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Dragon Fyre and Flyght *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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Janine lay on her back in the cave, exhausted from her crying. Now she just wanted to curl away and die...
He was brown for the most part, similar to a human, he was a little shorter then her. He pattered up to her and regarded her with dark intelligent, curious eyes.
"I heard you come in," he explained.
"So do I... Eriki, do you know much about Jareth?"
"I don't know. I don't know him well enough to find out. You might ask his brother."
There was a sound outside and Eriki looked up.
Tris flexed her wings and sent a wind in Eriki's direction, further knocking him down.
There was a sound from near the ceiling.
Janine looked up.
Something moved in the shadows.
Janine squinted slightly, trying to make out what it was
Something moved, moving across the cave to land softly with a thump behind her.
Janine jumped a little and sat up.
Janine looked at him. "Erm, hi..."
"Hello there." He paused, "hmm... that word, "erm" I'm afraid that I am not familiar with that word."
Janine shook her head. "Don't worry..."
He cocked his head to one side, "No, I never do."
"Oh... that must be a nice existence..." Janine said softly.
"Indeed."
"What's your name?"
"Mine? My name is Eriki... at least, I think that's my name. That's what people call me, and what I answer to, so that would make it my name..."
"Okay, right, alright..." Janine nodded. Confusing thing... "I'm Janine."
"I know." He grinned.
"Oh..." Janine pushed her hair out of her face. "I see..."
"Come in?"
"Yes. I heard you when you arrived here."
"Oh right..."
"Yes. Are you going to stay here?"
"Yes, I am. I like it here."
"Oh. That's good, you should always do things that you like, unless of course they are things that cause trouble, in which case I am told that you should not do them."
"No, if you do things you like that hurt other people, that's bad." 'Like Jareth' Janine thought bitterly
"Yes. You do understand. Myself, I try not to hurt other people. The worst that I am is an annoying little creature."
"I don't think so..."
"Oh I've been told that I am quite often. *She* certainly things so."
"She?"
"Yes, you met her I'm sure," he flapped his arms like wings, "Flys, breathes fire, brought you here..."
"Oh! Yes! Yes of course!"
"Yes. I have often been informed by her that I am an annoying little creature." He shrugged, "I certainly cannot see how, surely if I was annoying I would know it."
"I don't know..."
"Do you think that I would know?"
"Erm... I wouldn't know personally..."
"Ah. Well, as you stay here longer, please do not hesitate to inform me if I become annoying, as I am never quite sure when I am, so I can never tell how to do it, or rather how to not do it."
"okay, I'll remember that, thanks..."
"Good, and I do hope that you will like living here."
"Jareth?"
"I guess not..."
"yes I do know him... well not personally."
"Oh.. What can you tell me about him?"
"Hmm... well what do you wish to know? There are some things that I can tell you because I know, and other things that I don't know, which I will not be able to tell you about I'm afraid."
"Well, what is his personality like?" Janine fingered the pendant in her pocket.
"Personality hmm..."
Janine waited for the answer, hoping that perhaps she had been proved wrong. It was not uncommon.
"Jareth is...interesting. He is often very difficult to figure out. Sometimes he can be one way, and sometimes completely the other. Needless to say, this gets very confusing for people who first meet him. Often he can appear very overwhelming...and then sometimes not. He is powerful, it is true, but he is far from perfect, same as most creatures."
"Oh..." Janine looked completely lost. "Could you - erm - slow down just a touch? I didn't catch all of that..."
He bounced slightly, "Slow down? When I have so much to say it helps to speak a bit faster..."
Janine smiled a little. "But if you speak faster I can't understand you."
"Hmm... that is a good point, what's the point of talking when you're trying to explain something to someone and they can't understand you at all."
Janine took a few moments to work out what he said, then nodded. "Very true."
"So I suppose that I could try and speak slower."
Janine nodded. "Could you say what you said about Jareth just a little slower, then I'll understand..."
"Jareth is a hard creature to understand," Eriki said slowly, "He does strange things, sometimes he seems nice and sometimes not."
Janine nodded, listening.
"He often confuses people that first meet him, because no one is ever sure of the reason he does things."
Janine listened in silence. It was true, she didn't know the reason he'd brought her there.
"I don't know him personally...but that is the impression that I get from seeing him."
Janine nodded. "Is there any way, do you think, to discover the reason he does things?"
"His brother?" Janine looked blank, then remembered. "Oh yes, his brother... How would I ask him?"
"I don't know, but I would think that out of any one, apart from Jareth himself, his brother would possibly know what Jareth thinks."
"Very true." Janine agreed. She wondered how on earth she would get to speak to Jareth's brother without Jareth knowing.
"Certainly." Eriki bounced once and then jumped, catching on to an overhand with his long tail, to hang there neatly.
Janine shook her head. "Do you know his brother?"
"Again, not personally."
"Hmm. Okay, I was just wondering..."
He swung back and forth on his tail, "No, I am sorry that I don't, because it would certainly help you."
"That's alright..." Janine leaned back on the wall, wondering when the dragon would be back. That way she could ask her about Jareth's elder brother...
Janine smiled, guessing it was the dragon back.
"Hello?" a familiar female voice called.
"Hi!" Janine got up and went to greet her.
"Hello Janine," she said greeting the girl with a nuzzle.
Janine smiled. "I forgot to ask... and that sounds so rude... but you know my name, what is yours?"
"My full name is Trisanalysia Fyreflyght."
"Tris-ana-lysia..." Eriki chanted, "Far too much to say, Imagine how long that would take to say if you needed to say it all the time..."
"That's a lovely name!" Janine said softly, then giggled as Eriki spoke up. "I like it... But do you think I could possibly shorten it?" she blushed
She reached out with her tail and gently knocked Eriki down from his perch, "You cannot talk about things being too long," she teased him. She turned back to Janine, "Tris will do."
Janine nodded. "Thanks... And that suits you too."
He landed on her tail, clinging to it so as not to fall.
Janine giggled.
Eriki finally made it safely down to earth.
"I see you've met Eriki," Tris said.
Janine nodded. "Yeah, we've been talking..."
"I suspect that he's been talking and you've been listening..."
Janine laughed. "It's been reasonably evenly spread..."
"That's unusual."
Janine laughed again. "Oh, Tris, do you know Jareth's brother?"
"Trent? Yes I do..."
"Okay... I was just wondering..."
"yes?"
"Would I be able to have a few words with him at some point...?"
"With Trent?"
Janine nodded.
"Well..."
Janine tilted her head to one side. "Well?"
"I suppose that I could think of something."
"Thanks Tris!" Janine beamed.
She shook her wings, "I suppose that you want to do this soon..."
Janine nodded. "Whilst it's still on my mind, if you please..."
"Okay....let me think..."
Janine fell silent, her mind running over the questions she could ask Trent, and the possible answers
Tris closed her eyes.
Janine sat down and gazed dreamily into space
Tris concentrated, sending mental line out. It wove through the hair, hot as her breath in waves of reds and oranges.
"Trent?" Jareth called.
He clicked his fingers and disappeared, reappearing in the chosen meeting place and staggering against a tree.
Trent was alone in his room, practicing controlling his psyche, when he felt something. He frowned.
~*Trent*~ the flame of Tris' mind called, hissing and cracking like fire.
Trent winced. ~I can hear you...~
~*Good*~
Trent wished he could concoct another ice potion, but he needed all his concentration for that; he'd have to put up with it for now. ~What do you want?~ He asked, not rudely.
~*I need to speak with you*~ Tris did not exactly communicate with words, she spoke with colors and light and heat, the reason that she did not normally speak mentally to most other creatures.
Trent gripped the arm of his chair, finding the heat beginning to cause him discomfort. ~Where and when?~
~*Not at your castle, nor at my cave, perhaps somewhere in between?*~
Trent couldn't concentrate enough to think of somewhere. ~You decide...~
~*Just outside my territory. Here.*~ She sent him an image.
Trent bit his lip. This was one of the times he wished he had inherited more of his father's magical genes. ~Right, be there. When?~
~*As soon as you can*~
~I'll be there in five minutes...~
~*I will meet you there*~
~Right.~ Trent broke the connection and slumped back against his seat, sweat beaded on his forehead.
Trent groaned inwardly. "Yes?" he called back.
Jareth walked into Trent's study, and started to say something, then stopped when he saw his brother.
Trent grinned, trying to look normal. "Hi, what's up?"
"Brother, what's wrong?"
"Wrong? Nothing's wrong Jareth..."
"You look exhausted..."
Trent grinned again. "I'm fine brother, I was just - practicing... I got a little carried away..."
"you should not do that to yourself."
Trent stood up, curing inwardly as he noticed his hands were shaking, and somehow he'd managed to chip the varnish on the arm rests. "I'm fine brother. I might take a walk..."
"Now?"
"Yes," Trent looked puzzled. "Is that alright?"
"Brother, do not take offense, but you look more like you need a rest then a walk."
Trent laughed slightly. "I'm fine Jareth. I just need some fresh air..." 'Please don't say I look that bad...' he thought inwardly
"I suppose that you ought to know what is best for you..."
Trent nodded. "I do. I will speak with you later..."
He would have to walk home, there was no way he could do that spell again in the condition he was in...
Trent sat down and waited.
Tris landed back at her cave, sliding inside.
Janine was lying on her front, looking at the pendant with a confused expression, remembering how Jareth had given it to her.
"Janine?" Tris called.
"Then come on," she lay down, "Eriki, help her."
Tris picked up speed and jumped out of the cave.
Tris lowered herself towards the earth.
"What'cha doin'?" Eriki asked, hanging down from his tail.
Janine looked up at him. "Oh, nothing... Just thinking..."
"It must be a very heavy thought," he said seriously, "To keep you weighted down on the ground like that."
Janine laughed softly. "It is, very heavy..."
Janine looked up. "I'm back here Tris..." she stood up, putting the pendant in her pocket and walking to meet her.
"Let me help you get up," Eriki said, "Maybe you should put that heavy thought down."
"It's alright Eriki, I can carry it..." Janine said absently. "What is it Tris?"
"You can talk to Jareth's brother."
Janine gulped. "Right, okay. Yes, I think I need to..."
"If you're ready to we can go now."
Janine nodded. "I'm ready."
Tris turned, "Come with me."
Janine looked at her. "You want me to ride you?" she sounded a little incredulous.
"Unless you'd rather I carried you..."
"I don't mind, it's up to you really Tris..."
He scampered over and bounced onto Tris' back, just in front of her wings. "Right here," he explained, reaching down to give her a hand.
Janine giggled slightly as she attempted to get onto Tris' back without hurting her.
Once Janine was settled, Eriki slid down Tris' back, "she's set."
Janine gulped. "How does this work...?" she asked. "I've never ridden anything before, let alone a dragon!"
"Just hang on to that spike in front of you..." Tris advised.
"Okay..." Janine gently held it. "I think I'm set..."
"I won't let you fall." Tris assured her.
Janine smiled. "I know you wouldn't, thank you Tris..."
"Here we go." Tris rose up to all fours and started towards the entrance of the cave.
Janine squealed softly.
Janine gave another excited squeal as they took off. "Okay, this just rocks!" she giggled
Tris flapped her wings and soared upwards.
Janine laughed softly, still holding on tightly.
"I'll take you on a longer flight later," Tris said.
"Thanks Tris!" Janine grinned; she was enjoying herself again.
"We're nearly there..."
"Okay... Tris, what do I say? What's he like?"
"You just ask him what you want to know. He'll be polite to you."
"Okay..." Janine felt a little nervous.
"Don't worry, I'll be nearby, and if you need me you can call."
"Thanks Tris, I should be okay..."
Janine braced herself for landing.
Tris touched down neatly.
Janine jolted a little, but not badly, and sprang lightly from Tris' back. "Gym has it's uses..." she said with a grin.
Tris smiled, "I will tell him that we are here."
Janine stood a few meters away from him, watching him thoughtfully for a moment. He looked older than Jareth, he was better built, darker, and had a different air about him. Whereas Jareth automatically held commanding position in whatever he did and wherever he was, this man seemed to earn a sort of respect without doing anything. Janine felt a pang of sympathy for him; he looked exhausted. She walked slowly over. "Hi…" she said softly.
Janine sighed; this was going to be hard. She could see he was very protective of Jareth. "This might be hard to understand Trent… But - well… I'm - I'm confused and…"
Janine blinked her eyes open as she felt a rush of emotion. It was hers, and it was real.
From where she was waiting a respectful distance away, Tris dozed, the sun reflecting off her outstretched wings.
"So...what are you going to do then?"
Tris nodded, then turned to Janine, "come with me..."
Trent put his hand to his forehead again, too weak to interfere. "I shall take my leave. Farewell." he started on the walk back to the castle, wanting to have enough psych energy to sort out another ice potion for Jareth; he was going to need it...
Janine nodded and walked over to Tris. "Yes?"
Tris nodded, "Okay... climb on, we cannot do it here."
Trent looked up, his eyes a little pained. "Hello. Won't you sit down?" he said, indicating to the grass.
Janine nodded and sat down. "Thank you…"
Trent looked at the mortal girl and tried not to be too angry with her for hurting his little brother so much. "What is it you wished to speak to me about?" he asked.
Janine sighed. "I need to know - some things…"
"Some things?" Trent raised his eyebrows slightly.
Janine nodded, looking down. "About - Jareth…"
Trent rested his head on his hand. "Go on." He said slowly. He was damned if he was going to give her any information!
"I need to know… Well… What he's like… You know…"
"Of course I know. I'm his brother, and I'm a Psy, there isn't much I don't know or can't sense about him." Trent sounded slightly disdainful.
"Confused?" Trent interrupted. He looked at her and acknowledged that he could sense confusion in her. He wondered what about. "Would you permit me to enter your mind?" he asked formally. "It is the best way to clear up confusion, and avoid having to say things you might not want to."
Janine looked thoughtful; did she trust this man enough to let him enter her mind, whatever that meant? She didn't know…
Trent watched the conflicting emotions running across Janine's face and sighed. "Do not be worried Janine, I will not hurt you, and I will not look into areas of your mind you do not wish me to…"
Janine nodded. "Alright. I'll let you, but only because I need your help."
Trent sat down by Janine, hoping that his pounding head would be able to cope with wandering round someone else's psyche for a while… He looked at Janine. "Right, I need you to take my hand and relax…"
Janine nodded slowly and held out her hand for Trent to take, and shut her eyes, letting herself relax. It was hard, but she managed it.
Trent shut his own eyes as he took Janine's hand and slowly entered her mind. It was a cluttered place!
Janine squeezed her eyes tighter as she felt something entering her mind. It felt strange, and she didn't like it much, but she needed someone to know how she felt without her having to try and explain it.
Trent looked around, surprised at how much hurt and pain he could sense in Janine. He concentrated for a while, trying to work out what she felt, but it was truly hard, and without him being at full strength it was almost futile. Almost.
"You need to take down those barriers." Trent said softly. "The more you hide behind them the harder it is to understand your emotions." He left her mind and put his hand delicately to his forehead. "You need to speak to Jareth, alone, and spell-less."
Janine looked a little panicked. "I don't know what to-!"
"Please, trust me."
Janine sighed. "I suppose I'll have to...."
Janine looked over to her. "Tris?" she called softly.
Tris raised her head and blinked. Then she rose to her feet and walked over, folding her wings neatly as she came.
Janine smiled at her, a little distracted. "I - we've spoken Tris..."
"Yes?"
Janine nodded slowly and looked nervously at Trent, who nodded encouragingly. "I have to speak with Jareth..."
Tris shifted, "I figured that would happen..."
Trent raised an eyebrow slightly. Janine sighed. "Yeah..."
"I cannot say that I wish you to see him again, but I know that you must..."
Janine nodded. "I knew you'd understand Tris..."
"Yeah..." Tris said softly.
Janine pushed her hair out of her eyes and looked back to Trent again. 'He looks kinda ill...' she thought to herself.
"I have to speak with him alone..."
"I see..."
Janine went a little red.
"And are you ready to do this?"
Janine frowned. "I just feel - strange... Stronger..."
"Hmmm..." Tris looked thoughtful.
Janine sighed. "Silly I s'pose..."
"I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone with him just yet..." Tris said, "but I think I know how I could be..." Her eyes glittered.
Trent looked up. "If you'll excuse me ladies..." he frowned a little as he felt Tris was up to something. He wondered whether it was - oh dear...
"Janine, my little one..." Tris started.
"Yes?" Janine tilted her head to one side.
Tris gently twined her tail around Janine. "I care for you, even though you aren't a dragon you are still like one of my little ones..."
Janine went red.
"Do you mind this?"
Janine shook her head. "Not at all! I've just never been - cared for before..."
Tris nuzzled Janine. "There is something I can give you, but you must choose if you want it or not..."
Janine contemplated for a moment. "If you tell me what it is, I'll decide..."
"I can give you some powers such as mine. You will be able to speak with me mentally, your vision will improve and you will be stronger..."
Janine smiled slightly; now that sounded cool! "Then I accept..."
"There is one thing that I must warn you of..."
"Yes...?"
"Once this is done, it cannot be undone..."
Janine thought for a while. She wasn't going to go home, she had nothing to return to. "That doesn't matter."
"You are sure?"
Janine nodded. "Definitely."
"Okay..." Janine climbed on, finding easier now she knew she couldn't hurt her badly. And gymnastics had paid off! "I'm ready Tris..."
Tris flapped her wings and lifted from the ground. She rapidly gained speed and hight.
After traveling for a short distance Tris started to descend again.
"We are here..." Tris said in a strange tone. There was a soft hissing sound
"Please wait here for a minute..." With that Tris slithered away, "I'll be back."
Janine walked over to Tris and smiled back at her.
"Don't worry, that's expected." Tris said. ~*Now then...*~ she added mentally.
Tris was aloft with a jump, gliding on air currents of white blue and silver through a blue sky tinged with rich violets.
Tris flew along, riding on the air currents.
Trent looked up and shaded his eyes from the sun. He could sense Tris, although she wasn't in the immediate vicinity, but he could sense her. Strange, something felt odd...
Trent frowned and stopped walking. He knew it couldn't be possible, but it sensed almost as if she had a hatchling with her......... It took a few seconds for the whole thing to filter through his befuddled brain and he groaned. "Oh no..."
Trent sighed; he'd have to warn Jareth, but he didn't know how soon he could get back...!
~*Nearly to the castle*~ Tris said.
Janine grinned and giggled, enjoying the feeling of the wind blowing her hair back. "Hey Tris?" she called. "Do you think I should cut my hair?"
"Your hair?" Tris asked, "What ever you like..."
Janine smiled. "I guess I'd better think about it... Hmm, long or short....?"
"You can think about it...then decide..." Tris said, "But I cannot talk right now..."
"That's okay..." Janine relaxed and enjoyed the ride
Tris climbed higher, and higher, until she shot through the clouds.
Janine gasped softly as she looked around. It was amazing!
Tris flew without hesitation, straight on.
Janine looked around her silently, pinching herself once to remind herself it *wasn't* just a dream
Janine swallowed a few times to adjust to the pressure-change
Tris dove through a thick bank of clouds, after warning Janine first.
Janine spluttered slightly and shook herself to get the wet droplets out of her hair.
When she came out of the clouds Tris landed on a level area. It was stone, and just big enough to hold the two of them comfortably.
Janine leaned on Tris' back, not particularly wanting to move now.
Janine raised her eyebrow. "Whu?"
Tris moved slightly as a burst of steam shot from the ground.
Janine looked a little worried. "What the-?"
"don't worry little one, that happens here." Tris smiled.
"That's strange...!" Janine said
"Not really, there's hot water under us..."
"Oh! Of course...!"
"That's why we needed to come here..."
"Really?"
"Yes. Get off me please."
Janine clambered delicately down. "Okay?"
Janine nodded, then leapt rather spectacularly in the air as another jet of steam burst from the ground near her. "Gah!"
Tris returned a few minutes later, holding something in her teeth.
Janine was looking out across the view, fiddling with the pendant in her pocket absently.
"Janine."
"Hmm?" Janine jumped, having been completely lost in thought.
"Janine, take this," Tris said, voice somewhat muffled as she set a large glass down at Janine's feet.
Janine picked it up and looked at it. "This is a...?"
"The next time the water comes out catch it in that...."
"Um, okay..." Janine waited, then jumped at a shot of steam, missing it completely. She blushed sheepishly, then squealed as one shot out from behind her, automatically holding the cup/glass/chalice and catching some of the water. "Heh..."
"Good," Tris said with a smile, "Now come here."
Tris gently took the cup in her front claws and brought a wing around in front, screening her from view for a second. Then she moved her wing back to normal position. The challace now held a steaming hot liquid a wine red color.
Janine blinked. "Wah... Cool...!"
"Drink it."
Janine blinked again, looking a little nervously at the liquid. But then, she trusted Tris! She took the cup/glass/chalice and drank it.
Tris closed her eyes for a second, waiting.
Janine squealed and shook her hand in front of her mouth. "Ah! Hothothothothot!" she bounced up and down on the balls of her feet, giggling a little, the sensation akin to her having eaten a curry. She hated curry...
Tris opened her eyes and smiled.
Janine grinned sheepishly at Tris. "S'cuse me..."
Janine blinked. She could-?! What? ~*What? How-?*~
~*I told you little one*~ Tris said softly, ~*This is the gift I give to you*~
Janine smiled, her hand over her mouth. ~*Wow!*~
Tris sent Janine a thought wave, of oranges and yellows, happy colors.
Janine grinned. ~*Pretty!*~ her thoughts whirled happily, colors of her own going back to Tris.
When Tris received the colors they weren't as bright, with occasional very bright ones, the exact sending she would get from a hatchling. She smiled happily.
Janine bounced on the balls of her feet again, extremely excited.
"Come, I'll take you flying now." Tris said with a grin.
"Cool!" Janine giggled and practically bounced back up onto Tris' back.
Janine looked around, and blinked, then grinned again. "It's so beautiful!" she laughed.
"Welcome to dragon sight," Tris said.
"It's amazing!" Janine breathed.
Tris grinned, seeing the world as if for the first time through Janine's eyes.
Janine smiled, contented, then felt the pendant pressing against her leg and sighed. "Tris, I ought to speak to Jareth..."
"I know..." Tris said, "But now you are ready..."
Janine nodded ~*Bring it on Jareth!*~
~*Atta girl*~
Janine giggled.
Janine giggled again, whooping.
Tris glided around, feeling Trent below her, but not taking too much notice.
Tris sent Janine more waves of color.
Janine giggled and sent some hesitant ones of her own back.
~*Alright...*~
Tris flew over a large maze-like structure as she neared the castle.
Janine peered down. ~*Whassat?*~
~*Jareth's labyrinth*~
~*Why's he got one of them?*~
~*Because he can*~
~*Odd...*~
~*HE is odd...*~
~*Hmnn*~
~*Do you still wish to see him?*~
~*Yes.*~
~*Okay then I will land*~
~*Okay...*~
Tris gently touched down, "Cover you ears..." she said gently. "JARETH!" she roared.
"You came back," Jareth said to her with his usual charming manner.
Janine felt something burning within her and took an involuntary step backwards. "It isn't Jareth, believe *me*." she pushed her hair back. "You don't know anything about me!"
"Tris," he repeated slowly.
Janine noted the sarcasm and a huge swell of red-hot anger flared up in her and she sent a small mental scream at him.
"You..." he started.
~*Janine?*~ Tris called softly, ~*What's wrong?*~
Trent was also coming. He had felt the scream from where he was, and it had been a little uncomfortable for him also. He only hoped Jareth was okay...
Tris landed outside the window, "Janine, come," she called.
Janine did as she was told, and was glad she had! She was almost knocked off Tris' back from the fierce of that yell!
Jareth appeared at his balcony, looking a bit put out at being summoned like that, then he smiled when he saw Janine.
Janine leapt elegantly from Tris' back and rested her hand on the dragon's side. ~*I hope I can do this...*~
~*'Course you can. You are strong now. He has no power over you*~
~*Okay...*~
"Hello," Jareth said politely, wanting Tris to leave very much indeed.
Janine looked at Tris, not taking too much notice of Jareth for a moment. ~*What do I say?*~ she sent a small shot of panic-color.
~*Whatever you wanted to talk to him about*~
~*Oh yes...*~
Tris took off, ~*I won't be far*~ she assured Janine.
~*Thank you Tris*~
~*I was told-*~ Janine stopped herself and coughed. "I was told to speak to you..."
"You were?" he asked, "By who?"
"Your brother."
"when did you speak with Trent?"
"Earlier."
"Oh," he frowned briefly, not happy at not getting answers he wanted, "And what were you told to speak with me about?"
"About this, everything." she sighed a little, unused to actually talking to people about the emotions she often pretended she didn't have.
"About what? Janine I have told you before, whatever I may have done in the past is in the past, you are different to me."
"It's not that easy Jareth!"
"what is not that easy?" He took a step closer to her, "Janine..." he purred, "Believe me."
"I know that you are lonely, and that you desire to have someone appreciate you. I know that I think you are very lovely and I wish to give you what you desire."
Janine breathed slowly, not sure what to say/do. She hadn't anticipated her emotions running amok again.
He moved towards her again, "Janine my dear..."
"Jareth!" Janine scowled. "I'm not anybody's 'dear'!" her eyes glowed.
Jareth took a step back, startled, staring at her eyes.
Janine blinked. "What?"
He took a breath, he must have imagined that. "Janine, please... let me help you..."
"I don't need help from you Jareth! I have everything I need from Tris!"
"Yes. Tris."
"you call her that?"
"Yes I do."
Jareth stifled a growl, "She has enchanted you..."
"She has done nothing of the sort!" Janine's eyes blazed again in anger.
"Then why would a beautiful girl like you want to belong to her?"
Janine opened her mouth, then stopped. She wasn't beautiful. "I don't belong to her Jareth. She cares for me!"
"she tells you that I'm sure."
"I know that!" Janine growled.
"I'm sure you do," Jareth said gently, "But wouldn't you rather be with someone who is more like you?"
Janine shut her eyes, delighting in the fact she could see a kaleidoscope of colors behind her lids. "She is enough like me in spirit and mind."
"She is clever..."
"Yes, she is very clever, and kind, and understanding."
"Clever is the most I will say for her...clever and tricky."
"She's not tricky!" Janine's eyes shot open and she glared angrily at Jareth. "Speak for yourself!"
"I knew that she would be telling you things about me..."
"I can see those things of you for myself Jareth!" Janine's eyes blazed again. "Do not insult her!"
"I am not insulting her..."
"Oh yeah?!"
"Yes. I am simply trying to tell you about her."
"What about her?!" Janine felt heat rising up in her, as if someone had set a match to paper
"She is clever, and she does not like me very much, so she tries to work against me."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Janine spoke through clenched teeth
"I do not mean to make you angry...but I want you to know my side. She does not like me, and so she tries to hurt me through those I care about..."
"She isn't LIKE that!" Janine snapped, feeling the fire's intensity growing
"Isn't she?"
"No!" Janine clenched her fists, trying to control her angry breathing. "She is not like that!"
"I suppose that you know best then, after all I have only known her for more years then you have."
Jareth didn't know what hit him. He felt a wall of fire build up in his mind, searing through his entire being. His vision blurred and then went black for a minute as he was burned from inside. Unable to keep his balance, he fell, kneeling on the ground, panting as he waited for his vision to clear.
When it finally did he felt his mind pounding in his head, still painfully hot.
Janine clapped her hand across her mouth, going white. She was shaking; she had no idea she was able to cause something like that, it had frightened her. She'd hurt him.........
Jareth opened his eyes slowly and looked up at her.
Janine was still white, still with her hand over her mouth, eyes wide.
Janine couldn't answer, feeling as if she might have to sit down soon. How could she have known that would hurt him so much? It didn't hurt her...
"You should not have been able to do that..."
"I - I'm sorry...!" Janine finally managed to find words. She hadn't meant to hurt him, but she couldn't say that, she could hardly say anything!
"How were you able to do that? you don't have that type of ability?"
"I - I have... Now..."
He stood up slowly, "How?"
"I - it was a - I..."
"How?" he repeated.
Janine struggled to formulate a sentence, having to swallow a few times. "I - it was -" she attempted again.
Jareth looked at her with a completely new expression.
Janine stared back.
~*I - Tris -*~
~*I will come*~
~*I - I hurt him...!*~ Janine was near tears suddenly
~*I'm coming!*~
Janine took another look at Jareth, then ran to the window and leapt onto Tris' back.
Jareth closed his eyes and moaned softly.
Trent scrambled the last few metres up to the castle, took one look at Jareth and wished he could faint dead away, and have someone look after *him*!
"Rest." he ordered, walking over to the cabinet and removing some bottles and vials.
Trent nodded and flipped through a few more pages.
Jareth shook his head, "I wish I knew why..."
Jareth nodded, his expression changing, reflecting his thoughts, which could only be described as plotting.
Trent sighed inwardly. "Easier said than done Jareth." he smiled, getting up and turning to his bottles, making a weak ice potion to ease his own smouldering head pain.
Trent sighed. "You need to get some rest brother."
"Brother...?" he called softly.
Jareth groaned in response.
Trent bit his lip and walked over, looking Jareth over slightly.
"Crap." he commented. He would have to work out how to get Jareth to his room... He might have to carry him...
"Mortal slang..." Jareth murmered with a bit of a smile.
Trent smiled in relief, glad Jareth was still able to hear."Whoops." he commented. "I'm gonna have to carry you brother, I -" he paused a second. "-wore myself out on the walk..."
"No..." Jareth mumbled.
"What?" Trent looked a little blank.
"I can get up..."
"I don't think that is wise, Jareth."
"no?"
"No."
"Oh...okay..." Jareth closed his eyes again, too fired to argue.
Trent shook his head, then bent down and picked Jareth up gently, walking him slowly to his room and setting him down on the bed.
Jareth nodded, "can't do much else..."
Trent nodded as well. "Very true."
He mixed up some of the liquids in the bottles and added a few random leaves and powders. "What happened?"
"I don't know..."
Trent sighed softly, bringing over a glass with a dark green liquid in. "You won't like this." he warned, handing it to Jareth.
"Goody..." Jareth mumbled.
Trent shook his head. "Just drink it, at least it isn't an ice potion."
Jareth nodded and took the glass.
Trent walked back to his desk and started rifling through the pages of a book.
Jareth drank it, and wished he hadn't. He gagged softly, letting the cup fall.
Trent absently flicked his fingers and the cup diverted to the table. "Sorry..."
"What *was* that??"
Trent couldn't stop a small smile at the tone of Jareth's voice.
"You wouldn't want to know brother..."
"Somehow I believe you..."
"I'm sorry I was not there sooner Jareth." he said after a few moments of silence.
Jareth had closed his eyes again and leaned back,
"She has been adopted, that much is true, but I suggest you read this brother." Trent handed Jareth a book open at a particular page.
Jareth opened his eyes and looked up at Trent warily, "What do you mean?"
"Just read it Jareth."
"Very well..." Jareth looked down at the book.
Trent sighed and walked back to his desk, mixing up another poultice.
"What...." Jareth started a few minutes later.
Trent turned round. "Yes?"
"What is this?" he indicated the book.
"It's a book Jareth..." Trent sighed and sat down. "It's about dragons, and their personalities. Janine has been adopted, but Trisanalysia has passed on her power to her."
"WHAT?!?!"
Trent stepped backwards. "Don't shout, Jareth, I am still in the same room as you." he said softly, putting his hand to his head for a second.
Jareth let the book fall, "I didn't know she could do that..." he said softly.
"I'm afraid so brother." Trent picked the book up and put it back on his desk. "I don't know what you want to do now. Why did she scream like that?" he rubbed his temple.
"I..." Jareth started, "I didn't know that she would be able to do that..."
"She can, and she did." Trent looked suspiciously at his younger brother. "What did you say to her?"
"I did not know that she would be as protective of *her* as she is of Janine..."
Trent sighed and sat down on the edge of his desk.
"From what I gathered when I spoke to her, she is very insecure, and Trisanalysia makes her feel safe."
"Why what?" Trent zoned out.
"Why Janine feels that way..."
"Why she feels that way how?" Trent shook his head, pulling himself back together. "Why she feels safe with Trisanalysia? I think it is a mother-child relationship."
"A mortal girl with a dragon?"
"That isn't so strange. Trisanalysia obviously sees Janine as a child who needs protecting, and Janine sees Trisanalysia as a mother-figure. If we could find out more about her background, perhaps we could understand this better."
Trent shook his head slightly. "Try going about this carefully and logically brother..."
Jareth nodded automatically.
"Jareth..." Trent's weary voice had a warning note to it.
"Yes?"
"Just be careful..." Trent could see the wheels of Jareth's mind turning, and he did not trust his younger brother not to do something foolish.
"Brother," Jareth said with a smile, "Do not worry."
"And why not?" Trent questioned, settling himself more comfortably onto the desk. "This is the third time in two days I have had to tend to you after you have had meetings with either Trisanalysia or Janine." he sighed. "I do wish you would just leave it..."
Jareth shifted, "I am sorry for all of the worry I have caused you brother. My current plan-"
Trent rolled his eyes. "Go on..."
"I plan to remain here in bed..."
Trent almost fell off the desk in shock.
Jareth nodded, "I told you not to worry."
"What are you doing?" Jareth asked, "I...I don't need anything else do I?"
"Erm, no brother..." Trent stammered slightly, hating being caught out. "I'm just - experimenting with something..."
"What?"
"Oh, just, you know..." Trent coughed. "Stuff..."
Jareth folded his arms and raised an eyebrow questioningly.
Trent smiled sheepishly."Yes?"
"Actually, I don't know what you mean by stuff..."
"Oh, um, just, y'know, little things..."
"such as?"
"Just-" Trent coughed again, trying to think up a suitable excuse. "Using different - erm - mixtures..."
"Brother, if you do not wish to tell me..."
"Thanks..." Trent finished the potion and took a mouthful, yelping softly. "Woah, that stuff is *potent*!"
Jareth siffled a laugh.
"Shut up Jareth..." Trent grumbled, shutting his eyes and tipping the contents of the bottle down his throat. "That is awful!"
"I never said a word," Jareth answered, "Cold is it?"
"Oh ha ha... Yes, just slightly." Trent shivered and pulled his cape around him. "I should have done that before I went to bed..." he mumbled.
Jareth smiled.
Trent shook his head. "Alright, all sorted, and you can stop smirking like that brother..."
Jareth smiled innocently.
"I will sleep, I won't go anywhere. I promise."
"You better not." Trent warned. "I am more than serious this time."
"Would you like to tie me down then?"
Trent rolled his eyes. "You really are infuriating sometimes Jareth!" he said exasperatedly.
"I try..."
Trent couldn't help laughing. "I see..."
Jareth smiled, "I will sleep now, I promise I will stay put."
"Good. I will use the spare room, I know how much you dislike having people in your own room."
Trent wasn't particularly bothered about people in his room, because his bedroom was rather impersonal. His small study was a different matter, however,
Jareth closed his eyes and went to sleep.
Trent watched his brother for a few moments, then walked into the spare room and lay on the bed, shivering a little from the effects of the ice potion, finally drifting off into an uneasy sleep.