(Untitled)

[artfowler]

There are many doors in Fowl Manor. Artemis Fowl the Second, of course, has known of this for a very long time and not even the hidden doors, and there were many of those as well, manage to surprise him.

In fact, he knew the two hundred acre estate quite well. It would be a silly thing not to know the grounds that you lived on, after all. But

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[cheerychaplain]

Father Mulcahy has a favorite table, near the Observation Window. When he first arrived here, he liked it because he could turn his back on the unsettling window and catch no glimpse of it, but he is an old hand, by now; he looks at the end of the universe and he sees only its beauty.

He is sitting at that table now, Bible at hand along with a notepad, and though he is intent on homily-writing, he does glance up from time to time.

One of those times, he catches sight of the boy standing in front of the window.

"Unique, isn't it?" he asks.

[cheerychaplain]

"Ah - they tell me that it's magic," says Father Mulcahy, craning his neck to try to see what it is that Artemis is looking at.

[artfowler]

Magic. Artemis smirks. A very small smirk, but rather noticeable nonetheless if one could see his face. It was an affirmation of sorts that thought this might not be the same brand of magic as was in his world his search for the People was not in vain.

He turns back to Mulcahy, all trace of the overwhelming excitement gone as he schools his features into indifference. "Magic, you say? How curious. I suppose it's about time I let on that I'm new to these parts, if you hadn't guessed it already. What else can you tell me of this place?"

[cheerychaplain]

"It's -- interesting," he says, motioning to the empty chair across from him. "Time often freezes outside for patrons while they're here. The bar is something of a wonder, too; it serves drinks, food, supplies -- anything that you might want, all without a bartender."

[artfowler]

"And what of the patrons that visit here?" he asks, dropping into the empty chair.

There was such possibility there, an invaluable resource to say the least, and Artemis's mind was already racing with thoughts.

[cheerychaplain]

Mulcahy is in his element, talking about people. "Oh, from all over," he says with a smile. "Earth, other planets, parts unknown -- I've met wonderful people here." He smiles, though it fades a touch, as he goes on. "From what I understand, though, there are some unsavory characters, so it can't hurt to be cautious."

Artemis is, after all, Mulcahy is certain, just a boy.

[artfowler]

"Unvarying caution, I always say," Artemis assures Mulcahy, his fingers in a steeple as he sits back in the chair. In truth though, his motto was know thine enemy. But, details. "I don't suppose you've heard of any sprites being about, have you? I've an... interest in magical beings."

[cheerychaplain]

"Sprites," he repeats, and he shakes his head after a moment's thought. "No, I can't say that I have. There are people here, though, who claim to know and perform magic. There are wonders here," he murmurs, "that can't be explained."

That can only be accepted and believed in.

Father Mulcahy thinks of a Lion.

[artfowler]

It wouldn't do anyway if there were a sprite about, Artemis thinks. No, the said sprite had to come from his Earth and his time - and it was a wonder how, being in another realm, was not particularly bothering him at the moment - or his plan might not go accordingly.

Nevertheless, to keep an innocent face:

"I'll be having to keep a look out then in case," Artemis says, slumping his shoulders for the sense of disappointment, and adding, with as much childish displeasure he could muster, "I've always wanted to see one."

It's another moment, letting the invented disappointment hang in the air about them like an ominous cloud, before Artemis carries on, "Aside from the more obvious," and here he means the spectacular view, "What other sort of wonders do you speak of?"

[cheerychaplain]

"People from different worlds, people with inexplicable abilities, the tendency of the bar to play little jokes," he says, thoughtfully. "There are others, too, that it's best for you to discover yourself."

Like the Lion, and those who aren't quite human.

[artfowler]

This was perhaps the most exciting opportunity that has ever happened to Artemis before. And, if he were one for jumping up and down with delight, he'd perhaps be doing so. But, as most know, Artemis is not such a person and he takes in all the wonders to be explored with little emotion.

That's not to say though that his heart is not beating rapidly in his chest with the thrill of impending discovery. But Artemis quelled the initial instinct to hop out of his chair and set to exploring, like any other twelve year old might do, in favor of looking around the bar once more with a critical and cautious gaze.

He did this while, in an offhanded sort of way and sounding more like an annoyed business man, said, "Yes, yes. Exploration, discovery. We children love to do that."

[cheerychaplain]

Father Mulcahy is starting to get the impression that 'we children' isn't an entirely accurate phrase for Artemis to use.

"Ah -- I've found that children do, yes," he says. "Plenty of adults, as well."

[artfowler]

"Hmm? Oh yes, of course," Artemis says, hearing Mulcahy vaguely as his gaze continues to sweep the bar. "I imagine my father to be one of them."

That is, if one considers illegal endeavors to be a form of adventure and exploration. In which case, Artemis could be considered quite the explorer as well, soon to be setting off on his own adventure.

[cheerychaplain]

"Ah," he says with a smile. "What does your father do?"

[artfowler]

"A bit of everything. Business endeavors mostly," Artemis says, which was very well true for the most part, but there was the slight detail of most of the endeavors being illegal that he leaves out.

"Or, he used to, that is..." And, here, he looks a bit vulnerable, much like any child missing their parent dearly might. But as quick as the look had appeared, it was gone. "He's been missing for a bit now. He'll be back though."

[cheerychaplain]

"I'm sure that he will," says Father Mulcahy, with the rare ability to say things of that nature without them sounding patronizing or less than genuine. "Are you living with your mother, then?"