The sound of the punchbag being smacked around echoed in the empty training space.

one. one-two-one. duck. left.

Wake up.
Jog.
Patrol the Circle.
Tai chi.
Shower.
Breakfast.
Study. Prime. Life.
Patrol the Circle.
Lunch.
Train.

Roundhouse kick. Roundhouse kick.

Patrol the Circle.
Study. Prime. Life.
Running/Parkour.
Patrol the Circle.
Dinner.
Enjoy self.
Sleep.
Repeat.

Training was easy. Studying was easy.

Left... LeftRight. Kick.

Enjoying yourself? The fact was Phoenyx was incredibly bad at it.

The First Talon had always spent time with Kaze. Dates, sex, sparring.

All gone.

The punches grow harder. The sounds of the trainee louder, more expletive.

In training she was hitting harder and faster. Getting angrier all the time. It was getting more and more difficult to keep her emotions under control. Breaking up with Kaze. Arguing with Cosmo over how the Concillium should be run. No-one she felt she could talk to.

Before, she would have prowled around a bar for a willing one-night stand and vanished in the morning. Job done. But that just felt... odd, after the comfort and support of what sh had thought was a loving relationship.

"Argh!"

Phoenyx slammed her fist into bag and wrenched her wrist.

"God dammit FUCK!"

The Arrow clutched her arm in one hand. She was lying to herself. Nothing was easy. Studying was harder than ever. Her focus was all over.

He did this. Stupid Kaze and his stupid religion... giving up me. ME. All because his faith means we couldn't have sex? It's stupid. Stupid.

Maybe I need to get away. Go for a drink or something.

Maybe I... need someone to talk to.

A few words and Life eased the pain of her arm. The Arrow trembled, and a tear leaked from her eyes.

I need help.