Sunday

Ahhh,the first day on the job. Simetra breathed in the clean, pine-fresh scent of the wood cleaner she was using to polish the grand piano in the music room. As she made her way to the top of an elegantly curved leg, her hand accidently plonked the keys. It jolted her from her weird cleaning mode as the notes lingered in the air. Hesitantly,she pressed the keys lightly, remembering a song from not so long ago.She sat down on the leather piano bench, breathing in the pine and old wood smell, hands unconsciously moving up and down, waiting.Simetra hummed the tune softly, deft fingers picking up the melody and harmony, which melded together to form a beautiful, if somewhat depressing, song.

We are the ones that try and fail

We are darkness, we are the sin

We cling to our problems and flail

Through the light that flows out and in

Trying so hard not to break under strain

Treated like the whore I am, dead inside

We're the ones who lie down and take the blame

We wanna leave to run, to fa-

Simetra was broken out of her dream world by her watch alarm going off. "Crap,"she breathed, picking up the various cleaners and putting them back in their places while she hurried down to the kitchen. Sheturned the corner to the grand staircase. Simetra then had an idea. Looking around to make sure that Artemis and Butler were not around (Mr. and Mrs. Fowl were at a business meeting for the day), she sprinted the last couple of feet to the banister. Simetra sat on it and gave herself a great push. She spiraled down, giggling madly as air whooshed through her ears. At the bottom, she jumped a few feet and landed, not breaking stride as she raced to save her sea food casserole.

She walked up the stairs delicately, balancing a tray with both hands, attempting to find Artemis' favorite place: the study. Eventually,she got tired and leaned against a random door, letting out a surprised squeak when it pushed open. Luckily, her lack of balance was being lenient and she only ended up slopping some of the Earl Grey tea out of its full teapot. After she regained her composure, she realized that Artemis was sitting on one of the large, comfortable looking chairs, watching her. Simetra sat up busily, blushing somewhat.

"Are you usually this clumsy?" he askedin a bored tone, his amazing blue eyes flashing with amusement before resuming their nornal, penetrating gaze. She blushed a little harder, even though his remarks made her a little irritated.

"Actually, I was trying to find my way here. Apparently I.. found it. And you."

"Apparently. What are you doing trying to find me anyway?"

"Well, your mother would like me to try and befriend you. Or at least keep you from becoming a hermit."

"Are you usually this blunt?" This time, Simetra was ready with an answer.

"Actually, yes I am. Which is a problem at times since my mouth seems to like running and pulls me with it." The corners of his mouth twitched, which launched her into a full grin. Suddenly remembering lunch, Simetra offered the tray to him, hoping the casserole was still warm. "Do I have permission to sit, Master Fowl?" she asked sweetly, fluttering her eyelashes dramatically. This time it is he that blushes.

"Of course," he mumbled, almost incoherently.

She grinned again, skipping to a chair that is right next to the one Artemis was currently residing on. She placed the tray on a nearby stand.

"Miss Cludet, I hardly think this is a skipping matter. I also think that this entire situation is meddling in my affairs and that befriending you will hardly do me any good."

"You're cocky, aren't you? First of all, please call me Simetra or Artemis, just not Miss Cludet. It makes me sound like an old spinster. Second, what affairs? I know you're a genius and all that, but what could you possibly do that's so important you haven't made any room for your peers? Third, how would you know if befriending me would do you any good or not? You've never had any other firends, have you? Last, it's not like your mother and father just picked a random stranger. I'm completely qualified for what I do and since they knew that they wanted whatever teenage maid they hired to become friends with you, they hired a genius."

"You are a genius?" Artemis leanedforward, interested now. "Tell me, what fields do you study?" Simetra giggled at the sudden interest and got up as if to leave.

Before she walked out the door, however, she turned and said, "By the way, you should probably each lunch before it gets too cold. I promise we'll talk more about genius subjects tomorrow. Good-bye!" With that, she closed the door and made herway to the piano room, leaving Artemis dumbfounded. No one had ever walked out of his presence with a cheery good-bye to signify the ending of an almost non-existent conversation. He was intrigued.

URR! Foreshadowing/filler chapter. Well, at least I finally updated, huh? Next chapter coming out soon (hopefully next week). Sorry that it was so short, but it's late. Good-night!