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WHO: Artemis & You
WHAT: Mistletoe. Sucks.
WHEN: Dec. 21st-23rd
WHERE: Roundabouts town! Artemis is job hunting / exploring so anywhere works.
WARNINGS: Probably none. Uh, smooching? Possibly violence afterwards, if Artemis is pissed enough.

She has to find a job, get money, and give Steph her clothes back. Also, it would just in general be awesome if she had money. It's pretty important.

[Artemis will be out and about the city, trying hard to find herself a job. Feel free to bump into her anytime in the day during those times, just note the time & place in the comment. She could be already trapped by mistletoe or it could grow over their heads while they're talking, doesn't matter. Prose or quick action log, doesn't matter to me.]

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[it was a very literal 'bump.' so much of a literal 'bump' that it actually makes the noise 'bump.' later, Souji would say that it was his fault, he hadn't been looking as he came through the revolving door of the coffee shop. it could've been work relief, eagerness to leave after he had been there for a few hours, but whatever it is, it sent him right into the path of this girl.

he gets his barrings together to respond.]

Ah, sorry ... I wasn't paying attention.

[Artemis hadn't really been watching where she was going that well either, but she wasn't going to admit that.]

Fine. Whatever.

[Which is when she looks up and swears for a solid ten seconds.]

I hate mistletoe.

It could be worse.

[Souji says easily. his tone of voice is so smooth, that it's debatable whether or not it could be considered a jinx. the whole meaning of the word confidence seems to ooze from him.]

It would be polite to introduce myself before we do this. I'm Seta Souji.

[Artemis scowls and looks away, folding her arms stubbornly.]

I'm Artemis.

And not doing this.

[She's trying to ignore the itching sensation at the back of her neck that seems to be pushing her towards him.]

I know this must be difficult because we just met, but this place ... it's done worse things. A brief kiss isn't so bad.

[needless to say, he's getting closer, somehow, without even being conscious of it. he finds himself unable to draw back, and soon they're in a little close for comfort.]

I promise I won't make it so bad. It'll be over with.

[Totally ignoring the fact that she's moving closer as well, she glares at him. Can she beat him up without destroying her cover? She debates it internally for a moment before concluding that no, it wouldn't be a smart move.]

Fine.

[But she's still stubbornly trying to keep herself from moving forward.]

[could she? it's possible, but quite honestly he might find the whole thing kind of cool. then again, not many people know from meeting him on the street that he was the kind of guy with a million of other people's carefully kept secrets.

with a swift movement of his hand, he turns her chin just enough so he can plant a small kiss at the corner of her lips. once it's over, he takes a step back and his shoulders slump in relief.]

Sorry, I have somewhere to be.

[She yelps at the swift movement and shoves him up against the wall, freezing with her arm still across his throat and her knee halfway to his solar plexus. Way to have normal people reactions, Artemis.[]

Right. Somewhere to be. [She drops her arm and steps back, trying to pretend she didn't do that at all.] Okay.

[he's a lot harder to push than he looks, and his reflexes are decent enough that when she attacks, it almost seems like he might fight back. however, she quickly relents, and the card in the center of his palm held behind his back slides back up his sleeve.

it takes him a moment to get his barrings together when he realizes she's not going to attack.]

Do you do that to every boy?

[It's probably best for both of them that her reactions are split second and dropped as quickly. She crosses her arms and looks away, furious with herself. He seemed like a nice guy, and she'd gone and blown it by being too wound-up and on edge. This place was so dumb.]

No. I'm -

[She kind of really wants to explain herself.]

I'm used to things like this being dangerous, so I was already on edge and you moved fast and - Ugh. Sorry. I'm sorry.

[taking a moment, he brushes himself off. his expression is quiet, and somewhat contemplative, but unaccusing.]

No hard feelings.

[the apron he was holding around his arm shifts. that coffee shop, he works there.]

At least we got it over with.

Next time I'll stay to talk.

[he says rather apologetically as he starts to walk off.]

Right. Yeah. Got it over with.

Uh. See you around, I guess.

[She turns to leave as fast as she can. This is not her favorite day, at all.]

[Slides in ever so late. Steph spots her while shopping around for things to take to her ex's current girlfriend's party. It's only awkward if Steph lets it be awkward. She picks up her pace, and clears her throat once she gets within hearing distance.]

Artemis, hey!

[Artemis whips around at the voice and then relaxes visibly.]

Oh. Hey, Steph. How are you?

[Steph almost steps back, but she just kind of tucks her hands into her pockets, and shrugs good-naturedly.]

I'm good! Last-minute shopping and stuff. How are you getting used to New M— [Her attention is caught by something that has apparently decided to pay them a visit: mistletoe.]

Oh. [She sighs.]

Edited 2011-12-27 06:43 (UTC)

It's going okay, I guess. Weird, still totally convinced it's some horrible set-up, but -

[She tracks her gaze.]

Oh come on, this is ridiculous. It's really going to be a recurring thing?

Yeah, apparently!

I've been trying to see if there's like a strategic way to avoid them or anything but... [She points at the mistletoe above them.] no dice, I guess.

Hell of an introduction to New Moore, though, I bet?

Yeah, no dice seems about right.

[She sighs, trying to resist the pushing feeling. Come on, Steph is the only friend she's made here. Does the mistletoe have to do this?]

This place is just really weird.

Yeah, that's one of the most appropriate, G-rated descriptions of New Moore! I think I've gotten used to it a little, which is a whole other level of weird on its own.

[Steph may be rocking forward a little, and she firmly sets her heels on the ground when she notices.]

Do you just wanna...? [She gestures vaguely.] I'm sure you're busy!

I don't if I'll ever get used to it. Which sounds way too much like what all the newbies to Gotham say. Ugh.

[The push is definitely more insistent now. Still. Steph is pretty great and definitely beautiful, so it's not like it's the worst thing in the world that could happen.]

Yeah. Busy. Um.

[Oh crap. Artemis leans forward and kisses Steph.]

Okay, cool, we can ju—[There sure is some kissing happening right now. Steph tilts her head a little to make the kiss easier, and waits for the telling tingle of being released from the mistletoe's grip.]

...or we could just do it like that! [Now seems like a good time to take a careful step backwards, checking to make sure the mistletoe is gone.]

...yep.

[Artemis steps back and avoids Steph's gaze, crossing her arms defensively.]

Sorry. [She gestures vaguely at where the mistletoe had been.] It wouldn't let up.

[Oh god so much awkward. Looks away.] Oh. I, uh, I have your clothes if you want them back, which I'm sure you do. They're just. Around here somewhere, let me find them.

Uhh, no, it's totally fine! It's done, so at least now we can like, move and stuff.

[An awkward giggle. She tries to cover it up by scratching the back of her head.]

Oh! Yeah, that would be nice. I'm glad you found other stuff. To wear. Not that lending you the stuff was like a hassle or anything, but I'm sure you're glad to be out of...my clothes....

Yeah, that's useful. Being able to move.

[Artemis digs out Steph's clothes and hands them back to her.]

Oh, yeah, um, it was really nice of you and all but I hate inconveniencing you and. Here they are. Thanks again. It was really nice of you. I owe you one.

[Steph has composed herself as well as she can, and grabs them, putting them in her bag. Her attention is drawn to Artemis at her words.]

Hmm? Hey, no, it was no problem! I offered, didn't I? You totally don't owe me anything, no worries.

[Artemis shrugs uneasily. That is not how things work in her world, Steph, why do you keep confusing her.]

If you say so. Thanks, though.

[It would be wrong of Tim to conduct surveillance on a newcomer to the island just because he wants to check and make sure they're not some kind of Arkham escapee. But moral distinctions about privacy have never been his strong suit, and so, here he is. Following someone from behind is too suspicious if they're observant, but nobody questions seeing someone ahead of them on the sidewalk, even if it is a little trickier to pull off. He sees Artemis checking out the next street sign ahead of them -- she's thinking about turning, he guesses, and based on the layout of the neighborhood and her shopping bags, guesses it's a right turn. Making sure to stay about half a block in advance of her, he turns the corner -- and winds up right under a cluster of mistletoe.]

Damn.

[She was thinking about turning right, which sucks for both of them because she sort of runs into him... under the mistletoe. She doesn't notice the mistletoe at first, instead eyeing Tim because she'd swear she'd seen that same head of hair several times today, and in her world that means danger. But before she can say anything she sees where he's looking and follows his gaze. ]

Again.

Really?

[This was definitely not what he had intended to happen.]

Second time for me today.

[It could have picked worse for her, she'll give the mistletoe that. But that doesn't mean she's happy about this.]

Third.

Guess I'm just that awesome, huh.

Well, I have to admit, this is better than bumping into my roommate again.

[Awkward silence.]

So. Uh. Should we do introductions or anything, or just... get this over with and move on?

[Either way, this has definitely blown any chance he has at close-range surveillance over the next few days.]

[You know what? Whatever. She'd fought this battle twice and knew she wasn't going to win it. Zatanna had been telling her to loosen up. This totally counted.]

Tim, right? We talked, when I first came in. And you've been following me, haven't you?

[She can put three and three together. With a shrug and an almost smile.]

Getting it over with sounds good to me.

[A lot of denials come to mind, but...]

Good eye. Sorry. There are a lot of crazy people in Gotham, and I just wanted to be sure you weren't one of them.

[Best to get this increasingly awkward situation over with as quickly as possible. Tim leans forward to start the kiss without any further pause.]

Understandable, I guess. Gotham does turn out the supervillains in mass quantities. [A slightly bitter tone to her voice.]

Just don't do it again. [And with that advice, she kisses him without any hesitation.]

[Tim tries very much not to dwell on the actual kiss. Thinking about the rather long list of comparisons isn't going to make this less awkward. Thankfully, the effect is over after just a moment, and he's fairly sure he doesn't let the kiss longer much more than is necessary.]

I think I'm pretty convinced. No more following you around, I promise.

[He's... not convinced. She's confident. But she figured out he was tailing her, which implies she expects, on some level, that she's someone people might spy on. That means she has secrets. She moves like a martial artist. Coming from Gotham, that could just be practical and smart... or not. Artemis. He's heard her name before, somewhere.

Well, anyway, it's true that he won't follow her anymore. Having got caught once, he couldn't hope to get away with it again.]

[She steps back and crosses her arms over her chest.]

And sorted.

[But she's watching him. In person, there are things that don't show up on vid. He's muscular, clearly athletic. Moves - well, he moves like her teammates do, like she does. Confidence and surety, knowing that you have power. Something in that always shows in your stance. She'd chalk it up to being Bruce Wayne's kid, but tailing people indicated that he thought he could do something about it if she was a villain. Which is an interesting idea. She's not quite sure where that reasoning leads, but she'll be watching. For now, she'll mostly drop it, with a last prod. The lightness of a bit ago is gone, and she's completely serious.]

Good. I don't like people messing with me.

Understood.

[Loud and clear, in fact. There's something going on with this girl. Now, he's sure of it.]

Happy holidays.

[He keeps the words light and casual, and makes his exit.]

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