[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210131/53a200cc81a754fbfea32363291eca9d.png[/img][/center][indent][indent][indent][color=gray][sub][right][color=92278f][b]Location:[/b][/color]The City of Thorinn, Aetheria[/right][/sub][/color]
[hr]It broke Seele’s heart to see Artemis in such a state. The poor girl had only just joined them, and already things had exploded—quite literally. She hoped this wouldn’t ruin things for her, but she couldn’t blame her if it did. Right now though, that was a distant concern. 

“[color=92278f]No, honey, no no,[/color]” she said softly, keeping her smile firm in the face of the girl’s hollow dismay. “[color=92278f]You didn’t do anything wrong. The only mistake you can make now is blaming yourself, okay? It’s all handled. Just go back in and try to relax. I’ll be right behind you, I just want to make sure Graves is alright, first.[/color]”

It was impossible to ignore the way she had looked at him. Seele knew what fear looked like, and she knew how different it was to be afraid of some[i]one[/i] rather than some[i]thing[/i]. She stroked Artemis’s shoulder gently.

“[color=92278f]Hey, it’s okay. I promise. Look at me. No one is going to hurt you, no one. We won’t let it happen.[/color]”

With that she left the archer, stopping momentarily on her way to Graves to speak with the siblings. To her relief they seemed fine, though she knew from the incident with Kazuki that, with things like this sometimes it was the bond that suffered more than the body. Sif and Siegfried had been with them from the start, they were part of the family, and she paled at the thought that she might lose them this way. 

“[color=92278f]I’m so sorry,[/color]” she said, bowing low like her mother had told her was right to do when you were truly apologetic. “[color=92278f]I hope neither of you were hurt. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what would have…happened, back there. Thank you for your help.[/color]

“[color=92278f]And, Siegfried…you’re right. You are—about my plan. It’s stupid, and hasty, and chances are it’s going to get me killed, but…it doesn’t matter. This whole city’s collapsing on itself, maybe the whole world is, too. Someone has to do [i]something[/i]. Even if it’s not the world, even if it’s just a few missing people.[/color]

“[color=92278f]I’m not calling you a coward. You were in that dungeon, you were there when Aag…well, you’re one of the bravest people I know. I meant what I said; you don’t have to be part of it. Neither of you do. I’m sorry that I got you into this. I hope we can still be friends,[/color]” she managed a small smile. “[color=92278f]I like you both very much.[/color]”

Once again she left, finally coming to the side of Lendie’s healer, and kneeling down next to Graves. 

“[color=92278f]Andrecille, right?[/color]” she asked. It seemed the woman had worked her magic on him already. “[color=92278f]Thank you so much for helping. I’m sorry for the trouble.[/color]”

Her attention turned down to Graves, then. A pang of frustration flashed through her, along with the realization that she was upset with him. But that was silly, and she knew that. She was just embarrassed about being in the middle of a scene, and a little stressed from having to talk her way out of jail. He was hurt, and clearly much deeper than Andrecille’s magic could reach. 

So, with a little muster she kept her smile alive for him. “[color=92278f]Graves, sweetie, are you alright? Can you stand, do you need help?[/color]”[/indent][/indent][/indent]