A/N: As i'm now ten chapters into this story; I figured I had better reinterate my (Sadly) not owning of Artemis Fowl. If it were... I would have had a VERY different ending for the time paradox; and almost certainly the whole series. A/H forever!
Council building: Monday morning
Sunday had passed in a similar way as Saturday however Artemis had aimed to involve Holly in the work far more than the day before. It worked for all of half an hour before she could stand no more technical talk and did some other things around the flat. There however was a reprieve when Foaly stopped by with a suit for Artemis. Holly at first thought it was just another pointless suit before the two genii explained that it was made from the same material as her shimmer suit allowing it to withstand the effects of shielding. As they knew they would see him during the meeting the next day it was a quick visit and nothing of their new relationship was evident. Foaly bid them farewell finishing with, "I'm interested in what this meeting is about Artemis, good luck." Holly was surprised that Artemis had not disclosed any information to Foaly; and that she probably knew more than the centaur did.
The meeting was about to begin so the couple entered Holly taking a seat near the podium where Artemis was to be standing. Once in there she noted that Foaly was in his usual place next to the large screen to assist or counter argue a case with whatever information he had. She was however surprised when she saw Mulch enter the room sitting just behind her. They exchanged a few pleasantries before the meeting began in earnest. Looking around she saw the usual council members that had sat there for decades and was pleased that at least half the members did not have any aversion to Artemis thus allowing his plan a chance to succeed. When Councillor Cahartez held up his hand for silence and it came he began.
"So, Mr Fowl I understand you wish to discuss two items with the council but I see no mention of them here. If it had been anyone else I dare say they would have been refused but as your fame and infamy is something well known several of the council members agreed regardless of the lack of usual information."
Before Artemis spoke he noticed a leer from Cahartez to Vinyàya deigning that she was the one who backed his request the strongest. He had known from Holly that they were good friends but he did not expect the same friendship to apply to him. However another person spoke before he could answer; It was Vinyàya herself.
"Firstly though Artemis; how does life as one of the People suit you?" she finished with a warm smile that only one other councillor shared.
Artemis prepared himself for the speeches he was about to make as well as the shock the whole room was about to give him.
"Well Councillor Vinyàya it has been interesting to experience life through other set of eyes; if you'll pardon the pun. I have learnt a lot about the People I assumed I knew; most of which was provided by the Major here-" he said gesturing the Holly which caused her to blush slightly that only Vinyàya picked up on. "- however the true depth of my thoughts on the matter may become clear during the two items I wish to discuss. So I shall begin. The first project is something Foaly provided me with and I have finished. Section 8 has budgeted for any possible weather system that may be able to be used with Haven." At this all of the room apart from Foaly's, Holly's and Vinyàya's eyes widened at the prospect. "I will discuss this later as it is connected to a more personal request and project I have worked on for almost six months." He paused so that he may be allowed to start on the other idea which was given though he could feel the whole room's eyes on him. It was fortunate that he used to formal speaking or else he may have faltered.
"I plan to stop global warming." He paused again if briefly to scan the crowd. He felt the whole room hold their breath whilst Foaly's mouth practically fell open. "In order to achieve this I will require a visa to the surface for Major Short and myself; a shuttle that will be reasonably gentle on the passage back down for me to transport a prototype of the machine that shall be used for both projects and permission and a facility to grow a human clone."
He waited for the information and demands to sink in to the room and for the possible thousands of questions that he was about to be plagued with. Foaly was the first to regain his composure followed shortly by Cahartez who then started the questioning.
"What evidence do you have to support this wild claim?" he said with a mixture of curiosity and disbelief.
Artemis then passed the fairy equivalent of a usb stick to Foaly gesturing for him to load the information on it. As he began to explain the nano-wafers as well as the object that needed transport Holly began to zone out and was watching the reactions of the people present. Foaly was simply nodding understanding everything that was being told even providing his own in sights. The entire council however was practically clueless but followed his reasoning with murmers of agreement. However when her gaze landed on Vinyàya she received a wink from the elder fairy which she did not quite understand. She zoned back in again just in time to hear the fiscal policies behind the projects.
"- I do of course have a way of financing both projects. Both using my own fortune." This elicited a shock from his three friends at the true extent of the change that he had undergone. "The reason I need a clone; as well as to answer your question from earlier Councillor Vinyàya; is to fake my death. I have no intention of attempting to find a way to change back and with some assistance overground I should be able to give my 'death' some meaning by making companies help to finance the 'Ice Cube' project as well as convincing other companies to be more contentious of their own pollution. I would also be willing to purchase the equipment needed for the clone. As for the ATMOS project, I am willing to provide the council with half a tonne of gold to finance it. Which I believe would be the remaining half I bargained from you during our first encounter."
The whole room was silent when he finished. Even Holly was silent in shock at his plan and his willingness to spend his own fortune for the profit of both civilisations. Everyone in the room knew that the council would hardly turn down the projects as they were at no risk to themselves having to spend none of their own money whilst receiving most of the benefits. The council themselves knew this and only bothered with a mock vote as they all knew that they would vote for it to proceed. Once dealt with they exchanged a few pleasantries as well as information on the more technical items Artemis needed as well as organising the visa then the councillors took their leave apart from Vinyàya and Lope who continued to chat amongst themselves.
Mulch made his leave fairly quickly after congratulating Artemis on his ideas. Foaly took a while before he left after pontificating about the greatness of the idea. In his own way. Holly remained standing nearby not taking part in the conversation as she wished to discuss slightly more personal items with Artemis. Once they were alone she could no longer hold back the string of questions and she almost rambled.
"I'm amazed; when did you decide to do; how did you decide to; did you really mean...?"
Artemis gently held her hand, smiled and simply said; "I meant every word and as I already said; I intend to start this life off right."
Holly could not help but smile at his words and gazed into his eyes. They stood like that for a little while until Vinyàya said "Major Short, mind if we have a chat?"
With that she walked out of the room waiting just outside. Holly gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and said she'd see him later and then strode out the room to her predecessor . Artemis remained standing there for a time; touched his cheek fondly and left the room heading to work.
Wing-commander Vinyàya's office
Once they reached the office and the door had been shut all the formalities dropped. Vinyàya released her still silver hair from it's pony tail and the two females practically slumped into the two comfy chairs within the room.
"So Holly; how's things? You grew your hair slightly, it suits you."
Holly could not help but feel good over the compliment as Artemis was the only other one who realised the change. "Thank you; yours looks good too Raine. I've been good. It's been different obviously since Artemis moved in. It has been nice though to have him around more often. I can't believe how much he's changed though!"
Vinyàya smiled as she saw the change in posture and even her facial expressions which was all she needed to know her guess had been right. "You two dating or..." She knew it was evil to leave it open like that but she knew it was probably the only way to get her to admit the truth.
"Well...perha... kinda... yes." Holly knew that she had no reason to lie but still didn't really want to admit it when they had barely made headway themselves yet. "We haven't actually been out yet, but we are together. We want take it slow."
Whilst Holly spoke Vinyàya had gotten up to free Holly from her gaze as well as to grab two nettle smoothies. When she returned she passed the drink as well as a smile to her guest before speaking; "I'm glad you've found someone you care for so deeply. I think you'll be good for each other." She tagged on another sentence without realising the pain that it caused, "Perhaps now Trouble will get it out of his head that you're his." Holly inwardly flinched but just chuckled at the comment. However what was next said repaired any damage that had been done, "If it's any help he feels exactly the same as you. He may have a world class poker face; but when it comes to you it slips slightly. I wouldn't worry about you two trying to make it work... it just will."
After that exchange they left the serious topics and moved to more light hearted conversation before Holly had to leave to get back to work. Not that she wanted to; she would avoid Trouble for a few years if she could, but her work was already beginning to back up so she had to start on it soon before it became unbearable. The only thing that made returning to the LEP was what Vinyàya had said.