Artemis stood silently for a moment. "I dislike working on other people's orders. In fact, I dislike working. And I hate others. But...I do have a bit of avarice in me, and I enjoy fighting. It's not as easy to kill as the innocent believe, but that's what makes it more fun for the rest of us, correct? I'll take you up on the offer. I won't shake hands, though." A sarcastic smile was forced on his lips. "I won't ask why you speak instead of him. Maybe he's a germophobe." Artemis looked around. "Heh, no germophobe would come to this dump. Is there anything else I need to know? Because if not, I have a drink to go finish." Artemis turned around and walked back to where he had been sitting before. The girl...intrigued him.

"Because he's talking to someone else." Kryoni muttered to herself.

"You can take her too." she called after him.

Narya shook her head. "I only work for my bro," she said. "So unless he's willing to work under someone else, I'll not be joining you."

"Sorry," said Aaron, "but I'm not interested. I'm more one for land-based travel, anyway, I get seasick easily."

Elias, meanwhile, turned and looked at the girl. Arching an eyebrow, when the barkeep came he said, "Sake, please."

Artemis froze for a second. You can take her too. It took only that second for his mind to be flooded with abstract and patently ridiculous ideas. She'll never come with me, he told himself, firmly. She doesn't know me at all. Plus, I'm an insane people-hater. Very attractive to the average fem- He cut himself off, astounded by his thoughts.

Oh sure, invite her! You just hate the world! A snide voice in his head brought Artemis to his senses. What am I thinking? How could such a stupid thing occur to me? I don't care about people! I hate them!

He walked over to Axelle and finished his drink in a mouthful, then sat down, staring at his hands, mentally berating himself. People are stupid. They're all idiots. They deserve to die. To burn. Finally, he turned to Axelle, an uncontrollable sneer on his face. "Hey," he said, snidely, rage building up inside of him.

"I've been offered a job. I could give you some of the gold..."

"Do you want to come with me?"

Kasam shrugged.

"That's a damn shame. We're moving through shallow water, no winds, and and the rewards are..." his mouth twisted as he searched for words. "...quite extraordinary. Description would not be adequate."

Worell had been sitting quietly in a corner booth of the bar, easily listening to the many loud conversations. Fights narrowly avoided, exchanging gold, it was all to complex for him.

He fondled the jade bead necklace that his late wife had given to him on her deathbed. His eyes were full of sadness and his mouth drooped into a frown. He held the necklace to his mouth, and a tear fell upon it.

It was then that he was interrupted. A slinky woman had sat down at his table with jet black short hair that flipped at the ends. Her peircing green eyes scanned his. "Awww, why so sad?" She said, slightly laughing. Her sly eyes darted twoards him as she turned slightly sideways in her seat. "That's a nice necklace," she said, teasingly. Was she trying to anger him?

The bartender came over, his dirty blonde hair a strangely pleasant contrast to the jet black that was almost not a color at all. "What'll you all be havin'?" The bartender asked in a heavy Cockney accent. "Oooh, I'll have a margarita...if you have them," she said, seemingly finally realizing where she was. "Anyway, Worell, you won't get anywhere if you keep putting yourself down about your wife's death," she said, obviously trying to push him over the edge.

And she had hit the spot. Worell had stopped breathing for a second, and he winced with great pain at her words. A triumphant smile played across her lips. The bartender then interjected, "Please, Geneva, you know that she wouldn' be pleased." Geneva eased a little, though obviously annoyed. "So, are you going to say anything?" She asked Worell finally.

David smiled. Sake would have been a good choice. Instead, he drank from his half-empty mug, while Richard spoke. "Hello, ma'am," he said, returning the honorific. "Can we help you?" David wondered how many people they'd "help" before the day was out.

Cora nodded.

"I lost something. It's on an island. I need to go to an island, but I don't know how to get there."

She paused.

"And there's gold there with it. A lot of gold."

Richard looked at David, and smirked. "I'm not big on gold," Ricky said. "I'm more partial to silver." David shot him a dirty look, but went back to his drink. "Anyway," Richard said over the top of his drink, "What did you lose?"

Elias listened passively. This would be a good source of information, although it sounded to him a bit like mercenary work. After all, if it were a simple matter of "Go to the island, get the gold, come back", the girl wouldn't be asking for help. Quietly, he said, "Pirates? Monsters? Traps? Soldiers?" he asked, waiting for his drink.

"Sorry, but I'm good for now," said Aaron. "Besides, I'm not of the treasure hunting persuasion. Not sure about Narya sometimes, but I'm not."

Narya smirked. "I gotta admit, sometimes I think your motto is 'Never do work if there's a monetary reward at the end'."

Axelle cocked an eyebrow at Artemis. Then she snorted and her mouth burst open, laughter escaping. She caught herself a moment later and looked up, her face red.

"Go with you? I hardly know you." She said, stifling another laugh. She thought for a moment. He seems interesting. Maybe...no. You can't go. That Aphrodite chick isn't going, is she? God, you need to ca--wait gold? HELL YES! Her eyes closed. "I'll go, as long as it won't bother you." Her eyes open, and a warm smile spread across her lips. You need to be nicer. Seriously.

Aphrodite stared up at the man addressing Aaron, her eyes full of confusion. She said nothing, but flicked her hood up, shielding her face. Her eyes moved towards Worrell, and she sensed something around him. Her eyes glassed over, black mist flooding in and forming a veil over them. She saw people around him, made of ethereal mist. She stood, still in her trance and moved towards him, staring down at him. She stood motionless and silent.

Meanwhile, another woman burst in.

"HEY! SOMEONE BETTER TELL ME WHERE I CAN GET A DECENT PINT OF SOMETHIN' TO DRINK, OR ELSE I'MMA SAY SOMETHING I MIGHT REGRET." She yelled, her entire person sparkling. She moved her head side to side like a bobblehead and held up a hand. Someone pointed a shaky finger to the sign. "Oh, hey, this is a pub, ain't it! Well waddya know?!" She grinned, exposing pearl white teeth. Her skin was dark, and she appeared out of place. Both Axelle and Aphrodite's heads shot up and stared at her, Aphrodite's trance breaking. She shook her head and looked back at Worrel, blushing and rushing back to her seat, not removing her hood.

"Bother me?" Artemis nearly laughed himself. Of course it won't...it will...it... "I can't guarantee it won't bother me...but..." But I want...I don't...I want you to come. I think. "It's fine by me," Artemis continued. "Actually, think of it as me doing my first good deed. You could use the money. Maybe buy yourself something so you don't look so weird anymore..."

Axelle pursed her lips and pinched herself so she wouldn't get angry again.

"You're testing my patience, boy." She said, standing to meet Artemis' eyes. "You don't want to do that, now do you?"

"The idea of what happens when your patience runs out is rather...intriguing." Artemis' eyes glimmered. "But I'll pass," he said, conceding defeat. "I don't know when we'll leave, so be prepared to depart at any time." Artemis sat down and ordered another drink.

Axelle rolled her eyes.

"I'm always ready." She muttered, sitting back down and ordering herself another drink.