Bough -- Logs

Norris takes several minutes to recover. He's shivering. Staring accusingly at the Lotus seeds. Finally he gathers himself, and leaves the armory to rejoin his friends.

For Mikal, the break in the moment comes as there is a knock on Amaros's door, and Armaros pulls himself up from the kitchen area. "I'll get it," he says cheerfully, moving to the door.

Mikal blinks, startling upright and glancing around herself. Moved again? Now where is she? She relaxes a bit as she realizes she's back in Armaros's cottage, and Raphael is there with her. Still a bit wide-eyed, she whispers to her half-brother, "D-did you... do you remember the iron tower too, Raph?"

Armaros opens the door. "Ah, Norris, welcome, welcome! Do come in, there's some tea still brewing, and I am making some food for your friends if you wish to partake."

Raphael lifts his head up, peering at Mikal, and answers in the affirmative."

Mikal nods slowly, hugging the raptor-wolf for reassurance as she looks around. She feels a bit shaky still... but not upset.

Norris shuffles in place, not really looking at Armaros. "uh...yeah. Tea would..be good. I like tea." He finally comes in, and looks around.

Mikal is curled up by the fire against Raphael. She looks a bit spooky... but then she always looks a bit like she's been caught in the headlights by accident. She looks relieved, "Norris! Come sit down."

Norris sits, without argument. Leaning against the smaller girl, which is rather like having a bookcase leaning on you. "It's gettin worse, lil Rabbit." he murmurs, not looking that much better himself.

Mikal blinks worriedly, although it's not clear if she's just concerned for Norris, or also concerned about being crushed! She braces herself with both hands and asks, "What's wrong, Norr?"

Norris shakes his head, clearly having a hard time explaining. "Those times...when we just dissapear, cause someone else is havin fitful dreams, annat. It's usually, just like...I'm waking from a dreamless sleep. But ah haid dreams this time, Mikal. Dreams than ah made sommat what would go on t' kill a lot o people. Cept I'm not sure it were a dream." His accent gets thickers as he keeps talking.

Mikal blinks, looking more worried. She wriggles out from under where Norris is making her feel rather smooshed, and curls up in his lap, putting her arms around his neck and leaning her head against his shoulder. "Norris, was it a dream, or were you peeking in on someone else's life, or was it you playing out one of your fears, or something else entirely?"

Norris shakes his head. "Ah dunno. But the guy I wuz dreamin about wuz also Norris. And he also made stuff at a forge. Except it was a shell for sommat like th' Lotus Seed. Made a huge, frightnin' explosion." He holds Mikal to him, taking comfort in her nearness.

Mikal gently strokes Norris's hair, thinking... then she says softly, "Well, are you sure it was a bad thing? I mean, maybe it was a Lotus Seed you built. Wouldn't that be a good thing?"

Norris shakes his head. "The guy that wuz with me...he said he wuz 'destroyer of worlds'. That doan sound good t' me."

Norris says, "Nivver thought that ah coul' make sommat what I would be ashamed of, annat."

Armaros pauses in his kitchen work. "Norris," he says gently, "This man... did he say, 'I am become death, the destroyer of worlds?'"

Mikal takes a deep breath, then says sturdily, "Well, I supposed in a way we're all going to be destroyers -- but won't it be a good cause, to destroy spider-wasps?"

Norris blinks. "uh...yeah. Sommat like that. Zactly like that, ah think."

Jareth slowly fades into being on the other side of where Mikal was sitting. He blinks at her being in Norris' lap and for a moment, his face going blank and then confused and then tuning in when he hears the "I am become death..." thing.

Armaros pauses nodding a little. "I see. I have been told that he was a talented mortal. He was building a precursor to the lotus seeds, something very similar to them, things that mortals needed to understand fully before they could create the lotus seeds."

Mikal looks incredibly relieved when she sees Jareth. She doesn't let go of Norris, but she grabs Jareth's shirt, leaning over to whisper to him, "Norr's had a horrible dream where he created a Lotus Seed that destroyed worlds and mortals, not spider-wasps! I don't know what to do to cheer him up -- help!"

Norris looks cockeyed at Armaros. "So, wait...issat a good thing, r' a bad thing?" he queries, bemused.

Jareth's face clears right up and he shifts over to put his arm over Norris' shoulder, voice quiet, "Think about your forge fire."

Mikal sighs in relief as both Jareth and Armaros help too. She just sits and is warm and comforting, the way Raphael so often is for her.

Armaros considers. "It's a good thing, I would say," he says slowly. "Without that work, the lotus seeds that you would want to use now against the spider-wasps would never have been created."

Jareth nods at Armaros' words, "It's like your forge fire, Norris. Properly controlled and utilized, it is a powerful, powerful force for creation. If it gets loose, it could destroy a whole village. It's in its use, not its potential."

Raphael curls relaxedly around Norris's back, giving him a brace as well.

Norris opens his mouth, but closes it as he listens to Armaros and Jareth talk. "Well...but that's whut ah thought befores. That ah's jus makin stuff, an it's what folks do with it what make it good er bad, not me. Jus feels like, tho...if ah hadn't helped em figger out how t' make th' lotus seed, then maybe a lotta folks wouldn'a got kilt." he says uncertainly. "Or mebbe not. Wasn't the one what made th' splodin thing. Jus the shell of it." He does take comfort, being surrounded by friends and warm, fuzzy wolf.

Jareth says quietly, "And how many people have died because someone first discovered fire? Against that, how many people have been fed? How many people have been kept from freezing to death?"

Mikal sighs, relaxing a bit as she feels Norris calming down somewhat as well. She stays curled up in her packmate's lap, though -- he seems to enjoy it, and she'd rather not get accidentally squished!

Jareth reaches out with his free hand to take Mikal's hand. This has been a confusing series of transitions from place to place and emotion to emotion. Right now, though, he's concerned about Norris. The big, gentle smith wouldn't harm anyone he didn't have to.

Mikal gratefully grabs Jareth's hand, still a bit disoriented herself as well. A bit confusedly she wonders what Norris truly saw -- and, um... what she herself saw. She's feeling a bit flummoxed, so she just stays tightly curled up with her pack. Pack she understands; pack is safe.

Norris's hands get busy...one is stroking Mikal's hair (soft! That's good.), and the other is embracing Jareth. "Well...that's true, ah guess. Mebbe ah's jus' all twisted around cause ahs dreamin bout a Norris what aint me. Has anyone else done that recently?"

Jareth smiles a bit wryly.

Mikal hesitates, thinking hard... then gives her head a small shake, "I d-d-don't think s-so?" She looks at Raphael, who laconically points out he's always with her -- so she next glances sideways at Jareth, wondering what he's dreamt.

Jareth shakes his head, "Not so much not me as me in a different place that I sort of knew."

Mikal nods in relief, then glances curiously at Armaros, "W-what usually happens when mortals arrive here? D-do they... sort of dream all over the place, or is it usually their awake world selves?"

Armaros says, as he sets up a platter of cheeses, breads, and fruits, "They tend to have a single mask, of sorts, usually the one from the dreamscape they escaped from. Some few are lucid dreamers -- such as Maerlyn -- and can 'remember' their waking lives. Most mortals eventually remember parts of their waking lives the longer theyre here."

Norris looks up at Armaros, adding the weight of his curiosity to Mikal's question. "Still rather make armor fer yew than weapons. An year gonna wear it." he insists to Jareth.

Mikal smiles, leaning her forehead against Norris's shoulder so he can't see her relief. Norris is feeling better, thank goodness!

Jareth manages (by the skin of his teeth) not to roll his eyes at that. Instead, he says, "As long as it doesn't weigh a half-ton."

Mikal giggles muffledly in spite of herself!

Norris shakes his head. "Mah armor doan weigh much. Ah mean, y' gots t' wear paddin, so th' leather doan chafe. One o' these days, mebbe I wear sommat heavier. They jus didn't have enough metal in Stanton make me a breastplate. But iff'n ah kin make Salt Armor, yew be fine."

Mikal sits up a bit, smiling, "Why not make boiled leather armor for him, Norris, with metal bracing? That way it'd be lighter and more flexible?"

Norris grabs some fruit, and offers the apple to Raph, being all polite and thankful for the wolf being comfy. "Yeah, ah kin do that."

The raptor-wolf grins, baring his impressive dentition, and casually nudges the proffering hand back towards Norris. Apples are less his preference and more a two-legger thing.

Norris huhs. "Well, tell me whut cha want, an I'll get it, yuh silly fur face."

Norris suddenly gets an idea. "Mebbe Okori'd like Raph? They's both gots four feet, annat."

Raphael rumbles amusedly, resting his chin on his crossed forepaws again, and Mikal smiles faintly, sitting up again, "He says take care of yourself first because Jareth and me depend on you." She reaches out to stroke Raph's head gently, still smiling, "They've met, Norris. But you're right, we should find her -- so we can tell her about the place her folk live."

Norris tsks at the wolf. "Ah does take care, Raph. Jus' being sociable." he takes some cheese, though, and bread. He's a hungry boy. "Didja find any thin' inneresting while ah's asleep?"

Mikal nods hesitantly, "I, um... yes? I... have the bow now?" She glances inquiringly at Jareth.

Norris blinks? "Really? Ah thought you didna like th' bow?"

Jareth's lips twist slightly and squeezes Mikal's hand. "It's... sort of scarily powerful."

Mikal nods slowly at that, "It is, yes, and I'm not sure yet if I do. But... well, it can apparently kill a spider-wasp every hundred days, instead of every year... so... well, I thought it would be irresponsibly cowardly of me to leave it there?" She still sounds a little uncertain.

Jareth murmurs, "And apparently she was afraid it was going to eat me."

Mikal blushes and looks down at her lap, nodding once.

Norris looks between his friends. "Well...it's good that we haz a people eating, wasp killin bow, then?" He looks around worriedly for the bow.

Mikal looks a bit shocked, "It doesn't eat people!" She blinks, realizing where Norris got that from, and amends hastily, "I was wrong about it eating Jareth." She thinks a moment, then adds uncertainly, "I... think?"

Jareth debates keeping the entire visit to the metal tower to himself, but he remembers something Mikal said and wants to get Norris to chime in on it. "Norris, Mikal's got this crazy idea that we're going to abandon her because she's Raph's half-sister."

Norris hnhs. "Ah hope so." he comments. And then blinks at Jareth. "huh? Ah mean...huh?"

Mikal is carrying two bows in her gorytus currently -- one a very nice, well-worn and -cared for longbow in very dark wood, and the other a powerful recurved bow in pale wood.

Jareth smiles wryly, "She's afraid we're going to think she's a monster and go running in fear. I told her we don't think of her as a monster. I think she might need to hear it from you."

Mikal turns bright red, "I do not! Uh, I mean I d-did but I don't! Really! Um... really?"

Norris groans. "Mikal, yew's not a monster. An Raph's not a monster. Ah mean, it's confusin cause he insists on bein fuzzy an walkin around on four feet, but that's jus' strange, not scary. Plus, fuzzy can be good. Warm. An didn'a we already cover that he wuz yer brother? Like, first time ah met an we's tryin' t' defend yew from each other?"

Mikal shivers a bit, looking down at her lap. Her hair falls forward, shielding her face, and her voice is only quivering a little bit as she whispers, "I d-d-di-didn't think y-you'd run away, g-guys. I j-j-just," she rubs her eyes with the back of one hand and sniffles once, then struggles on, "d-didn't th-think anyone w-would ever b-b-be ab-b-ble t-t-t..." she takes a deep breath, trying to force it out, "t-t-t-t... t-t-to s-say they loved m-me!" Her last words are a muffled squeak as she covers her face with both hands and turns to lean her head against Norris's shoulder, curling away from being looked at.

Jareth squeezes Mikal's hand and smiles at Norris with a slightly awkward shrug.

Armaros looks with sympathy at Mikal, and quietly and discretely offers her a glass of a light, sweet ice port.

Norris looks poleaxed. He clumsily pats the back of Mikal's head as he looks dumbfoundedly at Jareth. Rather like she was looking when she was feeling all uncomfortable because she couldn't comfort him.

Norris takes the glass. "Uhm...Armaros wants you to drink this?" he suggests to the Mikal trying to burrow into him.

Mikal is shaking a bit, making small muffled sounds, and doesn't seem to be hearing just yet. Norris can feel dampness through his shirt, in fact, a few heartbeats later.

Jareth can't help but reach over and stroke Mikal's hair, shaking his head. The fact that his charm and blithe words have escaped him makes him uncomfortable as well. He murmurs to Norris, "I think this might be my fault. I'm sorry."

Norris clears his throat, and puts the glass to one side. At the murmur, he's trying to lean over to whisper, difficult with a clutchy young woman on top of him. "What did yew do, yew silly git? Did yew kiss her, or sommat?" he half demands.

Jareth opens his mouth, then closes it again.

Norris's eyes get wider. "yew did, didna yew. Gawd'dammit, Jareth, though we had an unnerstandin. SHe's doin so well, annat, but she's not like the girls yew's always takin int' the hayloft." he groans.

Jareth says in a very even voice, "No. She's nothing like them at all, Norris."

Jareth is looking carefully at the sobbing girl and still holding her hand, "I wouldn't hurt her for the world, Norris." Still, he's looking as if he's rather certain he deserves being yelled at.

Norris looks helplessly at Mikal. "An you're th' sexy charmin' one! Yer th' one what makes all th' girls feel pretty, tie em up round yer finger! Ah cain't fix this! Ah barely knows whut t' say givin a report t' the Seneshal! How' th' hell am I gonna make her feel loved? Ah mean...she's mah very dearest friend, but that aint th' same!" He's not so mad as feeling completely flummoxed.

Norris rubs his forehead. "Ah caint believe this. Mebbe Okori could help. Ah hope she cain, cause ah sure as hell aint gonna ask th' satyr. I give that feller an inch..."

Jareth blinks slowly and looks up at Norris, "Norris, I didn't just kiss her..." He stumbles there a little bit. They didn't actually finish what they started in the dream of the beautiful city.

Jareth realizes what that might sound like with the way Norris' mind is headed and hurriedly says, "Wait! That's... ahh... look. She's nothing like the girls in the village and I wouldn't hurt her for the world. We had a talk is all."

Norris's face falls. "oh god. Don't tell me this, Jareth. I am not up to this level of damage control." He's so naxious, he's losing his accent again and completely unaware of it. "How the hell...how long was I gone?"

Norris looks askance at Jareth. "Wait, what?"

You can almost hear the click in Norris's head. "Wait...you kissed her...and then you told her that you couldn't...I mean...kiss her...again." It's clear he's censoring himself.

Jareth sighs and shakes his head, "No. I told her I love her."

Jareth seems flummoxed himself, "Then she started crying. And then we were back here."

Norris stares. "Okay. Now you completely lost me. You told her you love her, and now...she thinks that no one will ever tell her they love her?" You can almost see someone trying to draw a cohesive equation over his head, scratch it out, and try again. And again. And again.

Jareth shrugs helplessly, "Yeah. That's about where I got. I also told her didn't think of her as a monster.

Norris's face scrunches up, trying to understand. "I don't...this makes no sense." He looks at Jareth. "Yew gots ta do it again. Th' first time wasn't stong enuff! Y' gots to give her the power kiss. Like th' one yew gave Big Crista! That time ah wuz watchin!"

Jareth blinkblinks and says, "Has everyone in the village watched me?" He sounds almost plaintive, but he leans in and murmurs, "Mikal, petite lapin..."

Mikal calms after a few minutes of tightly restrained sobbing, just resting her forehead against Norris's shoulder. She feels oddly... purged, almost limply relaxed -- although she vaguely recalls tense whispers around her as she sobbed. She rubs her eyes with the back of one hand and mumbles groggily, "'M here, Jair. S-sorry, guys... din' mean to be upsetting..."

Norris is trying to lean away, give Jareth room. Which is hard, because Mikal is still burrowing into him. No, No Norris here, just a comfy seat...

Jareth breathes a sigh of relief and squeezes Mikal's hand, "No, it's OK. I just meant to make sure you knew we don't think you're a monster."

"De'fnitly not. No Monster. Mikal is a pretty girl who d'serves t' be loved." Norris blinks. Did he say that? Norris suddenly hopes he can dissapear into the floor.

Mikal smiles faintly at Jareth, her cheeks still damp, "I kn-now, Jareth. You an' N-norris wouldn't be pack if you did feel that way." She leans her head back enough to smile a bit tearily at Norris as well, "Thanks, Norr." Then she sighs, relaxing against the larger man again as she adds, "I just... I n-never thought I'd be l-loved, y'know? That... that was what happened to real girls."

Norris appears to think about that. "Uhm...how is yew not a real girl, Mikal? Ah wus helpin yew wash th' other day. Ah saw yew had all th' girl parts...annat." He suddenly groans. That was the wrong thing to say. He just admitted he looked!

Jareth sighs and leans in, having to shift his head a little oddly so he can kiss Mikal's cheeks, both of them where they're tear-stained, "He's right. You're definitely a girl."

Norris points at Jareth. "An he knows! He's seen a lot o' girls!" Oh god, I did it again!

Mikal blushes, starting to turn her face to hide against Norris's shoulder again at his words, and she turns even redder, closing her eyes, when Jareth kisses her. She ducks her head and whispers, "Y-you know. G-girls that aren't h-half-monster."

Jareth's lips twitch slightly and he murmurs, "Thank you for backing up my expertise in the matter, Norris." He sits up again.

Jareth snorts, "Believe me, there are girls that are far more monstrous than you. And I wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole."

Norris groans. "Ah doan see no monster. Where's the monster? If yew's a monster, then ah must be one too. No normal person is this big. Must be that muh momma done take a fancy t' a giant t' be birthing me. Yer bein silly, lil Rabbit."

Mikal gives Jareth an unhappy look, "B-but that's 'cause it sh-shows easy." She opens her mouth to continue, then pauses, staring at her tightly clenched hands as she thinks.

Jareth takes Mikal's face in his hands, "Lapin, it would have shown by now. Really. I mean, some people look just fine on the outside and they're just... rotten inside."

Jareth says, "You match inside and out. You're definitely not a monster."

Mikal hesitates, her eyes huge as she stares at Jareth, then says in a small voice, "B-b-but what if, what if it h-happens when I have babies? What if th-they're like Raph? P-p-people w-will want to kill them!"

Jareth's voice is fierce as he says, "I'd just like to see them try!"

Norris says, "Yuh! No one's smashin Mikal's babies!"

It does not occur to her that having raptor-wolf infants would be horrific, curiously enough -- just that they'd be abused. She blinks at Jareth's fierceness, and then again at Norrris's, staring at them with her mouth open in a small 'o' of astonishment again.

Jareth repeats it, "You. Are. Not. A. Monster."

Mikal whispers softly, "Y-you... both of you... you th-think me 'n Raph are f-fine?"

Jareth says, "I already told you that."

Norris says, "Yessuh. An we done love yew verra much, Mikal. An we aint gonna let no one's hurt yew, or Raph, r' yer babies."

Norris says, "Yannow. Iffn ya have babies."

Norris looks at Jareth. "yuh didn't give her babies yet, yeah? We done covered that?"

Mikal blinks again, her eyes filling up with tears again -- although this time she's smiling through them, "Y-you b-both -- you-" She laughs shakily, throwing an arm about both their necks and hugging them tightly, "I l-l-l... I l-love you both too!"

Jareth laughs and shakes his head, "If Mikal's going to have a baby, it isn't mine. I meant it when I said I just told her I love her." He pauses and amends, "There were kisses, but really just kisses."

Jareth does not say aloud that he hopes to rectify that eventually.

Norris glacks! How is this little girl so strong? "okies. Ah blieves yuh."

Mikal does not intend to strangle, but she is a bit... overwhelmed currently! She cries happily on both of them.

Jareth whispers rather hoarsely after a moment, "Choking..."

Norris says, "Yuh. We loves ya, Mika...but we loves air too..."

Norris could easily break out of her embrace. But he doesn't. It's not *polite*. So he chokes, a victim of his own niceness.

Raphael sighs softly from behind Norris, putting his head back down on his forepaws. There's a definite, 'About time' vibe to his quietly amused glance. At the commentary from the two guys, Mikal jerks back startledly, "Oh! Oh, sorry sorry sorry I didn't mean to grab so hard are you all right so sorry!" She hastily sort of pats them both reassuringly, not sure what to do to make things all better.

Norris ahems and massages his throat. "Saright. Y' got a grip on yuh."

Mikal blushes, although she's still beaming sheepishly, "Um... thank you?!"

Norris smiles, and strokes Mikal's face. "yer a good un, Rabbit. Yuh jus gots t b'lieve people when they tell ya things."

Jareth takes several deep breaths and says carefully, turning to their host, "Armaros, I am extremely sorry we sort of dissolved into... uh... that is... sorry." He's still holding onto one of Mikal's hands.

Mikal sighs and smiles, her eyes shining. Her voice is a little shaky as she whispers, "I u-used to dream about things like this... b-but I never thought it could ever be true for me, you know?"

Armaros is off to the side, discreetly. He says gently, "It is fine, Jareth. I have seen mortals at their most intense for... for a very long time. I am only glad that you are still together, friends and, as Mikal calls you, pack-mates."

Mikal blushes, not quite able to meet Armaros' gaze -- she's a bit embarrassed at being quite so... raw.

Norris tsks...and without blushing, he leans in and kisses her forehead. "Silly Rabbit." he murmurs. And then he clears his throat. "Well, yannow. We's had each other a while. Ah spect that's how we stay okay after alla this mess with wasps, annat."

Jareth nods to Armaros and takes a deep breath, half to make sure he can and partially because Mikal's stopped crying. He nods to Norris.

Mikal smiles shakily at Norris and nods once, "You're right, Norris. It's sticking together that's made us strong, right?" She takes one hand of each man in each of hers, holding tight -- it makes her feel stronger too.

Norris agrees wordlessly with Mikal feels the need to move on. He's feeling raw himself, and that's something coming from him. "Lissen...ah doan know iffn the others covered it, but we's supposed t' be heading t' the wyld. But first we's wantin t' visit wi' the Rakshasa. Got anneh tips on how t' make nice wi' em?"

EDIT: with MIkal, *but* feels, etc.

Mikal whispers, "And Okori!" to the big smith.

Norris looks at MIkal. "We knows how t' make nice wi' Okori. Just pay attention an clap when she acts fer us."

Mikal giggles, "Nono! We were going to tell her where her kinfolk are, remember? On the Fuji mountain, right?"

Jareth smiles crookedly, "She's not averse to flirtation, either."

Mikal blinks at Jareth confusedly, "Er, n-noo... is that... bad now, or something?"

Jareth shakes his head, "I don't think so. But we didn't get to finish our talk about honeybees and wolves and beehives."

Mikal looks quite startled, "Y-you talked to Okori about that?"

Amaros considers. "Mmm. The Rakshasa are proud warriors, but they are also embodiments of destruction. Be careful of what you agree to do for them, and be aware that they not only revel in destruction, but they are at their best when at war, and destruction is their nature."

Norris looks bemused. "Ah wouldn'a think bees and wovles would get along." No, he doesn't get it.

Norris ahhmms. "Okies. So, first onna list, doan go t' war wi; th' rakshasa."

Jareth is confused himself, "No, Mikal. I didn't talk to Okori about that. I meant I..." He takes a deep breath and says, "I meant she liked me flirting with her... and... I think I need to get my head together before that conversation goes on."

Mikal says, "Oh. Um, all right." She looks like she's not quite sure what that means, but she smiles and adds, "So how do you get your head together? I always go into the forest when I need to do that."

Norris blinks. "Dyuh think it'd be bad iffn we gave a Lotus Seed t' the rakshasa?"

Jareth's lips twitch again, starting to say something and then says, "Uhm... yes. I think so."

Mikal's eyes widen as she stares at Norris, "Yes! Let's not do that!"

Norris ohs. "Ah's just thinkin...oh, wait!"

Armaros coughs a little. "Uhm, yes, that might be bad. They would most certainly use it against either the angels or Mount Zion itself.

Norris says, "What iffn' we dun use th' Lotus Seed t' get Azriel's True Name?"

Mikal nods emphatically -- then goes still, staring at Armaros, "Wait. What did you say?!"

Mikal says, "M-mount Zion?! The... the unfallen angels live here?!"

Armaros looks to Mikal. "By 'here' how do you mean, Mikal? Yes, the angels -- most of them, anyway -- live on the peak of Mount Zion when they are not beseiging the redoubt of the Rakshasha on Mount Meru."

Mikal looks suddenly confused, "Wait -- why would the Evil One leave his minions here, on just one mountain? Why not just take the place, and force his worship?"

"Because there are limits to what even angels can do in the Dreamtime, but more importantly, almost all of the angels are tied up with the war against the Rakshasa."

Mikal frowns consideringly, "But surely there are no limits on what he can do?"

"If there were no limits to him, he would have won long ago, and I would have been destroyed, and the Winter Palace would be just another church to him. As it is, all gods have limits." He pauses. "But I will admit, that there are many things the Architect could have done that he has not. He has been... very distant since the end of the Godswar."

Mikal looks confused, "Has he forsaken even his angels here, then?"

Mikal says, "And... how can you continue, if he has declared you Fallen? What do you do, that you survive?"

Norris says, "He done just said that there's limits t' what he kin do. Coul' be that bein Fallen aint that bad. Just, like..yannow, getting kicked out o' a club."

Mikal murmurs quietly to Norris, "The more we understand the Evil One, the more we'll know how to fix things, Norris, don't you think? Like making sure there aren't any more spider-wasps maybe, or convincing the other angels here to stop fighting?"

Jareth's lips twitch, "Azreal didn't fall and I certainly like Armaros a hell of a lot better than him."

"Possibly not forsaken them, but they do not seem to have his guidance. His archangels seem to have quite a bit of autonomy in carrying out his will.

"As for how I survived," he says with a bit of a wan sigh. "Mostly by being as invisible as possible. There were many times that I could have intervened in mortal affairs, but did not, and because of that I remained unseen to the Architect and his angels. By now, I suspect that they simply do not know where I am now, nor do they care; they seem to have dismissed me as powerless. Which is actually fairly accurate."

Armaros smiles wanly, and bows his head to Jareth in thanks.

Mikal says, "How did it happen? Did you just choose, one day, to no longer follow him?"

Jareth says to Armaros, "I fear that my defying him at Raven's urging... it's why she hasn't been seen."

Armaros nods quietly to Mikal. "Yes. It was as simple as that. I and my brothers sought to bring knowledge to the mortals. It was our duty, and what we were made for. But the Architect did not want all knowledge brought to mortals. In particular he did not want mortals to know that there was more beyond the physical world. He wanted them to remain there, blissfully ignorant. We could not do that. And so we rebelled. We were not the only ones to rebel; other angels did so for their own reason. But for us, that is why my brothers and I left."

He then nods to Jareth. "That would make sense. Azrael would hunt her now, seeking to bring the force of law against her. But he must find her, first. Azrael is skilled at mass reapings in the name of the Architect. But he is not as well-versed in the subtlities which Anubis and Ereshkigal taught Raven.

Jareth says, "From what I understand, she didn't break any law. She followed it very closely, I think."

Mikal looks puzzledly at Jareth, "But then... wouldn't that mean Azrael isn't following orders?"

Norris says, "Well, ah figger from what y done said, Jareth, that it weren't some natural law that th' angel was pissed about. Just that she's not follow his law. Which she dun have t'."

Jareth says, "Or he's following orders and the Architect isn't following the rules."

Mikal grins confusedly at Armaros, "So... which is it?"

Armaros says gently, "She let you return from the shores, Jareth. That has only rarely been done and each time there was some sort of accounting to be made for it. Raven would not do that lightly, and it would be just the thing that Azrael would use against her."

Jareth nods at that, considering a moment, "And... she was right. There's something we could do to harm him."

Norris blinks. "Whuzzat?"

Mikal looks alertly at Jareth, "Yes, what?"

Jareth shakes his head, "I don't know. I just feel like maybe... I don't know... maybe she wouldn't be in so much trouble if it was someone else."

Mikal looks at Armaros, "So... which is it? How can we help Raven and get Azrael to stop bothering her?"

Armaros bites his lip. "Well. If Azrael promises on his Name to stop hunting her, he will. I think... I think the best chance might be to seek the assistance of the Rakshasa."

Jareth nods slowly, "But not by giving them a lotus seed."

Mikal nods, unsurprised, "So we were on the right path already. All right. Can you tell Okori for us that her kinfolk live on Fuji? Also, can you tell us where Tigernmus is, so we can ask him to travel with us?" She glances at Jareth and smiles, "And what do you need to do for your head, Jair?"

Norris says, "Well, so we dun give them a seed. But we coul threaten him with the seed ourselves, mebbe? Out in th' middle o nowhere?"

Jareth clears his throat and goes a slightly pink color, "I... would prefer to talk about that..." He rubs the back of his neck and shakes his head. This is completely unlike him and his brow furrows.

Mikal tilts her head a bit confusedly, wondering why no one seems willing to answer her tonight. Has she forgotten something important that everyone's too polite to mention?

Jareth clears his throat and leans over to murmur quietly to Mikal, right up against her ear.

Armaros nods, smiling quietly to Mikal. "I will do so, Mikal, yes. Are you sure you do not want to meet Okori before you depart?"

WHen Jareth is done saying whatever it is, he does his best to put his face back into normal lines.

Mikal smiles at Armaros, "If we can, we will, but Jareth said he didn't want to, I thought?" She leans to listen attentively to Jareth, nodding... then sits back and gives him a puzzled look, "Um, all right. What sort of co-" She catches herself -- clearly this is something he's sensitive about -- and leans to whisper back to him, "Privacy we can find for you, Jareth, but what sort of company do you need?"

Jareth clears his throat again and says, "I don't mind going to see Okori, Mikal."

Mikal nods to Jareth, her storm-gray eyes intent on him. Something isn't quite right yet, although she's not yet sure what. She waits a moment, then brightens, "Ah! I understand -- you want Okori's company?" It's as she says it aloud that it registers -- and she suddenly turns bright red, one small hand covering her mouth, "Oh! Oh... dear... I, um, I really messed that up, didn't I?"

Norris looks cockeyed at the two trying to figure...oh. oh dear. He figures the best policy here is to say nothing.

Jareth smiles crookedly, "That's... not quite what I meant, no." He squeezes Mikal's hand lightly.

Mikal squeaks embarrassedly, "Sorry!"

Jareth shakes his head and shrugs, "I've been tripping over my tongue lately. Something's got me flustered."

Mikal looks sheepishly down at her lap, still tightly holding Norris's and Jareth's hands, and whispers, "I -- I'm sorry, Jair, I didn't mean to b-be so rude! Um, y-you should be wi- er, sh-should, uh, c-clear your head however works for y-you!"

Norris still has this look on his face, like, is it safe to say something?

Jareth clears his throat and leans in to speak against Mikal's ear, just as quiet again, "Mon lapin, let's talk about this when we're alone. Please?" He raises his head and smiles that crooked grin at Norris and then at Armaros, "I don't seem to be myself lately. I apologize again."

Norris decides he doesn't want to know.

Armaros smiles quietly. "THink nothing of it, Jareth."

Norris says, "So, wait...does Jareth have to talk to Okori alone, or can we all go see her?"

Jareth clears his throat, "We can all go see her. I don't need... or want... to spend a lot of time alone with Okori."

Norris blinks. "Why not? She likes you a lot, Jareth. Did you have a fight?"

Jareth tries to keep his voice level, "We didn't have a fight. I like her quite a lot, too. And I don't need to be alone with her."

Norris huhs. "Okay! Whatever floats your boat." He starts to wonder, and then he gets this look on his face. He remembers what Okori was talking to him about the last time she had him alone. "Yeah. Okay, that makes...sense." He tugs at his collar.

Mikal nods bemusedly to Jareth at his whisper.

Mikal blinks at Norris -- then abruptly slaps both hands over her mouth, trying to stop the irrepressible, almost hysterical giggle!

Jareth watches the light come on over Norris' head and smirks slightly, "Yeah. I thought it might if you thought about it."

Mikal giggles muffledly again, then squeaks in embarrassment again. She takes a deep breath, making herself sit up straight and not giggle any more... then she turns to Armaros and says a bit breathlessly, "Th-thank you for your hospitality, Armaros. We, um... maybe we better go get started, okay?" She looks uncertainly at both young men?

Jareth stands up much too abruptly, relief clear on his face, "Yes. Thank you." He moves and reaches to shake Armaros' hand.

Mikal looks relieved as she finally (accidentally) gets the right answer! She bounces to her feet, holding down a hand to Norris with a grin, "Let's go!" Raphael is already rising and relaxedly shaking his thick mane back into place.

Armaros stands as well, shaking Jareth's hand warmly and smiling, and with the good grace to show no amusement at the interactions. "Be welcome here at any time, all of you."

Mikal beams, "Thank you so much!"

Soon thereafter, carefully following both Armaros' instructions, Raphael's keen nose, and Mikal's tracking skills, the foursome enter the small clearing where they first found Okori. Mikal looks around thoughtfully -- then her head abruptly swivels towards the direction of a sneeze! -followed by a small, unhappy, "Oh dear, oh dear..."

Mikal grins and starts collecting dry wood, quietly murmuring to Raphael to bring a larger piece if he can find it, please? After that she calls quietly, "Hello, pretty Okori? We've come to visit... and I have a nice tea I'd like to make for you, please?"

Norris blinks. "I thought Okori got over her cold?" he whispers to Jareth.

Jareth shrugs, still a bit at a loss. He takes a deep breath and can't quite meet Norris' eyes, "So... ahh... you don't want to hurt me or anything, right?"

Mikal settles down by the big tree with the nice hollow in it, and starts laying a small fire.

Norris blinks. "

Mikal smiles up at Norris, "Could you find me some water please, Norr?"

After a moment, a small fox-head pokes itself out of the little hollow high up in the tree.... then there is what can only be some sort of "Squeeee!" sound and a red-furred meteor drops from the sky to land on Jareth's head and shoulders. "You're back, all of you, you

you're back!" Okori says cheerfully.

Norris blinks. "oh, yeah, sure thing, Mikal." He drags Jareth aside as he 'looks for water'. "Why would I want to hurt you? Just because you kissed her? By all accounts, you were just thryin t' make her feel better, annat."

Mikal looks up and giggles, "Hello, little fox lady! We heard you had a cold... and we have some good news for you!"

Mikal says, "Oh, you're red again!" She nods solemnly, "That's by far the nicest color on you, I think."

Jareth yelps as Okori lands on him again. He smiles crookedly and strokes the kitsune's tail before he really thinks about it, "We're sorry to hear you're ill." He carefully hands the kitsune off to Mikal and lets himself be dragged off by Norris. "Norris, I wasn't just trying to make her feel better. I really wanted to kiss her. A lot."

Mikal calmly continues making the little fire, and while it starts to grow enough for boiling water, she rootles through her backpack, fishing out her little bag of herbs and searching for the right one for colds. She figures Norris and Jareth can handle one little fox lady on their own, so she's a bit startled when Okori is handed to her! She blinks, then smiles and carefully cradles the kitsune, stroking the thick, rich fur with one hand. Admiringly she murmurs, "You're so beautiful, Okori..."

Okori laughs as she holds on to Jareth in the equivalent of a hug. "Oh, thank you! I'm particularly fond of it as well! It's just that I... iiii... ahhhh... CHOO!" As she sneezes, her fur in one sudden burst of color... turns white. She at least has the good grace to not sneeze on Jareth, and she reluctantly slips from her shoulders, sniffing. "I'm sure Vijdis told you I had a cold... then I got better... then it came back. And then it brought a friend...."

Norris ohs. Hmm. He doesn't quite know how to respond to that.

Okori makes no resistance, and cheerfully and welcomingly curls up in Mikal's arms, sighing contentedly. "One advantage of being a kitsune, dear," she says, a litle sniffly. "Nothing beats curling up in someone's arms, little matter who they are.

Norris says, "Well, ah mean...did she want t' kiss yew? Yew wasn't forcing kisses on her?"

Mikal blinks startledly at the color change, then tchs in sympathy, "This is a serious one, I see! Here, you stay warm in my lap, and I'll find something for you to chew on while we wait for the guys to bring back water." Raphael comes backing into the clearing, his big claws digging into the ground as he drags a tree trunk towards Mikal, with short, powerful yanks of his heavily muscled body. The tiny woman blinks, then laughs, "Oh, Raphael, that's amazing -- thank you! That'll make a nice warm fire for a while for Okori."

Jareth looks downright offended, "Of course I didn't force her!"

Okori ahhhs as she nestles in Mikal's lap, her russet color slowly coming back. "I thin because it's a cold," she says wryly, "it makes me want to turn arctic..."

Mikal tucks the kitsune into her coat, and within a short while she's got things arranged to her satisfaction: Okori is sucking on a nice honeyed gumdrop to help her throat, the tree truck is settled so the fire is licking against it and it's making a nice warm shelter for them all, the herbs for the tea are wrapped and ready, and Raphael is curled up next to Mikal and Okori, helping them all stay warm as they wait for the two young men to return with water.

Norris holds up his hands. "Well, ah didna think so. So, all I'm sayin is...if yew did sommat she wanted, then that's okay, yeah? ah just...yannow. Ah wuz trying t' keep her from goin t' pieces is all. Friendly smoochin' is fine. An, well...if she wants ta...yew know...yew kin do that too. it's none o' my business."

Jareth nods and keeps his eyes on the ground, "Yeah. We haven't done that. And I guess it is your business if we're all sort of a... a pack. I don't want you to think I would use her."

Norris tsks and pulls Jareth into an unexpected embrace. "We's friends, Jair, thass what's important. An honest injun, if she were t' be experimentin, ah'd rather she be doin it with a friend than with some randy feller what doan care about her. And ah know yew care. So stop lookin at her feet, we gots tea t' help make."

EDIT: make 'her feet' into 'yer feet'.

Jareth takes a deep breath and raises his head, giving Norris a back-slapping hug in return. "Let's get Okori some water."

Norris nods fervently...within short order, they're tugging back a couple skins of it fresh from a stream. "Hope yew got the fire nicen' hot, this water's cold!"

Norris looks at Okori. "We gots t' find a way t' get you some tea, regular like. It's no wonder yew's still got a cold, drinking water like this!"

Okori says, "I've a nice amount of non-freezing water in my den, but I'll admit I haven't had decent tea in ages there..."

Mikal beams up at her two best -- and only, as far as she knows -- friends, "We're ready! Here, pour some into my little kettle, please?" She sets the kettle on the sturdy twig brace she's created for it to hang over the fire, tosses in the little packet, and goes back to gently stroking the snoozy, warmly ruffled up kitsune. Her voice is quiet as she adds, "When it's boiling we'll let her breath the steam before she drinks it."

Jareth nods and shifts around until he can sit behind Mikal, moving like she might startle if he's not careful, and settles with his legs on either side of hers, hands resting on her hips.

Norris nods agreeably. "Mikal, y' done tol' Okori about th' place?" he queries, absently noting how Jareth is sitting, and trying not to blush watching him get cozy with her.

Mikal sighs and relaxes contentedly. She doesn't really suffer from cold that much any more, even here... but this is cozy and warm and close with all her pack. She smiles at Norris, "Not yet! Thought we all should, since we all helped find it. Come sit with us!"

Norris hums, looking at Okori as Jareth gets cuddly with Mikal. He looks like he's thinking about getting her attention when he realizes that Mikal is looking at him expectantly. "Oh, yeah. Miss Okori, we's all concerned about yew bein lonely, and stuck here in a frozen place...we figger yew needs to be in a nicer environment with more kit-sooonee like yew. So we founds out the place where y' like to call him."

EDIT: him=home.

Mikal beams, nodding, "There are supposed to be several of them there!"

Norris says, "Place even sounds like yew'd be happy there! It's called Fooogeee. Mount Foogee."

Okori perks up sharply, looking at Norris and almost toppling the kettle. "Really?" she asks giddily. "I mean, there are a bunch more at Mount Fuji?"

Mikal giggles, "I think it's with a 'juh' soun- yes, like that -- like Okori said!"

Norris unhuhs! "Yew kin go there an flirt and act t' yer hearts content, annat. An yew won't have colds no more. Ahs get worried when a warm fox gets all sniffly."

Mikal carefully gathers the kitsune up into her lap again, not wanting boiling water splattered everywhere. "So we were told -- males as well as a few females!" Loyally she adds, "They're probably not as lovely a female as you, though."

Jareth can't help but grin a little. That almost sounded like flirtation on Norris' part.

Jareth murmurs, "Of course not. Okori is beyond compare." Even as he says that, though, he reaches to brush Mikal's hair back behind her ear.

If a fox could be said to blush, Okori is right now. "Oh, you boys," she says, still sounding giddy. "However do you deal with such inveterate flatterers, Mikal?"

Norris gets this look on his face. "Whut? Ah aint no flatterer. Aint got no talent fer it. Ah's just wants the folk ah care about t' be happy, yeah?"

Mikal blinks down at Okori, "I, uhm... I d-don't know?" She tilts her head, thinking a moment, then smiles, "Well, they save it for lovely people like you, really." She doesn't sound at all upset by that; she's warmly cuddled by her entire pack, and to her that's more important than flirtation.

Norris says, "Yannow. Even if y' have t' go far aways, and we might not see y' again for a whiles. Which makes a feller sad a bit, but..."

Mikal smiles at Norris, "I'm sure we'll see her again. We'll be traveling ourselves, remember?"

Norris says, "Well, yeah. But who knows how long we's gonna be explorin."

Norris says, "But if we meet anneh handsome foxes onna way, we'll be sure t' send em yer way!"

Mikal laughs!

Norris blinks. "Whut? Ah's just sayin, lady like her, she needs lots of admirers, annat. Folk t' catch her when she swoon."

Mikal adds cheerfully, "Well, Mount Fuji is next to Mount Meru, so we might be able to visit!"

Mikal adds a bit wistfully, "I'd like to visit Yggdrasil someday... and... I wonder what Uluru is like?"

Mikal leans her head back absently against Jareth as she dreamily murmurs, "I wonder if there's any place where the Lady's folk still dwell... Jair'd fit right in there, I bet..."

Okori sniffles a little, then says, "Uluru's a strange place, dear. It's said that you won't find a purer representation of the Dreamtime anywhere else. Belief is very, very strong there. Without discipline, it can be dangerous... but mostly it's just strange.

Jareth snorts laughter and kisses Mikal's temple, "We'll see how that works out, mon lapin." He reaches with one hand to scritch Okori between her ears, "Bet there are some amazing stories there."

Mikal smiles a bit wistfully at Jareth's comment, but says nothing. After a moment of thought she strokes the little kitsune's soft fur and sings quietly, waiting for the kettle to boil,

"Queen of all the ME, Radiant Light
Life-giving Woman, beloved of An and Urash
Hierodule of An, much bejeweled,
Who loves the life-giving crown, fit for High Priestesshood,
Who grasps in your hand the seven ME
My Queen, you who are the Guardian of All the Great ME,
You have lifted the ME, have tied the ME to Your hands,
Have gathered the ME, pressed the ME to Your breast."

Norris blinks. He doesn't think he's ever heard Mikal sings before. He looks quite stunned.

Mikal looks up inquiringly at Norris, "What's wrong, Norr?"

Okori almost purrs with the scritching.. then she listens and watches Mikal with almost wide-eyes as she sings.

Norris coughs. "uh...just, uhm...what's that yew was singing?" He gathers his jaw out of his lap.

Jareth rests his head against Mikal's, smiling at the song. He, after all, heard her in the armory talking to the bow about this goddess. And they've spoken of the qadesha and qadesh.

Mikal brightens at a small noise, "Oh! Bubbling -- here, Okori, we'll let you breath the steam now." She uses the edge of her jacket to grab the hot handle of the kettle, setting it carefully on the ground in front of her and then holding her jacket over the kettle and Okori both. "Breath as deeply as you can, okay?" She looks up at Norris and smiles, "The prayer to the Dawn Lady, Norris. Why?"

Okori nods, nesting her head over the kettle and inhaling. Or trying to, what with a stuffed fox-nose.

Norris huhs. "Well, ah...ah jus nivver heard you sing afore. Y' do it awful well." he finally replies, having gathered his wits.

Mikal beams shyly at Norris, "Thank you! We used to sing it every day at d-" she blinks, thinking... then slowly finishes, "at dawn... huh. I remember that -- me and my sister priestesses."

Norris ohs. "Wait, what?"

Norris stares at Mikal. "You's a priestess? Since when?"

Jareth's ears practically perk at that.

Mikal looks up at Norris again, grinning confusedly, "What? Me? Nono... just in training." She pauses, trying hard to remember for a moment, then adds a bit bemusedly, "I... think?"

Norris looks at Jareth, confused. "Did ah miss sommat? When yew have training t' be a priestess?"

Mikal grins faintly, "I think it's the other me, Norris? When I'm awake or... something?"

Mikal frowns puzzledly as she adds, "Although... I don't remember any runes there. I wonder where that came from?"

Jareth wraps his arms carefully around Mikal and says, "We were talking about the priests and priestesses. But I don't know a lot more than you do."

Mikal shakes her head a bit frustratedly, "Wish I could remember better!" She annoyedly yanks a cup out of her backpack -- then blinks and relaxes a little as Jareth hugs her. She smiles faintly, "You remember what I said, or you were there too, Jareth?"

Norris ohs. Oh! "Oh, okies. Ah get it now."

Mikal grins ruefully at Norris.

Jareth says, "I just remember what you said. About me being a qadesh."

Jareth smirks slightly, "Which seemed like a church-sponsored honeybee."

Mikal smiles quietly, setting the mug down and leaning back so she can raise a hand to touch Jareth's cheek. "Yes. Which is why I know it's wrong to try to -- to capture honeybees."

Jareth shrugs and hugs Mikal, "We'll talk about that a little more later. Take care of Okori now."

Mikal adds a little sadly, "There's so little love left in the world... it's like when they turned from Her, they forgot how." She's silent for a moment, staring down at the fox spirit -- then she nods at Jareth's words and opens her jacket, murmuring gently, "Okori, it should be cool enough to drink now, if you can?" She pours the mug full, holding it in place so the little fox can tilt her small snout into it and easily lap up the tea.

Mikal feels almost drowsy with quiet, comfortable happiness. She's not felt this good -- this safe and secure and... and even loved! -for most of her life. She feels almost like she could stay here forever, if her packmates were willing.

Norris watches Okori drink her tea. He wanted to take her aside, tell her that it wasn't a good idea to flirt with Jareth, now that he and Mikal are getting all cozy...but either the cold is bringing her down, or she already gets that. It's a relief.

Jareth is quiet and thoughtful, watchiing Mikal care for the ill kitsune. He's feeling a little wrung-out but oddly content. It's certainly been quite runaway ride the last few... hours? Days? But now it's calm and there's his odd little family here.

(Log stopped Sun Apr 19 1909 11:31 PM by "BoughGM" at "Bough Soundstage" OOC)

(OOC) Mon Apr 20 1909 09:35 PM by "Mikal" at "Bough Soundstage" (OOC)

While Jareth sat with his head leaning against Mikal's, listening to the sound of his friends and the cold-stricken Okori, his mind wandered. The sensation of Mikal leaning back against him so fearlessly was lovely and his thoughts found their way back to the conversation they'd been having in the little cafe. From there, they easily slid to Norris' assurances that he and Jareth both loved Mikal and something began to niggle at the wannabe-bard's consciousness. Did Mikal still think he simply meant as a packmate. The transition was easy and unnoticed until the sound of a couple laughing together drifted in through the window of the drawing room.

Mikal sighs contentedly, stretching a little before she relaxes back against Jareth again. She reaches out to gently ruffle Raphael's ears as she dreamily murmurs, "Isn't this a nice place? Can I have some more of that lovely sweet wine, please?"

Jareth smiles and murmurs, "Certainment, mon lapin. But... that does mean I'm going to have to let you go."

Mikal hms lazily... then grins, "I can wait!"

Jareth chuckles and sighs again, this time more as an excuse to breathe in the scent of Mikal's hair. "I'm glad to hear that's your decision for the moment. I'm not really inclined to let you go."

Mikal giggles happily, wriggling a bit, "Okay!" She's in an exceedingly good mood, and she's not entirely sure why -- but she doesn't really care just now.

Raphael snorts amusedly, rising and padding silently over to the short side table. He delicately picks up the little wicker wine basket by the handle, coming back to set it down next to the two humans. With an amusedly long-suffering sigh, he flops down next to them again.

Jareth reaches over and ruffles Raphael's ears, murmuring a thank you. He reaches down and pours the wine into Mikal's glass, "I have a question for you, lapin."

Mikal mms contentedly, watching the bright, clear liquid splash into her goblet. At his question her "Mmm?" ends on a questioning note.

He's careful with the amount of the wine. Getting Mikal drunk is not on his agenda tonight, "When I told you I love you, how did you think I meant it?" Jareth's voice is quiet and calm, the young man hoping to keep any trace of nervousness out of it and not wanting to influence the girl with his tone.

Mikal blinks, thinking about that for a moment. She feels a small pang of fright -- is he going to say he doesn't really love her? She has a sip of wine to give herself a bit of time, and to firmly mentally chastise herself: Jareth wouldn't do that! She takes a breath after that, then says in a small voice, "I, um... I'm sorry, Jareth, b-b-but I -- I d-didn't think about it a lot? I was j-just so stunned... and p-p-p- well, no, thrilled, really..." Her voice trails off nervously.

Mikal twirls the wine goblet slowly between her hands, a bit tense.

Jareth's lips brush Mikal's ear and he keeps talking quietly, "You know I didn't mean a... family love, right? I don't love you like a sister. I could treat you as one if you wanted me to or needed me to, though." He catches himself getting distracted by the curve of Mikal's neck and sits back just a little so he can stay focused.

Mikal catches her breath in sudden fright -- not like family?! Is he trying to say he's not really pack? Unsteadily she says, "A-are you t-trying to t-tell me something, Jareth?"

Jareth feels Mikal tense up and his arms tighten around her, brows furrowing, "I am, but I hope it's not scary enough to make your heart race like that." He thinks about that for a moment, "Well, actually, I do very much want to make your heart race, but not because you're afraid. What are you thinking that's making you so scared."

EDITOR: That last is a question.

Mikal hesitates -- will saying it make it happen? No, wait -- she knows better than that. Da always taught her: better to know than live in fear. She takes a deep breath, then says very carefully, "A-are you... are you t-trying to tell me y-you d-don't want to b-b-b-" She sets her goblet aside and clenches her hands together, then says very quickly, "Doyounotwanttobepack?!"

Jareth blinks at that, then blinks again, rolling the last bit back in his mind and carefully going over it. When he parses the meaning, he sits up suddenly, "Mikal! No! That's not what I'm saying!" He keeps his hands on her, mostly because he doesn't want to stop touching her, but partially so she doesn't think he's recoiling.

Mikal gives a small gasp of relief, although she's still tense. "Oh! Oh... kay... so, um... what are you saying, please?"

Jareth takes a deep breath himself and pulls Mikal back against himself once more, "I meant... do you think you could have a honeybee for a mate? Could love and loyalty make up for me wanting to taste the flowers?"

Mikal blinks, thinking about that -- then her breath escapes her in a small, shocked squeak!

Jareth is glad he's behind her when she does that because he's fairly certain she would not have liked the way his eyes crinkled in amusement and affection at the sound of surprise.

Mikal remembers to breath after a while, and there's a small gasp as she does so. She's still wordless, though -- she has utterly no idea how to react! After a few heartbeats of frozen shock she lightly pats Jareth's arms where they're wrapped around her. Her voice is faint, "Am I dreaming?"

Jareth can't help a soft laugh at that, "You've already asked me that, ma petite lapine. And I answered you: Maybe, but we're doing it together if we are."

Jareth thinks hard on how to put this, "Do you remember what I said about honeybees and the hive?"

Mikal says a bit plaintively, "How do we know? I mean, I've d-dreamed this sort of... um..." Her voice trails off nervously again as she realizes she's just confessed something personally embarrassing.

Mikal says, "Uhh..." She hastily (and gratefully) grabs onto the change of subject, "H-hive... uh, no?"

Jareth starts a bit himself at that. She's had dreams of him? That makes him feel warm deep in his stomach and he brushes a kiss against her temple in spontaneous pleasure, "Honeybees like to taste the flowers, all the beautiful blossoms, but at the end of the day, they bring back all that sweetness to the hive. To the queen of the hive."

Mikal brightens in relief, "Oh! Yes, I know that about b-bees..." Her voice trails off again as she realizes the metaphor. In a tiny voice she says, "R-return?"

Jareth sighs and his lips brush Mikal's skin again; the back of her ear and then the side of her neck, "I have... I have tasted a lot of flowers, little rabbit."

Mikal tightens her hands, trying to keep herself from shaking every time he does that, so Jareth doesn't know what his casual kisses do to her. She has a lot of trouble even thinking straight, it feels so wonderful! It hasn't yet registered that it's Jareth she's clinging to as she does that.

Without really realizing what she's revealing, she replies in her small, nervous voice, "I know."

Jareth takes a deep breath and makes himself stop before he moves down to the hollow of her shoulder. And then her reply brings him up short. He starts to worry and then realizes, it's likely a well-known fact, village gossip being what it is, "Does it bother you?"

Mikal thinks a moment, then shakes her head, "N-no. Like Da said, honeybees will be honeybees and wolves are wolves, and each to their own."

Jareth wilts a little bit and clears his throat, "So... you don't think you could have me?"

Mikal turns her head slightly, alertly catching the change in Jareth's demeanor even though she doesn't yet quite understand. "I... I d-don't know, Jareth. That's w-what Da said, b-b-but..." she blinks away a sudden ache of loss for her calm, thoughtfully observant father, and softly finishes, "-but... he's not here, and... and ap-p-p- apparently it w-wasn't real anyways?"

Mikal adds honestly, "I d-don't know how you c-could feel that way about m-me either, for that matter?"

Jareth kisses her forehead this time, saying softly, "If we're real, he was probably real, too. And... I guess it's good advice. I wouldn't want to hurt you. There have been a lot of girls and women and... and you're the first one I couldn't get out of my mind."

Mikal sighs softly and smiles faintly, her eyes going blissfully half closed at the kiss. She ponders Jareth's words for a moment... then innocently asks exactly what floats up in her mind, "Why?

Jareth has to mull that over. Should he list all the amazing things he sees in her? He eventually settles on, "Because I wasn't in love with them. I found them beautiful and deserving of being told that, but it never bothered me when one of them got married or told me no."

Mikal's voice holds a hint of alarm, "Oh, no... I didn't mean to hurt you or anything when I said no, Jareth -- you do know that, yes?"

Jareth laughs quietly, "I know that, Mikal. You don't want to get hurt yourself, and you keep saying it wouldn't be kind to try and trap a honeybee... or something to that effect."

Mikal nods and relaxes a bit, "Capture, yes. It kills them," she smiles faintly, leaning her head back against Jareth, "and... I don't want to see you hurt because of me."

Jareth mulls this over a moment, considering what he feels would be more painful: not having Mikal or not having all the other lovely women that draw his eye. "I think I might have to be a little more... blunt than I like, little rabbit."

Mikal rolls her head slightly to the side against Jareth's shoulder so she can easily look up at him. With relaxed, dreamy curiosity, she reaches up with one hand and traces the outline of his jaw in delicate touches of her fingertips, "Mmm? Okay...?"

Jareth loses track of what he was going to say when Mikal touches him like that and his own eyes go heavy-lidded for a moment. That feels really lovely and he starts to turn his head to kiss her fingertips before he stops himself and drags his attention back to what he's saying, "I want you for my mate, little rabbit. I want to wake up every morning and see you next to me. Every morning. I... I'm just not sure I could resist tasting other flowers from time to time. But I would never, ever abandon you. You'd be my hive. The place where I brought back all that sweetness. My little golden queen." He's distracted himself and the last four words are a little hard to make out since he's saying them with his lips brushing her palm.

Mikal's hand goes still, although it's not clear if that's due to the electrically lovely sensation of his lips against her palm, or to his words. She has time for a delightedly shocked confusion: how can Jareth touching her hand make her insides feel so meltingly wonderful?! -and then she shudders in shocked surprised, squeaking, "M-me?!" Her voice cracks embarrassingly, and she ducks her head against Jareth's shoulder, hiding her face and tucking her hands up between the two of them.

Mikal's voice is nervously muffled as she whispers, "I -- I'm n-not very p-p-pretty and g-g-golden, Jareth -- I'm sorry!"

Mikal's mouth seems to have disconnected itself from her brain, out of sheer shock -- she adds, "H-how d-do you kn-n-now you'd come back, though?"

Jareth makes a noise of disappointment. He was kissing that hand! Then he blinks, registering the squeak and the curled-up posture. She asked a question. Another moment of thinking it over and he says, "You. If you'll have me. I could lie and say my eye would never stray, but..." He has to take a deep breath. It's very tempting to lie, but he has always been truthful with women. He believes they deserve it. And then her protest seeps through and he frowns a little, "Mikal, are you trying to talk me out of loving you or are you telling me no because you're afraid I'll hurt you?"

They're talking over a little bit, but what she says answers his question and he whispers, "If there is any way I can, Mikal, I will come back to you. I promise. I don't make light promises."

Mikal says, "I d-d-d-don't kn-n-n-... I d-don't kn-n-" Her vehement protest turns into a small, frightened, "y-yes?"

Jareth can't help a twitch of his lips and he says, "Which question are you answering, Mikal?"

Mikal shudders, pressing hard against Jareth, not quite burrowing against him. Her fists loosen a bit, turning to clench nervously tight in his shirt, and her head ducks defensively a little more. Breathlessly she whispers, "Th-the last one...?"

Mikal says, "W-were there more? I'm sorry -- I m-missed them if so?"

Carefully, he says, "You're afraid I'll hurt you?"

Mikal has to think about that one a bit. Her rigid muscles loosen up a bit as she does so, and her voice is a little clearer as she answers slowly, "N-no... well, yes. B-but I kn-know you wouldn't do it deliberately... b-but I... I d-don't know how you'd d-do that and still be -- be you, you know?" She hesitates, then adds in wry despair, "I'm sorry, I don't have words!"

Mikal thinks a bit more, then clarifies, "Do that, I mean -- b-be a... a homing honeybee."

Jareth starts to pull himself together to attempt what he told her he'd do. If she doesn't want him or maybe just doesn't feel the same, he'll be her friend. This is beginning to feel very much like a no. Being told no never really bothered him before, even if he very much admired the woman. This, though, makes him feel like he's being hollowed out. "So... you'd rather I just be your packbrother." His arms aren't quite obeying, though. It's starting to feel like literally letting go isn't going to be possible.

Mikal blinks startledly, leaning back enough to look up at Jareth's face. "What? Uh... n-no?!"

Mikal says, "I m-mean... uh, is th-that what you really want now? I, um, I d-didn't mean to be difficult...?"

Jareth takes a deep breath, "What I want, Mikal, is to...." He takes another one and starts over, "What I want, is permission to touch you. Kiss you. Share your bed. Share your life. Can you love me and let me love you? Is being the only woman I've ever ached like this over special enough? You want to know you're amazing and unique?" He shakes his head, "I don't know how many girls I've kissed. How many I've... how many beds I've shared, but not one other woman has made my heart try and skip a beat just hearing her laugh."

With a wry smile, he says, "And I certainly never thought, eagerly, about a real, true mate. The kind you have babies with."

Mikal's rather befuddled mind obligingly starts to count all the girls she's seen Jareth with, so he can know for sure, since that seems to bother him -- but that thought is blown completely and effortlessly away at his last words. A small, "...oh!" escapes her, her mind racing in an effort to comprehend this almost too momentous realization: Jareth likes her -- a lot! No, no, more than that -- he loves her! Her! She gasps for air for a moment at that boggling thought: beautiful Jareth! Babies! Her! Abruptly she feels almost as dizzy as her thoughts, and her laugh is as shocked and startledly wordless as she currently is. She stares wide-eyed up at Jareth for a heartbeat -- then she laughs again, throwing her arms about his neck and eagerly kissing him.

Jareth was watching anxiously as Mikal seemed to be trying to figure out something and he was still mentally girding himself to back off again... and then he's being quite thoroughly kissed. It takes a moment for him to catch up to the current situation, but once he does he wastes no time returning the kiss, arms hugging Mikal close.

Mikal eeks startledly against Jareth's warm lips as he tips over when she nearly flings herself on him -- but when he doesn't seem hurt or upset she giggles and sort of curls up half on him. Her arms are wrapped about his head, fingers tangled in his hair, as she dreamily kisses him. He feels so incredibly nice -- much nicer than in her daydreams!

Jareth doesn't protest beyond a little gasp of surprise at finding himself quite suddenly horizontal. With Mikal half-atop him. But that passes quickly, he is after all quite strongly in favor of horizontal positioning for the most part. And he's definitely in favor of the kissing, which he returns a little less dreamily and a little more hungrily.

Mikal is still very new to this, exploring with her hands and skin and lips how beautiful and wonderful and tingly this all feels!

Jareth lets Mikal explore all she seems to want. His own hands and mouth aren't idle, either, but he is being fairly slow. There's no rush for him, despite his body's quite eager reaction. For each kiss he gets, he gives one in return, making almost a game out of copying Mikal's kisses so she can see how they feel as well as how they make him react. He also lets her set the pace of the caressing, though he does slide his hands almost immediately beneath the back of her shirt, wanting his fingers directly on her skin.

Mikal shivers in mingled excitement and arousal, struggling to keep the wonderful sensations from overwhelming her -- she doesn't want to miss a single second of this bliss! At some point, though, she absently realizes something is occasionally poking her side, getting in her way, and without really considering she tries to push it away with one hip.

Jareth growls softly at the bump of her hip, a pleasant sound and his voice is a little rough-edged as he reaches down to squeeze that same hip. "Careful, lapin... a little pressing is nice, but it will hurt if you bump too hard."

Mikal glances down vaguely -- then squeaks startledly, sliding abruptly off Jareth's side and sitting up abruptly, pushing her dishevelled hair back out of her face, "I'm sorry! I d-didn't realize wh-what it w-wa..." She blushes hotly as she realizes how silly that sounds, and sheepishly adds, "I didn't mean to hurt you...?"

Jareth reaches out, making sure to keep hold of one of Mikal's hands so she doesn't get too far away. He's smiling lazily and looking quite thoroughly disheveled. He's also making no attempt to hide his arousal, "It didn't hurt. But if it had been a little harder, it might have." She knows the teasing tone in his voice as he almost purrs, "I talk forever about love and honeybees and queens and you don't see what I mean, but I say babies and it makes sense?"

Mikal grins shyly as Jareth takes her hand, squeezing gently. At his query she opens her mouth to answer... then pauses, thinking. Finally she says slowly, "Well... not the babies so much as the bit about m-my laughter a-and your, um, your heart..." she looks down at her hands, smiling in quiet joy, "-a-and a real, true mate." She glances shyly sideways at Jareth, still smiling as she adds in explanation, "You're poetic with most of the girls you're with, Jareth, except for the ones that just pounce on you and d-don't give you time to talk, you know?" She looks back at her hands, with Jareth's fingers intertwined with hers as she softly and happily adds, "But... but I've never heard you say things about mates and their laughter and your heart before... to anyone." She grins with rueful mischief directly at him as she adds, "-and I've seen you with a lot of girls, you know?"

Jareth's mental acuity isn't at its best for the moment, what with all the kissing and stroking and... he starts to pull Mikal down for another kiss and then what she just said makes its way through. He pauses and asks carefully, "How many is a lot, sweet rabbit?" By the way she's talking, Mikal has been far more aware of Jareth's exploits than he thought. He also finds himself very, very glad that he's always been honest, even in his flattery.

(Log stopped Tue Apr 21 1909 12:33 AM by "Mikal" at "Bough Soundstage" OOC)

(OOC) Tue Apr 21 1909 07:24 PM by "Mikal" at "Bough Soundstage" (OOC)

Mikal says, "Ummm..." she thinks about that, starting to count on her fingers, but she rapidly gets lost -- did she count that girl already? Who has she forgotten? She doesn't even notice as their environment shifts again, as she tries to count. Finally she says in frustration, "Jareth, it'd be easier to count who you weren't with than who you were -- is that all right?" That's when she looks up and realizes they're back with the others. She blinks, flushing slightly, and adds, "Er... hi again...?""

Norris huhs? "Were you gone?" He looks bemused. Maybe he went away too? Is he even here? He pinches himself, Yep, he's here.

Mikal grins sheepishly at Norris, then looks down to make sure Okori is still in her lap. She absently strokes the kitsune lapping up hot tea, then smiles with silent joy as she strokes Jareth's arm about her middle too.

Norris peers at Mikal. More and more, he feels like he's missing something. "Are you okay? And what's all this about counting who Jareth 'was with', or not with?" he queries, as his hearing catches up with his mind.

Jareth clears his throat, but he really can't argue. What Mikal said is a fair cop, but what an awkward time to transition back to being with their companions. With as much dignity as he can muster, Jareth says, "Mikal has apparently seen a lot more of me than I realized. Sneaky rabbit."

Mikal can do the math easier when she's not the center of attention -- she eventually looks up and says triumphantly, "Got it! Three double-hands, one hand, and a finger." Cheerfully she adds in explanation, "That's how many women and girls I've seen you with, Jair!" Curiously she adds, "Why do you ask?"

Norris stares at Mikal. "That's more girls than I done seen him with, Mikal. Where'd yuh find th' time?"

Mikal looks interested, "How many have you seen him with, Norr?" She's still gently holding the little kitsune, forgetting the audience.

Jareth asks in a sort of amused exasperation, "OK, now I wasn't cavorting in the town square."

Norris pauses. "oh, wait. That's right. I wuz tryin' t' be 'spectful and not butt inta Jair's bizness. Cept he kept hiding in muh shop."

Mikal giggles and patpats Jareth's arm, "Nono, you were never that obvious! But if you're going to use the barns and fields to meet your lovers, you really shouldn't be surprised you were occasionally observed, you know?"

Norris clears his throat. "Well, wuzn't really peepin so much, cept towards the last couple months...but as ah said, wuz helping Jair outa...uh...sticky sitch-e-ations, sometime."

Mikal blinks at Norris's comment, looking a little hurt, "I never butted in! The only times I interrupted were when it would have been dangerous if he didn't stop." She thinks about that, then adds firmly, "And I always interrupted discreetly, like dropping a branch nearby, or tossing pebbles at the wall."

Jareth clears his throat and mutters, "I didn't hide in the shop that much. And at least one time was because my knife snapped trying to get that window open." He's rubbing the back of his neck and then snorts laughter, "I suppose I ought to just say thank you both for saving my hide."

Norris shakes his head. "nuh, nuh. Didn't mean it like that, Rabbit. Just, uh...momma allus tol me not t' be like...uhm." Norris realizes that he's about to commit a social faux pas. "Nivver mind."

Mikal beams up at Jareth from where she's sitting in front of him still, "Of course we took care of you! You were nice even to me, you were such fun to watch! -and the girls always seemed so happy with you!"

Mikal tilts her head puzzledly at Norris, clearly not comprehending.

Jareth smiles wryly, "Not to be like me. It's OK, I'm used to being a bad example." He brushes a kiss against Mikal's shoulder, "Of course I was nice to you. You deserved to have people be nice to you."

Norris clears his throat. "Plus, ah aint stealthy. Ahm jus grateful Big Christa got outta th' way that time I knocked that bale o' hay down atop y'all."

Mikal blushes, ducking her head as she smiles at her lapfull of kitsune.

Jareth snorts and shakes his head, "Christa is a sweet girl. I sort of thought you would be a good match."

Okori is still (mostly) focussed on clearing her sinuses, but at the conversation her head is peeked over the kettle, a little wide-eyed, and half-glancing at Mikal.

Mikal grins in almost conspiratorial glee at Okori, whispering, "They're really nice, aren't they!"

Norris scratches the back of his neck. "Well, ah's gonna bring flowers to her, annat. But then there wuz these khidra, and that Maerlyn fella showing me big world-eatin wasps."

Norris shrugs. "Things nivver do turn out th' way y'd expect."

Jareth smiles crookedly and reaches to see if he can pat his friend's shoulder, "We might go back some day. Or even better, you'll find someone else. Someone here, maybe."

Mikal grins delightedly up at Norris, "Very true! Isn't that neat?!"

Norris hums at Mikal. "Suppose it all depends on circumstances, lil rabbit."

Mikal nods cheerfully, "Yup!" She also reaches out to pat Norris's arm, adding, "Don't worry. At least your pack is still with you."

Norris huhs. "That's be nice, ah bet." he agrees with Jareth. The whole notion of kissing and physical intimacy still mystifies him a bit. But then. he probably just hasn't done it right. It's not like he's had much experience.

Mikal wriggles a little as she realizes she's still feeling quite tingly -- then jumps in startlement as she registers how... close Jareth is! She turns abruptly bright red and freezes, not sure what to do.

Jareth clears his throat and shifts subtly backward, so Mikal can pay attention to Okori. He turns to Norris and says, "I think you wouldn't be satisfied with a village girl after seeing all this, anyway."

Norris blinks. "I wouldn't? Why?"

Norris says, "Do village girls not kiss good enuff?"

Norris says, "Cause, ah mean, Jair seems t' like em."

Mikal relaxes a bit as she's not quite so firmly reminded of Jareth's closeness, and takes a deep breath. She grins, "I think he means you'd only be happy with someone adventurous, like you, Norris!"

Jareth chuckles and nods, "What she said. I think that after seeing Alexandria and Thebes, you'd want a woman that can understand what it's like."

Okori arches a brow at Jareth's comment, then gives a long, languid gri-i-i-in. "I think he means," she says, "that as you start to see more of what the Dreamtime has to offer, you start to see more of the kind of people that interest you more, and you start to adventure more and be involved with... adventuresome people."

Okori adds, "I take it none of you have been to Babylon yet?"

Mikal sighs happily, her eyes almost shining, "Weren't they lovely cities?" She gives Okori an interested look, "No, not yet -- why?"

Norris seems to ponder that. "huh. Mebbe right, ah spose." he admits.

Jareth has a thought and looks at Okori, "Is there a Paris here?"

Mikal blinks in a bit of surprise as it registers, "Whoa... that's... odd. I was... mostly comfortable in those places!" She considers, then adds wistfully, "They felt a bit like home."

Norris looks sharply at Mikal. "Wait...yew felt comfertable in cities? Since when?"

Okori smiles to Mikal. "Just wondering. Babylon is a city of many facets. An ancient center of religious worship and study. A place of learning and civilization. And a place where some quarters of it have a reputation of showing you things you will never see anywhere else in the Dreamtime."

Okori blinks at Jareth, tilting her head. "Paris... Paris... Pah-ree.... For some reason it's familiar but if there is such a city I've not been there."

Mikal shakes her head to Norris, "No, not comfortable. But they felt a little more... right, if that makes sense? All warm and relaxed and peaceful and happy, with beautiful, elaborate buildings and decorations and clothing, you know?"

Norris huhs. "OKies. Ah kin kinda get that."

Norris squirms a little. "Alexandria dun made me uncomfertable at times. Folks showin off more o' their bodies than ahm used to."

Jareth is a little disappointed, but says, "That's too bad in a way."

Mikal brightens at Okori's words, "Really? But not as dangerous as Uluru, then?" She looks a bit wistful, "Is it near Mount Meru by any chance? Maybe we could stop by on the way there?" A bit bemusedly she adds, "Why does that name sound familiar? Did someone mention it in association with Mordred or something?"

Mikal blinks at Jareth, "What's too bad?"

Jareth shakes his head, "Nothing important. I'm more curious about Babylon."

Mikal giggles a little at Norris's words, but doesn't mention the sudden flash she remembers: slender, bare-breasted women with long, wavy hair down their backs and multiply layered, brilliantly colored skirts singing and dancing in solemn, joyous procession... she blinks, startled at the vividness of the image, and nods uncertainly to Jareth.

Okori shakes her head. "Uluru is the center of much of the wierdness of the Dreamtime, and it's chaotic and magical and wondrous and frightening and amazing and scary, all at once. It's a wild place that does not follow the demands and desires of the conscious mind." She considers for a moment. "Babylon can expose you to the heights of human beauty and nobility and decadence, all in the same city."

Mikal looks puzzled, "Are they... bored or something there?"

Jareth finds he's more relaxed than he's been in days and he's got his ears open for Okori's stories about Babylon.

Mikal says, "And is Babylon in Uluru then?" Uncertainly she adds, "That... sounds, um... wrong, to me? -although I d-don't know w-why?"

Norris is quiet as Okori talks...she's using lots of big words, and yes he understands it all. It still scares him...but it also intrigues him. Maybe he is more adventurous, after all.

Okori says, "In Babylon? Heavens, no, dear. Babylon is a city of mortal dreams and desires. I suppose some might consider it a buffet of human emotions. No, Babylon is on the slopes of Mount Zion, but they owe no allegiance to the Architect. Theirs is a city that is ancient, when mortals worshipped a multitude of gods, and they have always resisted being turned to the Architect.

Mikal blinks, then whispers, "M-maybe w-we shouldn't go there, then... let's not draw the angels down on us..." She takes a breath, then adds fairly steadily, "O-our next stop is g-going to be Mount Meru, to talk to the rakshasa! We're hoping the Tigernmus will travel with us."

Okori laughs softly, "The angels have never been able to bring down Babylon. The stopped trying ages ago. Every time they thought they cast it down, at the next Dawn it was there again, alive and bright and gorgeous in the light.

Mikal blinks interestedly at that, "Huh! Well, good for them!" She checks the mug, then looks pleased, "Oh, good, you drank almost all of it. I'll leave the herb packet for you too, all right, and you can re-use it for more tea?"

Norris checks on Okori, reaching out and giving her a scritch. "Is it workin', Lady Fox? Feelin better?"

Mikal looks around curiously, wondering how they'll find Tigernmus. He's got to be somewhere in the Winter Palace area, at least. She hopes he'll consent to travel with them.

Okori rrrrs comfortably, half-closing her eyes with the scritching. "Oh, yes. I thin it worked well, thank you very much!"

Jareth asks the almost-drowsing kitsune, "Are you going to try and travel with us or go to Mt. Fuji on your own?"

Norris looks all pleased at Okori's expression of enjoyment.

Okori stifles a yawn. "Mmmm... I think I'll go there on my own. And perhaps sooner. Kitsune are notoriously shy and secretive," she even manages to say this with a straight face, "and I wouldn't want to scare them off, as much as I would love your company!"

Norris blinks. "We's scary, Okori?" He sounds hurt.

Mikal giggles, rising carefully and turning to settle the drowsy kitsune into the hollow tree. She thinks a bit, then smiles and lays her quilted jacket over Okori as well, to keep the little foxkin warm.

Jareth can't help a quiet chuckle at Okori's description of kitsune, and he wonders if she's atypical or if she's just being funny.

OKori laughs, brushing her tail against Mikal's cheek. "oh, heavens no, dear! But kitsune normally shy away from anyone they don't know! Normally."

Norris ohs. "Okies. Ah kin unner stand that."

Mikal giggles again and gently tucks Okori's tail under the jacket too, "Stay warm and get better, all right?" She lays the little herb packet nearby, then gets her friends to help her carefully put out the little fire and wash up her utensils. She whispers to them, "Stay quiet, and maybe she can get some sleep!" as they're heading off together.

Jareth nods at the suggestion and reaches in carefully to ruffle Okori's ears, "Be careful in your travels, lovely."

Okori says drowsily, "An' you be safe in yurs, as well, dear." She yawns hugely. "Try an' not to tire out Jareth too quickly," she says, right before she dozes off completely.

Mikal giggles softly, but waits until they're well away before she shyly slips one small hand into Jareth's, and the other into Norris's hand -- at which point she skips happily a few steps between them! "So, any guesses on where we might find the Tigernmus?"

Norris squeezes Mikal's hand. "Not really, nope. Yur the one what knows about him, annat." He looks over at Jareth, tilting his head... "Is it just me, or are yew happier than normal. lil Rabbit?"

Jareth gives Mikal's hand a warm squeeze and chuckles a little as Mikal sort of propels them back toward the Palace, "Well, he came as an emissary. Maybe Rowan would know? I'm sure he came to visit the Throne."

Mikal nods up at Norris, momentarily wordless and with shining eyes -- then she glances back at Jareth and nods again, "All right, palace next then!"

Norris smiles back at Mikal, and keeps her hand in his...but he's abruptly thinking that they need to have a fourth man with them. Plus a little dog.

Mikal heads with her wonderful pack to the palace, almost skipping much of the way there. She feels fantastic, but isn't sure how to share that. Still, her packmates all seem to be in good moods too, so she's not worried.

The trip to the palace takes a little while, but shortly the group is going through the front gate, to the map room where Rowan is almost always found. The druid is there, and she smiles quietly as she sees the group. "Did Armaros answer your questions?" she asks.

Jareth seems content to follow along with Mikal, Norris and Raphael for the moment. He knows the travel through the Wyld isn't going to be easy, but he's looking forward to meeting the stolid Tigermnus again.

Norris clears his throat at mention of Armaros. "Yuh. Ah mean, when we wuzn't bein all..." He trails off. There's no good answer to that. "Nivver mind. We's lookin fer Tigernmus, if yew please?"

Mikal nods thoughtfully, "Some of them, yes. As many as he could, at least." She smiles, adding, "'Scuse us for butting in, but do you know if the Tigernmus is here still? We'd like to go to Mount Meru with him, if he's willing?"

Mikal giggles at Norris again.

Rowan purses her lips. "Yes, he's occasionally gone outside the walls while you've been away, but currently he is back. I heard he was in Icewall Village earlier today, he may still be there."

Mikal wrinkles her nose, but nods once, "All right. Thank you, Seneschal. Is there anything we can do for you while we're here?"

Norris suddenly perks. "Wait, a min, we's fergettin. Jair needs himself a new suit. Ah gots t' ask the folks in the forge about that."

Norris looks at the goatheard. "Ah's kin teach yew how t' wear the armor on th' way, but makin in, ah needs advice first."

Jareth looks resigned and nods to Norris.

Mikal blinks at Norris confusedly -- then grins, "Oh, right!" She looks back at Rowan and does a hasty curtsey, "Um, we'll get out of your hair then, thank you!" She heads out with her friends, giggling at Jareth's expression.

Norris head tilts. "What's wrong wi' wearing armor, muh friend? Don't ya wanna be safe, an not kilt?"

As they walk, Mikal stands on tiptoes to whisper to Jareth, "Is your head better now, Jareth?"

Jareth chuckles and shrugs, saying to Norris, "It's hard to climb out a window when you're wearing anything heavy. It's just a habit. I'll get used to it." He looks down at Mikal and laughs, hugging her one-armed, "I'm a little more settled in my mind, yes."

Icewall Village is as it was the last time, quiet and mildly bustling. It's interesting to compare the various villages that they have seen: Snowcrest looked to be made from driftwood, while Jericho was made of bricks of clay. Icewell appears, on close inspection, to be made from finely-wrought timbers and arches that suggest a building style so very used to blizzards and strong winds. In fact as the group approaches the village on the deosil side of the palace, it begins to snow.

Mikal beams and hugs Jareth back, whispering, "Can we still talk more later, since you want to be private?"

Jareth laughs quietly and whispers against Mikal's temple, "We can talk more later if you'd like, lapin."

Mikal nods firmly, "Yes, please! I want to make sure I do things right, because, um..." she blushes, "I, uh, n-never expected to act-t-tually m-mate?"

Norris shakes his head. "Yew dinna need t' be climbin out windows any more, Jair. Yew got Mikal." he assures. And then he stops, in mid step. "I did *not* just say that."

Mikal shivers as they walk through the snow, then mutters, "Need to make another warm jacket..." She blinks up at Norris at that, "Er... he does? You didn't?"

Jareth is engaged in battle with his lips. They keep wanting to twitch upward at how sweetly earnest Mikal is. He loses the battle at Norris' comment and actually laughs, shaking his head. He's going to let the other two work this out. His eyes are on the sturdy construction of the village and, incidentally, looking out for a pub sign. It's the best place to get information of certain sorts.

Norris looks frozen, and not because of the cold. "uhhh..." He looks around, for something, anything, for a distraction. "Hey!, Ah wonder where Iron Antlers is?!"

Mikal looks puzzled, "Wait, what's Iron Antlers got to do with Jareth?!"

Excellent question. Norris has no answer.

Norris puts his face in his hands. "Ahm startin t' hate this thing where my mouth is out runnin mah brain."

Mikal pauses, then shakes her head, "Hold on -- I'm freezing!" She concentrates for a moment to create herself another nice, warm quilted jacket... then sighs in relief, "Much better!" She takes her friends' hands again, smiling at Norris, "It's all right, Norris. It's just that Jareth isn't a wolf -- he's a honeybee, you know? It's me that's more the wolf looking for a mate."

Norris uncovers his face. "Huh?" Unlike Jareth, he hasn't been privy to all these metaphors.

Norris shakes his head. "So, wait...you an he aint...yannow?"

Norris puts both his hands together and kind of twines his fingers meaningfully.

Mikal carefully explains the metaphor as the foursome walk along through the village to the pub. It helps that it's so cold and snowy, and she's with her friends -- there are fewer strange people out to stare disconcertingly at her. Still, she'll be happy to be out of the village soon.

Norris listens, and his face lights up as he seems to get it. "Ah see." His face falls. "Sorta. So does that mean you is together? or no?"

Jareth admits, "We got sidetracked in the discussion."

Norris says, "Cause if it's me, ah already saids t' him that ah wants yuh t' be happy!"

Mikal smiles shyly and nods.

Norris uhs. "Ah could go somewheres else? Dun wanna get in the way of conversationing. Or mebbe we shoul' find Tigernmus first."

Jareth says, "We've got plenty of time to talk. Let's find Tigernmus."

Mikal grins and hugs Norris tightly, as high as she can reach on him, "You should be happy too, Norr!" She grins up at Jareth, taking both their hands again, "It's all right, silly -- Jareth wants to talk later in private, he said."

Jareth grins at Norris, "He's even bigger than you." And so he carefully sidesteps the niggling thought that he can't ask Mikal to not taste a few flowers herself.

Mikal blinks, "Who- oh! The Tigernmus, right!" She skips happily in place a few steps between both young men again, then adds, "There's the pub! I don't hear any shouting yet, though?"

Norris's brow knits. "Ah is happy, Mikal! Or ah wills be. Once this all gets sorted out."

Mikal nods gravely as she holds the pub door open for Raphael, murmuring, "Shake off the snow before you go in please, Raph?" She looks up at Norris as he does so, completely uncaring of the wet bits flying around as he shakes vigorously, and adds, "Me too! I've had just about enough of these annoying spider-wasps and that irritating bad god."

Norris grimaces. "Well, wun thing at a time, hey?" he comments, wiping off bits of Raph-snow. "Makin yew and Jair happy is easy. Gettin rid o' wasps and gods is harder."

The inside of the pub seems, somehow, typically alfar, generally of polite mien and not as crude as the pubs in Jericho or Snowcrest. In fact, it's a little disturbing considering that the group expected shouting from the presence of Tigernmus. No, instead, Tigernmus is quite comfortably seated at a table, quaffing ale and speaking with a group of about half a dozen mortals of various stripes. There is no fighting, no challenges, no arm-wrestling that becomes arm-throwing.

Mikal blinks -- then grins at Norris, "Aww, that's sweet, Norris, but you don't have to worry about us that way!" She carefully closes the door behind them all to keep the warmth in, then looks around interestedly.

Norris hmphs. "Yer pack, as yew keep sayin. Fella's gotta be concerned 'bout pack."

Norris blinks as he takes note of the large Tigernmus. "Uh. Hum. Yep, that's big."

Mikal thinks about that, then nods happily, "Good point!" She heads on over to the table Tigernums is at, adding politely, "Hello again, Sir Tigernmus. How are you? Were you still interested in traveling in the Wyld with us? We need to go to Mount Meru, if so?"

Jareth is just a bit surprised at the boldness displayed by Mikal.

Mikal has enough forethought to stop well out of lunging reach of the huge man, and is careful her pack is still at her back. She feels thrillingly confident, though, oddly enough... she's loved1

Tigernmus, however, seems relaxed, and not prone to lunging at anyone at the moment. Neither is he drunk. "Ah, Rabbit, I believe, isn't it?" he asks cheerfully. "So good to see you again! Mount Meru, you say?"

Mikal blinks -- she's already started thinking of that name as an affectionate one, so it startles her momentarily to hear it from the huge stranger. Then she remembers and smiles shyly, nodding once and taking her friends' hands again as they come up next to her.

Norris looks askance at the large man, unfamiliar with him, but trusting his friend's words. "Well, we wuz goin to th' Wyld, first...but now we wants t' be talking t' the Rakshasa on th' way."

Mikal nods, leaning against the closest packmember, "Wyld's on the way there, yes?"

Jareth is quite happy to have Mikal's hand back in his own. Without even realizing it, his face lights up and he nods to Tigernmus, "Our little Rabbit is quite enthusastic for the trip."

Mikal beams unwittingly up at Jareth, then nods happily to the big mortal.

Mikal thinks a moment, then curiously adds, "Is there a way to... to fly over the Mirror or something?"

Tigernmus purses his lips, looking quite interested. "Yes, I imagine you could certainly ask the Virgilim for a ride... though going past the wall would require opening a sally port. The alfar are loathe to do that."

Mikal looks interested, "The what-y?"

Jareth is distracted, looking down at Mikal and thinking that he's feeling oddly at ease. He had always thought that the idea of a mate, not just a playmate but a lifemate would scare him. But this is far, far from scary.

Tigernmus says, patiently, "Sally ports. Doors in the wall surrounding the Mirror."

Mikal is absently stroking Jareth's hand, clasped around hers, with her free hand as she interestedly watches the other mortals. She's not thrilled at how many there are, and how many are watching them... but having her pack there helps. Actually, knowing she's loved makes her feel weirdly fearless every once in a while too -- like she could bare fangs even bigger than Raphael's if anyone threatened her beautiful mate and pack!

Mikal grins, shaking her head, "Nono, what are Vergilim, please?"

Norris is about to ask what Tigernmus meant too, but Mikal beat him to it. perhaps that's the reason that he notices everyone else around nod when the big mortal mentions the reluctance of the Alfar to open the sally ports. "But they dun let us in and out, before. Or are y's talking about onlee th' sally ports t' the Mirror?"

Mikal smiles faintly as she notices several of the folks there nodding at Tigernmus's assertion about the aelfar and reluctance regarding sally ports. That's no surprise, though -- she's already seen that herself.

Mikal says, "No, I think he means over the wall to the Wyld, Norr?"

"Oh, you can find them all over the palace grounds if you look for them. Hard to miss -- long sinewy dragon-like creatures." To Mikal and Norris he nods. "The alfar are very... conscious, of their security, I've found. They wouldn't want to allow any entrance or exit through the wall that they couldn't... secure.

Mikal straightens in startlement, "Oh! The flying lizards, yes?" She whispers to Jareth, "What was Merlyn's friendly monster's name again, do you remember?"

Norris looks bemused. "What's th' problem with securin Sally ports?"

Tigernmus explains, "Only that once someone passes through them, they need to be secured behind them. Else it's an opening into the area surrounded by the wall. Given time, I'm sure a large enough force could slip through and make their way around the inside of the wall to the Winter Palace... eventually."

Jareth blinks, trying to remember Maerlyn's companion's name, but much has happened since then.

Mikal says pragmatically, "Well, of course they're careful. Who wants the enemy in your own home?"

Jareth blinks as the type of creature he is nudges his memory, "Virgil."

Mikal brightens, "Yes, that's it!" She beams proudly at Jareth, adding, "You're a great bard -- thank you!" After a thoughtful moment she adds, "You're the most convincing person I know, Jair. Do you think you could talk him into giving us a ride?"

Jareth says, "I... could try. Though I don't know what would most convince them."

Mikal looks inquiringly at Tigernmus, "Do you know?"

Tigernmus shakes his head, "I'm afraid I've no experience with the dream-serpents. I wouldn't know the first thing on how to convince them to do anything."

(Log stopped Tue Apr 21 1909 10:41 PM by "BoughGM" at "Bough Soundstage" OOC)

(OOC) Wed Apr 22 1909 06:37 PM by "Mikal" at "Bough Soundstage" (OOC)

Between one breath and the next, Mikal and Jareth are in the cozy little Parisian apartment. The fire that always seems to be burning is crackling and the sweet wine that Mikal likes is awaiting her in one of the simple goblets. The goatherd and the girl from the forest are sitting together on the small settee, just close enough to touch hands if they wish.

Mikal blinks a little startledly, looking around -- then giggles, "I think we must like this dream! We keep coming back to it!" She peeks under the settee, then sits up with a pleased look -- Raphael's snoozing there underneath, good.

Jareth chuckles and shrugs, "I feel comfortable here. And now it's got lovely memories associated with it." He grins as Mikal bends over abruptly to check for Raphael, reaching over to brush her hair back behind her ear.

Mikal grins delightedly at Jareth's words, barely resisting the urge to nearly bounce in place. She flushes slightly in pleasure at the touch, glancing away a bit self-consciously -- then perks up, "Oh! J-jareth, c-can we talk, er, is it all right t-to, um..." She blushes as her voice trails off uncertainly, adding softly, "I, um... have a question, please?"

Jareth shifts in his seat so that his back is against the arm of the settee and he's looking at Mikal, carefully keeping his hands to himself after the brushing of her hair, "Of course we can talk. You can ask any question you'd like."

Mikal thinks a moment, trying to figure out how to phrase the jumble of delight and confusion roiling around in her head. She shifts to give herself a bit more time to think, settling cross-legged and mostly facing Jareth -- she's still not quite registered that he likely wouldn't mind at all her leaning against him! She clasps her hands loosely in her lap and says carefully, "I, um, I've been trying to think of all the girls and women you were with -- if any of them asked the questions I have -- b-but I can't recall any, s-so, so, um, so I'm a little uncertain how t-to, er, to do this, you know? S-so, um... well, like... um... wh-what next? I mean... h-how does one d-do mating, w-when, when we're um... way out in dreams like th-this?"

Mikal says, "Umm... a-and w-what should I do, to make sure I d-don't like get in your w-way or anything w-when you want t-to um, to... t-t-to be a honeybee? And, er, I, um, if we d-don't need to sleep any more, I, uh, h-how d-do we let each other know we, er, we w-w-want to, to, um..." she turns bright red, waving a hand, "er... you know?""

Jareth tips his head to the side as Mikal asks her questions, at first wondering if she's asking a question about how one goes about the act of sex, but discarding that upon realizing she's apparently been quite observant. He nods, letting her know he's listening as he says, "Next, we continue what we came here for. We hunt down and kill the spider-wasps. And we do it together. And with Raphael and Norris. I've never had a mate before, so I don't know how any more than you do."

Mikal gives a small, impatient 'pouf!' of air, blowing her curling bangs out of the way for a moment. She grins a bit embarrassedly at Jareth, "Um, Jair, I meant regarding sex?"

Jareth leans forward and carefully takes one of Mikal's hands, "As for not being in my way, mon lapin, I don't think you will be for a while. Not truly. I admit that I flirt almost as automatically as I breathe, but..." He laughs at her impatience, "That part's easy."

Mikal blushes a bit, still grinning embarrassedly, "Well, I guess... I mean, now that I'm thinking about it, I suppose just continuing with what I did before would work just as well, yes?" She pauses, considering, then curiously asks, "Did you really not realize you were being watched?"

She grins, "A lot?"

Jareth leans forward, one hand on the back of the settee, the other reaching for Mikal's face. As he leans, his head tilts slowly until it's at just the right angle to keep their noses from bumping together and finally his lips brush hers after her last question, "No, I honestly didn't know I had an audience so much of the time. I was trying to discreet." He can't help the mischief in his voice as he says, "Was it at least pleasant to watch?" He's still leaning forward, making no move to settle back.

Mikal blinks as Jareth leans towards her, but makes no move to pull away. Her eyes widen a bit as his face gets really close, but by the time he brushes his lips over hers, her storm-gray eyes are half closed and she looks rather dazed. She doesn't move at all for a few heartbeats, her only motion the tip of her tongue running lightly over her lips, as if she were savoring the touch of the gentle kiss... then she murmurs relaxedly, "...uh? Oh, mmhmm!" Almost purringly she adds, "Very nice to watch... kinda tingly, y'know?"

Jareth nods, pulling back just far enough to look at Mikal's face, smiling in a very satisfied and knowing way at the expression. "As tingly as this?" The next kiss brushes the hollow of Mikal's shoulder, "And if you think on it, I believe you'll know the answer to the question of how to know..."

Mikal shivers at the gentle kiss, a small, "oh!" escaping her. She grabs for one of Jareth's hands, holding on as if it keeps her from floating giddily right up into the air. She sits quite still for a moment after that, her gaze far away and her lips slightly parted, trying to collect herself a bit. There was something else... oh, right! She whispers distractedly, "C-could we, um... I d-don't want to be... to be... I d-d-don't want to squish you by accident, y-you know? S-so I thought, I th-th-thought, um... c-could we t-try handfasting, say? A year and a day, you know? A-and th-that way, if-f-f you -- if y-you d-decide th-th-thi- er, it'll g-give us time to learn together if this w-works, you know?" She sort of rushes through the last bit, as if she's having trouble getting the words out.

Jareth realizes that Mikal is doing her best to continue asking questions and he settles back, letting her keep hold of his hand. "I thought you meant a physical squishing. I was going to assure you that you'd have to try very hard to do that. Is the ceremony important to you?"

Mikal says, "N-no, I meant like capturing, you know?" She thinks a moment, then says honestly, "Well, I would like at least us to be sure what we mean, please?"

Jareth looks down at the joined hands and thinks on that for several minutes. It's an important thing, and not something he himself might have thought of doing. His brows crease slighly during the thinking. To him, it still feels strange to think of wanting to have someone by his side for the rest of his life.

Finally, he nods, "If you want. Yes."

Mikal waits silently for Jareth to think. At his comment she tilts her head curiously, "What would you like, Jair?"

Jareth has to think on that one himself, "For us?" His eyes are still on the joined hands, "I want to know that somewhere, you are there."

Mikal smiles in quiet happiness at that, stroking her free hand lightly over Jareth's clasped hand with hers. She considers a bit, then adds quietly, "What do you think of handfasting?"

Jareth smiles quietly and finally raises his head to meet Mikal's eyes, "I never thought about it before. But I think that if it would make you happy, it will make my heart sing."

Mikal considers a moment, then reaches her free hand up to gently brush her fingertips against the warm skin of Jareth's cheek and lips, "Jareth... what do you think of when you say 'mated'? What does it mean to you?"

Jareth turns his head to kiss Mikal's fingertips, "It means that I think of you first. I always return to you. One day, children. When I am old, it will be you sitting with me and watching grandchildren swarm."

Mikal smiles at that, her perplexity evaporating. Her voice is soft, "All right. I still would like to give it a -- a year and a day, or wh-whatever passes for that here, s-so you can ch-change your mind if y-y-you need to... but..." she takes a deep breath, then makes herself look Jareth straight in the eyes, "Y-yes!" She can't help her beaming or the slightly giddy feeling, or the way her eyes are shining, but then she's not really aware of it either -- she feels like she could float on air at this point!

Jareth didn't realize he was holding his breath until Mikal's face lights up and he lets it out in a triumphant whoop and surges forward to kiss the girl again. If she doesn't resist, she's going to find herself pressed back against the arm of the settee.

Mikal gives a startled, half-laughing squeak! -and wriggles down enough in Jareth's arms that she's comfortable and supported by the settee. After that, though, her arms wrap contentedly about Jareth's neck. She intends to pay very blissfully close attention to learning as much as she can from Jareth -- about cuddling, about kissing, and later... about making love the way she's always seen but never thought she'd get to experience for herself.

[Previous Log] [Index] [Next Log]

Last modified: 2008-Oct-04 19:17:18

All material on this site is
Copyright © 2008-2024 Reality Fault
unless specifically indicated on each document.
All Rights Reserved.
Administrated by Reality Fault Webmaster