Setting up Shop

Artemis strolled down Shop Street looking around at all the people sleeping on the ground. She stopped as she reached an intersection with boarded up stores and taverns. She fell back into a tavern on her right closed the door behind her. From the outside the building looked like it had been condemned for years but upon entering you came across the oasis in the desert. The inside of the tavern was full of High end Appliances, Televisions, A bar, A queen sized bed and a large pole going through the center of the room. Artemis flipped a switch on the wall next to her and the entire back wall revolved on itself revealing a weapons rack filled with High End Sniper Rifles, Sub Machine Guns, Ancient Katana and what looked like a large stone cross. Artemis fell down on her bed and dropped her Chain Gun next to her. For the next couple of days this place would be her Main Residence.

Artemis twitched slightly waking up from a dream. She stood up and checked her room yawning. After a couple of seconds she picked up her chain gun and placed it on the rack in the back wall. She walked over to the bar and began pouring together drinks. She took out two glasses instead of one and placed one on a stool next to the entrance to her Hideout. "Instead of standing in the cold... Come have a drink with me." She sat back down on her bed and began drinking lightly. She stared right at a plank of wood hiding the intruders eyes. Her stare was fierce almost asking him to defy her and walk away.

Artemis pulled a .357 nickle plated revolver out of its holster behind her back and fired a bullet through her front door. The bullet was aimed towards the boys cheek and if her aim was correct, which it usually was, he'd have a nice big gash running the side of his face right now. "What... Don't like alcohol?" She stood up and downed the contents of the second glass sitting on her bed again. "Next one is going through your skull... take the offer and come in."

"So why are you following me, Kid?" She looked him up and down and grinned a little. If you're looking for food, I got none." She tapped her chin with the barrel end of the revolver and looked at him slumping her shoulders a little. She glanced at his cheek and coughed a little.




((Who?))

She looked at him again and ran her mind through some faces she had seen on the street and on computer databases. "Fine...you don't have to answer." She got up and slid her revolver onto its niche on the rack. After doing that she turned around and sat down in front of him. "My name is Artemis. Whats yours?" She felt a bit awkward doing this right here but she didn't care, she needed to know what was going on.

She looked at him for a moment and laughed. "You're a Dead Head..." She looked at him and her entire expression changed up. After realizing what was going on her expression changed to something akin to a mother or a kindly nurse. It's Okay... Do you know why you were down here in the Slums?"

He shook his head unaware of what to tell the lady at all and confused by her way of showing care one moment and violence the next. For the life of him mouse could have showed her all his scars and burns even the stitches on his left arm. On his hands he wore gloves which were the only things he seemed to find value in. Calmly mouse looked around the artemis's house without making eye contact with her.

"Do you remember anything at all from your past?" The question seemed a bit to direct to be random. Artemis stood up and walked to a back wall where she kept a dossier full of information she had stolen or recovered. Can you remember any of it....Mouse?

Artemis took the dossier and walked over to the kid. She handed it to him lightly, walked behind him and ran her finger down the dreary scar. This feels painful... As she began running both hands along his back she began feeling more and more bruises and abrasions. Would you mind... if I took off your shirt and examined you? She had snapped into her nurse mode and began thinking more like a healer than a killer.

Sorry....but these are some serious lacerations.... It looks like you've lost... 1....2...4...5 ribs. She pulled down the shirt again and walked around to look at him. Who could you have been... to have this happen to you.. She looked at his eyes again trying to make a facial match.

After a few moments Artemis stood up and yawned. Do you need a place to spend the night? She sat down on the foot of her bed and smiled down at him. I have to go to work... but you can spend the night here, If you need somewhere to stay. She stood up and picked up her .357, Two Anken and her Chain Gun.

Artemis flipped the switch nearest the door as the lights when off and everything faded out of view. She opened her door and saw Mouse laying in the filthy gutter. You okay Dead Head? She crouched down and looked at him.

She stepped over him and placed a key next to his head. If you wanna go inside... Go inside. Artemis straightened up and began walking down the block to the docks where she would catch a Graveyard Barge to the Mid City.

Artemis heard Mouse run off into the distance as his breathing became less audible with every step. She sighed and turned around when she could no longer hear him. She was determined to find out why he had been abused so badly and why he had such adverse side effects as Amnesia. After work today she'd be taking a stroll up to the golden city and this time the hunt was on. She quickened her pace and began dashing down the street swinging an dual anken in her hands, mentally preparing herself for the blood that was going to be shed before dawn.