Artemia stepped into Adrian's apartment, her gaze drifting curiously across the room's various elements. She lingered in the doorway, her observant eyes taking in every detail. Adrian, unaccustomed to hosting guests, appeared somewhat nervous, a departure from his usual self-assured demeanor. Artemia ventured further into the apartment, offering a half-smile as she stood by the couch, silently waiting for Adrian to extend an invitation.
Adrian scratched his head, "Care for a drink? Or perhaps something to eat?"
Her eyes wandered toward the kitchen, landing on a stack of unwashed dishes in the sink. Returning her gaze to Adrian, she replied, "I think I'm fine. Maybe water would suffice."
Adrian admitted with an awkward shrug, "I only have beer and that bottle of whiskey on the coffee table."
Artemia's gaze shifted toward the whiskey bottle. "Valerionsky, as expected," she remarked with a smile. "I'll have a beer. Nothing too strong for now."
Adrian approached the fridge, making an effort to open it quietly. After a brief struggle to locate the bottle opener, he conceded and used the edge of the kitchen table to pop open the beer. Foam bubbled over the bottle's neck and spilled onto the floor. Adrian muttered under his breath as he used his foot and an old shirt from the floor to mop up the mess. Afterward, he passed the bottle to Artemia, who had already settled comfortably on the couch.
"You're definitely no bartender," she teased with a smile, acknowledging his efforts with a nod.
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Adrian settled into the worn armchair, its tattered appearance suggesting it might have been salvaged from a local dumpster. He made himself as comfortable as possible, though the chair's metal strings pressed against his back. He quirked an eyebrow at Artemia, his curiosity piqued. "What brings you here, Artemia?"
She replied nonchalantly but quickly realized the ambiguity of her words, "You. I mean, your actions."
Adrian leaned back in his chair, feeling each metal wire beneath him. It was moments like these when he preferred the relative comfort of his couch. "What did I do?"
Artemia sighed and took a sip of her beer, her legs crossed as she sat on the couch. "You know, the Vipers don't appreciate that I have a 'brother' in the PD."
Adrian nodded knowingly. "Well, that was bound to happen, wasn't it?"
Artemia shifted comfortably, her demeanor relaxed as she continued to sip her beer. "Yes, but I thought it would take them a bit longer. Vipers aren't exactly known for their organization."
Adrian couldn't help but study Artemia's features as she spoke. He hadn't realized before that she possessed a certain allure, with both feminine and rugged qualities. She eschewed the elegant dresses favored by wealthier women, instead opting for factory-issued green pants with oversized side pockets and a slightly oversized blue jacket adorned with shiny metal buttons. Her hair was neatly concealed beneath a cap. To an untrained eye, she might have passed as a man from the Northern District. Adrian reflected that he hadn't encountered such a unique woman during his detective work. "So, did you have a plan?"
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Artemia met Adrian's gaze before casting her eyes downward to the dusty yet still vibrantly colored carpet on the floor. "I wanted to sell the bar and escape the slums for a while," she confessed. "Maybe find work as a housekeeper somewhere in the West, closer to the sea. But now, I don't have a bar, nor a coin to my name, and the Viper Valley is after me."
Adrian leaned back in his rickety armchair, arms crossed, a cloud of contemplation hanging over him. "But why come to me? I thought you didn't trust the law," he probed.
"I still don't, Adrian, but I've spent too much time among criminals, political terrorists, and the like," Artemia sighed, her voice tinged with weariness. "I just need some stability in my life, and the law provides the illusion of that. For me, that's enough."
As Adrian mulled over her words, he retrieved a cigarette, offering one to Artemia before igniting both with a well-practiced motion. Exhaling a cloud of blue smoke, Artemia spoke her request. "Just a place to stay for a couple of days until I can get back on my feet. I know it's a lot to ask, but you'd be doing me a big favor."
Adrian regarded her thoughtfully. "You might have to stay here for more than just a couple of days if the Viper Valley is after you."
Artemia's eyes reflected her concern. "Is that a problem?"
He shook his head slowly, his gaze drifting around his apartment as if seeing it through Artemia's eyes for the first time. "No, not a problem at all. I don't spend much time here anyway. These walls are suffocating me. I'd much rather be at the Department."
Artemia watched him closely, her eyes filled with curiosity and empathy. "You sounded strange on the phone, Adrian. You said you weren't okay."
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Adrian raised his gaze to meet Artemia's concerned eyes, extinguishing his cigarette in a cup that overflowed with old cigarette butts. "It's nothing, just had an argument with my partner," he assured her, his voice carrying a hint of weariness. "It'll be alright."
Artemia followed suit, snuffing out her own cigarette. "You seem like an honest guy serving in a dishonest place," she observed. "It must not be easy."
Adrian regarded her with a judgmental, unimpressed expression, choosing not to respond. He rose from his chair and headed toward the kitchen, crossing the sticky area where the beer had spilled, creating a cacophony of sounds with his shoes.
Artemia couldn't help but comment on the apartment's condition. "You seriously need to clean this place, Adrian," she remarked, her eyes fixed on him.
With a tone of annoyance, he replied, "My apologies, Your Majesty. I don't have time to clean. I consider this clean; I had to pick up a few things before you arrived."
Artemia chuckled at his retort. "How thoughtful of you, my esteemed butler."
Adrian, drained of energy, responded with a tired voice, "I'm very tired, Artemia. Let's continue this conversation after I come back from the Department tomorrow."
"No problem," she agreed, rising from the couch. "Where do you want me to be?"
Adrian glanced at her unusually cheerful face, bewildered by her cheery demeanor, but chose not to dwell on it. "I'll take the couch, and you can use my bed; it should be a bit more comfortable. There should be fresh sheets somewhere in the room."
Artemia smiled appreciatively. "How gentlemanly of you."
"Don't push your luck," Adrian warned with a faint smile, watching as she carefully treaded towards the room, attempting to avoid stepping on anything in the cluttered apartment. As she disappeared from view, he settled onto the couch, tossing and turning in a futile attempt to find comfort.67Please respect copyright.PENANA19e0seLSUh
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