Anaera gripped the armrests as the plane took off. This was the first time she had flown before -- well, flown in a plane. She forced herself to loosen her grip and practice an old breathing exercise. She hadn't used this particular one since her early training. The thought of the first spirit she had spoken with made her smile. She was calm now. She didn't need to be so upset because the flight to England from Japan did NOT involve crossing very large watery expanses.

The plane took off smoothly. She unfastened her seat belt and released Orpheus from the pouch at her waist. The small mouse scampered across her body, over the sword hilt hanging from her neck, and up to nestle at the top of one thick braid. Anaera fingered the hilt and wished she had her katana with her. For some reason other than flying, she felt highly uneasy. Unfortunately, her identity of Nadori Anira would not let her carry a weapon on the plane. Oh well, England couldn't be that bad. It's not like she was flying into a warzone! She was just checking out a new place.

The in-flight movie was Highlander, for some reason. Anaera hated that movie. Immortals killing each other? Please! Who would want to get rid of the few people who actually made good conversation! It was time for a nap...

...She was floating down to a strange landscape. She reached out with her powers to feel the life around her and -- realized she was dreaming. Why was she dreaming of such a strange place? She was sure she hadn't eaten the fish! She was seriously thinking of waking up, but then a man appeared.

He dressed as a wondering monk and held a golden staff in one hand. His hair was a silvery blue-white and it stood up in large spikes in the front (it was definitely a dream, because no REAL hair did that). From his left-side profile, she thought he was winking, but then he turned...

...Anaera gasped. His left eye was permanantly sealed by a scar, but he was still incredibly handsome. He wasn't beautiful, but then, Anaera disliked super-pretty boys. For her, the scar made him all the more attractive. It made her feel that this man understood pain. Then, she saw him in action. He had power and he knew how to use it! She saw him put on a smiling mask and she laughed at some of his antics. "Who is that masked monk," she asked herself. Whoever he was, she was sure he was someone she'd waited her whole life for...

...What was she maundering on about! She was getting all goopy over a fantasy! She sounded worse than a middle school student. She had never heard such crap originate in her mind! It was a good dream though -- she'd have to remember what she HAD eaten...

...Strange -- the dream had moved on without her. She frowned because the awesome man wasn't there anymore. Instead, a series of faces flashed through her mind...