Knock the arrow.

Draw the bowstring.

Release.

Breathe.

A simple rhythm. One that Platinum has done hundreds of thousands of times.

Knock the arrow.

Draw the bowstring.

Release.

Breathe.

Almost relaxing, really… if she could call work relaxing. Really it was just less of a pain than most things she had to do. At least this… this she felt some sort of satisfaction.

Knock the arrow.

Draw the bowstring.

Release.

Breathe.

Seeing the arrow warp and wiggle through the air to the target. How could something so fallible, something so random, soar so unerringly?

Knock the arrow.

Draw the bowstring.

Release.

Breathe.

It was because of her. She did it. Her eyes, her technique, everything she'd learned. It's a source of pride, so maybe that's why it's so much less of a pain?

Knock the arrow.

Draw the bowstring.

Release.

*Bzz Bzzzz*

She forgot to breathe. No, no it's not that she forgets to breathe, it's that her breath catches in her throat before it can even leave. Trapped there when her heart slams straight down into her belly.

*Bzz Bzzzz*

Her arrow went wide, clipping the target and whirring away into the distance. She'd need to go and pick that up now.

What a pain.

*Bzz Bzzzz*

Her phone doesn't stop though. It's not like it was a prank call, or some sniveling telemarketer. No one had her phone number, not just anyone could call the Platinum. Instinctively she reached for her pocket, but stopped. Her hand… was trembling.

*Bzz Bzzzz*

Every time she had picked that phone up, someone died. She'd knock the arrow, draw her bowstring, and that beautiful arrow would unerringly soar straight into the flesh of another. Someone she may have met before, or more likely, a stranger she had never met in her life.

…and they'd die.

…and Platinum would get to live.

Was that… really fair?

*Bzz Bzzzz*

At first it felt nice; holding lives at the very tip of an arrow. Those stuck-up competition knights, those burly meatheads that'd chase her around an arena, kick her when she was down, gloat over her defeat, never knowing that she had to let them win. Yeah… felt nice to put an arrow through those ones the moment they stepped out of line.

But some of the others?

They…

*Bzz Bzzzz*

…every time she picked up that phone, Centaurea died too.

Little by little, arrow by arrow, until there is nothing left of her.

It made her want to puke.

*Bzz Bzzzz*

A vacation… was that so much to ask? Just a vacation, time where she could just… be herself again.

Then again, did she even know who she was anymore?

*Bzz Bzzzz*

Centaurea. Platinum. Centaurea. Platinum. Gods, she couldn't fucking stand it anymore.

And yet, what choice did she have? She made that choice when she took that first call. Young, stupid, naive Centaurea that didn't realized that the shackles were already on her, that her wings were clipped from the moment she had even talked to that man.

*Bzz Bzzzz*

She stands there still, frozen like a statue- bow in hand, trembling like a leaf in the wind, ready to be plucked from the branch. Mind racing, a broken record asking: "Who was going to die today?"

*Bzz Bzzzz*

And her phone goes silent.

If her eyes were to lead her to greatness… well then, she'd rather be blind.

At least she'd never see the Darksteel arrow ripping through the air. If they were merciful, maybe they'd kill her in that single stroke, finally put Centaurea out of her misery… but who is she kidding? Those bastards were sadistic, they'd leave her pinned to a wall as an example to the next Platinum.

No point looking pretty then. No need to fix her hair, no need to straighten out her clothes, no need to go and pick up that stupid arrow.

*Bzz Bzzzz*

A fresh ringing… pulls Platinum's attention this time. That need for redemption, maybe? A chance to grovel and beg for her life?

She answers with breath held still.

"Platinum?" Familiar voice, haunting in its own right.

"Yes. I'm here…"

"You didn't answer before."

"Sorry… got distracted. I was…" Her eyes glance to the target, then to the arrow on the other side of the training room. The way it had landed, it is pointing at her. "I was cleaning up after myself."

"Oh… well when you're done with that, I've finished my work up here." The voice pauses a moment. Indecisive, how unlike them. Platinum breathes out slowly, carefully, not to let them hear just what it is she is letting go of. She needs to ready herself, steady her heart once more, just like those moments when she'd knock the arrow, draw the bow, and release.

"So… do you still have those two tickets?"