Daughter of Darkness

Artemis bite her lip and swallowed hard "n-no" she choked "last thing she needs right now it a guy.. " she dwindled off and forced herself up "i'll, i'll be okay" she started to the girl, picking up bandages and washing material along the way

Kale nodded and watched her. "I'll be in the living room with the guy who brought her," He turned and stopped for a minute. "Do you want me to still read to you?" He wondered if that would distract her enough to make it slightly bareable. He could sit with the guy and read the story in his mind, and she could listen.

Artemis shook her head "i don't want to ruin a wonderful thing like a book with this"
she approached the girl and hid another gasp, she looked worse close up. Tears fell down Artemis's face at steady rate as she removed the blanket and took in the sight of her bare body.
she bit her lip, drawing blood, as she cleaned the girl up to the best of her abilities.
She bandaged the particularly bad cuts, which mostly laid across her black and blue stomach, and left the rest unbandage. it was either that or the girl became a mummy.
Once done, she dressed her and wrapped her tight in a blanket, trying to prove her some comfort.
Artemis stumbled out of the room, no longer crying, her eyes just slightly vacant. She made her way into the living room

Kale was sitting on a chair infront of the couch his forarms resting on his knees, his hands clasped and his head hanging. He looked up and saw Artemis and stood, going to her and hesitantly put his arms around her, hoping it was alright.

Artemis collapsed into his arms, staying nothing, still feeling dead inside

Kale held her close, rocking her gently and rubbing her back. He kissed her temple and whispered apologies and comforting phrases.

She didn't leave his arms, falling asleep just like that.
this was a.. rough day, to say the least

Kale carried her over to the couch that wasn't being used, and sat down, holding her in his lap as the night wore on. He refused to go back to sleep, forcing his eyes to stay open and watch for any signs of movement from the girl or the guy, and to protect Artemis. By the time the sun rose, Kale was still awake, his eyes staring off into a distant somehwere, dark circles underneath them.

Artemis awoke, feeling slightly better. Especially being in his arms. Her face was only slightly empty as she sat him and looked him over quietly, not offering up any words for the silence

Kale glanced at her and gave a small smile, though it honestly wasn't much of one. He rubbed her back gently, his eyes still a little distant. "How are you?" He thought, not really wanting to talk, just incase it disturbed someone.

"okay... " she stared at the man "is he okay?" she squeaked

"I don't know...he's got a faint heartbeat...but other than that I don't know. It's obvious he's somewhere else though. He seems...vacant. I think he's probably a telepath of somekind." Kale said as he held her close, his head leaning gently on her chest, not really knowing what he was doing, or understanding the gravity of it. He was just tired, and wanted comfort. "They remind me of us."

Artemis frowned, running her fingers through his hair absentmindedly "should I try and talk to him? telepath to telepath?"

"It's worth a try." Kale closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling on her playing with his hair. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes again, keeping watch.

Artemis reached out, making sure to be gentle as she brushed minds with the stranger "hello?"

Peter cringed from her slightly. "Who are you?"

"I, I'm Artemis." she sighed "you've been out for an awfully long time. you alright?"
stupid question, but what else was she suppose to say?

"....Is Gabrielle alright?" Peter asked, his mind feeling splintered and cracked.

Artemis winced, his question bring back to light what so was trying to forget "we.. don't know. so won't wake either... are you able to stir? this would all be easier... "

"...I don't know....I'm pretty broken...but I can try..." Peter's mind proded at his body. It stirred slightly.

Artemis retreated back into her mind, watching him and clinging to Kale

Kale held Artemis close as Peter continued to stirl and finally came to a slight conciousness. A weak groan escaped his lips. "where am I?"
"That's not important." Kale responded. "what's your name?"
"Peter....where's Gabrielle?"
"Resting...she hasn't woken either."
Peter looked over at them with wide, worried eyes. "She's going to be alright, right?"

Artemis swallowed hard and met his gaze "I cleaned her up as best I could, she's resting right now. What happened to you guys?"

Peter gave a small nod, though his eyes hardend slightly. "Sepheroth." He murmered as he watched them.

Artemis gasped, "but, but I thought he never came to the prison. Drake was in... " her eyes glazed over