-=It had been a very long night patrolling.  She shouldn’t complain.  There were no evil do-er’s out and about, at least not in the area she had been in.

And she had met a very interesting man.  A Federal Marshall, at that.  

After a quick shower, she threw on some pajamas and walked back into her bedroom.  She knew the sun was rising, but she was exhausted.  Surely she could get in a few hours of sleep?

It didn’t take long for her to drift off.=-

1903 – August

Candra Marie sat in the parlor of her modest home on the Nevada compound, sipping tea.  She wore the most beautiful gown she had ever seen, complete with petticoats, bustle, the hat upon her tightly pinned and curled hair; all the way down to the white gloves on her hands.

And she hated it.

The newspaper sat spread out on the small table, the headlines reading ‘YANKS AND WHITE SOX END IN DEADLOCKED 6 -6 IN 18’.

She loved baseball.  The men on the ever growing compound had managed to form a few teams.  Giving the other residents an alternative means of entertainment.   After today’s game, there was to be a dance.  End of the summer season social.

Candra would attend the game, but take a pass on the dance.  Her schooling would begin again.  Berlin should be arriving shortly with the list of acceptable learning curriculum for a woman.  Well, Candra had already decided to shake up that curriculum.  Berlin probably wouldn’t like it, but she had her ultimatum set in place.

When Berlin entered not long after she secured her determination, the response she heard, was the one she had expected.

“No, absolutely not!  Its too soon.”

Berlin

had become a father figure/warden.  And Candra would have no more of it.

“I’ve been shut away in this compound for thirty one years.  I’m fifty years old this month, or did you forget?” Her hands were defiantly crossed over her chest, the toe on her heeled boot tapping away.

“I have not forgotten since we celebrated it just last week.  Did I not gift you that lovely outfit you now wear?  Besides, Mrs. Tidwell informed me that you’ve mastered the French language and elicited the teachings of Mr. Alogrin for your progression into Russian.

Candra was livid.

Une autre langue, quand vais-je être enseigné quelque chose d'utile? Comme combats, utiliser l'épée, ou tuer le tuyau t qui ont besoin de rester mort? 

(Translation: Another language , when will I be taught something useful ? Like fighting, sword use, or killing t hose that need to stay dead ? )

Berlin’s brows shot upward, Candra could almost swear it met his hairline.  “You have indeed mastered the French language if you are capable of complaining fluently. Very well.  After tonight’s festivities,” Candra was about to protest and Berlin cut her off. “You will be attending. Immediately after you are to return here.  Change into clothes I will have brought over and meet me in the training yard.  You want to fight?  I will be the one to train you.”

Berlin stormed out. Candra had known he wouldn’t be pleased, but never imagined he’d take on the task himself.







-=Her dream took a fast forward though the game and the dance, which had proved entertaining.  But instead of showing her training, it leapt backward in time. Back to when she first discovered what she was.

The bastard that had grabbed her, pawing at her.  The memory of leaping onto him and ripping out his throat.  She could feel the liquid in her mouth, soothingly flowing down her throat, the smell of the blood, the sweat and the pure terror that came from the man.  And the terror of those who witnessed it.

Ren jumped up ready for battle.  Sweat coated her skin and soaked the top with the little spaghetti straps with the evil little rabbit named “Happy Bunny”, who sported a very innocent smile with the words “Cruel but cute so I’m worth it” under it.

It only took a second for her to realize it had all been a dream.  A very true, but very old memory manifesting in her mind.=-