Artemis worked herself harder and harder against the cold of the night. With every blow she struck into the ground, her rage built as the echo of the taunts from the tavern filled her mind.<br/><br/><i>'They're all dual types anyway. Dual types are weak to everything! I doubt they'll even make it through the next forest!'</i><br/><br/><i>'What does that Aron think she is?! She looks ridiculous!'</i><br/><br/><i>'There's a reason people like them aren't allowed to enter!'</i><br/><br/>The pented anger grew and grew until Artemis couldn't concentrate anymore. She took a step forward, missed her footing and tumbled to the ground in a clumsy display. She knelt on the ground, head hung as warm breath escaped her lips quickly. Tears burned at the corner of her eyes as she sat in silence.<br/><br/>She<i>needed </i>to get stronger. She was suppose to have a heart and will of steel! So why did all this bother her? The taunts of the tavern, Kiara's attack and her ability to have become a guardian with very little effort all added fuel to Artemis' own self loathing. Maybe.. despite all her best efforts, she wasn't that strong. Her heartbeat in rapid succession making her take long breaths to try and steady herself. How could she protect Thomas when she couldn't focus on herself? This needed to her main focus!<br/><br/>Shakily, she pushed herself up onto her feet using her staff as a support. A throbbing ache rushed through her limbs where she had pushed her body. Forgetting it had still been recovering from the earlier fight. The night had turned bitterly cold and she was grateful for the warmth of the tavern as she opened the doors and heading inside. It was super late now and most trainers and gijinkas had retired to their rooms. Artemis approached the front desk to see the Kricketune who had greeted them previously. It didn't take long for him to notice her and was able to point her in the direction of their shared room.<br/><br/>Artemis gently knocked on the door but didn't expect anyone to be awake. However she had expected to be the last one to bed. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dark, making out the sleeping form of Thomas as the strange bundle at the foot of his bed. She snorted and shook her head, realising it was the houndour and turned away. Maybe Thomas had told her dogs can't sleep on the furniture? She made her way to the nearest undisturbed bed that had been left for her and sat down on it quietly, not wanting to disturb the trainer. Silently she kicked off her boots and unclipped her metal visor from her hair, setting it down on table.  Lastly she unbuckled her large waist belt and pouches and rested them down beside the visor.<br/><br/>With a tired yawn, the girl pulled back the covers and tucked herself up. She drew her knees close to her body as she lay on her side. It wasn't long before the tired pokemon had drifted off to sleep.