I Could Smell The Roses

Demons

Artemis POV

I wake up the morning worried about two things. The odd thing is that the first thing I thought about was Holly. I have an moment of déjà vu when I can't place what happened that connected my thoughts to her. Then I remember that she hugged me. Ah yes. I just wish I could have hugged her back. She is a elf yet more human than me in some ways. I often look back at what's happened so far in the story and think, did I really do that? Looking back at my life, I'm able to understand what I did wrong. And I've missed a chance to prove that I can fix it. There is another reason why I missed Holly though, but I daren't think about it. It's proven that if you don't consider or think about an emotion, then it takes longer to grow on you. I don't want to fall for Holly. It's wrong and it won't work. The next thing I think about is my plan. There is almost no doubt in my mind that the thing we met was a werewolf. I heard from a drunk LEP officer last night that Foaly and Commander Kelp are holding back information that a werewolf rebellion is building. Now all I need are my memories and some more information. Surely my full memory restored self would know something about this. He must have been aware. I'm almost counting on it. I get changed into trousers and a shirt with rolled up sleeves. Holly said she liked it. I'm not aware that I dressed like this to impress her until I walk into the living room. Holly looks up from her work on a computer.
"Well dressed this morning I see." I nod and peer over her shoulder,
"Artemis Fowl II Health Report
Memory Recollection Stage 4
Complete
Witness
Holly Short
Complications
None
Remarks
No head clutching fit, seems to be adapting." I read. Holly nods.
"I don't do elaboration."
"We're polar opposites I say dryly, and make myself breakfast, simply toast and orange juice. I miss Butlers cooking. His Caesar Salad is excellent. But I don't dare voice this thought, since I don't want to run the risk of being flattened by Holly.
"I thought we'd go and visit No. 1 today." Holly says, over her shoulder. I frown, a vague and blurry memory surfacing in my mind.
"No. 1?" Holly grins,
"You'll see."
After breakfast, Holly and I set off for LEP plaza. On the way, we're greeted by a certain squat, pungent smelling dwarf.
"Holly!" Exclaimed Mulch and Holly greeted him with equal enthusiasm, leaning down to hug him.
"Hello Mulch." She says. Mulch, whom has spotted me over Holly's shoulder, squints at me.
"It can't be. Artemis Fowl." He leans over to Holly.
"I thought he was dead." I chuckle.
"I was, but I'm better now." Mulch looks shocked as I shake his hand.
"Artemis Fowl making a joke. The world must be ending."
"Not in this case Mulch." Intervenes Holly,
"But we'll be sure to alert you when it comes." Mulch winks,
"I'll be there." Holly and I find an oddly empty path to Police Plaza without anymore distractions. Holly notices my look,
"Holidays are over in Haven, Artemis." I half smile in response. After being scanned for various weapons and bugs, a suspicious security guard steps back to let us through. Foaly clops towards us in a new shirt and tie.
"Hello Artemis." Says Foaly.
"Believe it or not, I missed our intelligent conversations."
"Talking of intelligent conversations, we met Mulch on the way."
"Oh don't get me started Artemis-"
"Okay boys, banter over." Says Holly, adopting a leadership role.
"I've had enough for one day. Where's No.1?" Foaly pointed to a gold line beneath our feet.
"Follow the lines till you get to the Warlock Lab. Or follow the rainbow lines, as we used call them, until the humans stole that idea and got it into their heads that there was a reward at the end." Foaly cackled.
"Hardly." And he left Holly and I to find the Lab. I was the easiest task we had all day. When we entered the lab, the first thing I saw was a cloud of purple smoke go up in the middle of the room. I have a coughing fit.
"Sorry! Sorry!" Sqeaks a childish voice. And through the smoke comes a very odd little fairy. It is Crimson from tip to toe, with black runes everywhere like tattoos. It's teeth were points and horns rose from its head. No doubt this was No.1 . My suspicions were confirmed when Holly greeted him and explained the situation. I vaguely listened to their whispers, but was more preoccupied with examining the contents of certain flasks, one of which seemed to contain liquid CO2 at room temperature. Eventually, I was called over, where No.1 gave me a bone crushing hug.
"Good to see you Artemis. Now..." He looked into my eyes and muttered something. Suddenly images flashed before my eyes. I blinked and shook my head several times to rid the confusion. Then I recognised No.1.
"No.1!" The demon smiled broadly.
"See, he remembers!" Holly was dumbfounded.
"How..." No.1 winked.
"Just a little magic to remind him."
"Can you help regain all his memories." No.1 turned grave.
"No, I can only revive memories which I played a big part on. He might end up with patches he can't remember. Anyway, he was almost there, I just nudged him in the right direction. But you haven't had much trouble, I don't think?" Holly sighed.
"I'm tired of desk work." I don't let my hurt show.
"I can't get enough of it." Holly half chuckled.
"Let's go Artemis." She took my hand we left. I didn't let go of it the whole way home.