[h3]Astraia Johnson[/h3]
Nova Infinitum Headquarters, The Atrium

[i]Oh god, is he… he’s…[/i] Astie blushed furiously at the clownish antics of Baihu and slouched down, rather like she was trying to disappear. And then for a dizzying moment her sense of direction was all screwed up as Baihu lifted her up into the air.

Instantly the terror swamped her, and for a moment she panicked as unfamiliar hands grabbed her and picked her up, leaving her entirely helpless dangling in the air. She flailed, trying to get her feet back on solid ground, anything, just to get herself back to somewhere that she could be in control of herself. She squirmed until Baihu dropped her, and fell awkwardly onto the floor, though she at least managed to keep herself from falling face-first onto the hard floor.
Her face turning cherry-colored with embarrassment, Astie rose to her feet, brushing herself off and glaring at the tall Chinese boy through a screen of tears, some of which spilled over her long eyelashes and down her cheeks as she took a deep breath and tried to stop trembling. “D-d-don’t d-d-do that…A-actually… Actually, d-don’t t-t-touch me. A-at all. D-do you u-understand? St-stay a-away from me.” Another deep breath and she angrily scrubbed at her face, trying to make the tears go away but only succeeding in making her eyes redder.
[hr]
[h3]Elysia Johnson[/h3]
An abandoned (?) warehouse on the outskirts of Seattle, Washington.

[i]Happy seventh birthday, Astie. I bet you don’t remember me, but I’m your sister, Elysia. I used to be your only friend, because you were so much littler than and smarter than all of the other kids at Nova, and they shunned you. I last saw you two years and one day ago… You didn’t remember me then, either. Or if you did remember me, you probably couldn’t see well enough to read my writing, and you probably couldn’t talk.

God, Astie, it hurts that I can’t talk to you. I don’t know if you’re living or dead, and I don’t honestly know which would be better. For your sake, I hope you’re dead and you have a respite from the pain. But because I am your sister, I hope that you’re alive to celebrate having survived another full turn around the sun.

I’m sure this letter won’t reach you, even if you’re dead, as I’m not allowed to go outside to burn this, and so I have to burn it inside. In any case, know that I love you and I’m thinking of you. Andrew sends his regards, though Mother and Father do not approve of him contacting me.

Oh dear. Look at this mess I’ve written. I think some of your intelligence rubbed off on me, Astie. I don’t write like a nine-year-old. In any case, I’m running out of paper. Know that I love you, and I’m praying for your safety and happiness. Have a wonderful birthday, my sister.[/i]

The letter, scribbled on a crumpled piece of notebook paper, lay beside the girl’s head as she cried until she had no more tears to shed. She reached to the side of her bed and took out one of her emergency candles and a strike-anywhere match, and set the candle to burning. She stared into the flames for a moment, mesmerized. Then she slowly fed the paper into the tiny flame, watching the ashes fall and the smoke rise to the ceiling. As soon as the paper was done burning, she snuffed out the flame and put the candle away. A ritual she’d done so many times, each time more painful than the last.
~~~
She forced her thoughts away from it. Strapped her daggers over the dark stars on her forearms and the back of her neck, slipped her holster onto the belt on her dark jeans, then tucked her .22 pistol into it. She checked to make sure her assorted other weapons were where they were supposed to be, and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. four feet three inches of badass fighter. Sometimes sensitive and sentimental, sure, but most of the time just this hard shell, the archetype of a fighter. She wouldn’t let anyone see her human side, if she could help it.
[hr]
[h3]Li Caixia[/h3]
On board a luxury airplane with her flirtatious employer
[i]He’s deliberately fooling with your heart, you idiot girl! Don’t fall for it![/i] she thought furiously to herself, even as her blush intensified slightly at that wonderful smile. [i]Well, who wouldn’t fall for it?[/i] she thought, sensing the glares the other female servants were directing at her.
“You are too kind, sir.” She said softly, keeping her eyes averted.

Hearing the other servant’s comment, Caixia bowed to Qinglong, and retreated to her office area. She’d met the girl Xixi a few times, being a part of Qinglong’s entourage in most places. Such an adorable little girl, and such a horrible thing to have happened to her. That bloodthirsty Baihu. How could he sleep at night, knowing what happened to his sister because of him?

“Caixia? Tell IBM I will be ready in one hour. And would you also get me the 1912 Henri Hayderne Grand Cru Romannee and a ginger ale?”

Cai hurried out to the main compartment of the plane. “Of course, sir.” She bowed again and walked quickly to the back of the plane. As she was pouring the wine and the soda the pilot’s turbulence warning came over the speakers. Mentally the girl cursed as she fought to hold her feet and not spill any wine or soda, while also talking quietly to the secretary at IBM to set up the meeting. Such was the nature of her gift, and she managed it flawlessly.
When the plane stabilized somewhat she brought the tray out for Qinglong, bowing yet again to the boy as she set it on the table beside his seat.

“Sir, is there anything else you desire of me?” she asked. Then she internally winced at the potential double entendre, though she kept her face perfectly blank and attentive. The model assistant, not letting any of her thoughts show.