A/N: OK! Finally the long awaited…HALF CLIMAX mwuahahahahah I'm soooo evil. No but really I promise I'm done torturing you…almost. I'm really still massively unsure about Rain Drops for Tears, I'm gunna need some more opinions. I do believe that we only have…eh 2 chapters left? I don't know…short term memory loss, have fun.
Wait! No! First! I got nit picked, soooo I have to retaliate!
Identitycrisis: I'll let you get away with nit picking my ritual, though I must admit, I don't remember that rule. However, I must smush your hit against Holly entering without permission :flash from the past: Chapter 4 You Put A Spell On Me: Holly followed Artemis to the car and seated herself next to him as he motioned for her to do. "We can drop you off at your residence if you'd like. However as my partner, I extend an invitation to stay at the Manor to you."
If a call for help can be considered an invite that certainly can. She can't very well stay there if she doesn't enter, plus he said he'd show her to her room. :felt need to back up with more evidence: so in conclusion, ritual mebe, enter w/o permission no.
Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
"For the last time, it was the only hotel with an available room Holly; don't be all huffy just because of the hotel's name…and the fact that they called you my wife…and the box of… 'items' in the dresser drawer…and the one bed per room policy…" Artemis stopped talking as Holly's face turned a color to rival Commander Root.
"That was by far the worst night of my entire life! Artemis are you aware that you roll, A LOT?" She screeched at him. Artemis swore he saw steam blow out of her cute pointed ears.
"I do not!"
"Well you did last night. I woke up at least THREE times being crushed by your big, stupid, mud man body!" Her face turned red again, but not out of anger.
"Well…….." Artemis didn't know how to respond to that…after all he'd never slept with anyone before. So…he made something up. "Well you snore!"
Holly looked outraged and turned fire in her eyes, toward Artemis. "I DO NOT!"
"Umm…Sir, Miss?" The poor petrified cab driver interjected. "We've arrived. Your fare is $12.06…please."
Artemis rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a Franklin, handing it to the man and getting out in what would be classified as a "dignified rage". Holly went to follow but in a horrendous act of male jerkiness, Artemis slammed the door in her face.
"Bastard." She opened the door and stormed past him, making sure to elbow him hard in the side as she marched up the steps to the large, lit-up building towering before them. Holly made sure to over-exaggerate the swing of her hips as she walked through the fountain display, mist clinging to her hair.
Artemis bore holes into the back of her head the whole way to their dressing room. "I hate girls."
Dressing Room, 20 mins to show
A lady with pink hair and cat-like eyes knocked on the door to Holly and Artemis' dressing room and called the 20 minute warning. They were to be the opening act for Sigmund and Freud, a popular Vegas act according to the hype.
Artemis looked through his bags and pulled out one manila folder. He had asked Juliet to pick the theme for their act since she knew more about American culture, having spent a year there wrestling. This would prove to be a bit of a mistake, well…sort of.
"Holly come over here and stop pouting." Artemis called over his shoulder as he opened the envelope.
Holly came over and smacked him in the back of the head, sitting down casually. "I'm not pouting."
"Sure." Mumbled Artemis. He pulled out the paper in the envelope and laid it down on the table. His eyes widened as he read it through. "I…I'll kill her."
Holly leaned in and looked at the paper. "Tell me this is a joke Artemis…she can't be serious."
The note read simply:
Hey Guys!
Well, since I'm the American culture expert I feel it's my need to introduce the cold, hard truth…and here it is.
Sex Sells
So my idea for the act is simply this: Flirt
Juliet
Ps. have fun you two, oh and I picked out the songs your act will be too
First: Holly will be the main magician her song will be Do You Believe in Magic
Second: Artemis this will be your turn to try to out-due Holly, you song is Superstition
Last: You will both really kick up the flirtation to the song Abracadabra
Artemis crumpled up the piece of paper and threw it over his shoulder, looking forlornly at the CD; he slumped down into a chair. "How are we going to come up with a whole new act in" He checked his watch "ten minutes."
Holly fiddled with the hem of her royal purple, knee high, dress. "I guess we'll just have to do her act." Her cheeks turned rosy for what must have been the billionth time since last night. "We don't have much of a choice…"
Artemis sighed and loosened his tie. "Yea…alright. We're smart we can get through this right? And, on the upside, if Juliet is right, our act should be a big hit."
Holly nodded just as the pink haired lady opened the door and told them they had to be on stage in 3 minutes. Artemis grabbed Holly's cage and one side of his trunk, Holly grabbed the other side, and they walked to the side stage.
"So…what's the plan Artemis?" Holly looked at him anxiously as the curtain rose and they were being announced.
Artemis glanced over at her, shrugged and winked. "Wing it, I guess." Then he walked out on stage, followed closely by a slightly nervous Holly.
The crowd roared with applause, the tink of glasses could be heard all around the room as people did shots before the act started. The announcer shook Artemis' hand and kissed Holly's then exited quickly.
Artemis took Holly's hand and bowed, pulling a scarf out of his pocket and setting it over their hands. "Hello and welcome." He said like always and yanked the scarf off; releasing Holly's hand as her namesake dove came fluttering out. Holly settled onto Artemis' shoulder and the music started up, Holly taking center stage by pushing Artemis to the side.
'You can do this Holly, just have fun…don't think so much.' She brought her hands up to chest level and clapped them together, when she pulled them apart, marbles were orbiting around a tiny silver hoop. She grinned over at Artemis and he visibly glared back, walking over and behind her, putting his hands on hers. Holly stiffened and blushed, the marbles spinning faster as Artemis pushed her hands back together. He made a movement that to the audience would look like he kissed her neck and whispered quickly in her ear "Make them disappear, and loosen up." Holly did as he said and he let go of her, the marbles gone, but not the hoop.
'Loosen up eh? You got it.' She smirked and levitated the hoop up above her head, stretching it out and making it hover over Artemis. The crowd oohed and ahhed as she brought the hoop down over Artemis and tightened it so he couldn't move his arms. She walked over seductively and walked right past him, her hand trailing across his cheek, making his gaze follow her around in a circle. Artemis had to mentally admit, Holly was a good actress.
Holly walked a ways away from Artemis and turned around winking at him; she pulled out a deck of cards and made them fly everywhere. 52 card pick up it looked like, but Holly waved her hands over them and they started orbiting Artemis, he tried to walk out of them, but they followed and Holly giggled.
The music that designated Holly's act drawled to a close and she clearly pouted, calling the cards back and making them disappear, to later be found in the pockets of some lucky people in the crowd. Artemis smiled as she came over and lifted the hoop off him, pretending to kiss his cheek quickly.
The next song started up and Artemis was quick to drag out his trunk and take out a few random items. Holly watched, tapping her foot and yawning, making the crowd laugh. Artemis took her hand and twirled her around into his arms, smiling his vampire smile. His hand slipping down and resting on Holly's rear, which earned him a nice red hand print on his cheek. 'At least it amused the crowd.' Holly glared and Artemis shrugged, helping her into the trunk. Holly lay down and Artemis closed the trunk and locked it, he then sat on it and pretended to file his nails. The crowed once again roared with laughter and applause as Holly pounded on the trunk, making Artemis bounce up and down.
A few seconds and the pounding stopped, Artemis got up looking confused and opened the trunk; Holly wasn't there. He showed the empty trunk to the audience and they gasped. While Artemis looked around the stage, throwing swords and other things that hovered in mid-air and danced around as if they were alive, the crowd began to titter with giggles and whispers.
Holly turned toward the stage and put her fingers to her lips as she snuck up behind Artemis and pinched his bum, immediately disappearing. Artemis spun around and shrugged, the audience laughing as Holly appeared behind him and began to mock him. 'This is rather fun' she thought, biting her lip to keep from giggling.
Artemis' music came to an end too and Holly sulked, disappearing and reappearing above Artemis' head. He looked up and laughed. He pointed to the ground and she got down, crossing her arms over her chest. The last song started up. 'This is the finale, got to step it up.' They both thought.
I heat up, I can't cool down
My situation goes 'round and 'round
'Round and 'round and 'round it goes
Where it stops nobody knows
Every time you call my name
I heat up like a burnin' flame
Burnin' flame full of desire
Kiss me baby, let the fire get higher
Abra-abra-cadabra
I want to reach out and grab ya
Abra-abra-cadabra
Abracadabra
Holly turned toward Artemis, a sultry look in her eyes. Artemis went to seize her but a wall of flame sprung up between them, Holly's doing. Artemis looked hurt and tried to make his own wall of fire but only managed to get a small flame to appear on the tip of his finger. Holly snickered and the crowd applauded, at least the female half of the crowd. This was turning into more of girls vs. guys, than flirtation. Oh well.
You make me hot, you make me sigh
You make me laugh, you make me cry
Keep me burnin' for your love
With the touch of a velvet glove
Abra-abra-cadabra
I want to reach out and grab ya
Abra-abra-cadabra
Abracadabra
I feel the magic in your caress
I feel magic when I touch your dress
Silk and satin, leather and lace
Black panties with an angel's face
Artemis doused the flames with water that came magically out of his ear and grabbed Holly 'round the waist, pulling her close. Artemis spoke the word abracadabra loudly and made Holly disappear. He then made flames appear in his palms like a goblin and out of the flames flew two white doves. One appeared to explode over the crowd raining confetti; the other perched on the shoulder not occupied by Holly, and nuzzled his neck.
I see magic in your eyes
I hear the magic in your sighs
Just when I think I'm gonna get away
I hear those words that you always say
Abra-abra-cadabra
I want to reach out and grab ya
Abra-abra-cadabra
Abracadabra
Every time you call my name
I heat up like a burnin' flame
Burnin' flame full of desire
Kiss me baby, let the fire get higher
Artemis snapped his fingers and the dove nuzzling him turned into his auburn haired partner, spitting feathers and looking annoyed. 'Now for the final trick.' Artemis and Holly separated to opposite sides of the stage, a back curtain rising as they took their places. Behind the curtain was a huge cage and in the cage were Sigmund and Freud's white tigers. The crowed was awe struck, how could these two amateurs get permission to use the famous tigers?
I heat up, I can't cool down
My situation goes 'round and 'round
I heat up, I can't cool down
My situation goes 'round and 'round
I heat up, I can't cool down
My situation goes 'round and 'round
Holly and Artemis raised their arms and just as the music ended, a loud bang and a flash of light blinded the spectators. When the flash subsided, Holly and Artemis were center stage, hand in hand. They bowed quickly and ran off-stage, two stripped kittens left in their place. The crowed went crazy and Holly drug Artemis back out for a second bow.
The viewers whistled and yelled and cheered, throwing flowers and coins on stage which Artemis and Holly gathered up with magic, Holly (the dove) helping to get a few things. As they walked back off stage, Holly taped Artemis' shoulder. Sucked into the air of euphoria by the cheers, and with Juliet's act theme in her head, Holly leaned up on her tip-toes and kissed Artemis softly on the lips, blue sparks escaping her fingers against her will.
Wolf whistles and excited oohs were heard from the crowd and Holly suddenly realized what she was doing. Pulling away and running off stage, she left Artemis dumb-struck, center stage, beet-red.
A/N: mwuahahahahahahahaha I told you I'd give you some real solid fluff and tension. R&R, and for though who haven't given their opinions on Rain Drops for Tears, GIVE YOUR OPINION! Next chapter…sometime….