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Water and Secrets
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jareth woke without opening his eyes. *Breakfast* he thought, about to send an order down to the goblins, (who do indeed exist despite their very small role in this story)
"Okay, well, basically, I'm a care kid, been brought up by different people all my life, never knew my parents. Never got a home either, coz I look different. Eyes're too wide or something. But anyway, these 'carers' were absolute crap. They never looked after me at all. Always made fun if I cried, or showed any emotions. It hurt so much..."
Janine sighed and leaned her head back on the wall. "Guess I'll just have to put up with that... I never said what I meant to say! I hadn't meant to get so angry at him..."
Jareth sighed and then tensed as a dark shadow flew over.
He started a spell, but it rebounded on him, as if unable to leave. He opened his eyes with a start and saw stone. *Where am I?* He got up and then realized he was on all fours. One look down and it all came back. He was a cat, in the dragon's cave.
Janine mumbled slightly, turning over and bopping her head on the wall. She awoke with a small, surprised squeak.
Smudge shook himself, padding across the cave, sniffing around curiously.
Janine stood up and brushed a few stray strands of red hair out of her face, then caught sight of Smudge sniffing around and smiled happily, walking over to him and running her fingers lightly down his spine. "Morning..." she murmured.
Smudge purred, a bit distracted. *They must both be out...* Jareth thought.
Janine stood straight and peered around the cave, looking for either Tris or Eriki, but there was no one around. "Hmph."
Smudge nosed around, there was no one there, but there was something that looked like breakfast for Janine and... inwardly he groaned, a bowl of milk.
Janine walked over to her breakfast and nodded, picking it up. "Hey babe, c'mon, it's gonna be a lovely day, breakfast outside!" she picked up the bowl of milk aswell and walked it outside into the pale early morning sun.
*Milk again... Cats DO eat other things you know...* Jareth thought following her.
Janine set the milk down and st down herself, nibbling at her breakfast. "Never eat breakfast..." she muttered under her breath
Jareth sat down next to Janine.
Janine looked down at him. "Not a breakfast kitty either?"
*Not a milk kitty...* Jareth thought, *What am I saying? I'm not a kitty at all...*
"Ah, don't worry, Eriki will get some other stuff for you later, you'll need something more substantial than milk..." Janine looked dreamily into the distance, imagining she could see the castle from the ledge she was sat on.
*Good...* Jareth thought, settling down next to Janine, *I really hope that I can learn something... and for that matter I hope I can get home again...and that Trent won't tease me too much before he takes this spell off..*
Janine was far away for a moment, her thoughts back in the castle beyond the labyrinth, wondering what Jareth was doing, and how he was. Unconsciously she fiddled with the pendant in her pocket.
Smudge leaned up against Janine, purring.
Janine jumped slightly and looked down, then smiled happily. "Alright darling..." she caressed his head gently. "What do you think then, eh? What will the Goblin King think of me now?"
*I wish you wouldn't mind doig this to me when I wasn't a cat!* Jareth thought.
Janine sighed. "Shame you can't reply! I could do with some advice... But them, perhaps it's best if I just talk it all out to someone who can't pretend to understand how I feel...?"
*I can, I mean...I want to... argh, I wish I could talk!*
Janine gently picked Smudge up and set him on her lap. "Promise me you won't laugh if I cry?" she chuckled slightly. "Of course you won't. Well, it's a really long story.."
*I have time...*
*So that's what I saw...*
"Never bothered about me, and then when I got to school... Good heavens... It all got worse. I tried to get good grades, but I was marked down coz I'm a care kid..." Janine's voice was laced with bitterness. "Never got picked for helping, always the last to be picked for teams. All the boys thought they could do what they wanted to me coz of what I was. I had to become something I'm not, I had to be so cold, so nasty, everything I'd promised myself I'd never be. But if I hadn't have become that, thenn - who knows what I would of done. Emotions just get in the way."
Smudge cuddled closer to Janine.
Janine held Smudge gently, feeling tears gathering in her eyes. "They told me I'd never be anything. Always said I'd amount to nothing. And I beleived them. I watched all the people in my year pairing off for the Prom, but I was alone. No one wanted me. I don't want to be alone Smudge... But I'm so confused, every time I found someone they were just using me... And I'm scared Jareth will be like that, I don't know who I can trust anymore..."
*I won't Janine! I...I like you!*
"I just don't know what to do... And then I went and hurt him like that...!" slowly a tear rolled down her cheek. "He's not going to want me now..."
*I do!*
Jareth sighed and Smudge cuddled next to her, purring.
"I wanted to try and explain to him what was going on... I just needed to say why I was so scared of everything..."
*I'm glad to know it...*
"I feel so stupid! What would've happened if I hadn't done that? If he hadn't said that stuff about Tris?"
*I don't know... I'm sorry that I said all of that...*
"I mean, Tris is what I imagine my Mother would have been like... Caring, and - always there..."
*I suppose so...if she likes you...*
"Wish I could see him... Y'know? I don't know if I could say all this to him though..."
*You just did* Jareth thought amused.
"Too scared... What if he laughed?! I'd die!!"
*I wouldn't laugh Janine...*
"And would he care? I mean, he's the goblin king and all this, he has all this choice, why'd he want to go for me, hmm?" she asked, tickling Smudge absently under the chin.
*I don't know why I went for you...but I did, and that's all that really matters...I wish I wasn't a cat*
Janine hugged Smudge against her gently, stroking his head with a soft touch. "I miss him... Only stayed there for a few hours and I still miss him..."
*Good* Jareth thought happily, purring again.
Janine sighed again. "I want to see him again, but I don't want to ask Tris, I know she doesn't want me getting hurt..."
*I don't want that, and I don't want to see me get hurt either...*
"Maybe I could go alone, it shouldn't be so hard to walk there... If Eriki can do it..."
*no!* Jareth thought with a meow.
Janine blinked slightly and looked down. "Don't think it's a good idea babe?"
*no I don't...*
"Hmm.... I don't know, perhaps I should speak with Trent again, or -" Janine sighed irritably. "I wish I knew what to do! I've never had to cope with anything like this before, it's all too complicated!"
Janine looked up and smiled, holding Smudge gently. "Shh, it's alright darling, it's alright... I've got you..."
Smudge quivered a bit as Tris landed.
Janine held him tightly, stroking his head to reassure him. ~*Tris, hello!*~
~*Good morning little one*~
Jareth had left the cave and was out, closer to his castle. He took a deep mental breath and "shouted" his brother's name.
Jareth bounded up to his brother.
Jareth stretched and rose out of cat from to his normal form. He smiled, streching, "That is so much better."
Jareth laughed as he transformed, back into Smudge.
Trent dropped Jareth as he started laughing. ~Aw! Innt that cute?~ he teased
Jareth pounced upon where Trent had formerly been.
Trent wiped his eyes and bit his lip, trying to stop laughing. "So-ho-ho-horry...!" he sniggered.
~Hmm?~ Trent looked up.
*Brother I must speak with you!*
~Woah, okay, calm down! Where are you brother?~
*I'm not in her cave but I'm not that close to home either...*
~The woods?~
*yes*
~I'll be there right away.~ Trent clicked his fingers and appeared in the woods, enjoying the cool breeze.
Trent looked down and grinned. ~Alright?~
*You're still enjoying this aren't you?*
Trent nodded. ~Of course I am.~ He smiled and flicked a few drops of water at his brother.
Jareth took off up a tree. *would you kindly stop doing that?*
~Alright alright...~ Trent sighed. ~Done. Come down. What is it you wanted to see me about?~
*Janine talked to me...*
~Oh?~
*Yes, and she's...afraid of me...*
~What?~ Trent looked blank.
*She does not want to be with me because she is afraid that I will hurt her*
~Woah... Quandry.~
*And she is also afraid because of what she did to me..*
~Hmm...~
*And I do not know what to do next*
"I don't know either..." Trent mused aloud.
Jareth sighed softly, *I...*
~Yes?~
*I was hoping that you would have an idea...*
Trent frowned, leaning on a tree, trying to find something to help Jareth, not used to Jareth coming to him for help like that. ~Perhaps you should - speak to her...?~
*What would I say?*
~Explain how you feel...~
*Will she listen to me?*
~You can only try. Be sincere.~
*But...after she finds out about the cat...*
~Explain how you feel, then talk about the cat, should you really need to...~
*I guess...*
~It's the only advice I can give you Jareth...~
*Thanks Trent. And...*
~Hmm?~
*Never mind*
~No, tell me, please.~
*No*
~Jareth...~ Trent looked slightly pleading. ~You know I hate that...~
*Please do not say "I told you so" after this is all finished, just in case she...says no.*
"I wouldn't anyway." Trent said quietly.
*Do you...know of anything to prevent her from burning me again...not physically but...*
~I can give you the ice potion. That's all...~
*oh...*
~I'm sorry.~
*Don't be*
~Hmph.~ Trent grumbled under his breath, disappearing and reappearing a few minutes later with a glass of potion. "You better drink it as a man."
*I didn't mean it like that...* Jareth said apologetically, *I just meant that you don't have to be sorry that that's all you can do for me...*
Trent smiled slightly. "Don't worry, I know I'm useless." he quipped, taking the shield off Jareth. "Right, transform, drink, and I'll sort you out again. What're you going to do?"
"I can imagine brother." Trent smiled slightly. "Now drink this."
Jareth nodded and drank, with the usual reaction.
Trent stifled a snigger. "Sorry..."
"Yeah I know..." Jareth said.
"What are you going to do brother?"
"I want to see her again once more, before I talk to her..."
"Right, so, cat again?"
Jareth sighed, "Yes."
"Fur suits you." Trent said cheekily.
"I like feathers better."
Trent grinned, then took the glass from Jareth. "You first."
"You will come back when I call?"
Trent nodded. "Will do. Damn, blasted mortal slang!"
~So, what're you called there brother?~ Trent questioned as he set the shield back up.
Jareth was slient, feeling the shield go up, trapping his power inside.
Trent waited for Jareth to reply.
Jareth flexed, turning to go.
~Hang on one moment.~ Trent caught Jareth around the middle. ~Speak up little brother, what are they calling you?~
Jareth sighed, *I'd rather not say. Put me down*
~Not until you admit what it is. Is it that embarrassing?~
*...yes.*
~Good. Tell me, else I'll fish around until I find it.~
*Put me down and I will tell you*
~ I don't trust you Jareth.~ Trent countered with a twinkle in his eyes. ~Speak up.~
Jareth groaned, *She calls me...*
~Go on...~
*...smudge...*
Jareth hissed softly.
Trent couldn't stop laughing and had to lean against a tree to keep upright.
*I'm glad you like it* Jareth hissed.
~suits you brother!~ Trent cackled.
*It most certainly does NOT*
~I think it does!~ Trent sniggered, and decided it safest to move.
Trent sniggered and conjured a large bubble of water above Jareth.
Jareth looked up and meowed in alarm...
Trent smirked slightly, and picked up a stone.
Jareth bolted, only to find that the bubble followed him. He crouched down flat and looked up at Trent *You wouldn't...*
Trent's gleaming eyes gave his answer as he gently threw the stone at the bubble. ~Have a nice shower brother!~
Jareth let out a yowl as the water came rushing down over him.
Trent laughed so hard he had to sit down, tears of amusement running down his cheeks.
Jareth hissed as he was drenched.
No you're not
"Sure I am...!" Trent coughed and tried to calm himself down.
*No...*
Trent coughed again and managed to get himself under control. "Alright, all done..."
*Dry me off*
"Can't you do that for yourself Smudge?" Trent sniggered.
Jareth hissed loudly
Trent laughed and stood up. "I'm sure you have places to be..." he clicked his fingers and disappeared. ~And so do I!~
*Trent!!!*
Trent laughed softly. ~I have studying to do brother... Why don't you lie out in the sun?~
*ARGH!*
~Have a - catnap!~ Trent sniggered, then cut communication with Jareth so he could concentrate on his studies.
Jareth growled and started the walk back, his soaking wet fur feeling very heavy indeed.
Janine was sat on the edge of the cave, letting her legs hang, and wondering where Smudge was.
~*Hello*~
Janine ran over to Smudge and picked him up. "There we are darling, all dry!"
Janine smiled and stood up. "Right, I'm going for a walk."
Janine had been asleep for about half an hour, then woke herself up. "Oh my...!" she stood up, trying not to wake the cat in her arms. "So late!"
Tris flew overhead, circling around to find a place to land.
Tris landed neatly as usual, "all off and into bed."
Jareth crouched low to the ground, wondering how to gracefully get out of this embarrassing situation.
Janine lay back, shutting her eyes and suddenly found her mind wandering back to Jareth. She hoped he was alright.
He slowly slithered up...and saw Janine...great, she'd see him like this now.
Janine heard something moving and sat up quickly, almost knocking herself off the edge. She gathered her legs up and looked around her, feeling a little nervous without Tris, Eriki or Smudge.
*ahem...* "Mrrow?"
"Smudge?" Janine looked around, then spotted him. "Oh you poor darling!" she leapt up and ran over to him, gathering him up in her arms. "Oh darling!" she hugged him gently, unheeding the fact he was getting her wet.
*At least *somebody* cares...* Jareth thought.
Janine stroked his head gently. "Oh baby! What on earth happened to you? Oh dear..." she took the jumper she had got from the castle and wrapped it around him, gently nuzzling his fur. "Oh sweetheart...!"
Jareth purred under the attention.
Janine smiled and hugged him against her chest. "We'll get you dried darling..."
*good...* Jareth thought happily, especially happy with his current location.
Janine tickled under his chin. "Now how on earth did you get into this mess, eh? Silly darling..." she rubbed the cardigan gently, trying to dry him off without ruffling his fur too much.
Jareth purred under the attention.
Janine sat down again, keeping him close to her. "Now, you just stay here, and you'll dry off in the sun..."
*just what Trent said to do* Jareth thought with a sigh.
Janine shut her eyes in the glare of the sun, but kept stroking Smudge gently.
~*Tris!*~ Janine smiled. ~*Hi!*~
Tris landed gently, and looked at Janine and the wet Smudge with an interesting look.
Janine opened her eyes and smiled more fully at her.
"what happened to him?"
Janine shrugged slightly. "I think he fell in some water somewhere..."
"Certainly looks like it..."
Janine nodded. "Poor darling... He'll catch his death of cold..."
"We could dry him off..."
"We could? Oh Tris you're a marvel! Thanks! There we are Smudge darling!"
*I don't think I like this...* Jareth thought.
"Yeah, I could dry him off without too much trouble."
"Oh thanks Tris!" Janine stood up. "What would you like me to do?"
"Stand out of the way," Tris said with as smile.
*I don't like this...* Jareth thought.
Janine gently put him down and stood out of the way.
Smudge started to run as Tris took a breath.
Janine couldn't help giggling slightly; she knew Tris wouldn't hurt him.
*I don't like this!* Jareth thought alarmed.
"It's alright Smudge darling! She won't hurt you!"
*sure she won't....*
Tris lowered her head nearly to the ground and took a breath,.
Janine stood a little further back.
Tris blew out a stream of hot air towards Smudge.
Janine giggled. "Smudge! You're getting a blow dry!"
*I don't like this...I don't like this...I don't like this!!*
Janine brushed a few strands of her own red hair that had come loose out of her face as they blew around in the warm air.
"There," Tris said a bit breathlessly.
Smudge was quivering in Janine's arm.
"Aw sweetheart...." Janine hugged him close to her and stroked his head tenderly. "Shhh..."
*I wish that you would do that to me when I'm me...* Jareth thought.
"See? It's not all bad... It's okay..."
*Yeah...* Jareth thought happily, in her arms again.
"Good boy..." Janine tickled behind his ears
"So how's your morning been?" Tris asked.
Janine looked up. "It was fine thanks, I had a swim, and then I sat and did absolutely nothing! It was glorious!"
"I'm glad you had a good morning, I'm sorry I got home so late last night, you had already gone to bed."
"it's okay, I don't mind too much, where were you, out of interest?"
"I had to pick up Eriki..."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, he had gotten himself into a bit of trouble, but he's fine now..."
"Ahh, that's just Eriki though, isn't it? Darling thing, what happened?"
"He just managed to get himself caught by the tail..."
"Ouch!"
Tris nodded, "Yeah..."
"Poor lovey..." Janine unconsciously hugged Smudge a little closer. "How'd he do that?"
"he was talking to somebody...and I guess he was too confusing..."
"Ohhh! I see!"
Tris nodded, "But I got him home, no troubles..."
"Good." Janine smiled. "What's the agenda for this afternoon?"
"I have an errand to run..."
"Okay,"
*Good* Jareth thought, *She won't be here*
"I'm sorry that I haven't been around much, but this is the last thing that I've gotta take care of," Tris said, leaning over to nuzzle Janine.
Janine smiled. "That's fine Tris! I don't mind, really!" she rested her head affectionately against Tris' for a moment. "Be good!" she giggled.
Tris smiled and sent Janine a sparkly pattern of colors.
Janine giggled happily and sent a slightly dim pattern back.
Tris spread her wings and took off.
Smudge got up to follow her.
Janine looked round. "You're coming? You might fall into a puddle again darling, it's best you stay here..."
*I won't get wet, Trent's busy* Jareth thought.
Smudge meowed cheerfully and followed.
Janine laughed. "Alright then darling, can you keep up or do I carry you?"
*Hmm...* Jareth thought, *whatever you like...*
"I had better carry you." Janine walked back to Smudge and lifted him gently into her arms.
Jareth purred again.
Janine smiled. "You're such a sweetheart!" she started walking, and after a while she came to a small stream under the shade of some trees, and sat down. "Isn't it beautiful?" she murmured down to Smudge, stroking his head.
*Not as beautiful as you*
Janine sighed softly and rested against a tree trunk. "All the patterns on the water, the sound of the birds..." her voice was gentle and lilting, almost like a song as she described how beautiful it was around them.
Jareth dozed in Janine's arms as the sun went down.
*mmm* he thought sleepily.
Janine shook her head, chastising herself for falling asleep, and hoping Tris wasn't too worried. "I am an idiot...!"
Smudge purred.
~*Janine?*~ Tris called.
~*It's okay Tris!*~ Janine called back. ~*I forgot time...!*~
~*Okay, did you want me to come get you?*~
~*Um, that might be a help, yes...*~
~*I'll be there in a few minutes then*~
~*Thanks Tris!*~
Jareth shifted, comfortable in Janine's eyes.
"Alright darling?" Janine looked down at him.
*of course...* he thought sleepily.
Janine tickled his chin gently, then smiled slightly, letting her mind wander again.
Janine looked up. ~*Go along to the right Tris.*~ she advised.
~*Gotcha*~
Janine smiled and walked to where she had said.
Tris landed gracefully.
Janine grinned and ran over. "Hiya!" she called, trying to be as gentle to Smudge as possible. "Alright?"
Tris smiled, lowering herself down, "Climb on."
Janine gently held Smudge in one arm and elegantly climbed up onto Tris' back. "All set up here!"
Jareth opened his eyes again and looked around confused.
Tris spread her wings and took off leaving the earth.
Jareth gasped as he realized where he was...
Janine's eyes were shut and she held onto Tris with perfect balance, still holding Smudge firmly.
Jareth huddled close to Janine, *it's okay,* he told himself, *It's okay, she doesn't know who I am...*
Janine nuzzled into Smudge's fur, enjoying the small warmth from him, having gotten a little cold.
Jareth closed his eyes, feeling airsick again.
~*It's a lovely evening Tris!*~
~*It is indeed*~ Tris answered back as she neared her cave.
Janine smiled and awaited landing; she was tired.
*please land, please land* Jareth was silently chanting as Tris dropped from the sky.
Janine stroked Smudge's head gently as they headed in to land.
"Fine by me Tris!" Janine murmured sleepily. "Night night..." she didn't let go of Smudge until she had tumbled into bed and fallen asleep virtually straight away, and even then she still held him gently, possessively.
Jareth purred sleepily, ready to go back to sleep again.
He shifted and felt his tail brush up against him. Tail!?! Suddenly he remembered, a bit sadly what he was going to do... *well, at least I got one more day* he thought.
Janine mumbled softly, her hair blowing across her cheek.
Jareth wiggled, trying to get out of her arms.
Janine yawned and stretched, then turned over and went back to sleep.
He stood up and nuzzled her face gently.
Janine smiled in her sleep.
He turned and bounded out the door.
Trent was seated in a tree, having found it more interesting that the ground.
Jareth waited until he was free of the spell and then he rose to his usual form. "Thanks..."
*I was only paying you back for what you did to me brother*
*Trent?* Jareth called softly
~Eh? Oh, Jareth, hi.~ Trent dropped lightly.
*Hello brother* Jareth said a bit dreamily.
Trent's eyebrow rose. ~Evening.~ he said, sounding slightly amused.
*Good evening*
~All done?~
*huh? oh...yeah I guess so*
Trent's other eyebrow rose. ~Earth calling Jareth...~ He teased.
Jareth sighed, *Enough*
~Alright, alright. Are you ready?~
*Yes. Do it*
Trent nodded and clicked his fingers, the shield slowly lifting from Jareth.
Trent shook his head. "No problem brother."
Jareth smiled again and reached into his pocket, pulling out a crystal, which rolled comfortably in his hands.
Trent frowned, sensing his brother's tricks a mile away. "Don't you dare..." he warned.
"What brother?" Jareth asked innocently, tossing the crystal up in the air.
Trent stepped back a pace. "Just don't."
Up in the air, the crystal burst, water spilling from it.
Trent stood, letting the water drench him, not even bothering to go anywhere because he knew it would do him no good. "Your point has been made, Jareth."
"Good," Jareth said with a smile.
"Trent shook his head slightly, shaking droplets of water of Jareth.
Jareth smiled and bowed, "I will see you later brother."
"Hmph." Trent grumbled, clicking his fingers and returning to his room where he proceeded to retrieve a large towel. ~I will repay you for your gesture.~
~Yeah yeah yeah, whatever... I'm older than you, I can do that!~
*sure you can*
Trent sniggered softly to himself as he dried his hair. ~Go flee...~
*Trent?* Jareth said in a different tone.
~Hmm?~ Trent questioned
*Wish me luck?*
~You don't need it. But good luck anyway.~ Trent smiled.
*Thank You*
~Anytime.~ Trent replied.
Jareth grinned as he walked away, getting even with Trent felt especially good this time. It even had given him enough strength to do what he had to do.
"You!" a voice roared.
"What were you doing here?" she asked.
He sank back down into cat form as he could travel faster that way.
Once he was closer he moved behind a tree and took a deep breath.
He rose from cat form, he was ready to confront her now, at least he hoped so.
He looked up and ducked as she raked the ground around him with flames.
Clawed wings aflame, claws and teeth bared, whip-like tail arched and ready, blazing eyes and smoke and flames spouting from her mouth, the dragon Trisanalysa FyreFlyght was a truly terrifying sight.
Jareth was rooted to the spot as she pounced on him, pinning him to the ground under her claws.
"Janine's cat…you!" she roared, smacking him with the flat of her tail.
Jareth was getting dizzy, both from pain and the fact that she was cutting off his air. Her claws closed around him painfully tight.
"How dare you!" the dragon growled, "How could you do that to her? It's not the invasion of my territory--of my house!-- that I mind as much as how much this will hurt her!"
"No!" Jareth gasped weakly, "Don't tell her--" He gagged a bit as she pressed down harder.
His world started to go black. *No, he thought, *TRENT!* he screamed mentally, *TRE-*
His mental scream became a real one as fire flooded his mind, forming a fiery cage around his cries. And cries they were. Jareth was stone faced but inside he was crying his brother's name. Trent always helped him get out of these messes.
~~Give up~~ a small voice that he rarely listened to said. For once he listened. He stopped struggling, giving into the blackness.
Jareth took a breath, or tried to anyway, she was making it difficult to take a deep breath.
The small voice cried out, *I tell, I tell. Come in!*
Before the rational part of Jareth could argue, he had opened his mind and heart to her.
Her hot mind seared through him and he could not fight against it. It burned. It burned very much.
Then his world went black.
Jareth groaned, he had such a headache, and he couldn't move.
She spread her wings and jumped into the air, swinging around to pick up Jareth.
She flew into her cave, not bothering to land, setting Jareth gently down in a small alcove off the main cave.
*Trent?* he called softly. His call bounced off the fiery cage and dissolved into smoke.
He slowly started to sit up and gasped as something around his waist tightened.
"Couldn't risk you running off," she said, unwinding her tail from his waist.
Jareth rolled over to get up on all fours. "No fear of that Lady," he scrambled, half-crawling over to a tree stump.
"Oh, so now we're respectful are we?" she asked a bit amused.
"I don't believe that I have much of a choice at this point."
"Very perceptive Jareth."
He sat down and looked up at her, "So, with all due respect, Madame, what happens now?"
She got up and strode over to him, staring into his eyes, which he closed.
"I hardly think that this is necessary," Jareth said.
"Oh? And why is that?"
"You know my mind now," he snapped, "What else can I do?"
"Cat you were…" she started, "And I hardly see reason to deprive my little one of her dear pet."
"No!" Jareth said quickly.
He scrambled a bit painfully to his feet and looked at her warily.
Her eyes glittered and then drew her tail across the floor and around the top and sides of the doorway. The walls glowed briefly after her tail had passed over them.
"What?" Jareth started to ask, moving forward to investigate.
"You are staying put," she answered, turning to go.
Jareth crept forward and reached out to touch the barrier. He pulled his fingers back with a hiss. It burned.
The dragon turned to go.
"Wait…" Jareth called.
"What?"
"You can't keep me here forever!"
"I do not intend to. Good night Jareth." She closed the door.
Jareth looked around the empty room. It wasn't very large and was…empty. Nothing that could help him.
Tris shifted in her sleep, confident in her spell enough to sleep. Eriki was asleep as well, curled up under her wings.
"Eriki," Tris said gently, "Wake up."
Janine yawned and turned over, half consciously reaching out for Smudge, and opening one eye when she found he wasn't there. "Hmmuh?"
Eriki stirred slightly and cuddled closer to Tris.
Janine sat up and looked around, rubbing her sleep-filled eyes. "Smudge?"
In her sleep, Tris felt Janine waken and she sleepily sent color waves.
Janine was still worried. "Smudge...?" she called softly.
Tris opened her eyes sleepily, ~*Good morning little one*~
~*Where's Smudge?*~
~*Hmm? Oh your cat? He's around somewhere I'm sure.*~
Janine frowned, worried. ~*He must be...*~ she got up and wandered around a little aimlessly.
~*Cats do that you know...*~
~*Hmm?*~
~*They wander around at night, I'm sure he'll turn up again*~
~*Yeah...*~ Janine didn't sound too convinced, and she went to the front of the cave, looking around to see if she could spot him.
"No..." he answered, rolling over.
Janine sat down despondently, seeing no sign of Smudge.
Tris shook her wings, sending Eriki skyrocketing into the air to land rather ungracefully next to Janine.
Janine hardly noticed. "Morning Eriki." she said without enthusiasm.
Eriki scrambled into a more or less upright position. "Don't do that!" he scolded Tris.
"Hmm?" Janine murmured, half expecting him to be talking to her.
Tris got up to her feet, "Cheer up little one, I'm sure that he'll turn up, in fact I know he'll turn up."
"You're sure?" Janine looked at Tris hopefully. She had been extremely fond of Smudge, and was upset he had gone.
"I'm positive."
Janine smiled a little. "Thanks Tris..."
Tris nodded and started towards the back of her cave.
Janine turned back to the sunrise, a citrus fruit sorbet of colors and sighed softly.
Eriki bounded over to her, "It's very pretty," he said.
Janine turned round. "It is, isn't it?"
Eriki nodded, "Yes it is."
"So many colours..."
"yeah, and you can see them all now right?"
"Oh yes!" Janine looked happy.
"That's good."
Janine nodded. "Very."
"Wake up you," Tris ordered softly, "Janine's lamenting over the loss of her cat and so..."
Jareth looked up at her and braced.
Tris' eyes glittered as she did her magic...
Eriki smiled at her, "so are you hungry?"
Smudge kept to the shadows as he slinked out, the new golden collar glittered a bit as it caught the light.
~*Janine?*~
Tris' eyes glittered and then Smudge settled into Janine's arms.
Janine walked on, and shrieked as she fell down into a deeper pool, the water coming up to her neck. "It's COLD!" she gasped.
"Hello down there!" Eriki called.
Janine hurried after Eriki, glad to get out of the cool shade of the trees which was doing nothing for the fact she was soaking wet and freezing cold.
Eriki bounded over and opened one, which was filled with cloth-like things.
Eriki picked up Smudge outside of Janine's room, who wiggled.
Janine shook her head. "It's too early for me to eat yet..." she explained.
"Ah, okay." he said.
Janine nodded. "And you?"
"I will eat when I get hungry, which should be soon enough."
"Ah..."
Janine was still looking for Smudge in the distance, her eyes sad.
"Mrrow?"
Janine looked around, her eyes lighting up in happiness. "Smudge!" she cried, leaping up and running over to him, picking him up and hugging him tightly to her. "I was so worried!"
Smudge cuddled against her chest, his collar shining n the sunlight.
Janine looked at it and tilted her head to one side. "Who gave you that babe?" she asked, stroking him gently.
"I did," Tris said, "don't you think it looks nice? Since he's your cat now..."
Janine nodded. "It looks nice..." she conceded, although she had preferred him collarless.
Smudge shifted position slightly.
Janine cuddled him gently, wanting to hold him tighter because she was so happy to have him back, but not wanting to crush him.
~*Hmm?*~ Janine looked up.
~*I know that you like that cat but, you probably shouldn't suffocate him...*~
~*Oh, right!*~ Janine blushed and loosened her hold on Smudge. "Sorry sweetheart...!"
Smudge jumped out of her arms.
Janine watched him closely, making sure he didn't go too far.
Smudge padded over to the front of the cave and sat down.
Janine walked over and sat beside him, anxious he didn't go out of her sight, and gently trailed her fingers down his spine.
Smudge jumped a bit at her touch.
Janine frowned. "You okay sweetheart...?" she murmured.
"Mrrow..."
"Hmm..." Janine tickled behind his ears.
"Hmm..." Eriki repeated, "Maybe he's tired..."
"He looks it, poor darling..."
"maybe he'll sleep today?"
"Yeah, I'll take him down to the woods..." Janine gently picked Smudge up. ~*Tris?*~
~*yes?*~
~*I'm gonna go for a walk, if that's ok?*~
~*Sure honey*~
~*Okay, I'll be down in the woods where I was yesterday.*~
~*Fine*~
~*And don't worry about Smudge, he'll be with me!*~
~*Oh really?*~ Tris asked a bit amused sounding.
Janine looked puzzled. ~*Yeah...*~
~*Oh. Okay, you can take him, but stay with her...*~
~*Her? It's a him Tris!*~
~*Yeah I know...*~
Janine giggled. "Okay then darling, come on..." she held Smudge in her arms, letting him get comfortable.
Janine smiled. "Alright sweetheart..." she gently stroked his head as she walked to her shady area.
Tris took off and glided overhead.
Janine sat down by the water and set Smudge down, then rolled her trousers up to her knees and waded through the cool stream.
Smudge clung to the very edge of the bank.
Janine looked around. "Silly boy! Stay there! Or you'll get wet again!"
Smudge showed no intention of moving.
Janine sighed and walked back over to him. "Silly boy!" she chastised, tickling his head with one finger.
Smudge meowed softly.
Janine smiled. "Good boy..." she walked back off again.
Smudge looked around and then jumped up into a tree, climbing and following along the overhead branches.
Janine didn't notice and squealed in excitement as she slipped over and ended up soaked.
Smudge clung to the branches tightly and he seemed to be pulled down.
Janine got up and shook the water out of her red hair that had finally succumbed to the inevitable and fallen down. "Ack!"
Smudge settled back down again.
Smudge had followed along as far as the branch went, and then, as Janine kept walking on...
She was right the water was cold, and deep...
Janine looked surprised as Smudge almost knocked her out as he fell. "Smudge!" she exclaimed, grabbing him and holding him out of the water. "You're soaked! Silly boy!"
Smudge meowed uncomfortably.
Janine sighed and got out of the water, shivering a little as her cold hair clung across her back. "You idiot." she murmured.
Smudge was still, meowing now and then a bit pitifully.
Janine looked worried and wished she could dry him. "Oh sweetheart..." she said softly, stroking him gently.
He shivered.
Janine gently hugged Smudge against her chest, trying to warm him. "Oh darling..."
Smudge shivered and huddled closer, then sneezed.
"Oh no! Smudge sweetheart! You've got a cold!" Janine looked upset
Janine looked up. "Eriki!!" she called back. "Smudge's caught a cold!"
"He what?"
"Caught a cold! He fell in the water!"
"Oh dear, we should get him home..."
"Yeah, straight away!" Janine held Smudge closer. "It's okay sweetheart..."
"Come on..." Eriki said, leading them towards home.
Janine sneezed suddenly herself.
"Looks like you've managed to catch a cold too..."
"I'm fi-i-ii-" Janine cut off as she sneezed again.
"come on," Eriki said, wishing that Tris was in.
Eriki led her quickly back to the cave.
Janine put Smudge down and sat down herself, shivering.
"You should change clothes and get into bed," Eriki said.
Janine coughed. "I have no other clothes Eriki..." she sniffed.
"No? Haven't you explored the rooms yet?"
Janine shook her head. "I prefer being ou-ou-out -" she sneezed. "-side." she finished.
"come with me..." he said, taking her hand.
Janine took Eriki's hand and got up.
"Tris sometimes forgets that humans wear clothes..." Eriki explained, leading Janine into a cave filled with chests and boxes.
"Oh right..." Janine murmured.
Janine sneezed again and giggled. "This is getting annoying...!"
Eriki pulled out a few items of clothing.
Janine nodded. "Thanks Eriki."
Eriki nodded, "You can take anything from here that you want, then go to bed and get warm."
"Okay..." Janine had a quick rummage and came up with a t-shirt and trousers and disappeared off to get changed, still sneezing.
Eriki nodded in approval.
Janine settled down into bed after she had gotten changed, still sneezing softly.
Janine was starting to doze off.
Smudge jumped out of Eriki's arms and scampered to the edge of the cave, where he could sit in the sun.
Janine yawned and turned over, falling asleep soon.
Eriki checked on Janine again, and the vanished into the trees, leaving Smudge alone with his thoughts.