'Nowhere Man' by the Beatles is how my unicorn-self rather pityingly sees him.

That definitely fits. More than you know, actually ^^

Blue Oyster Cult's 'Don't Fear The Reaper' expresses his devil-may-care attitude, pretending he has nothing left to bother him and just make light of it all... but I can tell that the shadow that's left behind that thin veneer is the Johnny Cash version of 'Hurt'.

Also both accurate!

And know that I know who he is and what's befallen him, 'Biackbird' from the White Album is the other song choice.

Oooh, yes!

There will be more of these to come?

Three, I believe ^^

Which ones will they be?

A hitherto unknown character, Costa, and Moth ^^

Oh, no Candle? I figured 'regret' would have suited him, or if you need a characterising self-assessing noun, 'failure'.

Costa was Moth's human lover? I'm not sure what inner demons he would possess, since he was more of an eventual catalyst through no fault of his own if I've been following the story right.

I figured I'd use this mini-series to detail Moth's love life. Though, I am contemplating doing a separate song-inspired thing with Candle. ^^

Quite right. He did have some struggles, but not nearly as profound or life-altering as the others.

Ah, now I get all the relevancies.

*Sighs* Someone's been in trouble again, I see. Is it safe to approach? I'm alone.

MoOTF: *wheezing* Do I know you?

Ah, so I'm in this part of the timeline. Probably better to say that you will know me, and leave it at that. I take it you just escaped the custody of a particular set of seelie, and possibly some very powerful wards or seals, who and which you would rather not have catch you again. You needn't fear me helping them find you. I would like to get a look at that arm, though.

MoOTF: They're after me, too? Magicks, what did I do this time? *he turns, and a steady stream of blood running from gaping wounds near his shoulder blades catches the moonlight*

Hmm. Perhaps not the part of the timeline I think it is. Maybe you should tell me your story, friend. Meanwhile, I'll see if I can't patch up that wound of yours. You're not averse to sun-based magic, I hope.

MoOTF: *he sits, more out of necessity than cooperation* Not at all, stranger. I just left a very violent breakup. *he smiles at the irony of the situation* She is the one who cheats, and I get my wings ripped off. If that isn't a woman for you.

Ah. So it's this part of the timeline. *My hands start to glow golden as energy jumps in a nimbus of sparks around them, then starts to enter the wound.* Just so I'm fully up to date on things here, who's in charge in the Seelie and Unseelie realms at the moment? And what year is it by the mortal calendar?

MoOTF: *sucking a breath through his teeth as the magic hits the vulnerable flesh* Magicks, that is potent... The High Seelie Court is managing things at the moment. I believe it is 347 with some letters after it? Mortals have such strange measurements of time.

True. But it helps them to track their lives and maintain a catalogue of history. They don't have dryads, after all. And when you say the High Seelie Court, you refer to the king and his Queen? *The wound begins to close* I can tone down the intensity, if you need.

MoOTF: *turns instinctively and curses under his breath at the fresh pain, the discomfort of the healing magic forgotten* You mean to tell me you don't know? The King and Queen have been dead these last few centuries!

Ah, so that already happened. I see. *I sigh* I'm sure you've heard this before, but I'm sorry for your loss.

MoOTF: *returning to a more relaxed position* Thank you. It was a hard blow. I call myself a traitor for getting as involved with the enemy as I did... these are my just desserts.

Is that really what led to this, or something else? *I frown at the gouges* Wow, those talons really do a number, don't they?

MoOTF: Well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't fall for her to some degree. There is a certain charm to her fiery attitude... no pun intended. *he winces* I'm lucky she didn't rend me in two.

What did you do, anyway? Just say you didn't think it would work, or was it something more?" *I watch as the skin begins to regenerate and the bleeding stops, though there is still some seeping as the next step in the healing takes place.*

MoOTF: I confronted her about cheating on me with some human. The same damn thing that brought about the death of my master... she hasn't learned. She had the gall to get angry at me for it! Are all women this mad, or just her?

Wait, she was in a relationship with you when she also married that mortal?

MoOTF: No, no! This is some mortal weaver... his name sounds familiar, but I can't for the life of me figure out why. Mortal names all run together after a while.

A real bottom feeder? *I ask. The wounds have now reached the point of rejuvenating the second layer of skin.*

MoOTF: *clapping his hands* Yes! You know of him, then?

I know of many, Goodfellow. Their fates are often sad, though they have the potential to find happiness, if they are willing to try. I am afraid that he is not yet. A time may come when he is, but it will need to be his decision, as is often the case with mortals, and indeed with all creatures.

MoOTF: *he raises an eyebrow and turns to look you in the face* You know much, stranger. How is it that you know so much?

There are many answers to that question. Some would call it magic. Some would call it a gift. Some would call it damned perceptiveness. Which it all is, I don't know. Maybe a combination. Part of it is certainly the fact that I was allowed to speak to you at this point in your life. As I said, it's better to say that you will know me. I just wasn't aware that you met me before I met you.

MoOTF: You are certainly a tricky thing, friend. I am rather fond of tricky things. When we meet, no doubt we will have some fun. *he grins mischievously*

Depending on which me you meet, you may find more than that. But I'll say no more on that matter. I can promise we'll definitely have some fun adventures and shenanigans. You helped me to loosen up a great deal at one point. Mmm. I can still remember that wine and dance. Dionysus would have been pleased. Pan, too. *A light bleat escapes my lips briefly.* Excuse me. *I laugh* A leftover from one of the most fun days I've had in ages. *The skin is healed to the point where the flesh is a silvery-white.* Nearly done now.

MoOTF: *lifts an eyebrow at the bleat and his grin widens* Ho-ho! That will be a day to look forward to! *he attempts to look over his shoulder to see how things are progressing, but finds that he is too stiff* I appreciate the help. I thought I would lose consciousness when we crossed paths.

Just mind yourself. I'm healing the tissue. That doesn't mean I'm giving you back the blood you lost.

MoOTF: Well, I get to keep what is left inside of me. That is an improvement.

Indeed. By the way, I'd see about getting rid of that blood, if I were you. Nasty stuff in the wrong hands, you know. Or is blood magic forbidden now?

MoOTF: It is only "legal" in the Unseelie territories. Besides, I doubt that anyone is foolish enough to try it with me. I am a member of the High Seelie Court after all. *he cocks an exaggeratedly confident eyebrow and twirls his mustache with a finger*

With powerful magic to match, I suppose?

MoOTF: But of course! *he laughs* They did not give me the title of Grand Seeker without cause. *he takes the shape of a stag to illustrate, but stumbles, shakes his head, and returns to his other form* That was a poor decision. *he puts his head between his knees to ward off feeling faint*

Then again, you tend to have a reputation for those. Love potions, poofing into drinks, whispering madness or mischief into peoples' ears. You, sir, are a living force of chaos and order at the same time. But mostly chaos.

MoOTF: *still with his head between his knees* My reputation precedes me. *he lifts a finger, still in the same position* But the order part was mostly my master's bidding.

I'm aware. Didn't you enjoy it sometimes, though?

MoOTF: On occasion, when it was not too restrictive.

Of course you'd say that. *I smile warmly as I kneel to tend the last of the wounds. The flesh slowly loses its discoloration and returns to the same shade as its original state* By the way, what is a grand seeker?

MoOTF: *straightens to roll his shoulders experimentally* The Grand Seeker is the head of gathering information for the Court. *he grins* There is plenty of room to be creative in my field.

And that's why you're ideal for it, of course. A fae of your talents would be able to find out all sorts of things easily. It certainly helps with you being so, shall we say gray in your nature? One moment you're serving order and balance, the next chaos with just a dash of malevolence. Though, I do wonder if part of why you act out so much is because you long for something. Or maybe someone.

MoOTF: *bitterly* Why should I long for my king, mentor, best friend, and only confidant?

You do realize that only clinging to one isn't healthy for you, right? I'm not saying to cast your king aside, but you do need to find a balance. Otherwise, I'm certain things won't end well.

MoOTF: *becoming very serious* Oh, I intend to balance the scales. Titania may be out of reach, but my king is not.

She is alone and guarded jealously, true. *I sigh* So, you intend to follow his trail? What will you do when you find him?

MoOTF: What i must to bring him back, whatever that entails.

Even at the cost of another?

MoOTF: If that is what it takes.

But surely, you know that isn't right. And how would he feel, once he learned what you did to bring him back, assuming you had to perform such deeds or worse?

MoOTF: Better than the way it feels to be dead, I would guess. I am prepared to carry the guilt if it means we have our king again.

Even if it means death or banishment, huh? *I sigh* You really do love him, don't you?

MoOTF: *an anguished expression crosses his face* He was my king. This is what I owe him.

... There's something more you haven't told me in the future, isn't there?

MoOTF: Sounds like something I would do... or wouldn't do. Who can say?

You know what I mean, Puck. Love and loyalty can drive a person to do terrible things, yes, but this seems deeper than the usual love and loyalty associated with a servant. There's something more, isn't there?

MoOTF: *with a mischievous smile* If future me does not think I should say more on the subject, I shall respect his wishes.

*I sigh, then smile.* I guess I'll have to follow in your master's footsteps, and take up the merry chase, until I find out the truth. Or until I find you and give you an earful, won't I?

MoOTF: That must be the case, friend. I don't envy my future self, if that is your aim *he grins*

Oh, I'm sure we'll both have fun with it. And I do so love a good mystery.

MoOTF: And I am exceedingly gifted at not getting caught. Best of luck to us both. *he winks and disappears*

Sun and stars watch over you, friend.

*shakes head while observing, shrouded in the twilight shadows...

Oh you poor, poor broken bastard.

MoOTF: *turning to figure what the source of the voice is* Well, stranger, you aren't wrong.

*silently stepping out from the shadows towards him, magically producing a soft light overhead to illuminate is both, the better that I may see his real face for the first time.

MoOTF: *He blinks as his eyes adjust. His features are angular and carry a faerie handsomeness, but he is deathly pale and dripping blood from twin wounds on his back* Decided to actually join the fight against the Traitor, did we?

*eyebrow raises, and slow nod in logical deduction of the man's identity...

Merely an echo from the future, observing a tapestry weaving in the present, a tangled web of turning points from the past.

Thou speaketh in mixed metaphors.

*sardonically tilting head towards self...

Well naturally. What is this entire realm, if not one giant mixed metaphor? When it's not being overtly literal at the same time. She really did stab him in the back, didn't she?

*to the faerie man...

Like yourself, I'm not what I appear to be... Puck. I should have realised it ages ago - of course it would be you to have a hand in that donkey-headed sot's condition.

Have a care, man. Even this far passed, his antipathy towards the Verdant Hills be not diminished.

Then let's present a better example, if the rules will allow us to.

*horn glows with healing magic*

MoOTF: *he glances over his shoulder at the feel of the magic* If you are not from the Verdant Hills, then what are you really? The sidhe doesn't need any more tricks at present, if that is what this meeting is.

No tricks - at least not by my hand, where my being is concerned. I stated already; an echo of the future, and my battles to fight lie there in a more complicated period. I'd give a less cryptic answer, but the rules won't permit it, and our meeting will likely be stripped from your memory. I too must tread carefully to be allowed to retain any knowledge I glean here... you, on the other hand, have quite the talent as a man of mystery and master of deceit in my time. I couldn't waste the opportunity to witness your real guise.

*sighs* Nor am I permitted to physically alter the person you are due to become. You will survive, whatever happens; I can staunch the bleeding, dull the pain. But I may not reverse the damage, nor heal the scars, much as I would wish to.

Are your perceptions and powers weakened by the loss of your wings, or is it an understandable inability to focus right now? The trickster I'm familiar with would never allow himself to be sneaked up upon by a stranger, and would have said stranger's innermost secrets revealed to the world before they even got close.

MoOTF: For what you are able to do you have my thanks. As for my perception, I can barely see straight, so you'll forgive me for not noticing you... not that I feel I must hide myself when I am in the Seelie territories, anyway. *he sits with a groan and rolls a shoulder* Do not go courting, my equine friend. It isn't worth the trouble.

Well now... I wouldn't know or care anything about that anyway. Hmm. Hmm hmm....

*a closed-mouthed, throaty chuckle...

Ah gods, despite it all you always manage to make me laugh, one way or another. Though...

*pangs of guilt, knowing what prompts that mirth and what I'm going to subject him to in future, and turning aside with head drooped.

MoOTF: *cocking a curious eyebrow* Though? If I am not going to remember this, you might as well say what is on your mind.

*battle of wills...

No. Thy senses have taken leave -

I don't care. Your detachment -

-be mere common sense! Thou hast all the advantage, and knowest full well -

*snarls* 'Advantage'? You cold, lecturing hypocrite - I'll show you a thing or two about 'balance'...

But what becometh in future times -

- happens then. Look at him, half-crippled - what is there to answer for now?

*resignation* I cannot dissuade thee from this folly?

Absolutely not. We practiced this, both agreed on the need for scrupulous honesty with the Verdant Regency. We are going to even the scales and apply the same honesty, right here and now. And don't even THINK about a hostile takeover.

We both knoweth thyselves better than that. Very well, I trust there be method to thy madness - but be it on thy own head.

MoOTF: *leaning and raising the eyebrow* Are you still in there, friend?

*nods...

Since I've been witness to your real face tonight, its only fair that I show you 'mine' in return.

*internally to self...* Remember - while the 'extension' is being maintained, you are to say nothing. Do not interject, do not offer an opinion. Leave the talking to me, while you tend to his wounds.

*pause, then softer and less sternly...* Trust me.

*mentaly removes glasses, 'placing' them in the air at eye height, closes eyes and takes a deep breath...

Separate.

*a glow of magic from the horn, that turns into a bright ball of light that floats beneath the glasses, then quickly expands, changing size and shape while diffusing in intensity, filling the space to the ground as it becomes humanoid. When the luminosity has diminished to a faint glow, Eala's original unchanged self appears to be standing there, semi-translucent but more than a simple image. The glasses are a little skewed on his nose; he adjusts and cleans them. Opening his eyes once more, the unicorn's have become the natural glassy-orbs of his proper species.

MoOTF: *blinks* A mortal? Ho-ho! Why, you've played a wonderful trick, haven't you? Please tell me you are raising hell in the Verdant Hills with that convincing guise.

It's a great deal more complicated than a simple trick. By now, this is the 'guise' - another echo, of a lifetime becoming further distant. The 'vessel' there with its own thoughts - that is no less real, and no less 'myself'. A single mind, divided into two consciousnesses, bestowing each other with new ideas and outlooks.

*holds up a hand, turning it over and back to examine as it wavers, becoming more spectral and then back to almost solid.

MoOTF: What is your game, then, if you are combining such vastly different natures into one body? *he pauses and his eyes narrow* It isn't your game, is it? You are another of the Judicator's experimental puppets.

*lips purse, stroking my bearded chin...

"...Another"? Do go on.

We are referring to the same Seelie 'adjudicator'? Associated with a particular sapphire colour? Mayhap I haven't projected as far back as I thought.

MoOTF: The Blue Lady herself, of course. With the Noble Races being decidedly unhelpful, she has tried to find other means of protection for the realm... a few times, if memory serves. Some of her gambling has paid off, at least. The hellhound captain of the guard has proven to be useful.

Yes.... how *did* she manage to 'recruit' a hellhound? I never thought about it in magical terms before, I always had the impression he was paying some form of self-imposed pennance. Are you telling me he's a 'construct' too? I have more independence than a 'puppet', at least more than she bargained for.

MoOTF: No, no, he is not in such a predicament as yourself. Without the firm hand of the late King and Queen, the Unseelie folk were beginning to take liberties with human souls. The Captain approached her in hopes of rectifying the situation and she instated him without waiting for Court approval.

If you're interested in constructs, ask her about her failed puppets. Doubtless you are familiar with the tale of the little wooden thing she turned into a real boy? She attempted the same magic a handful of other times recently with ill effects. *he grimaces* Nasty business.

And you disapprove of and distrust her methods, and aren't the only one? Anticipated the question of 'failures' as well, I see. Do you want to give me the answer?

*thinks to self...* Yes, you're illustrating more to me about what makes you tick in my present. No sense of purpose without your liege, watching your loyalties becoming corrupted and everything you hold dear eventually turns to shit. But what makes the trickster I know hide his face and identity so thoroughly, when you're casual about it here? It can't be the simple reason of being a wanted man, from the mischief you openly cause and the certainty that you can't be held. What happened between this 'now' and my 'now'?

MoOTF: I do not fully understand your allegiances yet. If you are as close with the Blue Lady as you say, she will answer your questions. *he taps a finger to his chin* Or has the illness taken her in your time?

My 'allegiance', if you wish to call it that, align with those of my adopted kind; the balance of the world. Being a former mortal however, I have different and more flexible ways of seeing and other approaches towards achieving it, which, I suppose, in one sense makes me just as big a 'trickster' in my own way as yourself. If that is why I came about, it was unintentional. The Blue Lady's senses and wits are sharp; her judgments... not so much, and she got more than she intended in me. By the sound of it, little has changed that way between our two periods.

MoOTF: *smirks* Good. Give the unicorns hell with your 'imbalance' of thought. Give her hell, too. She and I have never agreed on much. The realms could do with a good bit of shaking up, anyway.

So I've noticed.

*shuffles feet a little before sitting down...

Forgive me for having to ask this when I just gave your smile back, but... *sighs*

Tell me about Oberon. He didn't die by the Traitor's hand?

MoOTF: *his face looses its cheer and looks strangely haggard* He did, but his magic was not contained. Not by her, at the very least. I seek it so I may bring him back.

How... how did she manage to slay them both? One in a surprise fit of grief I can understand, but Oberon too? How could she get the power... unless the Guardians intervened.

MoOTF: Who can say? If grief was enough to kill the Queen, perhaps fear for her life was enough to kill my King. I've not gotten close enough to a Guardian to ask one way or the other.

Then what will you do? Especially now that this has happened? 'Keep searching', obviously, but it sounds like you're all out of support.

MoOTF: *his expression growing grim* I will do what is necessary, support or not. It seems I am the only one who still possesses the loyalty to keep fighting for him.

How far would you be prepared to go?

MoOTF: As far as is required.

...Far enough to risk the anger of Oberon himself, should you succeed?

MoOTF: It would be worth the consequence.

*thinking... Now we're getting to the nub of the matter. The problem is, I can't very well just ask what he's going to do, and he's certainly not going to spill the beans back in the present. Most likely he won't even know... yet. Plus I'm skirting a fine enough line with the rules as it is.

Assuming you do eventually bring Oberon back, there's still the matter of Titania in that bell. Surely the Traitor must have suspected from the outset that's why you were trying to get close to her in the first place. Plus I need hardly remind you that the noble races would rather see that destroyed than, as they see it, fall into another's hands to be abused all over again. I have no wish to have that happen either.

You were Oberon's closest confidant if I recall, and he was your mentor and father-figure. Ask yourself this: what would he *want* you to do?

MoOTF: *he plucks at his goatee* He would want her back, no doubt. We would have to decide what would come next once he is returned to the throne. That would be a small matter. His magic was more potent than the Queen's, and the most the Traitor has at her disposal is a little less than what the Queen possessed.

I see.

...So why didn't she steal *his*?

MoOTF: There was nowhere to put him. An object can only contain one entity's magic at a time, and all she had was that blasted bell. Would that she had nothing, my work would be much simpler.

That's not the question... what I meant was, why didn't, or couldn't, she go for the bigger power source?

MoOTF: In that case, you are asking a question that only she knows the answer to.

Does the rest of the Seelie Court know of your 'relationship'? I get the impression you didn't want a lot of truck with them anymore anyway, and at the risk of sounding crass... it's not like you're going to be able to keep it a secret *now*.

...At least the bleeding has stopped.

MoOTF: It started as a rouse to gain information. That much was well known. My eventual feelings for her, not so much. *he winces* I do not intend to divulge that part of the story to them.

I rather fear Dubhgall is going to smell it on you. There'll be an enquiry, at the very least.

One thing I am curious about, and this will seem a bit of a frivolous question... Moth's penchant for bringing out the asinine, did she get that from you or were you inspired by her?

MoOTF: Yes, well, perhaps the old hellhound can be persuaded to my perspective. *he tilts his head to the side* I did not know she had a proclivity for such things. The weaver's spell was simply the first thing that popped into my head when I saw him. It is not a habit of mine to turn mortals into asses... they often do it on their own.

Speaking of 'weaving'... I can feel this portion of the tapestry drawing to a close.

*looks all around...* Yes, my moment on this plane, in this story, is almost done.

*back to Puck...* Will you be alright from here - physically that is? All I may do now is wish you luck, Puck, since I possess neither the leeway nor the ability to fully repair and replace your losses... any of them. What do you except the Court will say or do regarding the loss of your wings? How will that affect your status - if not your whole wellbeing? A symbol of a void that cannot be filled, perhaps?

MoOTF: *he laughs* Wings do not make a man, nor do they make a Seeker. The void remained even when I had the possession of all of my extremities... but perhaps I should wear these scars as a badge.

Most people do.