Grumpy Artie is Grumpy

[artemismaximus]

Um, yeah. Why exactly did you buy the third season, again? You know, the one that put everyone through the ringer and blew up the entire Warehouse? It was, just possibly, to play me, was it not?

And it's obvious that Claudia needs me. [He's very proud of her, after all, but really, she's still a kid, and she's his responsibility, and if anything happens to her...] Especially after that thing with the vampire...so hurry up and get that application going!

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[reactivates]

[This is one of those rare moments when Claudia doesn't have much to say. So he's just getting hugged. Deal with it.]

[artemismaximus]

[And Artie is way more worried than he's letting on, and he knows what's in store for her in their world. So, for once, he lets the grumpy face slip and hugs her back tightly.]

Claudia, I'm so sorry.

[Not just about the situation she's in now that he couldn't protect her from, but about everything--about Steve, about the Warehouse, about the years she lost because of his mistake with her brother.]

[reactivates]

[And now he will get a poke in the side.] Shush. There's nothing you need to be apologizing for. [Dude, she'd probably still be in that psychiatric hospital if it weren't for him. Or possibly dead.]

[artemismaximus]

[Well, she's saved all their lives a time or too, so...and hey, no poking him in the side, Claudia. He's secretly kind of ticklish.

He pulls back just a little, but leaves his hands lightly on her shoulders if she doesn't pull away.] Are you all right?

[reactivates]

[She seems to think about it a moment, then gives a little shrug, along with a small attempt at a reassuring smile.] I think I'll be okay.