"Artemis?" a high female voice practically sing song-ed as the boy genius slumped in his chair trying to stay hidden from the view from his mother. Not exactly the wisest move but Domovoi Butler wasn't exactly on his side this time.
His eyebrows furrowed together in a frown. He threw an angry glance at Domovoi who shrugged with a smile on his Caucasian face. Butler's dark suit was neat as usual, his guns not at all seen, it was all normal despite the fact the formal Artemis Fowl was wearing a baggy outfit and a cap with Nike emblazoned on the it.
"Arty, mummy just want to see you in your new clothes."
"Very well, mother," he mumbled angrily. "I don't see the point of having to, as you say, 'fit in' in this ludicrous idea of a school. Young geniuses indeed, preposterous. I do not even envision myself stepping foot on their grounds. I have one of the highest IQs in the world, why do I have to, as you say, 'mix', with 'friends' who are supposedly as smart as I?"
"You still use air quotes?" Juliet's voice rang through the living room. She ripped the top of the potato chip bag. "That is so old."
The Fowl heir mumbled something indecipherable, which sounded something like, "I don't even want to do it anyway," or, "Moronic, idiotic, unintelligent, dense.."
To Artemis Junior's surprise, his mother laughed her light, tinkling laugh instead of giving her disapproving gaze.
"Come Juliet, I have a little preposition for you." Artemis turned his head at a one hundred and eighty degree angle to see who was actually speaking. A preposition for Juliet? It was unheard of. Juliet to Angeline was an irresponsible teenager, not at all the person to make a preposition with. Artemis sighed, he may understand microbiology or nanotechnology but he would never understand women.
Juliet herself was nervous. She gulped many a time awaiting her fate. Unemployment? Impossible, she was extremely capable. Hygiene carer? Possible, but hardly worth her skills.
They seated themselves in the lounge. "Well…" Angeline began, "just to be direct."
Blue eyes widened. The Butler sister nodded. "Yes?"
"I need you in the school, I've discussed it with Timmy, they have several other openings for maids and we would like it very much for you to apply without the knowledge of the school board. It's all for Arty's safety really."
Juliet nearly heaved a sigh of relief. She thought it was unemployment after a little mishap in the kitchen, nearly setting Fowl Manor on fire.
"Sure Mrs. Fowl, I'll be glad too. But how am I supposed to guard him if I have to do chores for rich kids with high IQs?"
She opened her mouth to say more but was quickly interrupted by Angeline's gentle voice. "We can pay it through dear. Otherwise you can apply as a student. We can make sure you're in all of Artemis' classes. It would be suspicion evoking if a maid wasn't working. Oh, and another thing dear."
"Dear?" Juliet nearly choked. Angeline usually thought of her as a maid. She must really be desperate.
"Here's your application one for a student and another for taking that maid offer. Which will you pick?"
Juliet smiled. "Both."