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[i]Focus. Concentrate. Center yer mind.[/i]

Elektra sat cross-legged in the darkness of her room, the words of her mentor Stick revertabrating through her head. Meditation was a skill that would serve her well, if she could master it. Despite embarking on the path of restoration, the dark embers of her past were hot on her trail. Telling her to withdraw into herself, that she was tainted beyond salvation, that there was only one thing she was good for: spreading death.

[i]Those intrusive thoughts of yers? That negativity? It's so hard to deal with 'em because you've been indulgin' in 'em for so long. Like sittin' around in yer own filth and gettin' used to the stench.[/i]

Elektra's digital clock had been unplugged as to put her in total darkness, but she knew it had been some time since she had started. Every attempt to find something resembling serenity was thwarted by her own mind. The best way to describe her struggle was in terms of a battle. In meditating, Elektra sought to fortify her mental defenses and create a barrier to isolate her from the darkness within. In turn, her darkness raged against her meager defenses, bursting through the barriers and unleashing its forces like a plague. The heroine's first instinct was to fight back, perhaps with a positive memory to shine against the umber, but that would go against Stick's instructions.

[i]Yer a warrior, Elektra, so it makes sense why yer first reaction is to fight. But meditation ain't no fight. It's a way for ya to sift through the noise and observe yer thoughts, unaffected.[/i]

It had been years since Elektra had recieved Stick's lesson on meditation. And she was still performing just as poor as back then. It was what drove her away from him and The Chaste in the first place. In Stick's words, if she couldn't let go of that pain and anger, then all that the Chaste's teachings would do was give her the ability to brandish them like weapons. Which is exactly what The Hand did when she joined their ranks.

With a huff, Elektra rose to her feet. It appeared that once again, inner peace would escape her grasp. She could infiltrate the most secure fortresses and take on legions of enemies to reach her target, but in a battle with herself, she was as good as lost. If she couldn't fight against the thoughts, she would have to evade them. Taking a few steps forward in the darkness, she reached for the doorknob and re-introducing sunlight into her life. Most of the windows' blinds were pulled up, putting the morning sky on full display. No longer in seclusion, Elektra began to put together the day's schedule. McKinley and King wanted to speak with her at the dojo as soon as possible, then she had to check in on her connection at the NYPD. It had been some time since Michael Morrisey contacted her with an assignment. Or anything, for that matter. But before she could consider checking in on him, a more pressing matter had just been detected. Watching TV in the living room was a bright eyed and bushy tailed blonde teenager. Thankfully, she hadn't detected Elektra's arrival yet, giving her time to prevent an awkward interaction. It had been a month since her father's death, but Elektra was still getting used to living with another person. Especially someone whose father's passing she had a hand in. No amount of training would have prepared her for this.

When Elektra fell for a taunt by Bullseye to bring her out in the open, Nina and her father were caught in the crossfire, standing in close proximity to a trap laid by the male assassin. Pushing his daughter out of the way, Nina's father was killed when a fire escape was dropped on him. Nina was furious at Elektra at first, but she warmed up to the heroine after she saved her from some seedy people she met after running away from the hospital. With the blonde refusing to stay with her overbearing grandparents, Elektra took her in. There was a parallel between the two that was impossible to ignore, and the ex-assassin couldn't and wouldn't stand by and let another soul share her fate. The question now was how to handle Nina. Should she try to become her ward's buddy or to steer her towards independence as soon as possible? So far, Elektra had been stalling that decision, treating her like a sponsee. Making sure that there was food in the fridge and that she was comfortable.  The brunette was about to start with a greeting and ask if she needed anything from the store when the news went for a commercial break and Nina got up, turning around and stopping when she saw Elektra.

"Elektra! Good morning!" She said with a smile. "Still in your pajamas? Usually, you're up at the crack of dawn!"

The older woman gave a small smile and a nod in return. Nina was in high spirits, which was a good thing. "Good morning. I was taking some time to meditate before planning my day."

"And what [i]do[/i] you have planned for today? Anything I can tag along for?" The sixteen year old replied hopefully.

Elektra felt for Nina. She was always looking to do something with her, but Elektra was always occupied. And even if she did have time, they most likely had differing ideas on what a good time entailed. "I'm afraid not. You're more than welcome to explore the neighborhood  if you'd like. Do you still have the spare key I gave you?"

The girl nodded, her cheerful disposition still present but noticably dampened. "Right. I think I'm good, though."

Elektra nodded again, noticing her change in tone. There was a brief silence between the two that Elektra couldn't find the words to fill before she returned to her room, coming back out with a towel. "Well, if you chang your mind, the option is always there." With a quickened pace, Elektra entered the bathroom and closed the door behind her.