We're All Mad Here

Jasper Maddox. Cheshire Cat. Lives in a different reality than the rest of you.

[jacqueslefou-blog]

“That may be where we’re different, sir. My skin is incredibly thin, so I would probably freeze even during the balmiest of nights. Or I’d need like…seven others to keep me warm and I doubt I’ll ever have enough friends for that. A good coat is the smartest investment a man could make. Mine has last me almost three winters and besides somehow growing bigger and bigger on me, it’s still how I bought it. I’m glad you like learning so much, sir. My friend Belle, well I think we’re friends, is the same way, always has a book in her hand.”

“Yeah, I have heard of there being both good and bad, just like humans. And obviously, within that you have those are neutral as well. That’s how I would categorize myself, in all honesty. I’m sort of in the middle of everything right now, no real side to play. There are ones as tall as trees? Shit.” 

[jaspermaddoxx]

“Is that so? I wasn’t aware that humans had such thin skin before. It seems I must adjust accordingly. Oh, I am sure that is not true, sir. The friends that you have will certainly do the job, may they be many or one large one. I simply couldn’t agree more. Mine has lasted me all my lifetime and then some, though it is in a constant state of adjustment, you could say. Is this Belle your friend, or is she not? Is it possible to be both at the same time? I can attest, at the very least, that those with a book in hand often have a solid character. This possible friend or not-a-friend of yours is chasing after a wonderful hobby, and one that I hope you enjoy as well.”

“That is a sentiment we both share, sir. I try to keep by the sidelines as much as possible, though I do have some bias towards seeing things work out for the humans. Nonetheless, for the sake of recording the truth of what is to happen, I will try to block that out. Impressive, is it not? I doubt that you would run into those sort, however, as they tend to be reclusive. But should you ever venture to the old growth forests towards Arendelle and Dunbroch, you may just come across them.”

[danselaesmeralda-blog]

Do We Have a Deal? || Esmeralda & Jasper

[danselaesmeralda-blog]

Esmeralda appreciated the Cheshire’s tact and kindness, and the assurance that she felt at his words. Losing a man like Clopin, someone who had made such an impact on more lives than just her own, would be a blow to the entire Vagrant community across Verden. Though she could feel herself calming, the high level of anxiety that had persisted over the last few days was still as present as ever, and still threatened to consume her if she allowed it to. Stepping through the doorway, looking out over her home camp, listening to the gaping silence where there should have been laughter and singing, children running and parents scolding, this looming wave of despair inside her began lapping once more at the edges of her heart. She swallowed quickly, lest it become obvious to Jasper that there were tears of worry again pricking at her eyes. Now of all times was not one for a breakdown.

The faerie needed no guide but her direction, and she followed him closely as they approached her uncle’s sickbed. She was grateful that her tribe allowed the stranger through so quickly. Perhaps it was her presence with him. But she sensed it was more than that; he had a very calming air for such an eccentric fae, and she suspected that more than one of her family could guess at the nature of this outsider. Who else would Esmeralda have brought at this dark hour for such a purpose? She only hoped that the hour was not so dark and late that nothing could be done. Oh spirits, what if nothing could be done?

As she watched Jasper work, using his magic to make a thorough assessment of Clopin’s injury, her heart began to sink. The fae’s face spoke more than words could have: the damage was bad. For all their efforts, Clopin’s condition had worsened far more than they had imagined. The more he tried and tested and fiddled, the bigger the knot in Esme’s stomach became until she was feeling almost ill herself. She’d been too late, she realized. That simple thought was enough to extinguish the last shreds of hope that she’d been clinging to. She ceased to see any of the people in front of her, seeing only a freshly dug grave and a pyre, hearing the mourning wails and the stoic silence as the Vagrants left their king in the earth. Their second funeral in a month, the second name scratched from their vocabulary too soon. She could already feel the ache of the loss deep in her chest as though she had taken the wound after all.

For once, her light and nimble feet hadn’t been swift enough.

No tears came, not yet. Perhaps shock was setting in, keeping them at bay. She almost didn’t notice Jasper indicating she should follow him as he stepped away from her uncle’s side; it was Djali nudging her leg that prompted her to move. She didn’t think she could bear hearing aloud the news she could feel was coming. Her fists were clenched tight at her side, nails digging into her palms as she awaited the dreaded diagnosis, waited to be told once and for all how badly she had failed.

But it didn’t come. Esmeralda refocused on Jasper’s face as he spoke, words echoing softly in her ears that she almost didn’t understand. There… was a way? Her attention fixed on him keenly, processing the offer. A life for a life. It made sense, after all. A wound that grievous and life-threatening would be no small feat to heal. But a lifetime around magic and its users had imparted to her a very strong hesitancy when it came to matters of the soul. The soul was the most important part of a person, especially to her people. A gift, or a price, like that was not one to be given lightly. Despite her earlier assurance, she found herself unable to give an immediate affirmative. She had said any price, she’d known in some part of her mind that this could be an option, but no one ever really thought that they’d have to barter their soul for something, did they? Could she really give up something that personal, that essential to her very existence?

She looked back at the cot nearby, at her uncle’s pallid face, at the pile of blankets only just barely rising and falling to indicate that he was still breathing. How could she not? He had not hesitated to put himself between her and a knife, despite her inability to control her anger, and knowing full well how it might end for him. How could she do less for him? She turned her eyes to the Cheshire again, comforted somewhat by his hesitation. Clearly, he was not in the business of offering solutions of this gravity on a regular basis. That helped cement her decision. “If I were to give my soul for anyone, it would be him. And honestly, if I were to pay my soul to anyone, I’d much rather it be you. What do you need me to do?”

[jaspermaddoxx]

It was not in Jasper's nature to perform such large forms of magic, knowing the price he would have to ask to make them happen. With a lock of hair, he could perform an impressive trick. For an eye or a memory, it would be possible to bend the rules around the natural world for a time. But a soul...With a human soul he could defy those laws altogether. It was no wonder that Maleficent could bend the world to her whims, if she made her living off of such bargains. Yet Jasper was the opposite, only going as far as he had to without taking anything in return. Because to have that sort of power did things to respectable fae. It twisted them into something else. Something terrible.

Yet there he was offering the same bargain that countless humans fell for so carelessly. Could he truly consider himself better than any of them? His position was already precarious as it was.

"If there was another way, please know I would have taken it." Jasper told Esmeralda, with a voice tinged with sadness. It wasn’t simply for the human’s relative that this affected him, more as the knowing at what his offer would cause; a lifetime of servitude for a human who loved her freedom almost more than anything. It wasn’t fair to have to make such a choice under stressful conditions, but neither was it appropriate trying to take Death’s bounty away. How could he explain something like that to a human who was already suffering from loss?

But of course she had agreed, and Jasper found himself resigned. Unlike the human, he was hardly strong-willed enough to protest despite his feelings about it. "...Very well. Let's rejoin your uncle." His steps back to Clopin's deathbed were heavy. He sat back down beside the human, inspecting him one last time as if to be certain that there was nothing else that could be done. Just as he had thought, the injury was dire and his life was leaving quickly. There really wasn’t any time left to think of an alternative situation. Jasper looked at the other Vagrants, feeling a lump developing in his throat. He knew that this was what Esmeralda wanted, but would he be able to face her family afterwards? If they knew the price she was to pay? Already he was feeling guilty, though he hadn’t done anything yet. 

He bowed his head apologetically to the humans. "Forgive me, I will have to drop the guise a bit." Jasper rolled up his sleeves, the pale skin beneath it gradually disappearing under a thin coat of lavender fur with dark swirls. The nails of his hands lengthened into claws and he could feel his tail swaying behind him in agitation. A cat in human clothing would have made for a clever jest, though the circumstances made it difficult to joke around. "Stay as still as you can, Miss Esmeralda. I will try to make it as painless as possible. It will be over quickly, though I warn that it won't feel that way."

Jasper let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, tense. His claws begun to emit a faint light, and the sensation of magic made his fur rise. This was her last chance to back out. "Are you ready?"

[jaspermaddoxx]

Crashing Kingdoms Task #4: Jasper Maddox Aesthetics

[jacqueslefou-blog]

“Ah, I grew up near the forest and can’t imagine living in there. Especially during rainstorms or harsh winters. Did you enjoy that kind of upbringing or..? Well, I think your sort of madness is much more wanted than the sort my mom had at my untidiness. I really appreciate it, sir. One of each would be wonderful, more for me to learn. I’ll take whatever you can find, honestly. That seems to be our downfall, not being able to tell a faerie apart from a human.”

[jaspermaddoxx]

“It’s not really that hard. When you are used to living in the wilderness, you gain a certain thick skin to the change in climate. It also helps when you know a thing or two about enchantment. As for the cold, you could say my sort invest in very good coats. But yes, I enjoyed it for what it was. That’s debatable, mostly because some people find our sort contagious and become a little less hospitable as a result. It’s my pleasure, especially with an attitude like that. Learning is one of life’s greatest pleasures, after all. I’ll fetch them from the back.”

“Oh, it’s not simply your inability to differentiate between humans and fae, sir. Just like the many human kingdoms are different, faeries are different as well. Some are good, others not so much. Some are small, others taller than the trees. It doesn’t do a human much good to believe everything that they see at first glance.”

[danselaesmeralda-blog]

Do We Have a Deal? || Esmeralda & Jasper

[danselaesmeralda-blog]

A pang of guilt knotted her stomach a bit at the disappointment in his voice. He was still being so kind in spite of it, and in spite of what most people would have seen as her highly irregular intrusion. She hoped privately that if all went well, if her uncle could be saved, there would be a chance for her to thank him properly and share in that tea. She would very likely need a good cup of something soothing after this ordeal was over, with how frayed her nerves had become. She hadn’t slept properly in a few days either, so sitting and relaxing with some good company would probably do her wonders. But she couldn’t dwell on that just now.

Esmeralda had to pause to breath again after her barrage of words, and by the time she was finished, she was shaking ever so slightly. She had been able to stay so collected about this for the last few days, so focused and ready to help the healers as they tried to do what they could She’d hardly left Clopin’s side, even taken most of her meals at his bedside, and shed nary a tear in the process, so intent on righting this wrong was she. She’d known full well what could happen if they weren’t able to do anything for him; she’d imagined the consequences enough times to fuel her drive to prevent the worst. But only now, after blurting a rushed version of events aloud for the first time since she and the others had dragged him back to camp, did the full weight of the situation begin to dawn on her and tears threaten to overtake her. Only a firmly clenched jaw and several deep breaths prevent this, but her hands still trembled and her eyes moistened against her will.

“This is the third day since he… since it happened,” Esme replied, proud that her voice was at least starting to regain some of its usual strength. The faerie’s agreement to help sent another flood of relief through her so strong it nearly brought her to her knees. The goat supporting her leg helped her to stay upright. A hopeful smile spread across her face as she watched him begin to collect the various items he deemed necessary, although his warning made it falter a little. He was right, of course; “anything” could literally mean anything where magic was concerned, and people had to be careful in bargaining such a wide array of prizes for magic. Her resolve, however, did not waver. “I understand. I’m willing to risk it. “ It might have sounded like bravado except for the certainty in her eyes. “He has sacrificed much over the years for a child that wasn’t even his by blood, including risking death to keep me safe. It would be ungrateful of me to pay less for his safety than he has for mine.”

When he was ready, Esme followed him closely. “Less than a quarter mile outside town.” She watched with great interest as he marked the door, having never seen a spell of that kind before. His instructions were even more interesting, and she nodded in response. “Much quicker and less tiring, I imagine. Thank you.” She did as instructed, closing her eyes and seeing the camp clearly: the vardos parked in a circle with the bright rainbow of tents interspersed between them and within the circle, the slightly muddy grass and earth the horses and animals and dozens of feet had trampled in the setup, the numerous bodies traipsing back and forth as they went about their chores and games, the solitary tree in the field under which Clopin had parked their wagon and where he was now indisposed. She could practically smell the cooking fires as she pushed open the door, her trust in the magic absolute, and in a moment the smoke was truly tickling her nostrils. She stepped through and opened her eyes, marveling as she often did at the abilities of the fae. She quickly stepped aside for Jasper to follow her, observing that they had come out only a stone’s throw from their wagon which had turned from home to sickbay. “Over there, under the beech.”

[jaspermaddoxx]

The Cheshire made mental notes in his head, keeping in mind Esmeralda's words. Three days without magical intervention could mean plenty. The wound could be infected, or a poison could be making its way slowly through the human's system. Either way, Jasper doubted that there was much time left. "It seems that this Clopin is a good man. It would be a shame to lose one when those sort are so desperately in demand." He told her gently, trying not to upset the woman any further than she already was.

He did not understand it, truly. The bond between child and parent that seemed so strong in humans. It was not to say that he did not care for his own family, but his relationship with them was different. Jasper could hardly say he would have risked his very life for their safety, yet that act of selflessness seemed like nothing for Esmeralda. Humans really were an incredible species. Now if only he could convince more faeries of the same thing. 

Jasper felt the subtle shift in the air, the change in ozone as magic filled the air. As the human opened the door, he found that his entrance was near the border of the Vagrant’s camp. He stepped outside, examining his surroundings as the door behind them vanished with a ‘pop’. It was an unnerving sight to see the wagon, and the silence that roared in his ears save for the crackling flames. This was not what a Vagrant camp was supposed to sound like at all. He tilted his head upwards, and the feline caught the scent that he had been worried about- the smell of death. “This is worse than I thought.” He followed Esmeralda’s directions, coming upon an eclectic group huddled beneath the beech tree’s wide branches. Jasper approached them carefully, parting the way to the centre with a gentle hand and a hushed word. There, he found the old man known as Clopin, deathly pale and covered in woven blankets. 

Kneeling down, the tall man set his satchel down onto the ground at his side. Jasper gingerly moved the covers to get a better look at the injury. The wound was freshly bandaged, yet they were already bleeding through. Cutting those away, he found that the cut was deep and severe. His palm reached out, hovering over the area. A soft light emitted from his hand and the cat observed the body’s reaction. The flesh started to knit together, but it was far slower than it should have been. That alone was enough cause for concern. The Cheshire took a few of the bottles from his bag, tested them on small sections of the injury and watching. His frown deepened with each response, clearly dissatisfied.

Truthfully, Jasper didn't want to say anything; that the elder man's life was already fading faster than magic or medicine could reverse. But he was terrible when it came to lying. Nonetheless, he was sorely tempted to when the reality of Clopin's situation came to light. There was only so much that he could do with his current power, but there was another option available. A risky one. But it would require the sort of payment that he had never quite asked of anyone before, and the faerie wasn't sure if it was in him to demand such a thing from a human. It was wrong; a boundary which drew into question his very nature.

He stood up, walking a ways away from the surrounding Vagrants while gesturing for the dancer to follow. These were not words to be shared with the group, in their distress. Even then, he was hesitant. "The human can be saved, but it's...complicated, Miss Esmeralda. I can heal the wound, but it would be like cleaning out a hearth with a weak flame. Your uncle simply doesn't have the energy to heal himself. His natural lifespan is reaching its limits." Jasper waited patiently before continuing, looking fully apologetic. "It can be renewed and then some, but that sort of spell requires an equivalent exchange. A life for a life, if you will."

"If you wish to save your uncle, I will require your life as payment. Your soul, more specifically. Are you still willing to make that bargain? Absolutely sure?"

[danselaesmeralda-blog]

Do We Have a Deal? || Esmeralda & Jasper

[danselaesmeralda-blog]

Esmeralda couldn’t tell if her heart was pounding purely because of her mad dash to get here, or if there weren’t a few frantic beats that were fear and trepidation that she’d come on a day when the Cheshire Cat was not at home. She couldn’t bear to think of what would happen if he wasn’t. She’d already lost one friend, close as family to her, only a few weeks ago. She couldn’t lose the closest thing she had to a father. Not when her temper, her fury, and her foolishness were what had started that fight in the first place. If he died because she couldn’t control herself…

The she heard a voice. Her head jerked up and swiveled, trying to figure out where it had come from. Djali, spooked by the seemingly phantom voice, pressed close against her leg. Finally, her eyes landed on the Cat, leaning down and grinning at her. Spirits of the earth be praised, she thought, and though her breathing was still ragged and her worries high, she couldn’t stop her lips from twitching upward at the sight of him. It was a few moments before she had caught her breath enough to speak coherently, during which he had joined her on the floor in his human form.

“I’m so… so sorry to bother you like this… I didn’t know where else to go…” Esme managed to get out, though she wished her lungs would settle properly. His hand on her back was comforting and welcome, and she felt a surge of hope that this would be as successful a visit as she was praying it would be. the offer of tea sounded fantastic right about now, but with how deathly pale her uncle had looked when she left, she couldn’t bring herself to accept. “Maybe another time for the tea. Thank you, though. I’m sorry, it’s just… there isn’t a lot of time, I fear.” Djali pressed closer still against her side, staring up at the cat-become-human with a tilt of his head, but his concern seemed to be more for his human.

With a huge exhale, Esmeralda straightened and looked up at the bookshop’s owner. When he stood on two legs, she was a good deal shorter than him, but she didn’t have to crane her neck too much to meet his gaze. “It’s my uncle, sir. I don’t know what else to do, we’re all at our wit’s end. He’s dying. There was a fight, it wasn’t our fault but I started it, and he… he…” The mere memory of watching Clopin come between her and that knife made her voice catch again. “He was wounded. Badly. We’ve tried everything we could, but nothing is helping. He’ll die if we don’t do something fast. Please.” Desperation made her more bold than she would otherwise have been with a faerie she’d only met once and didn’t even know the name of, and she grasped his hand tightly with her own, her eyes burning. “You know our people, you know how close we all are. But Clopin is my only close family. My parents died when I was born and he took me in, raised me as his own. If he dies, it’s on me. I can’t… I know you have no reason to help me, we only me the one time. But I’ll do anything, anything at all, if it means saving his life.”

[jaspermaddoxx]

Jasper tilted his head, blinking owlishly. The human was hardly difficult for him to deal with, though she was certainly a surprise. Given the nomadic nature of both himself and her, he had hardly expected to run into the Vagrant so soon after their first meeting. "I'm hardly bothered, my dear. Curious yes, but that is a perpetual state of mind as I have mentioned before." He told her softly, a little disappointed that she had no time to rest. The faerie did so enjoy being a hospitable host when the opportunity arose. Yet if she had been so desperate to see him, he supposed an exception could be made when it came to a break in the routine.

He frowned, listening intently as Esmeralda explained to him in a rushed tone, her reasons for being there. The bookseller had feared that something like this would happen in the wake of Maleficent's attack. It truly was dangerous to be affiliated with the magical folk, and the amiable Vagrants had paid a dear price for their interactions with them. "That does sound troubling indeed. How long has it been since he's been injured?" Jasper asked carefully, stepping back once the human seemed well enough to stand on her own two feet. It was concerning to hear that someone she had known so well was on his deathbed, but there was only so much the faerie could do if the injury was severe. Magic only went so far, after all. Of course, that didn't mean he couldn't at least try to help; as an apology for dragging the humans into this mess in the first place. "I understand, human. I will do what I can to help this Clopin, seeing how important he is to you."

With that in mind, Jasper sprung into action, darting around the store to pick up a few weathered texts and bottles of various sizes and colours. He didn't know the full nature of what he was to repair, so it was best to bring a bit of everything with him just in case. "Hm...it might be best if I see this uncle of yours before jumping to conclusions, but you best be careful about throwing around such words. You might not comprehend what such payments could entail." Jasper warned her, cramming as much as he could into the old leather satchel that he brought about him on his journeys. "'Anything' could be a high price to pay; far greater than what you could imagine." If they were lucky, what he had on hand would be enough to cure her uncle. Hopefully.

When he was ready to go, he flipped the sign of his shop window, indicating their sudden closure. "Come now, I trust that your family is somewhere near the borders of town, correct?" He asked, removing a piece of chalk from its holder by his door. The Cheshire scrawled a few ruins onto it, checked his work, then pressed his palm against the wood. The letters glowed a faint purple, and Jasper stepped back satisfied. "Now think of your camp clearly. Try to remember as much detail as possible, then open the door." He instructed, stepping back to let Esmeralda by. "Seeing as this is an emergency, I thought this may be quicker than running there."

[princederic-blog]

“I’m glad for you as well, monsieur; I don’t know how I would have been able to bear the grief if I’d managed to lose a loved one or countryman that evening. I feel sorry for Prince Naveen, his nation, and everyone who got tangled up with the strange ghostly phenomenons that invaded his castle. I haven’t met many fae in my life, so you’ll excuse me for not comprehending the full weight of her powers. My nation’s closer with merfolk than land magic, so to speak.”

“You’re right, of course, it is terrifying. It’s like peering over the edge of a mountain and finding nothing but a dark abyss. War…yes…”

[jaspermaddoxx]

“Indeed. Grief can cause people to do terrible things, so it is best avoided where possible. That may be the very reason why my family decided not to get involved in the first place, in retrospect. Ah yes, the prince does seem to be suffering quite terribly. It’s understandable under the circumstances, but I am optimistic that Maldonia will recover from this. Humans have an extraordinary ability to bounce back from terrible events like this. Well now you know. I just hope that others do as well before it is too late. The merfolk, you say? Their brand of magic is particularly fascinating. I would love to speak with one someday; assuming that they still wish to have anything to do with land folk.”

“An excellent analogy. I might even compare it to going beyond the reef and realizing how vast and deep an ocean is. Magic is a part of our lives after all, but hers is on an entirely different level than what we are accustomed to. Hm...If you do not mind me saying, you sounded a little hesitant about that, sir. Was I wrong, perhaps?”

[kristoffsbjorgman-blog]

“I was actually looking for some representatives of Naeron, actually; speaking on behalf of my kingdom as an Ice Master and all that. Do you happen to know which direction the castle is, perhaps? Or the noble courtroom or something? Anywhere royal officials might? I’m kind of new to the whole royals thing, I don’t understand half of it. Also traveling.”

“A bookshop? Cool…I bet my girlfriend would love this place; she grew up with such an extensive library of her own in the castle, don’t get me wrong, but she loves going on adventures and discovering new places. What sort of books do you stock here? Nice to finally formally meet you, Jasper–I’m Kristoff. Kristoff Bjorgman.”

[jaspermaddoxx]

“Ah, you’re off to meet the Charmings, are you? In which case, you are still in the wrong place, but I would be more than happy to show you where the castle is. To an extent, anyway. I can’t say I know much of how the nobility work aside from the texts I have read. However, I would say that you are probably aiming for the right location. Traveling, on the other hand, I can help with. I’m a wanderer of sorts myself. Not for official business really, but I’m sure the principles are the same.”

“I am so glad to hear that. A well-read human is a clever one. This shop tends to stock titles that I have found particularly interesting in my travels. A good chunk of them would be fiction, though I have others ranging from cooking to the rare grimoire for the more magically-inclined. Should your intended be interested in beginner’s magic, there are plenty of resources here for that. I’m sure I have something that would tickle your fancy too, if you have an interest in such things.”

[danselaesmeralda-blog]

Do We Have a Deal? || Esmeralda & Jasper

Faces blurred around her as she ran, nimbly swinging around the corner of one alley and down another. Only through his own natural agility was Djali able to keep pace with his mistress as Esmeralda fairly flew through the streets, eyes peeled and swiveling every which way for the bookstore she sought. Had she more time and less urgency, there might have been room in her mind for the somewhat melancholy thought that she would have liked her first visit to this particular bookstore to be under far less dire circumstances. Given the nature of the shop’s owner, she was sure she’d find something in there of interest. But it was for an entirely different reason that she was currently racing through the busy streets and earning several startled cries as she passed.

The aftermath of Prince Naveen’s ball had been rough. One of the companions Esmeralda had attended the ball with had perished, with not so much as a finger bone left for his family to weep over. The anger she felt over the injustice of his death had made Esme even more despondent and surly. As they made their way hastily away from Maldonia, it became more common to see the normally lively dancer wandering away from camp, her eyes burning with unspoken rage and tears, her jaw clenched, and fists balled up, ready to swing at the first person unfortunate enough get in her way. She was angry at herself, illogically but strongly nonetheless, for having unknowingly put the boy in danger. But she was more angry at Maleficent, for her blind lust for power, for the slaughter of so many who ought to have had years ahead of them, for the death of her friend whom she’d known since he was still in swaddling.

To her credit, the tribe of Vagrants made it all the way up to Naeron before she physically directed her anger at anyone. It was just after a performance. She knew their type: thick-necked, dim-witted asses who jumped on any chance to throw their weight around. She’d been bullied by townfolk enough as a kid to hear the insults coming a mile away.“Fae-lovers”. “Sorcerers”. “Witches”. “Demon-friends” and “Maleficent’s cronies” were new, though, and the punch Esme threw at their ringleader was hard enough to send a tooth flying. In seconds, every one of the dozen people in the alley were brawling, and in as much time, the fighting dissipated into panic as the ringleader pulled a knife and her uncle took the blow that was meant for her. Fearing to be found at the scene of a murder, the assailants had fled, leaving the bloody and bruised Vagrants to drag their leader home as quickly as possible. He was alive, but barely, and their progress was halted for two days as the healers tried to do what they could. But Clopin was weakening every day, and hushed whispers around the camp told just how much the Vagrants feared they were about to lose the closest person they had to a king. Only this morning, as she’d been sitting by her adopted uncle’s bedside and watching more color leave his face, had Esme remembered the Cheshire Cat who said he’d owned a bookshop in Naeron. None of their company included any fae currently, and it was plain that this was an injury that now required a magic touch.

So she ran. Ran as fast as her feet could carry her back into town, stopping only to ask if anyone knew of a bookshop run by a rather eccentric man, who was often gone away but came back on occasion. She didn’t dare mention his true nature, in case it was a secret to those in town, but she’d failed to get his name at the ball and had little else to go off of. Finally, one woman was able to direct her, and off she was again. When the sign for the shop came into view ahead, Esmeralda’s pace increased and she nearly crashed into the door. She flung herself inside, Djali hot on her heels, and stared around. There appeared to be no one there, but with fae, looks were often deceiving. “Sir!” she wheezed, doubled over from exertion and gasping for air. “Mr… Cheshire!” Oh please let him be home, please please please please please…

[jaspermaddoxx]

Books were wonderful things. One could read them over and over, finding new life in old pages. They could send a man across the ocean, or into the deepest depths of the Earth. They introduced ideas which had never been thought of before. But the best thing about them, in Jasper’s opinion, was that they were perfectly safe. While they could describe daring adventures and glorious battles, they didn’t try to engulf him into darkness or suck his soul out of his body. For that, he was infinitely glad to have so many in his premises. Just the scent of their inked pages set him at ease.

It had been a hectic month of wandering about as a human, and quite honestly it had been far too much excitement to take in all at once. Jasper was never one to socialize much, aside from greeting those who he saw on the road. Even then, he much preferred his own company, or the company of a few close friends to the busybody life of a socialite. How humans were able to constantly interact with one another was a mystery to him; it was simply exhausting. This was, of course, ignoring the fact that a fellow faerie who detested mortals with every fibre of her being nearly killed him twice. Either way, he was glad to be back at home, curled up in one of the dusty armchairs comfortably as the occasional villager came in to peruse his wares. It was a slow business day, which suited him just fine as it left him with the chance to get some much-needed rest.

The serenity of the afternoon was not to last, however. The door to his wayward shop slammed open, causing a few book piles to wobble in a worrying manner. The cat jumped from his napping spot in the sun, alarmed by the sudden disturbance and the sudden call of distress that followed it. Jasper followed the noise, leaping from shelf to shelf as he raced on all fours to the entrance. He kept quiet, unsure if the human who entered was one who was friendly to the fae (it was a sad state of things when he had to worry about such matters). There, he saw the Vagrant child from the previous ball, huffing and puffing as though trying to outrun death itself. “What curious thing has entered my store today? A panicked dancer from a nomadic tribe? A friend?” Jasper grinned widely, leaning at the very edge of the shelf above her. 

The faerie let himself fall down, landing on his feet as a human once more. Blue feline eyes stared at the human in concern, a hand reaching out to rub the exhausted woman’s back. “My dear, you look absolutely dreadful. Do you need to sit down for a spell? I have recently acquired some ginger tea from Balia, and I would be happy to brew you a cup.” What could have possibly been the reason for her visit? He was happy to see her of course, but this hardly looked like a courtesy call to visit a friend. No, it seemed far more urgent than that, almost like there was an emergency at hand. “Come now, human. Tell me what is on your mind, and I will do what I can in my power to help.” Jasper prompted her kindly, trying not to sound so terribly intrigued about it.

[running-pietro-deactivated20160]

Helping Hand || Open

[running-pietro-deactivated20160]

How many lives did Jasper have? Did it matter? Even if he tried to explain, Jasmine wasn’t sure if she’d necessarily understand. She could grasp at notions most definitely, but fully understanding his situation was more than likely lost on her if anything. Still, to have more than one life, the possibilities of how a person could live were certainly broader than a single life that she’s still experiencing. Which had the possibility of ending tonight.

Mentally she sent an apology to the royal family of Maldonia about their carpets but there were more pressing matters than burning rugs. Jasmine climbed up the steps two at a time. The need to get far away from the wraiths getting stronger and stronger. Distance. They needed distance. Her feet lead them outside onto the rooftop. Jasmine was sure if she looked down below, she’d see others running and being eaten by those creatures. She chose not to.

Jasmine reached for a torch and held it tightly in her hands. Stay calm. Stay calm. Despite the fast pace they ran away, the eerie chill was slithering back. Still a way’s away but enough to send her shivering. Too soon. Still too soon. Jasmine kept her attention on the opening, barely listening to whatever Jasper was doing. Let him work his magic, if it saved their lives. The chill was growing stronger, like feather touches at her feet. Her grip on the torch tightened. Wait. Just wait.

The rattled chains could barely be heard, but she strained her ears to listen. Coming. They were coming. Hurry up Jasper. Please. She could see their shadows slowly coming up the stairs. Jasmine watched as if in slow motion as the wraiths came up the stairs. Lumbering about with chains clashing loudly. Darkness washed down over her as her knees shook. Cold tendrils slithered up her legs. The call from Jasper came and without hesitation, Jasmine threw the torch down the stairs before turning and bolting to him. She grabbed his hand and pulled herself inside. 

[jaspermaddoxx]

Theoretically, this plan would work. As the human watched his back, he inspected his creation one last time. It seemed stable enough, though how long it would endure, he was not sure. Enchantment over a long period of time still took its toll, after all, and the wings were so precariously attacked to their only way out of the castle. They hadn’t a need to go far, but would it even stay in one piece long enough to leave the roof? Doubt flooded Jasper’s mind. But really, what other choice did he have? It was either this or he abandon the human to suffer a horrible fate, then death, and he had come this far already. And even if he failed, a death from falling would be much preferred; that much he was certain.

What a troublesome thing, to have to worry about having only one life. 

He could see her heading his way, running with everything that she had away from the stairwell. The rattling was getting louder and that bone-crushing feeling of hopelessness was coming back. But not so quickly that he was unable to grasp the woman’s hand. “Hold on tight, human!” He pulled back his arm, practically hauling the human over the sides. The wraiths were hot on their trail, and the uncomfortable rushing rapids filled his mind, water gurgling as if to strangle him. Jasper fought the feeling off, refusing to let these creatures get the best of him when they were so close to freedom.

With the two of them safely in the boat, Jasper wasted no time launching them into the air. The enchanted basket wobbled, unsteady on its new wings, but with some mild adjustment, the Cheshire had it running almost smoothly. Below them he could hear the enraged shrieking of the wraiths as the pair flew beyond their reach. He blocked them out of his mind, concentrating on steering their vehicle out to safety. It was a significant drain on his energy, but if he was careful, he could land them on the outskirts of town, far from the dangers that lay at its core. It would be enough- he was sure of it.

Down below, he could see the damage caused by the wraiths spreading as they leaked into the city below, and a part of him was saddened. But as he glanced over at the woman, Jasper felt as though not all had been lost that evening. Humans were resilient creatures, and he was sure that they would overcome this night of horrors one day. They just needed a helping hand along the way.

Perhaps playing the rescuer every now and again wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

[running-pietro-deactivated20160]

Helping Hand || Open

[running-pietro-deactivated20160]

Jasper must’ve really liked his tea considering his reaction-it made Jasmine want to laugh. Never serve him bad tea, she supposed. One could only imagine his reaction then. “Have you… lost lives in your experiments, Sir Maddox?” She wasn’t quite sure what to think of his statement. Did he sacrifice people? Did he have multiple lives himself? Either answer deeply troubled her. She didn’t enjoy the thought of people losing their lives and she wasn’t quite sure how to rationalize the idea that he had multiple lifetimes to live. But she supposed that was normal considering she only had a singular life to live. Mundane compared to the other creatures roaming the world.

She watched him curiously, staying by the sidelines to let him do his own thing. He obviously had something in mind-or atleast knew what he was doing, maybe. Half a plan, rang through her head. Hopefully this half a plan would help them get out of here. Once he was finished, she nodded impressed with what he made. In such a short amount of time, she really had to give him credit. “A roof?” She mumbled. Yes, a roof should be around here somewhere. Or a balcony. Either would provide enough open space. “Stairs. Stairs can only lead us up from here.” Like hell, Jasmine would be going back down. Their only option was to keep going up till they found a balcony or a rooftop. Didn’t matter which, it just needed to be soon.

The sound of familiar chains fluttered through the air causing her to tense up. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the wraiths themselves or if it was because she was a victim to their magic but the abyssal sense of dread and terror was slowly creeping back up on her. Slowly and inching its way to her, Jasmine felt weak in the knees once more. No. Not again. Her stomach twisted uneasily, suddenly feeling feint. The room’s temperature dropped significantly causing a shiver to rack through her body. Her teeth clenched together as Jasmine forced herself to stay calm. Not here. But coming. The Princess nodded, pushing her body to move forward away from the approaching cold. Approaching terror. Wraiths are literal walking fear. Her hand clenched at her sides, expression urgent and panic clear to see. Jasmine didn’t want to remain here any longer, lest she lose another battle to these creatures. “I agree. Lets go. Please.”

[jaspermaddoxx]

“My own, but only once. I happen to be in the fortunate position to have several to spare. It involved a rather volatile spell in too small a space for experimentation. I’ve been far more careful since then, of course.” Jasper nodded absently, focused on the task at hand rather than keeping his most-likely blown cover. He was sure that the human had questions for him, but now was not the time to sit her down and explain that he was not, in fact, remotely like her in the slightest. Hopefully surviving the night would be a bigger priority in her mind, just as it was for him. 

By the time his makeshift invention was completed, Jasper’s attention returned to the woman. He smiled, approving of her suggestion. “I do believe you’re right. Stairs will take us somewhere, at least.” Upwards, if it was ideal. The more ground they had between them and the wraiths, the more time was available to try and get their escape vehicle off the ground. At least they had motivation to move quickly, if those accursed beasts really were coming their way. “Let’s make haste. I’ll slow them down as much as possible.” He grabbed one of the castle torches off of the wall, throwing it down the hallway in the direction of the chilling air. The ornate rug caught fire, sending smoke to mask their presence. 

Jasper chased after the human, chattering away to keep down the fearful thought of being captured and devoured by the nasty brutes behind them. He didn’t know how many floors they went up, but eventually it did come to an end. Never had he been so grateful to feel the nighttime air on his person, though the screaming below had amplified in the open air. “Okay, this is progress. We can work with this. Take one of the torches. If they get too close, wave it around some. It will ward them off.” The faerie instructed, jogging a few metres away and setting the contraption down. 

The hairs on his arms began to rise as the familiar thrum of magic filled his person. “It will take me a few minutes to get this ready. I just wish I had time to test it first.” He rolled up his sleeves, part of his human guise slipping away as he concentrated on the proper spells he needed. Jasper spoke in hushed, low tones, in a language that humans were unlikely to understand, hands moving as if to sculpt the figure by hand. The winged basket glowed, increasing in size and changing its shape. Soon it resembled a wicker sail boat, just barely big enough to fit both himself and the human, with wings that were slightly misshapen, but strong. He continued in lulling rhymes, a faint purple glow overtaking the immobile wings. They slowly started to move, beating once, twice before stretching out languidly.

“Hop on, human! I can’t maintain this forever.” Jasper called out to her, scrambling into the boat and reaching out with a clawed hand to pull her in with him.

[rancidqueenro]

[jacqueslefou-blog]

“Well, you’d be surprised how much mess I’ve dealt with. My room was never tidy when I was young, and my poor mother was practically driven mad by the clutter. Ah, mythology is a rather interesting subject. I’ve just never looked into it much. Maybe a book on each? The basics may be more help than a book on a specific myth.”

[jaspermaddoxx]

“I can’t say I’ve ever grown up with a tidy room either, given that I spent most of my childhood outdoors where walls and roofs are lacking. My mother was mad for other reasons than my lack of organization, though that is a common condition for my kind. If you would like one of each, I have just the tome to help you. It doesn’t go into the deeper specifics of the lore, but it gives you a general idea of the stories that are valued by both cultures. I might also recommend a bestiary for further reading. After all, if you want to know anything about faeries, it’s best to learn how to tell them apart.”

[princederic-blog]

“If anyone lost someone as a result of Maleficent’s attack on Halloween– whether it be friend or family, then my heart goes out to them and I offer my sincerest condolences. It was an unfortunate incident that never should have happened to begin with. Up until recently, I was quite ignorant of the full extent of Maleficent’s powers; not hailing from Mirindra myself, my country was ill-informed of her character and abilities. All we knew was based on the information provided to us by the King and Queen of our neighboring nation. I think if she’d been given land for herself to rule, she still wouldn’t have been satisfied.”

[jaspermaddoxx]

“Ah, you certainly don’t need to tell me that. My relations were far, far away from the events that occurred that night. I am glad for their eccentricity. Perhaps it shouldn’t have happened, which is exactly why it did. Fate can be funny that way. That comes as a bit of a surprise to me. She cursed a neighbouring kingdom’s princess with death in sixteen years. The power that one needs to sustain a spell for so long is no laughing matter. Now that Maleficent no longer has to focus her time on that, she is far stronger than before. Frankly I don’t know what her limit is, and that in itself is terrifying. Well, it’s too late to find out now, is it? You have, after all, decided so firmly on war rather than peace.”

[kristoffsbjorgman-blog]

“Hey, sorry, I just got a little uh…lost on my travels, is all.”

“What is this place, exactly? And aren’t you the man I spoke with about Queen Elsa at the costume ball not long ago?”

[jaspermaddoxx]

“Lost? If you were heading back to Arendelle, you are heading in the completely opposite direction, my friend.”

“This is my bookshop. I run this quaint little place when I’m not on the move, though that is rarely the case. Still, I figured after everything, it may be good to stay in the village for a spell. Why, yes! I don’t believe I properly introduced myself during that ball. My name is Jasper Maddox.”

[running-pietro-deactivated20160]

Helping Hand || Open

[running-pietro-deactivated20160]

“You’ve been a major help tonight.” Jasmine didn’t want to imagine what would’ve happened if he hadn’t come rescue her. Although it wasn’t too hard to picture. She’d most likely be back in the ballroom being feasted upon. Chills ran down her spine-no need to linger on the what ifs. She needed to focus along with him if they wanted to make it out tonight. “I really do owe you, Sir Maddox.”

Jasmine listened to Jasper with a mixture of shock and confusion. Shock because spells and incantations were quite the extraordinary thing. Confused because he’d done quite a bit of experimentation if he was able to collect all that information and because she wasn’t quite sure what to expect. What would it feel like to be 12 feet tall? Or to have shrunk? The notion made her head spin. But still it was an interesting topic to listen to! The princess noticed his pause and gave him an odd yet concerned look. Was he okay? Was there more magic lingering somewhere and now it was affecting him? Once she saw he was back to normal-sort of, she followed him with apprehension. His head was clearly off somewhere else which worried her because he was the one leading them to safety and he knew more about the situation than she did. “Really…? I’ve had a few teas that… weren’t so pleasant…?” Although one could just argue it wasn’t to her taste. Jasmine watched confused as he grabbed at the pillow, mumbling things she couldn’t here. Worriedly, she hoped there really was no magic in the air affecting him.

“A basket?” The request struck her as odd-very odd. How would a basket help them? Still, she didn’t question, instead looking around for any sight of the object. Jasmine had to believe in half that plan of his. “Half a plan is better than no plan,” She mumbled under her breath.  Not under the bed. Nor was there one hidden in the closet. Possibly? Jasmine made her way towards the wardrobe flinging the doors open. Her hands reached at clothes pulling them out to get a better look into it. Shirts. Sweaters. Trousers. Shoes at the bottom. Jasmine pulled at the drawer on the bottom. Nothing just a handful of jewelry and candles still unused. Her heart sunk with apprehension. They needed a basket for whatever reason. Where the hell would they find one? She stepped back ready to speak out when something caught the corner of her eye. There placed at the top of the wardrobe was the basket they were looking for! There seemed to be some wilted flowers placed in them-it was most likely meant to make the room look friendlier. “Sir Maddox! Up here!” Jasmine tried to reach for it, cursing her short stature. “I found a basket!”

[jaspermaddoxx]

“Think nothing of it.” While he had some lingering reservations about saving the human, he was glad that he had. Jasmine’s company was a welcome thing to have while staging an escape from the castle. Protecting a human certainly provided a fair means of motivation to do something quickly, rather than staying on the sidelines like he had intended to do. Though when it came down to it, he really couldn’t think of anything he would have needed from a human, but he appreciated her sentiment.

The faerie was glad that the woman was fine with him ranting, though he did not know how much of it she understood. Magic was a complicated topic for those who were not as enthusiastic about it, especially those who were not born fae. He did, however, manage to look properly appalled that the human had found at least some tea to her distaste. “What a dreadful notion; a tea that isn’t good! I daresay that’s a sort of experiment that I would rather not try out.” Jasper let out a short laugh as he rummaged through the many dressers, tossing out socks and undergarments without a second thought. “Magic, on the other hand, is quite fun so long as you know what you’re doing. Or have a few lives to spare.”

Jasper looked over to the human as she called his name, grinning widely as she pointed out the basket. He bounded to her, reaching over her to pluck the basket from the shelf. “Ah, perfect! Thank you, Miss Jasmine.” He set everything onto the bed, ripping the cushion apart and throwing feathers everywhere. “Just give me one moment.” He plucked a few of the larger ones from the pile, attaching them to the edge of the basket with dexterous fingers. With a quick wave of his hand, other feathers followed, forming a pair of makeshift wings. Jasper wedged the dowel in the center, attaching one of the colourful scarves from his costume to form a small sail. “Now we just need a balcony, or perhaps the rooftop would work. I’m sure the stairs must lead to somewhere with an open space.” He reexamined his odd creation, which looked like an improvised child’s toy, and was satisfied. Yes, this would probably do well enough for two people.

He froze again as the sound of rattling chains reached his ears, paling at what it could mean not only for himself, but for the humans down below. Jasper stared down the hallway behind him, the absurd invention tucked safely under his arm. The chill in the air was returning, and was moving quickly. “Oh dear, we better get moving. The ballroom must be emptying by now.” 

[jacqueslefou-blog]

“Thank you for the welcome, sir. It’s not too messy, honestly. Do you have any books on mythology? I realized a few days ago I barely know anything on the subject.”

[jaspermaddoxx]

“It certainly has been worse, though I fear I may have lost a handful of authors to their book fort. You certainly aren’t the only one who has taken an interest in mythology recently. Which kind would you prefer? Human or faerie? There tend to be vast differences between the two. Is there anything specific that you want to learn about?”