"Thank you ever so much," Artemis said, taking out her pocketwatch and turning its dial to match the right time. "I think I finally know why it refused to spell!" She sat cross-legged on the forest floor and stared at the watch, muttering under her breath. When the watch began to spit out orange sparks, she grinned. "Wonderful!"
Nat backed away from both Adrielle and Artemis. Her mother needed her. She had to figure a way out of here.
"You look rather distressed. Is something wrong?" Artemis asked politely.
"Not at all. I just have to go," Natasha replied slowly.
Artemis hopped to her feet. "If this is Avengers or SHIELD business, I may be of some use."
Eloza had raised her arm and shot the webbing into the branches above. It threw her up into the branches and she crouches over the group
"Oh?" Natasha narrowed her eyes. "And how's that?" She was tense, ready to run.
“My father, Dr. Steven Strange, isn’t expecting me home for a couple of hours. I’m a junior member of the Avengers, and I’ve worked with SHIELD a few times during international outings. Plus, I have some measure of magical ability.”
Nat seemed to think about this, but shook her head. "Sorry, but I don't even know if I'm getting a mission right now. If I do, I'll think about letting you know," she said, assuring the young sorceress.
Artimae smiled shyly. "Most people don't even consider informing me about their going-ons! I am quite flattered, truly." She seemed incredibly excited that someone was even thinking about interacting with her by choice.
Natasha relaxed a bit more. "What's your name?"
"Artemis. My name is Artemis." She stuck out her hand for a handshake. "Would you mind giving yours?"
Natasha was turned and prepared to run, but she settled down a bit and relaxed. " Call me Nat."
“Nat. So, Nat, how are you involved with our good old Avengers, if you pardon my asking?” Artemis asked, twirling the chain of the pocketwatch around her finger. She seemed to be in no hurry to leave.
"That's classified," Natasha replied quietly.
Eliza had climbed to the top of the tree she was in and popping her head above the branches. She sighs, closing her eyes and letting her senses run loose again.
“That’s quite reasonable of you. I guess I may have been a little bit too open with my identity around strangers, but what’s done is done, I suppose,” Artemis said casually. “By the way-“ she cut herself off when one of her rings started to glow brightly and buzz, and cussed under her breath. “The Sanctum is under attack!”
Nat's phone buzzed as well. This time, she answered. "…Yes… I know… I'll explain later…" She bit her lip. "Tell him I'm on my way."
Kiania had wandered a few feet away, texting quickly on her phone. "Hey, Artemis. You want any help?"
Artemis whirled around, distraught. “Please. My father isn’t home, and I’m scared that they might take th- they might find some very dangerous artifacts.” She tugged on her sling ring and began to create a portal.
"Lucky I was just cancelled on then." Kiania said, rolling her shoulders as she made her way back over. "Take a deep breath, alright?"
It was almost comical how fast Adrik turned to get out of there before anyone noticed, but he only got about two feet before running smack into Nat. He made a small noise of surprise, stumbling as he fell directly through the portal
“Breathing. Yes. I will do that.” Artemis gasped. The portal sputtered to life in front of her, showing the Sanctum’s doors in splinters on the sidewalk. She controlled her fear, and stepped through the portal.
Kiania hopped through after Adrik and Artemis, shoving her hands in her pockets as she looked around. "Well, shit."
Artemis started as she realized that Adrik had come through with them, her portal dissolving with her surprise. “I’m very sorry, I’ll make another portal for you to leave from,” she choked out. She tried using her sling ring, but her hands were shaking too much. She looked close to tears.