Considerations
WHEN: August 20, 2010 – 8:30 PM
WHERE: Haven City, Police Plaza, LEP HQ, Conference Room #1
"So, " Council Chairman Cahartez began, "here we are. We" – he pointed towards the other Council members – "have had some debates in the last days about you and your new ahem talents. We know that the discoveries you made – including these intelligent goblins on the upper world – are to be ground-breaking, if anyone hears about these. Same for that dimensional tunnel stuff – I, frankly, don't have any idea what Foaly tried to tell me, but he sounded like it was pretty serious stuff – and the fact that the Mud People wizards disappeared in the Middle Ages instead of, as we thought until today 6:45 PM, ten thousand years ago… to bring it to a point: we reversed our decision that the magic in your body should be flushed out.
You and your family also are allowed to keep your memories of the People, but in exchange for this we want your help: We cannot directly contact the human Wizarding population, and they have apparently no knowledge about us. We want it to stay this way until the People can vote on how to deal with the situation. Your job is now to gain knowledge and to report it to us."
Artemis had expected this – as the fairies all had seen the feature of the warehouse wrecking, they were unlikely to try to stop him. For what everyone thought, even No. 1 was no match against him.
"What about the People? What exactly are you going to tell them? I'm pretty sure lots of the fairies think that I'm still a crazy crackhead… your brilliant therapists sold my most private memories, obtained by replacing my blood with a drug cocktail, on the book market.
If they catch any sign of that I am involved here, they'll kick you out of office and I can't imagine I'm going to get out unharmed, too."
Foaly blushed deeply, as it had been his suggestion to employ Dr. Argon and the other psychiatrists, even though he knew they were so keen on "helping" Artemis in order to make an even bigger fortune for themselves in book and movie licenses.
"You know my media spin doctoring experience. I think, as long as we can keep our money-sniffing doctor team on a leash, I can influence the public's opinion of you in a… let's say… positive way.
After all, you delivered us proof that human Wizards exist. But one thing is dangerous: you might be able to influence the Mud People so that our two worlds can at least co-exist. The two Opals though, they do make me worried. They are, combined, intelligent enough to figure out how to find you. Even in other dimensions. If this happens, we are all doomed."
Trouble Kelp spoke up: "Quite correct. But I've got an idea: give Artemis a year to train himself. Looks all like you have the talent, now you just need some skills… Given how destructive you can be already, I think all it needs to get the two Opals out of our way is one of your blasts right into their bunker.
In fact, we got some intel showing that they have abducted two cosmetic doctors and one of the world's best-known female hormone experts. We just need to find these three or medical equipment they order, so we can track them down."
"What? They want a beauty salon, these two?" Butler asked.
"Unlikely, at least they're not doing it for beauty itself. Opal has already transformed herself once, and I think she wants to transform her younger self into human form, too. The hormone expert is, so I think, their assurance that Young Opal won't lose her magic like Old Opal. Or, to restore the magic of Old Opal"
Now Artemis had a question: "No. I, are you experienced now in cross-dimensional telepathy or communication?"
"You know, the simulations… I can at least transmit my own thoughts now without the receiver getting hungry in an instant. When I try to read simulated thoughts, though, the only thing I am receiving is the smell and taste of cheeseburgers."
"Cheeseburgers? You mean that awful Mud People fastfood?", Holly laughed.
"Yes, unfortunately the taste is not as funny or good as you think, Holly. Really, it's disgusting. Pure animal fat!"
The last sentence made Holly understand immediately what was going on: Poor No. I always was reminded of the horrible fat-barrel "episode" which had temporarily robbed him of all his powers and nearly had both of them killed. By Butler, of all persons.
"So, at least you can transmit bits of information to me. Excellent. I'll take some of my equipment with me, then. Nothing too complex, but I think with a series of tubes and a correctly aligned antenna, I might be able to get something through, too.
If it does not work, I also have got an owl. Wizards can use them to transport letters, but I don't want to solely rely on a bird. Oh, and I'll also take my fairy comm set. At least I can play video games, then."
"Your what? Where did you get this?" Cahartez asked.
"It was me. I wanted to stay in contact with him after I resigned, following Ark Sool's behavior back when that traitor got promoted to my boss. Figured I could need Artemis' advice with the PI company…", Holly explained.
"We'll talk about this later," Cahartez sighed.
"Okay, Fowl, you're clear to go. Do us and yourself the favor though and go to the parking lot through the back entrance, there will be a shuttle waiting for you and Butler. No need to irritate the People even more."
Artemis, Butler and Holly stood up and exited the room, Holly leading the way.
As soon as they were walking down an empty corridor, Holly asked Butler: "May I have a private word with Artemis, please?"
"Sure. If any place in here is private enough for you," his eyes pointing towards a security camera. Holly opened the next door and locked it after she and Artemis were inside.
The dim light of the rescue exit sign was barely enough for Artemis to recognize they were in a locker room for cleaning utilities.
"What are we doing here?" he asked, lightly confused.
Holly did not answer, instead she embraced the human and kissed him.
A/N: Yes, yes, I know not all of you like AF/HS. I'll keep my fingers from writing anything explicit – seriously. I'm a dude and have a rather… technical style of writing. Sex scenes are nothing I could write without the result being gross and unreadable.
Not much longer and you'll see Artemis returning to the magical world. Stay tuned :)