Disclaimer: The characters of Jarlaxle, Entreri, the Underdark, Faerûn, the drow, and other aspects of Forgotten Realms are the creations of R.A. Salvatore. I seek not to steal from his creation but only to humbly expand. The character of Jarian however is my creation.

Holding his head in his hands, Entreri did his best to stifle a sigh of exasperation. The wiles of Jarian were factors that no one, not even an assassin could forestall.

"The sooner I get out of this outfit, the sooner I can escape from his influence," he said to himself.

He examined his room for magical devices, secured the door, and reached to unbutton his shirt. . .

. . . .and to his utter horror. . .

. . . . .he found that he couldn't remove the shirt.

He blinked for a moment and narrowed his eyes. He attempted to remove his boots, but it felt as if a force wouldn't allow the articles of clothing to be removed. Taking his dagger, he attempted to rip the clothing, not caring about the drow's reaction.

The blade of his dagger sparked when it touched fabric and the clothing clung onto him even more. "By the abyss. . .Jarian!"

Tazolg squeaked happily as his master stroked the top of his mouse head. His wings fluttered in delight and glowed green. Jarian couldn't help but sigh wistfully, "Now why can't Artemis have a similar reaction?"

The flying mouse squeaked, hearing Entreri's name.

"Yes Tazolg, you like that human," Jarian said fondly. "I like him as well. . .though I wager for much different reasons."

Tazolg gave Jarian an inquisitive look, sending the drow into a peal of laughter.

While Entreri stalked purposefully toward Jarlaxle's office, Jarlaxle was attending to very important work. Work that required his most focused attention, work that demanded the skills of a refined mercenary leader, and work that attested to his versatility as a respected captain.

vel'drav l'jjunle d'oloth rei

when the shades of darkness fall)

nindyn vel'uss kyorl wun veldrin doer

(those who wait in shadows come)

l'char'riss d'streea chu.

(the message of death comes)

Jarlaxle was reclined at his desk chair, strumming on a gourd and singing. He had procured the stringed gourd from a group of traveling merchants that grew the ebony fruit. While he was a mercenary of the highest regard, he was also a secretly talented musician.

Entreri entered his office, without warning, just as Jarlaxle finished a line of the song. Quickly stashing the stringed gourd he looked sternly at Entreri.

"Before you speak, I demand to know where Jarian is!" Entreri paused, "was there someone singing in here?"

Jarlaxle said smoothly, "No." He inwardly shifted and shared a glance with Entreri, who took advantage of the opportunity.

"Are you certain? It didn't sound that bad."

"Yes, I'm certain." Jarlaxle paused, "you didn't think it was bad?"

Entreri stifled a savage grin and then shook his head, maybe he was hearing things. After all he was quite stressed at the moment. "I can't get these clothes off."

"And you want Jarian to take them off for you? I must say that this is a change of heart."

"There is no change of heart, you know perfectly well what I meant. He's done something to them and I can't remove them. You are fortunate that I did not kill the drow that saw it amusing to jest at my expense while I walked past them."

"If you didn't kill them, then what did you do to them?

"What makes you think I did anything?"

Jarlaxle motioned to his side, "there's blood on your sabre."

"The healers will take care of them. They're not harmed permanently," Entreri replied coldly, with a frigid glint in his eyes.

"I see, well in that case Jarian would be in his tailoring room. I imagine he is working on another outfit," Jarlaxle said.

"Thank you," Entreri turned to leave, but stopped when Jarlaxle called his name.

"Do not harm him," Jarlaxle said. "He has a sensitive, emotional side."

"I will show him the sensitive side of my sabre then," Entreri said.

"Entreri. . ."

"No guarantees," Entreri said as he exited.

Jarlaxle looked down to his stringed gourd, "that was close." Looking toward the door, "I do hope he doesn't kill him."

Jarian lazed in a chair, watching the door anxiously. One leg was thrown carelessly over an arm of the chair and his arms were extended out to his sides. His countenance brightened as Entreri threw open the door. "Artemis!" He cried the name happily until Entreri rushed at him with a sword, "Artemis?!" He leapt from the chair, which was immediately skewered by Entreri's sabre. A thousand fantasies ran through Jarian's head, but he placed them aside for the moment, wondering why Entreri was so keen on attacking him.

"You! Take whatever it is you put on me off!"

"Okay!!!!!!"

Entreri pushed him away when Jarian eagerly jumped at him. "Not the outfit. The spell you've placed on it."

Jarian fanned his face with his hand, "choose your words carefully Artemis for they can get me rather excited."

Entreri was close to losing it. His rage was fanned by the fires of the nine hells and there was hardly enough water to extinguish the rising anger. It took several moments to cool that rage into hardened steel. . .that is until Tazolg started floating about his head.

"What is that?!" He started slashing at the creature with its sword. Tazolg squeaked in alarm and fluttered wildly about the room. His wings were pulsing yellow in alarm.

"No!! Not my darling Tazolg!"

Entreri threatened it with his sword. "It won't be darling anymore unless you tell me how to remove the spell."

Jarlaxle walked into the chamber, after hearing from several guards that there was a terrible commotion in Jarian's tailoring room. "Entreri, why are you threatening a flying mouse?"

"This is no ordinary flying mouse, this is his flying mouse," he said gesturing with his chin to Jarian, who had a rapt look on his face. This was mostly due to the fact that Entreri's clothes had tightened, not only because he tried to tear his clothes off previously, but also because he was sweating and areas were starting to cling. The feathers in Entreri's hat were also emanating a scarlet red.

"His name is Tazolg," Jarian said. He looked to Jarlaxle. "Greetings! Back so soon?"

"Entreri interrupted my. . .work, Jarian," Jarlaxle said choosing his words carefully. "Tell him how to remove the spell."

Jarian sighed, "oh all right." He walked over to Entreri and whispered into his ear. Entreri recoiled and did his best to maintain a stoic expression that didn't belie his bewilderment.

"There," Jarlaxle said, thinking that he resolved the issue. "Now, you both will behave yourselves and not cause a disturbance in my hideout." He exited and Entreri stared at Jarian in disbelief. He was doomed.

Author's Note: I'm so very sorry that it took me a while to update. This fall semester at college has been filled with papers, exams, and work, oh my! But I did manage to find time to write this chapter, I swear it wrote itself (this is what happens after I write a satire for a class). I've also been to my first anime convention and since my group won a costuming award. . .I was sure to take note of all the fabric jargon that went on, as I learned about this magical crafting world. Of course, this is good news for Jarian. . .he's been giving me tips since day 1. . .seems I'm doomed just like Entreri.

::Jarian happily displays fabric::

::authoress gulps::

::Entreri hides under an ironing board::

::Jarlaxle strums his gourd::

Now my darling readers, a review would be appreciated. If you do, maybe you'll get a serenade from Jarlaxle. ::Jarlaxle names his price:: Erm. . . .::sweatdrop::. . . .skip that (on a random note, that song is part of a drow poem I composed). . .please review!!!! You guys rock!! THANK YOU!!! Hope everyone has a nice thanksgiving!!