(Untitled)

[barn_owl_king]

Jareth is lounging on one of the couches, sipping a glass of wine.

Ages ago, when he had been a mere Goblin Prince, he had always gotten excellent marks in lounging. His tutor had often praised him for his style and languor. He has only gotten better at it as time has passed.As long as he stays entertained, he stays young and strong; it's only

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[coreenfennel]

And lo, Coreen and her unfortunately dressed baby are sitting not far from the Goblin King, though she's not noticed.

Poor Evan and his red and white striped onesie!

[barn_owl_king]

Poor Evan, indeed.

And poor Coreen.

But it's more the baby that has his attention at the moment.

"He looks very small."

[coreenfennel]

Coreen's brain has just imploded.

Give her a minute.

Okay. Now, she can think again. She and Hedwig are going to have a long talk about irony.

Her face is bright red. "Uh, he's brand new. Just a few days old..."

[barn_owl_king]

She and Hedwig can have a nice long talk, after poor Hedwig has recovered from her own encounter with Jareth.

"...well, he'll grow into it," he says. "I don't suppose you're looking to get rid of him, are you. He looks cared-for."

[coreenfennel]

Lucky girl.

She looks up at him, astonished. It's uncanny, really...

"No, no I don't think I want to get rid of him. I just had him a few days ago, and we're happy with him. Thanks?"

[barn_owl_king]

"Well, if you change your mind."

It's more than uncanny. It's fantastic. And also sparkly.

"A lot of people used to be eager to get rid of them. Not so many anymore. But our goblin population isn't in any danger of dying out, at least."

[coreenfennel]

"If I change my mind, I'm sure I'll come find you."

She might come find him, even if she doesn't change her mind.

"I've forgotten my manners. I'm Coreen Fennel." She dips her head slightly.

Mmmm, sparkly.

She may be accidentally glancing at his Area.

It's unavoidable, after all.

[barn_owl_king]

It has its own gravitational pull, scientists have determined.

"Jareth," he says with a polite nod, "King of the Goblins. A pleasure to meet you."

He sips his wine.

"Is that what all children wear, in your world?"

[coreenfennel]

Coreen's eyes close briefly as a smile spreads slowly across her face. "The pleasure's all mine, really."

I mean...it's Jareth...how could you not want to meet him?

"Uh, this? Well, onesies, yeah, they wear a lot...but the stripes...well, it was sort of a joke from a friend of mine..." That turned out to hold a lot more irony than was intended.

[barn_owl_king]

"I knew a child once who dressed exactly like that," he says. "But that was some time ago."

A pause, and a raised eyebrow.

"He has a tail."

[coreenfennel]

"Toby? Yeah, that was...sorta Hedwig's point."

No use being shy about it, right?

She nods. "Yep, a tail. His father is half squirrel, and so is he."

[barn_owl_king]

"You know Toby?" he asks.

Another sip of wine.

"And Hedwig?"

Everyone must know everyone, in this place.

"Half-squirrel. Surely, then, you wouldn't mind him becoming all goblin."

[coreenfennel]

She shakes her head. "Not Toby, per se. Not personally. I know the story, as it goes in my world."

She calls a waitrat for a glass of apple juice.

"Hedwig I know. She's a dear friend of mine."

Well, some circles are closer than others, of course.

"Uh, actually, Your Highness, I would mind. I like him this way, thank you."

[barn_owl_king]

"It's the book, isn't it," he says, slouching elegantly into the couch.

It's always the book, or so he thinks.

"Hedwig is an interesting woman. The first one I met when I came here, in fact."

He studies the baby, from his epic lounging position.

"I thought as much. Still, half-squirrel is a novelty."

[coreenfennel]

"Yeah, I guess you could say that. Can't believe everything you read?"

And apparently can't dismiss it either.

"Interesting isn't the half of it. She's amazingly sweet. I'm glad she was your introduction to Milliways." Well, mostly...she does have a very healthy dose of inappropriate.

Evan doesn't approve very much of this man, or so one could believe at the fact that he sneezes and gurgles at him. Apparently he doesn't like all this 'turning into a goblin' talk much.

"He's perfect as he is, I think. And his daddy does too."

She scritches him behind the ear softly.

[barn_owl_king]

"She has a... unique sense of humor," he says, "and she's not a bad singer. Certainly enthusiastic. Decent company for an evening."

Entertaining to... play with, also, though he isn't going to say that.

"Well, if you change your mind. Or if you know someone else who's looking to get rid of a potential goblin."