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Darkness, Light, Love *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Eriki curled up in the faint patch of light, the bars casting shadows over his brown fur. He felt very cut off from everything.
"J-Janine?" he called, "D-don't cry. Please don-don't. Tris will- she'll come."
Ever since her younger years Janine had been terrified of small spaces, and this was too small. Much too small... "Eriki..." she whispered, cold and scared.
Eriki called out to the trees and was rewarded by several leaves blowing into both his cell and Janine's.
Eriki took a deep breath and concentrated. A warm wind blew into Janine's cell, stirring up the fresh green leaves. Outside the trees parted, letting a beam of sun shine directly into her little window, illuminating her in the warm bright patch.
Janine felt worried suddenly. "Eriki..."
"Good," he said, dropping to the ground with a bit of a clang.
Janine wrapped her arms around her knees as best she could and rocked herself back and forth, singing a small song in a broken voice, trying to stop herself from thinking.
His tail ached with a dull throbbing pain. It lay flat on the ground, the chain leading to the wall.
His tail was lying across a puddle of icy water. He hoped that his tail would go numb, but no such luck, now it was just cold.
He could hear Janine crying next door but there was nothing he could do and it hurt just as much as his tail. He didn't have the energy to call out to her.
But at least he had some sunlight. He soaked it in, shifting his tail into the light as well.
If only it weren't for the stupid chain! He would have been out a long time ago. He jerked his tail, which was a mistake. The chain clattered and he winced at the sharp pain.
"Er-iki...?" Janine choked softly, still trying to pull herself free. She had only succeeded in causing her hands and arms to bleed from where she had scrabbled at the chains. "She- I can't - she...!"
"Huh?"
"I can't hear her...!" Janine sobbed. "I can't speak or hear her!!!"
"She...she *will* come."
"But Eriki...!" Janine whimpered. "She won't know..." She looked around her tiny cell and felt her chest tightening, the blackness seeming to growl and fluctuate around her.
"Yeah?"
"It's so- small......!"
*oh no...* he thought with a little groan, forcing himself up.
Janine started panicking inwardly. She couldn't breathe, and she was certain the walls were closer together than they had been...
"J-Janine? hang on... I'll...I'll help."
"No-! Er-Eriki... It's - okay..." Janine lied, her voice higher than was natural.
Eriki crawled towards his window and somehow, he wasn't sure how, managed to get up to it.
Janine was shaking convulsively, all her senses screaming at her to escape, but even in her panicked state she knew she couldn't. And that wasn't helping....
"Janine?"
Janine didn't answer, rocking herself slightly, whimpering.
Janine looked at them, her eyes haunted. What were they doing here? Why were they there? What were they going to do?!
"T-those are from outside," Eriki said, "They are real, there is an outside, we will get there."
"Out-outside..." Janine repeated softly, still shaking, her voice quivering.
"Yes. Outside."
Janine fell silent, looking at them. They were real. But it was so dark, so cold... perhaps they were just escaping... perhaps outside was worse...!
"Close your eyes," Eriki directed.
Janine shook her head hard, then remembered he couldn't see her. "N-no...! I-I need to be able to see...!"
"Trust me, close your eyes."
Janine shook in terror as she did so, tensing.
Janine gasped and her eyes flew open; warmth! Sunlight!
"You...you see?"
"I see...!"
"Good," he panted.
"You...okay now?"
"I - yes... Eriki are you?"
"Uh huh..."
"Please, Eriki... Please be okay...!"
"Yeah...Janine?"
"Yes...?"
"I'm sorry...I can't...can't keep the light on you..."
"O-okay..."
"but you're better now...?"
"Yes... I am, thank your Eriki!"
"Eriki!" Janine cried, alarmed
"Sorry, was just the chain..."
"Eriki, are you alright?"
"Uh huh...the chain threw me off balance..."
"O-okay..." Janine didn't sound too convinced. She was worried again. The sunlight had given her brief hope, but back in the darkness it was rapidly diminishing... But she had to be strong...!
"I am fine," Eriki lied, "Please don't...don't get scared again..."
"O-okay..." Janine said, clenching her fists slightly.
"good..." he smiled and then closed his eyes, lying down again.
The leaves that Eriki had sent in slowly danced around her.
Tris nodded, "That's what I will do then. You two stay here."
Tris flew on over the castle, her red scales glinting in the sunlight.
Astario's eyebrows rose and he walked out onto his balcony. "Good day."
Astario looked puzzled and looked across as well. "There is a problem in that direction, m'lady?"
"Well I must continue my search, will you promise to help me when I find them, as I am sure that you can help remove the barrier around my little ones..."
Trent was still looking murderous. "Alright."
Jareth looked like he wanted to argue.
Trent put his hand on his shoulder. "She'll be fine." his voice was soothing but he didn't really look all that convinced either.
Jareth nodded distractedly.
"Sit down and wait," Tris ordered.
Jareth gasped a bit and did so, "I wish you wouldn't do that..." he said again.
Trent's eyebrows rose. "Madame..." he started to protest her idea again.
"You sit down too!"
"Madam...!" Trent protested, fighting the command.
"SIT!"
Trent collapsed ungracefully to the floor and almost pouted in irritance.
Jareth looked at Trent sympathetically.
Trent growled under his breath.
"It's not worth it," Jareth said softly.
"Don't you believe it..." Trent growled under his breath.
"She'll let us up in a minute..." Jareth said.
"Yeah." Trent's voice was still tight and controlled.
Astario's guards came running in and told him the news. "A dragon eh?" he mused.
She let out a roar and a fire blast.
"Good morning," she said politely, coming down to be level with him.
"Good morning." he responded. "What brings you to my kingdom?"
"I have not gotten a chance to come call on you yet," Tris said pleasantly, "And, as I was out, I thought that I would stop by."
"Oh, well, thank you."
"Yes," she smiled, baring quite a few of her teeth.
Astario smiled back, stepping unobtrusively back a pace.
"However, I'm afraid that my business this morning has not been of a happy nature..."
"Oh no? I am sorry to hear that."
"yes, my hatchlings had disappeared."
"Oh dear." Astario truly didn't have the foggiest at that moment in time. Indeed, how was he to know Janine was Trisanalysia's hatchling? He could not glean much from his searching. "I am very sorry."
"Thank you, I am looking for some assistance in locating them..."
"Well, I will offer you my best guards m'lady."
"Ah, thank you, I also understand that you are very advanced in your psychic abilities..."
"Yes, I have to be."
"Good, then perhaps you can help me."
"Oh yes?"
"Yes. For some strange reason the sendings of one of my hatchlings has been blocked..."
"It has?" Astario thought things through, and frowned slightly. He was a little confused.
"Yes," she hissed slightly.
Astario frowned a little more. "Hmm... Well, it shouldn't be too hard to remove..."
"Yeah," she looked over her shoulder towards Jareth's distant kingdom and sighed.
"Sometimes there is, and I suspect that this may be one of those times..."
"Oh?"
"Yes, I have had problems with Jareth... you know him?"
Astario's violet eyes flashed. "Do I know him?" he said, a little mocking. "How could I not."
She sighed, "I see that you have had similar problems..."
"Similar...?"
"From the way that you spoke of him I can see that you are not very fond of him either..."
"No. I am not."
"ah. Yes, I am concerned that he might have something to do with this..."
"You are? What has that little -" Astario caught himself.
"I don't know, but I have had trouble with him in the past."
"You are not the only one m'lady."
"really now?"
"Yes. Really."
She sighed, "Well I see that I am not alone then..."
"No, you are not m'lady..."
"Of course m'lady." Astario bowed his head.
Tris dipped her wings and circled away.
Astario nodded and walked back into his room. Hatchling... He frowned to himself.
Tris landed by Trent and Jareth.
Jareth, in owl form, was on top of a high tree, keeping look out. suddenly the tree swayed and he let out a screech.
Jareth came down and landed at Tris' feet where he transformed, "Mistress, can we please do something?" he asked respectfully.
"Madam," Trent interrupted suddenly. "I humbly request the return of my abilities for a moment."
Jareth sighed and looked at Tris, "Sorry," he said with a shrug.
Trent appeared by the castle and looked around with a small smirk; no one there. He looked much too much like his brother for an instant, then the moment passed, and he was himself again. He wasn't too sure where Astario would be, but by the stars he would find him and make him pay!
Trent was sat with his back to everything, his arms folded. He had subsided into a foul mood, angry that Tris had made him stay, and still seething about Astario.
Tris nodded, "He does have them."
"I thought so." Trent growled.
"Yes and so...I'm open to ideas."
Trent didn't answer, still seething slightly, but he was thinking.
"Where would he have them?" Tris asked.
"The dungeons, where else?" Trent snapped.
Tris nodded, "Yes," her eyes narrowed a bit worried.
Trent settled back down to his combined sulk and think. He knew there had to be a solution... somewhere...!
"He must have tied Eriki down..." Tris said thoughtfully.
"Little-" Trent shot off into a hissed stream of strange-sounding expletives.
Tris laughed a bit, "what was that?"
Trent suddenly looked a little sheepish. "Nothing a lady should hear..." he felt embarrassed he'd let his emotions run away with him. The words he used were enough to make Jareth cringe!
"I can hear you perfectly...I can even pick up on your feelings a bit..."
Trent blinked and looked down.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Not nothing..."
"That's a double negative..." Trent murmured automatically.
"Yes, but it is obvious that you agree..."
"It is?"
"Yes, you're upset about something..."
"I'm fine." Trent lied.
"Oh. okay then..."
Good, she was going to stop questioning him.
Trent span around and jumped to his feet. "Jareth!"
Tris looked up at the tree curiously as it bent oddly.
Trent clenched his fists, suspicious.
"That," Tris said, "Looks like something that Eriki would do..."
"What?" Trent looked lost
"Eriki's department is plants and natural things, mostly trees..." Tris explained.
"Oh..." Trent still looked blank.
"Which means that if he's moving the trees then he must be around here somewhere..."
"How close?"
Tris looked up at the tree and then followed the sunbeam.
Trent watched Tris and Jareth, and sighed inwardly. This was going nowhere. He wasn't thinking too straight, and the only thought he had was to get even...
"Yes, he has sent all of his guards out looking for my missing hatchlings."
"Hmm?"
"My psychic abilities, for a moment Madam."
"Oh, yeah sure..."
"Thank you." Trent nodded and waited.
Tris relaxed her hold around Trent's mind until it was barely a wisp.
Trent sighed inwardly, he needed her out of his mind, but if that was the best he could have, that would have to do. "If you will both excuse me for one moment..." he clicked his fingers and disappeared.
Tris rolled her eyes, "Come with me, you are going to be a cat again..."
Jareth nodded and transformed into a cat,
Tris raised her version of a shield around him and
he scampered across the lawn towards the castle.
Jareth sniffed around looking for all the world like a normal cat. Then he stopped. Yeah, that was her...
Janine was rocking herself again. She didn't have the energy to even cry anymore. Her eyes were round and haunted, flitting around in terror at her surroundings. Too small... It was all too small... She couldn't breathe... Her breath kept catching in her throat...
Janine's eyes filled with tears again; she was so relieved to see him.
"Janine?" he took a step towards her.
"Janine?"
Jareth transported the both of them into the cell next door.
Jareth concentrated and the chain popped off.
Janine nodded and walked back to Jareth, slipping her small hand into his.
He stopped by one of the windows and peered in. His heart jumped up into his throat, *No...!*
"Mrow!"
Janine froze, her breath coming in a small gasp. She had heard something, she was sure of it! But in the blackness there was nothing...
"Meow!"
It couldn't be-! "J-Jareth...?" Janine's voice was raspy from her tears.
"Mrow!"
"Jareth...!" Janine tried to shout, but was almost too afraid. She wanted to reach out, but the sores on her wrists prevented her.
*I found her!* Jareth mentally shouted to Tris. He hesitated and then squeezed through the bars. It was a bit of a longer drop then he'd expected...
"Jareth!" Janine looked worried, and again tried to reach out, but she had to stop, wincing in pain.
Jareth rolled his eyes mentally as he heard Tris laugh. He picked himself up and bounded over to her.
He jumped into her arms, purring.
Janine hugged him to her as tears ran down her cheeks.
He cuddled against her.
Janine sobbed softly into his fur, shivering slightly still.
Tris lifted the spell and Jareth wiggled out of Janine's arms.
Janine choked softly, trying to control her tears.
Jareth-the-cat landed on the floor.
Janine absently rubbed her wrist, trying to relieve the pain and pressure of the chains, while still watching Jareth-the-cat.
He glowed and transformed.
Janine shut her eyes for a moment.
Janine opened her eyes and looked up at him. "J-J-..."
He took her in his arms.
Janine put her head on his chest and started to sob again. "It's - so- small...!"
"Shh...shh..." he held her close, "I'm here now."
"So- small..." Janine whimpered.
He hugged her but looked around the cell and suddenly it was flooded with light.
She gasped softly. "Thank-you..." she whispered.
He reached down and took her wrists gently.
Janine winced in pain.
"Shh..." he soothed, concentrating on one of them. It popped off.
She blinked, then relaxed. It was all okay, Jareth was there...
Then he did the other wrist.
When her wrists were free Janine shyly put her arms around Jareth, shutting her eyes and smiling slightly.
"Yes...?"
"Where's... umm...what's-his-name?"
"Eriki...? Eriki!" Janine almost leaped up, then staggered slightly, still a little weak.
"Yeah...where?"
"Next door...!" Janine tried to get up again, remembering how Eriki had gone silent.
Jareth nodded and gathered Janine tightly in his arms, "Hang on."
Janine held on, so relieved she was back with him. She believed him now, it was more than obvious. She hoped she would get the chance to tell him too.
Janine opened her eyes, and gasped. "Eriki!" she exclaimed, falling to her knees beside him. "Eriki...?"
Eriki was laying flat out on the floor. Absolutely and completely still. His normally glossy brown fur had an unhealthy grayish tinge.
"Eriki......?" Janine whispered, gently touching his arm. He was cold. Her lower lip wobbled as tears formed in her eyes again. "E-Eriki...!" she repeated.
He slowly opened his eyes, which were dull and glazed over.
"Eriki... Say something..." she whispered.
"Wha're you doin' in 'ere?"
"We've come to help Eriki..."
He blinked and moved his tail slightly.
"Oh Eriki... It's okay..."
"It hurts..."
"I know..." Janine wished she could do something. "Jareth? Can you - do that - thing like you did with me...?"
"Yeah..." Jareth moved over and gently took Eriki's tail.
Eriki whimpered.
"Eriki sweetheart shh... It's okay... He's gonna help..."
Janine took Eriki's hand and squeezed it comfortingly.
He wiggled his tail experimentally.
"A-are you feeling a little better Eriki...?"
"Yeah," he curled it closer to his body, "Yes, much better now."
"I'm glad..." Janine stroked his hand gently.
Eriki pushed himself up slowly.
Janine shook her head. "Rest Eriki..."
"No."
"Please Eriki...! You might make yourself worse!"
"Outside..."
"what?"
"outside!"
Janine looked at Jareth. "What about outside...?"
Jareth sighed, "Come here, both of you...we'll get out of here."
Eriki carefully moved over to Jareth as well, taking Janine's other hand.
Jareth closed his eyes and then they were outside.
Janine looked at him and smiled slightly. Damn... so gorgeous...
Tris made sure that Eriki was secure before getting up and moving over towards Jareth and Janine.
"Actually, I think that this is all my fault," Jareth said, "You see Astario...well...he... he hates my guts."
Jareth turned to Tris, *I don't like this...*
~*Good little one*~
Eriki let out a shriek and bolted across the grass...
Janine jumped and started to weakly stumble after him.
He straight out ran up Tris' arm and on to her back.
She leaned back and nuzzled him.
Janine smiled as she watched them, then turned back to Jareth. "Thank you..."
"How could I do anything less?" he said softly as Tris and Eriki had a very joyful reunion.
Janine went pink. "I just - thanks..." she brushed her hair back. "You - you - you still...?"
"Of course."
"I - I... I believe you." Janine practically whispered the last part of her sentence, still a little scared of actually admitting she had emotions.
He pulled her close.
She smiled and rested her head gently on his chest, her heart overflowing.
Eriki settled on Tris' back, sunning himself, the gray in his fur rapidly vanishing.
Janine looked at him out of the corner of her eye and smiled more. "He's happy." she murmured.
"Yeah..." Jareth said, "And I think that she is too..."
"I'm glad." Janine said warmly.
Janine looked up, then gently pulled away from Jareth and ran over to Tris. "Mom!" she cried happily, without thinking twice about what she was saying. She nuzzled herself against her. "I missed you... I was frightened..."
Tris blinked and curled her neck around Janine, "I missed you as well..." She closed her eyes happily and nuzzled Janine.
Janine smiled. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah..." she blinked and something shimmered under her eyes.
"Mom...?"
Tris blinked again and smiled.
Janine snuggled against her. "Are you sure?"
Tris drew a wing around Janine, holding her close.
Janine smiled happily. "I'm so glad I'm back... I'm sorry about all this..."
"I thought that I had lost both of you," Tris murmured.
"It's okay... It's my fault..."
"No honey...you were under a spell..."
"But still... I shoulda listened to Eriki..."
Tris pulled her close, "You're back. That's all that matters."
Jareth cleared his throat.
"Thanks Mom..." Janine suddenly looked up, and smiled a little sheepishly. "Jareth.."
"Why?" Janine couldn't contemplate the mere thought of anyone hating Jareth...
"It's a very long story."
"It is..? Do we have the time...?"
"I'll tell you later, but perhaps it would be best if we went home..."
"Yeah, Eriki needs to rest.."
Tris bent down so Janine could get on.
Janine grinned and elegantly climbed up, then looked to Jareth. "Coming?"
"Of course." He bowed and transformed into the owl.
*Trent?* he called, *Time to go home...*
There was no answer, but a slight crackle of sound like an electrical current.
*Trent?*
Nothing, just that crackle.
~*Trent?*~ Tris tried,
The crackle was a little more insistent, metallic for a moment, then the same again.
Janine frowned. "What's going on?"
*Trent he...he's not answering...*
"What? Where is he?"
*I don't know...*
Janine frowned. "I don't like this..." she muttered, repeating Jareth's earlier comment. "Mom... I - er..." she pointed to her head.
Tris nodded and quickly burned through Janine's mind, burning out all of the cobwebs.
Janine shivered a little, feeling as if someone was drenching her mind like a shower. ~*Okay Mom, sorted.*~ she smiled, glad to be able to communicate like that again.
Janine smiled. ~*What do we do now?*~
Tris sent Janine a color wave that could only be interpreted as a purr. ~*Janine, I rather like you calling me that...*~
Janine went a little pink. ~*Wh-what...? Mom...?*~
~*Yeah...*~
~*I like it too.*~
Trent prowled through the castle in his fox form. He enjoyed being a fox, although after a while he became tired, and his magic messed around with him. Psychic abilities were fine though, and they were what he was going to need. He could smell Astario in a room, and without a second thought Trent leaped into it.
Jareth looked up alarmed as he heard his brother scream.
Trent had managed, just, to stop himself from hitting the ground with the force he should have hit it, but he had still had the wind knocked out of him, and was pretty dizzy. "Ugh..." he groaned, trying to push himself up and failling.
Astario looked up. "What the-?"
Trent transformed within a few seconds and threw a huge blast of psychic energy at Astario, anger fuelling his powers.
The Fae prince flew back and smashed into the wrought iron railings of his balcony. "You!" he spat, pulling himself to his feet.
Trent gave him no answer, but threw another blast at him.
Astario was ready this time, and all too soon a psychic battle was raging. Unexplained winds tore at the curtains and their clothing.
Trent was beginning to realize that going into a full out raging battle with Astario hadn't been the best of options he'd chosen. He was pushing as much of his energy into fighting, but the Fae had the upper hand. With a small cry of pain Trent flew into the railings and winced as pain ran through him. He felt Astario psychically lift him, and Trent went cold. He wouldn't -couldn't- throw him over... Could he...?
"Feel like going flying, Psy?" Astario sneered.
Trent groaned; he would. "Don't try it Astario." He warned, feeling his blood starting to boil again.
"Or what...?" Astario taunted. "Little brother isn't going to help you, we all know that! Why not just give up...?"
"No! You're gonna pay for what you-"
"Getting bored now." Astario yawned and dropped Trent, who gave a terrified scream as he plummeted towards the ground below...
Janine jumped. "What the-?!"
"Hang on," Tris ordered, jumping into the air.
Jareth was already flying away.
Janine clung on, worried. ~*What's going on Mom?*~
~*I don't know, Jareth can feel his brother better then I can, but something's wrong.*~
~*His brother? Oh no... I hope it's all okay...!*~
Jareth flew on frantically. *Trent?*
Jareth landed and transformed, "Trent?"
Trent heard Jareth and groaned again. Just what he needed... "Hi..." he managed.
Jareth sighed, "What did you think you were doing?"
"What d'you mean?" Trent evaded answering.
Jareth sighed again, "We've got them, lets get you home..."
"Okay..." Trent attempted to get up again, then groaned as the world span around him
~*I'll take them back to my cave*~ Tris sent to Jareth, ~*Meet you there*~ She wheeled and flew away.
Jareth held his hands over Trent and prepared his transport spell.
"Jareth," Trent said softly.
"What?"
"I'm sorry..."
Jareth shook his head and transported them home.
Trent groaned softly, his head spinning badly now.
"Sleep now..." Jareth said.
Jareth pushed him down onto the bed, "Trent, do not test me, I *will* tie you down."
"Sorry," Jareth said, levitating Trent into his bed, "But I had to get you home."
Trent didn't answer, he just made a noise that could possibly be taken as assent.
"Yeah..." Jareth said softly, standing up.
Trent clenched his eyes shut, wishing the ringing in his ears would go away and leave him alone...
"Did you want me to get anything?"
Trent didn't answer, keeping his eyes clenched shut.
"Trent? Before...you said you were sorry...?"
"Yeah..." Trent eventually muttered.
"For what?"
"...this...everything...messing up..."
"Trent. For all the times that I have "messed" up in dealing with Tris..."
Trent made a noise that sounded like "Hmph".
"I'm fine Jareth..." Trent protested, trying to quell the nausea in his throat,
"Fine, but you still need to sleep."
Trent tried to look annoyed. "I don't need sleep brother, I'm fine!"
"No, go to sleep... or else I'll..."
"You'll what?" Trent didn't look amused. He was still a little ratty that Astario had managed to beat him...again...
Jareth smiled and conjured up a red ribbon.
Trent looked at it for a moment, then half smiled and shook his head. "You wouldn't dare.."
"As long as you promise to go to sleep I won't."
"I've got things to do brother..." Trent protested.
"Yes, and sleep is at the top of the list."
"Not exactly..." Trent grimaced. "I have a lot of research..."
"You can do that later."
"I really have to get it done now...!" Trent sat up and shut his eyes as thousands of tiny coloured stars flashed in front of his eyes.
Tent managed a small scowl. "Don't you dare." he warned.
"Then go to sleep."
"You may be king Jareth..." Trent muttered. "But I am elder..."
"Doesn't matter..." Jareth said, "You still need to go to sleep."
Trent shut his eyes and sighed. "I mean, brother, than I should have at least some authority of what I do!"
"You usually do, but not when you're hurt."
"I'm not hurt!" Trent protested. He didn't want to be 'cared for', he could do that himself! He needed to be the strong one... It was how it always happened...
Jareth sighed and magically bound Trent to the bed, "You'll thank me in the morning."
"Jareth!""
"Good night brother," he bowed and vanished, turning out the lights.
"I hate you sometimes!" Trent shouted, then winced and scowled, and winced again because scowling hurt. Damn.
"I know." Jareth answered.
"Argh!" Trent shut his eyes and listened to the sounds of silence for a while, then slowly drifted off to sleep.
Tris came to a graceful landing outside her cave as the sun was setting.
Janine smiled and slid down. ~*Thanks Mom.*~ "C'mon Eriki!"
Eriki slid down Tris' back and landed neatly. He jumped out and swung around the branches of the nearest tree and then returned back to the cave.
Janine watched him and sighed with a smile, glad he was okay. She looked around her and took a few deep breaths, happy to be free herself. She hated small spaces, and that dungeon was tiny... Janine shivered and told herself to stop thinking of it...
Tris smiled, watching the both of them as she went into the cave herself and settled down.
Janine watched Eriki for a little more, then walked over to another tree and sat down, wrapping her arms around her knees and resting her head on them, smiling to herself as she thought of Jareth.
Eriki finally settled down next to Tris, although for him settling down meant not moving as much.
Trent woke up and yawned softly.
Jareth opened his eyes and then laughed, *Sorry...I forgot* He released the spell.
Jareth sighed and appeared on top of the tower.
Trent smirked and dived on his little brother, pinning him to the ground and tickling him mercilessly.
Trent grinned, then grabbed Jareth by the waist, hoisted him up over his shoulder, staggered a little to the edge of the tower and dropped him, catching the goblin king by the ankles and dangling him over the edge.
Trent chuckled and appeared back in his study. He frowned inwardly as he looked around at the mess there; it was going to take him such a long time to sort it out...!
~*Good Morning*~
Trent looked at Jareth. "Gerroff..."
Jareth was strangely, still asleep.
Trent opened his eyes and tried to sit up, then growled as he realized he couldn't.
The sun shone in through the window, right on Trent's bed.
Trent wriggled irritably; it had to be late morning at least! ~Jareth!~ he snapped.
*what?* Jareth answered sleepily.
Trent rolled his eyes. ~Brother, would it be possible for you to do me a favor?~
*yeah...?*
~Get me up!~
~Yeah yeah yeah... Whatever.~ Trent got up and swung his arms around, then clicked his fingers and appeared upon South Tower. ~Oh brother...?~
*What now?*
~Come here a moment.~
*Where?*
~South Tower.~ Trent grinned cheekily, his usual good humor returned after the sleep.
*You're not still mad at me?*
~Moi?~
Trent grinned at him. "Sleep well?"
"Yes, very well..."
"Good." Trent had on one of those rather untrustworthy smiles of his; he looked decidedly too innocent...
"Now Trent, I only did it because you needed to sleep..."
"Uh huh..." Trent's eyebrow rose fractionally. "Of course..."
"And it is not as though you have never done the same thing to me..."
"Of course brother..." Trent repeated innocently.
Jareth eyed Trent, not trusting that look.
Trent smiled again, still innocent.
"Is that it then?"
Jareth let out a screech and struggled, "Trent, get off! This is..."
"This is what?" Trent teased, smirking at the fact he had the upper hand. "Hmm? This is you getting beaten...?"
"No, well yes I mean, this is hardly appropriate for now! We...we aren't children..."
"Oh stop whining... I could beat you then too."
Jareth made a face and struggled, well at least no one else was around to see him in this very embarrassing situation.
"Trent!"
"Yeah...?" Trent asked innocently, his face as angelic as possible.
Jareth crossed his arms.
Trent chuckled softly. "You have no idea quite how ridiculous you look brother..."
"Oh I have an idea..."
"Oh yes?"
"Yeah, somehow I suspect that being dangled by my ankles over the edge of a tower by my brother makes me look quite ridiculous..."
"Very much so." Trent laughed.
"So, that leads up to very one important question..."
"It does?"
"Yes, are you going to pull me up, or drop me?"
"Hmm, very important indeed... Hmm, decisions decisions..."
Jareth waited.
Trent shrugged. "Oh well, why not..?" he let got of Jareth's ankles with a cheery "Have a nice fly brother!"
Jareth rolled his eyes and vanished as soon as Trent let go.
Jareth appeared in Trent's study silently and tackled him from behind, bringing Trent down.
Trent gave a small yelp of surprise, then laughed and tried to wrestle him off.
"Now who wins?"
Trent grimaced good-naturedly and again tried to shove his brother off. "You weigh a tonne..." he teased.
"You're not exactly a light weight either..."
Trent looked offended. "Oi!"
Jareth smiled innocently.
"Cheeky git..." Trent muttered, shoving Jareth a little. "Just coz I beat you earlier..." he muttered.
"Exactly."
Trent chuckled, not ready to admit defeat just yet, and wriggled.
"As soon as you give up, I'll get off you."
"I won't give up!" Trent laughed and tried to poke Jareth in the side.
"Then I guess we'll be here for awhile..."
Trent sighed and wriggled again.
"Just accept that I win."
"Never!" Trent laughed, enjoying the relaxation, happier now Jareth was happy and not stalking around in a black temper.
"Fine," Jareth shifted and conjured a cup.
"You cheeky little-!"
He leaned back, getting comfortable.
Trent sighed. "I'm not gonna give up...!"
Jareth winced and put a hand to his head as he felt the barrier.
Trent blinked slightly. ~Morning...~ he replied.
~*How are you two?*~
~Fine...~ Trent pulled a face.
~*Good, after you went off on your little adventure...*~
Trent grumbled inwardly and made a noise like "Hmph".
Tris laughed and pulled out.
Jareth shifted and got off his brother.
Trent chuckled. "Thanks Jareth..." he shoved him lightly as he got up.
"How's your head?" Jareth asked.
Trent smiled. "A lot better, perhaps you were right after all..."
"See..."
"Oh shut up..." Trent grumbled.
Jareth bowed and vanished.
Trent grinned. ~Thanks.~
*Your welcome*
Trent smiled and walked over to his window, looking out over the sunny day.
Tris sunned herself.
Janine nodded. ~*Hey Mom...*~
Tris dove into the air.
Jareth winced and rubbed his head, "She's here..."
Tris smiled, "come on Trent..."
Trent flicked his hair. "What did you wish to speak with me about...?"
"Trent?"
"Yeah... Um... How long do we leave those two...?" Trent grinned suddenly, wishing he had his psych so he could play a trick or two on his little brother.
Janine was hanging from a tree, upside down, singing a little song to herself.
Eriki laughed, "You look like me..."
Janine stopped singing and blushed. "Do I?"
"Yeah," Eriki wound his tail around a branch and hung next to her.
Janine grinned. "Cool, how're you feeling?"
"Normal, well normal for me, as I've been told that normal for me is not normal for most people, although if it's normal for me, then it is normal right?"
Janine giggled. "Glad you're back to normal Eriki!"
"It is normal then I guess."
~*Good Morning*~
~*Mom...*~ Janine repeated wheedlingly.
~*Yes?*~
~*Um... Could I ask a favour...?*~
~*Yes?*~
~*Could I - you know - um - go and see - um...*~
~*Yes.*~ Tris said with a smile, getting up, ~*I'll give you a ride,*~
~*Thanks!*~ Janine practically bounced out of the tree and over to her.
"You coming Eriki?" Tris asked.
He shook his head, "No, I'll stay here."
Tris nodded, and then waited for Janine to climb on.
Janine scrambled up, excited to be seeing Jareth again, wondering whether she dared tell him what she wanted to...
Janine grinned happily.
Tris flew on, ~*I wanted to talk to Trent anyway...*~
~*Oh? How come?*~
~*Long story...*~
~*What, about that Fae?*~
~*Yes a bit*~
~*Oh, okay..*~
~*And some other things...*~ Tris said vaguely, ~*Here we are...*~
Janine smiled, not really picking up on the 'other things'. ~*Thanks Mom, do you think I can speak or should you? I don't know I can without hurting him...?*~
~*I think that if you spoke out loud...*~
~*Oh, okay!*~ "Er... Jareth...?"
~*Honey, you might want to wait 'til we land...*~
Janine went red. ~*Okay...*~
~*It's okay...I won't tell...*~
~*Please don't...*~
~*Trust me honey, I'll call him now...*~ Tris took a breath and then called out.
~*Thanks Mom...*~
Trent laughed. "I know..."
Tris landed and gently helped Janine on to the balcony.
Janine smiled gratefully. "Thanks Mom..."
Jareth walked out and bowed respectfully to Tris.
Janine felt the now familiar warm rush as she saw him.
"Hello," he said with a smile.
Janine smiled back, dumbfounded for a moment. "Hi..."
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm - I'm fine, thanks..." she smiled.
"Good," he said with a smile, "I would hate to think of anything happening to you."
Janine went red. "I understand... I - " she noticed that both Tris and Trent were there. "I understand..." she repeated sheepishly.
Trent looked up. "Huh? Oh..." he grinned. "Riight... Okay..." he walked forward. "You wish to - er - fly, mistress?"
"Can I meet you up there?" she looked up at the tower above them.
Trent nodded. "Sure." he clicked his fingers and disappeared, reappearing on the tower.
Tris flew up and landed. She just fit.
Trent smiled. "You wished to speak with me mistress?" he questioned, wondering if that's why she had brought him up there.
"That, and the fact that I wanted to give them some time alone..."
Trent chuckled softly. "Young love..."
Tris smiled, "yes indeed."
"Yesterday..."
"What about it...?" Trent asked suspiciously.
"About you running off..."
"Oh, that..." Trent looked down and coughed.
"Yes. That." she closed around his mind slightly.
Trent went red and pulled a face. "Please don't..." he muttered, feeling, much to his disgust, like a child in disgrace.
"Then explain yourself."
"Erm... I...Err..."
Tris folded her wings and waited.
Trent sighed, then spread his hands in a gesture of ignorance. "I don't know." he admitted. "I really don't know... It just - seemed like a good idea at the time I guess..."
"I see..." she said softly, as she gently cut off his powers.
Trent groaned.
"I don't want you running off again..."
"I won't..." Trent muttered. "I just wasn't thinking straight... Come on Trisanalysia! You know that's more of what Jareth would do...!"
"I have taken care of your brother."
Trent folded his arms. "I don't want to be 'tamed', with all due respect madam."
"I can tell..."
Trent didn't answer.
She shifted, "Oh don't look so glum Trent, surely you'd rather have me doing this then someone else..."
"Yes, well, I'd rather no one did it really... Being a Psy I do appreciate my mind..."
"I realize that..."
"Yes, but I also don't have much else to use other than my mind..."
"Trent my dear," Tris started
"Yes?" Trent sighed.
"While you may not appreciate this, I foresee more problems in the future and I want to try and avoid them as much as possible."
"I understand that..." said Trent helplessly. "But still-"
"I will let you go when you need it."
'ARGH!' "Very well Madam." Trent said resignedly. He had no chance...
"Hmm?"
"One more thing..."
"Yes Madam?" Trent sighed a little. Now what was she going to tell him off for? She'd already succeeded in making him feel 12 again!
"Tris."
"Huh?"
"My name is Tris."
"I - I know that..." Where was this leading...?
"Yes."
"I don't understand..."
Tris smiled, "Think about it Trent."
Trent did so. "Oh!" he exclaimed after a few moments. "Oh... Alright... Um... Tris..."
"yes."
Tris looked down at the balcony, "Hmm..."
Trent grinned again. "Would that I had my psych..." he murmured.
"Oh? why? apart from the obvious..."
Trent gave her a mischievous glance. "I just thought it would be nice to - erm - tease my brother a little..."
"oh?"
"Well, you know how it is... A few cups moving... Curtains going for his face... that sorta thing..."
"Uh huh..." she jumped into the air.
Trent ducked.
~*Nothing too wild or I cut you off again*~ she warned, loosening her hold.
Trent looked shocked, then smirked, making a wonderful picture of Jareth for a moment. ~Sure.~ He slowly released his psych to walk along the balcony and pick some of the flowers there, then walked the flowers over and dropped them unceremoniously on Jareth's head.
Jareth vanished and reappeared up on the tower.
"So, brother, if you'll excuse me..."
Trent made to dive on his brother again.
Tris sighed and closed off their minds with a snap.
Trent shoved Jareth lightly. "Off you go then lover boy..."
~*Janine?*~ Tris called, ~*I'm going home...*~
"What the-!!!!"
Trent bit his lip to stop himself laughing, then he searched for his favorite accessory of crime: water. He soon found a glass and that followed the flowers.
Janine had absolutely no idea what was going on, but it certainly looked amusing!
"Alright that's it!" Jareth shouted.
Trent chuckled, then picked up one of the flowers on the floor and put it behind Jareth's ear.
Jareth pulled it down and turned to Janine, "would you excuse me?"
Janine nodded with a small smile. "Sure..."
Trent, who was doubled over, managed to make himself presentable. "Brother." he nodded. He didn't dare comment for fear he would start laughing again.
"I hope that you enjoyed that..." Jareth started.
"Enjoyed what?" asked Trent innocently. "Tris has caged my psych..."
~*and let it out...*~
~Tris!~
~*What?*~ she asked innocently.
Trent rolled his eyes.
~*The only deal I made with you was that I would let your mind out, as I have already done with Jareth...*~
~Um, exactly...~ Trent still managed to keep his innocent facade.
"I don't think so..."
"Huh?"
Jareth crossed his arms and smiled sweetly.
Trent raised on eyebrow.
Jareth rolled a crystal around in his hand.
"Uh oh..." Trent backed off a pace, not trusting Jareth and crystals together
Jareth tossed it, it shimmered in the air, looking very much like a bubble.
Trent took another step backwards, preparing to run if needs be.
The bubble burst, drenching him.
Trent groand. "Oh yes, very funny brother..." he muttered as his hair flopped over his eyes.
"It certainly was not when you did it to me."
"Oh yes it was...!" Trent countered, managing a cheeky grin underneath his hair.
Jareth made a face and conjured another bubble.
~*Okay, that's enough you two...*~ Tris said, rather amused.
Jareth ignored her and the bubble burst.
Trent yelled and dived on his brother, shaking his wet hair all over him.
~*Jareth...Trent...*~ Tris said softly.
Jareth let out a shout and tried to push Trent off.
Trent pretended not to hear her and kept wrestling Jareth.
Trent looked up. "Hey!"
Jareth winced.
"I told you to knock it off," Tris said mildly.
Trent got up sheepishly. "Er, em, sorry Tris..."
Tris glided away.
"She closed off your mind?"
"Yes..."
Jareth smirked, "good." He vanished.
"You-" Trent growled. "Children..."
~*speak for yourself Trent...*~ Tris sent.
Trent opened his mouth, then shut it again and folded his arms.
Janine looked up, then nodded, even though she knew Tris couldn't see her. ~*Can I stay for a bit longer Mom?*~ she asked, smiling a little shyly.
~*yeah, no problem*~
~*Thanks Mom!*~ Janine grinned, then tucked some of her rebellious red hair behind her ear and waited for Jareth to return from doing - whatever he was doing. She assumed it was something to do with the walking flowers and flying water...
Jareth appeared again.
Janine went red, then coughed. "Um... I...um...have to ... um..."
*Thank you* Jareth sent to Tris after she opened his mind a little. "Janine?"
Janine, even though she was trying to expect it, still jumped slightly
He smiled, "I am sorry about that."
Janine smiled. "That's okay... Erm, what happened exactly?"
"Trent."
"Trent... Oh, I see..."
"yeah... there are times when he can be a bit...trying."
"Some people are..." Janine grinned.
He nodded, "Yes, I didn't not appreciate the interruption..."
"Neither did I..." Janine muttered. She coughed. "Um.. Yeah...."
He smiled warmly.
"Yes Janine?"
"I - er... " Janine wasn't too sure where to start. "I-... I have to tell you something..."
"Yes?"
"I-um- oh for gads sakes..."
Jareth waited.
Janine looked at the floor. "A-about what you told me..."
"Oh?"
"I... I... I don't...really know how to start..."
"Oh..." he said softly.
"It's - it's really hard..."
Jareth hesitated, "Wait a moment please."
Janine nodded dumbly, wishing she could just up and come out with what she needed to say.
Janine looked up marginally, her eyes worried. "Yes...?"
"Do you think that it would be easier if you didn't have to say it out loud?"
Janine nodded
*Alright then*
Janine blinked. ~*Jareth... About what you said before... I - I don't think - you - and I-... Okay...*~ Janine put her hand to her head a second. ~*I have to tell you something...*~
Jareth blinked, holding back a wince. Inwardly he sighed softly, this did not sound good.
Janine bit her lip. ~*I - I don't know how to go about this... I've never done this before... I - I don't know to ay this...*~
*go on...*
~*I...*~ Janine shut her eyes, clenching her fists slightly. ~*I...Jareth I... I...*~ her psych dropped considerably. ~*I love you too......*~
He stepped forward and took her into his arms.
Janine didn't quite know what to say, and she rested her head against his chest.
"I am so happy to hear you say that..." he said softly.
Janine didn't answer, nuzzling against him slightly, smiling happily suddenly.
"I love you."
Janine felt tears gathering in her eyes. "I - I love you too..." she whispered.
He leaned down and gave her a kiss.
Janine went crimson and giggled shyly.
He smiled warmly at her.