Alicia meets Artemis

\*Alicia
had gotten settled into the society, finally accepting what had happened. Now
the worry of never seeing her friends or family again set in. She was
determined to find out anything she could about moving to a different timeline
and how to get back. She figured it wouldn't be too hard to learn in a building
full of scientists! She went looking for people she hadn't met yet, figuring
out what they did and asking about other people. The young woman appeared
optimistic, but she hadn't slept since she got here, and it was starting to
show. She also wasn't eating, instead sitting in her room during the time of
meals so people wouldn't ask her about her eating.

Today
she was obviously tired and hungry, but she still tried to look happy and meet
the lodgers.\*

Decipherer: After a few hours browsing the library with a
polite disinterest at its contents, Artemis found himself drifting around the
halls of the Society in search of something to occupy his free time. He'd
visited his mother with Elias only the day before, and he'd feel simply awful
to leave while his brother slept. The poor man needed the rest.
He caught sight of the newcomer and a bright smile formed. "Oh, hello
there!"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  \*she
smiled the brightest she could, but her eyes gave away the worry and exhaustion
she was trying to ~~hyde~~ hide\* hello!

Decipherer:  Artemis
narrows his eyes, his smile softening. "Are you alright, miss?"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  Not
really... but it's okay.

Decipherer:  He tilts
his head. "What's on your mind?"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  My friends
are all half murderers and my husband's an awful father and my Hela is
determined to kill every man in my life including my son and I'm not there to
protect him and Ayato sure won't because Maxi isn't tough enough and I'm so
worried I can't sleep or eat... \*the young woman looked like she would burst
into tears any second now\*

Decipherer:  He offers
a small, sympathetic smile. "Oh, hon, I'm so sorry." He pauses, his
smile fading into a concerned expression. "It's not healthy. How can you
focus on helping them when you're not taking care of yourself?"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  How could
I sleep? My son could die and my husband wouldn't care...!

Decipherer:  He sighs,
his expression sterning. "And you cannot aid them when passed out or
starving yourself."

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  I can't
aid them if I can't get home!

Decipherer:  His gaze
eases and his voice sweetens. "Miss, you have to understand that if you
don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of this. What harm would it do
to eat something, or to get some rest? With a clear, rested mind, you can
produce better ways to... get home, was it?"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  \*she
looked down, sighing\* okay...

Decipherer:  He nods.
"Now, what is your name?"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  Alicia
Ghast...

Decipherer:  He offers
a bright, toothy grin. "Alacia Ghast, my name is Artemis Geovanni. Would
you like to join me in a trip to the kitchen so we can get you something to
eat?"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  I... guess
so. Thank you.

Decipherer:  He begins
to walk alongside her. "You're very welcome, miss Alicia."

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  \*walks
with him to the kitchen\*

Decipherer:  He pokes
his head in the doorway carefully before entering fully, flashing another
smile. "Hmm... Got a preference?"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  Something
sweet? Like cake?

Decipherer:  He turns
to her with a curious smile. "Do you know how to cook, miss?"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  I own a
bakery!

Decipherer:  He lets
out a gasp, his eyes lighting up with awe. "Oh my goodness, do you really?
That's amazing!"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  Yeah!

Decipherer:  The wonder
in his eyes is almost childlike. "May I watch you work? Cooking, baking
too, it's just such a delightful pastime!"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  Oh! Of
course! \*she smiled and got ready to bake\*

Decipherer:  He grins,
leaning on the counter and observing her actions with an intrigued look.

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  \*she
blanked out, not paying attention anymore\*

Decipherer:  He tilts
his head, his grin softening. Though he too was distracted by the baking, there
was something inside his mind that offered a small, quiet reminder that his
theory had worked, and that he could slip out and she wouldn't notice. Thank
God he wasn't listening too close to it.

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  \*she
looked happy\*

Decipherer:  Artemis
watches in content silence.

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  \*she
finished baking and grinned\*

Decipherer:  He cranes
his head to look at the result.

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  \*it was a
cake, and a pretty one\* is it good?

Decipherer:  He laughs,
his arms crossing as he bears a somewhat smug look. "You're the baker,
what do you think? It looks amazing, miss!"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  Thanks!

Decipherer:  He bows
his head with a half-nod. "You're real talented, miss!"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  \*giggles\*
you haven't even tasted it yet...

Decipherer:  Artemis
snickers. "Call me hopeful."

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  Okay?

Decipherer:  He fishes
out two forks from a drawer, handing Alicia one.

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  Thanks!
\*cuts a piece\*

Decipherer:  Artemis
grabs a forkful of the cake and takes a bite, before effectively downing what
remains on it. "This is *amazing!"*

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  Thank you
so much! \*gets and eats her slice\*

Decipherer:  He flashes
another bright smile, practically devouring his piece and setting the plate and
fork down. He giggles at his almost animalistic actions, wiping his mouth with
a sleeve. "I'm still with my words, you're real talented!"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  Thank you
so much!

Decipherer:  "Y'say
that an awful lot, miss! Ya hardly need to be so humble."

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  I'm sorry.
Nobody ever compliments me so much, I don't know what to say!

Decipherer:  "Ain't
nothing ya need to say." He laughs softly, taking to looking her over
again. "Part one's complete, miss, but you still look exhausted."

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  \*sighs\*
yeah...

Decipherer:  He offers
an encouraging smile. "Lighten up, alright? What d'ya say, when you wake
up I find you and help you with getting a way home to your family?"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  Oh! That
sounds perfect!

Decipherer:  Artemis
nods in agreement, though a small realization makes him tilt his head. "Do
you have somewhere *to* sleep?"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  ... no...
I have a room here, though!

Decipherer:  He looks
concerned for a moment, but relief floods his expression soon enough.
"Alright, good!"

Alicia Ghast (Elaina):  Alrighty!
Well, bye then!