Log:Proper Use of the Three Seashells

2021/01/24 	 Victory Artemis

1

Xylanda's massive arena puts Earth's Colosseum to shame. Adjacent to the arena itself is the complex that houses participants, arena staff, and visiting dignities. The ones with sufficient wealth or influence to be admitted anyway. The Hall of Mortalis is the highlight of the complex. The venue for most of the public social activities occurring at the arena. The food dispensers serving the hall cater for a thousand species. Part of the hall is reserved for dancing, while the best musicians in the galaxy provide enchanting music (or hideous noise depending on your species). Tables and adjustable seating offer a place to eat, drink, relax, and converse.

Artemis was seen by many walking away along Krul's side. The conqueror of however many thousand worlds seemed still taken with the one he addresses as Althea. Sometime later, Artemis is walking back into the Halls of Mortalis, smiling and relaxed.

Victory is seated on a bench along a wall, still watching various aliens moving to and fro. He waves to Artemis as he sees her.

Artemis smiles and waves to Victory, changing her path to meet up with him. She looks like she did when she drank that grass-like alien spirit they tried together at Starguard. "Still faring well, Friend Wade? Did thee find sustenance? I did discuss with Krul to ensure quarters were provided for all to rest in."

Victory nods. "I did manage to find some food we were able to eat, yeah. Just took a bit of negotiation." He smiles at the mention of quarters. "I'm assuming that he wont' try to have us assassinated or something, right?"

"He will not," Artemis confirms, then frowns and rubs her chin. "I trust not his minion Darkside, though. She thirsted for death and blood. She may very well try to sneak into thy chambers and slay you as you sleep, if she be so cowardly."

Victory nods. "It's...possible, I guess? But I think she'd just be more likely to fight in a deadly manner instead."

"Ah, yes, concerning that..." Artemis starts, a little concerned as she smiles. "I did negotiate with Krul that she not be permitted to battle if she could not honorably hold back her bloodlust. So she will not have the opportunity on the morrow."

Victory raises a brow. "That's...surprising. What else did you talk about with him?"

Artemis's smile grows, more than usual. "Oh, of time that had passed since last we were together over fine Nuwllian Fire Brandy. He laments his goals have been lost as he struggles for peace. He proclaims tyrants fear him and threaten his worlds, so he conquers to free such worlds, which cause more tyrants to attack from fear, and so the cycle goes on."

Victory blinks. "Isn't he a tyrant himself, though?"

"Not when I was with him, nay. He started as a liberator of worlds, freeing them from oppression." Artemis looks around, the movement uncoordinated enough to show she's inebriated. "He did ask that I show discretion. Mayhaps we can speak on this in private? The master of games or Trollan should have quarters prepared by now."

Victory nods. "Of course." He gets up to his feet, "Let's see if we can find them."

Artemis nods and the pair begin to search just as a small, slender alien of indeterminate gender comes to them. "Ah, you must be one of the challengers from Earth. I have been instructed by Lord Krul's generosity to escort you to your quarters," it says to Victory specifically. It quickly walks away and beckons them to follow until they step away from the halls into guest quarters of considerably comfort. "Here is your key to the room," it hands Victory a strange crystal.

Artemis looks to the alien. "And where be my quarters?"

"Oh. I had no instructions for accommodations for you, Althea of the Ashildr. I had...heard..." it nervously steeples its three fingers, "That you would be Lord Krul's personal guest for the evening."

Victory nods as he takes the key. "Thank you." He hears Artemis's situations, and then he says to the alien, "How...large is the bed in the room?"

"Very large, large enough to accomodate all races!" the alien concierge says proudly. "This is Xylanda, after all."

Artemis nods sagedly, as if everyone knows this. "Yes, most luxurious. Much better than the gladiator holding cells."

Victory nods, "Artemis, you can crash in my room, if you like."

Victory says, "Or we can get you your own."

Artemis is still nodding a bit as she thinks on the past, drunkenly recalling her time here briefly. "Hmm?" It's clear she was distracted. "Friend Wade, I may have imbi...imbibed a bit much of the fire brandy, but I will not cause destruction in thy room," she insists.

Victory nods slowly. "You're drunk enough...that I'm inclined to have you stay with me. If you're okay with that."

"If thou art...art comfortable with that, Friend Wade, I am agreeable. 'Tis most generous of thee to share," Artemis smiles.

The concierge is relieved. "Good, good. Most of the guest accomodations are taken for patrons wishing to see the challenges. We were lucky to have a few cancellations once the fight criteria changes. Enjoy your night. Room service from the finest chefs Xylanda has to offer is available. Call us if you have any need. Wine, brandy, more pillows, more companions. All are provided for." It bows low and smiles before shuffling backwards, straigthening up, and walking away.

Victory raises a brow, "Provided for?" He looks to Artemis, "Meaning, already paid for? Wow."

Artemis looks to Wade and smiles. "Well, none of ye have local currency to pay. Krul was most generous as well from our dishcus..our...our talk."

Victory smiles. "That is...true. A good point." He chuckles. "Let's head to the room so you can relax a bit and sleep it off."

Artemis nods and walks on inside. The room is worthy of the famed Xylanda, though isn't there most luxurious of rooms. The bed is large enough to fit three people comfortable. There's also a bathroom with some confusing features for a human who's never been to an alien guest room before. The temperature is a bit warm, but adjustable. "Why would I wish to sleep when I feel so wonderful?" she chuckles. The fire brandy certainly keeps one warm.

Victory chuckles. "Well, I mean eventually." ...rather than create any issues out and about. He looks around the room slowly. "Nice place." He pokes his head into the bathroom. "Though...I might need an explanation of how the facilities work."

Artemis chuckles. "Thou knowst not how to use the three shells of the sea?" she says as she appears in the bathroom doorway, hands on her hips as she grins. She motions to what appears to be the shower, although there's no curtain, no door, not even a lip. It has three shell-like features on the wall. She steps into the sizable alcove. "Thou press ...hmm...this to active the shielding," she presses one, and warm water starts to rain down from the waterfall style spout above her, soaking her quickly. "Ah! Nay, nay! Off!" she sides her hand over another shell. As water spreads across the stone tile-like floor, a force field leaps up in place of where a shower door would be, sealing the water in to keep from it spilling out of the alcove.

Victory watches Artemis demonstrate. "Okay...so...that's the shower. what about the toilet?"

After some frantic swiping, she turns off the water, and the forcefield, a little soaked from the shower. Artemis sweeps her hair back. "Hmm....the what?"

Victory chuckles. "Toilet? You konw...the thing you urinate or defecate into?"

Artemis cringes at the distasteful comments. "Ah. Aye. The things most mortals do. I would think that at thine age, you would know such things." She looks about at the various items in the room with a growing look of helplessness. "Hmmm, mayhaps this?" She waves a hand close to a small panel on the wall. The wall unseals and a square seat-sized frame drops. The underside lights up and hums with energy. "This energy portal is meant to transport away waste, I believe," she motions as a glowing disc is generated under the odd seat, floating inches beneath it.

Victory chuckles. "I know what one is, yes. I didn't know how the facilities worked here. That's all."

Artemis nods. "I will, ah, leave thee to thy...thy...functions," she says, still inebriated. She's not really able to help him any further than that. She smiles and walks out of the bathroom. She's not dripping wet, but still damp. She begins taking off her cape and pauldrons once she's out of the room.

Victory comes out of the bathroom after a few minutes, apparently having figured out how it works, after Artemis's brief demonstration.

Artemis has taken off her armor, and is just set her bracer on a floating night stand. It was a struggle doing that while tipsy. That fire brandy builds a bit. "Now that thou art finished, there is a matter to disc...discuss with thee," she says as she begins to unwrap her damp battleskirt.

Victory nods. "Okay. What is it that you'd like to talk about?"

Artemis turns to Victory, still in tight britches, boots, and a sleeveless top with a short upright collar. "Thy people hath made a deal to halt Krul's spread across the shtars. His attempts to unify worlds has bred the fear from neighboring tyrant lords into attacking his holdings, and so he continued his conquest. There can be no peace if this fear remains." She takes a breath to sober her thoughts and points to him, her finger not quite steady. "Hoomans may be the key for peace to reign at last."

Victory tilts his head, "I'm not sure I follow. How would humanity be a key for peace in this situation?"

Artemis thought that would explain it, but obviously she's inebriated. "See thee not how? He ex...expected to need to continue to conquer all to ensure peace, or that a People like thine would end his empire and plunge the empire unto...unto...chaos. But now, there is another path! Thy people made him vow to cease his conquest. If ye hoomans can demonstrate he can no longer threaten expanse, then other worlds would not threaten those in his grasp. Winning thy battles tomorrow will show this part of the galaxy that the hoomans are mightier than Krul's champions and forces, thus reinforcing the truce."

Victory nods slowly. "But the truce exists, all the same."

"Ash long as it is believed the truce shall be honored," Artemis nods. "Though Krul hesitates. He believes he is ending the reign of tyrants. And the only path he sees for this is conquest. Thou art a peacemaker, Friend...Wade," she has to make sure she says the right name. "I had hopes thee could find the words or...or...the like...to change Krul's mind."

Victory takes a deep breath and thinks about it. "He thought he was stopping tyrants? Nothing else? That seems odd. They can't be ALL like that. I bet some were just fearful that they were next."

Artemis nods. "That 'twas his view. And still is. He wishes not for others to shuffer under such ilk." She shifts her weight a little to keep the room steady. Or so she thinks that's what it's doing. "They were all fearful, and he said they attacked to hold their claimsh. It...doesh sheem odd. I recall there not being...hmm...quite so many worlds under tyranny."

Victory nods. "Because they weren't, most likely. He is mistaken. I can try talking to him, if you think it would help."

Artemis rubs her chin in thought. "Aye...thy words have oft provided me guidance. Thou art very good with words. I think thee can find a way to sway, but...thou must also not say what thee know. I did not vow to keep his secrets, but he did wish my dis..dis...discretion. I tell you this so that the peace may be lasting. I may be a Goddessh of Battle, and dishdain tyranny, but even I understand thy way is best here," she smiles.

Victory nods. "I would keep your name out of it."

"He hash spoken to none of this, me thinks. Not how his cause has strayed, sho...I appreciate it," Artemis says as she steps over to a wall. She swipes her hand and it slides open to reveal a closet with some robes of various makes and sizes to accomodate multi-armed beings. Unconcerned with modesty, she gets out of her wet clothes and selects a robe about her size and puts it on. "Thou should rest for thy battle. Thee can still decide if ye wish to fight Constellation on thy own, or to continue to battle hoomans against his champions."

Victory nods. He watches Artemis for a brief second, and then looks away as she changes. "Umm....you're right. I'm not sure which way it will play out."

Artemis is fully covered as she heads to the bed and sits upon is edge, one leg bend and on the mattress, while the other remains on the floor. "I trust in thee and thy people's skill and prowess to win the day to strength thy calls for peace," she smiles warmly. "Hoomans have proved a...vexing...yet surprising people. I find thee most interesting."

Victory thinks about it....and goes to grab a robe as well. He sets it on the bed, and then starts to remove his costume, trying to think about it like he's in a locker room. "How are we vexing?"

Artemis watches him like one would in a locker as they converse. She laughs and says, "Ye know how. Thy cultural way of speaking that so abhors truth and honesty, and yet the ways of Guardians are honorable. Ye know not how much of a paradox this be to me."

Victory smiles. "I do NOT abhor truth and honesty. And you know that. I'm just not blunt."

Artemis points to him and wags her finger. "There! Vexing!" she grins. "Though may not abhor it, but thou avoid it at times."

Victory finishes stripping down...and puts the robe on, tying it off. HE then puts his hands on his hips. "Artemis...I will always be honest with you if you ask a direct question."

Artemis smiles at his response. "When hath thee known me to not be direct in my questions?"

Victory smiles. "And when have I lied when you asked one?"

Artemis blinks a few times and stares a moment as she has to think on that. "Hmmm." She squints a little as she searches her memories. "I cannot recall, an exact time. Perhaps by omission?"

Victory thinks about it. "Perhaps by omission. You're right. I'm not sure when, though. In the past, if I've done that...it's partially because I don't want to admit something I'm feeling."

Artemis brings up her finger again. "That is what I refer to. And hoomans say this somehow be not lying? This is what makes thy kind so vexing," she chuckles. "I did suspect thou were not answering my question direct when Wayne was still in Starguard's dungeons. I think you do this gesture?" she demonstrates by rubbing the bridge of her nose the way he does when she gives him a headache.

Victory grins, "I do that when I get a headache. Sometimes due to being vexed."

Artemis chuckles at this. "Very well, then. -Thou- are honest with me, as be Wayne. But not all hoomans are as this," she concedes as she lays back on her side of the bed, folding her arms behind her head and gazing at the ceiling as the booze muddles her thoughts. They drift to a similar ceiling, though less clean and dimly lit in the gladiator cells that she can almost see. She blinks, and the thoughts and vision are gone. "Hm." She rolls over onto her side, back to Wade's side of the bed as she remains above the covers. "Though now is the time for rest, and preparation in the morning for the battle ahead," she says, the merriment replaced with a distant tone.

Victory lies down on the bed. "Are you okay, Artemis? I could sense the change in your tone there."

Artemis starts to say something, but all that happens is her breath catches the way it does when she tries to say something that isn't true. She sighs and thinks a moment before saying again, approaching it differently this time and bearing her feelings honestly in ways Wade and other humans would hide or lie with simple denial. "This place holds memories. Mostly ones for ill. I thought I would never have to lay eyes on the arena of Xylanda again. But...at least I am seeing it from a different vantage point this time. My mind had drifted back to several cycles past."

Victory nods slowly and puts a hand on her shoulder. "You are in a different situation now. You can hold your head high."

Artemis looks over her shoulder at him. For once, he can see a vulnerability there. A moment of uncertainty. She takes a breath and smiles sadly. "Aye. The situation now is different. They are but memoriesh. Unable to physically cause me harm." She takes a moment to discern the saying. "I know not that I can do that yet in thish place, Friend Wade."

Victory nods. "You can. You're strong. And I'll help you."

Artemis's smile loses some of its sadness. "Yes. I am shtrong. Though how can thou help?"

Victory smiles. "Emotional support. You're not just strong physically. You know that, right?"

Artemis's browns rise up slowly. "I...had not thought much on those aspects in the past. Only more recently. Before I arrived on Urth, I had no doubts of my calling. Now? I have...begun to question. Is that not a manner of weakness?"

Victory smiles. "No, it is not." He takes a deep breath and says, "There's something my father used to say. 'Any belief you hold that is unexamined isn't worth having' Thinking about and considering your purpose in the universe is no sign of weakness. It's a sign that you're intelligent and a feeling individual."

Artemis gazes at him a moment in silence, studying him in wonder at his words. "Thy father ish wise." She finally rolls onto her back again, no longer feeling the need to attempt conceal her emotion. "Thank you, Friend Wade. For thine words." Maybe it's the booze that's making her introspective. "Aye, I know I am intelligent and feeling. Was this in doubt?" she smiles in mild amusement.

Victory chuckles. "I certainly did not doubt it. And you're welcome."

Artemis's smile grows, more pure now. "Now I must truly allow thee to rest so thou may be thy best," she says sweetly. She closes her eyes and lets out a tired, but content sigh. "I trust you will ssshow all in Xylanda and the neighboring systems why hoomans and thee be among my favorite mortals," she says sleepily.

Victory smiles. "G'night, Artemis. Sleep well." He lies back on the bed and looks up at the ceiling, finding himself wondering how how he got here. Just big picture questions.