Chapter 2

The inn they decided to stop at was comfortable; it wasn't lavish, but neither was it run down. The food had been moderate and inexpensive, allowing them to eat a decent meal before retiring upstairs.

Jarlaxle moved his affects around the room, fussing over their placement. He picked up his hat – the hat that Artemis hated – and set it down at a slightly different angle on the bed post. Thoughts about said assassin made the drow pause for a moment, and he snuck a glance towards his partner across the room.

Said assassin was sitting on the edge of his bed, polishing his dagger. He looks normal. For all appearances to someone who didn't know him, he did. To Jarlaxle, he didn't. He observed with his peripheral how Artemis' movements were slower than usual. Not by a large margin, but for one as attentive to detail as himself it was easy to spot.

They hadn't talked about Artemis falling asleep on his nightmare. They both knew it was remarkably dangerous to fall asleep while riding even a normal horse. They both knew it was remarkably stupid to fall asleep while riding. Artemis wasn't stupid. He picked up his hat again, suddenly dissatisfied by its placement, his fingers unconsciously wringing the edges.

Maybe it was time for a bit of a break. Maybe he needed to let his friend rest. Jarlaxle wasn't oblivious to the fact that his partner was still – partially – human. He was bound to wear down sooner than the drow. Jarlaxle tried to ignore the nagging voice at the back of his head. He's human, he can't live forever. He argued back at his own fears. He's also part shade, he could live forever.

"This is a decent inn my friend. Not too shabby, comfortable, and the price is cheap." He launched into persuasive mode. He was not about to travel with a partner that was too tired to stop himself from dangerous accidents. He flipped his hat atop his head with a flourish.

Artemis looked up at him. "Your point is?"

Jarlaxle grinned back at him. "That we should stay here a while, take a vacation! There are many lovely ladies here and –"

"And you won't have to constantly watch me to make sure I don't do something stupid again."

The drow's grin faded. "You are not a stupid man, abbil. You know the –"

"Yes! I know the dangers!" Artemis stood with a vicious glare at him from across the room. The man ran a hand through his hair, averting his eyes, before scrunching his face up momentarily.

"Are you okay Artemis?" Jarlaxle leaned forward, not quite taking a step, but moving closer all the same. He wasn't sure about Artemis' mood right now.

Artemis grumbled and waved his hand in a shooing motion. "I'm fine, it's just a headache." It was quiet for a few moments before the assassin sighed, and Jarlaxle watched on his tip-toes. "If I don't feel better tomorrow morning, I'll agree to stopping for a bit. Deal?"

Jarlaxle let a small smile show, relieved. "Deal." He stopped for moment, considering. "But only if you're absolutely honest about how you feel." He eyed his partner. He knew Artemis was a bit of a workaholic, and didn't like staying in one place for too long. So getting him to agree to even a potential 'vacation' was difficult.

Artemis growled, but knew he wasn't going to win on this front. Not after earlier today. "Fine." Even still, he himself was unsettled that he'd made such an error. He sighed and rubbed at his temples, feeling the headache acutely. He hoped it went away soon, along with this eye-aching weariness. "I'm going to get ready for bed. Are you staying up to go looking for a bed companion?"

Jarlaxle shook his head. "No. I believe I will retire as well my friend." I don't want to come in late at night and chance disturbing you if a good night's rest is what you truly need. He might not have been fully successful in persuading Artemis to take a vacation, but at least he'd gotten a chance. A small smile found its way to his face again.

A half hour later, both men were in their own beds, and Jarlaxle could already hear the barely audible light snores coming from his friend. He sighed quietly to himself. If you won't take care of yourself Artemis, then I'll just have to take care of you instead. It was with hopes that Artemis woke up as his fully-functional self again in the morning that Jarlaxle let himself drift off into reverie.