If there is glitter I will be cross

[bloodsong1]

The Goblin King was in a Mood. Eric had laughed, Javere had declared it all his fault when it clearly WASN'T, damn RW the Reluctant Writer, and Norrington had suggested he leave before Eric noticed the copious amounts of glitter his Mood was creating. Snarling under his breath, he transported to the Esher Room to sulk and pout and curse his fate. Fifteen minutes of solitary tantrums gave him an idea. Swirling his wrist just so, he called up RW's current dream. Smirking, he reached in and yanked the exasperating woman across the Void to him. She stumbled, shook herself and looked around.

"Huh." He stared at her. That was it? What was wrong with this Writer? Her eyes fell on him and she sighed before bowing politely.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this hijacking?" She asked. He folded his arms and glared at the top of her head.

"You are here to answer for your crimes."

"Please forgive this small mortal for not understanding. What are these crimes?" Jareth wanted to kick a goblin or ten. What was RW DOING?

"Look me in the face when I speak, small mortal." She straightened, rolled her shoulders back and met his gaze. She was not frightened enough for his taste. He stalked closer and loomed over her, easy when she was so short. Her head slid back, following his order.

"You, insufferable witch, are guilty of outrageous and illicit acts against the Royal Person, being overly forward with the future Goblin Queen and damaging the Royal Reputation. How do you plead?" With every infraction he caused shadows to swirl and surround her. She blinked a few times, a faint smile on her lips. This was not the proper reaction!

"How do you plead?" He growled, adding a bit of cold wind to tease her hair. She blinked again, the smile getting merrier. "Answer Me!"

"I'm sorry, I can't get the image of you and Eric dueling to Rock Band out of my head. This judgement costume fits that scene so well." Jareth scowled.

"Did you never learn to fear me?"

"Not really. Why should I fear a Muse?"

"I can withhold your dreams. I can unleash so many plot bunnies your synapses will be shredded. I can give you such nightmares as to make losing your husband a joyous occasion." She scowled at him.

"I do not fear you. I do love you. I won't do as you say and you're not my slave. I'm not your slave either." Jareth froze as the words washed over him. The shadows retreated and he took a step back. Her head moved with him and she smiled.

"What have you done?" He whispered. She shrugged, walked to the edge of the landing and sat down, kicking her feet back and forth and looking at the staircases.

"I don't know how long Pika and Ashe are going to toy with you. You deserve the words." She looked over her shoulder and patted the stone beside her. "Come sit, Your Grace. Let's us two broken souls enjoy a moment of shared misery." Jareth sighed, his black Judgement costume fading into his preferred gray and white and leather. He waited a full two minutes before joining her, just to prove it was really his idea. She smirked at him before going back to the vortex of stairs.

"Explain yourself, RW." She shrugged.

"I miss him. My six inch valley is about four inches, thanks to time and my friends. And counseling. And drugs. One of the biggest things I miss is hearing those words. I don't even have the recording anymore. I still think you're more archetype then lover, but given how much power words have in your story, I thought it might help. Especially since I mean it."

"Yes, I felt that." Jareth pulled a crystal to juggle. "You're a very strange woman, RW."

"Does this make up for the outrageous actions to your person?" Jareth tossed the crystal at her. She batted it towards the other side and he dispelled it before it could shatter.

"No."

"It was worth it. Did Sarah enjoy it?"

"She slapped me."

"At least tell me it was a good kiss." He scowled at her. She looked at him, shrugged and went back to the view. "Good for you."

"Reluctant Writer, I pass judgement on you. You shall dream thirteen dreams of my choosing. I will not be kind."

"Fair enough. No killing me."

"That depends on you."

"Okay." The pair sat in strangely comfortable silence. RW occasionally nuzzled his shoulder with her head. The fourth time she did, he pushed her over the edge. She rolled to watch him as she fell and waved before disappearing. He sighed.

"A broken heart has room for me. How empty."