Artemis pulled her eyes away from the rune and straightened up. She looked up to see the witch. An absurd thought occurred to her then.

[i][color=darkturquoise]She thinks I'm a threat.[/color][/i]

Now wasn't that just a [i]hoot[/i]. A smile was growing on Artemis' face despite herself. Because really. [i]Really[/i]. A laugh began bubbling up her chest and before she could stop it was spilling out of her. Bright and joyous and more than a little inappropriate for the situation. Tears were growing in her eyes, and she fought to compose herself before she came across as completely unhinged. 

[color=darkturquoise]"Excuse me,"[/color] she forced the words out between her laughter, [color=darkturquoise]"but you're very welcoming to someone you believe means you harm."[/color] She took a step backwards away from the tree so as to get a better view of the witch. She had no idea where the hell she was. Or how she'd gotten here. Or why. But if nothing else she'd managed to bullshit her way this far through life (and look where it'd gotten her).

[color=darkturquoise]"I am Artemis,"[/color] she said with an elegant curtsy that contradicted her current state of… disarray. She'd considered giving a pseudonym for half a moment, but Artemis was good enough, she supposed. No one knew here here. At least, she hoped no one did. That would be an awkward encounter. [color=darkturquoise]"A pleasure,"[/color] she said with a coy smile as she straightened up. [color=darkturquoise]"I'm… a traveler, you could say. I heard tell of the growing danger of the Lanterns and thought I should investigate for myself. I found this red Lantern in a most precarious position, and in fact just saw the blue Lantern not too long ago."[/color] She paused then, her smile falling away. Her head tilted to the side. [color=darkturquoise]"Ah, but I've made you uncomfortable."[/color] Artemis dipped her head in a small bow. [color=darkturquoise]"You'll please forgive me."[/color] She looked back up, and her smile was back, but softer. [color=darkturquoise]"I'll leave you to your,"[/color] her eyes flicked back to the tree, [color=darkturquoise]"renovations."[/color] She smiled and nodded again, and turned. She walked back towards the barrier, a frantic prayer whirling in her mind.

[i][color=darkturquoise]Take the bait take the bait takethebait please by all that is sane do [u]not[/u] make me go out into that forest again.[/color][/i]