A/N: Uh oh. I'm afraid I have nothing to tell you, except that you meet
some new characters in this chapter. Well, have fun.
Chapter 2: Meet the Visitors
Excerpt from Artemis Fowl's diary, disk three (encrypted)
I still have not found out who created those mirrored contact lenses. It is really starting to bother me. But I have one problem that is guaranteed to slow my figuring it out. Father has invited one of his new business partners to stay here, at Fowl Manor. Father invited the man's family to come, too.
From what I understand, our soon-to-be guest's name is Mark Tallman, and he is an American millionaire. He is bringing his wife and three children, one of whom is exactly my age, to Fowl Manor. I do not know why the Tallmans are coming are coming, but I plan to find out soon.
I have conducted some research on the Tallman family over the past few days. They have approximately $6,000,000 in American money. My resource did not say how they obtained this money, but it did say that they had little more than $15,000 sixteen years ago. I am going to find out why they were so deprived and how they became so prosperous so quickly.
My resource did have information on the members of the family, though. What amazes me is that the adults, Mark and Chloe, have possibly the most ordinary occupations one could have. Mr. Tallman is the president of a bank and Mrs. Tallman is a college professor.
Two out of three of their children, however, seem to be normal teenagers. Cody Tallman is in his first year of college and is majoring in Ancient History. Elana Tallman graduated from high school this past spring and will be going to some American college next fall. They don't interest me at all. It is their younger sister who interests me. Her name is Lara Holly Tallman.
Fowl Manor; Present Day
Artemis Fowl II wasn't particularly looking forward to this afternoon. He and his parents were meeting an American family at the Dublin Airport. Why, Artemis did not know. He had asked his father many times, but Artemis Senior wouldn't tell him anything but their name. Tallman. He also knew that the family consisted of two adults and three teenagers, one who was Artemis' age. Nevertheless, Artemis was not a people person.
Truth be told, he was looking forward to meeting one of the Tallman clan. He knew four things about her: one, her name was Lara, two, she was the youngest of the three Tallman teenagers, three, she was his age and four, she was, supposedly, a genius. This last fact was what intrigued young Artemis the most. Another prodigy was exactly what he needed for his next dastardly deed, hopefully one who knew her ancient world history.
Artemis pushed aside his thoughts of his next plot and began to fume silently. For the past couple of years, his father, Artemis Fowl I, was very much into the whole "family togetherness" thing. On one hand, Artemis liked spending more time with his father, who, in years past, was always too busy to see him. But, on the other hand, it also prevented Artemis from his scheming.
School had also taken its toll on Artemis' criminal genius. For the past two years, Artemis had been attending Saint Catherine's Boarding School for Exceptional Students in Dublin. Saint Catherine's had pathetic computer systems and an even more pathetic laboratory. So Artemis was forced to write his plots on regular paper. Artemis deeply despised this method because anybody could waltz into his room and read them. Fortunately, nobody at Saint Catherine's was in the least bit interested in World War II, so Artemis kept his notes in a folder, labeled "WWII: INVASION OF NORMANDY." Thankfully, he was also out for the summer.
Artemis snapped out of his reverie, got out of bed, pulled on some casual clothes and headed downstairs. He made his way to the dining room and he saw his mother and father eating and chattering away at the breakfast table. Artemis sighed, remembering the days when there was little, if any talking at the table during any meal. Although it had been quite awkward, Artemis preferred it to the never-ending questions that his parents came up with.
Artemis sighed again and walked over to the table. His father perked up visibly and said jovially, "Good morning, Arty! How did you sleep?"
"Very well, thank you," Artemis said. His parents didn't catch the sarcasm. In fact, his night had been anything but well. First, he didn't go to sleep until around midnight. Then, a few hours later, he woke up sweating from a dream he'd had. It was a very odd sort of dream. It had to do with leprechauns, fairies, or something of the sort. The only other thing he remembered was that they were in terrible danger. He didn't know why this bothered him so much, but it did. He couldn't go back to sleep after that.
"Good, good," his mother commented. As Artemis asked Butler, his bodyguard, butler and constant companion, for a gourmet omelet, his mother popped the question that Artemis was hoping wouldn't come up. She asked, "Arty, are you looking forward to meeting the Tallmans today?"
Artemis almost snorted from repugnance. "Of course I am. I have ever since you told me that they were coming," he lied slyly.
Artemis Senior smiled, and Butler brought out Artemis Junior's omelet. "Fantastic. But, I suspect that you are only looking forward to meeting one of the Tallmans, am I correct?"
The teenager sent a quick nasty, yet disbelieving glance his father's way, then looked down at his food and began to cut it up. "Not really," Artemis muttered.
Angeline Fowl smiled at her son and said gently, "Well, we're going to meet them in an hour at the Dublin Airport. Butler will notify you when it is time to leave." Artemis nodded, finished his omelet in silence and left the dining room. He walked quickly up to his room. When he entered it, he crossed the threshold and headed over to his computer. It was time to do some more research for his latest plot.
Dublin Airport
The Fowls arrived at the Dublin airport only ten minutes before the Tallmans' plane landed. Butler was, of course, with them, mainly to accompany Artemis. Nevertheless, Artemis had brought his portable laptop, just in case he got bored. And he did.
After a few minutes of surfing the internet, his mother said, "Oh, their plane has landed! Arty, why don't you go and meet them while I go find your father?" Artemis Senior had gone to the information desk to see when the plane landed.
Artemis sighed and shut his computer. Butler said, "Of course, ma'am." Artemis rolled his eyes and followed Butler to the terminal. He stood in front of his bodyguard. They stood in front of the ticket desk, and as soon as they got there, a flock of people swarmed out of the plane, gibbering in different dialects. Finally, after a few minutes, a family of five stepped off of the plane. Artemis' heart started beating wildly. "It's them," he said to Butler, "It's the Tallmans."
Then, suddenly there was a shriek, and Artemis saw one of the Tallman girls fall. "Lara!" the other girl groaned, "Why do you have to be so. so ungainly?"
Artemis groaned inwardly. The girl who fell was supposed to be a genius.
The tallest of the Tallmans began to laugh wildly. "Whadja trip over this time, Lara?" he asked, still laughing.
"Nothin', Cody, now quit bumpin' your gums and help me up!" Lara yelled at her older brother. Cody chuckled and helped her up. Artemis stared at the red-faced girl blankly and blinked. He couldn't believe that she was Lara Tallman, but it seemed to be true. She saw him staring at him and said angrily, "Dude, what's your problem? Go find something else to stare at, man."
Artemis blinked again, unfamiliar with the girl's language, and walked up to the family of five, with Butler close behind him. "You're the Tallmans, are you not?" Artemis said in his most business-like tone.
A tall, balding man jumped and said suspiciously, "Yes, I'm Mark Tallman. Um, who are you?"
"I am Artemis Fowl II, your partner's son, Mr. Tallman."
Mr. Tallman stuck out his hand and the 16-year-old shook it. "Pleasure to meet you, Artemis. Do you know where -"
"Isn't 'Artemis' a girl's name?" Lara blurted. Her sister elbowed her, hard, in the stomach.
"Shut up!" she hissed.
"I was just wond'rin'," Lara muttered and she rubbed her stomach.
Artemis resisted the urge to say something cynical.
A/N: So, how'd you like it? Emma says that she's surprised that Lara is a genius. If you agree with her, review and tell me so. If you don't agree with her, review and tell me so anyway! Lol. I'm so persistent. ~Luv from Raven~
Chapter 2: Meet the Visitors
Excerpt from Artemis Fowl's diary, disk three (encrypted)
I still have not found out who created those mirrored contact lenses. It is really starting to bother me. But I have one problem that is guaranteed to slow my figuring it out. Father has invited one of his new business partners to stay here, at Fowl Manor. Father invited the man's family to come, too.
From what I understand, our soon-to-be guest's name is Mark Tallman, and he is an American millionaire. He is bringing his wife and three children, one of whom is exactly my age, to Fowl Manor. I do not know why the Tallmans are coming are coming, but I plan to find out soon.
I have conducted some research on the Tallman family over the past few days. They have approximately $6,000,000 in American money. My resource did not say how they obtained this money, but it did say that they had little more than $15,000 sixteen years ago. I am going to find out why they were so deprived and how they became so prosperous so quickly.
My resource did have information on the members of the family, though. What amazes me is that the adults, Mark and Chloe, have possibly the most ordinary occupations one could have. Mr. Tallman is the president of a bank and Mrs. Tallman is a college professor.
Two out of three of their children, however, seem to be normal teenagers. Cody Tallman is in his first year of college and is majoring in Ancient History. Elana Tallman graduated from high school this past spring and will be going to some American college next fall. They don't interest me at all. It is their younger sister who interests me. Her name is Lara Holly Tallman.
Fowl Manor; Present Day
Artemis Fowl II wasn't particularly looking forward to this afternoon. He and his parents were meeting an American family at the Dublin Airport. Why, Artemis did not know. He had asked his father many times, but Artemis Senior wouldn't tell him anything but their name. Tallman. He also knew that the family consisted of two adults and three teenagers, one who was Artemis' age. Nevertheless, Artemis was not a people person.
Truth be told, he was looking forward to meeting one of the Tallman clan. He knew four things about her: one, her name was Lara, two, she was the youngest of the three Tallman teenagers, three, she was his age and four, she was, supposedly, a genius. This last fact was what intrigued young Artemis the most. Another prodigy was exactly what he needed for his next dastardly deed, hopefully one who knew her ancient world history.
Artemis pushed aside his thoughts of his next plot and began to fume silently. For the past couple of years, his father, Artemis Fowl I, was very much into the whole "family togetherness" thing. On one hand, Artemis liked spending more time with his father, who, in years past, was always too busy to see him. But, on the other hand, it also prevented Artemis from his scheming.
School had also taken its toll on Artemis' criminal genius. For the past two years, Artemis had been attending Saint Catherine's Boarding School for Exceptional Students in Dublin. Saint Catherine's had pathetic computer systems and an even more pathetic laboratory. So Artemis was forced to write his plots on regular paper. Artemis deeply despised this method because anybody could waltz into his room and read them. Fortunately, nobody at Saint Catherine's was in the least bit interested in World War II, so Artemis kept his notes in a folder, labeled "WWII: INVASION OF NORMANDY." Thankfully, he was also out for the summer.
Artemis snapped out of his reverie, got out of bed, pulled on some casual clothes and headed downstairs. He made his way to the dining room and he saw his mother and father eating and chattering away at the breakfast table. Artemis sighed, remembering the days when there was little, if any talking at the table during any meal. Although it had been quite awkward, Artemis preferred it to the never-ending questions that his parents came up with.
Artemis sighed again and walked over to the table. His father perked up visibly and said jovially, "Good morning, Arty! How did you sleep?"
"Very well, thank you," Artemis said. His parents didn't catch the sarcasm. In fact, his night had been anything but well. First, he didn't go to sleep until around midnight. Then, a few hours later, he woke up sweating from a dream he'd had. It was a very odd sort of dream. It had to do with leprechauns, fairies, or something of the sort. The only other thing he remembered was that they were in terrible danger. He didn't know why this bothered him so much, but it did. He couldn't go back to sleep after that.
"Good, good," his mother commented. As Artemis asked Butler, his bodyguard, butler and constant companion, for a gourmet omelet, his mother popped the question that Artemis was hoping wouldn't come up. She asked, "Arty, are you looking forward to meeting the Tallmans today?"
Artemis almost snorted from repugnance. "Of course I am. I have ever since you told me that they were coming," he lied slyly.
Artemis Senior smiled, and Butler brought out Artemis Junior's omelet. "Fantastic. But, I suspect that you are only looking forward to meeting one of the Tallmans, am I correct?"
The teenager sent a quick nasty, yet disbelieving glance his father's way, then looked down at his food and began to cut it up. "Not really," Artemis muttered.
Angeline Fowl smiled at her son and said gently, "Well, we're going to meet them in an hour at the Dublin Airport. Butler will notify you when it is time to leave." Artemis nodded, finished his omelet in silence and left the dining room. He walked quickly up to his room. When he entered it, he crossed the threshold and headed over to his computer. It was time to do some more research for his latest plot.
Dublin Airport
The Fowls arrived at the Dublin airport only ten minutes before the Tallmans' plane landed. Butler was, of course, with them, mainly to accompany Artemis. Nevertheless, Artemis had brought his portable laptop, just in case he got bored. And he did.
After a few minutes of surfing the internet, his mother said, "Oh, their plane has landed! Arty, why don't you go and meet them while I go find your father?" Artemis Senior had gone to the information desk to see when the plane landed.
Artemis sighed and shut his computer. Butler said, "Of course, ma'am." Artemis rolled his eyes and followed Butler to the terminal. He stood in front of his bodyguard. They stood in front of the ticket desk, and as soon as they got there, a flock of people swarmed out of the plane, gibbering in different dialects. Finally, after a few minutes, a family of five stepped off of the plane. Artemis' heart started beating wildly. "It's them," he said to Butler, "It's the Tallmans."
Then, suddenly there was a shriek, and Artemis saw one of the Tallman girls fall. "Lara!" the other girl groaned, "Why do you have to be so. so ungainly?"
Artemis groaned inwardly. The girl who fell was supposed to be a genius.
The tallest of the Tallmans began to laugh wildly. "Whadja trip over this time, Lara?" he asked, still laughing.
"Nothin', Cody, now quit bumpin' your gums and help me up!" Lara yelled at her older brother. Cody chuckled and helped her up. Artemis stared at the red-faced girl blankly and blinked. He couldn't believe that she was Lara Tallman, but it seemed to be true. She saw him staring at him and said angrily, "Dude, what's your problem? Go find something else to stare at, man."
Artemis blinked again, unfamiliar with the girl's language, and walked up to the family of five, with Butler close behind him. "You're the Tallmans, are you not?" Artemis said in his most business-like tone.
A tall, balding man jumped and said suspiciously, "Yes, I'm Mark Tallman. Um, who are you?"
"I am Artemis Fowl II, your partner's son, Mr. Tallman."
Mr. Tallman stuck out his hand and the 16-year-old shook it. "Pleasure to meet you, Artemis. Do you know where -"
"Isn't 'Artemis' a girl's name?" Lara blurted. Her sister elbowed her, hard, in the stomach.
"Shut up!" she hissed.
"I was just wond'rin'," Lara muttered and she rubbed her stomach.
Artemis resisted the urge to say something cynical.
A/N: So, how'd you like it? Emma says that she's surprised that Lara is a genius. If you agree with her, review and tell me so. If you don't agree with her, review and tell me so anyway! Lol. I'm so persistent. ~Luv from Raven~
