Originally, this was 8 paragraphs, no dialog. Luckily for you, I was bored. And I have a sea of ideas in my noggin. Have fun with it. I'm still bored.
DISCLAIMER: Artemis Fowl isn't mine.
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Sasha's glare was ten times worse than usual. Sophia had a very faint idea of what she had done wrong, but really wasn't in the mood for a verbal beating personalized for her by her sister tonight. All she wanted was to go to bed. Sleep forever. Sassy could thrash her out in the morning over coffee. It was too late.
When Sophia reached the living room, where the computer desk faced the foyer she ignored her sibling and started up the stairs, hoping Sasha would get the message.
"SOPHIE!"
Apparently not.
"What Sasha?" She called back in a bored, hopefully tired voice. Silence followed, so Sophia trudged back down to the living room, the room where Sasha had set up office.
Sasha had her glasses on. They only intensified the glare, made it even more formidable. Being use to her sister's constant outrage due to her own constant mess-ups, the expression was quiet a lot less threatening. But still. It was scary.
"You-" Sasha's teeth were gritted.
"-Are-" Her eyes were bugging out of her head.
"-Getting-" honestly, Sophia worried about her sister's blood pressure. Being this upset so often surely wasn't good for her heart.
"-Too-" It was going to be only a matter of time once she hit 40. Years away yes, but she could improve that not. Uh-oh, now here comes the boom.
"-INVOLVED!!!!!"
Just for the sake of theatrics, Sophia gave a yawn. But she really was tired.
"Sophie, do you not understand how dangerous this is? How if you let anything big slip, we could wake up dead?"
At that Sophia opened her mouth to argue that they most likely wouldn't wake at all, but Sasha cut her off.
"You are not Sophia, you are Tara Gavin. You are a professional artist, you are not a bohemian abstract-Are you pay attention?"
"No."
"Sophie."
"You really sound like the responsible older sibling, you know. When that's my job."
"Sophie."
"I said we shouldn't do this. It's too risky."
"You're the one taking the risks."
"I'm sorry if I am getting a little caught up in the lies. It won't happen again." She stood to leave.
"Sophie. Listen to me."
Silence. Nothing.
"I know, I sound like some old dolting mother, but I'm only trying to protect us."
"Why didn't you do it, Sassy?" Sophia asked quietly. "Why didn't you?"
"Cause I'm not Tara!" She snapped. "I'm not the one who can sit there and discuss silly, smart, important things. I can't. You're the one who can. I don't know how to explain it better than that."
"Sassy, you knew I'd get too caught up in this. He's too interesting."
"Then leave it." The response was cold, blunt. Obviously stated.
"Ho-wha-Leave? Leave what?"
"You can drop it, leave. Or you can play with it, stay, until it leaves you."
With that Sasha flicked the lamp light off leaving them in total darkness.
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On their third date they both had each other's moods and movements figured, though it was kept to themselves-to a point. Tara apparently loved to tease to aloof young man, taking the opportunity whenever it aroused. Anything from basically mind reading to voicing his expression and ordering his food for him. Artemis suspected she did in part to taunt him, and in part to show off. All to often she had a smug look on her face after such an event. He took to returning the favour, but without all as much apparent satisfaction as she had.
One thing she did at every meal, or movie, or whatever they did was insist on paying. Since he didn't know her financial status, he refused. Because she hadn't let him pick her up, he assumed her place was something cheap, but when he remembered her clothing…obviously some expensive stuff. Maybe she just didn't want him to see her home. When he finally got the guts to ask, there wasn't much given.
"So…" he trailed, trying to find a good way to ask. "Where do you live?"
"Near the river. Southside." A slight smirk. Whether at himself or the answer he couldn't tell.
"In a apartment, or do you have a house?" He took a sip of the soda she had yet again ordered. This time she had picked a casual place to dine, one that served steak, burgers, and fries. Artemis had few experiences with soda, and the carbonation was tickling his nose, making it harder to concentrate.
"We have a house."
"What kind?"
"A nice one."
"Is it large?"
"Yes, fairly. 3 stories."
"What colour?"
Tara gave an exasperated sigh. "Most people," She raised a brow, still smirking faintly. "Would have given up by now, having recived such responses. Most people-" Her mouth quirked. "Would have dropped the subject and left it alone."
"Most people wouldn't persist as I do. Are you a very good interior decorator? Any murals?"
She shot a glare. "Well, at the very least you've had a chance to annoy the hell out of me." He thought he heard her murmur under her breath.
It was on their 5th date when he had started hinting his dislike of certain habits, such as interruptions, lip biting, knuckle popping et cetera. She hadn't taken the hint, or either did not care.
By their 8th official date it was comfortable between them. Artemis found how easily he could speak his mind and for once not get blank stares back as often as he did when expressing his thoughts. That was a nice change.
However, he was letting too much emotion in. She knew him too well, for such a short time. The plan was being forgotten, he was developing…feelings of real friendship toward Tara. This hardly ever happened to him, he hated most of the populace. Something was different about her, sure she had some flaws but she was hitting all the right nerves…
Normally Artemis would have keyed on to her unreal perfection, the attraction she had, but lately the young millionaire had been lost in all his plans.
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Business was dull, as usual. Fowl Industries, while energy sufficient, filled with brilliant minds, loyal customers, still need Artemis's guide. He had to go in at least once a week, four times a months. The skyscraper in the downtown Southside Dublin area was modern, sleek, and black. The Fowl Industries sign was similar, with a silhouette of a great falcon about to close down on a silver star. A symbolism that was easy to read.
On this rainy day, Artemis stared out of the limousine in a trance, barely paying attention to the busy streets. The city was nice, just…uninteresting today. He didn't feel like arguing with his manager whether they should advertise more, o if the August Gala was to be in the colours of the company, or if he needed more media attention. Nothing mattered, really. He saw no reason to come in today, but if he was already here…
A flash of rust caught his eye. He fumbled to sit up properly, and began to scan the sidewalk for the person. Finally he spotted her. A woman with long red hair, pulled back in a headband. She was striding down the street, causally looking into the shops, wearing a brown skirt, green jacket… her manner of walking was close to that of Tara. Artemis cast a glance toward the front of the car, wondering if he should stop the car, investigate further.
Tedious day in the office or pleasant day with Tara? Choices, Choices…"Butler." He commanded. "Stop the car."
The bodyguard was startled, but complied without question, pulling over to the curb. Artemis stepped out, telling his manservant he'd be back soon, don't get out. Butler objected, but Artemis reassured him he wouldn't go far. "Just down the street."
"Fine."
Artemis hadn't really noticed that the limo had caused a bit of a stir and many were looking curiously at him or the vehicle. The titian hair girl didn't appear to see the commotion, or didn't care. Cautiously he made his way through the crowded sidewalk to her. When he was nearly 8 feet away he paused, looking at her.
Yes, it was Tara all right. But somehow not Tara. This girl had on a more natural outfit than she usually allowed. A fawn-coloured suede skirt, a sage green sweater that appeared to be cashmere, and boots matching the skirt completed the ensemble. It was something he had only imagined she would wear, and look great in! Her dark auburn hair coupled with the pale skin really enhanced the clothing. Or rather, it enhanced her.
She had stopped outside of a bookstore, picked up a novel and was reading the inside flap. The gorgeous green eyes glance over the glossy paper at lighting speed. Thinking quickly Artemis plucked the book from her hand and glanced at the title.
"An interesting read." He smirked.
"Hey you!" She swatted his arm. "You could have just said hello, instead of giving me a heart-attack."
"It wouldn't have been as fun. What are you doing?"
"Shopping." She said slowly, like one would to a small child. "What people do when they need something and have money burning a hole in their pocket. What about you?" She looked momentary at his Armani suite. "Business or a date?"
"Business. And I never take anyone but you out."
"Boy, do I feel special." Her tone was dripping with sarcasm.
"Speaking of which, what are you doing the rest of the day?"
Something flickered in her eyes, but was quickly gone. Was that…fear.
"Nothing." She said coolly. "But I'd best not keep you, duty calls, bye!"
Before she could escape he had caught her waist and was pulling her back. "I'd be willing to skip out to take you to lunch."
"No, Artemis, you don't need to do that." But he was already dragging her toward the limo. "Seriously, you don't."
"To tell you the truth, I'd rather miss the meeting anyways."
"I wouldn't want you to miss anything important." She said hastily. "Besides, won't you get in trouble?"
He rolled his beautiful hazel-and-blue eyes. "Tara, I own the company. Even if I did, what can they do about it?"
"But I don't want-"
"Tara." He said firmly. They had reached the car. People were staring. "Let's go to lunch. It doesn't matter."
He had finally released her waist and she was pressed up against the car. Artemis's face was close, less than a foot of space between them. For a second it was as if the world had stop. It was only them. She stared into his eyes, he gazed back into hers. At that moment she realized the debate was a lot bigger then him simply taking her to lunch.
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"What would you like to do?" He asked pleasantly when they had been on the road for nearly 5 minutes. She assumed it had taken him that long to recover from what had passed between them. Not that she knew what had happened. Something. His eyes still betrayed confusion.
She shrugged. What was there to do? All she wanted was to return home to meditate on occurrences find an answer. Artemis looked at her expectantly.
"Um…want to see a movie?" Yes. A movie. It would give her time to think before he took her to dinner where she was expected to talk.
Artemis nodded to Butler, who began weaving the car through the streets.
"Are you okay?" He asked in a low voice, sincere concern in his eyes.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Just stunned."
He sat back, smirking. "I generally have that affect on woman."
Tara smiled, gently hitting his arm. "Right." She teased. "I'm sure you leave them all swooning, gossiping about how you looked at Elizabeth more than Sally. Older woman, I'm sure."
"So if it wasn't me, then who?"
"Oh, it was you." She assured him. "It was the tie."
"This thing?" He motioned to the conservative stripped tie around his neck.
"Mmm. Dreadfully dull. We need to take you shopping."
"We'll put it on the list." He murmured.
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Her eyes were wide. She was shaking a little.
His own control was wavering. It was taking everything keeping him from shaking, to not cling to her, to not …this is not acceptable. I should be able to keep control of this. I shouldn't even be thinking about this! He scolded himself. It was business, a job, not an actual relationship.
Tara was in shock, that much was obvious, but had she felt what he had, out there on the curb? Or was she just surprised he had been so blunt in taking her with him. He was surprised he had been so brave.
Can face American Crime Lords any day, Willing to go up against the Fairy People, yet cannot even think of asking a girl out without quaking in his loafers. Pathetic.
He honestly hoped this trait was not genetic.
The poor girl was still shivering, looking out the window, fist under her chin.
"What would you like to do?"
"See a movie?"
Artemis looked to Butler to confirm he had heard, then turned back to her. Leaning toward her he asked. "Are you alright, Tara?"
Her blue-green eyes shot up to meet his. The hint of fear appeared again.
"Yeah. I'm fine…just a little stunned."
He had no idea why she was afraid. Was it something he said? Trying to make light of her mood he tried humor.
"I generally have that affect on woman." He said easily.
"Right. I'm sure you leave them all swooning, gossiping about how you looked at Elizabeth more than Sadie. Older woman, I'm sure. Nobody under 30."
Then she insulted his tie. Not that he minded. She was talking now, seemingly happy.
"-We need to take you shopping."
"I'll put it on the list." He murmured, forcing the thoughts she had awoken back into the depths of his vast mind.
She returned to staring out the window. And he returned to staring at her.
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After the movie Tara requested they walk about instead of driving to the restaurant, since the skies had cleared.
"Why?"
"Because it's good for you. And I want to see the city."
"You live here."
"So? It's not like I've seen everything. Besides, you've never taken a walk around Dublin just because you want to, have you?"
His heaving sigh was the only answer. Tara pouted. "If you really do not want to I won't make you. But you're the one who wanted to play hooky in the first place."
With that he grabbed her hand and they started down the busy sidewalk crowded with tourist.
It wasn't that terrible. His feet hurt, an Armani wasn't proper for sightseeing, and the tourist were snobby, but they had fun. Butler stayed 3 steps behind, but apart from that things were normal. He was just a regular 23-year-old visiting Dublin's historic landmarks with his girlfriend. And he teased her, like any normal guy would do. Things were quiet. No fairies stalking him, no humans hunting him, no deadlines, nobody to mark his ill behavior.
At the end of the day, while the sun was setting, the two walked down by the harbor talking about Buckminster Fuller's theory, when Tara plopped down on to a bench, pulling Artemis with her. She tucked her feet underneath her, and changed the subject.
"Did you have fun today, Arty?" (Artemis regretted telling her his parent's nickname for him; she'd been using it all day)
"Yes. It was…enlightening."
Her smile was radiant. "Wonderful. I was afraid after you wouldn't shut up about your feet that you maybe hated it."
"I did, for a while there. But I have my revenge planned. Opera. La Bohemia."
She paled. "You're cruel, Arty."
"You'll live, I promise. You have to, or you won't be able to meet my parents next week."
She when paler still. "I'll die."
"Tara." She shook her head.
"Artemis, parents…I mean, are you sure…?"
"No. But they can't hate you."
"Really? I'm sure they can, it's quiet easy."
"Tara." He leaned closer. "It'll be fine."
The reply was a moan. Now her eyes were closed. Gently Artemis placed her head on his shoulder.
Five minutes of silence passed.
"Tell me something."
"What?"
She cracked an eye open. "Anything. Something interesting. You're a human library, Artemis, give me something. Open the vault of endless, useless information."
"It's not that easy."
She huffed. "Fine. Tell me about Napoleon Bonaparte. Everything about him."
So he started. It took an hour. The sunset, streetlight turned on, people left the sidewalks. She sat still listening to his voice, soaking it in. Eventually he had to stop.
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Yet another chapter I didn't quite like. But I'm taking a break now. It's cold here.
That's all I have to say.
Review, please.
-MDQ10