Echo stood in front of a target, a few yards back. It was still dark out but the sun was set to rise in about an hour. She took out a few knives and threw them aimlessly at the target. They all hit it. However, only a few struck the middle. She sighed in notice of her not getting better at knife throwing. Echo walked over to the small river, leaving her knives. She knelt down and splash her hands in the water then threw water in her face.

Rein was in one of the trees on the highest branch. She had her eyes closed. She was aiming towards other trees with her knives. She then stood to her feet. She jumped down and she began to throw the knives into the tree. All of the knives going into it making a perfect line. When she used them all she landed on her feet like a cat. She looked at her work. All of them were in a perfect line but she looked again. The last one was off. She groaned as she went over to get her knives.

During certain moon phases on any given month Mercurical likes to float down slow moving rivers with her face exposed barely clearing the water's surface. When in this state of being she is able to witness with her eyes the atmospheric aura moonlight creates when reflecting off nearby trees, foothills, and rocky escarpments while her brain luxuriates in the inner peace that suggests a oneness with Nature in all its majestic splendor. When such serendipitous moments do occur they must be savored like the succulent aroma a fine glass of wine would impart upon the nostrils. Sadly, since inception of the NWO and the resistance to it that has ensued, such celebrations about life have become rare.

On one of these moonlit nights Mercurical chose to float a section of river only frequented by the brave or the foolish. Now that mini-wars and skirmishes are commonplace between the loyals and rebels with non-existent boundaries certain quadrants offer restricted entry. Sensing the presence of 2 human-like bipeds off in the distance around the bend, origins and allegiances unknown, Mercurical opted to lower herself a few fathoms just enough to escape detection from land. It's ashamed, she thought to herself while gliding by undetected in her submersible state, this area promised great potential for development back in the day. She recalled the mentoring from an old friend, a man she hadn't seen in 2 decades since that visit, driving her and her father around this area extolling the virtues of oh, no, the construction of another shopping mall that would not only offer acres of free recharging pods, air-conditioning, iphone arcades, terrestrial food courts much like the loyals enjoyed in their kingdoms but be home to the grandest of all big box Sprawl-Mart Super Centers the Galaxy would ever witness. Gad, she thought, all that progress and potential dashed over a questionable cause. Too bad.

Moments later, shortly after sensing metallic objects resting near the river's edge just out of reach Mercurical reversed course underwater and quickly returned homeward realizing she would probably never return to this area of forgotten promise.

Echo shot knives in to multiple trees. Her throwing was better then that last time she had practice. She had something on her mind that kept her at throwing the knives.

Zeek sat there silently watching here improve her skills a slight smile on her face.

Echo threw one more knife. The handle hit against the tree and swung back toward Echo. She ducked and shouted, "Shit." The blade of the knife stabbed in to a tree behind her. She was unaware of Zeek.

Zeek shook his head and threw a blade right where her had hit. "Your still to stiff" said shaking his head.

"Hey, I have alot on my mind mister." Echo said and glanced at him. No smile on her face at the moment.

"Mister that's a bit cold and whats on you'r mind Zeek said smiling.

Echo smiled back. "None of your business nor your concern." She said and walked back to her knives.

"Why are you being so cold" he dropped from the tree a frown on his face.

"I'm not trying to be. I've just been thinking alot lately." Echo said and looked at him. "And one of those things is how to throw knives." She grabbed his hands and tugged him over by her. "Now, come on. Help me. Please?"

"All right" what do you need help with?

"My knife throwing since you seem to be pro at it." Echo told him with a smile and grabbed one of her knives from the tree.