China Sorrows slid her blood red silk nightgown over her head as she walked to the bathroom. She picked up the hairbrush and began running it through her long, jet black hair. When she was satisfied, she set the hairbrush down and spared a second to look at her reflection. It was beautiful, as always, even without the aid of make-up. She frowned. She turned away, annoyed somehow. She flipped off the light and shut the door softly behind her.
She sighed softly as she glanced around her apartment. It seemed so empty to her right now. It wasn't often she wished for human interaction. China felt glad that Valkyrie and Skulduggery were due by soon because they had something to ask her. Unable to be in the apartment any longer, China grabbed her black, silk robe and crossed the threshold into her library.
The library was dark, illuminated only by the low light the moon offered through the window. Her library had officially closed for the night hours ago. She briefly wondered why she allowed the two detectives to come see her so late, but didn't dwell on it long.
Not bothering to turn on the lights, China made her way to the back of the library. She sat down in a large armchair in front of one of the few windows in the library. She allowed her eyes to drift close for a moment. Receiving no relief from the action, she re-opened them and sank tiredly into the cushion.
She was thinking about it again. Her past. The things she had done. China tried to make it a point not to think about it much, yet it always crept up on her when she was vulnerable.
China regretted nothing, of course. She didn't feel guilty about the people she had killed or the lies she had told. She is on no one's side but her own. She'll do all that's necessary to ensure her survival and success.
She groaned lightly and rubbed her temples. Though she was not guilty, she did not like what she had done. It caused her slight sadness whenever the memories resurfaced. She wasn't as heartless as everyone thought she was, though she might as well have been. China was prone to switching sides at the drop of a hat. She was as sneaky as a snake and about just as trustworthy.
In the future, she knew, things would undoubtedly take a turn for the worse. When they did, it's very possible she would turn against her current friends and allies.
"It's really late! She's probably not up any more!" China looked up at the sound of a certain young, dark-haired female's voice from outside her door.
"We would have been here earlier, if not for you," A smooth-voiced Irish man replied, amusement clear in his voice.
"Me?" Valkyrie cried incredulously.
"Yes you!"
"Who are you trying to fool? You're the one who missed the turn! Twice!"
"I owe that to poor directions given to me by the navigator."
"Who exactly was the navigator? I gave you absolutely no directions at all!"
"Which was obviously the reason I missed the turn."
China chuckled at the banter as their footsteps drew closer. She stood up and wrapped her robe tighter around herself before walking over to meet them.
As she walked, China smiled to herself. She was a traitor by nature. She was, and probably always will be. But maybe, she thought, just maybe she would stay on their side for a while longer.
A little drabble on China :) Saw the word 'turncoat' and immediately thought of her.