Conscious Minds

" Si, si, senorita I completely understand. I will take care of it immediately. Though, if it is permissible could I ask why exactly so much is needed?" The short handlebar mustache twitched in an itchy matter that had grown far too irritating in too short a time. Removing her sunglasses, she stepped into the foyer of the grand house. Taking a few moments to inspect an obvious re-production Rembrandt, she finally made her way to the door. Pausing, she turned to the older man, " No."

The seventeen-year-old boy stepped through the front gates and paused to look around at the small crowd already assembling for his mother's macabre ball. To say he detested these social gatherings was not unwarranted, however they did provide a decent sport. The roving eyes of every female in the room and the casual introductions provided the only real entertainment on nights such as these. Unfortunately, he was meant to be taking part in the antiquated mating ritual.

Dodging behind a pillar, he turned slightly to see if his mothers hawking gaze had pinned him down. Sensing no immediate danger he crossed the room gracefully, acknowledging others in his avoided position. Seamus himself was sandwiched between an alluring brunette and her father, looking rather comfortable he might add. Artemis smirked his way into the dining hall, all the while aware of his mother's position. The faint smell of spice and honey filled his nostrils and he turned.

" Mr. Fowl, hiding are we?" The young woman who stood before him seemed vaguely familiar, though despite his impeccable memory he couldn't for the life of him place her. She smiled as she waited for his response, sweetly enough, though he sensed certain venom.

" More appropriately, avoiding. Though I seem to have caught your attention so I seem to have failed in my attempt." He responded, testing that smile and the feelings behind it.

" Hardly failed, more requiring improvement." She poured herself a small glass of champagne before an uncaring bar tender.

" Perhaps I should consult your methods, though I have yet to learn your name."

" Failed to place me, have you? Well worry not, your problem is about to be solved." She said, gesturing just over his shoulder at the approaching couples.

" Arty, darling, you seem to be one step ahead of me. I had intended to introduce Miss McCabrian myself this evening. Don and Genevieve you have already been introduced to." Mrs. Fowl clasped her thin hand around Artemis' arm and he politely shook hands with the girl's parents, both of whom were knowingly smiling at him.

" Artemis Fowl, still taking over the industry ten giant steps at a time? We had best be careful Art, or the next generation will have the business and all we'll have left is light reading and golf. Celine seems to have inherited my air for a good hostile takeover." The girl's father beamed down at her, pride glowing in his eyes. Artemis recognized the look as belonging to his own father from time to time. Now it would seem he could put a face with a long quite adversary.

" Miss McCabrian, a pleasure to meet you." Artemis bent to kiss the young woman's hand after a small nudge from his mother. He knew more of this girl than his mother was aware.

" Arty, I am sure it must be getting dreadfully boring surrounded by all of us decrepit old folk. Why don't you escort Celine for a nice breather around the property?" A true master at tact, his mother.

" Of course, would you favor me with a walk Miss McCabrian?" Her eyes glinted with a detectable hint of enmity. This of course, only intrigued him more.

" I would be delighted Mr. Fowl." She replied with a sly look.

" Delightfully well done, I must say." Artemis exclaimed as he stepped out onto the veranda. Celine looked at him in mock innocence and he had to admit he was very, very intrigued by this girl. Wit was so sparse these days, especially amongst the gene pool of the upper society.

" I you are implying that I there was any hidden motive in my seeking you out I am thoroughly appalled. My only intent was to..." She was cut off short but took it with a graceful smirk and a narrowing of eyes.

"-Test the waters. I am not at all unfamiliar with the method of testing ones opponent before going head to head. After all, if you had not made the first move that would have been at the top of my agenda for the evening. Especially with that clear display our parents put on." He deadpanned. She may have beaten him to the figurative punch but he refused to take it lying down.

" Testing the waters, how appropriate, presumably for sharks. Business can be a truly ugly thing when brought from the fishpond to the precarious waters of the ocean, can't it? I certainly hope you never find yourself floundering, Mr. Fowl. Now, if you will excuse me." With ought a glance behind she stepped inside and back into the throng of people. Interesting, interesting indeed.

The shameless tone of a half hidden cell phone woke him from a dreamless slumber, immediately setting him in a vile mood. Pulling himself from the sheets he searched the dark for his suit jacket. Spotting it on the floor he searched the pocket and answered gruffly.

" If this is in any way not related to matters of extreme importance I am going to turn off this phone and hunt you down in the proper hours of the morning."

" Arty, I am afraid I am a dead man anyway. After all ill news brings ill reception. Now, down to business." The young man on the line allowed a small chuckle to escape at the truth of the clichéd statement.

" Seamus, it is four thirty in the morning."

" Right, so I'll go strait to it. We've been bought out." There was a healthy pause before Artemis Fowl the second jumped from his perch on the bed to his corner table. Retrieving the remote he turned on the screen facing him. He made sure it was connected to his accounts and stock holdings at all times. His mouth dropped at the figures that jumped onto the screen.

" It would seem that our fifty percent holdings in StatCom have reverted to fifteen. The one who bought us out holds fifty and the other thirty-five have been distributed amongst the chairs. I know you told me not to put those on the open market but they doubled in value and I thought I could pull them after the party. When I got home they were gone." Seamus was nearly frantic on the other end. Artemis narrowed his eyes at the screen for a moment as he turned the figures around and around in his head. To pull this kind of maneuver it would require millions.

" Did you happen to come across the name of the buyer?" Artemis asked as an afterthought as he desperately sought a way out of this paper bag.

" Anonymous offer." Who had those kinds of resources and had managed to fly under his radar as a potential buyer. Reality bit as his mind liked the puzzle pieces together. Celine McCabrian.