Hallo hallo!
Dark Empress of Eternity: Eh? whatcha talking about! I agreed with you, just didn't see the damage till you pointed it out, which is why I ask for advice at the end of each chapter, so no harm done, still continuing, cept with more care to show Crystal clearly.
Anna's Pastime: lol, all righty, i'll take a deep breath and chill, I guess. writing's my little passion so i was really really freaking out, couldn't believe that i didn't see any Mary Sue in there at all. after i re read i was like. "Oh...CRAP." But I guess it's not as bad as I first thought. even Dar Empress said it was a minor thing, so no big deal.
Anyway, thanks for reviewing and giving your opinion, it does help.
CHAPTER II: Awkward Meetings
You would presume that such a meeting would leave a teenage boy at a loss for resources and ideas. This of course would happen if the teenage boy was a normal one, someone who did nothing more than wear away his thumbs on game systems and talk about rather dull uninteresting things to friends who were equally dull and did nothing more than wear away their thumbs on other game systems...
Artemis however, had other plans. As soon as the bell rang for the midday break, he walked purposefully towards the office with the a mind set on signing out and making his way back home.
Butler had not called back, as he was unable to during school hours, so little Arty was feeling a bit unsettled about the 'visit' Mikkael was supposed to have made to his parents in Paris.
Silently, he addressed the secretary sitting in an expensive yet uncomfortable looking office desk, hidden by towers of paper and files.
After a good 30 seconds of silence, he cleared his throat, making the aged woman finally look up past her spectacles, squinting mildly.
"Yes, young man? How can I help you?" she croaked, her voice sounding as fried as if she had taken an electric cord and stuffed it into her larynx.
Artemis resisted the urge to clear his throat again at the evil feeling wadding in his respiratory tube and said instead. "Uh.. I am not feeling very well and would like to contact my guardian in order to return home." he said slowly, trying not to focus on the woman's trembling earings hanging from long stretched earlobes.
"Oh." she said, breaking into a smile that desperately needed a dentist. "What a lovely vocabulary you have! Here's the phone, young man. Dial and then pass the phone to me so I know it's an adult, all right?" she said, her voice sounding like it might die at any moment.
Smiling hypocritically, Artemis took the phone and dialed, wondering how in god's name the woman managed to get the job, then again considering her age she probably got the job 20 years earlier when she didn't look like a mummified wad of wrinkles attempting to pass as a 40 year old.
The phone rang and on the second ring Butler picked up. "Hello?" he asked, sounding puzzled. No one other than the Fowl family had his number and they all had caller id on his cell.
"Butler, it's me. I need you to pick me up in about ten minutes." Artemis said quickly, seeing Crystal pass by the office, her eyes locked on a book in her hands.
He frowned, noting that she was walking with someone...
"Hurry up, all right? I have to go. Talk to the secretary. I'll see you in a moment." rather rudely, he handed the phone over to the secretary, making her cry out in surprise before dropping the thing.
"Oh! Oh my...uh...young man! Young man, wait!" she called, but Artemis was gone, out the door and into the stream of students, his eyes focused on the small girl walking along, a boy stood beside her. Every once in a while Artemis saw her glance in her companion's direction and say something, but he was too far to hear.
Frowning, and figuring he might as well he crept closer, pulling out his cell phone in case he had to lower his eyes to escape explaining why he was so close.
It seemed however that Crystal had no idea he was listening or watching, she was walking slowly, being passed by the other students more in a rush, earning herself heaps of evil glares that slid right off as she met their glare with calm gray eyes.
"Did you meet him then?" she said, glancing at the boy beside her.
He was taller than her, but not by much. He was looking to his right, light brown hair ruffled lightly by the wind of the courtyard that was beside the corridor.
"Yes." he replied, his voice equally accented as hers. "I suppose you could say that."
"I'd like to know what you mean." Crystal demanded, though calmly, closing her book with a snap. Artemis noted with a sinking feeling that it was a Da Vinci book...the one he had.
"I didn't actually say anything to him." he murmured, turning up the color of his black jacket slightly. He wore it loosely over his uniform, but even so it was a break of the school code... It was a surprise he still had it.
"Hmm." Crystal humed, sounding a bit disappointed. "I was counting on having some input on his conversation with you." she pointed out softly, as if she didn't want to offend the boy.
He in turn, glanced over at her, his face not the least bit offended... He looked almost like he had come out of a day dream.
"I am sorry..."
"What? No, don't apologize... it's all right.' she stuttered, then added. "I think I have all I need anyway."
"You're a horrible liar, dear Crystal." the boy said, a smile in his voice. The girl smirked and looked down at her book again, opening to the page she had left off on.
"I suppose... I'm an honest person at heart." she replied.
They stopped. Artemis turned around sharply and slipped behind a pillar, his back to it, listening intently.
"That, I know is true." the boy replied quietly. For a second they were silent, and Artemis knew she had nothing to reply with.
Then she said. "I'd appreciate it if you spoke to him next time, all right? I'm sure he'll make a link."
Her voice was wavering, uncertain, grasping to bring the conversation back to what was normal...
"Of course. I'll make sure I do so." the boy replied quietly, and their voices faded as they began to walk again.
Artemis frowned. Had he seen the boy? Had he met him at all?
He froze,a flash back memory of the sparring session in the morning coming to mind. It was not the least bit comforting to know he had indeed met him.
Sighing softly, he pushed from the pillar, catching sight of Butler driving into the parking lot.
With a growing dislike for the pair of cocky peers, he skipped down the steps, slipping his book bag over his shoulder before taking the car door.
"Artemis." Butler stated thinly as soon as he opened the door. "What happened? Where did you go?"
The boy restrained himself from grunting in reply and slipped into the car, putting his bag on the side.
"I saw her walking by talking to someone. Information on this girl is valuable, considering it's hard enough to come by. I had to get some first hand." he replied simply, settling back down and turning to look at his body guard, who was frowning slightly.
"You eavesdropped on her? Isn't that a little...?" Butler drifted off, trying to find the word.
"Wrong? Illigal? Rude?" Artemis provided thinly, smirking at the idea that Butler would tell him off for doing something that didn't seem right.
"No." his bodyguard murmured, rubbing his chin. "Paranoid, is more what I was thinking."
Artemis shot him a look and said calmly. "Nonsense. Now, if you please, I've to call Holly."
Butler smirked and nodded. "Right." he pulled out of the parking lot, and then began slowly.
"I called Juliet..."
Artemis drew back to him, dragging himself from his thoughts. "Oh? What did she say?"
"That, Mikkael did visit your parents." he murmured, watching the road with care.
Artemis stared. "And?" he asked impatiently.
Butler glanced at him, the word he had previously used coming to mind.
Paranoid.
"They're fine. He came, they went into your father's office in the hotel. They talked for about an hour, he came out, they came out and happily told her they were going to go to the spa at the other end of town..." He glanced at Artemis again.
"If there was any danger, I'm pretty sure Juliet would notice. She may not be me, but she is a Butler." he stated.
Artemis frowned, pinching the bridge of his nose in thought. "This is an interesting developement." He murmured.
"What if the girl is really just being friendly?" Butler enquired, giving him a slight look.
"You're not great at knowing what a friendly approach is, Artemis."
"I beg your pardon?" the boy snapped, turning to look at him sharply. "I know more knowledge on body movement and lying twitches than most counsellors do. I know enough." he stated, recalling all the books and several medical studies he had passed with flying colors.
"All right then, Artemis." the giant man muttered. It was an odd feeling to know that for the first time, Artemis didn't seem to be on top of things. Something had happened, he was sure. However, finding out what would be easier said than done.
"May I ask one question?" Butler said, attempting one way or the other to find the truth.
Artemis glanced at him and nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully all the while.
"What did she do, to make you so nervous?" he asked quietly.
The boy slowly turned to look at him, for all the world the calmest he had ever been.
"What do you mean?"
Butler sighed. "Never mind it..."
So Artemis didn't.
"Hm. It's odd, I'll admit." Holly murmured, her face a bit fuzzy from the weak connection.
Artemis leaned back on his chair. "I have a sinking feeling about this, as a matter of fact." he murmured. "She's planning something. That's what the impression is at least. And unless I have all the facts wrong, which is doubtful, then they're a danger to me."
Holly cocked her head. "I'm not so sure, Artemis. What if she's just curious? She said her curiousity is strong."
The irish lad sighed deeply and stood, feeling energy running through his body the way he did not know to handle.
"I know...and yet, I don't."
"You're going by feeling then? By vibe?' Holly enquired, cocking her head at the screen. Artemis let out a breath and admitted rather with a lot of difficulty.
"Yes..."
"Well then, go by instinct. What's the point of arguing it over?" She asked, making it sound like it was plain and simple.
Artemis let out a frustrated sound. "No, it's not like that Holly. My mind is denying that anything is wrong. My parents aren't in danger, and she's a girl for goodness sake-"
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!" Holly cried out sharply, eyes narrowing.
Artemis waved a hand. "I meant no offense, you know that. It's just... there's no reason for me to be unsettled or the least bit rivaled by her-"
"Yet you are." Holly put in, with a tad too smug a voice. She was enjoying the show. How vexing.
Artemis gave her a look that generally made people wince. She laughed it off.
"I think it might be her intelligence. By the way you reply the conversation, she kept you on your toes." Holly smirked. He had to withold rolling his eyes.
"Holly, that was hardly a conversation to test my mental abilities." he stated in a dead tone.
"Ah, but it made you think, didn't it? It confused, worried and made you think, something most people don't do." she stated.
"You do." Artemis pointed out sharply.
Holly laughed. "Oh, but I'm special, Mud Boy." she grinned. "I'm real speacial."
"Really special, Holly. If you're trying to be proud keep close to proper grammar." he muttered, bursting her bubble.
"Okay, mud boy. What else am I supposed to say? There's no other choices." Holly retorted, getting back to the point. Play time was over, it seemed.
"I know there are no other choices..." Artemis groaned, runninga hand through his hair. Unknowingly, he was doing something that Artemis Fowl the senior often tended to do when stressed.
"Then choose one." Holly snapped, deciding to point out yet another obvious thing.
Artemis looked up and said rather calmly. "I need more information in order to make a smart choice."
"Oh no, I am 'not' asking Foaly for a favour again. Last time he did, he depleted my pay check. All of it went to carrots and bettle juice!" she cried.
Finally letting himself roll his eyes Artemis sighed. "I'll buy it for him. I just need more information on her."
"All right all right." Holly mumbled weakly, typing something on the gnomish keys.
"I'll send you the information later then. I'd better go. I've a client coming in soon. I've to check out the case.
"All right. I'll talk to you later, Holly. Thanks."
"No problem, Mud boy. And stop being paranoid. It's not your style." with that last sentence the screen went dead.
Two paranoids in one day, by that point, he was starting to believe it.
Sighing, he pushed himself up, clicking a key on the keyboard as he did so.
The screen flickered to life again, showing camera shots of the manor... and a car driving in through the entrance.
"What..." he frowned, turning to the door and starting out.
He pressed an intercom key by the door, hearing his voice over the speakers all over the house.
"Butler, who is that coming into the grounds?" he enquired, and started out into the hallway, heading for the main foyer.
Butler's voice came over the speakers, answering quickly. "It's Master and Mistress Fowl, Artemis. They're home early."
Artemis sighed and opened the door to the house, looking out to the car as his father and mother climbed out, laughing, happy...
Nothing seemed to be the matter, however, Artemis was determined to figure out what might be going on. The feeling had yet to fade, despite all the evidence against it.
It wasn't often Artemis went by feeling. However, this was beginning to test him. He would not be defeated.
"Arty, darling! You're home early as well!" Angeline Fowl cried, coming up the steps to the door.
"Mother." Artemis replied warmly, returning the hug that she threw around him.
"Hello, son." Artemis senior said, patting him quickly on the back. "A lot of work, had to come back early." he replied, giving his son a smile.
Angeline took his arm as they walked towards the Parlor, laughing and talking.
"Oh, Paris was fabulous as always, Arty. The hotel was a wonder. I'm never going back to that other one again. The service was so much better."
Artemis walked beside them, studying for any signs of distress, of lying even, but none showed. Nothing even remotely so.
"I heard you had a business meeting there, father." Artemis put in, feeling a bit hasty at his doing so, but not wanting to waste any more time.
His parents blinked at him in slight surprise, though it was genuine and with no hidden emotions behind it.
"Always on top of everything, aren't you Artemis." his father smiled, nodding knowingly. "It's a good trait. And yes I did. Mikkael Lord, if you recall... How did you find out?"
They sat down on the sofas, a maid rushed in to put a silver tray down with lemonade and rushed right back out.
"His daughter approached me at school this morning.' Artemis explained calmly, studying the table thoughtfully. "She mentioned it."
"Oh, Crystal?" Angeline asked, taking a sip of her lemonade. "She's a darling, so sweet and gentle..." she murmured.
Artemis blinked at his mother, confused. Was it possible they were talking about a different person?
"Crystal?" he asked casually. Angeline laughed. "Well of course. If you spoke to her you must know! She's a darling. It's like she came out of a story book, she looks adorable, and her mannerisms are so sweet. It's so sad that she had to loose her older sister..."
Artemis Senior glanced sharply at his wife. Angeline gasped and put a hand to her mouth, looking like she had dropped something expensive. "Oh...my, I've gone and said too much."
Artemis looked calmly back at his father, who seemed to be in control of the situation. It was obvious he expected an answer to the little scene, and Artemis senior was not dense enough to try to cover it up.
He sighed. "Ah, Arty. Always knowing too much..." he muttered, taking a deep drink of the lemonade in his hand. Artemis the second had yet to touch his own.
"The Lord family has gone through a recent tragedy. Three months ago their eldest child was abducted and killed. Crystal witnessed the murder." He explained quietly, looking down at the cup.
"Mikkael is a dear friend of mine. While I was...gone...two years ago, he was safe keeping all of my business with him and with other companies. If anything, he is the only one outside of family who thought I would return...' he murmured.
Artemis carefully covered up his surprise. He had not looked deep into the things that his father did, at the order of his mother. So long as what he was doing was left untouched, Artemis the second could also go untouched and unscarred.
"When I came back and I cut off all my dealings with him, it was a blow to his economic status, however he was able to pull though, and in the last year seems to have stabalized his finances. He decided to follow our route as well, and joined me in cleaner business."
Artemis couldn't help but let his eyes widen in shock. So Crystal's family had been in contact with his for several years now and he had paid it no mind... However, it seemed for those several years she had been carefully studying him from afar. This was something he had not seen coming at all
Immidetly, thoughts of his fairy friends came to mind and he worried that she might know something... That that might be what she was so curious about.
Panicking, though in silence he looked steadily at his father, waiting.
"As you no doubt guessed, that did not go down well with those who he worked with, and they decided to take his daughter. They were initially going for Crystal... They took her sister intead. When the poliec refused to let Mikkael pay the price they asked for, they shot her."
Silence levelled over the room, as Angeline stared at her lemonade sadly.
"They held her hostage in her own home, and made Crystal watch...as a matter of fact, Mikkael says that the police have informed him that it's likely they forced her to pull the trigger... They might have drugged her. However, Crystal hasn't spoken of the matter at all since they got her out."
Artemis Senior looked at his son steadily. "She's a very fragile child, Artemis."
"Why are they here...?" Artemis asked instead, looking away. He recalled being rather harsh to her, and her smile...
"They have moved closer, in hopes of leaving behind the memory, and Mikkael was hoping that you might be able to reach out to his daughter a bit... You are the same age, and she's posed a rather insistent curiousity on you since he mentioned you three years ago. Had it not been for dangerous circumstances, I think you two would have met long ago."
Angeline nodded, and said. "I think it would be good for you to have a friend your age, Artemis."
The boy looked back and forth between his parents, trying to find something to day. But all that came was either rude or silly, so instead he said.
"All right." though he didn't mean it at all.
Angeline smiled and clapped her hands happily. "Wondeful! We can have them for dinner tomorrow evening then!"
Artemis felt his stomach drop. "Yes, great." he murmured, frowning at the table.
This was not at all what he expected.
This chappy was short and just a shove towards the plot. I am for forgiveness if it was too choppy, or boring or just plain bad.
Please R&R, give your opinion advice and all that is nice- stay away from flames, cuz they burn!
Thank ya all!
-White Scribe