exsiliumlogs | (no subject)

Date & Time: July 9th, morning-ish
Location: Room 606
Characters: Artemis, Adrasteius, and Kirian
Summary: Some pointy-eared assholes have to live together.
Warnings: Potty mouths and yelling.

Artemis hadn't slept in four days. Not that he did a lot of that on an average given day; it was hardly something he needed in the first place. But it helped him relax and clear his mind, not to mention that it kept the days from blurring together, so he was in the habit of getting in a solid two hours per night. The first couple nights after his arrival had been fairly restless, and eventually he had just given up on trying.

First it was the constant, unignorable reminder deep in his bones that the environment of this world was polluted and corrupted beyond repair. And then came the dark murmurs in the back of his head-- as though he hadn't had enough of those already. He doubted that any dreams that might occur would be very pleasant even if he did manage to get some sleep.

Needless to say, he was a bit on-edge as he rifled about the kitchen, studying the contents of the refrigerator for what must have been the fifth time in the last hour, before settling for refilling a cup of coffee instead, before making his way to the nearest window to blankly stare out at the bleak cityscape.

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Adrasteius grimaced. "No, that's an appropriate enough word." He deliberated for a few moments before answering. Lying wasn't in his nature. Rarely to protect others, and never to protect himself.

He sighed. "I haven't consumed any magic since I last saw you.

"Jesus fucking Christ, Adra," Artemis muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose for a moment and setting his mug aside.

"I didn't give you some of my own fucking energy just so that you could let yourself waste away all over again the moment I wasn't around."

Adra scowled defensively. "As I'm sure you're aware, this place isn't exactly brimming with good sources! And I'm not just going to drain anyone who offers."

Or anyone at all, preferably. He hated what he had done to Artemis, and he had little wish to repeat the performance.

Artemis let out an annoyed sigh, continuing to frown. "I'm starting to think that you're some sort of masochist," he muttered.

He looked as though he was in thought for a moment, before holding out the palm of his hand. A small, swirling ball that looked almost like condensed cloud formed there-- he had learnt a few things in the time he was gone, it would seem. He reached to grab one of Adra's wrists and placed the ball in his palm, certain that the other man would notice the way it pulsed with energy.

"It's probably not much, but I'm not letting you say no."

He wanted to say no. He wanted to wrench his wrist out of Artemis's grip and shrink back into the couch, possibly to the point of becoming one with its cushions. But Adrasteius was so weak and starved that he couldn't stop himself. His fingers dug into Artemis's palm, and he cursed as he drank, hating the terrible, soothing sensation of magic filling his veins. It was good, and it was awful, and when he had consumed the sphere he did jerk back, his expression a storm of rage.

"I didn't want that," he said. "I didn't want you to have to do that."

"So I should just let you allow yourself to waste away to some fucking husk?" he snapped in return, eyes narrowed. He was almost surprised by just how angry the concept made him. He had helped Adra once, and did not like to think that his efforts had been pointless. But deep down, he had almost come to admit that he considered Adra something like a friend, even if few people would have guessed as much based on their surface interactions.

"What would that kid that was always following you around think of that, if he came back? What about the people you've left at home?"

The emotion in Artemis's voice startled Adrasteius, though not because he perceived any lack of friendship between them. Despite his irritable personality, Adrasteius absolutely considered Artemis a friend, especially after what the other man had done for him. He's never so presumptuous as to assume that feeling is mutual, though. Besides which, he hadn't been glad to see Artemis return--but that was because Adra wasn't happy about anyone forced to stay here against their will.

"What about them? They're not here," Adrasteius said. "And what does it matter to you, anyway?"

Artemis rolled his eyes. "Who is to say they won't be brought here? The transporter seems awfully fond of your world." He gave a slight shake of his head. "Even if not, you could be sent home at any given moment."

He sighed, moving to take a seat in a chair nearby.

"I don't take particular enjoyment from watching people destroy themselves. People I bear no grudges against, anyway."