12623/Recoup in New York

Recoup in New York
Date of Scene:	30 August 2022
Location:	Gramercy Park Hotel
Synopsis:	While recouperating, Artemis reveals more secrets to Atrid.
Cast of Characters:	Artemis Crock, Atrid

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Artemis Crock has posed:
One can easily get lost in an unfamiliar setting, especially when one travelled there on a whim, without any contacts, and with a heck of a lot of enemies on their trail. Thankfully Artemis managed to find a friendly face or two, but before trying to deal with the whole loaded history between herself and her sister, she needed to find a safe place to rest and recuperate.

Shortly after wandering about one of the Big Apple's biggest parks, Atrid had led her to one of the more affordable hotels (hopefully), although Artemis never really specified a budget limit. Still this place seems cheap enough on her rather scant waitress salardy.

It's been a long day and her feet are feeling sore and tired as she steps into the lobby, peering around, shouldering her backpack which is feeling heavier by the moment. "Geez, it's soo hot out today..I gotta say, this AC feels amazing..They'd better have a vacancy or I'll be super mad.." she peers around, then heads to the check-in desk. "Soo, how long you been living in town, Atrid?" she asks casually as she waits in line.

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen laughs and shrugs. "Oh say 18 years." He says with a laugh. "I'm sure there are vacancies. Most tourists try and get the ritzy upscale boughi type places, and if there isn't I can persuade the desk person to make one."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock smirks, "All your life, huh? Where was that, some mutant safe haven? Must get boring after a while, being stuck in one place, hmm? Especially if you're not allowed visitors." she winks playfully at him before stepping up to the counter, talking to the guy at the desk and filling out some forms.

"Is that soo? you're not gonna 'babysit' me here too, are you? You should go home..Wouldn't want anymore mutant haters from that club trying to track you down." She's being a jerk, she's talking down to him like he's the one that needs watching and not her. Or maybe she really is just a little concerned.

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen laughs and shakes his head. "Oh I'm always watching even when I'm not here doll I got eyes and ears every where in this city. I used to run the streets still have all those connections." He says grinning at her.

"But no I ain't worried about mutant haters dealt with them most of my life. As for a Mutant safe haven sort of Xavier's school for gifted youngsters. But no I'll be staying with you a while you're here either in the same room or in one near you."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock narrows her eyes at him intently, "Who the heck are you, anyway? That's kinda...Creepy." she shrugs as she's offered the keys, shouldering her bag. "Gee, that's pretty harsh. That's gotta be tough.." she considers something for a moment before nodding to him. "Come on, let's go.." and she peers at the key offered her, heading for the elevator. "Looks like I'm on the third floor, but I can't afford to buy two rooms for the night..."

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen shakes his head. "Nothing like that Art, I was a thief and gangster for a long time. So when I want someone kept safe I put the word out. As long as youre not being fucked with they wont step in or contact me get it?" Her mention of money has him laughing and waving it off as he wraps his arm around her waist. "If you want me in my own room I got money and credit cards I could get a room. unless you want me in yours."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock smiles, leaning in against him, shrugging..Why's her heart suddenly beating faster? She bites her lip and nods. "Oh, it's okay...We're getting a room with two beds." she winks at him. Besides, it's only temporary. Once I figure out what's going on with my sister.."

The elevator rings and they step in, not too long later it opens on her floor and she makes a tired beeline for her room. When she steps in, she is quite shocked at the luxurious red carpet and blue velvet blankets on the beds. "Oh, great...I guess I can't stay here for more than one night. This looks really expensive.."

She sighs, wishing she made more on her measly waitress salary...Being a villain paid sooo much more than this..But...

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen holds out his credit card placing it to Art's chest. "Take it use it, but we share a bed one night. Don't have to do anything I just like touch." He says honestly and sincerely. "I aint letting you hit the streets to sleep again darlin." Atrid states keeping his arm around the beautiful blond pulling her in closer to him so close she can breath in his scent.

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock blinks slowly as he offers her the card, shaking her head. "What? no way...I can't do that! And..." she blushes a bit more, pulling away, "Share a...? Why..You don't even...How do you know you can..?"

Artia stumbles a bit on her words, fumbling with the key. "Geez, you're impossible. Let's just..Think this through.." she yawns. "So tired..What a crazy couple of days." she tosses her backpack in one corner of the room, and tiredly flops on the nearest bed. "Just gimme a minute.."

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen smirks and slides the card down her shirt. "You can nd you will. It's only while you stay in the city, you need funds so I'm giving it to ya. I got a job nothing to worry about." He says and laughs as she stutters kissing her before Art can flop on the bed.

    "Oh Oh Oh my turn my turn." Teases the young mutant and than he chuckles. "Of course love take your time."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock blinks in surprise as he slips it down her shirt. "Heey, what the heck!?" she turns over, tugging him towards her, wriggling a bit as she tries to get the card out of her shirt. "Geez, you are sooo much trouble!" And then, she attempts to pin him down, untucking her shirt to let the card drop out. "Heh, you think this is funny, do you?"

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen smiles and tumbles with her upon the bed and as they roll around he kisses her soundly. "Hmmm....yes I do think this is funny, dont you?" He teases back. "Besides you're keeping the card until you leave New York, maybe you can take me to Gotham with you show me around that big bad city."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock smiles and shakes her head, brushing her fingers against his lips, pressing the card against his chest. "Can't do that. Don't need your charity. I'll make my own way while I'm here in town." she smirks, still trying to pin him down, to get the upper hand so to speak. "Didn't I tell you, I'm not much of a team player. You're taking your chances working with me. Once this is over, can't guarantee I'll be sticking around.."

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen smirks and rolls her over trailing lines of gentle ice and fire down her body. "You can you will and you have." He teases. "It ain't charity you're working my case for me and with me, consider this payment." He grins. "If you don't stick around that's fine I'll come visit you too, I ain't lettin' ya slip away."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock's eyes widen a bit, shivering at the trails of hot and cold. "Atrid..? What are you?" she sighs at the strange sensations, clutching his shoulders tight. "Payment?" she smirks, wrapping her arms around his neck as she rests against the bed. "Aren't we equals? Business partners? Don't worry about me, really...I can handle myself. And I wont leave you, promise." she tugs him down, kissing him more passionately this time.

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen smiles kissing her back deeply passionately arms wrapping around her and tugging her close and tight to him. "Yes we are, and I'll always worry about you. I know you can handle yourself but in this instance with this hotel let my take care of you. And you'd better not leave me, because I ain't leaving you."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock sighs, shaking her head, "Geez, you're so damn stubborn. It doesn't really matter what I say, does it? Seems you've already made up your mind." She pauses a moment to catch her breath, gazing up at him with a smile, stroking his back slowly. "You know I have a wealthy sister in town, right? I mean, sure..I haven't seen her in several years, and I've no idea what she's been up to all this time..But it's something. She offered me a place to stay, just..." she sighs, holding something back it seems.

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen smiles holding Artemis tight. "I see I see, a Sister hmm? Well that's interesting, and she's in this city, and I've not heard of her nor any who have similar traits and features to you? That is quite odd." He says softly. "She offered you a place to stay and you didn't take it, just....what? Talk to me love? Tell me what the problem is."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock chuckles, "It's a big city, isn't it? The chances of bumping into her are a million to one.." she frowns a bit. "And yet somehow..There she was. Coincidence or..?" and indeed, why did she hesitate to accept the offer? "Oh, I didn't say no, just...I dunno. It's been a long while. Is she still the same person I knew and loved? Or...Maybe I'm just over thinking things." she smiles, stroking his cheek slowly, thoughtfully, "You'll come meet her too of course, right? I'm sure you'll like her.."

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen smiles and nods his head a bit. "I can get that, I wouldn't trust that she's the same, no one ever stays the same." He says shrugging. "Always changing everything changes and moves along." Atrid pulls Art in holding her close and stroking her hair. "Of course, if my Lady wishes me to meet her sister, I'll of course be there."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock smiles, nuzzling against his neck. "I'd like that. Really..I think I'd feel better actually.." maybe it's a strange thing to say, but Artemis is a strange person, and even then, she seems to be holding..Something back. "But, let's not worry about that now, let's just enjoy the night.." she arches a curious brow at him, "You'd really come with me to Gotham after all of this is done with..?"

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen smiles and nods kissing her deeply. "Well yes, I mean I wouldn't give up my life here in New York, I'd still live here but maybe keep an apartment or something in Gotham too, and we can decide if or when things get serious, which one of us relocates permanently. I just know I want to be with you."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock laughs, "I have an apartment, a job in Gotham. It's not much, either of them, but..It's a place to stay. I'd invite you to stay of course, but it's..Pretty small.." She sighs, holding her hands on either side of his face, kissing him slowly, breaking away only to speak again.

"But the way things are going...I guess we're moving at break neck speeds anyway." she tugs on his shirt buttons, pulling him closer to her. "With my sis here in town, and...Other things I need to investigate, I'll probably be back and forth. Don't worry, I'm your's."

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen smiles and pulls her closer kissing Artemis softly trailing those fingers down her sides. "Small just means cozy and we have to be closer together to make it work." He teases back. "As for moving at breakneck speeds I definitely agree but am not worried about that in the least." He says with a grin. "Good to know that you're mine as I feel that I too am yours." Atrid smirks as her looks her up and down. "You hungry or just cuddly and sleepy?"

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock shakes her head. "Not hungry, I ate more than enough. Just sleepy. Cuddly..." she smirks, running her hands slowly up and down his spine. "Maybe more than that." she gives him a playful wink, shivering at his touch, continuing to play with the buttons on his shirt.

"I...I'm not really close to anyone. Family. Friends. I've kinda been..Isolated? That's why I'm so excited that my sister is back in town..And maybe a little anxious too. Will she stick around this time? Will she like me? Will she still be the person I remember her to be?"

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen Smiles and returns that wink and strokes her hair a bit more. "Mmmm...I could definitely get used to this." He says softly as he listens to her for a moment or two. "Will she like you, of course who couldn't. Will she stick around who knows but try and make the most of the time you have with her. Will she be the person you remember her to be, most likely not, people change it's what we do, we must if we want to survive.

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock hmms, "Well...It's more than just her liking me or not. Let's just say my family's pretty..Messed up?" for a second she seems..Almost afraid of something but then she shakes her head at that, sighing tiredly, closing her eyes as she nestles against him. "What about you? You mentionned your dad's kinda a jerk but what about the rest of your family? Do you have siblings..?"

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen shakes his head. "No siblings, and Mom stuck by dad, if by dad's kinda a jerk you mean tried to kill me because I'm a mutant and was championing that not all mutants are bad, than yes he's kind of a jerk."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock sighs, shaking her head, arms still wrapped around him in a gentle hug. "That's harsh. I mean..My parents didn't *hate* me, they just...." she lets that trail off there, hesitant, wanting to tell him more, but afraid of..Repercussions. Can she take that risk? "It must be hard being a mutant, I mean, you have all these cool powers, but people just see you as monsters. It's one of the reasons I was trying to stop that organization at the warehouse." Well. One of a few reasons anyway. Dare she reveal the main reason she's doing it?

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen smiles and looks at her pulling her closer. "I'm a lucky one, I can pass for human as long as I don't use my powers or lose control of them." He says softly. "Go on tell me more about your parents if you want to, you're safe with me you can tell me anything.

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock nods, "Yeah, a lot of mutants at that nightclub were more obvious. I hear there are really...Deformed looking mutants living in the sewers here somewhere too? Or is that just a rumour?" as for her crazy family history, she just sighs and shakes her head. "I...Really want to tell you. Everything. Just..It's really bad. I'm afraid you wont like me anymore. Maybe you'll hate me. I just need a bit more time, but I do want to come clean, to be honest with you. Are you okay with that?" she caresses his cheek gently, peering up at him, a look of desperation in her eyes as she slowly traces her fingers over his lips.

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen smiles kissing her finger tips trailing his fingers down her back all the way to the small of it. "I wouldn't know I don't really explore the sewers." He says with a chuckle. "But yes some are deformed, some look animalistic. It's well it's varied quite a bit actually." He says and hearing her response he takes a deep breath. "Yea that's fine Ill give trust to get it, my father having justice delivered to him....I went back and killed him for what he'd done to me." He says softly. "I didn't use my powers I used his own gun and staged it as a suicide. Love nothing you can tell me will make me not like you or hate you."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock nods slowly, "Geez, I guess you were lucky then, weren't you. You ended up a pretty boy with badass hair and even cooler powers." she grins and winks, grasping his hands in her's, giving them a squeeze as she continues to nuzzle against him...

Right up until he confesses that he killed his dad. And staged it. Her eyes widen in shock and horror, suddenly pulling away, scrambling back against the head of the bed. "Wha...? You...Killed him?! But..Why! He's your dad! How could anything justify that!!"

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen shakes his head. "And see that's the reaction I thought you'd give." He says testily standing up to gather his jacket. "Yea I was lucky, until now." He sighs sadly. "As for why, because he tried to kill me, and he'd have tried again and again and he'd have tried to kill anyone I was close to mutant or human. It was justice, it was defense, and it was justifiable. But no court would take a mutants side in court, if I had been beaten within an inch of my life and sliced deeply with a bottle."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock blinks, shaking her head as she watches him, realizing, maybe too late, why he did it...For the same reason that she probably would do the same to her dad if things had gotten that far..If she hadn't run away. If she hadn't been such a coward.

"Wait! He...Tried to kill you?! Geez, I....I didn't know.." she hops off the bed hastily, reaching for his hands, trying to tug him back. "Don't...Don't go. I'm sorry! I didn't know...I just.." she shakes her head, licking her lips. "You're not a murderer. I shouldn't have jumped to that conclusion. You just wanted to protect yourself..Right?"

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen allows her to take his hands and lead him back to the bed smiling. "Yes it was defense and of course you couldn't have known. But your knee jerk reaction made me feel like you were going to hate me." He kisses her deeply slowly pushing her back to the bed. "This is why I said that I can't hate you or judge you for your past love."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock shakes her head, hugging him tightly, pulling him back against her. "I dont hate you. I just...I don't always think before I act. I judged you too quickly, and...I have a confession to make.."

Artemis draws a deep breath before delving into her own twisted past, "You have more guts than I do, you know that? My dad..He hurt me pretty bad, put me through gruelling training sessions, one time it even ended in breaking my arm.. Both he and my mom were professional criminals. They wanted to mould me after them both. I took the coward's way out..I ran away before things got that bad.."

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen smiles and nods his head. "Yes...I see...and that beautiful is a horrible thing." He says softly before pushing her onto the bed playfully and jumpin in beside her. "See now that doesn't bother me. Hello I was a gangster a thug, a criminal myself for a long long time." He says thoughtfully. "Your past doesn't bother me, it doesn't scare me it doesn't make me run from you." Atrid says with a laugh.

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock lays back down with a sigh, pulling him with her. "Yeah, maybe. But I got out okay..I'll make it okay on my own." she smiles, "I guess we're alike in some ways, a lot of ways. We both came from shattered families, both had to make it out there on our own, both chose to be good instead of evil. But..Even I never had it as bad as you. And I can't judge you for it..Thanks for telling me everything, for trusting me. I dunno what I was afraid of. But..then that brings me back to my sister.." she frowns a bit, "I mean, they put her through the same regimen..Will she be okay too..?"

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen pulls her closer. "We are indeed, as for your sister, if she went dark all we can do is try and bring her over to the light. Remind her of the power of your love for her, and I'll be with you every step of the way."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock nods. "I just dont know enough about her yet. It's been a really long time since I saw her last. Maybe I'm just thinking too hard, I'm sure she's fine!" she laughs a little, but seems relaxed, curled up against him. "I mean, she was dressed in this expensive business suit, and, she looked so full of energy. She's probably some super rich, super successful business woman, that's all." Artemis yawns a bit. "You know, Artia isn't even my real name.." oh but that's just the tip of the iceberg of her web of lies. Now finally they're starting to unravel around her.

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen smiles and nods his head a bit. "I gathered Artia wasn't your real name. I'm assuming Artemis is actually your name, named after the Greek Goddess of the hunt." He says with a laugh. "I'm sure you're right your sister is probably fine and living a happy healthy normal life." He teases looking around to see if there are any candles about.

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock nods slowly. "Yeaah...But it's more than that. I..Was a villain too, I took after my mom, went by the name of Tigress. I even joined a villainous group briefly. I guess maybe I was just scared of disobeying my parents. Or maybe I just wasn't strong enough to leave. Be the good girl, make my parents proud." she shrugs.

"I...Even killed someone. Just the one time. It left me shaken to the core. It was enough for me to want to change my ways, but his face was always imprinted on my mind..So I guess I'm worse than you. Ruby, I worked for her briefly, she told me to kill this guy, said he was a really bad person..Convinced me I was doing the right thing. It was only later that I found out why she wanted to kill him. Because he was a mutant, and a threat to her designs. Soo..I guess I'm worse than you.."

Another confession which causes Artia to slump her shoulders, looking away from him again, angry at herself for all these lies.

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen smiles and pulls her closer. "Look at me Art, look at me now damn it." He says firmly. "One thing you have to remember is that there are evil mutants too whether this guy was or wasn't I don't have that answer or the information. However you're not worse than me, you didn't know she wanted him dead because he was a mutant. You didn't know that she was evil and sending you to do it. You are innocent in that, his blood is on your hands yes, but it's staining her very soul."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock shakes her head. "That guy wasn't evil...He was a good guy, he had a family, a wife, kids...I destroyed it all." she sighs, "Maybe, if I had stayed with the Injustice Society, maybe I would have ended up killing more people, maybe I would have killed you too. I just..Sometimes it gets to me. It's why I decided to try and be a hero. If I can. If I can leave that messed up life behind me, but...I don't know if I really can..I should have known better.." She seems tired, keeping all these secrets, not just from him but from the world, and from herself, hiding in plain sight, lying to the world.

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen shakes his head and kisses her softly reassuringly. "Artemis the world isn't split into just good guys and bad guys, heroes and villains, we all have good and bad inside us. We all have those two sides fighting each other daily. You want to be a hero, you can and you will and I'll be there to help you with that every day this I promise you love. You don't have to be a villain just because your parents are."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock nods, hugging him tightly, smiling faintly, "Yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe..Maybe you're the only person who could understand.." she presses her lips softly against his, calmed by his touch. "LIsten...Whatever I told you tonight, in this room, it can't leave this room. Promise me you won't tell a soul what I just told you?"

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen kisses her back. "Your secrets, your burden it's safe with me and mine to bear with you. Promise me you'll not tell a soul about what I told you here this night as well."

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock laughs, stroking his face slowly, tenderly, "Silly, why would I tell anyone? That took a lot of courage, y'know that? And I promise I wont tell a soul, cross my heart, hope to die." she grins and winks at him, making a cross over her heart. "Let's not dwell on these negative thoughts anymore. I have a cute boy alone in the room with me, I'd rather enjoy it while I still can. I mean, you ARE planning on spending the night with me, right?" she wriggles her brows playfully at him.

Atrid has posed:
Atrid Torsen laughs and nods his head. "Indeed I am,I will be spending as many nights with you as you'd allow." He says wit a waggle of his own brows before leaning in and giving Artemis a Passionate kiss.

Artemis Crock has posed:
Artemis Crock smiles, relaxing visibly in his arms, although now her hands are roaming up and down his body as she kisses him more deeply, pulling him on top of her as she plays with the buttonts on his shirt again. "Mm, I cant complain about any of that, handsome." she sighs, "Stay as long as you like.."