❦ 01 [Voice]

[truthinmylies]

Rowan. Always a curious material, is it not?

[The voice, warm and rich, contains a hint of carefully-crafted amusement -- a strange reaction to waking in a strange land, perhaps, but Jareth is not one to be outwardly honest about his thoughts and feelings.]

If course, there is the fact that I don't remember having an appointment with anyone who favored it. Now, I may have forgotten with all of the excitement lately, but a simple reminder would have done just as well, don't you agree?

[There are a few soft noises: the sounds of someone standing, brushing himself off, and putting his clothing in order. Then there is the soft clink of what almost sounds like glass and another chuckle.]

That's much better. Now, it's time for you to come out of hiding, isn't it? I don't like to be kept waiting.


[ooc: probably should have noted this when I first posted, but tags are fitted around my work schedule, so apologies if they come at weird times or with long pauses between!]

Comments

[ Voice throughout ]

[sunstormed]

[Well, at least the newcomer's voice was pleasing to his ears, causing his own tired voice to perk a little in response.]

You only just arrived to Demeleier, I take it.

[truthinmylies]

If that's what this place is called.

[It seems, from the vocal cue, that he's captured the other person's attention. Good; that means answers are hopefully not long to follow.]

Demeleier... Hmmm... No, it's not a name I recognize.

[sunstormed]

Nor I, before I was brought here. The same could be said of most everyone else before the Fae captured them.

[truthinmylies]

The Fae?

[There's a slight perk in Jareth's voice, another small vocal nuance. The next part is said in a slightly quieter tone, the way one talks when he is trying to puzzle through something.]

That would explain that feeling. And there's the Rowan to consider...

[Whoops, you may have lost him there for a minute Duibhin, sorry!]

[sunstormed]

They're all over this damnable place. You'd best head to the town. It's what the sensible lot does.

[truthinmylies]

Perhaps.

[Someone might just be a tad put-out. After all, if this is Fae magic, why hasn't he yet been greeted? His kingdom was not the grandest, to be sure, but neither was it insignificant.]

You mentioned the Fair Folk, but where is their ruler?

[sunstormed]

Damned if I know. There's a man named the Guardian here at times who claims to protect us...a female voice we hear at times...and a kidnapping bastard on a horse.

[truthinmylies]

[The mere title of 'Guardian' doesn't help him at all toward an identification; he focuses on the second figure mentioned.]

And does she have a name, pray tell?

[sunstormed]

She has not. And the third is known by some...strange name. Erl...Erl...king?

[truthinmylies]

[Ah, but fickle are the fae; some of the warmth has left Jareth's voice, replaced with the barest hint of impatience. Really Duibhin, he thought you'd be a bit more helpful than this!]

[But the third name does give him pause, at least. It's a rough translation to be sure, but the name is familiar to him.]

The Erlkönig, perhaps?

[sunstormed]

Yes! That's the bastard's title!

[He's all but hissing in response before regaining his composure.]

The fae with any form of importance don't show their names to us very often, in all honesty. It's more the...common creatures? It's those you find in large groups that assault and pester us.

[truthinmylies]

[A curious response that, one that's being filed away for consideration later. Such venom would surely be useful -- strong emotions always were -- but it remains to be seen how. There's a moment's pause before Jareth responds, in that carefully neutral voice again -- with the slightest hint of careful patience, in the manner one would address a slow child.]

And has anyone in this place asked them?

[sunstormed]

[There is a spark of irritation in his own voice; a faint sigh.]

Few seem inclined to speak with them beyond demands to be returned home. I myself avoid them after personal experiences. The Guardian dances around many of our questions and disappears for great lengths of time. He has power but seems distracted and pulled away too often to speak with us when we deem fit to make the attempt towards him.

[truthinmylies]

[Again with that careful patience, and perhaps a tiny hint of hauteur.]

Perhaps you're not approaching it in the right way. These things aren't to be handled slapdash.

[sunstormed]

Of course not! But that doesn't stop people from making demands! There are few of us who want to be here, after all.

[Your face.]

[truthinmylies]

[There's a rather put-upon sigh; really, from the conversation so far, this place didn't seem a far cry from his subjects Underground, at least as far as competency in diplomatic relations was concerned.]

Be that as it may, there are methods to these things. Procedures, if you will.

[And the horse the Erlkönig you rode in on!]

[sunstormed]

I am well aware of that. I didn't come by the name Ambassador without learning a few things.

[So there.]

But when so many are taken so suddenly and those who have the will are not inclined to answer even the most seemingly genial of people, it does grate on the nerves. This place is far more dangerous than it looks at times, and I think some are just now learning that for themselves.

[truthinmylies]

Then clearly you have more to learn.

[Whatever.]

But you said that you were dealing with the fae. They do not follow the rules you are likely used to.

[sunstormed]

Of course I do.

[And he means it. He knows he's young and has a great deal to learn.]

...You know of them. What sort of rules do they follow then, beyond their own?

[truthinmylies]

At least you admit it.

[That's more than most people Jareth has encountered will do, after all.]

Of course I do. Our customs aren't readily shared with others.