And if he were to promise none of the latter and as much as he could as the former, would the Goblin King believe him?

[Rank and power mean very little to the Puck. His grin is mischievous, eyes glinting with a wicked little light.]

I would think of him as always I have: a creature with his own agenda.

[Still, the Puck is an amusing creature, for what it was -- all Fae were, really, and even Jareth himself played his own games.]

But since he seems to feel generous, it would be rude indeed to not take him up on his offer.

[He cackles.]

Ho ho ho! I'd know better than to pull a fast one on you, Lord Jareth!

[He folds himself into another bow, all flamboyance and twirling hands.]

You know my lady, my lord; she's as fickle as she's ever been! Perhaps she wished to talk to you and simply... neglected to mention it! She has rather a lot on her mind!

[He looks up, winks at Jareth, and slyly adds:]

... But that's just between you and me, here and now, mm?

That has not stopped others from trying, warning or not. Though perhaps that will serve as warning enough for you.

[Jareth simply nods in acknowledgement at the bow; it is fitting for one in his station to receive. But it is not reciprocated, though the Puck does hold his attention.]

Have I not answered an invitation when she has sent them in the past? Really, if she wanted my presence, she could have but asked!

[He is slightly incensed as he speaks, and takes a calming breath after the last word, composing himself once more.]

So between you and me, what has been on her mind lately?

[The Puck hums, cupping his at-once-young, at-once-old chin in his hands, and looking at Jareth with sparkling, dangerous eyes.]

She's fallen in love.

[His grin stretches.]

Now I know what you're thinking, you're thinking: [And his voice changes, a near perfect parody of Jareth's own] 'What else is new? She falls in and out of love like a streams slips in and out of waterfalls.' But! [And his tone changes again while he holds up a hand.]

But!

She only got half of what she wanted! And you know how she feels about halves.

Has she now.

[It was statement more than question, Jareth's face reflecting his displeasure. For he was well-acquainted with the fickle nature of the queen's affections (though, to be fair, it was a case of kettle and pot, as he could just just as fickle -- not that he would admit it, of course!).]

Did she now? [His frown deepens; he thinks he knows where the Puck is going with this one.] And who, pray tell, is the lucky bachelor?

[His voice clearly shows that he already suspects the answer.]

[The Puck leaps to his feet before leaning towards Jareth, conspiratorially. He makes a great show of looking around for eavesdroppers, brings his hand up to shield his lips...

For a moment, the air tightens, becoming more tense around the Temple...

And then Puck whispers, loud enough to carry:]

That's gossip, m'lord! You wouldn't be asking a Puck to gossip, would you?

[Finally, finally Jareth anticipates getting an answer out of the Puck; he was a flighty creature, and hard to pin down. Life was truly naught but a game to him, and it was only thought great effort on his part that the King of the Goblins was able to keep his features neutrally schooled as he drew back.]

Ah, but I had hoped for information, my dear Puck. If all you have is gossip, well then... [He turned on a bit of the scorn usually aimed for the goblins.] ...I suppose I had best seek out another informant, hmm?

[The Puck flips over, balancing himself on one hand. He peers up at Jareth with a smile and a wink.]

But m'lord, surely you've figured it out? A flighty queen fighting over mortals with a half-hearted guardian?

Only half-hearted, you say?

[Jareth laughs, a sound both cruel and musical; it reflects, perhaps, the shifting natures within him, within the Puck, within many of the Fae -- and within their Queen. His amusement is great; he wonders if, perhaps, this little excursion from his plans will not be worth the entertainment.]

But whatever could have possibly happened to the other half, hmm?

I'm only a Puck, oh Goblin King! How can I be expected to know such things?

[But there's a smile there, a wicked, knife's edge of a thing, and the Puck rights himself, twirling his hands like an acrobat expecting applause.]

I know as little as you, and speculate perhaps as much.

Call it thinking aloud. You must admit, it's rather the interesting conundrum, isn't it?

[Jareth grants that applause in his own way, with an indulgent chuckle; quite the opposite of his previous laughter, it is a sound of the type shared with a co-conspirator, one that says 'we're in this together.' For they are, for now; he'll humor the Puck - it never ends well to annoy such a master trickster -- and hope that, for his trouble, a hint or two might be dropped his way, either now or in the future.]

My dear Puck, I think you know more than you let on, but I also think it your own prerogative. You've given me quite a bit to consider though, and I do thank you for generous insights. Pray tell, this place, this Demeleier -- what meaning has it to the Queen? Has she not other realms more fair and foul?

Hm... what does it mean to her?

[He taps his chin thoughtfully.]

You know me, King Jareth; I've spirited away many a baby and left a changeling to look out with old eyes from a young face, and I've never once apologized for doing so, and I've never once answered to anyone for doing it.

[Something Jareth should know, and something Jareth should be able to relate to.]

My Queen is much the same.

Now, imagine someone started interfering with that.