showing his back to Beth but at the same time also causing her strike to miss him.
Beth's elbow met only air, and Michael, quick to press the advantage, decided to do an 180º degree turn while rising his left leg, gaining enough momentum to deliver a powerful kick to Beth's abdomen, a strike which caught her of guard and sent her flying until she hit the ground.
Not wanting to give Beth enough time to recuperate, Michael charged again towards her only to be met with a punch from her to the nether region.
Audience: Ohhhhhhhhhhh…
Male visitor #2: I warned him…
After the blow was delivered Michael immediately backed off while clutching the struck area. Meanwhile Beth took the opportunity to take a breath and get up while adopting a fighting stance.
Seeing his wife ready to continue the fight once more, Michale hissed through clenched teeth.
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): A low blow… I didn't believe you could do something like this…
Beth (Joseph's Maternal Grandmother): All is fair in love and war, dear.
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): It's that right?! I shall get a little more serious then!
Beth (Joseph's Maternal Grandmother): That's more like it! Come on!
In the next moment, the old couple once again clashed with each other much to the delight of the surrounding crowd
In the distance, Joseph stood, with the rest of his family group, observing the fight. His tired eyes tried to follow each of his grandparents' moves. "Is this fight number two hundred and forty-one or two hundred and forty-two? I frankly lost count" was the thought that was crossing his mind. Besides him, a sigh manifested from his mother.
Anne (Joseph's Mother): "sigh"... Right, they have been at it for some time now. I will go and try to separate them.
Hearing this, Joseph looked skeptical at his mother.
Joseph: "And do you think you will be able to do it? I mean, at this point, this is not just about them, look at the crowd...", said Joseph while gesturing at the audience that just kept increasing.
Joseph: I think they even started a betting pool a little off to the side...
Hearing her son's comments, Anne just smiled and shook her head.
Anne (Joseph's Mother): Don't worry, it's not the first time I have to stop them from fighting and simultaneously disperse a crowd.
Anne stopped for a moment, thinking.
Anne (Joseph's Mother): Joseph, you and Clarissa can go on ahead, I am going to intervene now.
But before Anne could take a step forward, Joseph grabbed her dress and lightly pulled on it to gain her attention.
Turning towards her son, Anne was met with the figure of Joseph extending a hand towards her with an open palm where 5 gold coins resided.
Anne (Joseph's Mother): What is this for?
Joseph: Oh, well, I was just thinking that, if by some twist of fate, you can't stop the fight, maybe you could, you know, make a bet in my name.
Anne (Joseph's Mother): A bet?
Joseph: Yeah, a bet on grandma, after all, we all know how this is going to end.
Anne blinked slowly and then proceeded to burst into laughter.
Anne (Joseph's Mother): Alright, alright. I will be sure to remember that.
Anne grabbed the 5 gold coins her son had offered to her a started walking towards the audience gathered around the fight that was happening.
Clarissa (Joseph's Aunt): 5 gold coins, it's a big bet for a street fight.
Joseph: Go big or go home - Grandfather Mike teachings, that were seconded, of course, by Uncle Kris.
Rachel (Nun-in-training): Ohhhhhhhh, are you talking about Mister Mike and Mister Kris? I have heard stories about their uncanny luck and Mister Kris casino spree. They both sound like such fun people to meet!
Joseph: Right... Well, Aunt Clarissa, we should keep going as per mother's wishes.
Clarissa (Joseph's Aunt): Yes, we should, I am sure they will catch up to us soon.
Rachel (Nun-in-training): Right, let's keep going!
Joseph: Aren't you a nun in training? Don't you have duties to attend to in other places?
Rachel (Nun-in-training): Guiding visitors is a stipulated duty for nuns so technically accompanying you is within my obligations.
Joseph: But surely, you have more "urgent" duties to attend, right?
Rachel (Nun-in-training): Nope, sister Claire gave me this time to take a break before afternoon classes.
Joseph: …
Looking at the smiling girl in front of him, so naïve as to not even take a hint, Joseph finally relented.
Joseph: Forget it. Just… Just do whatever you want.
Rachel: Nice! Now let's go! We have been standing still in the middle of the path for far too long.
After saying this, Rachel grabbed Joseph's hand and proceeded to bolt towards the basilica.
Clarissa (Joseph's Aunt): What?! Hey, wait up!
--------"A few minutes later"-----------
Rachel (Nun-in-training): And here we are!
Joseph (Trying to catch his breath): For God's sake! Couldn't you have slowed down a bit?! You were practically dragging me through the floor the whole way!
Rachel (Nun-in-training): Hehe. Very sorry brother ~
Joseph: Don't "brother ~" me! Gods… I can't feel my legs…
After his complain Joseph ended up sitting down on the pavement a little off to the side of the entrance to the basilica trying to catch his breath.
Clarissa (Joseph's Aunt): Finally, I've caught up with you! How in the world are you able to reach those speeds Rachel?
Rachel (Nun-in-training): Through daily training, of course. After all, I mustn't bring shame to the noble name of my future family!
After the declaration, Rachel broke sight with Clarissa and turned around to look at the basilica, taking a moment to appreciate its beauty before posing a question to Joseph's.
Rachel (Nun-in-training): It's beautiful, isn't it? And it's not even the main religious site in the country, I can't imagine how much grandeur the cathedral must be!
Joseph, leaning against the wall while seated, took a moment to reflect on Anne's statement - The visage of the basilica in the distance when you started walking the path came to mind, and only now did he start to understand its splendor. Due to the perception, he had of the divinity of war, Joseph completely ignored the magnificence of the building he was heading towards.
Still seated, Joseph looked up to admire the construction, he saw the intricate design of the windows and the complex patterns that decorated the walls.
Due to his closeness, he also noted the cracks that were present, as well as the chipped stone in some corners, details that for many would be seen as signs of imperfection, but for Joseph, it was a statement, a statement made by a building that stood tall through the centuries - That Despite all the hardships, It still faced the test of time, and would continue to do so for the many years, centuries and millennia to come – And this statement, to Joseph at least, only added more charm to the religious building.