Application for Jherek Carnelian (Moorcock's 'Dancers at the End of Time' saga)

[he_was_born]

An attractive young man, quite unusually dressed, stumbled directly thought the wall of the Sorting room. His outfit was a perfect replica of a fashion popular in the late 19th century, in an unexciting color of grey, which in itself was not unusual. What was strange was that it was a very proper woman's dress, close-fitting jacket, a white, lace-

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[raistlin_red]

His entrance was heralded only by the tapping of a staff on stone and a raspy, lingering cough. A slim figure, robed entirely in red stood in the doorway of the Sorting Room. Raistlin pushed his hood back, "There is no Lord Jagged here. In fact, like the rest of us, you are quite far from your home."

[he_was_born]

The unusual appearance of the mage wasn't at all odd to Jherek, as in his day, people looked however they wanted to. Golden skin and hourglass eyes would have been quite tame, really. All in all, the man's selection of identity appeared to be quite aesthetic and in very good taste. Jherek offered the man a smile, and asked, "Do you know where Jagged is, then? And where we are? Do I know you? Perhaps you've altered your appearance since the last time we met. Is this yours?" he swept his hand around the room to indicate the area. "It's extremely well-done, as is your ensemble." Jherek was full of questions, but, he felt that a complement was necessary in order to avoid appearing rude.

[raistlin_red]

Raistlin arched a thin brow. The young man was not only unfazed by his situation, he.. complimented him? His appearance was met with many things; shock, scorn, discomfort.. but never a compliment.

"I do not know this Jagged, and no. You do not know me from your previous home. You are in a magical school," he broke off, coughing raggedly.

A house elf appeared, tugging at the scarlet robes he wore. Raistlin crouched down, accepting a steaming mug from the creature. His smile to the elf was genuine, and his tone grateful as he murmured his thanks.

He straightened and sipped the brew, "The school is called Hogwarts on a plane called Earth. I was called here as you were. You are in the Sorting Room. Students will speak to you and vote which House suits you best. We are all divided into Houses; Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor."

[he_was_born]

Jherek was indeed unphased- the inhabitants of the End of Time were unaware of fear, having no real conception of mortality. All experiences were worth experiencing, in their opinion, all new possibilities worth celebrating. Even when the space traveller had announced the end of the universe itself at the Duke of Queen's party, no one had been really interested, aside from Mongrove, who enjoyed the entire 'doom' theme.

"What is a magical school? Earth is my home, and, I don't remember anyone calling me." He really didn't have a clue what the gold man in the red robe was talking about. Jherek looked at the house-elfs with vague amusement, just as unphased by them. They looked like small, wrinkly aliens, and thus, weren't actually very interesting. "I already live at my ranch, and have for some time now, since I got bored with my Hi-Rise. But, I appreciate the thought!" Jherek smiled politely at the man, entirely baffled, but Jherek had excellent manners and declined to tell him that he made no sense. He also felt it might not be

[vislor_turlough]

"What the hell are you talking about?"

[he_was_born]

Jherek gave the red-headed man a curious look. "Did you say Hell? Perhaps you know something about 'virtue', sir?" He had no idea who the man was, but, presumed him a time-traveller from his archaic mention of an ancient religious institution.

[vislor_turlough]

"I know there are few that are virtuous."

Turlough's committed a few deadly sins himself.

[he_was_born]

So this man was familiar with virtue! How fortunate. Jherek smiled, quite appreciative that the man was apparently willing to share his thoughts on the topic. "I've gathered that 'virtue' was one of the pursuits that the ancients enjoyed indulging in. I've been very curious ever since I discovered the term, but it's been difficult to learn about. I'm not sure how to start being 'virtuous'. It is difficult then, to be virtuous? Or, are there few because it's not a very popular?" He wasn't sure if he wanted to try it if it were unpopular- it was bound to be a social flop, if so. Artistic merit was the only value at the End of Time.

[tallyhopippip]

"I think that's illegal, having two wives or two husbands."

For once, George was right.

[he_was_born]

Unfortunately, George's explanation was entirely senseless to Jherek, who came from the end of time, where nothing was prohibited, and all was possible. Like Turlough, he guessed that George might be a time-traveller- in any case, he was quite nicely dressed. It looked as if he was from Jherek's favorite era! "I do not know what 'illegal' means, sir. But, your outfit is quite extraordinary, it looks to be 19th, or early 20th century? Are you a time-traveller?" Perhaps Jherek had somehow ended up in someone's menagerie?

[tallyhopippip]

"Time traveler? Why no, I didn't even know those existed! Then again, I just found out vampires were real when I was accidentally turned into one." He held out a hand. "I'm George. I'll warn you, my hands are cold."

[he_was_born]

For once, George wasn't the most clueless one in the room.

Jherek smiled brightly at the man who was apparently a vampire, which Jherek recalled from the ancient records. Why, this was marvelous! Because new experiences always were. He wasn't sure why he was holding out his hand, but, it occurred to him that it was probably a sexual advance. "I guessed you were a time traveller from your outfit. I've never met a vampire before. I'd always pictured you as something more batlike. I am Jherek Carnelian, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance!" He took George's hand in both of his, and sidled up a bit closer, saying, "Your hands are wonderfully cold. It would be a pleasure to make love to you." Jherek was entirely cordial and casual about the proposition, as to him, it was perfectly normal social behavior.

[carriesapurse]

It was not Dipsy, alas. But! It was someone who knew Po! (Argonheart had too many syllables for Tinky Winky to comprehend.)

"Po!" crowed the big purple ... being who lurch-skipped toward Jherek. "Tinky Winky fwiend Po!"

[he_was_born]

Jherek smiled broadly at the purple creature, which to his eyes, looked entirely normal. In fact, at first, he presumed it was Sweet Orb Mace, who was often fond of turning herself (or himself, depending on mood) into fuzzy purple things, and who sometimes affected unusual speech patterns. And apparently it was Argonheart's friend, which brought a sense of relief. This place had been getting weird. "Why, hello there!" Jherek called while he waved an enthusiastic greeting. "Is Argonheart here too? Is this a surprise party? . . .you are Sweet Orb Mace, right?" He felt that making sure would be wise- just in case he'd misjudged the creature's identity. He'd hate to offend anyone.

[carriesapurse]

Again the Teletubby could not comprehend. He answered by singing his name song: "Tinkle winkle Tinky Winky, tinkle winkle Tinky Winky." The song lacked any real melody, and was more a singsong spoken-word affair accompanied by clumsy quasi-dance shuffling.

From nowhere the unseen Narrator clarified: "One day in Hogwartstubbyland, Tinky Winky met Po's friend."

The Teletubby ceased its dance to look up and raise its hands in prayerful affirmation. "Po! Fwiend! 'Cooter!"

This was how Teletubbies said scooter, and Po's favored accessory was her scooter, just as Tinky Winky's favored accessory was his red handbag.

"Tinky Winky wike dwess," he added wistfully, pointing a stubby fingerless mitt in the direction of Jherek's skirts. "Tinky Winky had a tutu. All gone."

[he_was_born]

Jherek smiled politely at Tinky Winky as he began to sing and dance oddly. The narrator's interjection didn't phase him as odd- he thought it merely part of the effect that the creature was going for. He wasn't sure what any of it meant, finding Tinky-Winky's speech affectations rather confusing. All he could interpret was something referring to him as Argonheart Po's friend, which would have been accurate. That, and that this creature wasn't Sweet Orb Mace, unless that individual had decided to restyle her/himself as Tinky Winky, such as when King Rook had become Bishop Castle. But, this didn't seem likely. He also was able to determine that Tinky Winky approved of his dress, which prompted a broad, genuine grin

[charlesofdensen]

"Because we don't have power rings."

Predictably, Ofdensen said this in the most deadpan voice he could manage.

[he_was_born]

"Are you newly arrived to the End of Time?" Jherek asked, turning to the newcomer. The glass lenses he wore were a quite interesting addition to his outfit, and, again, Jherek presumed that the man was a time-traveller from his rather subdued appearance. "I must say, the glass shields in front of your eyes are a most unusual and striking accessory! Very tasteful. Perhaps you would not mind if I borrow the idea?" He turned one of his many rings in an attempt to manifest a pair of glasses for himself, but this of course failed. He sighed, explaining, "For some reason, my rings are not working here."

[charlesofdensen]

"That would be because this isn't the end of time. That is quite a long way away." He hoped.

[he_was_born]

"Not the End of Time?" Jherek's overall demeanor had been ebullient up to that point, distracted by so many new individuals, but, now his previous worry came back to him. If it were somewhere, or more accurately, sometime else, it would explain the lack of known acquaintances. And, it would explain why his power rings didn't work- if he was actually in the past, the grids that powered them would not exist yet. But he hadn't used a machine, and, he wasn't aware that time travel was possible without one. "I haven't been in a time machine, so I am not sure how it is possible, but, the behavior of my power rings suggests that it is true. Perhaps you could tell me what year it is?"