Artemis was quiet, her thoughts mulling over her mind as she listened to Thomas speak. She'd barely even noticed Dendra had returned as she nursed her orange juice in her hands.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)"><i>"Evolving... </i>It's what any gijinka strives to achieve" </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">she spoke with a longing in her voice as she looked up to see the full group had returned and was looking at her. </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"Evolving well... it completes us. My Papi always told me it's not the power of the gijinka that gets them to evolve, but the strength of their heart... combined with knowledge and skill but most of all... <i>trust." </i></span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">Her eyes glanced towards Kiara as she spoke the last part, her blue eyes hardening, clear her untrust of her was still apparent. </span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">She looked away and glanced towards Thomas, her gaze softening and a proud smile curled up on her lips. </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"Evolving takes a lot of patience and skill, it comes with hard work and dedication." </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">she glanced briefly at Kiara and Dendra again, </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"It doesn't just land in your lap because you got lucky" </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">there was a grumble to her voice, clearly she was still miffed they had landed being a guardian by luck rather than working hard. She took a sip of her orange juice then reached forward to take Thomas' hand in her own, </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"If anyone is going to help us achieve evolution, Thomas, It'll be you I know!"</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">She quickly let go of Thomas' hand as she heard the remarks against her from Kiara and Dendra, </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"Keep acting like that and you'll never evolve, nor carry on being a guardian! You have no idea what it takes or the dedication involved." </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">Although she acted tough, Artemis feared Kiara's fire. Fire hurt, it destroyed things, it... killed. She shuddered at a memory long forgotten and rubbed her arm where she had been previously hit. Although she was healed, the memory of the fire still licked at her skin and it hurt her. She glanced towards Dendra and narrowed her eyes, </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"I... don't believe I have anything to thank you for...?" </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 213, 216)">she asked rather confused, watching the girl get and up leave for the showers. She brushed her hands through her hair to comb it out and sighed. </span>