jArtemis Foul, the Illness and the Curse
Get out, mad Fairy!
Artemis had only been in recovery for three days. Dr. Argon knew full well it was going to take a month or more to recover from the Atlantis Complex. It was Christmas and Holly Short had something for Artemis from Foaly. Of course she knew that Artemis didn't generally mingle with the Christmas spirit or anything, but this was a piece of fairy technology that Artemis has always wanted. Holly laughed to herself when she imagined Commander Kelp's face if he knew Foaly was trusting him with this, but, surprisingly, Foaly had some faith in the x-criminal, can you believe it! It was only 8:30. Holly was just debating whether to wake him or come back in a few hours, when none other than Lucinda Short walked—no—glided into the room. Oh, great. Please get away from Artemis. Holly thought desperately. Holly's sister, Lucinda was the most foolish and threatening fairy in history. It wasn't that she was hostile—far from it—it was just her stupidity. What was wrong with her was the fact that she liked to play with magic. She would mix it like chemicals. For instance, the Mesmer plus a shield made what Lucinda thought was eternal love, but was actually a sort of magical tug. Two people could absolutely despise each other and still think about each other all the time, like a constant fly circling around them. To make matters worse, they are forbidden to fight. The magic won't let them.
"It is a shame, is it not, sister?" she said in a lilting voice. She had somehow changed her own appearance and voice while playing with her magical reactions. These things she does to people are gifts to her, but curses to others. She just doesn't understand that.
"What?" said holly, preoccupied.
"The Atlantis complex." Lucinda replied. "I heard it springs from guilt. He was involved in crime, am I correct?"
"Yes," said Holly, wondering if she should be telling Lucinda anything. Who knew what she could do to Artemis.
Lucinda put her small hands on Artemis's forehead. "To keep you from doing anything else that will cause this disease, I give you the gift of obedience. You will always be obedient."
"NO!" Screamed holly, waking Artemis.
Lucinda flashed holly one of her dazzling smiles. "Fear not, dear sister." She said."He will no longer have this affliction." Then she turned, and using another one of her mysterious and dumb tricks, vanished.