Willow De Lioncourt's Story

Krane slowly shifted out of her meditative state, unfolding her legs and rolling backwards to her feet. Her room was much different from the others, the bed had been removed, along with the dresses, side table, book shelves and any other comfort. Only exceptionally clean, laminated white floors. Private time was often spent in quiet seclusion, she did not care for television, movies, books or video games. Battles were fought in her meditation, scenario after scenario, persisting until her thoughts led to her death.

On the far side of her room sat the only piece of furniture, a strange white four foot cube with panels and sliding parts. This opened like a puzzle and contained her gear and her clothing. Training did not seem like fieldwork, so she selected a simple attire of black capris, a white tee-shirt and black and white running shoes. Weapons would stay locked up behind an electronic lock. She closed the box back up and locked it with a key, slipping the key into its own hidden slip.

She slowly made her way towards the Kitchen, not quite escaped from the visions of her meditation. Her heart had been pounding for the last six hours, her metabolism running heavily as she convinced her body she was in danger. All part of the training, part of being what she was. As she rounded the corner to see Willow, enjoying her breakfast peacefully. Her eyes quickly darted between Honda and Natalia, her mind running through scenarios involving a fight between herself and the two of them. Her stoic look did not fade as she moved before Willow and leaned down towards her.

"Nightly cries of dark whispers, howling succubi plague thoughts of warfare. Poisons of a libatious aura, Shamhat's daughter, am I whore or goddess? Mere Morpheas dance, of little credence. Preparations ready for days to never come, eros is not for this winged white bird." Krane smiled a little as she told Willow of her problem. She had come to trust the woman as a friend, someone to share personal feelings with. Though Krane's words were often confusing, it really only came about in moments of mental imbalance, she would inevitably become more clear as the day progressed.

Krane smiled and stood back up straight, "All service once owed to the great oak, now bound to new Willow tree. From early spring, when leaves are full, until the autumn days take her color away. Shamhat's sinful castoff, Enkidu's legacy denied. Neither beast nor woman, something else perhaps. Dark dreams of futures lived and denied." She turned to step away but looked back over her shoulder, "Bid the wind blow, Lao Tzu. I am ready."

Krane opened the fridge and dropped down to a crouch, reaching over a few things to grab one of her apples she hid in the back, underneath and behind the cheese drawer. She took it out with a flat expression, studied its exterior carefully for any puncture marks or signs of tampering. Placing both her thumbs on the top of the apple she applied a bit of pressure and the apple popped into two halves. She brought one to her lips and breathed in its fresh smell before taking a bite. She let out a slight moan as the juices ran down her throat. Upon realizing her sound she used the apple to cover over her mouth as she chewed carefully, her eyes gave away her slight embarrassment. She really did enjoy apples.