Artemis raised a silver eyebrow behind her mask at the two children. That she might not be human in this world was… interesting. Troubling? Curious. Artemis had no idea what not being human meant. She didn't feel any different. Well, aside from the exhaustion, terror, and crushing existential pain. That all seemed downright reasonable though, considering the circumstances. Besides, they were just kids. While they certainly knew more than her about this world, they didn't know everything. The Witch's tale rang through her mind again.

Then the boy propositioned her. The corner of her mouth quirked up as something familiar sparked in her chest: curiosity struck against cockiness to create a mischievous little flame. It was something she'd always had, but Artemis had truly nurtured it in her previous life – the one that came after dancing and heartbreak, but before shadows and demons. It was out of place here, she knew. But it was the closest thing to home she had now, and Artemis clung to it in the darkness. As she looked at the two masked children, she felt its warmth zip through her. Her smile grew.

[color=darkturquoise]"Hmm,"[/color] she hummed to herself. She looked skywards and tilted her head to the side, pretending to contemplate their offer. She dipped her head to the other side. The Artemis looked back at the boy. She had heard of kitsune before (though who knew if they were the same thing here) – tricky little fox spirits that stole from the unsuspecting and liked playing with fire. Her smile turned a bit sardonic at that. Being one wouldn't be too much of a stretch. [color=darkturquoise]"Well,"[/color] Artemis finally drawled out, [color=darkturquoise]"I suppose you [i]have[/i] earned my help since you managed to figure me out."[/color]

Artemis really hoped they weren't real in the forest. (They probably were.)

[color=darkturquoise]"Tell you what,"[/color] she said, [color=darkturquoise]"you make sure the Pirate's properly distracted, I'll do what I can with the gryphon."[/color] Her eyes flicked over to said Pirate, still warring with the ruined saddle. They darted over to the gryphon that'd managed to make its way near, sitting at the edge of the Witch's barrier. [color=darkturquoise]"Then we'll see about the flying."[/color] 

The gryphon's thumping tail pounded out a frantic beat on the forest floor. 

This was stupid. Reckless. Ill-advised. Artemis didn't even know gryphons existed before this. They were probably dangerous. And if they managed this, stealing a mount from what looked to be a [i]very[/i] armed man – and a friend of the Witch's, no less – was a horrible idea.

Just what Artemis needed right now. 

Pushing away from the tree, Artemis considered her options. They gryphon was… not what she was expecting. It seemed oddly [i]tame[/i] for a mythical winged beast. Friendly, even. Downright dog…like…

Artemis froze at this revelation. Because… [i]no[/i]. Would that work? She stared at the gryphon for a moment longer. Then she began searching the forest floor. Before long she found what she was looking for, and Artemis rose to her full height with a hefty half-rotten tree branch in her hands. If this actually worked, she was going to fling herself at the nearest carnivorous tree. She waggled the branch a bit in the gryphon's direction, then turned on her heel. 

With one last prayer that the kids were dealing with the Pirate, Artemis flung the branch as far as she could into the forest.