==========================
==========================
Tricks Trust and Trees *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Janine looked around the cave, but she couldn't see Jareth or Tris. She frowned and wandered out of the mouth of the cave, still looking around.
Janine pouted; how had she been stupid enough not to?!
Janine sighed. "I don't think she's okay...
Janine started walking, trying to place where she had heard Tris.
"Hi Janine!"
Janine jumped. "Eriki!"
"Did I scare you? I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, it's not nice to scare people."
Janine laughed. "It's okay Eriki..."
"That's good," he said landing next to her.
Janine grinned. "Have you seen Tris? Or Jareth?"
"She left early this morning, with Jareth and told me...told me to keep an eye on you and tell you....that she'd be back."
"Oh, okay..." Janine frowned. "They've been an awful long time.."
Eriki nodded, "I don't know where they ran off to..."
"Perhaps we should look for them?"
"I don't know..." he sounded doubtful.
"I don't think we oughta leave them... they could need help..."
"Need help?"
"Well, you never know..."
"I don't know," Eriki said doubtfully, "If she needed help then she would call..."
"But what if she couldn't?" Janine pressed. She was worried about both Tris and Jareth. "What if she was unconscious or-" she didn't want to say dead...
"Then we'd know."
Janine brushed her hair upwards. "I don't like it." she said stubbornly.
"but you would know, hatchlings ALWAYS know..."
"I still don't like it!"
"You don't have to like it," Eriki said, "Besides, Tris can take care of herself."
"And what about Jareth?" Janine asked without a moment's hesitation. "I want to go and look for them both."
"What about Jareth? He has his magic now, he can take care of himself, he has done so for quite awhile you know..."
Janine folded her arms.
"Okay, okay," Eriki said giving up.
Janine nodded in satisfaction. "Where do we look first?" she said, scanning the horizon.
"I don't know, couldn't you just call her?"
~*Tris...?*~
~*Hmm...?*~ Tris' colors were slow and dreamy.
~*Where are you?*~ Janine was worried again; Tris' colors weren't as they should be
~*Sleeping little one...*~
~*But where...?*~
~*Mmmm...near the castle...*~
Janine's brow puckered; Tris' colors were too slow and dreamy! ~*Are you okay?*~
~*Sleeping*~
"I think that she's sleeping..." Eriki pointed out.
"It doesn't seem right though..." Janine persisted.
"Why not? she sleeps sometimes too..."
"That's beside the point."
"It is?" Eriki looked around, "Well it's beside the point then is the point next to it? Where is that?"
Janine just blinked.
"Well where is it?"
"Where's what?"
"The point. If what I said is beside the point then I'd like to know where the point is..."
"It's - oh dear..." Janine shut her eyes wearily. "Can we just try and find them, please Eriki?"
"Sure, at least it's a nice day for a walk."
Janine nodded. "I think they're this way..." she pointed.
"Okay then," he said.
Janine smiled.
"Lead on then."
Eriki followed in the trees overhead.
Janine came to a clearing and looked around, trying to work out what she was going to do next. She heard another noise and frowned, looking around a little more nervously
Eriki froze, sniffing the air, "Stop."
There was more rustling, then a dishevelled-looking man walked out into the clearing. He looked puzzled, obviously not having expected to see anyone there. "Hello."
Astario suddenly realized she was mortal. "You're a mortal, aren't you?"
"Yes, I had an - er - psychic fight, you could say."
Eriki crept closer.
Astario glanced upwards again, then caught sight of Eriki's tail. He would be patient, but if the little brat annoyed him again, Astario would not hesitate to yank him to the floor.
Astario gently pulled Janine forward. "Can you see the castle?" he asked.
"Janine?" Eriki looked a bit alarmed.
"No." Astario stepped forward. "I'm warning you brat, one more step and you'll be in trouble."
Astario came up behind Eriki and grabbed him
Astario reached out and grabbed at Eriki, catching his tail in a tight grip.
Eriki stopped vanishing into the trees
"Hi..." Janine responded, her guard lowering slightly as she saw how tired he seemed. "Are you okay?"
He grimaced. "I've been better..."
Eriki hid in the trees, his guard not down at all. Most people knew better then to come into Tris' territory unannounced.
"What happened?" Janine asked, concerned.
The man sighed and put his hand to his head, staggering a little.
Janine moved forward worriedly. "Steady..." she warned, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I had a little run-in with someone who doesn't really like me..."
I don't like this... Eriki thought.
Janine looked worried. "I think you oughta sit down, you're really pale..." she advised.
He nodded and did so.
Janine sat in front of him. "Right, what happened?"
"Well, basically, I met with an old school friend and he and I had a little fight... He's a little stronger than I sometimes..."
Janine tilted her head to one side; he didn't have any bruises.
"You got off lightly." she commented.
He looked puzzled. "What?"
"You haven't got any bruises or anything..."
Janine nodded. "yeah, aren't you?"
Astario laughed. "I'm a Fae."
"A what?"
A fae, Eriki thought, oh Janine, come back here
"What's a fae?" Janine questioned.
Astario smiled slightly. "It's a little hard to explain... If I didn't already know, you'd have a little trouble describing what a mortal is." he chuckled.
Janine smiled back. "So, you're a Fae... okay..."
"Oh!" Janine smiled. "I understand that!"
"You do?"
Janine nodded. "Of course I do! My adopted mother can communicate psychically, and I've met someone else who can too."
"You have?"
Eriki sighed and leapt to another tree, closer.
"Oh yes!" Janine was becoming more relaxed. Something she didn't realize was Astario's doing. "I -" she blushed. "Well, I know three someones. Tris communicates differently from Trent and Jareth though... She hurts them if she talks to them..."
Everything came into focus for Astario suddenly; this was the girl that Jareth was in love with. How perfect... He nodded. "Really? How odd..."
"No, not really odd, Tris doesn't speak as such, I mean, I can but they can't..."
"Oh right..." Astario nodded, looking like he was listening intently, when really he was plotting nineteen-to-the-dozen.
Astario felt his presence and looked around.
Janine looked puzzled. "What's wrong?" she asked.
Astario sighed. "Someone else is around..."
"Oh! That'll be Eriki..."
Astario was good at the most simple of psychic tricks; putting someone else's mind at ease. He could sense that Janine would usually be considerably more wary of people than he had made her. Shame.
Eriki sighed a bit.
Astario looked at Janine thoughtfully. If he could warp her mind enough for her to believe he could help her... That would certainly help *him*.
"So, er, I never caught your name..."
"I'm Janine." she smiled. "And you are-?"
"Astario." Astario smiled back. "So, what're you doing out here?"
"Well, I'm looking for Tris and Jareth actually..." Janine looked a little worried again. "They've been gone all day...!"
argh! Eriki thought.
Astario looked sympathetic. "Really? Well, I saw Jareth earlier, if that's any help?"
Janine nodded. "Yes! Where did you see him?"
"Back at his castle..."
"I could've told you that..." Eriki muttered.
Astario glanced up, then looked back at the worried Janine. "If you like I can show you a shorter way there? It's a lot easier, otherwise you have to traipse across this really deserted landscape..."
"Well..." Janine didn't look too sure.
Astario nudged her mind, and she nodded. "Why not..."
"Deserted?" Eriki asked, "Anything around here is far from deserted."
"Have you not seen the way down there?" Astario asked innocently, ignoring Eriki.
Janine shook her head.
"Well," Astario nodded towards it. "It's pretty rough going, especially for a young lady such as yourself..."
"It is not."
Eriki jumped onto another branch
Astario sighed irritably and turned around to Janine again. "So, you would like accompany me?"
Janine nodded slightly. "Sure."
"I wouldn't recommend it..."
Janine looked up at Eriki, and Astario swiped at him, trying to grab him.
Eriki dodged away, "What? all I said was that I wouldn't recommend that she go with you."
"I think that's a rather rude statement." Astario growled.
Janine looked blank.
He smiled at her and entered her mind lightly, just switching off enough that she wouldn't question what he was doing; he could do without that...
"Why?"
"Considering you don't know me."
Eriki shrugged, "It's an opinion that I don't recommend that she go with you, of course it is really her choice..."
"Of course it is. Are you coming Janine?"
"Huh? Oh, yes, right..."
"I am coming as well then I suppose..."
"Oh, of course, as you wish." Astario shrugged. Whoever it was was a pest in himself. If he got in the way Astario would have to deal with him... "This way then.." he stated, leading Janine off.
"That's not the right way..."
Astario turned around.
"Oh?" he said softly. "This is the way to the castle."
"I thought we were going to *Jareth's* castle..."
Astario didn't answer, a small smirk on his face.
"because if we're going there then this is not the right path to follow..."
"I think I'll be the judge of that."
"How much time to you spend in this forest?"
"Me? Enough."
"I live here."
"And that is supposed to mean what to me?"
"That I know exactly where I'm going..."
"And...?"
"And I will also know if you lead her in the wrong way," Eriki obviously didn't trust the fae.
Astario gave another small smirk. "Alright."
Eriki crossed his arms.
Astario watched him, then shrugged again and turned back to Janine. "Coming?"
Janine nodded. "Yup!"
Eriki hissed softly but followed.
Eriki was muttering some very rapid things under his breath.
"If you're going to say something child," Astario said coldly. "Please say it, don't mutter it."
"Before I seemed to have gotten the impression that you didn't like hearing me talk, and so I decided that I would be nice and not talk to you, although why exactly I decided that I would be nice to you is something that I am not entirely sure of."
"Oh for pity's sake!" Astario looked irritated.
"If you would prefer that I talk to you then tell me and I will be more then happy to continue to tell you everything that I desire to say to you."
Astario gritted his teeth. "Fine."
"Fine what? which would you prefer?"
"Just speak, irritating little brat..." Astario muttered.
"Irritating little brat?" Eriki said in a wounded tone. He scampered down by Janine, "Did you hear what he just called me?"
Janine looked round, a little dreamily. "Huh?"
Janine smiled. "Hmm? What's up?"
"What's wrong with you? Why do you want to go with him? He shouldn't even be here..."
"What d'you mean? He's taking us to the castle..."
"To which castle?"
Janine frowned. "Um..."
"I don't think that he's taking to you Jareth's..."
"I'm sure he is... Aren't you?"
Astario smiled. "Of course..."
"I don't believe him. maybe you should...call Tris..."
"No, I'm sure it's okay..."
Astario nodded. "Exactly, don't listen to the brat dear."
"He's not a brat..." Janine protested in a murmur.
"Thank you," Eriki said to her.
"We don't want to argue, do we Janine?"
"No, no, we don't..." Janine responded softly.
"Yes we do. We argue all the time, it's fun..."
"We don't." Astario said softly, coldly.
"Yes."
"Come on Janine." Astario ignored Eriki for the time being. He was driving the Fae crazy...!
"No."
"Huh?" Janine stopped and looked at Eriki, puzzled.
"don't go with him, please."
"Why...?"
"Please, I don't trust him."
"Don't be silly!" Janine giggled
"but-"
"But wha?"
"But you shouldn't trust someone that has the power to control your mind!"
"Huh?" Janine looked blank.
Eriki took one of Janine's hands, "Come on."
Eriki jumped into the air and landed a set forward.
Astario scowled and reached for him.
Eriki easily dodged away.
Astario scowled. "Get here!"
"Say what?" Eriki asked, bounding out of Astario's reach.
"I said get here...!"
"nope. don't think that I will..."
"I don't care what you think you little weasel!"
"I am not a weasel."
"You act like one!" Astario lunged for him again
Eriki dodged away again, "Janine, you see what he calls me?"
Janine looked round. "Huh?"
Eriki sighed and landed down by her, "Janine pay attention."
Janine giggled slightly. "I am...!"
"what are you paying attention to then?"
"This..."
"What?"
"This, I'm watching this..."
"Uh huh..."
"I am!" Janine protested.
Eriki looked startled, "hey, let go!"
Astario chuckled nastily.
"I mean it..."
"Oh dear, what a shame."
Eriki tutted and slipped out of Astario's grip and zipped up a tree.
Astario scowled and grabbed for him again.
Eriki danced out of reach.
Astario looked frustrated
"What's wrong?" Eriki teased.
Astario scowled. "Shut up you little brat!"
"Not a brat."
"Yes you are!"
"Nope." Eriki lept over to the nearest tree.
"Yeeeeeeeeee--aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Astario chuckled nastily again.
Eriki landed on all fours on the ground.
Astario didn't release his grip.
"Let go," Eriki pleaded.
"Let go? Why should I?" Astario smirked, then turned to Janine who was looking a little shocked. "Don't worry Janine, it's alright..."
Eriki winced and blinked, "Please."
"No."
"I think you're hurting him..." Janine said quietly.
Astario shook his head. "He's fine Janine."
"No..." Eriki gasped, "I'll shut up...please...let go."
"You're fine, aren't you little creature?" Astario squeezed Eriki's tail a little harder.
"No!" Eriki yelped.
Janine looked a little more worried. "I think you ought to-"
Astario sighed. "It's okay, honestly, look, we'll go, okay?"
Janine nodded. "Okay..."
Eriki looked pale and he panted a bit.
"This way..." practically dragging Eriki, Astario led the way
Eriki crawled along behind Astario, since he was built to go upright, or on all fours , he wasn't in too much discomfort, except for the fact that Astario held his tail.
Astario led them through thick trees and a densely-shrubbed area, over a few rocky outreaches, then a castle appeared more clearly before them.
"Here we are."
"Alright..." Janine followed Astario as he led her through the gates and into the main castle.
As soon as she had shut the door Astario yanked Eriki visciously upwards, hanging him in front of his face.
Astario laughed and carried Eriki down to the dungeons, placing him squarely in a tiny cell with lichen on the walls and puddles of icy water on the floor, and slammed the door.
He stuck his hand through the bars and grabbed a long stick which he pulled into the little cell. He carefully wedged it so he could balance on it and then he closed his eyes.
Eriki looked up dully and tried to get away again.
Astario gave an impatient yank on his tail. "Stay still will you?" he snapped.
Janine looked a little puzzled. "This doesn't look like I remember it..."
"Things change Janine..."
Eriki let out a cry, "Not Jareth's-" he started.
"Shut UP!" Astario gave a harder yank on Eriki's tail, wishing he could wrench it off.
"Ahhhh!" Eriki yelped in pain.
Astario rolled his eyes. "Come on then Janine..."
Janine still didn't look convinced. "I don't know-" she started.
Astario smiled at her. "Come on, it doesn't look the same, nothing ever does. Come inside and I'll make you a hot drink..."
"...no..."
"You may have any room you like for now Janine." Astario said as he motioned to a long hallway. "Any of them, and I will be there presently."
"...no..." Eriki repeated.
Janine nodded. "Alright, thank you..." she said, opened a door and went in.
"Will. You. Be. SILENT!" he snapped.
Eriki winced and glared at Astario.
Astario didn't look phased. "You're coming to the dungeons little brat, and you can stay there until I can find something useful to do to you."
"I wouldn't do that if I were you..."
"But I'm not you, thank the stars."
"And I'm very glad that I'm not you!"
Eriki jumped up as soon as he was released and quickly started sniffing around the little room.
Astario watched for a brief moment, then walked back to his room, wondering what to do next. He'd have to speak with the mortal, see what she knew.
Eriki lightly ran his hands over the door and then looked up at the window and smiled. He bounced up to it and looked out. Trees. Even better.
To survive living with Tris for as long as he had with his personality he had to have his own set of powers.
He closed his eyes and silently called out to the trees outside, of which he was a part of.
Come out and play the trees called.
Take me then Eriki called back.
His form dissolved into the watery form and he flowed out the window, reforming in the branches of the trees.
Thank You he said fondly to the one that had helped him, I will play later
Trent yawned and turned over, half waking, and wondering why he was lying on the grass..
"JARETH!!" Tris roared.
He closed his eyes and made a face as Tris entered his mind for a second.
*Trent?*
Trent flicked his brother's nose with a grin.
He smiled back, "Trent..." he said softly, "Whatever happens now..."
Tris opened her wings and jumped into the air.
Trent sat up and yawned again. ~What-~ he stopped. He felt his words fizzle away. "What on earth?" he said aloud.
She circled around above him, ~*Good Morning*~
"Ow..." Trent muttered. ~What's - erm - going on, as such, Madam...?~
She came down and landed, "What do you mean?" she asked sweetly.
Trent blinked a little. "Erm, well, the whole fact I can't actually... Communicate with anyone other than yourself... not that I dislike being able to communicate with you...!" Trent was stuttering
"Yes, I know."
"Sorry?" Trent questioned. She knew what?
"I put up a barrier around your mind..."
Everything came flooding back, and Trent colored slightly. "Oh yes... Of course... Sorry Madam..." he felt extremely stupid now...
"It's okay..." she said, "Now, to find where that brother of yours has run off to..."
Trent stood up, swinging his arms experimentally. He felt in one piece, although a little stiff. Not that he was too surprised however: numerous collisions with walls and bookcases were bound to have left a mark...
He appeared a second later, looking none to pleased with being summoned like that.
Trent laughed softly. "I wish he came like that when I call for him..."
"You rang mistress?" Jareth asked giving Trent a dark look.
Trent smiled sweetly at his brother, flicking his hair backwards, relaxing himself slightly.
"Yeah," Tris said with a smile, "Sit down, I need in."
Jareth sighed, and did as he was told.
Trent's eyebrows did their disappearing trick again..
Trent sighed; he didn't like watching Jareth being 'tame'... It just didn't suit him...
"Trent, I need to enter your mind again..." she said.
"Gah - " Trent stopped. "Alright..."
She eased into his mind, pulling the string that she had taken from Jareth. She threaded it through the cage she had built around Trent's mind and then pulled out.
Trent also pulled a face, much similar to the one Jareth had just pulled
"There," she said, "You two can talk now..."
"Thanks..." Trent nodded.
~Yup?~
*It's fun, isn't it?*
~Certainly - different...~
*I adore having her hovering around my mind...*
~Uh huh.~
"ouch!" Jareth looked up at her, "What was that for?"
"You know perfectly well," Tris answered mildly.
Trent chuckled cheekily.
"I'd be careful if I were you..." Jareth said, "She can do the same thing to you now..."
Trent smiled sweetly at Tris.
"Ah, but he hasn't done anything worth me burning him for," Tris answered.
Trent smirked at Jareth. "See?"
"Yeah sure..." Jareth said softly.
Jareth didn't react.
Trent rolled his eyes. "Worth a try..." he commented to Tris.
She stood up and flexed her wings.
Trent looked at Jareth a smiled.
"Hmm?"
"Look, we didn't exactly agree on what she wanted if she helped."
Trent colored. "No, we didn't, did we brother?"
"No..." he said softly, "and so..."
"Yes...?"
"I don't know what she wants from me, she hasn't told me."
"What?" Trent looked a little worried
Jareth lowered his eyes, "I don't know. I didn't think about it really, all I was worried about was you..."
Trent put his hand on Jareth's shoulder. "I told you not to... But, anyway... I'm sure she's not going to-... do anything..."
"All the same, I thought that it would be best to avoid getting her upset."
"Yes, I understand that..."
"I was thinking that I should offer her something, but I don't know what."
Trent frowned. "I'm sure there's something in the castle?"
Jareth sighed.
Trent squeezed Jareth's shoulder.
"I guess I'll just take what she gives..."
Trent nodded.
Astario sighed as he looked at the now sleeping Janine. He'd gotten what information he could from her, but he had had to be so subtle it wasn't anything particularly interesting, other than the fact she was besotted with Jareth.
He waited until Astario had left and then silently entered the room, landing gracefully on the bed.
"We can't just desert Astario, after all he's done!"
Astario turned around to see both Janine and Eriki. A look of rage passed across his impeccable features, then was gone. "Ah, Janine, so glad you could join us, and our dear little friend as well..."
Astario whistled to his guards who also chased Eriki.
Eriki glared at Astario.
Eriki tested the chains.
Eriki shivered, despite what he said Astario was right, he couldn't get out, not now. He gave the chain an angry yank, the sound echoing through the tiny cell.
Eriki, hidden in the trees, watched.
Astario sighed again, then stood up and headed for the dungeons.
Janine turned over in her sleep, murmuring Jareth's name softly.
"Janine, wake up," he said, shaking her gently.
"Hmmuh..." Janine rolled over again and batted at him. "Go 'way..."
"No, wake up...please."
"No... Go 'way... Lemme sleep..."
"I will later, now please wake up!"
"Hmmmuh...?" Janine opened one eye. "Oh, Eriki..."
Eriki grinned, "come on, we've gotta go..."
"Go? Go where?"
"Home."
"Why? Astario's looking for Jareth for us..."
"No, no he's not..."
"Yes he is!" Janine laughed.
"No! Janine...call Tris..."
Janine looked puzzled. "Whatever for?"
"To tell her where we are."
"Astario tried..." Janine nodded. "He said she wasn't answering..."
"since when can he talk to her?"
"He can, loads of Fae can."
"No, she'd fry him."
"Oh..." Janine looked a little confused. "Well, he said he'd tried anyway, and he's going to send his guards to look for them..."
"No. Come on. Let's go home."
"what has he done?"
"He's getting all this sorted for us, he'd fed us, he's given us rooms and stuff..."
"Hmpf...we'll leave him a note."
"Oh Eriki!" Janine giggled.
Eriki rubbed his tail, "Well he wasn't nice to me!"
"Sure he was..."
"He grabbed my *tail*!"
"I'm sure he didn't mean to..."
"He grabbed it and pulled me along, then pulled me down and locked me up!"
"I'm sure he was only messing around..."
"He locked me in his dungeons!"
"Oh Eriki!" Janine repeated with another giggle. "C'mon, I better get up and find him, he said he might need my help..."
"Okay...this way..."
"No, he went this way..." Janine giggled. "Eriki you're gonna get lost... Hey Astario?" she called.
Eriki groaned and went after her.
Eriki backed away, towards the window.
Astario flicked a hand, and the window slammed shut.
Janine jumped, and Astario walked over, taking her hand gently. "I suggest you sit down Janine, you don't look too well..." he said, throwing a warning glare at Eriki.
"Yes...yes...you should take it easy," Eriki said, "Tell you what, you do that, and since you don't want to go, I will."
"You, my dear friend..." Said Astario menacingly after he had sat Janine down. "Will go nowhere." he grabbed for Eriki again, remembering how he couldn't escape when he had taken his tail and went straight for it.
Eriki whipped his tail out of the way and jumped, sailing over Astario's head and bolting down the hallway.
Eriki groaned and ran, looking for an open window.
~The tail!~ Astario yelled, making one guard -who wasn't quite used to the Prince's harsh telepathic voice- wince.
"Got 'im!" one of the more experienced guards grabbed at Eriki's tail as he shot past and held him upwards. "What on earth is this?"
Eriki struggled a bit, swinging up and biting the guard.
"Ow! Little vermin!" the guard dropped him, but not before Astario had grabbed his tail.
"My setiments exactly Phileme."
Astario scowled back. "You, my fine fellow, are going back to the dungeons, only this time I will not allow you the freedom."
Eriki crossed his arms.
Astario smirked unpleasantly and carried him down to the dungeons again. When he got there he took some fine, but very tough chains from one of the guards and chained Eriki -and his tail- to the wall. "There."
Eriki sullenly looked up at him, "Why are you doing this?"
"That, little rat, is for me to know, and you most preferably not to find out."
"Oh? You will get in trouble for this..."
"Of course I will." Astario snorted in sarcasm, not in the slightest bit worried.
"You have never tangled with a dragon before have you?" Eriki said smugly.
"A dragon?" Astario looked momentarily worried, then snorted again.
"Yes. A dragon, you must have wondered who "Tris" is...since you were trying to contact her..."
"Tris... Oh yes, of course."
"Trisanalysa Fyreflyght."
"Oh, of course." Astario wasn't really listening
"They're very strong."
"Hmm."
Astario smirked.
"We'll see."
"Of course." Astario waved his hand airily.
Eriki glared, "I won't be here for long."
"You keep believing that." Astario taunted.
"I do."
Astario laughed cruelly and walked back out of the cell, slamming the door shut with a chilling finality.
Astario laughed as he heard the chains, then walked airily back upstairs, satisfied.
Eriki pulled on the chains again.
Trent awoke again, with a small growl. He hated dozing in the day! He realized he was leaning against Jareth's shoulder and sat up, flicking his hair upwards sheepishly.
"I wanted to talk to you, about what happened..."
Tris nodded and jumped into the air.
Trent smiled and turned back to Jareth. "Well, shall we return home brother?"
Tris landed, "Trent," she said softly, "come here."
Trent stood up and shook his lengthy legs out, then walked over to her. "What is wrong Madam?"
"Oh.. That..." Trent looked embarrassed.
"Yeah, I'm not sure exactly how this came about."
Trent's eyebrows drew together.
"So... how did this come about?"
"Astario you mean?"
"Yes."
"Ah... It's a bit of a long story... Would you like to sit down Madam?"
She settled down, "I already know somewhat about this, from what I gathered from your brother's mind."
Trent sighed. "It's a very long story... Involving both my brother and Astario, as is obvious... It all started when they were at school together..."
"yeah, something about a disagreement...over a girl..."
"Yes... And a bit of a war sprang up... They were messing with each other's minds... and their friends' minds..."
"uh huh..."
"And basically Father and King Te'mar had to put an end to it..."
"Oh yes, I think that I remember that...yes...very dull..."
"Yes, and basically Astario is one to hold a grudge..."
"I see...but if he was mad at Jareth, why come after you?"
"That, erm, I think I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time... No, wait, three years ago Astario came back to the kingdom to try and exact revenge on Jareth, and because he is psychic, as am I... I helped Jareth..."
"I see... so he was mad at you as well."
"Slightly."
"He must have been very mad at you to put you through all of that."
"I don't know... Astario is a bit - well - vindictive..."
"Well he can't get at you now."
"Thank you." Trent smiled, relieved.
"Yeah, I'm off. Take care and call if you need anything."
"Thank you Madam, it is very much appreciated."
Trent smiled at her and waved slightly.
She dipped her wings in response and flew away.
"Yeah, lets go."
Trent clicked his fingers and appeared in his study. "Oh stars it's a mess in here..."
Jareth smiled and the books flew up to arrange themselves.
Trent grinned at him. "Thanks brother." he was relieved there was less of an air of tension between them now.
"Your welcome."
Trent flicked his hair upwards, then walked to his cabinet and checked up on his vials.
"Everything in order in there?"
Trent nodded. "It is, thank goodness." he shut the door and looked back at Jareth, leaning a little arrogantly against the wall as was his habit.
Jareth smiled.
"Thank heavens Trisanalysia was there to help though..."
"yeah. And that she would help."
Trent nodded. "Very kind of her."
"Yeah..." Jareth said.
At just that moment Tris was discovering that both Eriki and Janine were missing. She let out a roar, mentally and loudly.
Trent looked worried and turned to Jareth, putting his hand on his shoulder.
Tris paced back and forth angrily, Eriki had left her a message in the trees and she was not pleased. All she could manage to think about right now was fire.
Trent walked back to Jareth. "Brother..." he started
Trent was about to answer when he yelled in pain, clapping his hand to his head. ~Trisanalysia!!~
Jareth rubbed his temples, "ouch..."
"My sentiments exactly..." Trent muttered, sweating slightly. ~Trisanalysia? Madam? What is going on?~
~*JANINE!!!!!!*~
Trent cringed and sat down heavily. "Jareth, we have a problem..."
"I hear her too..."
Trent rubbed his forehead. ~Madam please calm down...~
Tris roared in answer.
Trent cringed again, his head ringing. ~Please...~ he said softly, seeing a few stars winking across his vision. Being a Psy he was more susceptible to her anger, but not by much. ~Madam, please, explain what is happening, please don't shout... We can't help if you shout...!~ he tried to be calm.
Tris roared again, a bit softer.
Trent walked across to his cabinet, took a vew vials out and poured them into a chalice, taking a few sips and passing it to Jareth. ~What has happened to Janine Madam...?~
~*She's GONE and so's Eriki!*~
Jareth gasped and let the chalice fall. "Are... *Are you sure? Maybe they just went out for a walk...*
Trent grabbed the chalice with one hand, squeezing his brother's shoulder. ~Can you contact her Madam?~
~*I have tried, and Eriki as well. He usually leaves a message when he goes out...*~
Trent frowned. ~Would you like me to help you Madam?~
~*HOW?*~
~Will you please refrain from shouting!~ Trent walked over to the window and stared out. ~It may require you to release my mind, I will have to question some people.~
Trent was finding the constant smoldering in his head not only painful but irritable.
Tris took a breath, ~*All right...*~
~Right, Madam, would you like me to come to you?~
*~No, I will come*~
~Alright.~ Trent conceded.
Tris winged her way to the castle.
"I heard..."
"Jareth I-"
"What?"
"I'm sorry..." Trent put his hand back on Jareth's shoulder; he could see that he was upset
"Oh... thanks..."
"It's ok."
"We must find her!"
"I know... I know..." Trent murmured soothingly. "We will."
Janine leapt up as she heard Tris' roar, everything coming back into sharp focus.
When she awoke, Janine found herself manacled to a wall in a cold, damp cell, and she started to cry...
"Tris... Mother..." she whispered softly, then scowled. "Where am I?!" she snapped, looking around her angrily.
Astario, who had also heard the roar faintly through Janine, sighed.
"So sorry it had to come to this.." his violet eyes gleamed coldly and he motioned over a guard. "The dungeons."
"No you damn well don't!" Janine put up her fists defensively as two guards approached her. She wasn't going down without a fight. One of the guards put out his hand towards her and she yelled angrily, hitting out at him.
"Enough child." Astario sighed, sending a psychic shockwave through the mortal girl's mind, knocking her unconscious.
Tris landed and announced her presence.
Trent walked over to her and bowed. "Madame..."
"Where does he live?" Tris growled.
She rolled her eyes and held out her claws, diving towards Trent.
*It's not fun is it?* Jareth teased.
~*Janine?*~ Tris called.
There was no answer, and in the dungeons Janine pulled helplessly at the chains around her wrist, sobbing softly. "Tris...!" she called. "Mum..."
He shivered and the chain around his tail clattered slightly.
"Ow...she's here." Jareth said.
"Ow..." Muttered Trent, then went to the window and leaned out. "One moment Madam!" he called, then leaned back in. "I'll have to walk..."
Jareth followed his brother down the stairs out to where Tris had landed.
She flicked a wing in acknowledgement.
"How are you coping?" Trent murmured softly.
She sighed a bit, "as well as can be expected."
Trent nodded.
"Did you have something in mind?" she asked.
"As yet, I am afraid not, but- perhaps we should search..."
"Yeah... I already covered all of my territory..."
"Anywhere they might have gone?"
"Well there was a very odd sent in one of my fields..."
"Oh?" Trent frowned.
"Yeah...and it's hard to explain, you and Jareth have a certain, aura that remains after you are gone..."
Trent refrained himself from fooling around and nodded.
"It was neither of you, but once I calmed myself down enough to think about it, I realized that the feeling was familiar..."
"It was...? Who did it remind you of?"
"I burned through some of his mental creations yesterday..."
"Astario!" Trent spat, his green eyes blazing.
She nodded and growled again.
Jareth paled.
Trent looked as though he was capable of committing murder, his eyes blazing with rage. No one, repeat, no one, hurt his brother!
She raised her head and shot a blast of fire into the sky, with the accompanying sending.
Jareth did not try and tone down her fire.
Trent clenched his fists. "This has gone too far." he growled.
"The Fae realm."
"That's not far..." she started.
"Lets go." Trent cut in swiftly.
Tris flexed her wings and prepared to take off.
"Madam, how shall I travel?"
"Oh don't ask..." Jareth stated as she wheeled around and came down, claws out.
"You," Trent said softly. "Can fly, I can't."
Jareth smiled and became an owl. *I can fly there myself, thank you* He said to Tris.
Trent cringed slightly, but stayed put.
She snatched him up in her claws and rose higher.
Trent shut his eyes, not really enjoying the movement.
Tris reached out and lightly batted him with a wing.
~Shut up Jareth...~ Trent growled softly.
~*Be quiet, both of you*~
~Sorry..~ Trent mumbled.
Jareth murmured his apologies as well.
Eriki looked up from where he was curled up on the floor, "J...Janine?"
"Eriki...?" Janine whimpered softly, tears still pouring down her cheeks.
"y...yeah."
"Are you - oka-y...?"
"I...I guess..."
"What's wrong...?"
"Can't...get out."
"Neither can I...!"
"yah, but...I...I'm s-supposed to be...able to."
"What...?"
"Not s-supposed to get stuck. My tail hurts."
"Oh Eriki..."
"S-sorry... supposed to...to watch you."
"Oh Eriki please...!" Janine sobbed again. "It's - okay...! Don't...blame yourse-lf...!"
"Eriki...!" Janine pulled hard at the chains around her wrists, wincing as the cold metal slashed her skin. "It's - okay...!!"
"Yeah... okay."
Janine kept pulling at her chains, so angry she was stuck, and knowing Eriki needed help wasn't making her any less angry.
Outside Tris dropped to the earth near the castle.
Astario walked to his window and peered out, but could see nothing.
"I wish you would warn me when you're about to do that," Jareth muttered to Tris.
Tris' eyes glowed faintly.
Astario frowned as he felt his psychic barriers disturbed.
Jareth stifled a cry as he was pulled to the earth and transformed.
Trent knocked the dust off his black jean-type trousers and nodded in agreement.
"Okay..." Tris said softly, "Here we are..."
'Well duh.' Trent thought inwardly, but nodded politely. "What is our best plan of action Mistress?"
"We get them out." she hissed.
Trent sighed softly. "Yes, that is our objective..."
Jareth hesitated and then walked over to her, he cautiously set a hand on her side, "We'll get them out," he said softly, "I promise."
The fire went out from Tris' gaze for a second and then she nodded, "Thank you."
Trent smiled slightly, then also walked over and placed his hand on her side. "We will." he agreed.
She closed her eyes and relaxed a little.
Trent turned to Jareth. "We work, now." he said softly, the rather dangerous glint still in his emerald eyes. His temper, when aroused, was lethal, and Trent was certainly not going to let Astario hurt his brother or the dragon he was now cautiously seeing as his friend.