Nightingale and the Colonel had talked for quite a lot longer after their negotiation, as such it was already past nine when she exited the office. In her hand she had a copy of her contract and also a letter. With those two things she made her way along the corridor, down the stairs and out of the tower.

Her steps were light and soft; no hurry was to be found in them. Like that, Nightingale  made her way over to the bungalow, fully expecting Lucy to still be there. She opened the door, slipping in silently. Old habits were hard to kill after all. Unexpectedly Lucy was still there, but also had yet to wake up.

That was something the young woman had not expected. She had thought of Lucy as a good soldier. The colonel had even said she had gone from normal military to the special forces and finally come to Avalon base as the youngest one. From those facts Nightingale really did not think she would find Lucy still sleeping.

Hesitantly she stood there, closing the door behind her but not moving. A few thoughts raced through her mind before she walked over to the locker. It was opened quietly and the conract deposited inside. Like that she at least had not to worry about losing it. After she had locked the contract within she walked over to the bed the  young red haired woman was softly snoring in.

The letter she had still in her hand was silently placed next to the pillow before Nightingale turned around to her own bed. She had nothing to do, she did not feel like training where others could observe her and also she did not know her way around. She could have woken Lucy, with that all her problems would be solved.

Yet somehow she felt it was wrong to wake the girl who was sleeping so peacefully. To find such serene respite was something Nightingale was wishing for. Alas, it was impossible for her, and that she knew. Without an idea how to spend the time waiting, or how long it would take for Lucy to awaken she got rid of her boots and sat down on her own bed.

For a few minutes she sat there in silence, again simply watching the woman in the next bed. Then she let herself fall backwards into the sheets, staring soundlessly at the ceiling. She thought about the talk she had with the colonel, about her contract and the lift she would lead in the future.

‘’A team…’’ she mumbled to herself. Never had she worked in one before, even less so tried to protect someone or something. All she ever had done was take away, kill, hunt and destroy. ‘’Maybe…’’ another whisper left her lips as a single thought began to form within her mind. A thought, a wish so strong that it blurred out even the most painful memories within her. It was like a gentle light within the darkness which was her mind. ‘’Redemption…’’ She whispered this word as if it was worth the world. The concept was so fragile and unreachable; but for Nightingale it was the single light within the night, her only wish, and also her hope.

Like that she just kept her silence, her gaze wandering over everything and nothing at the same time. Her eyes were unfocused as her thoughts were spinning around this one word, again and again. She did not even notice when Lucy got up, neither did she notice when she put on her boots.

This fact remained elusive to her till she was softly kicked against her shin. Only then did Nightingale snap out of her reverie to realise the red haired one was standing in front of her bed. ‘’Morning’’ the green eyed ex assassin greeted indifferently. ‘’Morning? Its already past eleven! Why didn’t you wake me? No.. that is not even the problem. That is alone my fault, I was not supposed to fall asleep. Also how did this letter get here?’’ The ex assassin was questioned by the soldier.

Nightingale kept her words to herself for a while longer before she had chosen how to formulate her words. ‘’ I couldn’t bear to end your cute snoring, as for the letter… Judge came by shortly after sunrise and brought me to the colonel. I had a nice long discussion with him and the letter is something I brought back with me to give to you. You should open it and read it carefully.’’ she said. Half of it was a lie to dodge the question. But the second remained truthful.

A hint of red appeared on the young soldiers face ‘’I don’t snore’’ Lucy mumbled before she opened the letter very carefully. The near unnoticeable blush disappeared as fast as it had come when Lucy started to read the letter. Her slightly embarrassed face turned to a professional mask as her eyes kept moving from sentence to sentence.

That was what Nightingale had expected from her, a proffesional who can switch gears in a moments notice. She hardly expected someone who was sleeping half the day when they did not get woken up. It seemed to her as if the young soldier read the letter twice just to be sure before she folded it while sighing.

''Well... I should introduce myself fully then I guess. It seems we are going to be together for quite a while from now on, but you already knew that, didn't you?'' Nightingale was asked. It was a simple question, so a nod was all the answer she gave back to it. Another long sigh escaped the soldiers lips before she started to speak again.

''I don't know why I was chosen to be your... well... Whatever it is I am during your training. Anyway, my name is Lucy Strella and if it interests you I am twenty-two. If you want to know something else ask away. It would be nice to learn a bit more about you... Well... Aside from the... murder thing and so on...'' Lucy began to mumble on, seemingly unsure about how to talk to Nightingale.

''What exactly does the letter say? Tell me that first.'' Nightingale queried. She was aware about Lucy's future, but she did not know how far her orders reached within the letter. So as to not reveal what should not be spoken of yet, she wanted to know. ''It says I am to move into this room, assist you in your training, as well as to answer all questions you are permitted to know the answer for. That is what it says in a nutshell, leaving out all of the military terms.'' She was told by Lucy.

Again Nightingale nodded before she spoke, ‘’Fine then, I will allow you three questions. I won’t answer those which I don’t want to answer.’’ She said, letting Lucy know that she could ask whatever she wanted.

Like this quietness befell the room. The young woman in front of Nightingale furrowed her brows for a while before she looked up. Folding the letter she asked the first question. ''It is inconvenient to not know how to call you, so I want to ask your name.''

''My name... you can call me Nightingale,'' she said in a very gentle tone, even a very small smile was to be seen for a moment. Lucy seemed surprised at that answer. She even stopped the motion of putting the letter back into the envelope. For but a second, a smirk danced over Nightingale's lips as she saw the surprise her answer had given to Lucy.

''But... I thought you didn't have... Wait... Did you hear what I said last night?'' Lucy called out with shock. ''Yes, I did hear it indeed, quite clearly so. Just because I was doing something else does not mean I won't notice what happens in my surroundings. It is a handy skill to have,'' she answered the shocked Lucy, getting a small blush as reaction.

‘’But! That was just something stupid I mumbled half asleep. Do you even know where this quote came from? That is no quote you should derive your name from. Please reconsider this.’’ In silence Nightingale listened to Lucy’s near frantic words. She could not understand this reaction at all. And she also knew the tale it stemmed from. That was one of the reasons she found it to be so fitting.

As such she spoke.

                                                                                                     ‘’My self, abandon'd, and devoid of shame,

                                                                                                    Thro' the wide world your actions will proclaim;

                                                                                                          Or tho' I'm prison'd in this lonely den,

                                                                                                      Obscur'd, and bury'd from the sight of men.’’*

Slowly her words faded and the silence returned. Nightingale’s gaze shifted to Lucy, curious about her reaction. But she did not expect the one she got. For Lucy ended what Nightingale had begun.

                                                                                                    ‘’My mournful voice the pitying rocks shall move,

                                                                                                        And my complainings echo thro' the grove.’’

                                                                                                       ’Hear me, o Heav'n! and, if a God be there,

                                                                                                        Let him regard me, and accept my pray'r.’’*

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Nightingale had listened to the gentle voice as Lucy spoke those words. These words were old, a gruesome and forlorn tale. How fitting they were, how matching they felt for the ex assassin. After the soft murmurs of these ancient words faded to silence again no other sound arose. The two women just looked at each other, Nightingale sitting on her bed while Lucy stood in front of her.

The atmosphere was cold, those dark psalms still looming within their minds. Then a sudden grumbling sound arose and brought with it a bright laughter. It was Nightingale’s stomach which has growled. But it was Lucy who laughed, revealing a beautiful and innocent smile. ‘’Come, I’ll show you where the mess is.’’ Lucy said.

Nightingale looked at her curiously for a moment before she nodded and rose from her bed. ‘’You have bed hair… Sit down for a moment…’’ Nightingale slowly said to Lucy and began walking to her locker. After she had opened it she grabbed the wooden brush from it and closed the door again before walking back to her bed.

There she sat down again, ‘’sit’’ she said gently and patted her bed next to where she sat. She was stared at for a bit by Lucy before she also sat down where Nightingale had pointed. Then, bathed into the soft sunlight falling from the window. Nightingale began to silently brush Lucy’s red hair.

With gentle and slow motions she let the brush do its work, getting rid of all the standing and spiky strands and hairs. This was actually the first time the young woman had brushed someone else's hair. It was something new to her, but it felt nice to for once doing something gentle to someone.

‘’I am done’’ Nightingale said after a few minutes, letting the brush sink to her side as she gazed at Lucy. Her mind began drifting for a bit, as such she did not notice that she was still staring at the young woman next to her.

‘’Want to… eat?’’ She was asked by Lucy, finally snapping out of her small daze. It seemed as if Lucy had become uncomfortable from Nightingale’s staring. A wry smile rose to her lips as she shook her head, thinking to recent events. Lately she really was lacking in many aspects. ‘’Yes, let’s eat.’’ She said and stood up again. While moving towards the door she also went to her locker, putting back her brush again.

‘’Got everything?’’ She asked Lucy who had already opened the door. ‘’Yes’’ was the answer she got. As such they, now silent, left the bungalow. After pulling shut the door behind her Nightingale began walking next to Lucy. Neither of the two spoke as they walked over the courtyard.

‘’That is the gym,’’ Lucy pointed out for her. ‘’And that there are the barracks, and behind that the armory. The tower you already know I guess, thought it actually has many underground layers as far as I know…’’ Nightingale listened silently on as Lucy’s voice trailed off as if in thought.

Like that they passed the tower and were able to see three more buildings. ‘’That is the clinic, that over there the mess and the building next to it are the recreational facilities.’’ She was told again by Lucy. It was easy enough to remember those few things so Nightingale said nothing in response and just nodded.

After just a bit more walking the two reached the mess. It was a simple one floor building with a heavy double door and many windows. Lucy entered, and Nightingale followed behind. The inside was nothing but a spacious room with many tables and chairs. A few niches with smaller tables were also there. Otherwise there was just a long counter with a kitchen behind it.

It was quite empty and silent in the mess. Aside from Nightingale and Lucy there were just the people working behind the counter and a handful of other people. Together they walked to the counter, each took a tray and walked along the long glass vitrine. Nightingale got some sandwiches and an apple. Lucy seemed to think a while before she took the same. At the end of the vitrine both took a cup of coffee and some napkins before walking to one of the small niches.

They quietly set down their tray’s on the round table and sat down. The coffee in their cups was steaming and a nice fragrance filled the air. Nightingale took her first sandwich and took a small bite out of it. To her delight it was very tasty, so she kept eating with a small smile. Before it was rare for her to eat, even rarer to eat something tasty.

So it was quite a happy thing for her to be able to eat something nice when she was hungry. ‘’When does your training start?’’ The question Lucy asked her let her calm down from her delight. As such she slowly kept chewing and answered only after she had swallowed the tasty delight. ‘’In half an hour, I am supposed to be evaluated in a sparring match, gun usage, knowledge and a talk with a psychologist. I will also have to do a fitness test it seems. And after that, depending on the evaluation I get, the training will be chosen to fit my criteria.’’ She explained to Lucy before taking another bite followed by a sip of coffee.

After that no more questions were asked by Lucy. As such Nightingale thoroughly enjoyed her meal, savouring each bite the same as the first. She only stopped after having devoured all four of her sandwiches, she then took the last sip of her coffee and leaned back in satisfaction. ‘’Are you sure you should eat that much before a sparring match and fitness test? Won’t you get sick?’’She was asked by Lucy.

A smug smile rose to her lips, ‘’I won’t fight long enough to feel sick, also you seem to speak of experience?’’ Nightingale teasingly questioned back. She honestly did not like that Lucy asked her so many questions. She was not used to talking that much aside from negotiations, due to that Nightingale was acting a bit mean.

‘’Fine! I was just trying to be nice to you.’’ She was half shouted at by Lucy. Then her new partner rose from her seat and took her tray away. With a sigh Nightingale also rose, following behind with her own tray. She walked again to the long counter and placed her tray into a tray holder for the used ones. She then turned around and looked at Lucy, ‘’sorry. I am not used to talking with others, even less other people talking to me except when they want something.’’ She said those words as apology, something she also had rarely needed to do before.

But Nightingale knew that she was in the wrong this time too. And it was not in her nature to not do something which should be done. As such she had apologized near immediately after seeing her own wrongdoing. She sighed again before she turned and began walking across the room towards the exit. She did not need to hear Lucy’s answer, her apology was already given.

Like that she pushed open the big doors and walked out into the courtyard again. Thanks to Lucy pointing out the buildings earlier Nightingale knew where the gym was. It was actually the building closest to her bungalow, aside from the second bungalow which was still without inhabitants. As she made her way across the base her eyes moved left and right, once again inspecting all those people walking around. Soldiers were patrolling on the walls as before, snipers were scanning the territory from their towers. And also a lot of people with many different uniforms and clothings were walking around. The only thing they all shared in common was that they all carried at least one weapon with them.

Like that her steps had carried her across the open place and brought her before the gym door. It was just a normal metal door in front of an two stories high building. Many big windows were just below the roof. From that Nightingale understood that the building was probably just one big vast room instead of multi floors.

So when she pushed open  the door she was not surprised. It really was just one really big room. At the right wall were many fitness machines and other things. In the middle of the room were ropes hanging from the ceiling and other such things. While on the left side there was a big space with matted floor.

Some people were in each zone of the building, some lifting big weights, others running on treadmills. In the middle two people did pull ups on some iron bars, while on the left a few people were sparring. Nightingale quietly stood at the entrance and watched those who were fighting. One was using boxing techniques while the other seemed to be some sort of grappler.

It was just a short match which the grappler lost fast, he had tried to rush in low to reach for the boxer’s legs. But he received a punch to the temple and went down in one blow. It was quite anti climatic and also a bad matchup. After nobody else seemed to fight and the soldiers there began to talk instead of spar she decided to walk over. Afterall she herself had to spar with them as part of her evaluation next.

The five soldiers who were talking looked at her now that she moved closer. Their eyes wandering up and down her body. She knew well those gazes, animalistic desires without respect. Only one of them a broad shouldered tall guy looked at her differently. His eyes were looking at her with a calculating gaze. She completely ignored the other four and directly went to the tall one.

‘’I guess you are the one who will evaluate me.’’ Nightingale said as she got close enough to them. He nodded to her statement, ‘’Yes I am the one who will decide if you pass or not. But how did you know?’’ She was asked by him. Her eyes wandered over the other four before she spoke. ‘’Because you were the only one who tried to size me up to figure out how good of a fighter I am.’’ She said in a very dry tone. Due to her words two from the others looked away while two others seemed as they felt wronged.

The broad shouldered guy laughed to her words. ‘’Forget about that, those guys may be idiots. But they are fine soldiers when it counts. Anyway you can call me Tom, as for my rank… That does not matter to you. You don’t fall under the normal chain of command anyway so Tom is fine.’’ She was told by Tom.

And his words were true. She had learned about this from the colonel. She did not fall under the normal chain of command, only the colonel and his two aides could give her orders. And anyone above those three obviously, but that would only happen in large scale operations and the like as she had heard.  

‘’Anyway you should get ready, you will have to fight those four in turn for my evaluation. The rules are simple. Do not use lethal moves, do not cause permanent or long term injuries.’’ Then she noticed that Tom had stopped while looking at her, he then added. ‘’Also I won’t allow any of you guys to try something funny…’’ he said while looking at the four other guys.

This was honestly a weird feeling for Nightingale, someone who looked out for her. That was a new sort of feeling, it was strange. But it also felt nice. Her mood brightened a bit so she kneeled down and got out of her boots. After she got rid of her boots and socks she walked to the center of the matted zone.

She then nodded to Tom, ‘’Ready… Also… I will hold back…’’ She said softly with her usual uncaring tone. The two soldiers who had looked wronged frowned upon hearing this. One of them was the boxer who stepped forward to be her first opponent. ‘’You better not hold back girl, or I may end up hurting you.’’ She was sneered at by him. Her reaction seemed to confuse him, for a bright smile appeared on her face.

With this big smile she began walking forward, without urgency. Just taking slow step after slow step. He looked down on her lithe small body and this would be his undoing. So when she came into range he was still just looking at her with no defense whatsoever. Thus the moment she stepped into range her smile turned ferocious. Nightingale then sprung back performing an elegant backward handspring, while performing her move her left foot crashed below the chin of the soldier before she landed softly on her feet again.

She then simply turned and walked back to the center, nobody said a word and silence arose. But it only lasted for a moment before it was broken by a heavy thud as the big soldier crashed into the mats; knocked out.

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1. Philomela, princess of Athen. An ancient tale from the old days. It is a dark and gruesome one.