He went back to his desk and sat down.
The Indreve leaped into his hair again.
This time Jareth ignored it.
It settled down, blipping occasionally.
Jareth closed his eyes slightly, lost in thought.
The Indreve tapped the top of Jareth's head. "Whatyourname?"
"Hmm? I'm the King of the Goblins..."
"Thatbigname!"
He rolled his eyes inwardly, "My name is Jareth."
"Mynameis Quinx!" the Indreve squeaked,
"Quinx?" he repeated.
"Quinx."
"Ah, a suitable name."
Quinx squeaked, sounding happy.
Jareth reached up and plucked the Indreve out of his hair and set it on his desk in front of him.
Quinx gave a surprised squeak, then blinked up at him. "Hello!"
"Hello yourself," Jareth said, "Now, Quinx, I have some questions for you..."
"Yeh?"
"What will your kind do after I let you go?"
Quinx pondered that thought. "Dunno...Findsomewheretolive..."
"Somewhere else to play tricks and cause trouble?"
Quinx shook his head hard. "Wedon'cause trouble!"
"Oh no?"
"No..."
"You just play tricks then?"
"Sometimes!"
"Sometimes?"
"Yeh!"
"Since you have been here that is what you have done..."
"Well...We werehappycozwe weren'tincagesnomore!"
"Yes... right."
Quinx nodded.
"about that..." Jareth started
"Yeh?..."
"When I built that cage around you, I hope that you do understand that it was just to hold you still for the moment..."
Quinx nodded again. "Yeh! You lemmeouttho!"
"Yes," Jareth said.
The Indreve grinned at him.
"the other cage," Jareth started, "How did you get out?"
Quinx's grin died. "Nastymanputusinhere."
"Here? In the castle?"
He shook his head. "No, justoutsidethere."
"In the Labyrinth?"
"No,justoutsidethecastlethere."
"Oh."
Quinx nodded.
"Hmm."
"Hmm?"
"tell me something, would the Indreves follow directions?"
Quinx considered this for a moment. "Prolly!"
Jareth nodded, "I mean, if I told you to, would you consent to being my subjects."
Quinx had to think about that again. He nodded. "Yeh!"
Jareth nodded as well, "Well, we shall see..."
The Indreve on his desk squealed and bounced up and down.
"I will think about it."
"Yaay!"
*Trent?* Jareth thought.
~ Uh huh? ~
*About the Indreves...*
~ Yeah? ~
*they aren't that bad*
~ Oh? ~
*no. In fact... I think that they would make a good addition to the Labyrinth.*
~ Really? ~ Trent's amusement was obvious. ~ You've grown fond of them then, brother? ~
*Yes, I'm afraid so* Jareth didn't sound particularly worried about this.
Trent chuckled. ~ Well then... ~
Jareth smiled.
~ They had better behave, and leave my socks alone..! ~
*They will*
~ Good. ~
*They are actually quite nice once they trust you...*
~ Really? ~ Trent's eyebrows rose. ~ Brother, don't tell me you now have a pet Indreve...? ~
*I seem to*
Trent chuckled. ~ I'm so glad for you. ~ He teased.
*Oh just wait until one of them becomes fond of you!*
~ They won't, I assure you! ~
*Oh no?*
~ No. I am not a likeable person... ~
*Oh?*
~ Nope. ~
Out in the labyrinth, the Indreves had forgotten that they were trapped, it didn't seem like it. they had plenty of room to play and all the food that they would need. Two of the smaller ones were engaged in pouncing each other.
A small swirl of mist started in one corner.
None of them noticed.
Soon the mist formed into a slim, ethereal man with sandy hair and violet eyes. He chuckled coldly.
The two little Indreves were the first to spot him. They squeaked frightened and ran away.
He ran his hand over his brow as he took them in. "All misbehaving?" he asked coolly.
They scattered in fright.
He growled and took a step forward.
The Indreves seemed to vanish, hiding where ever they could manage
Astario sighed irritably and clapped his hands, sending a dust swirling around.
some of them coughed.
He smirked nastily.
They huddled together and a whirl of leaves started to orbit Astario.
He swiped his hand irritably through them.
There was silence.
"You'd better be doing your job," Astario threatened. "Or all of you will die!"
He didn't get an answer.
He growled.
Still no answer, the Indreves were huddled together in their various hiding places.
"Don't say I didn't warn you." he spat, and disappeared.
They still didn't dare come out for another few minutes, then looked at each other trying to decide what to do.
One hesitated out and looked around.
Another followed close behind, nearly on top of the first.
It squealed loudly, then looked around.
"Hegone?" another one questioned.
"Thinkso!"
"Goodgood."
"Henasty!"
"nastynasty!"
"Uhhuh...Whatwegonnado?"
"dunno..."
"Buthemighthurtus!"
The little ones squeaked and hid behind the bigger ones
"Sorry...!"
"maybe... otherman?"
"Yehyehyehyehyeh!"
"Tell Quinx?"
"Youtell!"
Several of the Indreves started calling out.
In the castle Quinx sat up.
Jareth didn't notice.
The Indreve shot to the window and looked out, tapping the glass and emitting a few high squeals.
He was answered by several of the others.
Quinx squealed again and banged on the window.
"what is it?" Jareth asked.
"Theybin seenbythe nastyman!"
"What? Here?"
Quinx nodded. "Hesaid he'dkillus!"
"Come here," Jareth ordered, holding out his hand.
Quinx shot into his hand, shivering slightly.
Jareth teleported out to the Labyrinth.
The other Indreves were flitting about nervously.
Jareth set Quinx down and closed his eyes.
Quinx shot over to his friends.
They started chattering too quickly to be understood by anyone else while Jareth frowned slightly.
Eventually Quinx settled down. "Whassup?" he squeaked to Jareth.
"Someone certainly was here," Jareth said, not sounding at all happy.
"Nastyman!"
Jareth nodded, "Quiet please."
Quinx went quiet and motioned the others to do so too.
*Trent?* Jareth called.
~ Yes? ~
*My Labyrinth has been invaded.*
~ What? ~ Trent sat up quickly.
*By an old friend of ours,* Jareth said sarcastically.
~ Astario? ~
*None other. He was the one that brought the Indreves to the castle. And now he came and threatened them again.*
~ Whatever for? ~
*I don't know.*
~ How strange... ~ Trent sighed. ~ Are they okay? ~
*Just frightened. Come home please?*
~ As you wish. ~ Trent stood. "Trisanalysia?"
"Yes Trent?"
"I'm afraid I have to go. Jareth needs me back at the Labyrinth."
"Alright," she said, "Farewell."
"Farewell."
Trent walked outside, then transported himself back to the Labyrinth. ~ I'm home, brother. ~
*Come here, I will need your help.*
Trent appeared beside Jareth.
some of the Indreves were startled by his sudden appearance.
Trent ignored them. "You called?"
"I need your help in doubling the spell to keep others out."
"Alright."
"And since you are the stronger Psy..."
Trent nodded. "I agree."
"I will need your help in creating a barrier against psychic powers."
"I will."
"Thank you," Jareth said.
"Shall we start?"
Jareth nodded.
Trent sat down, shutting his eyes.
Jareth closed his eyes as well.
A glow started to surround Trent.
The Indreves chittered as they watched with interest.
The glow turned green.
Jareth lent Trent some of his power.
The glow wavered slightly, then Trent was revived by the extra power from his brother.
The glow spread out across the entire area, soon it covered the space Jareth had made for the Indreves.
The glow wavered again, but became brighter.
Jareth opened his eyes a fraction of an inch.
Soon the glow settled and disappeared, but the power flow was still there.
It created an invisible barrier all around the labyrinth.
Trent opened his eyes, his skin a little pale.
One of the smaller Indreves darted up to him, "okok?"
He smiled slightly. "Sure..."
"whatyoudo?"
"Nothing, don't worry..."
The Indreve looked up at Trent, brown eyes wide.
Trent's eyebrows rose, and he slowly stood up. "It is done, brother."
"Whatdone?" the little one asked.
"You are now protected."
"Nastyman no come?"
"No, he won't. Not without being detected and caught."
"You... stophim?"
"Yes, we have..."
The Indreve grinned and darted up Trent.
He blinked.
It darted up and ran around his neck before settling down on his shoulder.
"D'you mind getting off...?"
It snuggled close against him.
~ Brother... Help!... ~
*Help?* Jareth repeated innocently.
~ Yes, please remove the creature from my shoulder... ~
Jareth glanced at Quinx.
The Indreve on his shoulder looked back at him with a smile. "Shelikehim."
"I can tell," Jareth said.
Trent pulled a slight face. "And I'm very flattered, but I really must be going..."
*Trent,* Jareth started, *It seems you have an fan...*
~ Don't push your luck, brother... ~
*Oh come now* Jareth said, *I have Quinx...*
~ I do not have any need of a pet, brother. ~
*Tell that to her*
Trent sighed and looked at the creature on his shoulder.
She had closed her eyes and cuddled next to him.
The Psy sighed; he couldn't very well tell her to push off now...
Jareth glanced at Quinx.
The Indreve chattered cheerfully, seemingly unaware of the events going on around him.
"Well I am going back inside," Jareth said.
Quinx nodded. "Byebye!" he chirruped to the others.
Trent looked at the Indreve on his shoulder. "And I assume you wish to accompany me?"
"YupYup!" Jareth vanished.
Trent inwardly rolled his eyes. "You had better behave..."
"O'course!"
"No messing my belongings up?"
"Okay!"
"Good." Trent disappeared and reappeared into his room.
The Indreve chittered excitedly at the trip.
Trent sighed. "What is your name?"
"Denni!"
"Hello Denni..."
"HiHi!"
"Would you like to get down off my shoulder?"
"No."
"Oh, okay..."
She grinned
Trent smiled slightly; what was he going to do with her...?
Denni settled down on his shoulder.
The Psy walked over to his desk and sat down, opening a large, leather-bound book.
"Whatcha doin'?"
"Reading." Trent said softly.
"How come?"
"Because I enjoy it."
"ohh."
Trent nodded and continued to read.
She slid down next to the book.
Trent turned the page.
"Whassat say?" she pointed.
"Morbel." Trent said distractedly.
"whatmean?"
"Death of an immortal."
She shivered.
Trent continued reading.
"Notgoodthat."
"No..." Trent murmured.
"Why read about notgood things?"
"Because I need to know..."
"Oh."
"Yes." Trent turned the page.
"Whatthat?"
"This? It is a remedy..."
"Remedy?"
"For healing."
"oh... good!"
"Yes, it is..."
She smiled at him
Trent smiled absently back.
She crawled up his arm.
He wriggled slightly.
She held on to his sleeve so as not to be dislodged.
"What are you doing?"
"Don't wanna fall."
"Why are you climbing up my arm?"
She finished climbing and sat on his shoulder again
"I see..."
"Nicehere."
"Yes..."
"Younice."
"Thank you..." Trent quirked his eyebrows.
She closed her eyes.
Trent smiled.
Denni snuggled close to him.
His left eyebrow rose.
She went to sleep.
Trent wondered what on earth he was going to do with her.
*They certainly are affectionate, aren't they?*
~ Yes... ~ Trent sounded wryly amused. ~ What am I going to do with her...? ~
*Oh it won't be that bad.*
~ Oh? ~
*No*
~ If you say so... ~
*Quinx has rather grown on me*
~ Yes...well... ~
*You'll see...*
~ Yes... ~
*You doubt me?*
~ I have had cause to many times. ~ There was a definite hint of amusement in Trent's voice now.
Jareth did the mental equivalent to sticking out his tongue.
Trent chuckled both aloud and mentally. ~ Such maturity my little brother. ~ he teased.
"Wha?" Denni asked sleepily.
"Nothing,"
"Ok."
Trent smiled.
She smiled back sleepily.
Trent nodded slightly. ~ Maybe for once in your long reign brother, you might be right... ~
*See?*
~ Shut up... ~
Jareth grinned.
Trent did the same, and ran his fingers idly through his hair.