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«Greetings, I am D.E.X.T.E.R, before you can proceed with reading this top secret manuscript I have to inform you that the authors do not claim the copyrights of Artemis Fowl (Eoin Colfer) and The Hunger Games/Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins)...»

«Next, I need to notify you that the timeline for the events in this fictional story is set after "Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony" and "The Hunger Games," as well as after "Artemis Fowl and the Games of Hunger" taking in consideration that the events from "Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay" never happened. Now that you have been properly informed you may proceed with reading this file, but keep in mind that all documents found on this server may contain spoilers, proceed at your own risk.»

Prologue

Fowl Manor, Dublin, Ireland. A few hours after Artemis's return from Panem...

The sun had long left the sky when Artemis Fowl decided that he could no longer stand the four walls of his study. Ever since his parents had put the twins to sleep and had left his side to go on with their usual activities, a strange feeling had been looming over the boy... Almost like an electric current going through his veins. It felt irrational for him to be anxious and nervous, and yet he was...

Sighing, the Fowl heir made his way to the kitchen, hoping that he would find there some type of distraction to escape his thoughts. The boy was in the process of pouring himself a glass of water when a deep voice surprised him.

"Is everything alright, sir?"

Artemis looked over at the owner of the voice. It was his trusty manservant, Butler. "Yes, I am fine. Thank you."
The tall man observed his Principal. "Are you sure about that? You seem a bit restless since that meeting with N°1."

"I can assure you that I am alright."

The man took a seat at the kitchen counter. "Then perhaps it has nothing to do with your meeting..." guessed Butler, trying to read through Artemis's mask. The boy did not reply; if he did, his life-long friend would have the opportunity to make assumptions Artemis did not especially want him to make. "If I did not know you better..." started the butler as a small grin began to spread on his lips, "No... That couldn't be," he then said, shaking his head.

"What couldn't be?" asked Artemis, raising the eyebrow over his hazel eye.

"It's just that I know this look," shrugged Butler. "Worried, anxious, a bit hopeful... As I said, if I did not know you any better, I'd say that all this is because of a girl." Ever since Artemis's birth, Butler had been prepared to see all kinds of things, but he knew that women were a foreign territory to his friend and that he usually avoided encounters with them.
Artemis felt his blood rushing away from his face for a brief moment, only to come back rather visibly on his cheeks. The raven-haired boy turned his gaze away from Butler. "You are right, you know me better. The conclusion you have drawn is inaccurate."

Butler's smile grew a bit wider. "Is it Minerva?"

"What?" Artemis looked back at the man as if the idea was completely ridiculous. "No. Minerva? Really? I haven't spoken to her in weeks, Butler."
"But it is about a girl, am I correct?"
Artemis turned his head away again. What could he say? Eventually, the boy sighed, granting Butler a shy nod. "Yes, I am afraid you might be correct."

The manservant tried to contain his enthusiasm. "So, a girl who is not Minerva?" He had to admit; he really wondered how Artemis had met one of those.
"Yes," exhaled the boy. "And if I may add, I really don't see why you are getting so thrilled over this, Butler." Especially since she is not even born yet.

"It's most likely the part of me that feels like I am a fatherly figure in your life," replied the man.
Artemis fought the urge to roll his mismatching eyes. "If you must know, it's nothing big, Butler. She is simply nice and we have some things in common." For instance, they both went through the most traumatic experience of their lives together.

"That's always a good place to start," Butler pointed out. "Just out of curiosity, why are you so nervous?"

"I invited her over and I am not certain that she will accept my offer."

"Does she live in the region?"

"Not exactly..."

"Where did you two meet?"

"We met at a scientific gathering focusing on the technologies of the future," lied Artemis. "I attended it a few weeks ago, don't you recall?"
Butler nodded, slightly squinting. He remembered the convention, but not the girl in question. "Of course..." he said slowly. "She must be clever if she caught your eye."

Artemis tried his best not to smile as the different moments he had spent with Silyah flashed through his mind. "Yes, she is clever."

"Pretty?" offered Butler. Despite his efforts, Artemis was unable to hold back his blush. "I'll take this as a yes," laughed Butler. "Did she seem to be... Interested?"

Artemis nearly choked on the sip of water he had just taken. Once he managed to stop coughing, he turned to face his manservant. "There is a possibility that she might be, but as you are well aware of, reading women's emotions is not exactly my strongest suit, old friend."

"Well, she did keep in touch with you after the convention if you actually managed to invite her here, am I right?"

The boy gave a simple nod. There was no need to explain the fact that she was from the future...

"In this case, I think that you have your chances," said Butler, encouragingly as he gave Artemis a light pat on the shoulder.

The raven-haired boy tried to smile, but his attempt failed rather quickly. If he took things from a realistic point of view, he didn't actually have much of a chance unless Silyah stayed in the past, and that would be very improbable, perhaps dangerous considering the paradoxes it might cause.

"When is she dropping by for a visit?" asked Butler.

"If she accepts the invitation, she should be here tomorrow morning."

"Who should I keep an eye out for?" The manservant was almost smirking.

"Her name is Silyah Natho. She is about my height and has long curly brown hair, pale blue eyes and skin just as pale as mine."

"That's rather specific," laughed Butler. As a man who loved romance novels, he was really glad for Artemis, but as a bodyguard, he would have to make sure to remain professional.

"As you are well aware of, I pay a lot of attention to details."

Butler sighed, "Yes, that is indeed very much like you."

Artemis acquiesced, hiding a smile under his hand as his mind sent him memories of a certain Effie Trinket. She had always made a point of telling Beetee how observant she was... Oddly enough, she had been right about Silyah and Artemis before they even knew that they would end up relatively close to each other.

"If you excuse me, I think that I will head for bed," said Artemis after a short moment.

"Expecting her early tomorrow?"

"Hopefully..."

"I can't wait to meet her," Butler smiled once more.

"Oh, before it's too late, don't tell Juliet about this. She would not give me a moment of peace if she learned about my guest."

"Alright," replied Butler. "Try not to worry too much and get a good night of sleep. I'm sure she'll come."

Artemis gave a small nod before leaving the kitchen, heading back to his bedroom. He had to admit; telling Butler about Silyah had made him feel a bit better.

He knew that she would be clever enough to find and crack his code.