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(no subject)

Who: Artemis

simple_toon .
Where: Violet
When: March 28th, Afternoon
Summary: Going to get little bro~
Rating: Idk… Heather’s in it so PG-13?
Log:
As thankful as Artemis was to Kisa for lending him a mode of transportation, he seriously doubted his body itself was in agreement. Artemis was no stranger to riding or the physical exertion that comes from it, in fact, the horses where probably the only outdoor activity he ever really consented too willingly. Nevertheless, riding for weeks straight with only stops for sleep and small meals on a creature that was not a horse but a giant dog was certainly something his afternoon rides back home couldn’t have prepared him for.

Such sacrifices had to be made though, and he comforted himself on the thought that Heather most certainly had no idea what she’s initially agreed to and was probably suffering for it. Such thoughts were a bit cruel but he couldn’t help it. Beckett was a handful, Artemis would readily admit that, but he couldn’t help feeling a slightly smug in the fact that whatever Heather’s expectations of the boy had been, it had been blasted away by the typhoon that was Beckett Fowl.

She was lucky she’d only had one half of the complete package to deal with.

Tired from travel and feeling uneasiness in the legs he hadn’t been forced to walk many steps on for quite some time, Artemis ran a hand through his hair and pulled his jacket closer around him. It was colder today.

Beside him strolled a large Arcanine and a trotting Eevee. He felt something leap onto his back as he came clear of the trees but ignored it.

He took a breath and stepped into town.

As he walked he felt an unsettling knot of anxiety tightening, he dubbed this feeling as foolish and pressed on, but just because it was foolish didn’t mean it would stop persisting. The twins often made him feel like this, just their presence placed Artemis under extreme pressure to perform in ways he had no experience in, nor any examples to follow by. Now all this had been increased tenfold.

Artemis silently cursed his constantly thinking brain and forced himself to focus on finding the two loud blondes, ignoring the small Aipom that was clambering around his shoulders, wanting to join him on whatever adventure he was undertaking.

He gave it five seconds before it fled in terror. Though be that from Heather or Beckett he wasn’t sure.

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Heather was tired.

No.

That was an understatement.

Heather was exhausted.

... Actually, was there a word for when you were exhausted but brimming with energy at the same time? Because the combination of watching after a bouncing baby baboon for the better part of a week (and therefore NOT SLEEPING) and of the victory she had just won after months of subtle, internal shame at her EPIC FAIL about seven months earlier in the Violet Gym the previous night, thereby ensuring that she could leave this city forever and return to friendlier streets... pretty much put her in this indescribable state.

With a fully-packed (and owl-bearing) duffel bag hanging on the fence beside her and leather-clad arms folded between the rungs in front of her to cushion her chin, she was squinting ahead at the treeline longingly.

Oh, what she would give to be on the road already.

But she wasn't about to leave Beckett on his own-- the boy was currently being entertained by her ever-patient Ponyta, who had arguably done more babysitting during this entire venture than Heather herself had. No, she had to wait for Artemis to show up before she went anywhere. As excruciating as the wait might be, especially since she'd been up almost all night, throwing everything into bags and generally feeling too buzzed with anticipation to sleep.

Fortunately, she had stationed herself and the kiddo towards the edge of town where they'd be easy to spot.

Goldenrod was waiting! The weather was good (FOR THE MOMENT)! LET'S GOGOGOGO!

Edited 2011-03-29 15:07 (UTC)

And Beckett was having the time of his life.

First he'd been out in the world adventuring on his own, then he'd spent time with an inexperienced caretaker who he had thrilled at running circles around.

But today was the day he'd been waiting for. His big brother was returning again and they were gonna go off and have even more adventures!

"Heatherheatherheather!" He scrambled back over to her "Is he here is he here? When's he coming? why isn't he here?!"

He spotted Heather and Beckett immediately.

The Aipom took one look at the group, squeaked, and then fled back to the trees. Undeterred, Artemis pressed on, approaching the two of them at a steady pace.

He instructed Ari to stay a few feet back, he didn't think the massive dog would appreciate Beckett climbing all over her.

Artemis nodded in greeting while Diana eyed them warily.

"He's coming because if he doesn't, he knows I'll kick his a- ... butt."

Heather stifled a yawn as she squinted up at the sun. She'd really wanted to get on the road at the crack of dawn but that hadn't really been an option with Beckett in tow.

But THANK THE LAWD. When she turned her eyes back to the street, she caught sight Artemis, and lifted an arm to wave.

"'Bout time you showed up, Arty!"

"Artemis!" Beckett cheered and came bounding over like a curly haired cannonball to embrace his less emotional brother a hug giving him a surprisingly strong hug. "Artemis! I'm a big kid now!" And indeed he was. This was the first time that it had ever really settled in with Beckett that he was older and bigger then he used to be because his brother wasn't as big as he used to be.

Artemis had barely raised his hand to greet back or opened his mouth the reply 'Artemis' in retaliation of her use of his nickname when he felt Beckett collide with his gut. He dismissed the slight winded feeling and returned the hug as best as he could, which really just amounted to him leaning into Becketts embrace and squeezing the young boys shoulders, not that Beckett wasn't unused to the fact his brother wasn't much a fan of PDA.

"You certainly are." He replied, running his hand through the blonde locks that how reached higher than they ever did before, unable to ignore that odd feeling at seeing his toddler brother now so significantly changed.

Diana sniffed the little boys leg curiously.

Feeling a slight rush of relief at watching Beckett cross over from her general personal space to Artemis's, Heather climbed over the fence she'd been hanging off of and headed over, hands in her pockets.

"He's in one piece and hasn't fallen off of too many tall objects. How's that for quality childcare?"

But Beckett was already ratting her out at the speed of light.

"Heather was so much fun! She watched me run and climb and we had hot dogs and doughnuts and slushies and we watched cartoons and I got to stay up late and..." Of coarse how much of this Heather actually condoned and how much he accomplished in a speed of light manner before she stopped him was anyone's guess. He was still babbling on though.

"Oh, did she?" Artemis gave Beckett a very strained smile before looking at Heather with a most unimpressed expression. "How wonderful that must have been."

He then made a deliberate show of checking Beckett for any bump or scratches, while being sure to listen and respond to the boys ramblings.

Ruh-roh.

She had probably condoned most of it (half because she didn't see anything wrong with spoiling the kid a bit while he was there as long as he didn't freak out and throw tantrums and half because it was just easier.) but it probably went without saying that he'd done most of it without ... any particular form of permission.

"Yeah, we had a blast."

Just... not gonna react to Artemis's sarcasm there. HE DESERVED THIS FOR DUMPING THE KID ON HER WITH SO LITTLE WARNING OBVIOUSLY.

Beckett was apparently oblivious to his brother's sarcasm as well "Can Heather come with us Artemis? Then she could babysit alot!!"

Though let us not ignore the fact that he would rather have his brother do it. He's clinging to Artemis' shirt now.

Artemis didn't seemed overly bothered by Becketts insistent chatter or need for physical contact as one would expect someone like Artemis to be. True, he didn't really respond to it a great deal but he didn't reject it either.

He shook his head. "No, Beckett. Heather has her own group she needs to join up with." Artemis knelt down to the young boys level. "And we have some people in Goldenrod waiting for us." Artemis leant in to stage whisper to Beckett, smirking. "Between us, Heather is far too impatient to travel with anyway."

At Becketts feet, Diana had decided she liked the small boy and rubbed against his leg like a cat.

WORDS COULD NOT DESCRIBE THE SHEER 'DO NOT WANT' ON HEATHER'S FACE.

Beckett was a nice kid-- hyperactivity aside, he'd been more or less well-behaved. Cheerful and all that. But nonetheless, Heather could honestly say at this point that she'd rather jump off a balcony than spend another minute babysitting.

So, behind Beckett's back, she sagged in relief when Artemis shot down the suggestion.

... And she didn't even disagree with the stage-whisper! She WAS impatient. She wanted OUT of Violet, and she wanted out NOW.

So she just headed over to ruffle Beckett's hair a bit.

"Yeah, and I got business to take care of. Maybe another time, kid."

"Next time impatient!" Beckett cheered and spun around to give her another super tight hug. "I had lotsa fun!" He then broke off the hug to run over and give Ponyta a hug as well.

Phanpy trotted over to greet Diana with a sniff.

Artemis shook his head at Becketts' unstoppable energy and reached into his pocket. From it he pulled a small black box and tossed it lightly to Heather.

... Ow.

Heather let out a wheeze as she was hugged again, but managed to still keep a smile pasted on. Kid didn't know his own strength oh god she was glad he was going back to Artemis now.

But then she blinked, snapping a hand up to catch the box.

"Huh? What's this?"

Beckett came bounding back and stood next to Artemis peering at the box, "Christmas?" He mused out loud before he slipped down to his knees and wrapped his arms around Stampy the Phanpy to hug him like a plush toy.

"A gift." He stated simply, watching Beckett's movements like a mother hawk before elaborating. "Think of it as a token of appreciation." He paused. "And a reward for enduring." He added, gesturing to Beckett meaningfully.

It was nothing more than a trinket really. A small, silver charm in the shape of a cheerful Totodile (though there rarely seemed to be any non-cheery Totodiles). Certainly a pretty trinket, of nice silver rather than simple copper with a silver coating, but a trinket nonetheless.

Artemis gave a vampire smile. "And let's just say I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing I owe you a favor." A hint of emphasis hung on the word 'you'.

Looking down at the box curiously, she slipped the cover off, offering it absentmindedly to Carousel the Ponyta, who lipped at it a few times before taking it and tossing her head, as horses often do when they are proud of picking up unfamiliar objects and want attention paid to them for it.

At the sight of the little charm, a smile quirked up one side of Heather's mouth.

"... Heh... thanks. Consider yourself free of owed favors." ... FOR THE MOMENT. If he made her watch Beckett AGAIN, she'd probably need more than a bit of jewelry (though she did have a weakness for the stuff even if she didn't often wear it) to compensate.

"Pretty!" Beckett declared pointing at the necklace before he was happy to give Ponyta the attention she wanted cheering and laughing clapping in praise. Life was really so magical for an advanced two year old.

"You're most welcome." He turned to Beckett, holding out his hand expectantly. "Come along, Beckett. Say thank you to Heather, we all need to be on our way."

"So long, guys. I'm sure we'll run into each other again."

... Hopefully not for a bit, because Heather'd had about as many childish antics as she could handle.

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