A/N: italics = thoughts
Chapter 3
Artemis woke slowly, wrapped up in the blankets of the bed, and decently warm. He could hear Jarlaxle nearby though he didn't seem to be moving, so Artemis was content to stay as he was.
Eventually, he opened his eyes and sat up, shifting to sit on the edge of the bed. He rubbed his hands over his face to help him wake up, his overnight beard growth scratching lightly.
"Morning Artemis." Jarlaxle smiled at him from his relaxed position on the drow's own bed, propped against the wall.
"Morning." He stretched, twisting his neck first one way, then the other, as it popped on either side.
"How are you feeling?"
Artemis paused in his morning movements, and evaluated his state. "I've only just woken up, so it's hard to say if I'm still tired or if it's just the remnants from sleep." He worked on his back next, arching his back slightly backwards as he turned and pressed on one side, feeling his spine pop successively up from his lower back towards his middle back. He repeated the motion for the other side, and sighed.
Jarlaxle grimaced at the human's routine. He never did like how the man did that, particularly since it was audible to him across the room. He re-focused on the conversation, trying to ignore his friend's waking routine. "And your headache?"
The assassin frowned. He did have a slight headache, but it wasn't anything major. He looked over at Jarlaxle and sighed. The drow was expecting an honest answer, and he had agreed to provide such an answer last night. "It is slight, not very noticeable unless attention is called to it."
"I see." Artemis eyed Jarlaxle, and waited. "So you would say you are not feeling entirely yourself yet?" Jarlaxle wore a winning grin aimed at his partner.
"I…" He trailed off, then sighed with a grumble attached. "No, I don't quite feel entirely myself." He growled from the inconvenience of being forced to stay put. Now I get to stay here in – He paused his thoughts, and tried again, frowning minutely. – here in.. His scowl only deepened as his memory continued to hit a wall.
"You don't need to look so sour about it my friend." Jarlaxle tried to appease his partner who's mood was quickly – if not already - fouling. "As I stated last night, the town has good food for not much money, and there are pretty ladies here if you should feel yourself so inclined."
"I'm not –" He stopped himself. Did he really want to tell Jarlaxle? Was it any of the drow's damned business why he did or did not want to stay in…whatever the hell this town's name was? He resisted a groan. His headache was back to where it had been last night. "Nevermind" he growled out.
