WHO: Kate Danvers and Liu Ying WHAT: Letting off some steam WHEN: Before the soap opera plot WHERE: The woods WARNINGS: N/A STATUS: Closed/Completed Gdoc
When she got off work, Kate headed out to find Liu Ying so they could fight again and she could work off some of her nervous energy. She might not have been exceptionally close to Tea, but they had worked together for years on the Art & Music Festival so she counted the other girl as a friend and was disappointed to learn that she’d been sent home from Madison Valley.
Having an outlet with someone she could go all out against was a great thing. Neither Nick nor Stiles was really the fighting type and while they were great for other releases, sometimes she needed to pummel someone or something. She was far more aggressive than either of her boyfriends, something her father had always understood since he was the same way. Her mom would probably get it, but Kate hated bugging her with that sort of thing.
It didn’t take her long to track Liu Ying and she found her in a clearing in the woods. “Hey,” she said.
***
While Liu Ying waited for Kate, she found a quiet location in the woods to cultivate. At home, she did not have as much time as she would have liked to improve her internal force, and this sojourn into the mortal world was giving her the opportunity.
When Kate found her, she was sitting cross-legged, hovering several feet above the ground, with her eyes closed and her palms pressed together. Black smoke wisped around her. But when Kate greeted her, she opened her eyes and lowered herself to the ground, where she stood gracefully.
“Werewolf Kate Danvers,” she greeted. “I am happy you asked me to spar.”
***
“Sorry,” Kate said, realizing that the other woman appeared to be meditating or something. “Hope I’m not disturbing you.” Even though she was expected, Liu Ying had explained that she didn’t really track time the same way that humans did, so maybe she wasn’t really expecting Kate yet.
Growing up in the supernatural community meant that Kate was familiar with demons, at least the ones in her world, and it fascinated her that Liu Ying was so different from the ones she’d known her entire life.
***
“It is no disturbance,” Liu Ying said easily. “Cultivation can occur another time.”
Liu Ying spent much of her time on cultivation, when she was not doing other training. Cultivation was what grew her power and allowed her to control the force inside her. She could easily resume her efforts later. For now, she focused on the mortal in front of her.
There was something different about the Young Werewolf today: although there appeared to be some sadness in her eyes, the edge of angry ferocity that had been in her when Liu Ying had first met her was no longer present. She had found some measure of peace from whatever had bothered her before. “Is there a particular reason you wish to spar today?”
***
Kate shrugged. “Feeling a little restless,” she said. “I’ve been here for five and a half years and I’ve seen so many people come and go.” It was frustrating and there were times when she wanted to avoid making connections though she knew that she was far too social for a solitary life.
Getting close to people and then losing them never got easier and every loss made her think about her brother, the numerous versions of her mother, and now her father.
“How’ve you been?”
***
“The leaves fall every season,” Liu Ying said gently. “But that does not mean the roots wither. You will see your friends again, whether in this life or the next, if you have fate.”
She was not sure if her words would comfort Kate at all: people here did not seem to believe in the cycle of reincarnation, or the concept of yuen fan: fated entanglement. Even mortals in her own world could seek comfort in meeting their loved ones again, but she did not know how to best comfort anyone here.
“I have been learning much about this world.” A touch of pride came into her voice. “Recently, without aid, I used a self-checkout golem.”
***
The words managed to be simultaneously encouraging and depressing. Kate knew she would see her brother again. And a version of her father, even though it wouldn’t be the same man she’d grown to love here.
“That’s good,” she said, choosing to focus on Liu Ying’s progress with modern life than her own losses. “It can be a lot to get used too.” Especially for people from worlds completely unlike this one, which Kate had the impression was the case here.
She was curious to learn more about the other woman’s world. Eventually. Not at the moment though. Right now, she was looking for a physical outlet.
***
It was true: for all that Liu Ying was beginning to understand this world, and despite how quickly mortal time flowed, she felt it would take much longer to fully understand and live in this world as its natives did. Liu Ying looked forward to the discovery.
But for now, there was a young werewolf whose restless edge was beginning to return.
She smiled, and saluted the werewolf with one palm wrapped around the other fist. “Let us begin.”
***
“Yeah,” Kate agreed, easily falling into a fighting stance.
She knew going in that Liu Ying would kick her ass again, probably without breaking a sweat, and that was okay. It was still cathartic to fight and going up against someone who could beat her so handily was good for developing her skills.
***
For Liu Ying, sparring with Young Werewolf Kate was little more than a light warm up. But the mortal had moves and tactics Liu Ying had not seen in her men or her enemies, and she enjoyed the novelty of it. She would have liked to go on longer, but obligingly pulled back when Kate indicated she wanted to stop.
“Better?” She pressed her palms together and drew them downwards, pulling her qi back inwards.
***
It was rare for a fight to leave Kate breathless, but she bent over, resting her hands on her thighs, and took a minute to catch her breath before answering Liu Ying’s question. “Yeah, that was great,” she said. “I would hate to actually go up against you.” Even if she had the entire Pack fighting with her, Kate wasn’t sure if they could take down the demon.
She wondered how Adam would fare against her. Might be worth asking about.
“So, have you learned anything about modern music?” Kate asked.
***
“As would most people,” Liu Ying acknowledged. There was no arrogance in her words: Liu Ying knew she was a fearsome warrior, because she had worked very hard to be one. Young Werewolf Kate would be also, given time and experience.
“As for music…” Liu Ying gestured, and a small, low table appeared. There were a few figs on a plate, and she indicated that Kate should help herself. “I hear repetitive melodies in the background of shops. Is that modern music?”
***
Kate blinked in surprise at the whole conjuring thing, but she helped herself to a fig. “Yeah, probably,” she said. “I mean, for a given definition of modern.” A lot of stores played music that was considered oldies or classic rock in this particular year even though it would all be considered modern to Liu Ying.
“If you have any interest in learning about it, let me know. It’s my passion.”
***
“Fighting is not your passion?” Liu Ying was surprised. Given the fierce commitment Young Werewolf Kate gave to her fights, Liu Ying had thought it was what she spent her time on. In her world, soldiers did not have time for things like music or arts. But Young Werewolf Kate was not a soldier, and here people could both train to fight and have other passions. Liu Ying sometimes still forgot just how different everything was.
She took a seat at the table and gestured to her guest to do the same. “I would like to hear more about your music. What is your instrument of choice?”
***
“Oh, I like to fight too,” Kate said. She’d been training to replace her father as the Pack Enforcer for pretty much her entire life and knew that she was lucky to have the ability to focus so much of her attention on music.
She sat down with a smile and helped herself to another fig. “I play a number of instruments, though I generally prefer guitar and drums.” Liu Ying might regret asking about music. It was something Kate could discuss for hours.