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Some Problems, Relatively Speaking *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Janine yawned and turned over, half asleep, not wanting to break the barrier of sleep and awake. Too late. Rats. She brushed her hand through her tangle of red hair and yawned again. Morning. Hmm, what a nice day...
~*Good morning*~ Tris said with a smile and a warm amused tone.
Eriki was asleep. Snoring.
Janine giggled softly, then made her way to the front of the cave and looked out at the dawn.
~*Morning Mom.*~ Janine smiled. ~*What's so funny...?*~
~*I went on an interesting visit last night*~
~*You did? Where to?*~
~*To call on the Fae Queen*~
~*Oh... Why was it amusing?*~
She sent Janine an image of her snack last night.
Janine started laughing, trying to be quiet so she didn't wake Eriki.
Tris nuzzled Janine, "He was scared stiff."
Janine spluttered behind her hands.
"It's a fitting punishment."
Janine nodded hard.
Jareth was sitting on top of South Tower, just thinking.
Trent was at his desk, half studying and half mixing some ingredients together in a bowl. He pulled his psych out of studying and looked at Jareth. "Good morning Jareth," he said carefully, looking at him closely without seeming to.
Trent returned to his books, watching Jareth out of the corner of his eye.
"Trent..." Jareth started.
Trent's psych was on a wander until he called it back so he could concentrate on his training.
Jareth stared at the sun without really seeing it.
~Morning brother.~ Trent said cheerfully, setting his books on his table.
*morning...*
~Are you alright?~
*I have a headache*
~Would you like something for it?~ Trent asked, concerned.
There was a pause. *Sure*
Trent frowned slightly, worried. ~Come to my study then, brother.~ he walked over to his cabinet and took some items out.
Jareth looked out at the sun for another second and then appeared in Trent's study.
"Morning."
"How are you feeling?"
"I told you..."
"What sort of headache is it? Where is the pain?" Trent walked over to him.
Jareth rubbed his temples, "It's just a headache..." he said evasively.
"Jareth." Trent looked at him sternly. "I need to know what sort of pain and where, so I can combat it."
Jareth sighed softly, and levitated the ingredients to the ice potion that he had become so familar with.
Trent rolled his eyes. "You weren't trying anything stupid, were you?" he asked, starting to mix the potion while still looking his brother straight in the eyes.
"No!" Jareth said quickly.
"No?"
"No, I promise...well..."
"Jareth." Trent still looked at him. "Own up."
"I was...just testing the barrier."
"Jareth..." Trent sighed and finished the potion. "Drink. And please don't try that again."
"I'll do that first one..." he started.
Trent's eyebrows shot upwards.
Jareth downed the potion quickly.
Jareth shivered slightly.
Trent flicked his fingers, and a blanket wrapped itself loosly around his shoulders.
"Thanks..." Jareth said, "I'm never going to get used to that..."
"I don't think anyone does..."
"Yes?"
"Trent I-- never mind," he stood up.
"Wait," Trent put his hand out. "You what?"
"I'm going out."
"That wasn't what you were going to say."
"I realize that, but I am still going out."
"I would appreciate if you tell me what you were going to say, preferably before you go out."
"I'm sure you would."
"Jareth, don't play word games with me, you and I both know I would win." Trent sighed. "Just tell me, please?"
"You would not win."
"Jareth," Trent warned.
"well you wouldn't..."
"I'm not arguing with you brother, tell me, now."
"No."
Trent put his head in his hands. "Fine, fine." he muttered.
"good," Jareth vanished.
~You, brother, are very immature when you want to be.~ Trent snapped after him, then shut off communication to concentrate on his psychic training.
Jareth appeared outside of the labyrinth and started walking.
Jareth sighed softly, absently kicking at a tuft of grass. He didn't notice a shadow pass over him. He sat down on a rock, enjoying the warm sunlight.
He was attacked from behind and sent tumbling forward not very gracefully.
Janine, who had been idly gazing out of the cave mouth, noticed smoke and a lick of red flame not too far into the woods below her. Intrigued, she started walking down.
Janine made it through the bushes and stopped in shock; that wasn't Tris! But whoever it was was hurting Jareth. "Hey!" she shouted.
Janine sent a piercing fiery scream at him, angry and afraid for Jareth.
At just that moment the dragon opened his claws.
Jareth landed in the tree, and then transformed and landed down next to her.
"Listen to me," the dragon said in a smooth almost hypnotic tone, "You don't know what you're doing. He is forbidden to come here." Suddenly he bunched together like a cat and pounced, catching her in his claws and soaring upwards.
At just that moment there was a roar and Tris brust from the clouds.
Tris flew upwards and regarded the other dragon.
Back in the cave, Janine was plaiting her hair.
Jareth walked along deep in thought, his feet moving him towards Tris' cave.
Janine finished her hair and wondered whether she should take a walk down to the stream or not.
Wait a minute, he wasn't too fond of sunlight. Basking in the sun was something that Madame Fyreflyght did. Tris. Trent had called her Tris.
He stood up and kept walking, were there side effects to being held by a dragon?
He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't sense anything.
Jareth scrambled to his feet and found himself facing a set of claws and teeth.
The dragon hissed and pounced again.
Jareth ducked and the dragon sailed clear over his head.
The dragon growled and did a sharp about-face, using his tail like a whip he caught Jareth in the back.
Jareth kept from crying out as he hit the ground face first.
The dragon took a deep breath and Jareth quickly rolled aside as the ground where he had formerly been was burnt to a crisp.
He quickly rolled again to avoid the fire.
"Stay still!" the dragon roared.
"And get barbecued?" Jareth answered, "No thank you!"
The dragon roared again and Jareth almost wasn't fast enough. He clutched his arm to him, trying to put out the flames.
Jareth glared up at the dragon, holding his arm carefully.
"Gettin' slow Jareth?" the dragon mocked.
Janine growled inwardly, cursing as her ankles were entwined with some vine. She bent down to pull it off, muttering and thinking firey curses as she did so.
Jareth rolled aside again and conjured a very large flash of light.
Momentarily blinded the dragon growled and blindly blew flames, missing Jareth by quite a bit.
Janine blinked as the flash of light flashed through the trees and stung her eyes. She clenched them shut, then opened them hesitantly. It had gone, thank goodness, stupid- She froze. The only person she knew who did that was Jareth, and Jareth certainly didn't throw flames, which she had felt. Was he fighting with Tris? Without thinking Janine pushed her way through the undergrowth, almost there.
The dragon hissed and pounced, striking Jareth with his tail again.
The both of them looked up at Janine's shout.
She put her hands on her hips. "Leave him alone!"
"I'm quite alright," the dragon answered, pinning Jareth down under a claw.
"Oh, Janine don't..." Jareth said at the same time.
Janine narrowed her eyes. "Get off him." she hissed, her eyes glinting.
"I'm a bit busy here," the dragon said, closing his claws around Jareth and spreading his wings to take off.
"I wouldn't." Janine warned in a deadly soft voice.
He ignored Janine and jumped into the air.
The dragon did a startled loop, nearly dropping Jareth.
She kept her eyes on them both, her mind focussed on one thing; getting Jareth back. ~*Put him down. Now.*~
~*How can you? You're human and mortal...*~
~*That is beside the point. Do not asked stupid questions. Put him down.*~
The dragon let out a mental roar and wheeled around towards Janine.
Janine winced and stepped backwards, but managed to keep her ground. ~*Put him down NOW!*~ she yelled.
~*As you wish*~ the dragon said smugly, shooting upwards...
~*You do that and I swear you will live to regret it!*~
*Janine...* Jareth sent softly.
~*Jareth it's okay, if he does anything Mom'll damn kill him!*~
*...that's what I'm trying to tell you...* Jareth said softly.
Janine gave a mental and real scream of anger/fear.
Jareth fell about a meter before he shrank and grew feathers. Jareth-the-owl righted himself and caught an air current.
She breathed a sigh of relief and sagged against a tree.
Janine looked up at him. "Thank goodness you're okay...!"
"Yeah, Janine, listen about what you said..."
The dragon wheeled around in the sky and started down towards them.
"What?" Janine asked, keeping one wary eye on the oncoming dragon. ~*Back off.*~ she hissed.
The dragon hissed back, his mental voice laced with flames, he landed a short distance away from them.
Janine winced and stood up, scowling blackly at him. ~*Mom?*~ she called. ~*I got a problem...*~
~*Yes little one?*~ Tris answered.
~*It's another dragon... And he's trying to barbecue me and Jareth...!*~ Janine was a little panicked, but keeping it under control. "Not any more."
~*In my territory?*~ Tris growled softly.
The dragon smiled condescendingly, "I believe that I know more about this then you do."
"Oh yeah?" Janine challenged. ~*Yes, and he's threatening us!*~
~*I'm coming!*~
"Yes," he answered.
~*Please do!*~ "I don't think you do."
Tris cut the connection. She wasn't too fond of teleportation spells, but if she had to, she had to.
"Janine," Jareth started again.
Janine waved a hand behind her, her mind back on the dragon.
The dragon hissed softly, showing all of his teeth.
She didn't look at all worried.
Janine gave a scream and tensed herself. ~*You are making a grave mistake.*~
~*I won't hurt you*~
~*What are you doing then?*~ she hissed.
~*moving you*~
~*What on earth for?*~ Janine's mental voice was angry. ~*I don't want you to hurt him!*~
Janine jumped a mile, a little frightened for a moment.
The dragon was startled, and he accidentally dropped her.
Janine screamed very loudly, both mentally and physically.
Tris dove, pinning her wings to her sides to get under Janine.
She shut her eyes, still screaming.
Tris flipped her wings open as she caught Janine neatly.
She gave a sigh of relief, shaking.
~*I gotcha little one*~
~M-M-Mom....!*~
~*I know...I know...*~ Tris soothed, ~*Lets get you down on solid ground...*~
~*What - how - who's -?!*~
~*Later...*~ Tris soothed, landing gently, and easing Janine down to the ground.
Janine shut her eyes, feeling sick from shock.
Jareth gathered her into his arms as Tris flew up to deal with the intruder.
She was still shaking and all but clutched at Jareth as he picked her up.
Janine looked up slightly.
The other dragon dipped his wings and she flew towards him, they spiraled around each other.
She watched, puzzled.
The two dragons soared upwards, vanishing into the clouds.
Sure enough, Tris descended, the other dragon directly below her.
"Janine, meet Torirynth," Tris said.
"I'm sorry," the other dragon said a bit sullenly to Jareth.
"Where's he going?" Janine couldn't help asking.
"Now then, I have some things to take care of..." Tris started.
"Where've they gone...?" Janine shaded her eyes and tried to see.
One dark figure emerged from the clouds, black against the sunlight.
Janine squinted. "Wh-which one is it...?"
It descended slowly.
"Jareth...?" Janine sought assurance.
"They won't hurt each other..." Jareth said softly.
"What's -"
Tris vaulted over the other dragon and landed in front of him. He landed behind her, keeping his head down.
Janine struggled up to her feet.
"Little one..." Tris started.
"Yes...?"
The other dragon stepped forward, not meeting Janine's eyes, "I'm sorry."
Janine looked blank. "I- oh -..."
"Er - yeah - er - um - hi..."
"Torirynth Fyreflyght."
"Your son?" Janine blurted.
~*Yes*~
She looked like she was about to faint.
~*Little one?*
~*He - I - he -*~ Janine pulled herself together. ~*He tried to fry Jareth!*~
~*I know...*~ Tris answered.
~*And he was rude to me.*~ Janine felt she was being a little childish, but she had been very annoyed by what Torirynth had done.
~*I know,*~ Tris said again, ~*I didn't tell him that he has a new sister...*~
~*Hmph.*~ Was Janine's only reply.
~*And he also didn't know that Jareth is now allowed here...*~
She folded her arms and shot a look at Torirynth, then back at Tris. ~*Oh.*~
'Well that was nice.' Janine thought irritably. 'Really sincere.'
Jareth nodded slowly.
"Good," Tris said, flicking her son lightly with her tail.
Janine slipped her hand into Jareth's, still eyeing Torirynth warily.
He shifted a bit uncomfortably and then looked at his mother a bit pleadingly.
She nodded and he took off.
"Home I suppose..." Tris answered, "He doesn't much care for awkward situations."
"Then he shouldn't make them." Janine muttered.
"It was an accident little one," Tris soothed gently, "before you arrived I wouldn't mind him doing what he did. How was he to know?"
Janine folded her arms again. "He still should have been more polite. After all, I did try and explain who I was."
"Well little one, what I did for you isn't exactly common..."
"Hmph."
"Janine, be nice..." Tris said, sending Janine soothing colors.
"Sorry Mom..." Janine half pouted.
Tris eased her head around Janine, giving her a hug.
She smiled slightly.
Janine wanted to ask what things, but she decided that it was safest not to. "Okay Mom."
Tris nodded, "beside..." ~*I figured that you wouldn't want me hanging around...*~ she looked meaningfully at Jareth.
Janine went red. ~*Mom!*~
Tris jumped into the air, ~*Later!*~
~*Goodbye Mom.*~ Janine called, still blushing a little. 'That was uncalled for!' she thought inwardly.
"What did she say?" Jareth asked, relaxing now that Tris had gone.
"Nothing..." Janine lied bashfully.
"Oh," Jareth said softly, touching her face gently.
She smiled shyly, her cheeks burning.
He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Janine smiled happily and stepped closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder.
Tris, deciding that she needed some cheering up, was en route to the castle.
A book flew from the shelf and almost hit Trent in the face, but he re-directed it back to the shelf. His psych was behaving more than normal...
He stood up and went to the window. "Good day Tris!" he called to her.
Trent frowned, remembering something he had meant to speak with Tris about. "Tris, may I ask something, please?"
Trent was in his cooled room, training his Psy again. Winds rushed around him, ruffling his jet-black hair as he sat silently and calmly on the floor amidst the chaos of the wind of his pretty powerful psych.
Tris felt the psychic movement below her and she smiled.
Tris glided around on a few warm air currently. The air around the castle was always colorful, and the colors were relaxing.
Three books and a small lamp shot out of one of the windows, followed by a cushion. One by one they flew around the perimeter of the castle and back into the room again.
Tris blinked as she saw some things fly past the window.
A large glass paperweight in emerald green followed the suit of the books, cushion and lamp.
Tris rolled her eyes.
"Oh goddess! Get in here now!" a voice from the room called, and the paperweight flew back in. "Ow! Thank you..."
She laughed and turned a loop.
Trent muttered to himself and settled back on the floor, rubbing his arm where the paperweight had crashed. His psych was obviously less behaved than he had hoped. Never mind, he enjoyed the training, even if it did leave a few bruises... He shut his eyes and was about to go back to his Psych-Control state when he sensed a presence.
"Hello there," she said, taking in his general appearance.
Trent looked down at himself and coughed embarrassedly as he realized he looked distinctly ruffled. He tried to brush down his unruly black spikes and grinned ruefully.
"You've been busy," she said, landing on the balcony.
He nodded and stepped back to let her settle comfortably. "I have," he agreed. "I decided I needed to re-train my psych, just in case Astario decides to pay us another visit..."
Tris laughed, "I don't think that you need to worry about that..."
"Oh?"
"Yes, I paid a vist to him the other night."
"You did?" Trent was surprised. "What for, may I ask?"
"I wanted to visit the fae queen, to make sure that she carried out her promise."
"And has she?"
"Yes, and very nicely too. I was impressed."
"Oh yes?" Trent looked interested.
"Yes, in addition to the fact that he is currently terrified of me..." Tris smiled.
"Yes...?" Trent prompted.
"I believe that he is now the charge of the head cook..."
Trent's eyes widened, then he started laughing.
"He served me a very nice snack."
He doubled over in laughter. A prince in the kitchens?! Of all princes, Astario?! It was wonderful!
"Indeed," Tris agreed.
Trent had to lean against the wall to get his breath back.
"I thought you would find that amusing," she said.
He nodded breathlessly. "Very - much...!"
"I think that his mother will be keeping him on a tight leash for quite awhile now."
Trent nodded. "I assume so, yes!"
Tris nodded, "And I did nothing to alleviate his fears of me..."
"What did you do to him...?"
"You mean the other night? I showed quite a bit of teeth."
"That would certainly frighten him, with all due respect..."
She smiled, "And there was talk of a snack..."
Trent chuckled.
"And as I left I heard something about scrubbing floors..."
Trent snorted, trying to control his laughter.
Tris smiled, "It took all I had not to laugh when I saw him."
"Poor boy!" Trent said, not really meaning it.
"Quite." she said with a smile.
"I suppose so," she said settling down and folding her wings, "What?"
He sighed. "It's about Jareth..."
"I figured. It always is."
Trent pursed his lips slightly. "I'm really worried about him..."
"I see."
"He's - well - unhappy..."
"He is? Why? He doesn't seem it when he is with Janine..."
"That's because he's not thinking, he's so in love with her that over-rides his thoughts." Trent sighed. "It's when he's here, alone, that the problems start."
"oh?"
"I think he's getting a little - I don't know - frustrated of being a captive... He misses the psychic freedom he had, and I think it's made worse by the fact that I have it..."
"I see..." Tris said softly.
"And I feel guilty about it..."
"Would you prefer that I held you again?"
"Please no." Trent looked a little shocked. "I just mean - well - would you be able to release him? Soon?"
"Sorry Trent," Tris said softly, "I was teasing..."
"It's alright... I'm just worried about him..."
"I understand," Tris said softly, a bit absently.
Trent sighed.
Jareth smiled at Janine and then winced softly, holding his blackened arm.
Janine winced. "Jareth, you need that looked at..." she said, her green eyes full of concern.
"I've been burnt worse before-" Jareth started, "Yes, I think that you are right."
Janine nodded. "Are you going home?"
"Perhaps I should."
"Will you be back?" Janine didn't particularly want him to go, but she knew he had to.
"Of course my love," he said.
She went pink. "Good..."
He leaned over and kissed her.
She kissed him back, gently putting her hand on his. "You better get that seen to..." she whispered after a moment.
He nodded, "Until later my love," he pulled away and vanished.
Janine sighed softly and sat down, basking in the sun.
Jareth appeared back at the castle.
Trent pushed himself off the wall in shock as he saw Jareth. "What on earth happened?!" he exclaimed.
Trent nodded in thanks and started crushing something into a powder while pulling a vial out of his cupboard.
Jareth nodded and vanished to appear in his room.
Trent looked up. "One moment Tris." ~In my room, Jareth.~
Tris nodded, "I should go,"
He grimaced. "Alright..."
She nodded and jumped off the balcony just as Jareth appeared in Trent's room.
"I ran into a bit of trouble..."
"I can see that!"
Jareth winced, "Trisanalysa has a...a houseguest that returned home..."
"One of the hatchlings, yes?"
"Yes. and...well..."
"You got burned... Yes, I see." Trent sighed and walked over to his cabinet, looking for some vials. "Do me a favor and get the bandages from the bottom draw over there... Carefully..."
Jareth nodded and the drawer opened and several bandages drifted out.
Jareth sank down in a chair silently, watching his brother.
Trent's movements were almost a dance as he swanned elegantly between his cupboard and his desk where a spoon was merrily mixing something in a bowl while he walked.
Show off, Jareth thought.
He was finally done. "Right, drink this..." he flicked his fingers at a goblet that started flying towards Jareth while Trent himself went back over to the desk, took the bandages and smoothed the paste that he had mixed over one side of them.
Jareth looked at the goblet warily.
"No, not an ice potion, a antibiotic."
"Good," Jareth answered, downing it.
Trent nodded.
Jareth made a bit of a face at the taste, but it wasn't as bad as the ice potion.
Trent took the bandages over to Jareth. "Take off the sleeve Jareth, I'll need to dress this..."
Jareth nodded and the threads undid themselves, and the black sleeve came loose to fall on the ground.
"I'm afraid, brother, this is going to hurt..." Trent warned him.
"wonderful."
"You have the antibiotic, it should help slightly... Although an anesthetic would have been better, in retrospect." Trent sighed. "Never mind, grit your teeth." as gently as he could, Trent placed the bandage across Jareth's arm and began to wind it around.
Jareth closed his eyes and braced.
Trent bit his lip and kept winding, wishing he could help Jareth more.
Jareth held his breath against the searing pain in his arm.
Trent gently placed one of his hands on Jareth's forehead, leaving his right hand and half his psych to wind the bandage, while the other half of his psych gently cooled Jareth's mind. It was now that Trent was glad that Tris had allowed him to enter Jareth's mind...!
Jareth slowly relaxed under his brother's care.
"There, all done." Trent said softly.
"Good..." Jareth said absently.
"How are you feeling now?" he asked, concerned.
"Better..." he said softly.
"I am glad."
"Yeah..." he said absently, standing up. He turned to Trent, "Thank you..."
"Anytime brother." Trent smiled.
Jareth shifted his arm experimentally.
Trent watched carefully.
Jareth nodded and smiled, "Thank you..."
"Like I said brother, anytime."
Trent sat back down and sighed inwardly.
Jareth looked around at his room and gestured, the furniture flying off to the sides to give him a clear area.
Trent felt the disturbance and appeared behind him. "What on earth are you doing brother?"
"Clearing out a space..."
"What for?"
"Because," Jareth looked around at the circular area that he had cleared and nodded.
"Because what?"
"Because I need a space for a spell." Jareth went digging around in one of his closets.
"Oh? What sort of spell...?"
"I...ouch...where-is-that... It's just something that I need to...aha!"
Trent looked blank.
Jareth emerged with a long dark wood stick.
"What on earth do you need that for?" Trent was now rather worried.
"What do you think? I want to keep from being interrupted..." Jareth started to trace a circle in the area that he had cleared.
"Charmed, I'm sure."
Jareth sighed, "I didn't mean you..."
"Right." Trent grinned.
Jareth stopped just short of closing the circle.
"Do you want me to go?"
Jareth nodded slowly and pulled out a few crystals, setting them down on the ground carefully around the circle.
"Farewell then brother." Trent clicked his fingers and disappeared.
Jareth nodded and closed the circle, it glowed slightly and encased him in a golden bubble.
Trent sat down at his desk and sighed, wondering what Jareth was up to now...
He sank down to sit cross legged in the middle of his circles.
Janine, after a very long, enjoyable sun-bask decided it was probably best she went home before Tris started worrying about her, or even worse -teasing her. She made the short journey in a more relaxed state than she had made it earlier that day, and finally walked into the cave.
Janine yawned slightly as she entered, her sun-bask/nap having made her a little sleepy.
He nodded and flicked his wings idly.
He strode over to the mouth of the cave and dove out, rising upwards and flaming a bit.
Troi looked up as Tris flew over. They touched wings and then Tris descended into the cave.
~*What's wrong little one? I can hear you from outside*~
"Hi Janine!" Eriki greeted her.
Janine grinned. "Hello Eriki!"
He twisted around so he could see her right-side-up.
She laughed.
He righted himself with a bounce and grinned at her.
"Have you had a good day?" she asked
He nodded, "Yeah, I was with the trees."
"Cool." Janine smiled.
He nodded, "Yes, it was a lot of fun. I like being in the trees."
"I know, I'm glad you had fun."
He nodded, "And we have a visitor too."
She pulled a face. "I know."
"oh? So you've meet him then?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Unfortunately? What do you mean by that? I don't think that that's the right word to use..."
"I do." Janine pouted slightly. "He tried to fry me and Jareth."
"He did? But why on earth would he do that? I mean we aren't against Jareth anymore... oh but he wouldn't know that yet, would he? Not if he'd been gone all this time..."
"He did, even though I tried to tell him."
"Oh?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm... well I suppose that he was too concerned about Tris..."
"Hmph."
Eriki backed away and scrambled up the tree.
Janine couldn't help a smile and sighed. "Ah well."
Eriki was silent, up in the canopy.
Janine turned around to go back into the cave.
"I should probably warn you of something before you go inside."
"Hmm?"
"Tori is inside..."
"Yeah well, it's my cave as well!"
"I know that, I just thought that you would like to know..."
"Thanks Eriki..." Janine smiled back at him, then walked into the cave.
Eriki looked after where she had gone and then jumped over to another tree, putting distance between him and the cave.
The other dragon was asleep just inside the cave.
In her yawning state Janine didn't see him until she'd walked into him.
The dragon let out a yelp and coiled his tail in closer to him.
She blinked. "Oh. Sorry."
He blinked, "Oh. Yes... Janine right?"
"Yes." she answered softly.
"Look, I'm sorry about before..."
"Yeah, okay."
"Really?"
Janine shrugged. "Yeah." she still wasn't happy about the fact he had cut her day with Jareth short. He hadn't been back, so she assumed he was still getting treatment. That irked her.
"Good," he said relieved sounding.
Janine wanted to make a 'hmph' noise, but knew he would tell Tris later and Tris would tell her off. She didn't need that. "Yeah."
"You don't sound... sure..."
"You cut my day with Jareth short." she said eventually.
"I know. I am sorry for that."
"Yeah."
Janine was still not amused, and slightly jealous of another being in her and Tris' life. She had grown used to having Tris to herself, and she rather hoped that Tori wouldn't be staying too long.
"So," Tori started politely, "How long have you been here?"
"A while, since I was brought here by Jareth and Mom brought me to here to live with her." Janine answered softly.
"Oh, I see..." he said, "and then she gave you the power to speak?"
"Yeah."
He smiled, "I *am* sorry about what happened. I've been away for quite awhile and I didn't know..."
"Yeah, I know, Mom said."
"You're still upset though..."
"Yes, I generally do get upset when people ignore me."
"I keep saying that I'm sorry..."
"Yes I know."
He sighed, "Look, if you want the cave to yourself..."
"Whatever's easiest."
Tori stood up and sighed, it coming out with a bit of a hiss.
Janine stepped back, her eyes blazing slightly in defense.
Janine growled under her breath and sat down, muttering to herself.
Tori landed on top of the cave in a bit of a bad mood. Morals were so annoying sometimes.
She had never had brothers and sisters before, just care home people, and they had been annoying enough. She wasn't looking forward to having to share Tris with Tori!
Janine was sat with her arms folded, leaning against the wall and half scowling.
~*Oh, sorry Mom...*~
~*I can pick up on your very strong feelings y'know...*~
~*I know, I'm sorry...*~
~*Care to tell me why you're so upset?*~
~*No real reason...*~ Janine lied.
Tris wound her way around Janine, ~*Little one, do you know how hard it is to lie when you're speaking mentally?*~
Janine pouted.
~*So tell me. Please.*~
~*Just - stuff...*~
Tris sighed, ~*I see.*~
~*Sorry...*~ Janine apologized.
Tris closed her eyes.
Jareth closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, clearing his mind. He soon settled into an even rhythmic breathing pattern, relaxing every inch of his body.
Alone in his room (which by now was a disaster area and freezing cold!) Trent looked up, sensing some sort of psychic movement in the atmosphere. He frowned.
The crystals around him started to glow with a golden light and they floated up, orbiting him slowly.
Finally he had completely relaxed and opened his mind. He opened his eyes and he was seated within a rainbow of colored swirling lights. They were his thoughts and his magic and anything else that he happened to have in his mind at the moment.
With all of his thoughts outside of his mind Jareth was in a very relaxed, semi-sedated state. Even if he had been able to be worried about anything, he knew that the protective spell would keep anything from getting in or out.
Now it was time to sort through the tangle and see what he could do. It was nice being able to organize his thoughts like this. Sometimes he wondered how mortals managed to do it all inside.
He coiled the threads of different thoughts around imaginary spools to get them out of the way.
Finally he saw the dark red coil that he couldn't move. It encircled everything, keeping everything contained with in the circle, as well as within the bubble.
There were a few weak areas in the barrier, but all of them were laced with Trent's magic. All the same, he tested them, with no success.
He stood up and ran his hands across the barrier, it was very warm, but he was beyond feeling much of anything now. No luck, no weak spots and the entire bubble was beginning to glow red hot. Still no luck, maybe if he tried a bit more…
Jareth eased his hands along, ignoring the fact that it was now quite warm.
Trent stood up and frowned, drawing his psych to him for a moment, then letting it go to find the source of the disturbance.
Jareth tried another weak spot, only to find that it would only let Trent's sendings in and out.
Trent's psych swiftly cottoned onto the source and entered the room, being Trent's 'eyes'.
Jareth *pushed* against the barrier, ignoring the fact that it was now glowing white-hot
In his room, Trent rolled his eyes and re-collected his psych, transporting himself to the room Jareth was in and watched him himself, shaking his head.
Jareth didn't notice Trent, not aware of anything outside of the bubble. His neatly organized thought threads were starting to get tangled again as he concentrated on the task at hand.
"Oh for heavens sakes..." Trent sighed. "Jareth..."
The ball of energy in Trent's spread palms was a colorful mixture of greens, reflecting his psychic colorings. He pulled his hands inwards towards his chest, then pushed out as if trying to push someone away from him. The energy sped from his hands and shot past Jareth, knocking his face as if it were Trent himself knocking him around the head.
Jareth sat there motionless, closing his eyes.
All that was left now was the dull red fire. Jareth eyed it wairily, not wanting to draw it back into his mind.
Jareth opened his eyes and looked through the golden bubble at Trent, "Satisfied."
Trent sighed and clicked his fingers, a chalice appearing in his hand. ~Do me a favor Jareth, stop messing around and come here. You're going to need s drink.~
Trent nearly walked into him as he stepped towards the door. "Jareth." he growled slightly, then sighed. "Drink." he flicked his fingers and the chalice raced towards the Goblin King.
Jareth looked up and then flopped down on a chair. "Fine, I don't see why not, I suppose that I may as well, after all..."
Up in his room, Jareth conjured up a longish red cylinder with a black hose attached. He had seen these often enough in the mortal world and now he hope that it could help.
He slowly eased himself against the barrier and pushed, as usual it started to get warm and he stepped back, armed with the fire extinguisher, he soaked the barrier with white foam.
Trent clicked his fingers and appeared, and just looked at his brother; what on earth...........?
Trent tilted his head to one side, a smile decorating his lips. "What...?"
Trent stood in his room for a moment. 'Fire!' his psych taunted. 'Fi-re...!' "Jareth!" Trent exclaimed, suddenly realizing what his brother was playing at.
Jareth broke the circle again and the golden light faded.
Jareth pulled himself up to a sitting position and regarded his brother.
Trent smiled at him. "Sorry to be so harsh, Jareth..."
Jareth appeared behind Trent and gave him a shove.
Jareth didn't hear.
"Jareth...!" Trent repeated, slightly louder.
Jareth still didn't hear, sweating slightly now from the heat.
Trent sighed and realized he'd have to actually *do* something. He put his hands side-by-side, thumbs touching, and slowly formed a gently physic ball of energy.
Jareth pulled back, panting softly, and tried another spot.
Jareth let out a shout and turned to see a new set of energy in his thought fields.
The energy span lightly on the spot, twirling and sending gentle flashes of color in his direction.
"Yes I see you..."
The energy shot back out and back to Trent who was watching Jareth sternly.
"What?"
"What in the name of the realms do you think you're playing at brother?"
"I am sorting out my thoughts..."
"And what else?"
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said."
"I am sorting through my thoughts, I don't know what you are implying brother..."
"You know full well what I am implying Jareth."
"oh?"
"Don't mess around with me Jareth." Trent put his hands on his hips. "Just stop it, now."
"Fine." Jareth sat down.
"Now."
"I am."
"Good." Trent made no effort to leave.
'Sometimes brother, you really are an idiot.' Trent thought to himself.
Jareth was still as he slowly drew all of his thoughts back into his mind.
"Stupid child..."
"I heard that." Jareth's remaining visible thoughts flashed red.
"You were supposed to."
Jareth glared as the bubble around him finished clearing.
Trent didn't look particularly happy either.
"Jareth..."
"What?"
"And the rest."
"Why are you so eager to have me finish?"
"So I can speak with you properly." 'And flatten you.'
Jareth sighed, closed his eyes again and finished. Ouch.
Trent sighed aswell.
"Yes. Jareth, you amaze me even now with your stupidity."
Jareth shook his head and "turned off" the ability of outside sounds to enter the bubble.
~Don't start.~
Jareth didn't answer right away, and then started to close it off to psyhic waves as well. This one took a bit longer as Jareth wasn't a very powerful psy.
Trent made a gesture and immediately blocked off what Jareth was trying to do. ~Like I said little brother, don't start.~
Jareth didn't answer, his head pounding by now.
Jareth suddenly looked up and nodded as an idea occurred to him. He stood up and broke the circle.
Trent refrained from hitting him again, and motioned him upwards, disappearing to his room so he could actually make Jareth the ice potion.
Jareth returned to his closet and started digging around to see if he had what he needed.
After a few minutes of concentrating, Trent realized Jareth hadn't followed him. He groaned.
Having concluded that he did not have what he was looking for Jareth teleported himself up to Trent's room.
Jareth caught the chalice and obediently drank. "I think I'm getting used to this..."
Trent didn't answer, his disapproval almost tangible.
Jareth crossed his arms, "what is it?"
"You know full well what."
Jareth raised an eyebrow
"Don't look at me like that Jareth."
Jareth smiled and nodded.
Trent rolled his eyes.
"How would you prefer me to look at you brother."
"I would certainly prefer you didn't irritate me in my current state of temper."
"Oh certainly brother," Jareth said.
Trent's eyebrows shot up, and he alternated clenching his hands into and out of fists. Jareth really did know how to wind him up! "Have you quite finished being infantile brother?"
"I wasn't aware that I was..."
"Oh you were, believe me. Why were you trying to combat Tris' work?"
Jareth lowered his eyes sullenly.
"Answer me."
"You know very well."
"Humor me."
"I'd rather not."
"Jareth." Trent's voice was warning.
"After all what?"
"It doesn't seem to matter very much what I want anymore."
Trent sat on the arm of the chair, his anger subsiding as he saw how Jareth was feeling.
Jareth turned away
Trent sighed.
"If you are finished..."
"Jareth..."
"I guess not..."
"Jareth, look, Tris won't keep you for much longer, I'm sure of it..."
"So am I brother..."
"Don't try anything stupid Jareth..." Trent was worried.
"Of course not."
"Jareth?" he didn't like the sound of Jareth's voice. Much too natural.
"Yes?"
"What are you planning on doing...?"
"Trent, don't worry, I have come to the conclusion that I cannot break down her barrier by force. It always gets too hot."
"So..." Trent prompted.
"So, if I know that I am going to fail I wont' try."
"Good." Trent was relieved.
"Do I have your approval now?"
"Don't be sarky."
"May I have your permission to return to my room?"
Trent rolled his eyes and waved his hand. "Go on then, shoo."
Jareth stood up, bowed and vanished.
Trent sighed and got up, walking back over to his desk and starting to leaf through some books.
"Firedance... Fire..." Trent wasn't sure what he was looking for really.
Jareth drew the circle again and sat down to open his mind.
"Fire..." Trent repeated to himself, letting his psych wander. "Fire... Combat fire... How to do that...?"
It happened faster this time and Jareth just sat there for a few minutes, just sitting.
Trent felt the disturbance, but didn't really notice it as such, his mind caught onto the word 'fire'.
Jareth opened his eyes and drew his thoughts back into him.
'Fire'. The word seemed to taunt Trent for no apparent reason. Perhaps it was his lack of power against it, or perhaps it was something else.
Jareth studied the barrier, feeling it for a weak spot, all he would need was one opening.
"Alright, enough." Trent spoke aloud to his psych, returning it to himself. He flicked through the pages of another book, not seeing the words.
Trent jumped, the feeling he was experiencing feeling decidedly strange.
Jareth tried again, several more times, until his floor in the bubble was rather covered with foam.
What on earth was going on? Trent frowned; Jareth...
While he wasn't getting anywhere, Jareth was finding playing with the fire extinguisher rather amusing.
Jareth didn't notice his brother's appearance, having been busy getting everything thoroughly soaked with foam.
Trent couldn't even laugh he was so stunned. What on earth was Jareth playing at with the - fire extinguisher...?
Jareth brushed some foam from his eyes and then looked up to see his brother.
"Oh... Hi."
"Having - fun, brother?"
"Um... Yes."
"Good good..." Trent still looked amused.
"Yes...well... did you need anything?"
"No, I just wanted to know what that was... I know now..."
"Oh. Alright then."
"You want me to go...?" Trent teased.
"It would be appreciated, yes."
"Alright... Er, enjoy playing with the - er - foam..."
Jareth nodded.
"Right..." Trent disappeared.
Jareth let out a breath of relief and went back to spraying the barrier.
Jareth didn't notice, suddenly discovering that he was starting to make some progress.
Trent appeared again, out of his view line, clapped his hands together once and throwing them out, sending a psychic energy ball towards Jareth.
Jareth was taken by surprise and slipped, very ungracefully landing on his rear.
Trent couldn't help himself and started to laugh.
Jareth sighed, "May I help you?"
Trent couldn't stop laughing.
"Or did you just want to see me fall?"
Composing himself, Trent took a few steadying breaths. "Jareth..."
"What?"
"What did I tell you about doing something-" he spluttered. "-stupid?"
Jareth looked around at the foam covered area, "Oh well... I suppose that this does look stupid, doesn't it? But it was rather fun..."
"Out of the bubble, brother..."
"Alright, give me a minute to clean up..."
"No, now... I'll clean up later."
"*You* are volunteering to clean my room?"
"Just come out of the bubble."
Jareth looked around at the foam and then stood up. He nodded and his thoughts returned to his mind as the foam vanished.
Trent tapped his foot impatiently.
Jareth looked over at Trent and raised a brow.
"Any time this dynasty will do, Jareth..."
Jareth looked at his watch, which appeared on his wrist at this convenient moment, "Then we've got quite a bit of time."
"Stop trying to be funny and hurry up!"
"As you command," Jareth said teasingly.
Trent rolled his eyes.
Trent conjured up a small bubble of emerald light, which expanded, and then he threw it at Jareth, lightly cuffing him around the head.
"Hey!" Jareth protested, "What was that for?"
"I did tell you about not doing something stupid. And that, dear brother, was very stupid."
"What was?" Jareth started.
Trent rolled his eyes again; if Jareth was going to be like that, then fine. Little brother had to be taught a little lesson... Although Trent had little magic, he was more than happy to use psychokinesis. "You know full well what I mean." he said as he lifted Jareth up and hung him in midair.
"Trent! Put me down!" Jareth struggled.
"Not until you learn that you've been a high-class fool yet again." Trent dropped Jareth, then caught him again.
"Put me down!"
Trent didn't bother answering, and sat down while he let his psych throw Jareth up and down.
"Trent!"
He whistled, looking amused.
"TRENT!"
"Yes...?" Trent looked up innocently. He bounced Jareth up and down, making his younger brother do a rather amusing yo-yo impression.
"Argh! Trent this isn't fun-ny!"
"On the contrary brother..." Trent chuckled. "It most certainly is..."
Jareth glared, still going up and down.
Trent chuckled softly, looking at his nails.
Jareth groaned loudly and pointedly.
"Oh alright." Trent dropped Jareth from ceiling-height.
"Ahh!"
He caught him and lowered him, then as soon as he was about a foot off the ground, Trent dropped Jareth unceremoniously.
Jareth landed in a heap at his brother's feet.
Trent grinned.
"You really are an idiot Jareth."
Jareth stood up and started to leave.
"Oh no you don't." Trent swiped his hand around and the door slammed shut. "Stay."
Jareth whirled, not liking being ordered around like that.
"You have to stop this foolishness Jareth."
Jareth didn't answer.
"You're going to get yourself hurt."
He still didn't answer.
"You can ignore me and pretend not to hear me as much as you like. I know you can hear me and I hope that perhaps you might take a bit of notice. To be honest I'm not just worrying about you, I'm worrying about myself, and Janine. If you go and fry yourself you may cause a rift between yourself and Tris, and that would make life very difficult for Janine." Trent took a deep breath and continued. "She's obsessed with you, that much is plain. I don't care to imagine what might happen should that sort of problem arise. Especially if it's your own fault."
Jareth turned around and then lowered his eyes, "oh." he said softly.
Trent sighed. "I'm sorry, but that's how it is. I trust Tris, but we've both seen what she's like. I don't want either you or Janine hurt, okay?"
Jareth nodded.
"Right."
Jareth nodded again, and then looked up.
"I don't like being a yo-yo..." Jareth said.
"I know..."
Jareth made a face, "Then... why?"
"Because you needed to learn Jareth..." Trent said patiently. "I could have thrown you off South Tower, but that's just a joke now."
Jareth nodded and smiled, "Care to go?"
"Go?"
"To South Tower."
Trent chuckled. "Very well then." he clicked his fingers and disappeared.
Jareth followed.
"So, is this my punishment for making you the first Goblin-King-yo-yo, or is it yours for doing unspeakable things with a fire extinguisher...?" Trent teased.
Jareth vanished again in answer
Trent's eyebrows rose.
Trent gave a small yelp of surprise and sailed over the edge.
Jareth leaned over and watched.
Trent jackknifed in the air and caught the flagpole, swinging off it and attempting to catch his balance, all the time looking rather ridiculous as his hair swept about his face.
"did you want some help?" Jareth called
"No, I'm - wah! Fine...!" Trent called back, still swinging.
Jareth leaned down and watched his brother.
Finally he caught his balance, and Trent hung there, contemplating how he was going to get either up or down...
"Are you sure that you didn't want some help brother?"
"No, I'm fine...!" Trent lied, wondering if he was able to swing himself into the downstairs window.
"Alright, because I'd help you without any conditions..." Jareth turned to go.
"Oh alright, alright!" Trent conceded, realizing there was no way of him getting down. Damn the flagpole!
Jareth smiled and turned away. Trent floated upwards back to the tower.
"Thanks..." he muttered.
Jareth gently set Trent down on his feet.
Trent nodded. "Thanks." he repeated, brushing down his hair.
"Anytime."
"Mm."
Jareth bowed and vanished.
Trent looked around a little suspiciously.