Chapter 32
Sunrise Session
A/N:
Happy Valentine's day (pointless commercial holiday) but regardless, here's a way for me to show that I love you guys! I hope you love it too.
RECAP:
I glanced at my friends who were still looking at us curiously. I could still change my mind and say not thanks but my mouth answered before my brain could catch up with it. "Yes, lets."
Holly's POV:
Oh my goodness! I had just agreed to let Artemis drive me to my hotel room. I think I may have suffered from a second of temporary insanity.
"Hey, before you go... take this," Shry said, handing me a business card. The front was black and had her store's information in white. The back was white and had four phone numbers written in Shry's precise handwriting.
"Keep in touch," she ordered. "One's my home, one's my cell, one's my home away from home, and the last is Mackenzie's cell."
"Thanks," I grinned. "I'll be sure to call you soon."
"You'd better," she mock threatened.
"See you back at the hotel," Juliet said with a mischievous wink.
I suppose Artemis knew that I was about to say something to her, because he interrupted me. "Shall we?" he asked extending his hand to me.
I knew that this was my last chance to refuse. Some small part of me was still screaming for me to stay. But, the larger more fantastical part overwhelmed me. I didn't say a word as I took the extended arm and headed for the door.
As we got to the door that would lead to the foyer, I turned and looked back. Aurora borealis. The northern lights. They were a natural phenomena, but at the moment I was having and seeing a very unnatural phenomena. "Are you sure that you're ready?" he asked again.
"Yeah," I grinned at him. "Let's go."
Artemis opened the heavy door and let me go out. He was right behind me and the door closed with an audible 'thump'. It was strange. At first, there was the loud thump of the music behind me, but when the door closed all of the sound was cut off. I couldn't hear anything. It was like I had dived underwater. This could definitely be the hallucinations of a drowning person. Well if I was going to suffer then it was going to be on my own terms. Artemis held the door open again and I walked out, leaving most of my doubts behind.
Adonis was back at the door now. "Bye Holinda, Master Fowl," he said.
"Artemis if you please," Artemis said and I was surprised by how nice he was being. Normally, he would have basked in the delight of having a title. For about the thousandth time tonight, he had surprised me.
"Okay then, Artemis," Adonis shrugged. "Oh and Holinda, I have a date with Shry." I could tell that he expected me to be surprised. Anyone with a working brain and eyes could tell that it was going to happen.
"Congrats," I said. "But you better not hurt her or else..."
He shuddered a bit. "Trust me, I won't."
"Well, at least she's local," I said.
"Yeah, that's a relief."
Artemis didn't say anything, but I knew that he had to be ready to leave. "Sorry, but we have to go," I reminded him.
"Yes, I'd imagine so," he commented with a glance at Artemis."You be careful." He was obviously talking to me. He didn't trust Arty. Not that I could blame him. If I didn't know him and was in a dark alley with him then I'd turn and walk the other way. Well, actually I'd probably continue that way and fake bravado. But you get the point.
We turned to walk away when Adonis called out again. "Artemis you'd better treat her right or else." It was quite touching. But does everyone think that I am completely helpless? Maybe the blond hair adds a damsel in distress quantity to my look.
"I would never mistreat her," he assured Adonis.
Something in Artemis's face must have reassured him, because he had just nodded. "Have a phenomenal night." We wished him the same as we turned to leave. Artemis led me to the middle of the lot. The only sound was the 'click-clack' of my heels on the concrete.
"Here's my car," he said. I had expected him to go to the black Lexus, but instead he clicked the lock to a red Ashton Martin Vanquish. Wow, Arty in a red car. I had always pegged him for a guy who would drive something sleek and black. I keep getting pleasantly surprised by what he does. Though this would probably score primo black-mail with Foaly and Mulch.
Arty opened the passenger-side door and held it open as he let me in. The seat was a warm, gray velour cloth. Thankfully, it wasn't leather. If it was then I'd have to get up and walk to the hotel. But to be honest, I don't think Arty's the type to drive a car that had animal harvested skin in it.
Artemis gently closed my door and sidled over to his side. He got in and shut the door. He took out the shiny, silver, stuck it in the ignition, and turned it on.
"So, this is a pleasant surprise," I commented.
"What do you mean?" he asked as he adjusted his rearview mirror.
"I really expected you to drive a black car with plushy, leather interior."
To my surprise, he chuckled. "Yes, that is more likely isn't it? By the way, I'm not fond of leather seats. I am an environmentalist after all.
"So am I," I chuckled at the affronted look on his face.
"Good to know," he said as he put the car into reverse and backed out.
"So, how ready are you to go home?" Artemis asked as we waited to get out of the parking lot.
"Depends," I smirked, using his flippant statement from earlier.
"On what?" he demanded with his eyebrows furrowing in a strangely attractive way. Not that I'd ever think that.
"On what you have in mind, of course." Of course, Holly would go almost anywhere with him, but Holinda had to have some sort of reluctance.
"Well, I know a place nearby where we could watch the sunrise."
"So, are you asking to go with you?" I asked while making sure to stare out of the windshield and not at him.
"Yes I am," he said with a small smile and blush.
"Good to know. Yes, I accept," I replied with a blush of my own. "But do you mind me asking: where are we going?"
"No, I don't mind," he said without saying anything else.
"Aren't you going to answer me?" I demanded, feeling like I was with the real Arty at the moment.
"I did," he smirked, not taking his eyes off of the car in front of him.
"Where are we going?" I huffed.
"A place not too far from here," he said evasively as he shrugged.
Finally, we were out of the parking lot. He zoomed around the corner and cruised forward. I was impressed by his skill. I had always expected him to be a bad driver. I guess that I need to realize that he's not that little kid that almost vomited on the shuttle anymore. Now, he was driving and doing a pretty good job of it. Not that I'd let him know that I thought that.
We continued to drive straight for another five minutes. Then, we followed a gentle downward curve in the road. We were heading right into the woods. This was any girl's nightmare. It reminded me of all of those mud-men horror flicks that Grub Kelp had made us watch. Two go in, and no one comes out. Personally, I think that's crap. Frond knows that we are proof against that. We've been in numerous times and always both come out relatively unharmed.
Artemis's parking the car, cut off those thoughts and brought me crashing back to the present. "Here we are," he said.
I looked at him and raised an eyebrow. I wasn't a snob, but this was it. This was where the great Artemis Fowl brought his friends. "Well not here, here. Here as in through the trees a bit." Ahh, this should prove to be better.
Artemis was getting out of the car, but I was determined to beat him. I had opened the door and unfastened my seat belt, but before I could stick my leg out, he was there. Hmm, he never used to be that fast. I suppose he grew out of that stupid awkward age pretty fast. "Allow me," he said reaching out to take my hand.
I rolled my eyes, but took the extended hand anyway. He pulled me up and out of the car. The first thing that I noticed as I exited the car as the temperature. It was dropping. Brr. I wrapped my arms around myself. I was going to have a word with Juliet about miniskirts in this weather.
That's when I realized that I had left my jacket on the chair in the club. Great, now I was going to freeze to death. While I was being melodramatic, Artemis was reaching into the back seat. He pulled out a large black suit jacket. "Here you go," he said trying to hand it to me.
"No thanks," I turned it down even though I wanted nothing more than to take it. I know I probably seem insane for refusing the jacket, but he only had on a dress shirt and vest. I didn't want him to be cold and view me as selfish.
"You're shaking. Take the coat... please," I hadn't noticed it until he said something, but I was shaking. Apparently, the fairy sensitivity to cold was not taken away by the ring. Note to self: speak to Foaly to upgrade these rings.
"N-n-no," I said wincing at the chattering of my teeth. Now, he was completely 100% sure that I was cold. (Not that he hadn't been before). "You need it too."
"No, I don't," he assured me. "I'm used to the climate of Ireland. You, on the other hand, are not." As usual, his logic was faultless. I tried to scan his face and body language for signs of cold, but he looked perfectly comfortable. This probably isn't a very reliable indicator, because he does know how to control his body's language.
I thought about it for a minute, but couldn't think of another valid point. "Th-th-thank you," I said as I stuck my arms through the jacket while he held it out for me. The warmth was immediate as the jacket fell to my thighs. It didn't do much to help my legs, but at least my arms were warm.
I discreetly sniffed the jacket. I know that this may sound strange, but I was curious. In case you're wondering, it smelled very masculine like male heat. A scent that my nose automatically connected with Artemis. The smell of a bit of cologne, natural body odor, and something else that I can't place at the moment.
"I'm sorry, but I don't have any pants that would fit you," he said apologetically.
"That's okay. I'm fine now." And I was. Thankfully, the shaking had stopped and I could speak normally again.
"Shall we go?" he asked once again.
"We shall," I replied in my haughtiest voice.
He held out his arm again and I took it without the slightest bit of hesitation. He gave me a smug smirk. Probably thinks that he was growing on me. I rolled my eyes as he led me forward. Thankfully, the ground wasn't very rocky. We walked forward for about five minutes. It was hard not to notice how dense the trees were. It was as if nature had let them grow completely wild.
We came to the end of the trees and emerged in a large clearing. It was one of the most beautiful places that I had ever seen.
The clearing was a perfect circle that had obviously been naturally made. You could see the deep inky, starry blanket that was the sky and the large, full moon. When I inhaled, I could smell, taste, and hear the musical, magical commune in the air. The tall trees were spread apart so that I could see the gurgling creek that ran past the clearing. The grass was thick and lush, almost like carpeting. All of this was bathed in the silvery light of the full moon. It was a completely and totally magical night.
"Wooow," I stammered in amazement. "It's beautiful."
"Yes, it is quite lovely," he said. I didn't speak as I tried to absorb everything around us. "Would you like to sit down?"
"Yes, please?" I murmured. He still had my arm, so he led me to the foot of the largest tree in the clearing.
The tree towered over all of the others and seemed as old as time itself. I looked down at the tree's roots. Some had climbed on top of each other and twisted around. The place where we were about to sit was twisted like this. It circled around to for a chair like cradle that seemed very comfortable. From what I could see, it looked like the two of us would fit comfortably.
Artemis lowered me down and then sat next to me. "Well, isn't this cozy?" he asked smirking.
"Quite," I rolled my eyes. "So… do you bring all of your girls here?" Ha, Artemis knows and likes about five girls. One of which was me, Minerva only wishes. Shry's not interested and would probably laugh if he asked her. Juliet would definitely die laughing, and coming with his mom might be a cause for concern.
I half expected him to blush or stammer. But, of course, he kept his cool and chuckled. "I don't have any 'girls'," he laughed. "In fact, you're the first person to visit this place with me."
Wow. I was the first person to come here with him. I, or rather Holinda, must have really peaked his interest. Haha, it must have been my gung-ho attitude that charmed him.
"Really?" I asked and he nodded with a strange look in his eyes. I decided that I was not going to try to figure out what that look meant. At least, not at the moment.
"Then why did you bring me here?" I demanded.
"I wanted to get to know you better," he shrugged. "Can you honestly say that you don't want to know more about me?"
"Fine. I did," I grudgingly admitted. "So, what's your plan for getting to know me better?"
"A simple game." I didn't think that I had heard him right, but went on as if I had.
"A game? What kind of game?" I asked raising my eyebrows. I may have sounded suspicious but everyone knows that Arty isn't much for games unless: a, he can win or b. they help to advance him in some way.
"For every question that you answer truthfully for me, I'll do the same. And we will go back and forth like that until neither of us has any questions left."
That seemed fair and…somewhat fun. Besides, I'll get to know Arty better and hopefully score some primo blackmail.
"Okay," I agreed. "Who goes first?"
"Ladies first," he said.
Grr, he would put me first. Now I was going to set the curve for questions. Put me in this position, but he was still in a seat of power. Of course he was playing mind games. Those were his favorite kind. Well, two could play at this game and I could win. "Fine, give me a second to think of something."
"Take as long as you'd like." His smug smirk was starting to bother me even more than anything else. I ignored him as I tried to think of a question, but one thing kept popping up in my head and it didn't have anything to do with Arty. I just kept seeing Shry's angry face and the look that passed between her and Arty. He knew whatever it was that made her that angry and I really wanted to know it too. No, it wasn't just being nosy. I was really concerned about my new friend.
"I have a question, but it's not about you," I warned. One of his long eyebrows rose as he looked at me. He waved his hand to indicate that I should go on.
"What made Shry so angry with Emory earlier?"
Artemis grimaced bit. But it wasn't like he was grimacing at the question that I had asked. No, he had made that face as he thought about the answer. Whatever it was, it was definitely guaranteed to not be happy.
"To understand that, you'll have to understand Shry's history," he began and I nodded that he should go on.
"She comes from a very wealthy family. On the outside, they seemed perfect, but of course there is no such thing as a perfect family. It just doesn't exist. Anyway, her father was a multibillionaire who, unfortunately, was an alcoholic. When he got drunk then he would become violent," he said and I felt my heart constrict. I had no idea that Shry had endured so much. How did she find the will to remain so… cheerful?
"He would strike her and her mother. She was her mother's angel. They stuck together, but her mother wouldn't leave her husband. She felt that he would change and she loved him too much. Treating her mother's wounds led her to develop her kind bed-side manner that she has now. Note that during all of this time, she was studying and planning on how to best escape her family."
"She was a genius in every facet of the word. She worked hard and was the top of each one of her classes. Her father expected her to follow in his footsteps, but she wanted to be nothing like him. So, she got her degree in sales and opened her store which is flourishing. By the way, her childhood experiences created the philosophy behind 'philosophee'."
I felt like my eyes were about to start watering and I'd be crying. I sucked the tears back in and tried to smother my feelings. I took another second to make sure that my voice was calm enough. "So, that's why she didn't drink at the club." In other words, that's what she was hiding and what she couldn't tell me.
"Yes, alcoholism can be hereditary. She doesn't want to risk becoming like her father. So, she has never had any alcohol and has no plans to."
"Thanks for telling me," I smiled weakly to cover what I was really feeling. "Your turn."
"What's your favorite color?" he asked.
"What?"
"Well, I want to get to know you. So, what's your favorite color?"
"Whatever," I said rolling my eyes. "Green is my favorite color."
"Really?" he asked, with a glint in his eye. "Why green?"
"Green is beautiful. It 's the color of plants and nature and-," I began before I was cut off.
"And your eyes."
"And my eyes," I replied, looking anywhere but at his. I gathered up the courage to look up into them. They were staring down at me and seemed to be smiling.
"So, I guess it's my turn now?"
"Yes, it is," he nodded still looking at me in that peculiar way.
"Speaking of eyes," I began. "Have yours always been different colors?"
"No," he said reflectively as he remembered our trip through the time stream and all that had happened on Hybras. "I used to have two blue eyes, but they changed a few years ago."
"Your turn," I said.
"Who is your favorite musician?" he asked and he slid a bit closer to me as the cold wind blew around us.
"Too many to choose from. I'll listen to almost anything once," I shrugged. It's true. I love all types of music. It's an elf thing. We're very emotional and huge fans of all things musical.
"Hmm, brilliant philosophy," he smirked much like he used to. That smirk that held the calm assurance that he was totally and completely right about everything and everyone else was paled in comparison.
"No really, but I'm not in Psych class so, neh!"
"Neh?" he asked in confusion. "Neh?"
"Yes, 'neh'. It's a colloquial term for ha-ha or 'in your face'."
"Ah, I see," he replied. I may not be a genius, but I don't think that he got it. "Regardless, I do believe that it is your turn."
"Okay. Who was the tall man that you were with earlier?" I asked. Yes, I knew Butler. But Holinda had no idea who this man was and he would definitely be an object of curiosity. So, I had to ask the question.
"Butler. He's been my bodyguard since I was born and also happens to be one of my closest friends."
"That's sort of sweet. It must be nice to be that close to someone."
Artemis smiled, and I could see the white of his teeth as the silver glow of the moonlight hit them. "It is, though, sometimes he can be... overprotective."
"I imagine so," I said with a smirk as I thought of all of our adventures. It's enough to drive any body guard mad. "What do you think he's thinking now?"
"I don't even want to think about it," he chuckled and I giggled too.
"It's your turn now," I reminded him.
"Of course," he replied.
"You remember when you called Minerva the wicked witch of the west?" he asked.
"Yeah, I remember." I couldn't help but giggle. She really is one wicked witch. It's not hard to imagine her as being the evil, manipulative character. It would be harder to imagine her a kind and benevolent.
"Well, what character from The Wizard of Oz would you consider me to be?"
I stroked my chin as I thought about it. I had only seen the movie once, when Root showed it to us so we could see his cousin. If memory serves, there were only about three or four important male characters. They were the scarecrow, the lion, the tin man, and Oz himself. "Definitely not the scare crow," I reflected. "I'm sure that you have a brain."
"I should hope so," he chuckled and I blew him a rasberry as way of response.
"Well, that narrows it down," he smirked and I agreed. This was going to be sort of hard. I have to go by what little 'Holinda' knows instead of the vast amount that Holly knows.
"You're not the lion either. You definitely don't seem to lack courage."
"What makes you say that?" he asked with a wide-eyed innocent look that you might almost believe. Almost. If you didn't know him.
I couldn't help but giggle. "Well, you did save a girl from a monster. And then you approached that girl and continued to talk to her when she seemed like she was about to snap your neck and feast on your insides."
"I never thought that you would 'snap my neck or feast on my insides'," he assured me. "Nice images, by the way."
"Thanks, I try to be cheerful," I smirked. "But back to your charactre analysis."
"Of course," he sighed. "Carry on."
"Not the tin man either," At the moment I was extremely glad that Foaly had downloaded that movie a second time so that he could laugh at the Lollipop Guild.
"Oh really?"
"Of course not. You have a heart even if you don't know it." He mumbled something intelligible and I didn't ask for clarification.
"Of course you have a heart. A heartless man wouldn't save a girl that he didn't know. He wouldn't dance with her and then take her to a special clearing just to talk," I assured him. "A man without a heart, couldn't live at all. Now does that sound like you?"
"Perhaps not," he said. "But there are things that you don't know about me." Ha, not likely.
"Artemis, there are things that no one knows about you and never will. All people are like that. You are not heartless."
"Very well," he said seemingly happier. Hopefully he was. I hate to see him sad. "Who does that leave for me to be?"
I giggled again as I thought of his choices. "Oz, Toto, and the flying monkey cheif."
"Hoo-rah, those are all such great choices," he said in a sarcastic voice. "Who wouldn't want to be compared with a dog or a flying monkey?"
I resisted the urge to correct him and tell him that it was a 'flying monkey chief' and not just a flying monkey. "Relax," I advised. "You're not the monkey or the dog."
"Oz?" he demanded incredulously. "Explain your reasoning behind that."
"Well," I began. "Oz is just a normal guy hidden behind layers of intelligence, cleverness, fraud, and worry. He had a secret that he can' tell anyone, but subconsciously he wants someone to find out. He also gives people things so that they can feel better about themselves. Oh, and not to mention that he's pretty controlling." I finished with a wink.
"So, you think tthat I'm a normal 'guy' with a secret who gives of myself and is controlling towards others?"
"Pretty much," I shrugged. It was true. Arty did have a secret that he could never share with normal humans. And he's definitely giving. He may not know it, but he gives to me and all of his friends just by being himself. And controlling. If you look controlling up in the dictionary, then you would see his picture.
He looked at me and for a moment I thought that I had hurt his feelings. But then he started to chuckle loudly. I thought he was going to fall out of the cradle-seat at first. I looked at him concerndedly. He caught my glance and waved me off. He finally managed to settle down, back into his seat. "You're quite observant, aren't you?"
"I try to be," I said laughing a bit in spite of myself.
"Try and fail," he smirked. "I do believe that it's your turn."
"Same question: What Wizard of Oz character would you picture me as?"
"Hmm," he said stroking his chin. "There are very few females in that story." I just sat waiting, because I knew that he was just toying with me. He was going to deliver the answer in his own time and pace. Meaning that he was going to draw this out for as long as he could.
"I haven't read it in a while," he warned. As if he ever forgot anything. Just adding to the suspense."The three that I recall are: Dorothy, The good Witch of the North, and one of the Emerald City servants."
"Do you seem like the type to serve dociley in the service of a powerful man?"
I snorted and this time I was the one laughing hard and shaking from the very idea. "What do you think?" I asked straightening up and pushing the hair out of my eyes.
He was still smiling. "No, I suppose not," he sighed as if in regret, and I rolled my eyes. "That leaves Dorothy and the good witch."
"So... which am I?"
"I'd have to say... Dorothy."
I wasn't really as surprised as he had been. She was the main character after all. "Why would you say that?"
"Well, the good witch was somewhat deceptive. She didn't exactly meant to, but she attracted the Wicked Witch to Dorothy with the shoes. Not exactly a 'good' thing to do, and definitely not something that you would do."
"So that only leaves Dorothy," he continued as if he were teaching a lecture. "She was a small town-girl swept up in a cyclone. One the way to Emerald City, she proved herself a compassionate and loyal friend who is not afraid to speak her mind and stick up to bullies. Does any of this sound familiar?"
I thought about what he had said. No, I was definitely not a small-town girl. Haven was the biggest city under the ground. Though, techinically it was small in comparison to human cities. The cyclone is probably representative of what ever 'storms' are in my life. (None at the moment.) Emerald City could be Ireland since Oz was already Artemis. Didn't I go to see him often? And wasn't it usually with my friends for some reason? It's a horrible way to think, but it's true. And yes, I think that I am a compassionate and loyal friend. I would do anything to protect the people that I care about the most. I don't think that anyone who knows mw knows that I'm not afraid to speak my mind. And sticking up to bullies is pretty much my job.
"Maybe a little," I smirked. "Your turn."
"How did you meet Juliet?" he asked.
"Actually, it was at one of her wrestling matches."
"You were at a wrestling match?" he aksed in surprise. Haha, I suppose this girly look doesn't mesh with one who would go to watch a wrestling match.
"My friends dragged me along," I lied. "She was fighting and it was... impressive. She was the only one that I cheered for. Anyway, at the end of the match, I was leaving and bumped right into her."
"When I realized who it was, I put my fists up, because I thought that she was going to hit me. She just laughed and called me fiesty. I put my arms down and then she invited me to go to coffee which I did. We've been friends ever since."
"Haha," Artemis chuckled. "That sounds exactly like both of you." I had made sure that it did. Juliet and I had already settled this story between the two of us in case someone asked. Though, I suppose neither of us expected Arty to be that person.
"It does, doesn't it?" I laughed, so thankful that we had thought of that earlier.
"Very much so," he smiled. "I believe it's your turn again."
"Fine. Tell me about your family."
To his credit, Artemis didn't hesitate. He began right off like he was expecting this question and maybe he really was. "Well, there are seven of us. My mother, Angeline. She's blond, tall, kind-hearted, and impossible not to love. My father is Artemis Fowl I. He's a dedicated family and business man. I'm the oldest brother. My younger siblings are identical twin boys named Myles and Beckett. They have mother's blond hair. Myles is studious like me. He spends a lot of time in his lab. But Beckett is the exact opposite. He's playful, kind, and of average intelligence. Butler is like my second father and Juliet is the sister that I never had the sense to want until I got her."
Then he muttered off handedly. "Now there's no getting rid of her."
Aww, he included Juliet and Butler. That's so sweet. I can't wait to tell Juliet about this. Well, except like that last part. Then, I stopped to think. If I told her about this then I'd have to tell her everything. D'arvit! Looks like I'll have to keep it to myself.
"Your family sounds really nice," I smiled. "You seem to really love them."
"Thank you," he said.
"You're welcome," I shrugged. "Your turn again."
"Same question/statement." Ahh, same old Arty. Trust him to turn a game into a grammar lesson. Who really cares if it's a question or statement?
I rolled my eyes. Sometimes, he can be so annoying. "Well, I'm an only child. My mom's name was Coraline and my Father's name was Julius Briefs. Mom had auburn hair and a cheerful face. She was the type to change the world, and I really think that she could have done it. Dad died when I was younger. He was a gruff, ruddy man, who always smoked cigars. My mom died of ... cancer when I was 18."
My voice cracked as I spoke. It was painful to bring up those old memories. Coraline Briefs... Coral Short. She didn't die of cancer like humans think of it, but it was the closest disease that described her radiation poison. Dad. My real father had died when I was a little girl, but Julius Root had taken over as my father from the time that I entered the academy to the time that he was recycled.
"I'm so sorry," he said wrapping his arms around me. They were so warm and comforting. I let myslef melt into him. I rested my head on his chest and let out a small sigh. It wasn't him that made me feel so good, it was just the close contact after such a depressing thing. "They sound like wonderful people."
"They were," I told him with a few tears gleaming in my eyes. "But they're in a better place. I truly believe that."
He squeezed me tighter and I buried my head in his shoulder. I inhaled and enjoyed the strong, masculine scent of him and the warmth that he leant to my frigid body. "Your turn," he whispered quietly after a few minutes like that ."
At first, I couldn't think of a question, but then I looked up a the bright, silver moon inthe sky, the glinting stars, and the swaying trees including the cradle that we were sitting in. "Do you believe in magic?" I asked.
He looked down at me an spoke with absolute certainty. "Of course, I do."
"That's good to know," I said. "Your turn."
"Well, what about you?" he asked. "Do you believe in magic?"
I smiled a bit as I answered that one. "How could I not? Look at the world around us. There is definitely magic," I said. "Of course, this probably sounds insane coming form a grown woman instead of a five year-old child."
"No, not at all," he said. "I whole-heartedly agree with you. There is magic everywhere. We see it as different things. What is magic, other than some other energy that controls life as we know it? It's definitely out there. You're not crazy, you just think on a higher level than other people."
"Nice to know," I smirked.
He grinned, but only said, "Your turn."
"Tell me about your friends," I demanded, wanting to know how he would portray us.
"Well, Butler is my oldest friend. We've been together through thick and thin," he reflected nostalgically. I wonder if 'thick and thin' included our adventures. Most likely thick and thin were our adventures.
"Juliet is another close friend who's always there when I need her," he said smiling a bit. "I've know Shry for a while and she can be quite the wild card. She's also kind, gentle, and ready to fight at a moment's notice."
"I've noticed," I said as I thought of how she had talked to Emory.
"I have another friend named Foaly. He's a paranoid, computer nerd, an inventor, and my biggest competition in the field of technology." Ha, if only Foaly could hear that. He would love to hear that the great Artemis Fowl actually thought of him as competition. Too bad, I can't tell him.
"Mulch is a short, stumpy guy who isn't afraid to release his bodily functions and eat an entire fridge of food, not necessarily in that order." Once again, too true. Though, without his bodily functions we would have been up a creek without a paddle.
"I also have a friend whom we just call No. 1 because his is an amazing young man." Again, true. No. 1 is definitely amazing. He's funny, sarcastic, and a great conversational buffer.
"And of course my best friend, Holly. Auburn-haired, nut-brown skin, and somewhat elfish features." I watched Arty's face quirk at the word 'elfish'. I suppose he was seeing the irony, and boasting because I didn't know what he did. "She's funny, sarcastic, argumentative, has a sharp wit and an even sharper fist that she's not afraid to use." Once again, it's the perfect description to fit me.
"What do you like the best about her?" I asked curiously.
"I'm not good at expressing feelings, but I know that I can tell her almost anything."
"Aww," I cooed. He's sweeter than I thought. And more importantly, he really trusts me. Sometimes, I think that he just says it and doesn't really mean it, but at this point, I'm sure that he means it. Why else would he tell it to a complete stranger? Of course that brings up the point of why he would tell a random girl all of his feelings.
"And my new friend. Her name is Holinda Briefs," he began and I started a bit. I hadn't expected to hear my alias' name called. "She's a lot like Holly in every way. Not to mention that she is also very pretty."
I felt my face heat again. It seems to be doing that a lot in Arty's presence. "Thank you, Artemis."
"No need to thank me," he smirked. "I'm only stating a fact."
I rolled my eyes, which thankfully, he took as a clear sign to move on. "Your turn," I reminded me.
"Well, why don't you tell me about your friends?"
"Fine, I will," I huffed. I tried to think of a way to change their names, but still keep their personalities the same.
"Juliet, of course. She brings out the wildness and childishness when I'm acting like a mature adult," I said as seriously as I could, and Artemis laughed. I suppose that I don't seem much like a 'mature adult.' "I think we complemente each other well." he nodded in response. I suppose we make quite the pair...
"I have another friend, Callie. She has long brown hair and a strong muscular, yet curvy build. She's really clever and intuitive. You can't help but love her. I've been friend with her for a few years since she married my friend, Chiron."
"Chiron is a sarcastic guy. He's proud and also incredibly smart. Unfortunately, he knows it," I laughed and Artemis smirked. "A computer-geek with an ego-trip." Too true. Though Foaly was an irreplaceable computer-geek with an ego-trip.
"Another of my friends is Mo... we call him Diggs. He's really hairy, has a skin condition so he burns easily, he's smart-mouthed, a bit of a klepto, and impossible not to like. Not to mention that he doesn't mind... 'releasing the beast.'"
"I also have a friend that we just call Day, because his real name is so ridiculous. He's a trouble-maker, but a good guy at heart who wouldn't even hurt a fly."
"One of my closest friends from work is a guy named Apuro. I trust him a lot, and we even went to college together. He's nice, but seems too... interested lately." Thank Frond for the gift of tongues. My spark translated Trouble to the Spanish name, Apuro. So, it's not as random as one would think when they first heard it.
"Then there's Ferdinand, but we call him Ferdy," I smiled. "He's short and was a sickly type of kid. Because of that he has a grayish tint and his eyes are somewhat orange-ish. He spouts out words at random times and has a great sense of sarcasm. Not to mention that he is extremely affectionate and kind."
"Recently, I acquired a new friend. Her name is Lily. I went to high school and college with her, and always thought of her as a bimbo. But, since I've gotten to know her,... she's actually seems to have a personality. It was surprising. A real shock to me." Artemis chuckled a bit but did not interrupt me.
"My best friend is a guy named Alfonse. He's cool, funny, and a genius. This would inflate his already massive ego, but he's saved me a ton of times. He tires not to show any emotion, but finds that it's harder and harder. He definitely has a sharp wit and scathing tongue. Not to mention that he has perfectly executed plans."
"I see," Artemis reflected. "What do you like best about him?"
"I can sit next to him, not say a word, and walk away feeling like it was the best conversation ever. But that 's not really the best part."
"Well, what is the best part?" Arty asked.
"I can tell him anything and know that he's listening to me rather than looking at me."
Artemis smiled a bit. "I can't help but think that it's both." I blushed. If only he knew who he was really talkingto. I still wonder if he would think that 'Holly' was pretty. I was half tempted to push the button on my ring, but held it in. It's better for him to not know.
"Maybe," I stammered.
"And of course my new fround friend, Artemis Fowl. He's smart to the point of indecency, funny, clever, and he's a lot like alfonse. Not to mention that he's pretty easy on the eyes." I felt like slapping my hands over my mouth. I hadn't met to say that. Thankfully Arty's face just reddened. He didn't let his smile falter.
"Speaking of friends," I mumbled. "What about Minerva? How did you meet her?"
"Well...," he said as he invented a plausible story that still fit in with the facts. "I saw her in Barcelona and later met her across a crowded theater in Sicily. She was a genius who was determined to shine and beat me at my own game. We tangled in a few ways before I won and we began talking. We've been friends ever since."
Ha, I tried not to laugh as I put his scenario into what really happened. Yes, we were at a 'crowded theater in Sicily', but it wasn't for the opera. It was so that she could kidnap No. 1. And yes, we did rescue him, so in a way Artemis did win. Only Artemis could spin-doctor a story that much. He could definitely give Foaly a run for his money.
"I believe that it's your turn," he reminded me.
"You're still in high school, right?" I asked and he nodded. "How?"
"I was...missing for three years from age 14 to almost 17. I was on the way to be a sophmore at the time of my disappearance. When I got back I had two choices. I could be a genius and finishe in time for graduation. Or I could make my parents happy and finish high school like a normal teenager."
"So, what did you do?" I asked though I already knew the answer.
"I decided that making my parents proud was most important. Though, I did not want to spend three more years in high school. Regardless, two years have passed in ennui and I am now a senior."
"That's cool. Is senior year all that it was cracked up to be?" I asked.
"Not really." I guess it makes sense. I would imagine that everything seemed trite and unsubstantial in comparison to what we've been up to for the past few years. I know exactly how that feels.
I was still smirking as I continued to think about it. "Your turn, now.
"I think I'll pass," he smiled. "I'm more interested in what you have to ask me."
"Okay, but don't say that I didn't warn you," I told him as I thought of my next question.
"Consider me warned," he smirled. "Now, what's your question?"
"Do you have a girlfriend now? And have you ever had one?" I asked. Yes, I know that it was way past personal, but I was curious. I never got to talk to Arty about stuff like this since we were usually saving the world. Besides, I had to sound like I knew nothing about him.
As expected, he blushed a crimson red. But to his credit, he didn'trefuse to answer. He took a deep breath and replied, "No, I don't have a girlfriend and I never have." Wow, complete honesty from Arty. How refreshing, yet strange and totally unbelievable.
"Okay. That's all I wanted to know. Your turn, again."
"Once again, same question. Have you ever had a boyfriend and do you have one now?" I sighed and bit the inside of my cheek. I should have known that this would be coming. There was no way that he could let a question like that go without embarrassing his 'opponent'.
"No," I said. "I've never really dated anyone before. And no, I don't have a boyfriend at the moment either."
While I had been talking, I stopped making eye contact. I glanced back up at him and saw that he was smiling at me and had a mischevious (there was no other word for it) in his eyes. "Your turn," he reminded me.
"Okay. Why don't you have a girlfriend?"
His face had returned to his normal pale color, but lit right back up. "I suppose there was never any girl who was interesting, smart, kind, and patient enough to keep my attention for any length of time."
"Wow blunt," I smirked.
"No. Honest. There's a difference," he explained.
This time, I couldn't hide the snort that came out of me as he said, "Just a hair."
"Yeah, just a hair," I giggled.
"A very large hair." he joked.
"Yes, but a hair is all it would take," I lecture. "Anyway. It's your turn again, Artemis." Any other time and I would have engaged in an even longer word battle, but I wasn't really in the mood at the moment.
"Holinda, why don't you have a boyfriend?" he sked. "You're definitely pretty enough to have one."
This time I was expecting it, but apparently my mind doesn't communicate well enough with my body. Because I still blushed. "Well, I kept waiting for Mr. right, but everyone seemed so completely wrong. Then, I got busy and never found the time or the right guy. Besides, I kind of have a reputation for beeing a... ball buster."
"Really?" Artemis asked. "I couldn't tell."
I chuckled. "I wouldn't hurt a fly."
"I don't know... when you threatened Aidan it did make me a bit nervous." I tried to hide my smile as I thought about what I had promised to do if he touched me again. Not that I would ever do it.
Before, I could respond, Arty spoke again. "Look," he said pointing up at the sky. "The sun is finally rising."
"Let's watch it," I suggested, ending our game. I pulled my legs up under me. At this moment, I realized that Artemis was still holding me and I was still lying in his chest. I know that I should move or sit up, but I was too warm and too comfortable to even try. It's official, I wouldn't mind this moment lasting forever.
Wait! Did I just think that? I refuse to do so ever again, so I switched my eyes to the most beautiful thing in the clearing. I looked up and watched as the sun slowly rose over the trees. I watched as the sky turned pink and then orange. The bright light shone on the trees and painted the river a bright and vivid orange. It looked like the whole world was on fire for that moment. I took as second to glance up at Arty. His face seemed to bask in the sun. It made him look paler but brought out the positive features like his shining eyes and strong jaw.
"Wow," I muttered.
"Yes, it is quite beautiful." We sat there for another thirty minutes as we watched the birds fly through the clearing and the squirrels scamper about in the trees.
"Hollinda?" Artemis asked a bit uncertainly.
"Yes Artemis?"
"We should probably get ready to go home now."
I sighed and reluctantly agreed. I didn't want to leave, but it was inevitable. I'm glad he had broached the subject, because if he hadn't then I probably wouldn't have said anything. "Yes, it is getting late or early. Whichever."
Artemis smirked a bit more at my comment, but said nothing. We both sat there knowing that we had to leave and end that beautiful moment. But neither of us made any attempts to move. We sat there for the next ten or so minutes. I sighed again as I realized that I was going to have to be the one who ruined the moment. "Come on, Artemis," I huffed. "Let's go home."
He looked from the sky to me and sighed deeply. "Okay," he nodded as he stood and pulled me up beside him. This time I didn't protest as he helped me to tumble up. I quickly pulled my skirt down a bit and wiped off the back so that there was no dust on my butt.
Thankfully, Artemis looked away as I was doing that. It's good to see that he had common sense. If he didn't then he probably would have been punched. As soon as I was done 'adjusting' myself, he took my arm and we walked toward the tree line. When we got to the trees, I did the one thing that I knew I wasn't supposed to do. I looked back at what I was leaving behind me. I saw the sun-dappled river, the lush grass, and the huge center-cradle tree. It all looked so different when dappled in the morning glow. It was so much more inviting and so much less grim than it had been last night or rather early this morning.
"Are you coming?" Artemis asked, gently pulling my hand in the direction of the car.
"Yes," I replied with a small smile. "Lead the way." He looked surprise as he silently led me through the five minute stretch of forest. The first thing that I saw through the trees was the car, which was exactly where we had left it. Artemis pulled me the rest of the way to the passenger seat, and opened it for me. I slid in on the surprisingly warm seat as he went to the other side of the car and did the same.
He started the car and calmly pulled us out of fantasy and back into reality. He didn't wait to let it 'warm-up' or anything like that. I'm not a human car expert, but I don't think their vehicles have advanced quite that much. "Artemis?" I asked.
"Hmm?" he responded while keeping his eyes on the road.
"How is this car already warm?" Yes, I know that this is a sports car, but even sports cars take some time to warm up.
Artemis's eyes flashed at me for a moment, and he looked like he wanted to turn and lecutre me about it. Thankfully, he wasn't able to. "I made a few... improvements to this car."
"What kind of improvements?"
"I replaced the top panels with red solar-panels that collect sunlight and converts it to usable energy. The engine was replaced with a simple battery-system. It makes the car much more efficient. In fact, this car can go completely without gasoline. Not only does the energy power the car, but it also keeps it warm as it travels from the top of the car, down and out."
Amazing. First of all, his lecture had been understandable. And second, his invention had been very good. "Saving the world, one car at a time," I grinned.
"I try," he chortled. He was obviously remembering all of the times that he had really saved the world. Or at least stopped the two worlds from colliding. I took this as an opprotunity to look out of the window as we sped through the forest and toward the city.
"You can turn on the radio if you want to," Arty reminded me.
"Okay," I said as I fiddled with the dials, trying to find a song that I liked.
I finally found 'Wannabe' by the Spice Girls. "You like this?" Artemis demanded.
"What's wrong with it?" I huffed. "I think it's a pretty good song."
"Nothing's wrong with it. If you like this type of worthless music."
"Well, what do you like to listen to?"
"David Bowie and classical music," he smiled. "But this isn't so bad I guess."
I rolled my eyes at his 'taste' in music. It seemed to leave a lot to be wanted. "Hey Arty?" I asked moving on from the music conversation.
He glanced away from the road to look into my eyes. "Yes?"
"Why don't we continue our game until we get there?"
"Alright," he agreed. "I believe it's your turn."
"Hmm," I murmered stroking my chin. "I think I'll pass this turn."
"I suppose that means that it's my turn?"
I rolled my eyes and bit back all of the really meant things that I could say. Instead, I took on his haughty air. "I suppose so."
His lips were tugging at their corners so I knew that he really wanted to smile. But he managed to not do it. Instead he asked me his question. "What do you like the most excluding friends?"
"I love the rain," I blurted out before I could stop myself. Once I had started I knew that it was much better if I continued. "I love the way that it feels on my skin. And I love to feel the sun shining on my face."
"Really?" he asked. "I would have imagined you saying something more..." he began but was unsure of how to finish. Hmm, seeing Artemis Fowl short of words is something that should be documented to use for blackmail later.
Of course I knew exactly what he was trying to say. "Materialistic? Is that what you were going to say?"
"Perhaps," he said looking nervous but I just sighed as I tried to hide my giggles.
"Everyone always expects that, but I'm not a material girl at all. I love being outside and doing adventurous things."
"Somehow, I'm not surprised," he smirked. "Now it's your turn."
"I know it's getting boring but I want to ask you the same question."
"Actually, it's pretty hard to be bored in your prescence. And I don't mind the question, if you don't mind the answer."
"Well, then tell me the asnwer and let me decide."
"I love to be right all of the time. I love the buzz that I get from being right and defeating others by sheer wit and intelligence." He said with a grin and a smug look.
"Somehow, I'm not surprised," I laughed. "You wanting to be right? Perish the thought!"
"I know it shocks me," he chortled.
"Your turn," I reminded him.
"What do you hate?" he asked.
"I hate stuck-up narcissistic pricks," I said. "I hate it when people lie to me."
"Have you been lied to a lot?" he asked and I thought that I saw a flash of pain in his eyes. Oh, I hadn't meant to hurt him. I suppose he thought of us when I mentioned lying.
"Not really," I said ending the conversation and trying to keep him from being hurt.
"Your turn," he said after seeing that I wasn't going to give him a direct answer.
"Well, I know what you hate," I began, but he cut me off.
"And what is that?" he demanded.
"You hate being outsmarted and you definitely hate to be wrong," I giggled. Then, I sobered up. "You also hate to let yourself feel anything."
"Thank you, Dr. Freud," he joked. Joking? It seems to be becoming more and more like him as time goes on. I think that I really like his new personality.
"We're here," he noted as he made the turn that led to the Mariott.
"Ugh, so soon?" I asked. I hand't even noticed us go from rural to city. I had been too into our game and too into Arty. That's when I realized that I was reluctant to leave him, but I know that I have to.
He pulled up under the canopy and stopped. The valet rshed up to our car before we had even stopped. "Shall I take your keys, sir?" he asked as his adam's apple bobbed nervously. He was probably afraid of scratching or denting the car. You had to feel sorry for him. I think he actually thought that Arty would hurt him or something.
"No, he won't be staying. He's just dropping me off," I told him.
The valet had started to go back to his post, but Artemis spoke up. "No, I'll be walking the lady to her room. You may park it, if you will?"
"O-o-of course sir," he stammered.
Artemis started to get out of the car, but I knew what was going to happen next. So, I swung my door open and hopped out. It was a bit more... undignified that I had attended. Nevertheless, I still had the sense of satisfaction.
I watched aas Artemis rounded to my side of the car with a grimace on his face. "Haha, I won that time," I teased, stickin my tongue out at him.
"Do you always have to?" he asked as he took my arms tand led me through the door that the valet held open.
"Do you?" I countered.
"Touché," he smiled as he led me to the elevator. I stopped us in our tracks as I looked at the tiny metal box in front of us.
"What's the matter?" he asked, stopping with me.
"I don't like elevators," I murmered quietly.
"Claustrophobia?" Does he always have to be right? It can get so annoying at times. Though to be fair, there's not much else that it could be.
"Yes. I do not do small enclosed spaces," I whined and I shuddered involuntarily. Just the thought of those doors closing in front of me set my teeth on edge.
"The stairs then?" he asked.
"If you don't mind," I replied. "The suite's up on the penthouse." I didn't realize how stupid that sounded until I had said it. Of course, he knew where the suite was. It was his family's property.
"Let's go," he said as he led me to the large marble staircase.
It was a long way up and I wanted to talk at least a little. "So, why did you decide to come up here with me?"
"Playing that game again?" He chuckled.
"Maybe," I teased. "Now answer the question."
"Are you always this ... forceful?" he teased back.
"Only when a guy won't answer my question. And let me just tell you, after asking the third time, I get downright violent."
Artemis smirked with his hand on the opposite banister, as he climbed up the stairs. "Well, we wouldn't want that to happen. So, I'll answer you."
"About time," I muttered.
He chuckled a bit before he ansered me. "I just wanted to make sure that you got hoom safely." Yeah right. Everything that Artemis does has an ulterior motive.
I snorted. "Yes, because the boogey man was going to take me away before I got to my room." The idea was pretty laughable. I may not be the tallest fairy, but I'm not weak by any measure of the word.
"He'd bring you back in an hour," he chortled. "But to be serious, you never know who'll do what in this world."
"True," I said. "But aren't you worried about what the neighbors will say?"
"What neighbors?" he asked laughing.
"Oh, you know what I mean," I huffed.
"Fair enough. Most of these 'neighbors' are here doing things that shouldn't be done with people who they shouldn't be doing it with. How does the old quote go?"
"Ummm, don't judge a book by it's cover?" I guessed.
Artemis frowned a bit and a crease appeared between his eyebrows."Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of: Let he without sin cast the first stone."
"That quote fits much better," I allowed.
"Thank you," Artemis said with a small bow. This may not seemed like a big deal. But bowing while walking up the stairs is quite an achievement (especially if you're as clumsy as he is) if I do say so myself.
"But I wan't complimenting you," I protested.
"Your mouth wasn't but your body language was," he replied smirking again.
"My mouth speaks for my body, and my mouth says that my body said no such thing."
"Me thinks that the lady doth protest too much."
"Probably," I admitted. "But that doesn't mean that my protestants aren't completely and totally correct."
"Protestants?" Artemis demanded. "It's not a word. At least not in the sense that you are implying. You could have said things that I protest against or protestations instead."
"I could have, but I didn't," I said sticking my tongue out. "Besides, I like my way better."
"Somehow, I'm not surprised. You seem like a renegade, loose-canon cop."
That statement was enough to get me giggling again. Those were the exact words that Internal Affairs had used to describe me on their last report. "You have no idea."
"Hey, Artemis? This may seem random, but can I ask you something?"
"Ask away," he nodded curiously.
"Juliet said that you weren't the 'fit type.' How are you not tired now?"
Artemis chuckled again. "I've gotten into exercise of the physical variety. Butler has been training me and I've even developed some actual muscle. Though I'm still not exactly what you'd call 'fit'."
"Well, you made it up ten flights of steps," I smiled as I glanced up at the sign above our heads. "It doesn't seem like it's been that long."
"No, it really doesn't," he said leading me to the door that led to my room."Good-night. Or rather, good morning."
"The same to you," I said still lingering. I wasn't ready to go in yet. I really didn't want Arty to leave. Tonight had been one of the most fun nights that I had had in a while. And I wanted to draw it out as long as I possibly could. I sighed in defeat. No matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't make this moment last forever.
"I had a wonderful time tonight," I admitted.
"As did I," Artemis grinned. "Perhaps we could do it again the next time that you're in town?"
I blushed a bit from his intensity of his word and his attention. "Definitely. We'll paint the town red."
"Good-night," he chuckled. He took my hands and brought them to his lips. He then laid a soft kiss on my knuckles. "Until then, I bid you adieu."
"And the same to you," I grinned. "I'll call you soon."
"But I never gave you my number," he mumbled in confusion.
"I have all of the numbers," I smirked as I opened the door and slid inside.
I couldn't resist peeking my eye through the peep-hole. I looked as he rubbed his hand through his hair with a confused look on his face. He stared at the door another minute as if hoping that I would come back out and say some other smart comment. After seeing that I wasn't, he mimed locking the door and turned to slowly walk toward the elevator.
I heaved a sigh of relief. All of a sudden, a wave of exhaustion swept over me and I felt like I was drowning. I wanted to sleep. My body felt like sinking down and sitting on the floor by the door. Somehow, I found the strength to drag myself to my room.
I drug my heavy feet as I passed Juliet's door. I glanced inside and saw her shaggy, blond bed-head peeking out from under the cover. Great, she made it home before me. I'm definitely not looking forward to our morning conversation.
I backed out of her room and stumbled down the hall to my closed door. I opened the door and pulled myself to the bed. I was standing in front of it when I just let go. My body fell to the bed and I was overwhelmed by the comfort and warmth of it. That was the last thought I had before a deep and heavy blackness engulfed me.
A/n:
Woo-hoo! Another Chapter down. Thankfully, I won't be doing this in Arty's POV. So, the Phenom chapters are officially over. (don't cry too much…J)
Oh, from now on I will update my one of other stories and then come back to this one. That way I can finally finish those. Anyway,I hope to update this story soon. Keep reading and I'll keep writing. Oh and remember to review. Flames are welcome. They're what keep me warm and toasty at night. ;) Before I leave you guys:
I'd like to give a note to birthofthecool:
I'd for you to point out the Mary-sue so that I can fix him/her.
Yes, the POVs change, and as the author it's my creative liscence to do as I please. I did it so that you could understand how each character was feeling. It didn't seem unnecessary.
That's Holly's act. She pretended so Arty wouldn't know who she is. That's 'Holinda's' persona.
Yes, it is ridiculous. That's the point. To show their developing relationship and how they bring out different sides in each other.
There are many reasons why 'writers like me' buff Artemis up. I never said that he was a 'top specimen'. I simply said that he had musculature. No he's not a type developed man, but he could have developed muscles in the years after his trip to the past.
And for your last point. My friends and I are 15 and can't even get into clubs and would never want to. Also, I've never seen 'Gossip Girl' or 'Clueless', so I wouldn't know how it compared to my story. These ideas came from my head and I'm sorry that my later chapters did not please you. But to be honest, I don't think you really gave it the benefit of the doubt. Regardless, that's your choice. Thanks anyway.
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
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