Chapter 53

Equestrians, Unicorns, and Pegasi

RECAP:

"And you know that we're going to talk about this later," she warned. Really almost everything out of her mouth was a warning. One that usually went unheeded.

"I look forward to it." Holly glanced at me and pouted the rest of the way to the door.

"Good-bye and good luck," the two phoenixes said, and flew off taking their light with them.

Holly grimaced at me, and opened the door. We entered and stepped into the next area...

Holly's POV:

Artemis and I entered the door, and I couldn't help but feel bothered. Wisebeak had showed Artemis something and I'm sure that it had something to do with me. No, I'm not vain or cocky. I just know what phoenixes can be like. Ugh, I just hope that whatever they showed him wasn't too humiliating on my part. Though knowing them, it was.

"Hooolly?" Artemis called to get my attention.

"I'm here." Now I am anyway.

"You stopped walking. I was asking where we're going."

I squinted in the glare of the bright sky. "Just over that hill there."

He just nodded and continued walking. In a way, he seemed sort of distant like his mind was somewhere else, and I hated when he started behaving like this. It was always so hard to shake him out of it. And to be honest, most of the time the thoughts weren't very conducive to his sanity. "What are you thinking about?" I demanded.

His mismatched eyes snapped out of his revere and focused on me. "Nothing of any importance."

And I wouldn't believe that. "Everything you think is always important."

"Occasionally, I do just think about inconsequential things," he replied, slightly snappish.

Artemis snappish? He's so rarely like that now. I won't lie, it hurt my feelings just a bit. But I couldn't show him that. I would not be weak in front of him. "Sorry to bother you," I mumbled.

I glanced away, but could feel his eyes softening. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see him raise his hand awkwardly, unsure of whether or not to embrace me. Instead he just reached out and patted my shoulders awkwardly. Emphasis on the word 'awkwardly', but it is the thought that counts, I suppose."I apologize," he said soothingly. "I suppose I'm a bit 'cranky' as you would put it."

I know that I shouldn't be so easy to accept his apology, but it was Artemis. And Arty is so... special to me. He's the only one in and under the world that could get me to forgive him that easily without even trying. "I accept."

"Wonderful," he smiled, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, and bringing me into his warmth. It was such a kind gesture, but it felt... strange. Not strange in a bad way, but just... different.

I took his arm and held his hand instead. "That's better."

He smiled half-heartedly as I led him down the big hill. This side was even more beautiful than the other. The grass was literally greener. The sun was brighter and the trees were taller. It was a sort of perfect paradise. Though it would have been even more perfect had it been real.

Artemis POV:

We were in yet another beautiful place. One could barely tell that the bright sun was artificial or that he grass was not entirely developed through normal photosynthetic processes.

Down in the valley below us, I could see a figure running towards the two of us. It was moving quickly on four, strong legs. Clearly in the horse family. The creature continued on, pulling into a graceful stop right in front of us.

Through all of my time spent dabbling in the fairy world, I had come to believe in almost everything mythical. So, the creature was not nearly as surprising as it should have been.

Its body was that of a horse. Its hide was a glistening and perfect white with a long and healthy tail and mane. The only difference from a typical horse was the horn located directly in the center of its forehead, and the intelligent gaze that was staring out from its amber eyes.

"Hey," Holly smiled at the unicorn that she obviously knew very well. A part of me really wanted to remind Holly that 'hay' was for horses. Though, I realized that in present company that would be rude to the utmost degree.

"Hey Holly," she replied, her voice sounding bubbly and energetic. In fact, I had the feeling that she wanted nothing more than to bounce up and down from the sheer joy of seeing us. "Who's your friend?"

"Oh, Orchid, this is Artemis. Artemis, this is Orchid."

Orchid lifted her front hoof and waved it. "Hey Artemis. It's great to see you."

"Hello," I greeted. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

She giggled very much like how one would expect Juliet to. "He's cute," she said to Holly as if I wasn't there or couldn't hear her. Or perhaps she was well aware of my presence, and only wanted to portray an act of being ditsy. And I'm sure that the later choice was the one that most applied.

"Orchid!" Holly chided much to her friend's amusement. "He's my best friend."

"Yes, and he's very cute. Though he's probably even cuter as a human." Hmm interesting. All mythical creatures seem to be able to tell that I am human beneath my disguise.

"You are impossible." Holly shook her head, her long auburn hair falling into her eyes. I resisted the urge to push it away, leaving it to her.

"And that's why you love me..." she trailed off with a mischievous grin. Just like Juliet, she appeared to be up to no good.

Holly just chuckled and threw her arms around the unicorn. All the while, I stood there watching, unsure of what to do or say.

"Hey lover boy, why don't you come and give me a biiiig hug?" she giggled, the innuendo coming across loud and clearly.

I felt my face heat up from humiliation. Luckily, Holly was there to do her job as my closest friend. "Stop looking at him like he's something to eat!" she commanded, and one could hear her voice rising in barely expressed annoyance.

She neighed loudly and turned to me. "Oh, I don't eat men. I like hay, sugar, apples, and carrots. The pointier the better." she winked. Another barely hidden innuendo.

Holly's mouth opened wide, and she slapped the creatures flanks. "Behave!" she chided. Her face was even redder than mine. Though that hardly seemed possible.

"Aww, but I'm so used to being a baaaad girl." She approached me and rubbed her head against my chest. Etiquette would require that I not step away form Orchid. So, I gently patted the top of her head, as I would do with my own horse. Thankfully, she straightened and backed away a bit. "Oooh. You have magic fingers, Artemis," she cooed.

Needless to say, Holly was not happy. One could almost feel the heat radiating off of her. Her whole body was shaking with barely suppressed rage. Obviously, she needed to get out of here, and at times I am a relatively merciful man.

I glanced down at my watch, and feigned shock. "Orchid, it was very nice to meet you, but we really should be going."

"Well, if you can't stay..." she trailed off before leaning down, and nuzzling Holly's cheek. Then she turned to me. She winked mischievously before leaning down. "You'll thank me for this." she whispered and nuzzled my cheek. She then took it a step further by licking the side of my face, her rough, dry tongue, gliding form my chin to my cheek.

It took quite a bit of my will power to resist wiping the saliva off of my face. Yes, my horse had done this a countless number of times, but he was not so nearly as sentient as this unicorn. "Good day," I waved, pulling the very angry Holly along behind me. As soon as I was sure that we were out of hearing range, I spoke. "Jealous?"

Holly's POV:

"Jealous?" Artemis asked with a smug grin.

I jerked out of my revere. "Jealously? Don't flatter yourself." Jealous? I could never be jealous of Orchid. And never because of Artemis. But to be fair, Orchid had not business throwing herself at Artemis like that. He was my best friend, and I was just trying to protect him.

"Never," he chuckled. "Though the flames shooting from your eyes beg to differ."

Needless to say, I was not in the mood at the moment. "If you value your life, then you'll be quiet."

"As you wish." And we continued walking to the next door. I flung it open irritable and walked through it, leaving Arty standing behind me.

Artemis POV:

Holly stomped to the door, flung it open, and marched through it. Ahhh, obviously, I had hit a nerve, and only served to maker her even more angry. I sighed cursing my luck as I followed her through the door. I glanced at Jayjay who was hanging onto her neck for dear life. At the moment, I was very happy that I was not in that position.

As I looked around, I was struck by the scenery. In fact, I felt almost like I had been struck by an intense case of Deja Vu. The scenery was exactly like what we just left. The same sunshine. The same grass. The same hill.

"Holly?" I called, knowing that she was listening even though she pretended that she wasn't. "Am I hallucinating or is this room exactly like the last?" Of course I knew that I was not hallucinating, but just wanted to get Holly talking to me again.

"It is," she assured me stiffly. Jayjay, was gently patting her head to calm her, but it was doing little to help.

"What creatures reside here?" I asked.

Her only response was: "Look." And she pointed up towards the sky line. I could just see two large, winged shadows flying towards us at an alarming speed. Soon enough, the creatures swooped down and one landed in front of each of us.

The creature in front of me looked almost exactly like Orchid. The long mane, the lustrous, white coat. The only exception was the large pair of white wings folded behind their backs, and the lack of a horn.

The one in front of Holly reminded me of the night sky. It was black with small dots of glittering white that resembled stars. Pegasi, the winged horses. Together they were juxtaposed and all the more intimidating for it; yet they were beautiful at the same time.

The pegasi knelt down into a bow before me. As a gentleman, I had experience with the proper etiquette. So, I also bowed deeply. Holly and the black pegasus did the same, and at length, all four of us straightened back to our normal posture.

"It's nice to see that humans have finally learned some degree of manners," the white pegasus sniffed. Her body was similar, but her voice was as far from Orchid's as one could get. It was smooth, pleasantly refined, and even a bit haughty.

"Manners? Perhaps we should hear our guest's name before we insult his species," the black pegasus scolded, his voice deep, equally refined, and equally haughty.

"Oh sorry guys. Artemis, this is Andromeda," she said pointing at the white female. "And this is Celestial." She pointed at the black one. "Celestial, Andromeda, this is Artemis Fowl."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," I smiled, bowing once again.

"Likewise and welcome to our home," the two said in unison, returning my bow.

'

"Thank you."

Celestial looked down at Holly, and I could see his deep brown eyes softening as he watched her. "Holly, you usually wear green so well, but today you seem a little too green for my liking."

I resisted the urge to chuckle. Obviously pegasi did not just have good manners. They were also quite witty. No, Holy was not wearing green clothes. She was 'green' from envy. I must admit that those creatures are quite impressive. Perhaps my favorites of the day.

"I am not green," she huffed.

"Then please remove that sour look from your face if you don't mind," Andromeda requested, a smile hidden somewhere in her words. Surprisingly enough, Holly's distant attitude dissolved slightly and she stepped closer to me. Surprising to say the least.

"That's better," the female nodded. Holly muttered something under her breath and the only response that she received was chastisement from Andromeda. "Mumbling is so very rude."

"Very true. Though anything could be construed as rude depending on who is around them," I said. Yes, it was somewhat funny, but I do not make it a habit to allow people to tease Holly that much. If anything, I am the one that teases her.

The two creatures turned to look at me as if surprised by my ability to form sentences.

"Give an example," Celestial ordered. Meaning that he was used to his directions being obeyed quickly. Though somehow, I do not see Andromeda obeying them.

"Humans are told not to place their elbows on the table because it is rude. Yet when speaking to someone putting the elbows on the table shows interest and attention. Showing attention which could not possibly be construed as rude by most people, because they have done it themselves."

"Good though that does not really apply to us pegasi, seeing as we have no elbows," Celestial chuckled.

"Of course. I know little of what may be polite in the pegasi culture. Though I'm sure that it has almost nothing to do with elbows.." A joke. Something that could either offend or entertain the creatures in front of me. Ah well, nothing ventured nothing gained.

Luckily, my risk was rewarded by Andromeda's laughter. "I like him," she chuckled. "He's intelligent and polite."

"I also like him," Celestial commented. "He's not bad. For a human."

"Woo-hoo! Everyone likes each other," Holly remarked sarcastically.

Celestial looked down at the elf adoringly. "Ahh, my little dear seems bored and irritated."

"What did the unicorns do this time?" Andromeda demanded, looking ready to defend her 'little dear'.

Honestly, I wasn't very surprised by this. The two species seemed as far removed from each other as one could be. Orchid was overly bouncy and excited while these two were collected and calm in a way that the unicorn would never be. "I take it that you have problems with Orchid and the unicorns."

"Of course. They're much too... jovial. They have no limits on behavior and don't wish to gain any either. It's shameful to say the least," she huffed. "And to think that humanity actually tries to compare us."

Holly rolled her eyes. Apparently she had heard this many times before. "Don't pay them any attention Arty. Not all unicorns are flighty, and not all pegasi are uptight." So, Holly was back to calling me Arty. She must have gotten over her little bout of anger. Thank goodness for that. After all, there is nothing quite like an angry Holly Short.

"Of course, not all of us. There are a few basic exceptions," Celestial bragged, happy that most of his species was like him. "And we are not uptight. We are... refined. There's a difference."

I chuckled, thinking about how many times I had said that myself. "An imperceptible, nonexistent one," I chuckled. After all, I know this from experience. The more 'refined' the more uptight a person became. As Juliet said 'it's sad, but true.'

"Perhaps for a human," the female scoffed. Obviously she was quite the life of the party in her mind, and her mate whole-heartedly agreed with her.

"Ahh, but we both know that behavior has no species restrictions, don't we?" I asked, leading the two of them into a cleverly disguised hole. If either said that they knew then it would be admitting that they could possibly be uptight. However if either said no, then it would be admitting that they don't know something, and they were much too proud to ever do that. As a person who used to have similar thoughts, I decided to have pity and throw them a lifeline. "Though there are some ways to prove that you are...exciting."

"Such as?" they asked, trying and failing at not sounding curious.

I glanced at Holly who was grinning mischievously. She didn't quite know where I was going with this trick, but she did know that it was going to be entertaining. And I couldn't disappoint her. After all, that would be rude. "Hmm." I pretended to think. "You could very well try what Holly coerced me into doing yesterday. Namely rolling down that hill."

The two looked at me like I had suddenly gone insane. And to them, this was very much out of their sphere of experience and most likely seemed ludicrous like it had to me. "You're serious?" Andromeda demanded, her intelligent eyes alight with worry and anger.

"As cardiac arrest," I replied with my signature vampire smirk. "Though I'm sure that we could think of something else for you to do, right Holly?"

Holly grinned. Obviously she was loving the punishment. "Of course Arty. They could fly in the air, do some loop-dee-loops while screaming 'woo-hoo', and land as uncoordinatedly as possible."

If anything, those words were even more horrifying. Of course, it was understandable. They were pegasi, the only flying species of equestrians, and they obviously wore that fact as a badge of honor. One that they would not easily remove.

"If you're uncomfortable with this, then it's absolutely fine for you to let this opportunity pass you by, You don't have to be exciting," I said lying the final trap. Ahhh, reverse psychology. It always worked.

The two glared at me. They knew exactly what I was doing, but were powerless to stop me. Much like everyone else in the world. Ahh, the joys of being Artemis Fowl II...

"We'll do it," they responded. Obviously when they became upset, they began speaking at the same time. Interesting. Note to self: Find time to experiment with this connection at a later time.

"Which thing?"

"Both," they responded, dread in their voices.

"Go for it," Holly smirked.

The pegasi took off, galloping towards the hill and rolling down it. Needless to say, it was not graceful in the slightest. Holly and I temporarily lost sight of them as they reached the bottom of the hill. Or we did until they propelled themselves into the air. They flew side by side, flipping, turning, and doing a number of tricks all while yelling "Woo-hoo!" as loudly as possible.

After about five minutes of this, the two staggered and almost fell as they landed in front of us. "How was it?" Holly asked the two.

"Somewhat... exciting," Andromeda said.

"Quite," Celestial replied.

I nodded. As I looked into their eyes, I saw that there was a new light. A new piece of excitement and joy there. "I think someone has found a new hobby," I chuckled.

"Perhaps," they replied, with a shrug. A shrug. That seemed highly unusual for them. Apparently, it takes very little to loosen pegasi up. Interesting.

"Well..." Holly trailed off. "We really should go."

The two nodded and bowed once again. "It was a pleasure to meet you."

"The same to you," I replied, and returned the bow. Holly curtsied as much as is possible when wearing pants. She then grabbed my arm and led me away.

I looked down at her face and saw that she was actually beaming up at me. "Well, someone's happy now," I commented.

"I suppose so," she replied.

"Would you care to tell me why you were so upset with me earlier?" Though I was ninety-nine percent sure that I would get no answer from her.

"Later," she promised.

A promise that she would most likely not fulfill. But I am a Fowl and Fowls are determined. So, I had to at least try again before I could be satisfied. "Why can't you just tell me now?"

She just rolled her mismatched eyes and pointed forward. I had been so intent on her that I hadn't seen the large door that was right in front of us. She smiled, getting some sort of savage joy from my embarrassment as she opened the door and stepped inside.

A/N:

Whoo-hoo! Another Chapter down. Rest assured that I am working on this story quite a bit. Be patient, I haven't abandoned anything, and don't plan on it. The next chapter should be coming up soon... hopefully.

So, yeah, thanks to all of my reviewers and people who added me or this story to favorites. I love you guys. Keep reading and I'll keep writing. Oh and to review. Flames are welcome. They're what keep me warm and toasty at night. ;)

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Yours truly, madly, and deeply,

Einstinette