That tables no couch. [OPEN]

Artemis was lounging on a bench table, one foot crossed over the other. Hand dangling over his face, an empty pitcher on the table. His body surprisingly comfortable against the hard wood. He probably shouldn't be lying on the table, but he couldn't give a crap at the moment. No one seemed that bothered here either, at least not at the moment. They were pretty used to his antics by now. Most who saw him recognised what was happening.

Unfortunately at that moment in time he was in the process of nursing a hangover. A pretty bad one. All the while attempting to drown it with hair of the dog. It wasn't working yet. Man, I went hard last night, He thought bitterly. He had remembered much. Chatting up pretty girls, some rowdy behaviour, was there a fight? He wasn't sure.

He lifted his hand and opened his eyes to check out his knuckles. There was some scratches, but nothing that indicated he had punched anyway. He could just swatted a thorn bush or something. Who knew, who cared. Whatever it was, one thing was sure. He had enjoyed himself, his lips twitched into a small smile when he thought about it. Definitely worth the headache. He dropped his hand back onto his forehead, covering his eyes once more

"Yo, can I get another bevvie?!" He called out, reached into his pocket with his other hand and slammig some money on the table. He wasn't sure if he wanted to get drunk again, but he knew one thing. One way or another he was gonna get rid of this hangover, and if that didn't happen. Well then he'd just be screwed, he'd had to go home and sleep it off. That was the boring option, Art was seeking something much more fun. At least he wasn't likely to hear anything to Morte, he was always very quiet during him hangovers. It was a bittersweet peace.

When punches are thrown and tables are flipped, Art is usually the first one to jump in and start throwing punches. Normally he would just jump forward and take a swing at the closest face, then duck out of sight as the guy got up and punched the bloke standing next to him. Then watched as the fight spread further and further, loving every second of it. But today, today just wasn't the day. He didn't want to be messed with or mess with anyone. He just wanted to chill and burn this hangover off the easy way.

So when he overheard the scuffling, he peeked there was some dude wrestling with a golem like creature. The guy seemed to spot look at him but was soon thrown out by the creature. Art who had been preparing to tell them to pipe down, was actually relieved and relaxed back. Closing his eyes once more, maybe he would actually get some peace now. At least that's what he thought, until a particularly friendly and clearly... female voice broke his domain of solitude.

Art wasn't really one for making friends during hangovers, but there was always an exception to the rule and that was a woman. Lifting his hand to look, he was pleased to see it was in fact a woman, an unfamiliar woman. With blonde hair and a nice frame. 

"Relatively new, " He said moving his arm so she could see his face, but not actually moving his position, he was quite comfortable after all. Normally his approach would have been much more forward, but he was hungover, and that meant low energy. She would have to make do with minimal effort,  "I'm Art." Art looked around to see if someone had brought him a beer, at that moment, someone came over full pitcher in hand, "You want one?" He asked Leona, deciding maybe company would make his head less sore, especially feminine company. 

Art couldn't say he wasn't a little put off by the fact Leona didn't want to join him for a drink, Was it that early? He glanced over at a wall clock, Okay, maybe it is a little on the early side. He brushed it off though, what did it matter if he was doing a little early morning drinking. People could judge but he didn't care, morning boozing was a small offense compared to some of the reckless behaviour he normally got up to.

Art watched as the guy that had been fighting the golem, came over leaning on the girl he had been talking to. He raised a brow, Were they a thing? He wondered, it was pretty forward behaviour. The air seemed friendly between them, but it was too soon to tell. He took his newly delivered pitcher, and lifted it back. Taking a big swig of it's contents. It's cool bubbly fluid going down a treat, tickling at his slightly sore throat. He let out a satisfied gasp, it was harder to drink with his hangover, normally he would have managed the whole thing. The dull ache behind his forehead begging him not to continue, he ignored it, drown it with dog hair. The guy introduced himself as Quill, depending on the encounter they might have would be the answer whether Art would remember their names after today. Putting down his drink, he raised his arms and rested his hands behind his head.

"Quill and Leona huh? You two a thing?" He asked with a grin, well if he was stuck talking with them, he might as well make it interesting. He watched, hoping for an entertaining reaction.

Art watched as the guy confirmed his answer, then proceeded to kiss the girl on the cheek. Beaming with what appeared to be joy. The girl seemed to agree, although Art wasn't picking up on the chemistry. They were close that was sure, but lustful, not so much. The tension between lovers just wasn't there. Maybe they were innocent and in the early stages, maybe it was the opposite and they were past their honeymoon phase. Relationship could go stale after all. Although Art had never experienced that, just seen his pals go through it. Art never did commitment, it was tedious, boring, unnecessary effort. The final alternative was that they were lying, It could've been any of those answers. But the best way to deduce was the push their boundaries.

"Really? You seem pretty cosy." He said, then with a devilish smirk he continued, "Such a pretty lady  really needs to be taken care of, do you do that Quill, do you take care of her ?" He emphasized the word in a tone that was hinting of something much naughtier. If they had a intimate relationship, the answer would be clear. If it wasn't, they were bound to have an amusing reaction. Perhaps it was his hangover playing devils advocate, but Art was in a particularly teasing mood. He had nothing against the two, it was just one of those days.

Quill response was confident and unrestrained, he was playing ball with no shame nor hesitation. Art grinned, the guy had spunk, he liked that. It was at least a somewhat entertaining reaction. Leona's reaction was much more tame, either she wasn't picking up on what he had been implying or she was just choosing to ignore it. He wasn't picking up any flirty vibes from her, normally he'd be in full pursuit, but she's seemed quite straight-laced, he wasn't sure he'd get anywhere with her. It wasn't that he couldn't be friends with a woman, but they often didn't like him because of his treatment of other girls.  

Quill's question was tough one, not because he didn't know the answer, but more so because he wasn't sure how he would address it. He didn't feel comfortable enough to go into his history which his family. The truth was he had needed an excuse to move forward from the restrictions of his upbringing. A place he could go to get away, somewhere he could be without being pressured by his grandfather. He was making his own money now not relying on theirs. It was his own form of freedom, he had picked Silver Wolf because it seemed welcoming to all. Even someone like him.

He would never be able to discuss this with Quill or Leona, probably not even after a few beers. He was just something he shut down about, sometimes he could talk to his sister, but it was rare. Art just wasn't one for sharing.

"I guess if I had to give a reason, I'd say boredom." It was the closest they would get to a truthful answer, because the guild was another cure for his boredom. It wasn't a lie. It was then he realised he should probably continue the conversation in some way.  "What about you two, why are you here?"

Art listened, his face blank as Quill and Leona each took turns to explain their reasons for being members of Silver Wolf. Quill reply was pretty standard, learning and researching . That was the guilds main agenda right, research. Art wasn't sure if he had been fulfilling that duty as well as he could of. He was mainly in it for himself, but that didn't mean he wanted to lose his place here. He would have to rethink his strategy a bit, having fun  and letting loose was great and all. But nothing was worse than the dreaded concept of having to go back to his family guildless. Leona casually mentioned being guildless as having more freedom, but in Art's world it was opposite. Being a part of a guild meant his family back off a bit, the pressure alleviated as he was finally doing something... useful as they put it. Although it didn't taken away the possibilities that he might one day have to take over as head of the Dagger household, did he even want that? He honestly wasn't sure. 

Leona's response suggested a history that caught Art's attention, it seemed like an interesting one the girl being near death and escaping. Art wouldn't having minded hearing it, but it was also something quite personal, he wasn't sure the girl would be willing to share something like that with someone she'd just met. "Sounds rough, I almost died once, but that was many years ago. Plus it didn't benefit me the way the experience has benefitted you." His voice became slightly bitter as he finished his sentence. 

It was a dark time, his fear and anxiety over his power had gotten the better of him. He had tried to end it all, to escape from Morte once and for all. The details of which he did not want to remember, all he could imagine was waking up sitting in front of a mirror, his face contorted like Morte's. Laughing manically. He could try, but Morte would never let him, and that had been a horrific lesson to learn. Art sat up, taking back the remainder of his beer, struggling slightly to finish it. He decided he didn't need anymore alcohol, it wasn't working as effectively as he'd hoped. He sighed, before looking over at the bar staff. 

"Well if you wont share a beer, how about a coffee or some grub? I'm done trying to drink away this bloody migraine, the bitch wont drown." He said clearly frustrated. He went on to order some coffee and breakfast. If he couldn't chase it, he would just have to soak it up. He hoped he could keep the meal down, he didn't fancy vomiting all over the place. 

Art nodded at Leona's agreement of sharing coffee with him, he ordered a pot to be brought over as well as a fry up for himself. Fry ups were his favourite, a number one hangover cure. But if he was gone, he would just end up pushing it away, he hoped today wouldn't be one of those days. He hated wasting a good fry up. He winced as the smell of Quills drink hit him, whatever it was, it was strong. He could manage a cool beer, but whatever that was wasn't for him. "I don't drink to die, I drink to have good time." And he had had a good time, the parts her could remember at least. He wasn't naïve drinking better drinks as Quill had put it would get him no where at this point, what he needed was to sober up. 

As the food and drink was brought over to their table, the smell of eggs and bacon hit Art's senses like a strong wave. It wasn't enough to make his sick but he needed a moment before he could even think about touching it. He pushed it to the side for a moment, instead waiting as the coffee was poured out for them. He reached forward, taking the spoon out of a sugar bowl they had provided. He scooped three heavy spoonful's of it into his coffee, before putting down the spoon and topping it with milk. He stirred it, consider Quill's suggestion. 

"Research as in books and stuff... that's not really my thing. I don't mind the exploring side so much, but I don't work for free. If you can find me a job like that, I'd consider it." He answered, he had never been much of a book work. He wasn't dense, his teachers had said he had the capacity to be a great student if he got his act together. But he hadn't, rebelling in one of the few ways he could. He was more cunning than clever, and that got him by just fine.

  

 Quills words only proved to irritate Artemis, he found everything he said to be patronizing, and with his thumping headache growing. He didn't appreciate it one bit. He scowled at Quill as he spoke. "Listen kid, in case you haven't already realised I'm feeling pretty rough, you don't know me, so how about you take down that judgmental attitude of yours down a notch. I said I didn't like research, not that I wouldn't do it." There was more to it that they knew, Art wasn't just another mage, he was a Dagger. A member of one of the oldest and most powerful families in Fiore. There was a reputation to the Dagger name that told you what you needed to know; rich, strong and unpredictable. But Art hadn't told them his surname, nor did he feel the need to. He didn't want them to act differently if they recognised it, he wasn't in the mood for politics, nor was he in the mood for a fight. All he had wanted good company, Quill had originally seemed ok, but Art didn't take kindly to being spoken down to. He had enough of that to deal with outside of the guild.

Quill's complaints about his living problems only annoyed Art more, the audacity was outstanding. This guy was complaining about the animals he had chosen to live with. For Art to listen to this, a guy who had an evil demon inside of him, threatening to devour his soul at any moment. Who upon returning to his home would have to face an onslaught of criticism and berating. This guy really was something. Art decided he wasn't going to reply, because if he did, it wasn't going to be nice. Leona's words were on the other hand much gentler, and encouraging. He's irritation faded a little at her words, 


"It just seems pretty tedious to me, I have other ways I can benefit the guild, much more efficiently. I'll do it if I have to, but if everyone's only focused on research. Doesn't that leave weaknesses in other areas, having tunnel vision about things, leaves you blind to what you could be missing." He was never this serious, but Leona was a decent enough girl, so he would give her the respect of a fair response. His grandfather would have been surprised at him, not that he was there to see it. He only saw the crap. He pulled over his plate, beginning to cut up his food. He forked a piece of sausage and egg, before scooping it into his mouth. It was good, and he didn't feel like hurling, not yet anyway. 

Art had stabbed his forking into some bacon and was just about to bite into it when Quill exploded with rage, Art listened to him, expression non-caring, chewing his bacon as the guy yelled about all sorts. Fighting in wars, watching people die, it was all very dramatic and not the least bit impressive to Art. In Art's eyes no one stood at the grandeur that his grandfather had and frankly his grandfather had taught him that throwing your achievements in people faces was a childish way to win an argument. Art watched in surprise as Quill pulled out as sword, wondering casually if he intended to stab him. Instead the guy proceeded to stab the table, knocking food and coffee everywhere. Art watched with a disapproving frown, 


"How Pathetic..." he mumbled under his breath, as the guy and the table disappeared. Quill didn't want to be called a kid, but did a mature person throw a hissy fit from one remark and stab a table. He looked over at Leona who looked shock by the outcome of their conversation. Frankly Quills behaviour showed little care over her well-being, he could have easily spilt hot coffee over her. "Was that really necessary? Are you already? Did food get on you?"  He asked her, The bar staff rushed over to make sure everything way alright, Art shook his head. "Some people has no selfish control, Can I just get an egg and bacon sandwich please, plus two more coffees. Plus a table would be good too. You can go ahead and put it on the angry guys tab." He said, before looking at Leona, she tried to defend the guy. But it didn't matter, his actions spoke for himself. There was nothing wrong with having no filter, but blowing up because of a single word used against him, it just didn't impress Art at all. Although Art wasn't that surprised in truth, it hadn't been the first time he words had created an outburst of rage. He was the starter of many barfights an pub brawls, just for the sake of being bored Art rarely threw the first punch though. 

Art was distracted by Leona's continuation of their conversation about the guild, "I understand about playing it cool with other guilds, but jobs are open to everyone right? And you seem like a girl who likes to do battle, to be out there in the action.? All I'm saying is just because we have to do boring research doesn't mean we should offer the charade of enjoying it. I don't think the guild should care if we say it's lame, as long as we got on with it regardless. We should be able to have a healthy balance of research jobs and jobs we actually enjoy."