Day 1 – december 22nd

Artemis and Holly were the last ones to return down. Juliet was clearly very impatient to carry on with their next 'fun' task. They both sat down and joined in the conversations going on around them very aware of the looks they were getting from Juliet. Assuming it was simply for being late they ignored it and carried on. It didn't take long for them to die down however so Juliet saw that it was time for the next activity. She leapt up clapping her hands to get the attention of everyone around her. "Okay everyone. Now it's time to decorate the manor! We'll split up into groups and take different rooms. This manor is far too unchristmasy. It'll be our job to make it better!" She received a series of mumbles of acceptance from everyone. They knew though they had no choice so as they mulled it over they grew much more interested in the idea. Juliet of course had preplanned the groups and the rooms. "Okay, the groups: Mulch and Julius, Foaly and Trouble, Dom and I, Holly and Artemis." As they shuffled into their groups she distributed the needed rooms. Group 1 had the hallways and Julius' room; group 2 had the kitchen and Trouble's room; group 3 had their rooms and Artemis' and Holly's. Group 4 had the living room, gym and dining room." Artemis wondered why he and Holly were not getting to do their own rooms but knew better than to question it and risk spoiling Juliet's good mood. As they went to gather the various items needed; tinsel, paper chains and the like, Holly also noticed that she had been provided with some mistletoe as well; though no-one else seemed to get any. As they split up and some headed upstairs they heard all over the manor the unmistakable yell of Commander Root, "DON'T CALL ME JULIUS!" No one was that surprised given that he was with Mulch and they had heard it all day.

Group 1

Mulch decided the best thing he could do was to drive his partner up the wall. It was working. He had shouted at him so much it was making him almost nostalgic. They quickly did their rooms as quickly as possible. Or at least Julius did; desperate for a reason to get away from Mulch's side. Mulch was having too much fun but he did his bit. If slowly.

Group 2

As Trouble and Foaly started on Trouble's room by hanging some tinsel on the four post bed. Due to their short stature Trouble had to stand on Foaly's back much to his annoyance. Thankfully he wasn't heavy and didn't need to be on him long. It also didn't take long for them to begin chatting and mentioned something of great interest to Juliet.

"Do you think Fowl's noticed Holly crushing on him yet?" Trouble said grinning causing Foaly to whinny in laughter. "Then again, how she doesn't know yet is beyond me. The way he dealt with that mud man who was hitting on her should have been evident enough he likes her."

"You'd think so. They both haven't much experience in it I suppose. It's also unprecedented so there is a level of stigma getting in the way. Maybe we should... help them figure it out." Foaly said with a mischievous face. Seeing Trouble's troubled face he carried on. "You know as well as I do Holly hasn't been the same since she got back from Hybras. No-one knows what happened there but those two, but when ever she speaks to him she's always that little bit brighter than before. I'm also convinced Juliet is thinking the same. She gave only them some mistletoe, but no-one else. Seems fishy to me." Trouble only nodded thoughts about Juliet clouding his mind. They then spend the rest of their time discussing how best to get them together.

Group 3

The Butlers at present were in Juliet's room working efficiency together to put up all the decorations since Juliet wanted a lot. Her room, as ever, was messy but they managed to navigate it without any problems. In truth Juliet chose her brother simply to discuss what she found out. This time however she managed to keep calm. "Dom you were right. She likes him too. She doesn't know it yet it though. I'm sure we can help with that. You got any ideas how we can help?"

"Juliet. All we can do is nudge them in the right direction. Given how Artemis reacted to that guy, I would guess he's working it out. I must admit; he's really thrown himself into the training. I was very impressed. I wish I knew what happened though to make him change. It's clearly related to Holly." Butler replied with a wistful look as he hung up the last chain that they were going to use in her room. They carried the conversation on in Holly's room.

"Artemis didn't actually tell her he was training. Or that he hadn't slept for several days when he got back. So I'm guessing it must be. Probably didn't want to worry her. Makes me want to know all the more. I wonder if he wrote about it. I'll have a look when we do his room." Butler kept quiet about the invasion of privacy as his concern and curiosity got the better of him. The fact that Artemis was busy downstairs it just made it even easier to convince his conscience. They didn't spend too much time in Holly's room only putting up two or three items on each wall. As Butler headed towards the door he noticed Juliet putting something in the canopy of the bed but thought better about asking about it. Once they got into Artemis' room, Juliet began to immediately search for anything that may hold information of a personal nature that wasn't on the laptop. Whilst she rummaged through all the drawers she could see Butler began to put up the few things that he deemed appropriate; which wasn't many. He finished this job quickly but couldn't bring himself to search. That is until he heard Juliet squeal at finding something. At that point he rushed over desperate to find out. Juliet pulled from under his bed an A5 notebook. As she flipped through the various pages she noticed that more or less they were all drawings or paintings relating to The People. There was at least one of every fairy in the house at present. At the very back was a picture that caused then both to gasp. A painting of Holly that showed her as exactly what she was : fiery, beautiful and had every feature perfect. It was so good that one would have had to memorise every little detail to get anything close to this. Butler then spoke up. "I remember this. He carried it with him everywhere he went. Constantly using it when he wasn't working. Never showed me what was in it though. But he only used this when he was mind wiped. Didn't see it again."

"Just shows how much he remembered; and how well he remembered Holly." Juliet replied with a caring if cunning face. She then replaced the book where she found it; already bringing forth a plan to use it. They then went to do Butler's room to finish their task.

Group 4

Artemis and Holly were as they always were: arguing like an old married couple. They had managed to finish up two of their rooms; but Artemis' lack of enthusiasm combined with Holly's need for his height was beginning to wear thin. There was also the added tension of this mornings event that they both silently agreed not to mention much to the gratefulness of both individuals. As they worked through the living room, tempers starting to fray and Holly had taken to yelling Mud-boy fairly often when he argued. There was soon only one item left they had to put up: the mistletoe. Holly was slightly nervous about putting it up given who the present company was; although why she wasn't quite certain. Given the best place to put it would be one of the entrances but she was much too short to reach the tall beam. She also noticed that even Artemis at 5"7 wouldn't be able to reach it so they needed to work together. "Artemis. Do you think you could lift me up so I can reach that beam?" She asked cautiously knowing his dislike of physical exhaustion Knowing better than to argue, again, he simply placed his hands upon her waist and braced for any sign that they were in the wrong area. As he wasn't struck by anything he lifted her up. Holly was both surprised by the fact he could lift her; despite her not being heavy, but also how much she enjoyed the feel of his warm hands on her. Sadly she could still not reach the beam. Artemis saw this and rearranged his hold on her so that he was in control of her legs. This provided Holly with just enough distance that she could reach the beam. Once attached however neither made a move to let go of each other and Holly had put her hands on his shoulder now and they were simply looking at each other. Until Artemis spoke.

"Holly you do realise that is mistletoe? Do you know what it means we should do?" Holly then realised that they themselves were under it; so they technically should kiss. Both flushed greatly. "W..we don't have to if you don't want to." he added. Hoping to diffuse the awkwardness of the situation; though a little part of his brain was begging her not to refuse. In answer all she did was edge her way towards him; bringing her cherubic lips towards his. Noticing her actions he began to do the same. They were both flushed and secretly ecstatic as they inched closer together until their lips met. It was just a simple peck but it both flared their emotions to new heights. Both of them had already had a first kiss. But they both just knew that what they both experienced was far better than any other they have had. When they broke apart they looked in each others eyes. They both felt complete as they did so; able to remain like this for centuries. That is until someone coughed. Realisation hit them that they were no longer alone so they split up instantaneously to avoid further embarrassment. Seeing that most of the others have congregated back into the living room; all except Julius and Mulch. Upon seeing their compatriots they both took their leave; heading in different directions; but both ending up in the same area, their own rooms. Artemis upon reaching his room immediately sank into his chair hoping to fathom the tightness in his chest, the simple enjoyment of the chaste kiss they shared only moments ago. He was having no such luck. 'Why did that feel so much better than when I kissed Minerva? Their lips are different but I fail to see how their anatomy could solely affect the worth of a kiss.' His thoughts were much like that for some time. Holly's were not so different though hers focussed more on the softness of his lips and why she felt so giddy than anything else.

Whilst the pair were upstairs musing the rest of the group were downstairs recollecting on what they had just witnessed. Even the two who had not seen the act were having it vividly told to them by Juliet much to their joint disgust. Once she had finished with the comments like 'so romantic' and 'cute as hell' the conversation took another turn that would have horrified the supposed lovers. "I gather that was your plan all along Juliet." Foaly said smiling, "I'm glad someone else noticed those two having something between them. To make it any more obvious they would have to end up in bed together." The whole room but Butler and Julius burst into a fit of giggles and raucous laughter. Butler because of the embarrassment his charge faced if he learnt of it. Julius in shock at the concept pressed upon him: Holly in love with Artemis. "They still probably don't realise anything. How can we help them realise it? No better time than now. Christmas; it's romantic right?" They then spent the next five minutes discussing and making plans before realising that realistically they could do little but force them together and hope they realise it. Juliet and Butler knew better of course; but they deemed the notebook best not mentioned until the opportune moment. Juliet certainly didn't mention Holly's revenge or the earlier incident in case the gossip slipped and spread further than it should have. She did however mention to Foaly a need to hack his fingerprint scanner before Artemis went to bed. He disables her access in the morning so that only he and Butler can get in. Foaly did question it but Juliet kept schtum on the matter; he agreed to help all the same.

It was not long before Holly rejoined the group causing them to change the topic of their conversation suddenly. Fortunately they had plenty to discuss; being on the surface was after all a luxury. When the question of Artemis' whereabouts was mentioned Butler surmised that he was probably working; since he had made some unwise but ecological investments that needed constant supervision. The fairies were surprised that he had lost money in the aim of helping the planet as they assumed gold was still his aim in the world. Holly knew that he was changing though did not expect a change this great so soon. She decided to ask him about it at some point. Only a few minutes went by before Artemis graced them with his presence. "I hope you are all enjoying your stay here. Forgive me for being busy. As I'm sure all of you can appreciate I had some work to take care of. Butler are you ready?" When he received a look of curiosity from all gathered around he explained it was time for his workout; one he hoped to be private much to Holly's and Juliet's annoyance. As Butler departed to get changed Artemis asked Juliet if she could cook a meal for everyone to be ready in an hour. She nodded and the three humans left the room leaving the fairies alone. Holly was wondering how long it would take for someone to mention the kiss that had occurred. She was surprised it lasted a whole thirty seconds.

"You enjoy the kiss I suppose?" Trouble said in an innocent tone. His smirk completely undermining the tone. Holly knew she was probably due for a major wind up since it was Trouble, who normally doesn't tease her, had started it off. In truth she didn't know what to think. She had enjoyed feeling his lips on hers, but she wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing that she did. All she knew was that she wanted to feel them again, potentially over a much wider area than just her lips. Her ears gave an involuntary twitch at the thought. Next Foaly's turn.

"She must have given the way she was staring into his eyes after it." A whinny elicited another round of laughter from her co-workers. Holly had a feeling this was going to be a very long hour. She was right. Throughout the first half of the hour she had to constantly reject any good side of the kiss she had experienced; but that did nothing to cancel their humour nor their secretive thoughts that they were madly into each other. After the joke the broke the camel's back as twere she stormed out in the direction of the gym hoping to see her best friend going through his paces; to laugh or congratulate at as the case may be. She discovered that all the doors were locked and all the blinds down. All she could gather from it was the sounds of loud slow movement, obviously Butler, as well as the sound of fast movement, Artemis. She went in search of Juliet to finalise their plans for this evening.

The rest of the night passed in good spirits. After Artemis and Butler returned from the gym they dined on a various assortment of vegetarian meals which everyone enjoyed thoroughly. The conversation, much to Artemis' and Holly's relief, didn't turn towards their little interlude previously. As it was late, and had been a long day, most of the people in the manor were tired so they all departed. Knowing such that Juliet would be in more of a jovial mode tomorrow sleep would be greatly needed. Holly changed into her sleeping attire and fell asleep knowing that at 2am she had to wake up to get some revenge. One she was greatly looking forward to.