Disclaimer: Guess what, I don't own Artemis Fowl. Happy-go-Birthday
Across Distant Seas
Chapter 1—The American
He sat alone, as always, but this time, not as always, he was sitting on a couch, an actual couch, and he was sulking. Sulking. He didn't know this was what it was, for he rarely if ever did, but low and behold, his arms were crossed on his chest, and he was almost not sitting straight.
His mother was having a friend over. A friend! Imagine that. He didn't even realize she had them, well, the real ones at least, that you invite over. But, no, she had a, a friend, who was indeed coming over, and in a matter of minutes at that. And his mother, cajoling sweetly, (and with a hidden threat that only a mother can hold), she convinced him to sit on the couch in their living room because she said he had to meet this friend.
He found this incredibly stupid. Why would he have to meet this friend? He had better things to do….even if it was cheating people out of their money. His seventeen-year-old self had quite a reputation.
"Artemis, your mother is upstairs, but still, can you not compose yourself a little better than this?"
"Did I ask your opinion, Butler?" Artemis snapped. He didn't see his manservant smile behind him.
"It doesn't sound like you're too happy about this meeting?" Sarcasm touched his voice.
Artemis turned and glared at him. Butler had on a secret smile.
The doorbell (since when did they have a doorbell?) rang.
His mother came running down the stairs as one of their maids opened the door.
"Sam!" his mother squealed. Sam?
"Angie! Aahh!" A female voice, fine. But….Angie? Who called his mother Angie? What kind of disrespect was that!
"Sam! Ah, Sam, it's so good to see you again!"
"Of course it is! Because I'm me!"
"And when you're me, it's all that you'll see!" they cried together. How odd. He was itching to know who this, well, high pitched, nickname bearing woman was.
"Arty! Arty! Come in here and meet Sam!" his mother called.
He grudgingly stood up. Butler kept his secret smile, and Artemis scowled all the more for it.
He walked into the entranceway. There was his mother in a stunning ensemble of pink. She was smiling rapturously, and she was beckoning to him with fervor. He stepped in the door and had to do a double take.
"Arty, this is Samantha McAllester. You remember me telling you about the wonderful people I met when I visited America. Sam, this is my little Arty."
The woman—no, girl—no…somewhere in between. She smiled evenly in greeting. She had blonde hair with blue tips…how bizarre. She had a straight nose and red, full lips, and bright, cerulean eyes. A hint of tan dusted her face. She was tall, shorter than him, but long, and with guesses of curves under her white t-shirt and black capris.
Artemis had never been more annoyed in his life.
"Hello, eh-em, Artemis." She was hiding a smile, no doubt about his mother's pet name for him. "I've heard so much about you. It's nice to finally meet the legend."
"Mmhmm. Sure." Butler made a noise behind him. Artemis stifled a sigh. "This is Butler. You heard the introduction, Butler."
Butler shot him a look before walking over to this…Sam. "Hello Samantha. I am Butler. It is a pleasure to meet you." He took her hand and bowed over it before kissing it in theatrical form. Sam laughed.
"I'll talk to you about that later." She said. Artemis stared on appalled.
"Sami, you must be exhausted after your trip. Would you like some tea? Butler, can you find someone to fix us some tea?"
"No! No, I'll get it, Angie. Just show me to the kitchen."
"If that's what you want, Sami. Butler, do find someone to take her bags up. Sami, I'll show you to your room later. Oh, we'll have to get caught up! Come on, Arty. Come sit with us. Have some tea."
He began sulking again, but he followed. Anything to make his mother happy.
Ten minutes later he was sitting in the breakfast alcove. Sam set down a cup of tea in front of him, his mother, and one where she was going to sit.
They sped through their talking, keeping light the conversation. Artemis didn't touch his tea. The clock rang several times, and he still contributed nothing to the conversation. Butler even added input, which erupted in much laughter from the ladies. Somewhere in the mix Sam made some more tea, taking away his old, full cup and giving him another.
His mother got a very…well, strange twinkle in her eye. "You're so quiet, Arty? I've never known you to be shy. Ah, well. I need to call your father. It's about the right time in Tibet for a phone call. Besides, I want you two to get acquainted." She winked, and Artemis held back a scowl.
When her mother was out of the room, Sam's friendly smile fell. "Butler, sit. Artemis, are you going to drink your tea?"
He scoffed, taken back by her sudden change in demeanor. "No. Why would I?"
"Hmm. Butler said it was your favorite. Your loss. We have to talk."
"I don't have to talk about anything with you. What are you?"
She rolled her eyes. Butler interrupted. "Artemis, you should listen to her."
"Butler!"
"Butler, just don't. Artemis, I've been talking with him, Butler, for the past few months. We've been following something. We're pretty sure you'd like to be involved in this, but if you're going to act that way…"
"What kind of rude little—"
"Artemis! Beha-"
"Holly Short."
Artemis's breath came short. He turned to face her, and she looked back with no emotion.
"What did you say?"
"Now, that I have your attention, will you listen?" She gave a quick nod when he gave his affirmation. "I was contacted a few months back by Butler, who has been receiving information from Captain Short. Since then, we have been receiving details about a terrible occurrence in the subterranean levels. Direct, mind you, from the Plaza. It seems there is an above-ground induced sickness attacking the fairy world, and, well, killing them."
Artemis's mind went blank. All thoughts of outrage and betrayal fled his mind. This impertinent, strange haired American gave him the weirdest news of his life. Well, close to weirdest.
"It would be best to shut your gaping mouth. You're almost drooling in your tea. We're leaving in the morning. Butler, please show me to my room? I'm kinda tired."
"Sure, Mistress Sam," he joked. She laughed with him. "Sleep well!" they called in unison, followed by more laughs.
He unconsciously drank a cup of tea, to clear his mind. God, that was good tea. Wait. Damn it. No! Oh well. She wasn't there to see.
"Glad you like the tea. I forgot my purse. Night!" She tossed her hair and flashed him a smile before speeding off.
Who was this girl? He sighed. Americans
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Tell me whatchya think. I know I kinda didn't finish the other one……I'll work on that. But, yeah, there will be more. I promise.