Chapter 20

Prep time: Arty and Butler part 1

A/N:

This chapter is about Arty. Hope you enjoy seeing him trying to get ready.

Arty POV:

"You were serious?" Butler asked. His eyebrows were slightly raised, the only sign of curiosity.

"Of course, I was serious." I said. "I rarely 'kid'"

"Hahaha," Butler chuckled, probably remembering the last time we had this discussion. "That used to be true, but now you are quite the joker."

I felt a wry smile touch my face. "Ah, I have changed."

"Monumentally." he smirked. "Largely due to the People... and Holly." he hesitated on the last word as if he were gauging my reaction.

"Yes, the People and Holly have contributed quite a lot to my new persona."

"Speaking of Holly..."

I tried to smother the sigh that erupted from my mouth. "What about Holly?" I asked warily leaning slightly forward.

"Listen Artemis, you two have been flirting for a very long time. When are you going to... get together?"

"Butler, I assure you that we are nothing more than friends."

"It's amazing," Butler said shaking his head and rubbing his scalp.

"What's amazing?" I asked curiously. For Butler to find something amazing... it must be intriguing.

"You're the most intelligent person that I know. For someone so intelligent, you van be so stupid. For someone so artful and knowlegdeable, you can be so naive. For someone with 20/20 vision, you're completely blind. For someone with perfect hearing, you're deaf. For someone with such a large vocabulary, you're dumb and you have nothing to say."

"Explain yourself." I ordered. "How am I stupid, naive, blind, deaf, and dumb?"

"You're stupid because you don't comprehend what everyone else tries to teach and tell you. No matter how much it is demonstrated, you don't get it." he said.

"And what is everyone trying to teach me?" I asked impatiently.

"You're blind because you don't see what's right in front of you." he continued like he didn't even hear me. "You're deaf, because you can't hear the voice screaming at you and asking, no begging, for a response."

"Begging?" Honestly, Butler can be quite something when he gets it in his mind to be.

"You're naive because you have no experience so you deny what you truly feel. You're dumb because you can't say what you want to. Even with your huge vocabulary, you can't find the words to say." he finished.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I shrugged, knowing that I was lying.

"You know damn well that I'm talking about Holly." he said pounding his hand on my desk for emphasis. The computer shook slightly as his hand made contact with the polished mahogany.

I rolled my eyes, not trying to conceal my impatience and disbelief. "Go ahead, Butler. What about Holly?" I asked resisting the urge to rub my temples.

"She loves you, Artemis." he said bluntly. I felt my heart speed up as I tried to forget his word. I refused to think of them as true. There's no way that Holly could like me.

"Well Artemis... what are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that you are wrong, old friend."

"Are you sure that's what you're thinking?" Curse Butler. Through the years we've know each other, he's gotten to know exactly how to understand my emotions. Sometimes, it can be tolerable, but at the moment I need time to think.

"Quite sure, Butler. But out of curiosity: what do you think I'm thinking?" I asked as though it wasn't of vital importance to me.

"Haha, nice try Artemis," he chuckled leaning on the desk. "But, this is the only chance I'll get. I think that you feel the same way, but you're afraid."

"Afraid?" I asked in outrage. Fowls fear nothing. And I am the latest and greatest of a long line of proud Fowls.

"I fear nothing. Least of all, Holly."

"Of course not." Butler said, rolling his eyes.He's too used to my anger for it to bother him now. When I was younger I used to have fits of rage that made my current anger look like a picnic in the park. "Of course, you are right." Unfortunately, this was sarcasm and he was really saying that I was wrong. But I am never wrong.

"Mmm." I mumbled, turning my full attention back to the computer screen in front of me.

"Well," I said. "I, we, should start getting ready soon."

"Ready for what?" Butler asked confused.

"Ready to go to the club, of course."

"You were serious?" he asked, his mouth open in astonishment. Deja vu. We're having the same conversation again, but I would keep it going as long as I could. For comedic relief, I assure you.

"Do we have to go through this again?" I sighed. I hate to repeat myself. "I do not kid."

"You do now." Butler corrected.

"True," I said allowing myself a slight, wry smile. "But, I'm not kidding about going to the club."

"Now I'm curious. Why do you want to go so badly?"

"One, it'll please father and two, I can find out more about this Holinda Briefs."

"Of course, that's your only reason." he said in disbelief.

"It is."

"Hmm, then why aren't you getting ready right now?"

"I'm looking for something on here." I said while hacking into the LEP website.

"What is it that you are looking for?" he asked. "And why is it so important?"

"That's what I'm trying to find out."

Butler was silent for a few moments as he tried to process these thoughts and make sense of my last statement. I was still surfing the LEP website, trying to find something relevant to Holly and Trouble. The only thing that I could find was news articles about their heroing success in their latest cases.There was no personal information on either, and I was feeling frustrated Of course, the articles did not mention the latest consultant who was helping in the cases. They never would. I glanced back at the clock in the corner of my computer screen. It read 8:30.

"Hmm," I sighed. "I guess I need to start getting ready." I stood up and stretched my sore muscles. Ugh, sitting at a computer all day is not healthy. It's not good for me. Tomorrow, I will make sure to ride my horse for a much longer time.

"Yes, I should also go get dressed." Butler said as he lifted his giant frame from the chair. "That is if you are really serious."

"I am." I said as I left the study. I trudged up the sweeping staircase and into my room. I opened the sliding doors that led to my closet.

I stepped inside the door, looking at all of the clothes hanging up. I saw the suits and dress pants of various styles and colors from gray to black. I saw the dress shirts, hanging in almost every color. I saw my shoes, each pair of loafers or dress shoes lined up on their own shelf. And that's when it hit me. I had no earthly idea what to wear to a club, because I've never been. Uh-oh. I was going to need some help for this.

I need to go to the place where I can get the most help and the least teasing. Juliet knew the most about clothes, but she wasn't here. Both Father and Butler were definitely out of the question. Father has become too nosy into the business of my social life and would view my lack of knowledge as a problem that needed immediate rectification. Butler would be sure to say something Holly-esque if I asked him something.

That left four people: the twins, Foaly, my mother, and Holly herself. Anyway it goes, I'll still be embarrassed. Twins first, not that they'd know much about clubbing. In fact, they had better not. They didn't know clubbing, but them, mostly meaning Beckett is in touch with pop culture. Besides, they were the least embarrassing route. I took a deep breath and quietly knocked on the door. It swung open to reveal Myles in the middle of one of his experiments.

"Hello Myles," I said glancing around for Beckett. I couldn't help but wince a the dense pile of debris that covered his side of the room. It was in direct contrast with the spotless order of Myles' side. Then, I saw something in the pile move. "Hello Beckett."

"Awww, Artemis, how did you know it was me?"

"Experience," I smirked. "I know you too well to be fooled by your hiding places."

"Hello Artemis," Myles interrupted, wanting his due of attention. So much like me in so many ways. I sincerely hope that he does not make the same mistakes that I did.

"Hey Atemis." Beckett said, after realizing that he had forgotten his manners. He smiled at me as he tried to push back his thick blond hair. "What's up?"

"Nothing." I said rolling my eyes at the slang use. Though it sounded nowhere near as painful as it used to.I used to wince whenever the words had been said.

"We heard that you are going out." Myles added. I am not surprised that the news spread this fast. With another genius in the house, I always have to watch out for bugging. Besides, Butler may have ran across them and told them. Either way, I'm learning that this is how a real family works.

"Yes, I am." I admitted fighting of the blush that was threatening to cover my face.

"Why are you even going?" Myles asked as though I had just committed a felony. Though, in his book this may be equivalent to doing so.

"You'll understand when you get older." I promised looking at him fondly.He'd better enjoy life before puberty and girls come along to complicate things.

"I think my IQ is high enough to handle it." he said sarcastically. Just like I would have said. "It can't be harder than quantum physics." That's what I thought until puberty hit. Then girls got added to the equation, and I still can't figure out how to balance out the equation.

"Your IQ is more than sufficient." I said ruffling his curly, blond hair. "And take it from me; it is more difficult than quantum physics were. You'll understand when you grow up."

"Are you referring to girls and puberty?" Myles asked.

"Perhaps," I said cursing Myles' brilliance. As others used to say: genius is both a blessing and a curse. "Sometimes you just need a distraction."

"Well then, why are you here?" Beckett asked. He always is the direct one. He has never been known for his tact.

"Actually... I um need some help. From you, Beckett." I said, hating to ask my young siblings for assistance.

"Him?" Myles screeched. "What do you need his help for?"

"Hahaha, Myles is just jealous. What can I do for you, Artemis?" he said in his primmest tone.

"Well..." I began, but then it truly donned on me: What am I doing? Here I am, asking for my little brother's help. "Never mind."

"No, you started to ask. You have to finish it." Beckett whined.

"He has a point, Artemis." Myles chimed in. Myles also happens to be the 'curious' one.

"Fine." I sighed, knowing they would bother me until they got his way. "I am going out and do not know what to wear. I was wondering do you have any suggestions."

"Suggestions? You do know we're just four right?" Beckett asked.

Myles agreed with him for once. "We have no idea. We can't even get into a club, yet."

"Yes, well thanks for your assistance." I said sarcastically, though I was angrier at myself for asking at all. "I need to go find some real assistance."

"Bye Artemis," The twins trilled together. I threw my hands up as I left. Little brothers can be so bothersome at times. Anyway, the next person on my list isn't a person at all. It was Foaly. I can assure you that it will not be enjoyable. I went through the wooden door and into my study.

I twisted my ring around and connected it to my powerbook. I sent him a video chat request. He answered in about two seconds. "Hello Mud Boy," he said. "Calling me again so soon."

"Yes, it must be your sparkling personality." I quipped.

"Must be." he said rolling his eyes. "Now really. What do you want?"

"Always so direct, Foaly. I could just be calling to say 'hello.'"

"Yeah, right." Foaly said waving his hand dismissively.

"Fine." I conceded. "I did have an ulterior motive behind this call."

"I never would have guessed." Foaly gasped, as if in surprise.

"Cut the sarcasm, or I leave you wondering." I threatened.

"Fine, I'll try. Wow, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Well, I plan on going out tonight and I was wondering if..."

"No. Sorry Arty, but you're not my type." he interrupted.

"Grow up Foaly," I chuckled. "I seriously want to ask for your help."

Foaly steepled his fingers and a furrow appeared in his brow. "Okay, color me curious."

"As I was saying, I plan on going to a club tonight. A club called the Phenom."

"Awww," Foaly cooed. "My wittle Arty's all grown up. He's going clubbing."

"Yes," I said nervously.

"That doesn't explain why you need my help, though. Need advice on how to attract the ladies?"

It took me a few seconds to absorb that last sentence. When I did, laughter burst out of me. "Yes, because you are so adroit in that department." I managed to choke out.

Foaly blinked, but didn't comment. "Anyway... what do you want?" Ah, back to me asking for help from Foaly. Knowing him, as I do, he was probably recording this. There was nothing else for it. I had to plow on. I took a deep breath and began. "I don't know what to wear." I confessed.

Foaly stared at me for a moment as though he didn't comprehend. Then he burst out into loud laughter. "Hee-hee hahaha." he laughed. When the laughter had finally subsided his face was red and ruddy. "Sorry Artemis, but that was just too funny to pass up."

"Yes, yes." I huffed self-consciously. "Now if you're done laughing at my expense..."

"Right, back to your little problem." he said stroking his chin as if deep in thought. "What did you have in mind to wear?"

I shuffled around uncomfortably. Knowing, what he would think of my choice, made me reluctant to say. He seemed to read it from my mind. "A suit? Really?"

"Well, I was considering it." I admitted.

"They'll laugh you out of there. You need something more... casual."

"I don't own have anything like that."

"Well, can you get it?"

"What exactly are you suggesting I wear?"

"Hmm, I'd say some black skinny jeans, tight muscle shirt (as if you had any muscles) and converse."

"Jeans?" Converse?" I said mouth hanging open. "Do you know me at all?"

"Look Arty, you want my advice. I say: go against what you want and be your counterpart for once."

"Foaly, I am not a jeans person. I don't wear jeans."

"I know, but you have once you know. When you were in Berlin stealing the painting."

"And I hated every minute of it."

"Sorry Artemis, but there's nothing I can do. It's up to you what you wear."

"I understand." I assured him. "I'm sure I won't wear jeans, but I do thank you for the advice."

"Of course. That's what I'm here for. To cater to the whim of a mud man." he said as he terminated the link. I have to admit, I couldn't think of another thing to top it.

A/N:

Whoo-hoo! Another chapter down. Anyway, the next chapter will be a continuation of this one. I hope to update this story soon. Keep reading and I'll keep writing. Remember to read and review.

Remember: Reviews= happy camper. Happy camper= quicker updates. Quicker updates= you reading more. It's a cycle keep it going!

Yours truly, madly, and deeply

Einstinette