Hold Me
Chapter 7: The Talent Show
Mulch::glances around furtively: I really shouldn't be here, as the LEP are on a red alert for me right now, but the authoress made me. :whimper: She told me to play this recording of her for you. :presses play button:
(silence) OHMIGOD I'm really really really sorry about the late update. Anyways, here are the answers to your reviews.
Voice of the Nine day Watch: You're the only person who voted! Well Thank you! And here's Mulch. :)
KageRyu101: I'm sorry for all the cliffies I'm giving you. And I'm extra sorry that this chapter is so late!
ladeeda22:Thanks!
James: I wrote more, but not very soon. Sorry about that!
AgiVega: Thanks for accepting my pics! Please update your story soon!
DETERMINEDperfectionist: Yes, poor Holly, but at least now she has a servant!
cocoaducks:Thanks!
akuweaselgirl:Thank you!
Butlers Dad: I'll try to put in more fluff!
tania15:Yes, I am quite addicted to putting in cliffhangers.
And there we go, the last of the reviews. Oh yes, and I own nada except for the plot. Now back to Mulch here...(recording stops)
Mulch: And so there is all you need to know. Now on with the story::quickly disappears:
Holly groaned. This copier was taking forever! It was the last day of service to Foaly, and he was making it the most boring and patience-trying day of all. At least, she reflected moodily, after today I'll have a servant of my own. Finally the copier beeped, announcing it was done. As Holly loaded the one thousand, two hundred, and fifty five fliers she had copied for Foaly onto the hover trolley. As she loaded them, she took the chance to see what the flier was about. Holly's face lit up when she saw that it was for the 1000th Annual LEP Talent Show. And since it was a millennium, Foaly, who was the head organizer, had promised something special.
Holly had participated in it for every year that she was in the LEP, and she always carried off at least one of the awards. The Talent Show was actually where the Academy Awards had originated. There were awards like Weirdest, Cutest, Most Humorous, Most Creative, Best All Around, etcetera, etcetera.
Holly quickly finished loading the papers and told the hover trolley to go back to Foaly's office, while she flew speedily behind it. What should she do this year, she wondered, unconsciously controlling her Hummingbirds.
:In the Ops Booth:
Foaly soon saw the hover trolley whiz around the corner and skid to a stop outside his door. Foaly pressed the button to allow it in. Holly came flying in a few seconds later. "All one thousand two hundred fifty-five fliers here," she said.
"Good," Foaly replied, "Now you can deliver all of them. Oh, and don't forget to take one for you and Artemis."
Holly stared at him, mouth wide open. "You're kidding. You want me to deliver fliers personally to every single LEP officer?"
"That's exactly what I want you to do. Preferably now, not tomorrow."
Holly growled in frustration at the fact that there was no choice, she had to do it. Otherwise, Beetroot would have her badge in a second.
Delivering the fliers would take a long time. Not to mention the fact that the main LEP building covered 968,351 square feet of ground. And that the offices of seven hundred and forty two LEP fairies were scattered all around it. And the part where the other half of the LEP was all the way across Haven. Which is about, oh, one hundred kilometres.
Finally Holly got it done. It took around eight hours to do it, and it didn't help that Chix was tagging around her most of the time trying to engage her in a conversation about getting together for the Talent Show. Of course, Holly won.
When she got home to her house, she couldn't be happier to just plop on the her sofa and sleep there forever. She didn't even want to walk to her bedroom. Unfortunately for her, her peaceful reverie was broken by a voice she knew well.
"Sleep well?" a sarcastic voice asked.
Holly groaned. "Don't wake me up Artemis, I'm too tired," then she sat up with a start. What was Artemis doing in her house?
"So you're finally up. As you are probably wondering why I am in your house, Foaly told me that he couldn't find a place for me, as there aren't any places for sale or for rent. Therefore, he sent me to live with you. I trust you don't mind me using your spare room, as I slept in it last night, and that's where I will probably be staying for a while."
Holly was speechless. First, Foaly made her deliver a gazillion fliers all over the LEP. And now she had to live with Artemis Fowl! "OOOOHHH that Foaly! He's such a bas-"
Artemis cut her off quickly before she could say more. "Foaly said also to remind you that all contestants for the Talent Show audition in three days, which is next Monday."
Holly relaxed. "All right then, I'd better start getting ready."
"What are you doing?" Artemis asked, his curiosity aroused.
A/N: So, should I leave you at a cliff hanger? But then again, I promised that this chapter would be the Talent Show. Go on, go on...
"Singing," Holly replied.
:At the LEP auditions:
"Next!" Foaly yelled, massaging his temples. A whole day of watching bad acts. So far, he had only given twenty out of two hundred the approval for the Talent Show and their rehearsal schedules.
Holly walked in confidently. She was positively sure she would get in. "I'm singing," she stated shortly (no intended pun!) and slapped her video disk on Foaly's desk. Foaly popped the disk into the player and laid his finger on the play button. "Whenever you're ready," he said.
Holly nodded, and Foaly started playing it. Holly took a deep breath, then started to sing. She had a lovely voice, and usually people loved to listen to it.
When you walk away
You don't hear me say
Please, oh baby
Don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go
You're giving me
Too many things
Lately, you're all I need
You smiled at me
And said
Don't get me wrong I love you
But does that mean I have to meet your father?
When we are older you'll understand
What I meant when I said no,
I don't think life is quite that simple
When you walk away
You don't hear me say
Please, oh baby
Don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go
The daily things
That keep us all
Busy, All confusing me
That's when you came to me
And said
Wish I could prove I love you
But does that mean I have to walk
On water?
When we are older you'll understand
It's enough when I say so
And maybe some things are that simple
When you walk away
You don't hear me say
Please, oh baby
Don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go
Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before
When you walk away
You don't hear me say
Please, oh baby
Don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go
Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before
Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before...
As Holly's voice slowly faded away, Foaly was amazed. Holly had the best act so far. Even better than the first one, a gnome playing a techniquely challenging yet beautiful ancient song written in the days of Frond honouring The Book on the allasias, the fairy population's most renowned instrument (Quite like the Mud Man's violin, except more refined.)."You're in," he told her immediately.
Holly's face was wreathed in glee. This year she'd aim to get five awards and beat the former record for most awards by one person. A certain Julius Root had gotten four awards just eight years ago.
Foaly handed her the pass to the rehearsal room and her rehearsal schedule. "Here's your rehearsal schedule and your pass. You rehearse tomorrow at seven pm, next Friday at noon, next Saturday at eight am, and all of the week after next you are to report to the Frond Centre Auditorium at ten am for a complete run-through. Next next Saturday is the show. All rehearsals are forty five minutes except for the run-throughs. Got it?"
Holly nodded and replied, "Got it," as she walked out of the audition room.
:An Hour Before the Show:
"Remind me again why I have come with you to this Talent Show?" Artemis asked for the millionth time as Holly speeded through the streets of Haven in her Hummingbirds with Artemis safely (then again, maybe not very safely) clipped on to her Moonbelt, along with all of her things needed for the rehearsal. Like her dress, hair gel, makeup, brush, extra copy of her music, etc, etc. Did I mention they were bumping into our dear Arty and giving him bruises?
Holly growled through gritted teeth, "I told you, because Foaly needs extra technical help after one of his technicians screwed up his job and so he's short on help and he needs things fixed. And if you don't comply, well then I hope you can comply with being a ward of the state. Back in Mud Land. Understood?"
Artemis decided to stay silent. Besides, they were already there.
The Frond Aud, as most of the LEP affectionately called it (not Beetroot or Vinaya though) was a bustle of activity. Foaly was in the centre trying to control it. "Where are you going with that light?" "Someone plug in the sound system!" "Where's help when you need it?"
Holly pushed through the (mildly) organized chaos dragging Artemis behind her. Finally she made it to the extremely large greenroom. She dumped Artemis in and told him firmly, "Stay in here, while I go change." Artemis sat back in one of the numerous sofas as Holly went off to one of the bathrooms conveniently connected to the greenroom to prepare.
Artemis looked around his surroundings, trying to find something of interest. Meanwhile, Holly had finished changing and was admiring herself in the mirror. She had seen herself in the dress only two times before, and she'd never really taken a good look. It was a deep forest green, with lime coloured trimmings. It went off the shoulder and had scalloped edges. The sleeves went just a little past her elbow, and were made of a thin veil-like material. It went all the way past her feet to lie in soft folds on the floor. She quickly gelled her hair to remain in place and fixed a barrette shaped like a holly leaf in her hair. She then applied a little lipstick and face powder and was set to go. "What do you think?" She asked Artemis as she walked out of the bathroom.
Artemis looked up and was momentarily stunned. "You look great," He commented smoothly.
"Good then, now go help Foaly," She ordered with a twinkle in her eyes.
:At the Beginning of the Talent Show:
Foaly walked up to the stage and took the mike. "Hello LEP officers, and welcome to the Annual! L! E! P! TALENT SHOW!" He yelled, and was answered back by a resounding cheer from the crowd. Foaly looked at them with satisfaction. The talent show was also sort of a dinner affair, so, instead of the usual row-by-row seats in the audience Foaly had organized for restaurant dinner tables (complete with roses in the middle) to be placed all around the floor. All the LEP officers that were not in the show sat around them munching on whatever they had ordered from the menu or sipping a nettle smoothie or two. And he had reserved a table just for our little pair, Artemis and Holly. Of course, only Artemis was sitting at it right now.
Foaly continued on with the introductions. "Introducing your host for the evening, Julius Root!"
The LEP commander walked- or should I say, stalked onto centre stage and pulled Foaly's pointy ears. "What did I tell you about calling me Julius!" he roared. He then let go, leaving Foaly to nurse an injured ear. Root then turned to the audience, smiling broadly like nothing had happened. "Now then," he said pleasantly, voice dripping with honey, "As soon as this donkey-" shooting a sharp glance at Foaly "gets out of the way, we'll start with the first act. Introducing Chix Verbil, doing the..." he stopped for a moment peering closely at his paper. "the... Whimentrakshiondanzofzeverbillmann?" He guessed questioningly. (A/N Speedy update for anyone who can guess what that's supposed to mean!) Shrugging, he walked off stage to see an Extremely Weird Looking Chix Verbil stride onstage wearing...a hula skirt and coconut bra! Laughter erupted from the audience. As Chix Verbil started doing his stuff, Foaly sighed with relief. The Talent Show was finally off its feet.
Meanwhile, Holly, backstage was fretting. Would she do okay? What if she hit a sour note? What if she messed up? What if... finally, numerous acts after Chix's, Julius announced, "And next up...Holly Short, singing Simple and Clean by Hikaru Utada!" Holly checked that her clip-on mike was securely in place, and walk onstage. Foaly started playing the music, and Holly's fears slid away. She had done this before. She was fine!
Meanwhile, Artemis in the audience was getting bored...how could he have let Holly drag him into coming?
And then he heard the first lovely notes of Holly's singing...
When you walk away
You don't hear me say
Please, oh baby
Don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go
Artemis was spellbound. Holly had a flawless voice. Who could have known that this was the same voice that had shouted threats at him when she was tapped in a cell when Artemis had first kidnapped her? He looked up at the stage and unconsciously thought, She's beautiful... Then mentally slapped himself. What was he thinking? You do not like Holly, He told himself sternly. Of course, a little voice in his head just had to protest that, Why not, And she's just your type, and how she's really pretty and she's possibly the only girl you've ever talked to other that Juliet and Mother... He shook his head. Shut up! Yet somehow, he half wanted to side with the voice...OH, Bad Arty, BAD ARTY! He mentally yelled at himself.
He sighed and decided to just sit back and listen to the rest of the song.
You're giving me
Too many things
Lately, you're all I need
You smiled at me
And said
Don't get me wrong I love you
But does that mean I have to meet your father?
When we are older you'll understand
What I meant when I said no,
I don't think life is quite that simple
When you walk away
You don't hear me say
Please, oh baby
Don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go
The daily things
That keep us all
Busy, All confusing me
That's when you came to me
And said
Wish I could prove I love you
But does that mean I have to walk
On water?
When we are older you'll understand
It's enough when I say so
And maybe some things are that simple
Artemis mused over the lyrics. Interesting choice of song, when it didn't seem that Holly had ever had a lover in her life, not even someone close to even just a boyfriend. But then again, you never know...Wouldn't it be interesting to be her first lover? whispered the annoying little voice. The lyrics might refer to you... Artemis slammed a door in his head. Stupid voice!
When you walk away
You don't hear me say
Please, oh baby
Don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go
Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before
When you walk away
You don't hear me say
Please, oh baby
Don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go
Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before
Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before...
Holly's voice faded away to applause. Slightly breathless, she bowed and walked off stage to sit next to Artemis at their little reserved table... "Did you like it?" she asked Artemis.
"Um yeah, it was very...nice..." Artemis stammered, caught off guard.
Holly smiled. "Good, I like to please the crowd." Was it just her, or did Artemis look kind of cute with his cheeks flushed and his hair sort of messy? As she realized what she just thought, she immediately stuck a wall there...No! She would not go there... Or will you? The same annoying voice whispered in her ear...
Finally, the Talent Show was over. All the contestants had finished...but yet, Foaly didn't seem to be done. He galloped onstage, skidding to a halt at the centre. "Hello again LEP officers! You may be thinking that the Talent Show is over, but like I said in the flier, there remains to be shown my little Special Surprise bit...And don't forget the Awards! But first, the little special bit...For a few years, a Mud Man by the name of Artemis Fowl, which you are probably familiar with, will be living with us in Haven."
Artemis felt a little queasy. He didn't like the sound of this...
"-because he owes us quite a bit for us taking him in, I have decided, he should do a little payback. I have run a search on his records and found that he has quite an interesting hobby...Artemis Fowl, come up to the stage and show us your skill in...DRUMROLLL PLEASE! Artemis Fowl the Second will give us a display of his RIVER DANCING!"
Artemis suddenly wanted to hide. Where had Foaly found out that his mother had forced him into taking river dance seven days a week ever since he was five? Then again, Foaly could find almost anything...But that didn't cancel the fact that he, Artemis Fowl the Second, DID! NOT! LIKE! RIVER DANCING! PERIOD! But the whole LEP was looking at him now with silent, staring eyes. Suddenly Root broke into laughter. "Artemis the child prodigy RIVER DANCING? HAHAHAHAHHAHA!" His bellows could be heard all around the Aud...
"Geniuses don't river dance!" Artemis protested weakly as Holly shoved him on the stage. Who knows? The traitorous voice whispered with a giggle. Holly might think it's kind of cute... As Foaly started playing the music, his traitorous body started dancing automatically... The little voice was right though. As Artemis hopped and clacked around the stage, he did look kind of cute, with his hair flopping in his eyes and his face red with embarrassment. It made quite a funny picture and the whole LEP laughed. Finally it was over and Artemis bowed and walked off the stage, trying to recover what was left of his dignity. Holly giggled when she saw his despairing face.
"Have a good time?" she teased.
"Do I look like I've had a good time?" Artemis demanded.
"Frankly, you don't," Holly giggled.
They both settled back in their seats to watch the rest of the show.
Then the bomb struck.
A/N: Muahaha, evil cliffy! Read and Review please!