Aaron Yrnan walked into the Blue Sailor pub, looking around and grinning. "Ah, the inn! Is there no better place to relax after a long journey through the wide map of the world?" he asked to no-one in particular. Following him, looking around, was Narya Kushar, her posture particularly masculine, causing her to look a lot like a boy at that moment.

"I guess," she said, pushing up her goggles for a moment. "Bit dark in here, though."

"We've been outside for most of the day, Narya," said Aaron, moving over to a table. "I doubt your eyes would have adjusted already." Narya shrugged. "Besides, you shouldn't wear those goggles all the time."

"They're useful, they reduce glare outside." She looked up at him, smiling cutely. "Can I have dessert first?" she asked.

"No, I'm not spoiling you. You did well, but if I let you have dessert first every time you did well you'd be stuffed full of sugar and you'd be fatter than a cow. You'll have dinner first." Narya pouted. "That won't work, Narya. No dessert until after dinner."

"...can I order a dessert for dinner?"

"No."

A woman sat at a table, sipping ale and staring across at a much younger girl. The two looked strange sitting with each other, one rather beautiful and dressed rather normally and the other standing out quite a bit, her dark eyes glittering.

"Axelle," the girl said with a crooked smile. "Nice to see you again."

"Right." Axelle replied with a hiccup. "Back at you." Her blue eyes narrowed as she took another sip. The girl grinned. "I don't remember you at all, though."

"So you lied." The girl whispered, her words icy. "My name is Aphrodite." Axelle snorted. Aphrodite pursed her lips, but turned her attention to the two that had just entered. She waved, greeting the two warmly. The older woman rolled her eyes and took another sip of her drink.

"To answer your question, though, sir, I would have to say that there is no better place." Aphrodite smiled. Axelle growled, already growing tired of this girl.

"Indeed, indeed," said Aaron, bowing slightly to Aphrodite. "And pub food is so wonderfully filling for its price, as well. A good meal, decent conversation... Would you care to join us?" Narya rolled her eyes at Aaron. "What? It's only dinner, you're here which makes it not a date, and it's good to meet new people. Or have you forgotten that already, Narya?"

"I remember," she said, "it's just that you always say it's not a date, and then you wind up talking about the girl for days on end afterwards."

Aphrodite smiled, blushing at the young girl's statement.

"I would love to, but I-" She glanced towards Axelle, who rolled her eyes and waved the three away. Aphrodite smirked and looked back at Aaron. "Of course I will join you. And you as well." She smiled politely at Narya. She'd learned to be as kind as possible, considering her rather extreme, er, gift.

"Well then, let's introduce ourselves!" said Aaron. "I am Aaron Yrnan, and this is my charge, Narya Kushar." Aaron's voice was full and rich, sounding rather odd coming from the young scholar. It sounded like it should be coming from a general about to rally his troops to victory.

"Hello," said Narya quietly, straightening slightly. She still looked a bit masculine, but there were a few obvious signs that she was a girl - notably her voice, which was firmly planted in early womanhood.

The door of the pub opened silently, and Artemis Fowl entered with the same amount of noise. Sticking to the shadows, he placed himself in front of the bartender and ordered a drink. He then walked over to a table in a corner, and sat down to drink it, partially concealed by the darkness. While he drank, he payed close attention to all conversations in the room, a slight smirk playing on his lips, as if enjoying a private, and rather bitter, joke.

"My name is Aphrodite," she said, nodding politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Her voice was smooth as butter, her eyes soft. Axelle huffed, taking yet another sip of her ale. "Oh, this is Axelle. She's an old friend." Axelle raised two fingers in recognition and went back to her drink. "Er, yeah. She's..." Aphrodite stopped, and smiled.

Artemis waved the bartender over, and motioned at his glass. He focused on the four that were speaking, his smirk growing ever wider.

Axelle looked up, spotting the strange boy looking at them. She cocked an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. She kept her gaze focused on him, taking another sip of ale.

David sat at a table near the door, sipping away at a large mug of what appeared to be nothing weaker than brandy. He glanced outside. He focused his attention on the group further in. He took another sip.

Artemis stopped smirking the instant one of the four looked at him. Out of the corner of his eye his saw a man enter the pub, but instead of looking at him as he normally would, Artemis stared at the woman, determined not to look away first.

Axelle set her mug down and stood up, not moving her eyes from the boy. She slid past Aphrodite and walked over casually, her eyes still locked on Artemis.

"Hello." She said, smiling.

Artemis continued to look at her as well, his face impassive. "Yes...hello. Who are you, and what do you want?"

Axelle crossed her arms. "I could ask you the same thing."

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance," said Aaron, pushing his glasses back up his nose. Narya merely nodded. "So... I've not been here before, have you any suggestions?"

"Especially about the desserts," said Narya. Aaron just rolled his eyes.