Chapter 6- Implausible Failures

The Manor

"So," Major Holly Short said to the black-haired girl sitting idly on the leather couch. "Have you found anything yet? Any clues that can help?"

"Not yet," the girl replied tersely. "Don't worry, I will search again, a more efficient one. See, I was trying a new search ware I had bought, and I was testing it. I will use more reliable methods from now on. I will find something soon enough."

She whipped her long hair back. Ruby was a good liar, and she knew it. Just a few more delays, and she'd be welcomed right into the centre of the game…

"Don't stress, major," she said easily. "I'll work on it."

Artemis couldn't believe it. Zero- no files relating at all. But it was there in the Haven, Artemis had been so sure of it. Foaly couldn't have deleted all his precious writings, he must have hidden them somewhere. Artemis sighed. He would start again. Perhaps someone had moved it without him realising it. Not matter what happened, Artemis would never give up searching.

St Bartelbys' School for Young Gentlemen

"Artemis!" Mrs Luxington smiled as he entered the counsellor's office. Artemis barely nodded, but only because he was not in the mood to talk. This lady was so far the most proficient counsellor he had had yet. Not that he would admit it to her or anyone else. Today Mrs Luxington seemed unusually quiet, and Artemis found himself wondering why. About ten minutes passed, and still not a word spoken. Mrs Luxington didn't even look at him during this time- an odd thing for a school counsellor to do for an "antisocial but highly intellectual boy." Artemis was about to remark something about wasting time, when she looked at him.

"I would like you to think about the people who matter to you," she said finally. "Just think about it to yourself."

Artemis frowned, but Mrs Luxington smiled.

"That is all you need to do today. Come up with an answer, and be able to name them all in your head." Artemis contemplated for a long time. The counsellor did not say people he admired, like Dr Po had asked him. Artemis admired a few people, even a living one, not that he was human. But who did he like or admire enough that actually mattered to him?By the end of the session, he'd come up with only a few names; after all, he did not matter to many people. Artemis reluctantly built a list in his head. His parents, Angeline and Artemis Fowl the first; Foaly and Holly, he supposed, from the Haven. Ruby. No, Artemis didn't even know her. Artemis wiped her off the list, shaking his head. Why did he think that? She was one he admired, Artemis admitted, and she understood things that normal, unprodigised people would not. Artemis put her out of his head, and with his list finished, Artemis stopped thinking any further on the topic.

When school ended, Artemis walked straight towards the Music Department. A Symphony orchestra rehearsal was scheduled this afternoon, and Artemis walked in the instrument storage room to collect his violin- A Stradivarius, no doubt, which Artemis had bought and had in his possession for many years now. As the best violinist in the orchestra, Artemis was one of the two leaders in for the first violins. His partner, the second leader, was a senior called Marcel Ancorelli, whom Artemis disliked, and disapproved of his playing style. Artemis sat in his seat at the front desk. A few others were already seated, and Artemis ignored them, as usual. Then suddenly, Artemis recognised the voice of one of the girls who had walked into the hall. Ruby.

"I'm telling you, Hannah, I don't want to come," she was saying. Artemis defied the urge to turn around. Hannah was the girl who played behind him, and Artemis only knew her vaguely. Artemis turned around. Hannah was tugging Ruby up to the stage, who reluctantly took her violin case from Hannah. Ruby took the seat next to Hannah, behind Artemis.

"Why don't you want to?" Hannah asked. Ruby shrugged.

"Not good enough."

Hannah gaped at her.

"Excuse me? Not good enough? You're nearly finished with your final diploma, for heavens' sake, and you say you aren't good enough?"

Ruby raised her eyebrows, and said archly,

"Of course I'm good enough. I meant that nobody here is good enough me." She smirked. Hannah looked offended.

"Well, maybe, but you don't know, do you? I mean, -" Hannah lowered her voice to a whisper so that Artemis couldn't hear. "Look at Artemis Fowl- he's a genius."

Ruby looked up at Artemis, who pretended he didn't notice her. He turned around, however, when Ruby tapped him on the shoulder.

"Yes?" he said as a way of greeting. Ruby grinned.

"Leader, are we, in the Symphony orchestra?" Artemis decided not to reply.

"Who sits next to you?" she then asked.

"Ancorelli," he said shortly. Ruby snorted.

"Oh him. Then this orchestra really is good for nothing, is it?" She turned to Hannah, who was staring.

"Are you saying that I am not adept enough in playing?" Artemis questioned.

"Not you. Ancorelli," Ruby answered. Then she said,

"If you think you are good enough, beat me," she challenged. Artemis nodded, resisting the smile that wanted to appear on his face. Hannah smiled broadly.

"This will be interesting." Artemis turned back around, as Ancorelli sat down, and Mr Wellencris- the conductor and head of the orchestra strode in the hall to his platform. The rehearsal began. Artemis didn't bother trying to listen to Ruby play- what was the point, anyway? However, Artemis was forced to listen, when Ancorelli announced that he had to leave early. Mr Wellencris looked around at the first violins. He looked surprised to see Ruby.

"Why Ruby, you have decided to join us, have you?"

"Oh, just for today," Ruby smiled at Mr Wellencris, who beamed.

"Fill in for Ancorelli, then, there's a good girl." Ruby didn't retort back as Artemis had thought she would, but slipped into the seat next to Artemis. Mr Wellencris gave a satisfied sort of grunt, and the rehearsal continued.

Ruby was good; there was no qualm about it. Her style was alien to Artemis, astonishingly, but Artemis found he liked it, unlike Ancorelli. When the rehearsal finished, Ruby said,

"Well done, I'm impressed."

Artemis looked at her.

"Well done to you too. I enjoy your style of playing."

Ruby smiled again.

"Thank you."

Artemis almost smiled back, until when Ruby suddenly leaned in to whisper a remark that made Artemis freeze in his spot.

"So, playing with the fairies, are you? No wonder you're so good."