Something gone awry? Artemis laughed. That was such a long list. It was almost as long as the list of mischief that went exactly the way it was supposed to.
"Nope this isn't about my guilt, which is an automatic assumption. Even when innocent. This about that look of yours which is far too practiced. Only someone who was up to something or planning to be up to something would perfect a look like that. A man has to wonder what nefarious deeds are in the works and if he should hide."
Artemis was curious about what her answer would be. Still, he ran a mental check of the safety features installed in his lab. Just in case. Security alarms, check. Secure data and phone links out? Check. Biohazard suits? Check. Blast doors, 'tested' last week. Check. Always helps to be prepared.
"Hmm. Think if we rearranged the books in Kem's archives he would notice?"
Not that Artemis would ever do such a thing of course. Granted that is mostly because eventually he would have to put them back and he would never remember where he got them. Something told Artemis that Kem did not sort his books by the ever logical shape size and color method.
And then you start thinking... (Attn: Artemis)
Even letting a few days pass Pak still had ideas, one specifically, bouncing around in her head. She’d done her best to focus that almost nervous energy into work and had been mostly successful. There were now plans for several new applications, all in the very primary stages but they had past the ‘impossible dream’ stage. She’d even snuck off to New York for an evening meeting with her Paris clients, which had gone well.
It just wasn’t enough though, besides the idea she was picking at was far too big for just one person. It also affected more than just the two directly involved. Since the idea wasn’t going away, Pak felt it best to address it head on, that and it was as good an excuse as any to track down Artemis, not that she needed much of an excuse to do that. As his habits were relatively regular, she wasn’t at all surprised to find him in his lab and was able to invite him up to her place the next evening. Yes, an e-mail would have been faster and more efficient, but not nearly as much fun.
The next evening, finally over the effects of her ‘discussion’ with Kem, Pak didn’t feel bad about setting out a bottle of wine and she even made sure there was easy access to a second, just in case. It was an extremely nice Bordeaux from a small French vineyard. Ordinarily it was very hard to get a hold of but Pak had made friends with the owner years ago. And while she’d manage to persuade him she was her own daughter (a feat made much easier as she didn’t actually meet with him and only corresponded), he still made it a point to send her five bottles every year or so. It didn’t sound like much, but given the limited quantities and high demand for this wine it was a very generous thing to do.
In anticipation of Artemis’ arrival, she’d chosen to telecommute this evening. She’d also arranged to have very few projects and nothing at all major. Even she deserved a little time off, but until her guest arrived she contented herself catching up on a few random details and toying with a clove.
Artemis Bellezone
17 years ago
Pakpao
17 years ago
Pak very nearly sulked when Artemis refused to be put off. That was to problem with a reputed troublemaker, they could smell it a mile away and generally knew some of the same tricks... er defenses. Nope, that wasn't going to get any better so she simply went wide-eyed at the accusation.
"I think nefarious is a bit strong, don't you? And hiding a bit extreme."Â?
Denying or protesting would just lead to her own demise so vagueness was called for.
Pak had been debating doing something (else) creative with Kem's archives for a while now. Mostly it had centered around the new database she had given him, but low tech sounded much better. The only question Pak had was retaliation, there would be some, and she would be the first person he came looking for.
"Are you trying to get me killed?... Again. And here I thought you liked me."Â?
"I think nefarious is a bit strong, don't you? And hiding a bit extreme."Â?
Denying or protesting would just lead to her own demise so vagueness was called for.
Pak had been debating doing something (else) creative with Kem's archives for a while now. Mostly it had centered around the new database she had given him, but low tech sounded much better. The only question Pak had was retaliation, there would be some, and she would be the first person he came looking for.
"Are you trying to get me killed?... Again. And here I thought you liked me."Â?
Artemis Bellezone
17 years ago
The mock indignation was rather cute. It was tempting to push a few more of those buttons. Of course Artemis didn't know what large heavy objects could be lurking around the corner waiting to make contact with his head. That was a definite argument for keeping one's telekinetic girlfriend close. On the other hand, he wouldn't be Artemis Bellezone if he dropped it completely.
"Clearly you have forgotten that story about exploding fruit."
That was not the response to redecorating Kem's lab that he was expecting. He needed to get out of the lab more because apparently he missed something. He didn't think Kem had violent tendencies. Artemis grinned, he now had indirect proof that there was a reason for tha practiced innocent look.
"Mmm,Hmm. Already been messing with poor Kem have you? I would have thought Alfarinn would have been the primary suspect."
"Clearly you have forgotten that story about exploding fruit."
That was not the response to redecorating Kem's lab that he was expecting. He needed to get out of the lab more because apparently he missed something. He didn't think Kem had violent tendencies. Artemis grinned, he now had indirect proof that there was a reason for tha practiced innocent look.
"Mmm,Hmm. Already been messing with poor Kem have you? I would have thought Alfarinn would have been the primary suspect."
Pakpao
17 years ago
Unable to stop herself she laughed again, but it had a vaguely suspicious feel to it.
“I remember that I wasn’t involved in that one. Besides nefarious is as nefarious does.”
Pak had a certain respect for a person’s work so his lab would be off limits, but even Artemis had to leave the lab sometime and then… well she’d have to work on that but if she was going to get a reputation she might as well do it with flare.
As to Kem Pak resorted to her most reliable, practiced and mature defense.
“Just a little bit, not much at all… besides, Kem started it.”
Although she made note to try lay evidence that the next round of trouble Kem ran into had been perpetrated by Alfarinn. She hadn’t realized he would be a viable suspect.
“I remember that I wasn’t involved in that one. Besides nefarious is as nefarious does.”
Pak had a certain respect for a person’s work so his lab would be off limits, but even Artemis had to leave the lab sometime and then… well she’d have to work on that but if she was going to get a reputation she might as well do it with flare.
As to Kem Pak resorted to her most reliable, practiced and mature defense.
“Just a little bit, not much at all… besides, Kem started it.”
Although she made note to try lay evidence that the next round of trouble Kem ran into had been perpetrated by Alfarinn. She hadn’t realized he would be a viable suspect.
Artemis Bellezone
17 years ago
Making no attempt to hide his amusement or guilt, Artemis laughed.
"I never said I wasn't nefarious. Which means I should probably make sure you never talk to Alfarinn unsupervised. Certainly wouldn't want you to get any ideas."
The thought of Pak learning of some of his exploits could be unnerving. Even more frightening would be Pak and Alfarinn deciding to work together. Instead of finding flowers and ribbons in his hair when he got drunk, he would wake up to a full makeover. The image of himself as a true pretty boy was enough to convince Artemis that a distraction was needed. Kem would do.
"I can see that. After all anti-social archivists can be very menacing. What did you do, give him the computer version of the Chinese finger puzzle?"
He had to wonder how exactly she would do that. Hold down the right sequence of keys or an annoying buzzer would sound? That would be irritating. Perfect.
"I never said I wasn't nefarious. Which means I should probably make sure you never talk to Alfarinn unsupervised. Certainly wouldn't want you to get any ideas."
The thought of Pak learning of some of his exploits could be unnerving. Even more frightening would be Pak and Alfarinn deciding to work together. Instead of finding flowers and ribbons in his hair when he got drunk, he would wake up to a full makeover. The image of himself as a true pretty boy was enough to convince Artemis that a distraction was needed. Kem would do.
"I can see that. After all anti-social archivists can be very menacing. What did you do, give him the computer version of the Chinese finger puzzle?"
He had to wonder how exactly she would do that. Hold down the right sequence of keys or an annoying buzzer would sound? That would be irritating. Perfect.
Pakpao
17 years ago
“You’ll take me to meet your maker but you’re afraid to leave me alone with Alfarinn?”
Which of course meant the unchaperoned conversation with Alfarinn would probably be much more interesting.
Fortunately, for Pak the only people who had anything concrete on her was her department and most of them had learned there would be retaliation. Well there was Kem too. Pak didn’t think he’d… no, he would who was she kidding.
“Already afraid of me getting idea? It might be too late though.”
Her innocent look slipped a few notches more. She was getting down right flirty, not something she was used to, but decided it was going rather well.
“As of this moment in time you have no evidence I’ve done anything to said anti-social archivist and the mention of roller derby was purely coincidental.”
Flirty she could manage, but some how saying that Kem had gotten between her and her screwdrivers seemed to go just a little further than just flirting.
Which of course meant the unchaperoned conversation with Alfarinn would probably be much more interesting.
Fortunately, for Pak the only people who had anything concrete on her was her department and most of them had learned there would be retaliation. Well there was Kem too. Pak didn’t think he’d… no, he would who was she kidding.
“Already afraid of me getting idea? It might be too late though.”
Her innocent look slipped a few notches more. She was getting down right flirty, not something she was used to, but decided it was going rather well.
“As of this moment in time you have no evidence I’ve done anything to said anti-social archivist and the mention of roller derby was purely coincidental.”
Flirty she could manage, but some how saying that Kem had gotten between her and her screwdrivers seemed to go just a little further than just flirting.