The concert was late, a wintery event to some, and the energy was more than some concert in the park, more than music found online, or recorded.

It was an experience, electric and empowering and a steamroller all in one. The moment the first band member had stepped out to incite a crowd to the final note to the subtle things, it was electrifyingly powerful and Emily took that energy into herself. Not as many would in the war she was reminded of walking home but rather the fictional story. The words and message resonated, and even as she had slept, they permeated, chasing away night terrors and awakening a fire, a candle that had flickered, trying to burn.

Emily had awakened refreshed and went to a store, purchasing a simple hat and placed it on her head, looking in the mirror at the reflection before flashing a smile and felt satisfied in her appearance. She felt good and looked fantastic, and while it wasn't suitable to class, it was suitable to daily wear, and she stepped in the house with her prize with a fluid walk of confidence, moving about her chores purposefully, but, her mind was rolling.

She hadn't forgotten the oath she made herself not to become someone's prey, nor did she forget the nightmares of her family, dead and at her feet, friends perishing before her eyes - and Emily Wren Wiley was not pleased with these nightmares.

After all, her screen name was Loki of Asgard. Nobody put her in a corner.

Still, Emily stepped out into the City to watch for signs of trouble, but the concert left the following day's mark as her walk was a little more easy, more fluid, almost friendly.

It was what she wanted. And she wanted the war she guessed at to end in fire. Nightmartes warded her from daring think of the horrors in the dark and the terrorists roaming Destiny City were another danger, though Emily felt less afraid now. The concert had helped greatly, and gave her an important remin der not to risk too much. To risk failure. She would not fall. She would stand.

She kept this to herself, deciding like so much lately to keep it to herself and tell nobody, instead focusing at home on schoolwork, on bettering her skills to improve her capability to protect herself and her family.

She would work to protect herself, her twin, her father, uncle, aunt, and cousins. She would not let them die.

But she wouldn't go seeking a fight. There were better ways to handle affairs when strength was not a forte - she could use cunning and intelligence and she could use skill. She would work on what she did know - he majors - and apply the degrees to making sure people knew her name.

And then, only then, could she act properly. She wasn't happy by any arrangement with the idea, no, but she did know it was critical, and to that extent she managed to swallow pride and watch people, focusing on school work. She was likely to withdraw, but sacrifices had to be made. And although her aunt sent her out often to receive fresh air and social interactions, Emily Wren also watched people, and kept herself guarded. Not unfriendly - but certainly quiet, and the young woman settled her mind to planning and working.

So much work to do.