[hr][center][h3][u][b][Stoneworks - Erling Manor][/b][/u][/h3][/center][hr]

Yue found herself in Raudd's garden after a walk of some length, head abuzz with thoughts about everything that she'd experienced tonight.  Still, she couldn't shake the thought that she'd forgotten something important.  It wasn't every day you got pulled into an intervention and told you're some kind of wizard...  She'd been reflecting on past events through this new lens of information and pieces of a puzzle she didn't realize she'd been assembling were starting to fit together.

Since the garden was supposed to be a sanctuary from all the "magic bullshit" saturating the Stoneworks, Yue had left the book unopened in the room they'd prepared for her.  It seemed content that she had resolved to read it once she'd had a moment to process and, thankfully, was no longer screaming for her attention.  She leaned against a length of fence to stare up into the inky darkness of the plate ceiling, watching the occasional constellation of stars fly past on its surveillance pattern.

[b][color=#c45302]"Ayo!"[/color][/b]  Archer slipped out of the aether, feet crunching purposefully as he approached... It was hard to tell what was more unnerving: The knowledge that he was being purposefully considerate so he didn't startle her, or that he was basically invisible to her super-advanced senses otherwise.

[b][color=#CE2B95]"Hey,"[/color][/b] she replied, as he leaned against the fence next to her.  He reached into his jacket and held out a cigarette case to her.  Silver, and beautifully engraved with a scene depicting Artemis and Orion.  She pulled a pair of cigarettes from inside and handed one to Archer.  With a snap of his fingers both were lit.  For a moment Yue just pulled deep and inhaled the fragrant blend with her eyes closed.

Archer had ruined smoking for her.  On purpose most likely.  It only took one of his hand rolled, mystery blend cigarettes to make even high quality tobacco taste like chemically treated soot.  He refused to disclose the blend, or where he got them... though she did recognize the aroma and flavor of Kizami tobacco.

[b][color=#CE2B95]"So... you're a God then?"[/color][/b] She asked, raising an eyebrow at him.  Archer gave an amused snort.

[b][color=#c45302]"I'm a person, same as you,"[/color][/b] he answered with a chuckle.  [b][color=#c45302]"Back then, there was no distinction between magic and divinity, so we were worshiped as Gods.  Some real bad shit happened before my time, and some of the others found a way for us to stick around so it doesn't happen again,"[/color][/b] he explained.  He grinned, knowing from Yue's hard expression that his blanket explanation wouldn't be enough.

[b][color=#c45302]"Alright alright,"[/color][/b] he chuckled.  [b][color=#c45302]"You could say that I am the collection of memories and experiences that identifies as the entity 'Artemis.'  But... I've lived many mortal lives and each one leaves its little marks and influences, so even though she and I are the same entity, I am an individual amongst all the people who have [i]been[/i] Artemis."[/color][/b]

[b][color=#CE2B95]"So it's [i]'soundtrack inspired by,'[/i] then?"[/color][/b] Yue asked with a smirk.

[b][color=#c45302]"You got the right of it,"[/color][/b] he laughed.  [b][color=#c45302]"I'm surprised you're not mad,"[/color][/b] he noted, blowing a smoke ring at her.  Yue shot one back through its center.

[b][color=#CE2B95]"I was,"[/color][/b] she answered, flicking a bit of ash from the end of her cigarette.  [b][color=#CE2B95]"From my perspective, I've also had several hours to process everything that was said... and I think if our relationship was a lie you probably wouldn't have rushed to find me so quickly.  I think I've always kind of known you were hiding something, but it never felt like you were being dishonest so I just figured you'd talk about it when you were ready.  You tell me: am I just a job to you?"[/color][/b] She asked, raising an eyebrow.

[b][color=#c45302]"I mean...,"[/color][/b] he hesitated for a long moment.  She smacked him in the chest and they both started laughing.  [b][color=#c45302]"It's complicated.  Protecting you from all the shit that goes bump in the night is my job.  However, because of who I am, the nature of that protection is very personal.  Because of that I get to choose, and I chose you because of the person you are, knowing we would become close.  For better or for worse, we're basically family and the others will treat you as such... or I'll beat them up,"[/color][/b] he grinned.

[b][color=#CE2B95]"I see,"[/color][/b] replied Yue, smiling.  She took a deep drag on the cigarette and closed her eyes, exhaling slowly and just enjoying the aroma.