Disclaimer: The characters of Jarlaxle, Entreri, the Underdark, Faerûn, the drow, and other aspects of Forgotten Realms are the creations of R.A. Salvatore. I seek not to steal from his creation but only to humbly expand. The character of Jarian however is my creation.

To say that Artemis Entreri was only a little enraged would be saying a volcano emits only a little lava during an eruption. Anger lurked within the assassin's being and it was not noticeable, save for a dangerous glint in his eyes and the fact it was radiating from his form like steam. Of course if you were on the streets of Waterdeep you would simply be steering clear of an angry woman, wondering why an equally outrageously dressed entourage was following her. Regardless, you would not get in either of their paths.

"Are we nearly there Artemis?"

Jarian was hoping for some kind of reply from an assassin. The silence was unnerving and he was starting to fear for Jarlaxle's life.

Kaifas shook his head and said to Jarian, "it would be best to let the assassin brood. I have heard that humans have different ways of dealing with anger."

"If only he would accept Master Jarian's comforts," Shytolin said sadly.

Maskah placed a hand on Shytolin's shoulder. "In due course perhaps that will come. Even the most stubborn of dams will break over time."

Entreri tried to ignore the drow. Inwardly he was glad that the disguise was not a physical manifestation. An illusion was a step up, but he shuddered to think of what he'd look like if he had to go to the washroom. It was not that Entreri was vain; he was rather attached to his gender.

The Unicorn's Horn came into view and Entreri quickened his pace. The Inn was adorned with brilliant banners of color and a magically illuminated sign that said, 'Welcome Friends and Patrons of Fashion.' He could hear Jarian gasp with delight and talk excitedly with his servants.

"If you four are done conversing about the 'pretty' colors, may we enter the Inn together?"

Jarian blinked. "You really think the colors are pretty?"

"I only repeat what I've heard," Entreri said before pointedly turning and walking to the Inn.

Jarian grinned and inwardly tallied Entreri's remark.

The Innkeeper of The Unicorn's Horn was a well-traveled man, worldly in every aspect of form. It took much to unnerve this slim, finely dressed man. Apparently Entreri's disguise was a bit 'much' and even he, a well-mannered gentleman, could not help but stare.

"How may I assist you Madame?"

Entreri gritted his teeth at the 'Madame' reference, but relaxed his jaw to say, "We are here for the Fashion Display. Our patron, Jarlaxle, will be here in the morning. We have a reservation here."

The Innkeeper's jaw hung slightly slack after hearing Entreri's words.

Jarian wondered about the strange behaviors of humans, until he realized that he failed to mention something to Entreri about his disguise. He whispered to Entreri, "oh yes, I forgot to mention that your voice is still that of a male human."

"What!" Entreri hissed back in slight shock and his hand edged to his sword. This action was making the Innkeeper nervous and it would not help in his plan to hurt Jarlaxle immensely. Granted it did fuel his rage tenfold, but a scene would only delay the pain.

Turning to the Innkeeper, Entreri made his voice higher pitched as he placed a pouch of gold on the counter. "A thousand pardons, I've caught a bit of the virus going around." He coughed into a silver sparkled handkerchief that Jarian handed him. "Dreadful illness, affects the throat."

Jarian piped up, "She normally has a lovely singing voice!"

Entreri glared at Jarian, making him cringe. His servants were wisely staring at the floor, suppressing smiles under the cowls of their cloaks.

"I. . .see," the Innkeeper said, absently straightening his collar. "Forgive my lack of composure, I shall send bottles of our finest wine to your room as an apology." He handed over a set of golden keys. "These are for your suite. We have only the best for your patron. I believe your security detail has already settled into the surrounding rooms."

With a snap of the Innkeeper's fingers a servant bowed before the group. "Take them to their suite and do be sure that our finest wine is delivered to their room straight away," the Innkeeper said to the servant. He watched them walk away and mumbled, "I hope she's not contagious." He experimentally cleared his throat, making a note to see a healer. . .just in case.

Maskah, Kaifas, and Shytolin were having a tough time suppressing their laughter. Their shoulders shook with mirth after hearing the Innkeeper's mumbled words.

Upon entering the suite Maskah coughed and Kaifas smirked offering him a handkerchief.

In a high-pitched voice Maskah replied, "Oh, why thank you. I have a dreadful illness." He switched his voice to a deeper tone, "it affects my throat."

"I'm sure wine will ease your pain," Kaifas said dramatically hugging onto Maskah.

Shytolin clapped at the display. "Bravo! Such a delightful portrayal! Do you think Jarlaxle will enjoy that Master Jarian?"

Jarian's eyes sparkled in amusement.

Entreri's eyes glinted like a sword in the moonlight. "Jarlaxle will not live to see that performed. You will all prepare for bed. I am going to sit right here and deal with Jarlaxle accordingly." He sat in a chair, folded his arms, and stared at the door.

"Artemis," Jarian said gently, "you cannot kill Jarlaxle over such a trivial matter."

Entreri continued his stare at the door. "I can and I will."

"But-"

"Good night Jarian."

Jarian shifted, he never expected the rage in a human's eyes to ever match that of a drow's. This fact however did not deter his physical attraction to Entreri. To Jarian Entreri still appeared as the assassin he adored, with a delicious darkness complimenting his desirability. "If you change your mind, there's always room in my bed for one more."

Entreri drew his sabre, but Jarian was swift and had already run out of the room. No matter, he would gain his vengeance.

Morning light gradually peeked through the clouds and gently shined against the Inn. To Entreri, the stray rays of sunlight that entered the room were shafts of light illuminating a vengeful darkness. He had not slept or even moved from the chair. He sat in the shadows, daggers at the ready, simply waiting.

Jarlaxle snuck into the Inn, a broad smile on his face. He was refreshingly satisfied as he secured a loose belt about his waist. "I do enjoy procuring information," he mumbled as he navigated his way to the suite.

He checked in with his guards and soldiers, pleased that the night went smoothly and amused at their description of Entreri.

"Oh please, he is always in a sour mood," Jarlaxle said with an easy grin. He suppressed a chuckle, imagining Entreri's reaction to the disguise. That was probably the reason why Entreri may have appeared extra-sour. Unfortunately for the assassin, Jarian had a reputation for making sour objects taste sweet.

Jarlaxle made his way to the room and opened the door. The room was dark, but this was not unusual since Jarian and his entourage were not as accustomed to the sunlight as some members of Bregan D'aerthe. The shutters were closed, but he did notice a delivery of wine at the door. He bent to pick up the bottles and a thump against the wall, where his head was, drew his attention.

He pulled a dagger out of the wall, "and good morning to you too Entreri. I take it that you are not a morning person?"

Jarlaxle bent down to move the other bottles out of the way and another dagger hit the wall. "Hmm, I will take that answer as a 'no' then."

"Those were warning throws," Entreri said as he stood. "Next time I will hit you."

Jarian and his servants awoke from their joint slumber because of the commotion and promptly crept to the closed door, intently listening in on the conversation.

"Why are you so hostile Entreri?"

Entreri raised the hand with the ring. "Isn't it obvious? I am sick of you taking pleasure at my expense."

Jarlaxle chuckled.

Entreri growled out, "that's not what I meant!"

He rushed at Jarlaxle with his sabre, but the drow was ready with his own. Jarlaxle was surprised that Entreri was not losing control, as most humans were apt to do, instead he had a calculated rage which was fascinating.

Jarian gasped as he heard the swordfight in the other room. "Jarlaxle is lucky to cross swords with Artemis."

"This is pointless you know," Jarlaxle said.

"I beg to differ," Entreri said, absently twirling his sword as he attacked.

Jarlaxle chuckled, "a little panache from the assassin during the duel. I should provoke you more often."

A bead of sweat trickled down Entreri's brow. He had fought Jarlaxle once before, but back then the drow took it easy on him. He could tell. At the moment, it seemed as if they were evenly matched.

"If you provoke an animal you get the claws," Entreri said.

"True, but if you train a provoked animal you can use its claws for your own purposes," Jarlaxle said with a smirk.

"You're enjoying this too much," Entreri said with disgust. "I plan on killing you. If that plan doesn't work, I will cause you pain."

Jarlaxle laughed. His laughter was cut short when Entreri sliced at the shutters, causing the sunlight to pour into the room. He was rather accustomed to the sunlight, but the sudden change caused him to pause. Entreri spun about and hit the elbow of Jarlaxle's sword arm, taking pleasure in a satisfying crack.

With a growl Jarlaxle utilized a globe of darkness and took out a wand to freeze Entreri in his place. He backhanded Entreri across the face, wrenching the sabre from his hand. Entreri's eyes stared back defiantly and he absently licked the blood from his bleeding lip.

"Your skill has grown Entreri. No wonder you have won so many bets," Jarlaxle said, walking slowly around the assassin. "However, never forget that I am superior. Your provoked claws belong to me until I deem otherwise. Never forget that!"

Jarlaxle spoke the trigger word to release the spell.

Entreri tested his jaw and was relieved to find it intact. He stared at his sabre, but stood his ground, making no movement for a weapon.

"Are you calm now?"

Entreri nodded.

"Good, now let us discuss your rage." Jarlaxle motioned to the chair behind him and picked up an overturned chair to calmly sit.

Entreri sat and said in a deadpan voice. "You made me look like a woman."

"You don't like women?"

"That's not it and you know it Jarlaxle. I am fully capable of coming up with my own disguise. I do not require an illusion, especially one such as this," Entreri said.

Jarian softly cursed from the other room. He was ever so hopeful that maybe Entreri didn't like women.

Jarlaxle thoughtfully stroked his chin. "If you can prove to me that you're capable of the task, then perhaps I just may have you create your own disguise. I was merely trying to be helpful."

Entreri held out his hand and Jarlaxle removed the ring.

"I will do that straightaway," Entreri said. He headed to the washroom and paused, "we'll never have a normal conversation will we?"

Jarlaxle chuckled, "I highly doubt it. If I am involved, normal is simply out of the question. Besides, 'normal' isn't my style." He tossed Entreri's sabre back to him.

Entreri caught the sabre and sheathed it at his side. "I really wonder about you sometimes." He shook his head and promptly locked the washroom door behind him.

Jarlaxle chuckled, "likewise." He healed his elbow with a touch of a special healing wand and smirked as he quickly opened a nearby door.

Jarian, Maskah, Kaifas, and Shytolin tumbled to the floor.

"Somehow I'm not surprised," Jarlaxle said as they untwined each other from a tangle of limbs. "I trust you four are enjoying yourselves."

"Of course," Jarian said, standing and fixing his hair. "We were even extra quiet last night due to Artemis' distressed state."

"He is taking good care of you then?"

Jarian grinned. "Indeed, soon we hope that he will accept our care."

"Best of luck to you," Jarlaxle said with a wink. "I am going to freshen up in the other washroom. I expect you to leave Entreri alone in the other washroom. He is preparing a disguise of his own accord. If it is not satisfactory, do let me know."

"I shall," Jarian said with a nod.

Jarlaxle went to the washroom and paused. "Oh yes, do be sure to put on some clothing. I do not think Entreri will be comfortable if they are lacking. Give him time."

Jarian sighed. "Oh all right."

Maskah sighed as Jarlaxle left. "But it is much more comfortable to sleep freely."

"It is one of the few freedoms we have," Kaifas said sadly.

Shytolin absently ran a hand through his hair, his muscles flexing at the movement. His eyes roamed over Jarian. "How can the assassin resist?"

Jarian bade them to come closer. "Jarlaxle said to give the assassin time. However, he did not say how much time. Opportunity will present itself; it always does in one form or another. Until then we will roam freely in our own chamber. Eventually Artemis will not be able to resist. I will personally see to that."

Author's Note: I blame overworking and jury duty for the lack of an immediate update. However, I was able to channel Entreri's rage to write this chapter (however, rage was controlled after I found out that the case I would have been a juror on was settled 15 minutes before we entered the court room, so we got to go home early…hence why Jarlaxle is still alive).

Jarlaxle: "She wouldn't have been able to kill me off that easily."

Entreri:grumbles: "Who would choose HER for a jury! Do you see what she does to me in these chapters?"

Jarian: I'D choose her!

Maskah, Kaifas, Shytolin: Us too!

Entreri: "You're all biased."

Next chapter, Entreri will have to test out his disguise (this is Entreri we're talking about, there will be no gender change involved), but what mischief will Jarian and his servants cause? And perhaps Jarlaxle will reveal to the group a little more about the Fashion Display so they can be aptly prepared. Next update will probably be in the next couple weeks or so (possibly less), depending on my work schedule. Please drop a review until then.

Reviewer Mailbag:

(drinks all around for surpassing the 150 reviews!)

Kurai Catt: If Jarlaxle wouldn't have had that tip off from his soldiers or expected Entreri's reaction, he very well might be dead. But of course. . .this IS Jarlaxle we're talking about.

Spider: Are you done lying down and freaking out about Entreri's disguise yet? Careful dear boy, that will only encourage me. :chuckles:

Arsinoe Selene: :Jarlaxle chuckles, grabbing onto her waist,and twirlsabout with the reviewer: Glad I exceeded your expectations.

Katherine: :hides neon-yellow reviewer fishing pole: Reeling you in further eh? Seems every time I'll have to find better and tastier bait to put on the end of the hook. :wink: Oh dear. . .it seems I've gotten Jarian excited. . .

Becky: :giggles: Yeah, that simple reaction was definitely in my thoughts after I wrote the chapter.

Venshira: I'm glad that I could make your day. :smile: It means a lot when someone says that.

Psycho101: :Entreri tries to sneak away to the nice reviewer's druid, but the authoress and Jarlaxle threaten him with a physical manifestation of the disguise: An admirable try, but hey, at least Jarlaxle is the type to negotiate. I daresay that he enjoys provoking the assassin to test his limits. Anger can be quite the weapon when channeled properly.

Lord Onisyr: Assassins can be pretty too, lol. Hmm, 'will Jarian get the last laugh?' We shall see. . .

Abbil: I totally agree with you about the weapons. My younger brother just touched one of my swords without permission and I flipped! If ribbons were added. . .well, let's just say he would be on friendly terms with death. Glad you liked that quote, that was just too tempting not to write. And hmm, regarding your sister, you have a lot in common with Entreri. . .well, the trying to ignore the outrageously dressed being that is. . .

Dark Epiphany: Jarlaxle says, "It's not cheating. It's expanding my repertoire of skill so that when I get to you, I am far better improved in aspects of pleasure than ever before."

:shifts: He really liked your poem of sorts in the last review. He claims that he will make it up to you. . . :sees massage oil and leaves the area, deciding to give Jarlaxle and the reviewer some privacy:

Ariel D: :chuckles: I'm responsible for many a horrid mental picture. I just can't help it sometimes. Jarlaxle did manage to get hurt, but I think in a way his pride was hurt a little more than anything and that's sometimes worse than an elbow injury. Of course, since Jarlaxle can be quite the 'persuasive' muse I couldn't have him in too much agony (he's protecting me from Entreri after all!).

Esgallonde: Ah yes, that ever so ambiguous name of Artemis was a catalyst in my decision to make him into a woman. :hugs the smart reviewer:chuckles: If you want to escape Entreri's sword, threaten him with Jarian dressing only in ribbons. . .that usually stops him.

I definitely need to read the Artemis Fowl series; I've heard good things.

Jack: I giggle every time I read that quote. :grin:

Lessiehanamoray: I don't know why I'm so mean to Entreri. I think in an odd way I'm preparing him for travel with Jarlaxle. . .after all this, nothing can possibly bother Entreri, lol. :nervously laughs as Entreri catches wind of plot: Plot? Whatever makes you think there's a plot:innocently hums and walks away:

Snow: No worries about a late review. And would you believe that I actually considered a harem-type outfit for Entreri? He's lucky he escaped that fate. . .for now. Mwhuahahaha!

:Entreri stares: "Were you evilly cackling!"

Um. . .no. . .of course not. . .:authoress runs away:

Dyath Xianna: Lol! Missing a finger indeed. Entreri definitely considered it, but I think a sense of pride prevented him from doing anything rash. However, if his physical form was a woman and not an illusion. . .that finger would be gone.

Kracken l.w.: Jarian is definitely special, in so many ways. And yes, my mental health has long since departed. However, I admit that I'm crazy. Real crazy people think other people are crazy; therefore if I admit I'm crazy. . .I'm on another level entirely.