^w^

Oh, I remember now. So that makes sense of how you're a powerful but predictable pushover - the old bootstrap paradox. You couldn't best me in the present, so you went back into my own timeline and punked me there, thus setting up ample forewarning of how to deal with your sort once the unicorn destiny was set in motion and I could outwit and hit back.

Points for creativity, even though you REALLY didn't think this through.

MoOTF: *sighs* My, we are paranoid. I am not trying to best you at anything. All I have done is played a few pranks and you've stuck your nose in every time. I just want to have my fun -perhaps point out some destructive habits that I come across along the way, too- and you insist on complicating my every move. Why are you so hellbent on ruining my good time? Apart from, well, this instance, what have I done to you to make you despise me so?

Now who's being paranoid? I don't hate you - well, the human side of me doesn't - I just think you're a lackadaisical berk with your head up your own arse. Fair enough, I'm inclined to be somewhat overprotective when it comes to personal charges and colleagues and you can't help showing up on my radar from miles off. But other than nuisance value and the occasional need to save you from your own mischief? Honestly, what is it around these parts with the ratio between power and obsession with image?

MoOTF: *tilts his head* Then, I apologize for misreading your utter frustration with my presence, distaste for my personality, and sniping at my apparent lack of intelligence. It's an easy mistake to make. *he lifts his tail slightly* You do realize you are in the sidhe. Power and image are our currency. Of course we're obsessed.

Rhetorical question.

My own self-image stank as a human. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise - granting some immunity, in keeping the unicorn vanity under better control.

*momentary pause, eyes look upwards...*

Well at least you've stopped trying to deny it.

MoOTF: *sitting* I should be pleased to freely walk in my natural skin again. I suppose magic grants everyone its own blessings and curses. *he smiles* I often double-speak, but in this moment I tell you truthfully that I am happy for what you have found in your new form. The Unicorn Court at large, however, are smarmy pains in the ass and I'm glad the Seelie Court is rid of them. Maybe once you meet them we will find a scrap of common ground in that regard.

*one eye closed, the other narrowed thoughtfully...

On the subject of 'common ground'... I have a sneaking suspicion I've figured out what your 'natural skin' may be.

MoOTF: *raising an eyebrow* Am I so transparent?

It's a process of deduction. The eye is supposedly the window to the soul, and of late I've noticed that in whatever guise, I see the same glassy-blue eyes that Auris has, even when you stuck him as a pig for that day. That you were able to catch him off guard like that at all is remarkable enough. You're familiar with his history and bear a personal grudge against the Regency. But I think what actually tipped me off is when he referred to you offhand as a 'court jester', and he's not one for being figurative.

*paces round...*

You're a unicorn exile, aren't you? If not an actual unicorn - at least anymore - stripped off your rank, privilege and original shape, and your power sealed without access to a horn... powers you were able to 'reclaim' through a dalliance with a certain bell-wearer. Or maybe an outcast because of it.

*stands up straight...*

What exactly did you do? If I'm right, which bloodline did you belong to - and who is it you're working for now?

By any chance, would you be the one before me tasked with mending bridges between the courts, from the other direction... and messed it up horribly?

MoOTF: *rests his head between his paws* It is never pleasant to hear that my reputation has fallen so far into obscurity. Am I so thoroughly forgotten that mortals no longer know my name? Yes, I am exiled at best and bound for shackles at worst, so I can never wear my real skin in the presence of any of the magical races. I dare not speak my true name before anyone, but my bloodline is far from noble. *he sighs* Truth be told, I never had patience for the Court. I aligned myself with only one master and now... now I pay for my loyalty with exile. That is all I care to say about that. And those bridges you speak of? I was never meant to mend them, but I am fully convinced now that they should be left burnt.

So... how much of that deduction was on the mark?

The red goatee seems omnipresent too, if that's another holdover.

MoOTF: For your safety and mine, I cannot say directly. *he eyes you conspiratorially* Perhaps the knowledge that I am nothing more than an offending shadow of what I once was will let you deduce further. That I must use all the deceit of a serpent's tongue to scrape by the pitfalls laid for me powers that be, perhaps.
No matter my identity, what is important here is that you know I cannot allow you to succeed with bringing the Unicorn Court into an alliance again. I don't tell you this as an adversary; I am forewarning you to make amends. Too much is at stake here to let them stand in the way of progress.
*he pauses for a few moments, lightens his tone a bit, and paws at his goatee* I could hide this thing if I wanted to, but I'm rather partial to it. What do you think? Worth the trouble?

*narrows eyes...

'Cannot', 'will not', or 'must not'? There's a definite semantic difference.

Is it possible that yourself and Auris are two separate, but equal and opposite aspects of the same being? You must gather by this point that I'm not likely to stop investigating before I've unravelled the mystery.

MoOTF: *smirks* The latter two are most apt. As for his lordship Stick-Up-the-Arse, my only connection to him is that I enjoy tormenting him. We are not even close to the same thing.
*he stands and stretches* Well, friend, I'm not one to give over the game so quickly. Maybe next time we meet I'll toss you another clue. Until then. *he nods his head once and disappears, leaving the sidhe and no magical trace behind him*

*recoils* Hey! Dammit, next time I will probe him over what's deemed to supposedly be 'at stake'. I may be less closed-minded than a 'natural' unicorn, but he can't expect me to make a judgement call without facts or evidence.

*pauses*

*inwardly* Yes I know, you call it 'principle', it's your whole methodology. And I don't trust him. Do you hear me claim you're always wrong?

Nice to see you trying on a foxy form.

Also, a fox and a hedgehog. Now where have I seen that before?

MoOTF: *looking dramatically innocent* Whatever do you mean? *grins* Pop culture? Never heard of it.

*Winks* Oh, nothing forget I said anything.

MoOTF: *smirking* You said something? *he twitches an ear* Must've missed it. *winks*

Back Pains?

That or acupuncture, depending on how the magic takes

I wonder if the Man of One Thousand Faces has ever turned anyone into a cow? You'd think a "moo tf" would be right up his alley. :D

XD Yes! Hmm... who to target for such a thing?

How about a slightly pompous boar?

Sebastian: Change me and I'll break your legs.

I think being a boar might be punishment enough ^^'

Hopefully someone for whom being a cow would be an ironic punishment.

Hm... I'll have to think on this for a while

*Chuckles lightly as I step out from some shadow* Now now Chaney. What have you gone and gotten up to this time?

MoOTF: *raising an eyebrow* Merely acknowledging some barbs toward me, my good fellow.

*Chuckles* Fair enough I suppose my friend. Temporary I would hope? Also that pun was a little blunt. You might need to make sure he gets the point a little better. *I say with a small laugh as I look over and smile kindly at Eala* Sorry my friend. Could not resist a little situational humor as well.

As Johnny can certainly attest, hedgehog tfs are the bane of clothes.

Very true >w<

^w^