[center][h3][color=lightseagreen]Artemis[/color][/h3][color=lightsteelblue]
[color=mediumturquoise][b]Time:[/b][/color] Afternoon - Evening 
[color=mediumturquoise][b]Location:[/b][/color] Forests near River Kingdom > River Kingdom Healing Center 
[color=mediumturquoise][b]Mood:[/b][/color] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crVgAaYWehE] Lazy Afternoons [/url]
[color=mediumturquoise][b]Interaction:[/b][/color] NPC: Asher and Flower [/color][/center]
[center][h3][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/610964561553522698/610976734258659379/up-divider.png?width=960&height=83[/img][/h3][/center]

[color=lightsteelblue]After finishing the fish, Artemis painstakingly crawled into the bloody river. She groaned in pain and began applying pressure to the wound. She wanted to remove the knife, but knew she would only bleed out. Scowling, she looked ahead to the forest. She was close to the kingdom. All she had to do was swim another mile and be there. It sounded easier said than done. Sighing, Artemis swam forward slowly and painfully, not caring to clean up the mess she had left. 

After what felt like eternity, Artemis arrived in the River Kingdom. She could hardly breathe from the pain in her side. Her vision was blurry and she felt like vomiting. She crawled out of the river onto her hands and feet, gasping for air. She collapsed onto her side and watched as nearby fairies turned to stare. Her tail transformed into legs in which she pulled up to her chest protectively. The kingdom spun around her sickeningly. She watched as a few of them flew towards her, yelling for help and aid. Her wound began bleeding once more, soaking the mermaid in it. Artemis whispered Risa’s name and watched as everything turned black.

[hr]
Artemis finally came to consciousness but didn’t open her eyes. Instead, she listened to her surroundings. Had she made it to the kingdom? Was she with fairies or Dark Elves? Had River been alerted to her location? She felt something warm around her and could feel it was a blanket. The hub of voices sounded through the air, as did footsteps. She heard distinctly familiar voices but couldn’t make out what they were saying. Artemis peeled her eyes open a few inches and found a black haired fairy standing beside her. She went to close her eyes, yet the maiden had seen her and smiled. It was rather bitter looking nonetheless and also filled with concern. 

[color=khaki]”About time you woke up, missy. I was beginning to wonder if you were going to die on this bed.”[/color] The woman spoke up in a strangely familiar voice. Artemis peeled her eyes open and groaned from the light. The nurse-fairy glanced up and fixed it so it wasn’t in her eyes. Artemis sighed in relief and looked around. The fairy healing and mending her wounds had dark black hair and vivid brown eyes. Artemis recalled her name being floral, but couldn’t pinpoint it. Artemis felt a pit in her stomach. She had made it to the River Kingdom and brought it to the Healing Center. She was in a public room for now, although she wished she wasn’t. 

As she glanced around, fairies glanced at her left and right, whispering amongst themselves. She was sure she heard someone whisper “treacherous whore” under their breaths. She gritted her teeth but pretended not to hear it. Artemis glanced at her Healer and sighed quietly. [color=khaki]”Ignore it, sweetie. You look like you’ve been through hell.”[/color] Artemis smiled faintly, a wickedness entering her eyes. That was saying it mildly. 

She began to chuckle. [color=mediumturquoise]”My dear Flower, you’re right.”[/color] The fairy smirked, mirroring her emotions. Artemis couldn’t help remember her name, but the fairy seemed to accept the name and recognize it. 

[color=khaki]”You can tell me all about it in the private room. C’mon.”[/color] Flower helped Artemis up and onto her feet quickly. She winced at first, then glanced down at her body. She was wearing fresh clothes; a t-shirt and loose pants with a jacket. She touched her side and smiled faintly upon seeing the wound had been healed.

[color=mediumturquoise]”You’ve always been one of the best healers.”[/color] Artemis smiled faintly and leaned against Flower as they walked her into a private room. She collapsed onto the bed and sighed in relief as Flower shut the door. 

[color=khaki]”Sorry, you weren’t put into a private room first. Nobody knew who you were until Ilia and the rest arrived. I did, and fought for it but they wouldn’t let me until you healed. Worried someone might kill you I guess. The Dark Elves were in the room too and so I had to wait and pull the blanket over your head.”[/color] She shrugged it off as she sat her chair up against the door. [color=khaki]”So Arty, what brings you back here? I take it you were at the ball, judging by your dress. Where have you been all this time?”[/color] Her voice held a sudden edge to it that made Artemis frown as she pulled the blankets around herself. She had forgotten how inquisitive the fairy was. It didn’t make her smile as it normally would have. As her mind began processing everything, she felt ready to explode. 

[color=mediumturquoise]”I’m here seeking refuge.”[/color] The lie came out of her mouth faster than she could process it. She didn’t want anyone to know that Risa had been here recently. She hadn’t seen her yet. Hopefully she was safe. It tugged at her heartstrings that she didn’t know Risa’s location. [color=mediumturquoise]”As to where I’ve been, I was in the Black Market, owned by River until recently. I escaped, that’s all you need to know.”[/color] The tears filled her eyes as memories threatened to overwhelm her. [color=mediumturquoise]”And yes, I was at the ball. I went outside before the …”[/color] Artemis couldn’t stop the tears filling her eyes.

[color=mediumturquoise]”I abandoned Darius and Myra! I don’t know where Risa is and I was just nearly murdered by Four Dark Elves and I don’t know what to do or where to go! If River is hunting me down then what am I supposed to do?”[/color] Artemis broke down hysterically, overwhelmed. Darius and Myra had they lived? Was Risa kidnapped? Did anyone even see her arrive? Knowing the fairy, she’d have been inconspicuous. Still, the anxiety and knowing she’d have more Dark Elves trailing her was too much. 

Flower’s eyes widened with shock. She rushed to her side and pulled her into a tight hug. Her voice became gentle, no longer holding the hostility it had moment’s ago. [color=khaki]”I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you, Arty. We don’t have to talk about any of this. You’re safe right now, and I won’t let anyone come attack you. I’ll ask Asher to bring you some food and water. Okay?”[/color] 

Artemis sniffled and wiped her eyes. She trembled as she gripped the blanket in her fists. She watched as Flower went to the door and beckoned a male fairy. Artemis sniffled. His dark hair and topaz eyes sent pangs through her. He stared with shock, confusion and a hint of anger as well, but didn’t speak. He nodded to Flower’s words and rushed out. Flower shut the door until he knocked three times and then once more after five seconds. Flower opened the door and pulled it open; Asher snuck inside and the two shared a brief, hushed conversation. Then, the fairy stood by the door as Flower came to her side and shoved a warm glass into her hand. Food entered it next, and Artemis slowly began to eat. She didn’t know if it was poisoned, yet at the moment she wasn’t sure she cared. The weight of the emotions filling her threatened to crush her beneath it. It was quiet as Flower began speaking quietly about her garden, the forest she tended to, and other woodland creatures. Artemis ate and drank as she listened and grew more and more numbed.

Finally, she managed to calm down and stared at them both. [color=mediumturquoise]”Thank you both. I’m sorry… I’m-”[/color] She began speaking, but Asher shook his head. 

[color=salmon]”No, we’re sorry. We should have been there for you more. It’s really good to see you, Artemis.”[/color] A genuine smile filled his face as he met her gaze. He came over and sat on the other side. [color=salmon]”We missed you.”[/color] Artemis managed a ear-to-ear grin as they both embraced her on each side. She hugged them both back. 

[color=mediumturquoise]”So did I, Ashy and Flower.”[/color] Artemis smiled as tears streamed down her face. [color=mediumturquoise]”I have loads to tell you.”[/color] [/color]