Avery's Note: I still am not very good with matching up personalities with the original characters. I am trying my best, though. I doubt success in the future, as well, because I am going to have to manipulate them to fit the storyline. And like all other disclaimers, none of the characters are of my creation except for Avery.
Summary: Butler is an enigma. Butler's past is even more secretive than the man himself. When a young woman shows up claiming to be his illegitimate daughter, his world is turned upside down and inside out. Must he now choose between having the family he always wanted or his young master, Artemis?
The story thus so far: After learning of the truth of his beloved wife, Butler is finally convinced to provide Avery the chance to reclaim him as her own. However, due to years of obligation to the Fowls, Butler only gives his daughter one week.
Just Tell Me You Love Me
---
Chapter 4: D1: Welcome to the Family
The gentle melody of Debussy's Clair de Lune drifted through the silent halls of the Fowl Manor. A young woman sat at the keys of a sheer black grand piano, playing with the skill of a weathered professional. A smile came to her lips as she played what she considered the response to the song's question, the repeat of the beginning melody. No matter how many times she performed the piece, she always got lost in the beauty.
"Magnificent," a voice commented from behind her, coming from the connecting hallway. The delicate yet affirming tone reminded Avery of a red-shaded sunset. Without turning to see if her assertion was accurate, Avery knew it was Madame Angeline Fowl. She spoke in a manner similar to her son's, but softer and more comforting.
Avery placed her hands in her lap and turned to face her audience. "Thank you, Madame."
"Beckett likes, Beckett likes!" Beckett announced, clapping his hands madly. "It was so pretty!"
The smile on Avery's lips widened and she giggled. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, Beckett Fowl."
"Yes, it was delightful," Myles added, staring at Avery. He had acquired the same analytical gaze that Artemis had, but it was less rigid. Not only that, but similar to his older brother, Myles held an arrogant aura of confidence.
"Play again, play again!" Beckett demanded, clapping his hands once more.
"Don't ask too much of our guest," Artemis Fowl Senior said, kneeling down to meet his son at eye level. "If she does not want to, do not force her to."
"Music has to come from the heart, not from the demands of the audience," Artemis incorporated. Avery didn't notice him there until he spoke. He leaned carelessly against the wall towards the back of the room.
"No, it's fine," Avery insisted. "Music is also meant to be shared." She turned back around and settled herself on the polished bench. She waited a moment, letting the calm silence sink in, before striking the first chord.
The family was mesmerized by the grace of the young woman. As she played, they immersed themselves in the message Avery was shouting out. Unlike most concert pianists, there was a unique depth to her style. She played for the sake of playing, rather than playing for the audience.
"Beethoven's third movement to the Moonlight Sonata... I am intrigued by your interpretation." Artemis watched as Avery's fingers grazed and danced across the black and white keys. In Avery's adaptation there was an immense amount of rage, but it was channeled into a controlled malice.
"Are you really?" she replied without turning to face Artemis. Despite diverting her attention, there was no pause or slight hesitation in the music.
"I play it a little slower, with less aggression and more agitation."
"I am intrigued by your interpretation, as well."
No one spoke after Avery, just listened. Now that Artemis had brought attention to it, the Fowl family analyzed the significance of Avery's style, rather than just enjoying the piece aesthetically. It told the story of true love and the denial of that love. There understanding of the circumstances, but the sense of betrayal could not be overridden. In the end, the individual accepted the loneliness and withdrew the heart forever.
Avery ended the piece and dropped her head to her chest. She could tell from the aura permeating from the Fowl's that they had received her statement, and was embarrassed by it. Although they couldn't see her face, out of habit, Avery snapped open her fan and covered her face except for the eyes.
Another individual entered the vast living room of the home. He bent over and picked up several of the luggage cases. "Master Fowl, Madame Fowl," Butler greeted with a nod of the head. "Welcome back to the manor."
"Thank you, Butler," Artemis Fowl Senior said as he nodded back towards his lifelong friend. "It is always wonderful to return home." He sunk himself further down into one of the several comfortable leather seats in the room. "As much as I love my own mother and father, I think a month with them is plenty enough."
Madame Fowl chuckled and shook her head. The entrancing spell of Avery's sorrow was broken and the family finally relaxed, truly glad to be home. "Arty, how have you been doing?"
"I am well, Mom." Artemis went over to his mother and hugged her. She kissed him on the forehead. "It had been rather quiet without the twins to wreak havoc all over the house."
A cacophony of sound assaulted the ears of everyone in the room as Beckett attempted to imitate Avery's playing. "And I already miss the silence," he added quickly just so his mother could hear. Avery had scooted over and had given enough space for Beckett to sit next to her at the upper register of the piano. Madame Fowl smiled and laughed once more.
Artemis Fowl Senior laughed heartily at his taciturn son, overhearing Artemis' remark. "You always dwelled in the silence of these halls."
"Yes, I always have, Father." Artemis shook hands with his father. They had grown close over the years after the Arctic Incident, but Artemis still had some difficulty overcoming the usual lack of physical contact with his father.
"Sir, Madame," Butler announced as he re-entered the room, "I would also like to formally introduce you to my daughter." He slid up next to Avery on her left and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "This is Avery Lefleur."
Avery stood up and curtsied politely for the entire Fowl family. The fan in her left hand was flicked lightly for an extra flourish of formality. She put on a wide smile for show, but was displeased by the use of her mother's family name rather than Butler's. "The pleasure of this encounter is mine, Sir and Madame."
"Did Butler tell you how much you look like your mother?" Artemis Fowl Senior asked.
"He did not, but I have heard the same assertion from many others who knew her."
"If it weren't for your eyes, I would have guessed you to be Delilah," Angeline told Avery.
"Thank you, Madame Fowl." Avery dipped in a small obeisance.
"Will you join us for supper tonight?" Artemis asked as casually as possible. He wished to jump up, take her hand, and drag her to the dining hall himself. But with his family home and watching his every move, he reigned in his passions and held his decorum.
She shook her head politely. "No, thank you." She turned to face Butler. "Butler and I were hoping to have a quiet supper together." She noticed the very slight crestfallen look on Artemis' face. Angeline noticed it as well. "How about I eat with you tomorrow evening?" Avery added, hoping not to disappoint her counterpart too much.
Artemis nodded. "That is fine."
"Let us dine already, for I am hungry," Myles inserted. His elder brother's attempts at courting the young woman did not hold his attention very well. He was still too young to understand the reasons to Artemis' efforts. Beckett nodded his agreement.
"The food is ready whenever you are," Butler said.
The Fowl family nodded to one another before heading off to the dining hall, leaving Butler and Avery behind. Together, father and daughter, they turned in the opposite direction towards the kitchen, to serve the food. Once the entire family was settled around the table and satisfied, Butler and Avery withdrew to the kitchen to have their own private supper.
"Avery Lefleur is quite the spectacular gem, isn't she, Artemis?" Angeline asked while cutting herself a piece of steak.
Artemis ungracefully choked on the food in his mouth that was in the process of being swallowed. With as much composure as he could muster, he tried to cover up his evident surprise at his mother's inquiry. He averted his eyes for a moment, and then said, "I suppose you could say that."
Angeline chuckled at her son. "I can see it written all over your face."
---
To be continued…