Rikku slept almost the entire way to Ireland once they got on the plane. She felt as though she had actually slept though. Not just closing her eyes like she usually did. She didn't really ever sleep. She opened her eyes and saw they were going over a bridge. The scenery of beautiful trees and a river were below her. She smiled, yawned, and streched. Looking over she saw Artemis looking out the opposite window.
"How was your nap?" He asked without looking at her. She shook the sleepyness from her head and tried to figure where they were by now.
"Very good actually," Rikku smiled at him even though he couldn't see it. On the inside her small girly part wanted to taunt him for being so well dressed but her amazingly insane side wanted to spike his hair. She wondered if she could get away with it. Just as her hand was moving forward his head started turning and she pretended to streach.
He laughed and she knew he saw through it, "So what's on your mind?"
Rikku smirked at him unaturally so replying, "Just curious about something that's all."
Artemis raised his eyebrow, "Well, maybe I could help you with what you are curious about if you told me. Unless, you want to know when we will be at the manor. That is about twenty minutes away."
"I really don't think you would be able to help me get the information I need," Rikku smiled, " You might think me strange and annoying. I also think you wouldn't let me do it."
"That depends on what it is," Artemis frowned at her, not able to think of what she might want. She was a girl but she acted a little different from most, "Maybe if you give me good reason I'll let you."
"I highly doubt it," Rikku sighed thinking strange things to herself which made her want to shoot herself with Hollys gun, "Maybe I'll ask you later. When I have a good enough reason to do it."
Artemis nodded and the rest of the car ride was quite. In the silence, Artemis wondered how everyone disliked her. She seemed like a regular person, human. Though maybe that was the reason. Being half human and elf, then acting completely human. That must have made someone mad.
In spite of Rikku's self she gasped at the manor, Artemis turned to look at her and smiled. He could tell she didn't mean to. That was another thing. Though she acted like a child, she wanted to be cold and emotionless. That wasn't her, he could already tell that.
"I saw it in many pictures, in the paper, above and below ground," Rikku uneasily said, looking out the window, "Though it's much more amazing to see it in person," She paused and smirked, "Like you."
The car stopped and she jumped out as he stared in shock, his mouth fallen open. He could not believe that she had just said something so outrageous. He quickly replaced his carefree face and got out of the car. Rikku had the largest smile on her face as she got her bags out of the back, Butler was standing next to her helping out. The limo with all his other fairy friends was already unpacked and Juliet had them set up already or was slowly in the process of doing it.
The three of them walked inside and Holly walked towards them. She didn't have a nice look on her face, "They are discussing some things in the lounge right now and would like you to go see them. They can't finish the discussion without you."
Artemis looked at Rikku and she shook her head, "Not me, you silly. So, why aren't you in there?"
"I had the choice to be in there and I chose not to," Rikku gave Holly a look and she smirked, "What makes you think I would sit and listen to those old men yell over stupid polotics trying to make them sound good."
"Yeah, well Troubles one of them so, you might want to rethink that," Artemis smirked at her as he went past her to the lounge, "If you need anything girls, just as Dom or Juliet."
Holly shook her head as he left and turned on Rikku, "What did you do?"
"What do you mean!?" Rikku hands shot up, "I haven't even had the chance to cause chaos!"
"Yeah, well I could see something was wrong with him and I have a feeling you caused it," Holly crossed her arms and relaxed a little.
"I was just playing around," Rikku smiled, "You know how I am. He's cute and I can't resist a challange."
Holly rolled her eyes, "If you're looking for a war, don't choose him as your opposer. He'll tear you down more than anyone ever before."
"I think you're a little wrong on that one," Rikku smiled playfully and shouldered Holly.
"Can't you take anything seriously!" Holly frustratedly yelled, "You can be so happy one minute without care and then depressed! Or you can be so quiet and serious, then change into what you are now! Stop with the split personality and get a life!"
Holly walked away to the lounge and left Rikku standing there, her hands wrapped around her middle and she turned around. She noticed Domovoi standing there. She tried to just walk past him with no expression on her face but, he caught her arm, "That was harsh."
Rikku thought for a moment but then nodded and smiled. She softly replied, "I can take it and she's right. I am like that, but that's just the way I am."
She went up the stairs but turned around and bit her lip, "Where am I sleeping?"
All throught the meeting, Holly sat in silence. Near the end of the conferance, which was mostly talking about different plans that were completely off subject of Rikku, a councilman asked Holly, "Will Rikku truthfully follow your orders, Holly? Or was she just trying to be smart with us. How much do we have to worry about her?"
"I know from experience with Rikku that she looks up to Holly. She is crazy about Holly and wants to be a lot closer with her but there almost opposites. Rikku would do anything for Holly," Trouble said seriously.
Holly stood up quickly and left the room thinking to herself, 'He's wrong. How could she care at all after the way I just treated with her? How could I say that? Why can't I just keep my mouth shut?
She went into the kitchen and a hand touched her shoulder. She turned around to see Troubles concerned eyes. She looked away and sighed.
"You want to tell me what's wrong?" Trouble asked her, making her look him in the eyes.
"I yelled at Rikku," Holly almost whispered, "I said some things I shouldn't have. It was kind of harsh and I didn't mean to. I know I don't show it to anyone but I do care about her. She may drive me insane, not be anything like me, but I love her."
Troubles arms wrapped her arms around her and she let her head fall on his shoulder. He leaned to her ear, "You know the only thing you can do to make it right, is to apologize."
As Artemis walked up stairs he heard very loud music. He walked up to the door but knew who was inside before he opened it. Rikku was dancing in a mixture of hiphop and pop. She payed no attention to him for a minute but listened to the pounding drums and angry guitars. She spun around with her hair a hanging slightly in her face, "May I help you?"
He smiled and replied, "What are you listening to?
"Something the boys and I made a while ago. I was thinking of some lyrics for it but got caught up in dancing," Rikku replied, looking away and a little to agressively putting some of her things away.
"So, if you were doing something you like, then why are you angry?" Artemis asked, sitting on the bed.
She faked her way around him, "I'm not angry."
Artemis crossed her arms and gave her a serious look, "We both know that you are angry. So, do not try to pretend with me, because I can see there is something wrong. I understand if you do not wish to talk on the subject but do not try to lie. It won't work."
"Would telling you make me more or less serious, because I am upset about it," Rikku asked, leaning against a dresser.
"Depends on the situation. If it's something not serious at all and your making a big deal out of it, then less serious. If it is something that should make you angry then I can take you seriously," Artemis replied, standing up to look her in the eye.
"Me and Holly got in a fight," Rikku sighed, "I guess it isn't that big of a deal. She just said some things that made me angry."
She turned around and looked at the stuff on the dresser. Artemis stepped closer and confidently said, "You mean made you upset."
Rikku's only response was nodding and Artemis went on, "Well, I guess you can be upset. She is your cousin and you are trying really hard to get along with her. If she says some mean things when you're trying so hard, it will hurt. You just have to know that Holly tries not to show she cares... and I think you two have that in common. That or you try to act like her."
"Is that bad?" Rikku's voice was heard but her hair covered her face.
"It can be, if you are doing it just to be like her. If that's not the person you really are or want to be. You should be who you want to be and who you are," Artemis spoke and shook his head to himself, 'How can I be giving advice on this, what does it matter anyway.'
"Thanks," Rikku smiled at him and went over to turn the music to the next song, "I think Foaly is looking for you."
"Hey Fowl!" Foaly called from the hallway, "Where are you?"
Artemis smiled genuinely at Rikku, "Your powers of observation serve you well."