& Hunter.

۶ you're like a butterfly who's lost flight. and, my, what a pitiful sight. - adam "artemis" berlitz. a killer. a charmer. a man in a mask whose blade cuts bone deep. indie mass effect oc blog. read this page first.

[mostlysobersecurity]

There it was; there was a grin. Her fingers polished over the metal feeling the sparse engravings, trying to memorize them before they framed her face. A tiny laugh pressed past her lips over the jewelry, who was mad over Valentine’s Day? She hadn’t the faintest idea. “Oh God,” she said, sliding the earrings on. “They’re so pretty! Oh my God!” Amelia said brushing the last red strands away from the silver. “How do they look?” she said, the grin still on her face when she looked up to him.

[liaarskiss]

Oh, she was so thrilled... "Stunning," he answered easily, his lips pulling into a smile as his gaze continued to linger. Righting himself, Artermis brushed a single finger against his chin, hand folded neatly in thought. "As always, though you've always had this uncanny ability to outshine even the greatest diamonds. It's unlawful. Even unfair." A small shake of the head and a huff, the closest he'd ever gotten to a laugh. "Now, I'm curious about what's in here. You haven't outdone yourself again have you?" Keeping his eyes on her, he pulled the lid from the box, a mundane process he made far too delicate.

[mostlysobersecurity]

"Well, it’s supposed to be our day. Not my day,” she said, leaning  and giving him a kiss on the cheek before cuddling against him. At least he was warm, a day late but still the perfect cuddler. “Well, yesterday. Yesterday was Valentine’s day.” She’s talking but she’s thinking of all the boxes she should be getting for not throwing a fit for him missing Valentine’s Day. “But I wanted to make sure you got this. I like it, anyway. So, I can enjoy it too,” she chuckled.

[liaarskiss]

She leaned into him, pressed those lips against his cheek, and Artemis hummed a sound of appreciation. A soft 'mhm'. "Ah... Well, I'm always more than satisfied just having you, Amelia." He pressed his lips right above her ear as he spoke. "I'm very sorry for being so busy recently, but I got you something as well. I want you to see it first." Pulling back, he took out a case - the quality alone making it seem a gift enough - before opening for her. A beautiful pair of earrings, pure silver and intricate in its simplicity. His hand combed carefully through her hair, eyes studying her face. A little smile. "I saw them when I was away on business. I couldn't help but to think how lovely you'd look in them. Try them on."

[mostlysobersecurity]

February fifteenth was the feast day for several Christian saints and Susan B. Anthony Day; it wasn’t Valentine’s Day. The day of love was gone, and here she was celebrating love a day late. “I got you something. For you know, yesterday?” she hummed, gripping a little blue box topped with a white bow.

[liaarskiss]

Romance, passion... He'd ever known such things nor had he sought them, but sitting beside someone breathing and still oh so warm to the touch, Artemis told himself he had some vague sense as to what those things were. Smiling, he gingerly took the blue box from her hands. "Shouldn't it be me to give you something special? I should have been here earlier, to make yesterday special for you, dear." His fingers teasingly pulled at the bow, loosening it. "I don't rightfully deserve this, now do I? As sweet as ever..."

[mostlysobersecurity]

The vocals sounded familiar.It took her a second to place it; she’d associated his words with the sparse text messages she’d received. The noise echoed a stampede as she rushed to the door, swinging it open and then completely. ”Oh my God-” She was quiet,  and the mug shattered against the ground. Amelia didn’t bother being quiet any more, she gave an excited shriek when she jumped her arms swinging around his neck. “I wasn’t expecting you back!” Another ‘oh my god’ slipped out with a laugh, not wasting time before rushing in with a kiss.

Somehow she managed to calm herself. Her hands slid away from his neck, but never left him as if he’d disappear if she took her hands away. “You should’ve told me you were coming, I would’ve dressed up,” she sniffled, looking at suit, suddenly feeling under dressed  in a sweater a jeans. “You look so nice.” Amelia quickly wiped away a tear, she really didn’t want to cry.

[liaarskiss]

"Careful now..." Artemis remarked calmly when the mug shattered, a sharp disturbance followed by the warmest of hugs. Amelia, holding him as if they hadn't sene each other for months... Years. Well, it'd been long enough, that he could not argue. "Neither was, but I didn't feel completely up to it--staying at work. Told myself I'd rather be somewhere else." And with that, he returned the kiss, smile at his lips and hands falling toward the curves of her hips. "Or with someone at the very least. I'm being irresponsible, but I don't really find myself caring all too much... Don't put it against me." How could she?

Finding cause for little resistance, Artemis welcomed himself inside her apartment, keeping Amelia to him before shutting the door close. Hands back to her waist, he leaned in to kiss the corner of her lips. "Nonsense. I wanted it to be a surprise. I'm sorry if you were in the middle of something--I couldn't wait." Then, a hand to her cheek. "But you look lovely, better than I do, trust me. Now, would it be too much to ask for one more kiss? Just one more, for holiday sake you could say. Can also tell me how you've been, what you've done, so and so..."

[liaarskiss]

It was undeniable, that mirth that seemed to choke the air. It made even the most somber of characters spring with cheer, and it would have, no doubt, given Amelia cause to be even happier than usual. Smile brighter. Laugh warmer.

It'd been a while since they've last seen one another what with his 'business trip', but months have dwindled to this moment right here. Near Christmas, and Artemis had returned by her door, not a hair out of place, not a wrinkle in his suit. Calm as ever, he knocked rung her doorbell, and with a smile at his lips, says, "Amelia, there's someone at your door, and I believe he's quite excited to see you again. Must be the holiday spirit, but I've never been one to make assumptions." Now all he had to do was wait. If she didn't recognize that voice, she would surely recognize the figure soon to be before her.

[mostlysobersecurity]

"I think I can let you be a little selfish," She said with a chuckle feeling his lips against her forehead. "When….all this is over…hopefully, you’ll be able to eat up a bit more of my time." No more than a few months, she hoped. No longer aboard a ship, she’d have plenty of time to devote to other things. Other people. Even a bit more to herself.

[Read more.] 

[liaarskiss]

With a grin, he asked, "are you accusing me of lying? Amelia, you know I'd never lie-" and yet, there was no greater breach in truth than what he himself had achieved. In actuality, it was a shame; Artemis couldn't do anything but lie. "I have no reason to."

But if there was one thing that had to be real, it was their little moment right here. Artemis kept close to her, the smile fond and voice gentle; his attempt to soothe was all in response to the stress she'd endured earlier that day. "Now I can't share? What else do you have to say about me? Apparently, I'm a man incapable of telling the truth, and now I'm a man that give anything up." But of course everything was teasing, even if Amelia had never been more right. "I'm insulted. I spent all this time saying how lovely you are, and you turn around to hurt me in return..." His nose brushed hers, and that smile was still there just as delicate as ever. "I'm a kind man. I'll share anything, but, admittedly, I'd rather you just stay with me." And naturally, he'd do the same. "There. How selfish do I sound now? You're on a roll, so don't be afraid to say it."

[ashes-and-ivory]

I wouldn’t dream of flattering you. [she mirrors the smile, laced with a subtle venom] Mm. Quiet doesn’t always mean dull however. There is always something happening, you just need to know where to look~ [her words are light, airy and teasing] Well, I am not entertained.

[liaarskiss]

And you would know all about that, wouldn't you? Traipsing about with a smile, innocent as can be, holding a knife behind your back.... {pointed stare} Always looking for something exciting, mhm? Well, I'm sorry I'm boring you so much. {feigned defeat} Perhaps I could remedy that. Drink? I know a place not too far away from here, and if you're so terribly disappointed, you should consider the offer. Besides, what are friends for. {if that wasn't hilarity, he wasn't sure what was.}

[mostlysobersecurity]

"Yeah, unfortunately I work on a ship that doesn’t allow me to be here more often." She grinned, a reaction to his own laugh and smile. “But, I do love being here when I’m not working and you’re not working. And we can just sit around like this." There was a genuine tone laced in her words. Maybe it was because work kept her running that she didn’t want to be running around much on her off time. However short those intervals were.

He drew her attention. An every day family was an interesting concept. One that she had never been familiar with. Her family was full of screechers. Not a polite family dinner. “Well, I suppose that depends on whether or not you’ve been saying nice things about me." She said, pulling her fingers through her hair. 

[liaarskiss]

"I understand. Your work is never done, and it'd be rude of me to expect you to be here more often than you can. Even selfish." Humanity's fight against extinction was hard-fought and demanding; a break in between hellish battles were far and few in between, and Amelia was thankful enough for each and every one of them. Sitting here and talking about anything was good enough for her, and how innocent it seemed. 

"But, I must admit, I am a little selfish." Leaning over, he pressed a kiss against her forehead. "No, only the best. I told them how lovely you are, and strong, and smart, and how much they'd like you." And if they had dinner, she'd find a strange silence to replace the bickering over her own table. "And the list goes on and on and on... Beautiful, kind, charming..." A small smirk. "Tell me when to stop or I might end up going on and on forever.

[liaarskiss]

What do you like

Many things, though why they concern you is beyond me.*he stops as if to think, but the answers are already on the tip of his tongue*But, if you must know, I appreciate a good challenge more than anything. Things can feel rather dead around here— It’s nice to bring it back to life once in a while.

[mostlysobersecurity]

vacation

[mostlysobersecurity]

"Yeah," She grinned back at him, stretching up and planting a soft kiss on his jaw. One hand curved around his opposite cheek, pulling his face closer to her as she placed a few more playful kisses on his cheek, and his forehead, and even one on his eyelid, followed by a chuckle. “It’s just nice not being home really. Plus the fire place is…..relaxing too." Amelia gave another pause. "….What’s your family like?"

[liaarskiss]

"You should come by more often then, no?" Her show of affection earned a soft laugh, on that started in his chest and left humble and warm. Artemis shook his head, a smile on his lips even after she'd retreated. "Mhm, just like any other family, I suppose. Polite, kind, though a bit busy, so I can't visit them too often." Not to say he wanted to in the first place. "However, I have talked to them about you quite a few times." Artemis stopped as if for dramatic effect, head turned to face her before he asked, "and do you know what they think about you so far?"

[liaarskiss]

ashes-and-ivory replied to your post: …I thought I saw a glimmer of that suit out of the corner of my eye.

*she gives a small hum* Mmm—perhaps I was. Regardless of my searching I knew you would show again eventually…you always do when things get quiet. —Calm before the storm?

Oh, I wouldn't flatter me so much. *smiles, and though it looks sweet, their relationship proves otherwise. it's a bit more sinister than that* I never took you to be the type to like it when things are so dull and uneventful. My being here should be of great relief to you. After all, I aim to please and entertain. I'm only doing my job.

[liaarskiss]

...I thought I saw a glimmer of that suit out of the corner of my eye. Your choice of dress certainly makes you easy to spot in a crowd -Artie-.

Is that so? And here I was thinking I’ve done fairly well blending in with the shadows. {empty voice, emptier eyes.}

But perhaps you were just looking for me. {now a pitch of something terribly smug, and she’d been a fool to miss it. and she was no fool.} If you keep searching for someone specific, you’ll end up running into them. Funny how fate works, isn't that right?

[mostlysobersecurity]

"I’ll start paying more attention to karma when I’m back on the upswing of it. You know what the first thing she did once I let her and my dad come live with me? She took my room. I am staying in my guest room." Amelia said, drawing herself as close to him as she could. Letting her eyes flutter shut as she eased into his posture. She loved the attention, especially after the last few days of being nothing but shouting matches.  "She doesn’t like you either, by the way. I don’t know how my dad feels about you. Hasn’t said much. I haven’t said much either though, I suppose." At that she opened her eyes, looking up at him without moving searching for a reaction.

[liaarskiss]

His fingers gently traced her skin, feather light touches that parted only to run through red hair. "Sounds dreadful." Artemis considered her words, and had he been a better man, he would have known the anger and the stress and the displeasure of her trying days. As is, all he could manage was to listen to emulate a human response. To him, this was as real as it could possibly get. "Ah... No worries. There's plenty of time to sway the family, and if you're worried as to how they'd take me, leave that to me. What we need for you, however, is relaxation and quiet." A grin curved his lips as he looked down to her, adding, "and ease those troubles away. Feeling any better?"

[ashes-and-ivory]

Read More

[liaarskiss]

OIM LAUGHING BECAUSE WOW THIS TIMING HAS GOT TO BE A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAVENS

NOW TEAM GONNA KICK ASS BEING WELL DRESSED AND ALSO WE HAVE KNIVES BEHIND OUR BACKS HAS RETURNED???

this is a good day

come into my arms also welcome back omfg im glad youre back let me kiss ur face gdi

[mostlysobersecurity]

She gave a sigh settling into her seat. Amelia snuggled up to his side, staring into the fire, feeling the fire give off waves of warmth. “It’s complicated." She started, following with a pause, “but I mean, it’s…I went and tried to see if my family got off Earth and they did and…" She just gave a groan. “Me and my sister don’t get along. I haven’t talked to her in years and we don’t get along any better."

[liaarskiss]

"You have my full attention." Distance shortened, and Amelia would find little protest in her advance. Safely pressed against him, Artemis let himself wrap an arm around her, pulling her in that much closer. The man listened. His chin rested beside the top of head as she voiced her lamentations, thumb rubbing circles into the side of her neck. It was relaxing, and yet, somehow, just a bit cold. Maybe false feelings though. "Amelia, if it means anything, I'm glad your family made it here safe and sound. Through the worst times, at least you have the comfort of knowing that. And things heal overtime, and you are the kindest woman I know. Don't you believe in karma?" he mused, a small smile as if to encourage a lift in moon. "Be patient. Good things will come to you."

[mostlysobersecurity]

[MSG] No someone is holding a doll to prevent me from hitting them. its a baby. [MSG] I realized that was a bit sassy sorry

That was the last message she sent off before she arrived at his door. Bag in one hand and fist in the other as she impatiently knocked on his door. Amelia hadn’t been having the best night, and was already frustrated that she had to leave her home to find somewhere to relax.

[liaarskiss]

When there came a knock on the door, he was fully prepared to handle the situation, rising to his feet, and answering her call with a warm, "evening, Amelia." Waiting until she entered, Artemis closed the door, later offering her to take a seat beside where he'd been. The fireplace crackled with life. Its pleasant oranges were enough to appease. "It's always nice to see you," he started after settling down beside her, voice calm and presence austere, "but more so when there's a smile on your face. What's happened?"