One, two, three.

One, two, three.

In a slow rhythm, Danae counted and calculated her motions, each and every movement precise, just as she had learned from the Master.

Where Raelin held the record in firearm proficiency, Danae was equally skilled in martial arts. To her, the slow motions of complete concentration relaxed her, and when she was able to spar with a rare, and unknowing opponent, all the tension seemed to slip away.

That face had haunted her dreams, those dark eyes sparkling had invaded her mind...But the creature himself acted as though she were hardly alive...At least, not alive in the way she wished for him to view her.

He could work beside her all day, touch her, smile at her, joke, sing...But nothing nore.

One, two, three...

She spun quickly, leg pushing outward slowly as she performed one kick, and then another, her limbs slicing through the air, the fabric of her clothes causing a noise of resistance against the air.

That was it. She would just let it all go. If in due time, Marcus did pursue her, then she would perhaps yield. But for now...Danae was tired of waiting.

After the warm up, it was time for the true part of her training to unfold. For years, since she was just a little girl, after her parents had died, Antony had taught her various combinations of the martial arts. He saw them as self-defense, but he never dreamed they would be so therapeutic.

Standing before the padded target, Danae landed first one kick, then another, punching in quick, then slow succession as her pulse quickened, each beat stronger than the last. Her breathing grew deep, and her muscles contracted and released with all the ancient motions that her body performed.

She knew not how long she stood there, but with one final cry, she kicked the target hard, dust flying from the pores of the padding before bowing her head. And to think she was the calm, subdued one of their three man crew.