Eventually Artemis found herself trying not to slink as she made her way through the back alleys of Oyagun Nai. Nura had been hidden away at the edge of the town, along with the staff (trying to leave with it had only ended with the gryphon following and nipping after her) and the rabbit mask (Artemis was fairly certain any benefit it would've granted her wouldn't be worth the swift imprisonment and/or death she'd face if she was caught with it).

The Oyagun Nai was a marvel, even in the dark – sandy and sea-kissed, laced with odd runic machinery Artemis didn't know how to begin to understand. Voices echoed through the streets, shouts and cried joining to make a single murmuring blanket that covered the village.

Food, clothes, weapons, gear.

The list repeated in her head as she crouched behind a building, listening to the passing of footsteps. Her own steps were silent as a secret thanks to her runes. The echoes of the rune Oseely had burned into her hand still tingled her flesh, itching for use. Not for the first time, she eyed the pulley system above her, basket ripe with the promise of supplies. But she didn't have enough control over Nura yet to grab them on a fly-by, and with this many people out and about she didn't trust that she could climb up and grab the loot without being seen. Of course, the darkness would work in her favor… But getting caught fifty feet off the ground on a tight-rope wasn't the most appealing idea.

The footsteps she'd been tracking disappeared deeper into the village, and Artemis took the opportunity to dash from her hiding spot behind a building to an alley across the road. It was lined by two buildings, houses or small stores, if she had to guess, wide open windows revealing the interiors were dark and still. The alley was maybe forty feet long, turning left at the end. Artemis hurried across the road, intending to follow the alley.

[i]"Come on, Jani said north end's a wreck!"[/i]

A voice bounced off the walls and Artemis cursed as her heart jumped to her throat. She'd already entered the alleyway when she saw the flickering of torchlight dancing on the walls. Without thinking, she dove right, through the window of a building. Artemis toppled over herself, landing flat on her back and shaking the floor, but the collision was a silent one, at least. It wasn't one of her more graceful moves. Her skirt was a mess around her, lifted dangerously high on her torso. Her hand was crushed over her mouth, trying to stifle her coughing after her fall, tears burning her eyes. She tried to get a hold of herself as whoever was running to the north end passed by her window without incident.

Artemis took a moment to just lay there, not-choking and definitely not-reviewing-all-her-mistakes. When she was finally confident she could breathe without wheezing, she let her hand fall from her mouth. Placing it on the ground, she used it to push herself up with a wince and a stifled groan. That landing had [i]hurt.[/i]

Artemis blinked and took in her new surroundings.