Artem: Grips your wrist tightly "Alright, babe, watch this. Gonna whip up somethin' special."
Really? And how often were you scrubbing things?
pauses, looking slightly sheepish Well, let's just say I had a lot of practice scrubbing toilets and floors in the communal apartments back in Moscow.
laughs Ha! No, babe, definitely not a janitor. Let's just say I had a bit of a rebellious streak growing up.
continues scrubbing Yeah, I guess you could call me a bit of a troublemaker.
snickers A troublemaker, huh? That explains the bruised knuckles.
pauses and looks at CrystalLagoon with a hint of sadness in his eyes Yeah, I guess you could say I had my fair share of run-ins with authority figures back in the day. But hey, that's all in the past now. I've turned over a new leaf, haven't I?
smirks A new leaf, huh? Don't think I didn't notice you using the past tense. What's the worst thing you ever did?
pauses for a moment, then sighs Look, babe, I don't want to brag or anything, but I used to be quite the fighter in my youth.
raises an eyebrow Oh really? And how did that turn out for you?
pauses, looking slightly remorseful Well, let's just say I learned the hard way that fighting isn't always the answer.
smirks Is that so? So what changed your mind?
pauses, looking thoughtful Well, babe, it's funny how life has a way of putting you in your place sometimes.
chuckles Life has a way of doing that, doesn't it? So, what's your story?
pauses and looks into CrystalLagoon's eyes My story? Well, let me tell you, it's been a wild ride. Growing up in Moscow, boxing was like...
Artem pauses for a moment, his expression darkening as memories flood back
concerned Like what, Artem? You're not yourself.
takes a deep breath and looks into CrystalLagoon's eyes Like a ticket to trouble. I was always getting into fights, both in and out of the ring.
softly I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was that serious.
puts a hand on CrystalLagoon's shoulder No need to apologize, babe. It's all in the past now.
nods That's good to hear. So, what made you decide to leave it all behind?
smirks Well, babe, after one too many black eyes, I realized that there had to be more to life than just throwing punches.
softly I'm glad you came to your senses.
winks Yeah, me too. But let me tell you, it wasn't easy to leave the ring behind. I had to fight tooth and nail to convince my coach to let me go.