However charming the sight of Artemis struggling with Nura might've been, it was a very different first-hand experience. Nura was a very heavy gryphon with very sharp talons and a very hard beak. She seemed oblivious to all of this as she pinned Artemis down and investigated (nipped, pulled, and shoved). Eventually Artemis just gave up resisting and fell limp, wincing at Nura's prodding. Instead, she tried to look over her head at the two lords as they spoke and debated. 

Her choices were feral mask children, adults she'd already stolen from, or an ancient elemental lord with dubious reliability. Fantastic. 

Nura finally seemed to notice that her 'playmate' had stopped moving and pulled away from Artemis' hair. Wide, dark eyes blinked down at her. Artemis stared back. When she pushed herself up, the gryphon finally removed a heavy, taloned foot from her chest. Artemis looked down to make sure there was not blood leaking through her clothes, wincing as her lungs finally expanded. Nura chirped and sat down, looking far too pleased with herself. A long tail curled around her feet. Artemis tried not to hesitate as she reached a hand out to the gryphon, allowing a sniff. She curled her hand up along the beak and scratched again at the soft feathers above it. Nura trilled in pleasure.

With a sigh, Artemis heaved herself to her feet and turned to the two lords.

[color=darkturquoise]"I've made a living off of idiotic ideas,"[/color] she said. She looked from one man to another. [color=darkturquoise]"One more can't hurt."[/color] She somehow managed to keep the sarcasm from leaking into her voice. 

It did seem to be the only real option, though. Artemis had never fared well when forced to play with others. She was better at playing them. And when she inevitably slipped up (because she always managed to forget that she wasn't as clever as she thought she was) there was usually running involved. Away. And where exactly was she going to run away to trapped on Hellmurder Island? No, better to not pick sides in a centuries-long blood war and keep to the shadows. Figure out how to survive on her own and use the groups as a last resort. Besides, she had Oseely.

Well. Sort of. He'd called himself the patron of liars and thieves, after all. But he was a resource, nonetheless. She wouldn't trust him to not get her killed, but he had information he was willing to share. 

Artemis bent down and picked up her staff. Straightening up, she looked back at Oseely. 

[color=darkturquoise]"I think I'd like to learn those sigils now."[/color]