Grudgingly.

“I'm undertaking a journey to the Croft Manor. I'd like to hire you to accompany me.” Ash replied curtly.

“When do we leave?” The warrior asked, without hesitation.

“Now.” The scarlet aristocrat said turning and walking toward the door.

“My name is Crystal.” The woman smiled, following after her with smooth strides.

“Ash.” The scarlet beauty replied.

“Ashley, pretty.” The exotic woman murmured

“It's Ash.” She reiterated, annoyed.

Crystal followed the moody woman to a stagecoach that had delivered the letter to the Croft heir, and they settled on the comfy cushions for a long ride through the forest of the old road. The exotic warrior took her hat off and set it aside, before smiling at her.

“So Ashley, what brings you to the manor?” The raven beauty asked.

With exceptional speed Ash darted across the coach, and grabbed Crystal by the throat. “My, name, is...” The scarlet beauty gasped, as the warrior's eyes fluttered, her hand gently cupping the aristocrat's plump breast. “What...” She stammered confused, as the raven haired woman flicker her thumb across her hardening nipple.

Crystal gently took Ash's wrist and peeled it from her throat, as her ruby lips floated like feathers across the redhead's jawline. “Ashley,” the redhead tensed in anger “Croft.”

A single red tear slipped down Ash's cheek, as she battled her emotions, torn between confusion, and anger. “Who are you?” She demanded looking down at her companion, with her piercing blue eyes.

“Someone fascinated by the darkness. Someone not afraid to go where the light fades. Someone who isn't shy about the demons inside of you.” Crystal smiled at her.

“You have no idea, what hides within me.” Ash replied firmly.

“I have an inkling, and I still stand at your side. Would any other, if they sensed that darkness? Or would they run like scared children?” The warrior smiled softly. Ash growled, but instead of lunging, she got up, and fell back into her seat annoyed by the perplexing woman. Crystal smiled and stretched her arms above her head enticingly. “I'm going to get some sleep, will you watch over me, Ash?”

Ash frowned, at the woman who was quite clearly playing with her. She nodded grudgingly, as the woman curled up like a cat on the red silk cushions. Crystal was right about one thing. Those who sensed what lay inside of her, ran, or attacked her. Ash smiled for a moment. She had been put on tilt from the moment the two met, but now she saw the game, and her own curiosity had been piqued.

Hours later, Ash opened her eyes, and noticed that the stagecoach had come to a stop. Crystal must have noticed to, because her eyes fluttered open, and her dark orbs began searching for what neither could see. Opening the curtain to look out in the dark sky, she saw a camp fire a few hundred feet off the road. The coach must have come to a stop, worried the bandits would notice them.