The Time (started, but still you can join)

Katherine Bryce
The day after I was awoken by a knock on the door. "Yes?" I sat up. My head didn't hurt. Good. That meant I was fit for fight. As soon as I had gotten that damn dress on again. It was pretty, but a pain to get on and of.

A woman entered. "God morning Ms Bryce. Mr Greendale asked me to wake you up and pour you a bath, so I have done as he asked. Unfortunately he had some business to attend to, so he can't join you for lunch, but is going to send his servant to pick you up for dinner." How kind of him. She held out a bathrobe towards me. "Please follow me to the bathroom." I let her put the bathrobe on me and followed her.

After I had taken my bath and dried of she handed me a box. A present from Thomas, apparently. When I opened it I found another beautiful dress, green this time, and with a green hairpiece with feathers. If everything continued like this, then I would have to marry Thomas in a couple of months. Now that wouldn't be good. No personal ties. I had sworn that after my first year when I lost a very dear friend.. But on the other hand, I needed the money.

I let the woman help me get the outfit on, and then went down to the bottom floor, where she apparently was supposed to server me breakfast. I noticed one of the questers I had met before sitting at a the bar with a girl who was obviously also a quester. I decided to go over to them. The guy didn't have a child with him, so I assumed that they had nothing with my quest to do.

"Hey, mind if I sit down?" I didn't wait for them to answer. In this outfit they probably though that I was someone who belonged here. "So, when and where are you from?" I said with a curious smile.

Radius

Spoiler

I should have been keeping up with this. So confused.

I didn't remember falling asleep, or actually much of anything. I woke up in the alley I last remember being in. I sat up and stretched, ate at least half a loaf of bread plus a considerable amount of that cheese. Gillian was still dozing on the pile of grain or whatever and I shook her awake. She woke slowly, taking a while to stretch out. I smiled and tossed her the other half of the bread. She gave it a strange look before taking a bite and standing.

"Lots of work to do, not a lot of days to do it."

My smile faded as I remembered the truth of that statement. Gill gave me a weird look and I waved her off.

"Lets get started. What is here that doesn't belong here? I guess we can start by looking for any type of technology."

I looked over to gain her approval, but she wasn't even paying attention to me. I followed her gaze to one of the people I met my first day here. It never really occurred to me how weird it was having other Questers here, and Clocks too apparently. I shouldn't have left without getting answers. I walked up to them and cleared my throat.

"Good day," I greeted. "I was wondering if you knew why there are other Questers here. This has never happened before. Ever."

Spoiler

Here goes Jareth again.. I wasn't sure if I'd post this now or later, but oh, well.. Let's make things interesting, shall we?

*

They arrived at the tavern, following Jareth's sense of a group of Questers joined together. He didn't really want to come too close. He could see them sitting at the same table, talking about something.. Sitting there with them would mean to tell them his own story. Admit he's a Clock - more even, admit who's kid he is. He wondered how that would go, seeing that he never told anyone before.
Except for her, he thought. I told her everything.. Maybe that's why it all ended the way it did. In any case, this is something like second chance, the repeating of history that never really happened. That is, if I'll be able to keep away. And even then, what will be if I manage to change her future? Will that mean that, really, she's never truly met me?
It was hard even to think in multiple tenses at the same time.

Observing how the waitress serves the Questers, Jareth almost smiled. It was always the same, they always craved for something from their home place, their home town, and probably it was harder to hide that than it seemed to be.
Jareth supposed they hated the Time Masters.
He could imagine each one of the Questers, cursing the unknown names of his family members, desiring to go home, change their Quest, end it already.. But it was their choice. Not much of a choice, seeing what was the alternative, but a choice nevertheless. If he'd tell them he's a son of one of the Masters, would they want to kill him or would they beg him to help them? Fear was the third, and most probable option - right after the possibility of his parent changing the part of time in which Jareth confessed, or moving him somewhere far from them, that is.

And then he felt it again. The mixing of everything, and the sense of falling into nothingness, and gaps in his time. Not at all a pleasant feeling.
He grabbed Althea's hand, and she eyed him suspiciously.
"Jareth?"
"Forget it. Do you want to come in?"
"There's a lot of them." Althea was not at all sure of herself, not since that thing she blabbed in the square. And ever since he started experiencing the time-losing, she's became serious, as if she's suddenly grew up a bit.
"Fine," he said. "Where to, then?"
She let go of his hand, looking scared again.
"How does home sound?" It was hard to tell was it anger or despair. "I don't like this, something's happening to you. Why don't you..." She turned silent as he looked at her. They were leaving the tavern now, again heading to their house.
"Why don't I what?"
She avoided meeting his eyes, but answered nevertheless, so silently that he barely heard her over the noise of the street.
"Why don't you ask.. Them?"

Jareth said nothing as they walked home, nothing until he was the only one left awake. It wasn't yet night, the day has just began to darken, but Althea's already fallen asleep. Reading a book, on his bed in his room, as she wanted to make sure he'll follow her advice. Not that he'd ever let her listen even if she was awake.

He sighed, stood in front of the mirror and calmed his breath. He could hardly recall the last time he did that - usually it was the other way around, and they never came to talk to him when he actually wanted them to.
Jareth made it all stop. The darkening, the flickering of the candlelights, the song coming from somewhere out in the street, everything, until he was the only one still breathing, the only one for whom the time was still passing.
Jareth. Their voice sounded almost tired, and he wondered if it was even possible for them to feel so. You never wish to speak with me.
He looked over to Althea, finding it somewhat disturbing to see her laying there out of time, seeming dead.
"I'm loosing time," he said, avoiding his own eyes in the mirror. His reflection was still his, but in a slightly different position, and as always, it was at the same time scary and fascinating. The voice made a noise one could call a sigh.
"Althea is worried I'll die."
You will not die, the voice said what he already knew. [/i]You're well aware of that. But you should listen to me.[/i]
"Don't I always?"
Would I need to emphasize it now, if you do? Stay away from the Questers, Jareth. Away from all other travelers.
He frowned.
"I can't stay away. I need to do my job. There's another Clock somewhere, one I don't feel to be very friendly. I have my Questers to protect."
Waste of words, I know more than you do. The Clock is not a friend, but soon enough it may not be important anymore. And there are no your Questers anymore. You shall not use your abilities except if absolutely necessary.
"Wait. What should that mean, no my Questers? There is a lot of them out there. They need a Clock, that's what we were made for." Jareth didn't feel like teaching a Time Master any lessons. It was all wrong anyway; Jareth was always the rebel one, one no one from the family really liked, as he was to take someone's place sooner or later. And now he seemed to be the only one still understanding the rules, and he didn't like that. Why did it feel so important to him, the Questers and the whole story, all of the sudden?
Take care of your apprentice, she shall take care of the Questers.
"No." It was the first time ever that Jareth acted like that, but he didn't want to go on with the planned this time. "She is too young, and it's mine to choose what she'll do. She can't handle my Questers too, she was never on a task before."
Again, that and far more I know. You care about her too much. She's a servant to you. Don't forget that. You're not there on a task anymore, you cannot afford yourself that, understood? Do not use your abilities.
Jareth couldn't agree less. Sometimes, he hated the Time Masters himself, especially when they tried to mess with the Clock he made. She was a servant to him - yet a good master should know that he must be able to guarantee his servants' safety.
"I have to-"
You were not sent where you are to play and test your limits. Stay away from them as much as you can. Guide Althea if you must. The voice, for the first time ever in Jareth's life, sounded almost as if they cared. Keep the time as it is.

And then everything moved again, so suddenly Jareth had to close his eyes to suppress the dizziness. It was really happening, they really made him step aside. He could tell now very well how the Questers must have felt; alone in the world that wasn't their own, with no clue what's happening at home - or will they ever see home again.
It wasn't until a few minutes later, when he opened his eyes and faced the reflection again, that he realized Althea was no longer in the room.
*

Sorry to interrupt, but can I enter as a new quester. I will post a profile asap

venividiandvici wrote:Sorry to interrupt, but can I enter as a new quester. I will post a profile asap

Sure can
Join us on DT and message me if you need anything ^^

Spoiler

Quinn is from a very far future where nationality is basically nonexistent. But I suppose she could be from what used to be Canada Also, I'm really sorry for being off schedule from everyone else. I'm in India, and so I think I'm sleeping when all of you are posting!

Quinn,

I wake in a pale sunlight, Cressida quorking at my window. I groan and throw the covers off.

"Aw, shut up you damned bird," I mutter and throw a pillow at the window. Satisfied that I am awake, she flies off to whatever raveny business she needs to go about.
I stiffly get out of bed and stretch. Then I spend a few minutes practicing with my blades before sliding them into their sheathes and heading downstairs. When I enter the bar, I immediately spot the man I came to talk to. I walk over to him, smiling, and tap him on the shoulder.

"Mind if I take a seat?" I ask.

"Sure," he says, pulling out a stool, "Want anything to drink?"

I almost ask for moon hooch, but stop myself. Different time, I think to myself.
"Just a water is fine, " I say and sit down.

"Come on, my treat," he says, and orders me a beer. I take it without hesitation.

"So," he continues, "What is it you wanted to talk about? You don't just tap people on the shoulder if you aren't going to say something."

I nod, and take a swig from the beer, "I saw you talking with the Clock last night," I say, gazing levelly at him. He nods, giving me an odd look.

"You're a Quester too?" he asks, and then shrugs, "Yeah. Why's that important?"

"I'd like to have a chat with him myself, as it happens," I say, "Did he tell you where he was headed?"

He shakes his head, "No, he didn't. Sorry."

"Oh. Well, never mind then. I'm Quinn," I hold out my hand, and he gives it a firm shake.

"Harrison," he says, but I raise an eyebrow, and he sighs, "Alright, Alex. But I'm not using that name."

I grin, "Clearly not. How long have you been questing?"

Before he can answer, a girl steps up to us, "Hey, mind if I sit down?" She asks, and then sits before we can answer, "So, when and where are you from?" She looks at us expectantly. Alex and I exchange glances. Questers are just popping up everywhere. I've never seen them in this concentration before, with Clocks too. The TM is up to something, that's for sure. All the more reason for me to talk to these two.

"I'm from a future," I say guardedly.

Spoiler

Name: Aksel (Axel) Wolf
Age: 32
Where and When are you from: 1946 Trondheim, Norway (but originally came from Berlin, Germany)
How long are you on the quest: 214 years

Appearance: 6'1. Light brown hair, dark blue eyes, fair skin, strong jaw, straight nose. Athletic build, quite fit. Always keeps himself neat (one of the few things that he puts any effort into), and you'll never see him with a stubble or wrinkled shirt. He looks tired. Not physically, but mentally, and his eyes seem lifeless. Dresses in whatever he can get his hands on and is appropriate for the time he's currently in.


Personality: After all his years as a quester he still thinks of his quest as a way of repenting for his crimes, and has begun to think that he isn't meant to complete it. The quest is his personal hell, and he thinks that he deserves every bit of it because of the awful things he did during the war. Instead of actually trying to complete his quest he has made it his mission to help anyone he encounters that needs help, and he always does the right thing, or tries to at least. He would never steal or hurt anyone intentionally and has no qualms about sacrificing himself for someone who he doesn't even know.

He rarely, if ever, smiles or laughs. He's very quiet and still, and behaves almost like he's trying to conserve energy. He tries to be as nice as he can if asked about anything (like directions), but it quickly becomes apparent that he just want you to go away unless you have some real problem that he can help you with.

He's never surprised or startled, since he has seen most things before and has become very jaded.

History: Aksel was drafted by the German military when the military conscription was reintroduced in 1935. He had no wish to join the military, but his father (who was a devoted supporter of Hitler) told him that if he ran his family would disown him and he'd be hunted down as a deserter. Seeing that he had no other option he joined the army.

In 1942 he and his platoon was dispatched (from where they had been positioned in Denmark) to Norway to help fight the Norwegian resistance. During his first year in Norway he met a woman who he fell in love with and by 1943 she received their child. The woman's name was Gry, and because of her relationship with Aksel her family disowned her.

During his stay in Norway he captured Jews (who were then sent to concentration camps) and killed both men and women from the Norwegian resistance. He tried not to think about it, because the guilt would give him panic attacks at night, and did his best to convince himself that he did it because he had no other choice. His only consolation was Gry and their son, Erik.

When Nazi Germany fell he and what remained of his platoon handed over their guns to the Norwegian resistance and became 'disarmed enemy forces' (different from prisoners of war). Many of the other women who had associated with German soldiers were imprisoned, but Gry was not that lucky. She was instead killed by her own brother (a soldier in the Norwegian resistance). Luckily she had managed to send John with one of the German soldiers who managed to leave Norway, telling the soldier to take him to Aksel's parents in Berlin.

Aksel, and some other DEFs, were forced to clear minefields. After a field had been cleared the Norwegian soldiers would chase the German DEFs criss-cross over the field. As with most of these DEFs, Aksel stepped on a mine. That was when the TM approached him. Aksel saw it as a chance to repent, and agreed to become a quester. If he succeeds he wants to bring his son John with him.

Skills: Strong as an ox. Knows how to handle most firearms and is a trained and experienced fighter, though even if you try to kill him it is highly unlikely that he tries to fight back, unless he's defending someone else. During his years of traveling he has picked up skills here and there, but hasn't bothered to master anything. He knows a lot of languages.

Other: Not really up for love.. Well, okay then but you'd have to make one hell of an effort. He's in need of a good friend though, to wake him from his zombie-like state.

Aksel (Axel) Wolf
New time, again. I looked around and noticed the extravagant dresses and hairpieces on the women, and the suits on the men. Victorian England. Good, I had been here before and I had kept a suit. I hid in the closest alley and opened my trunk and lifted out the neatly folded garments. It didn't take long to change, and once I was done I closed the trunk again.

I walked back onto the big street. On the other side there was a printing office. Those usually looked for translators, and I needed a job. I simply walked in and asked if they needed a translator, and indeed they did. Of course I had to prove that I actually knew all the languages that I claimed to know, which didn't take long.

The rest of that day I spent translating some Spanish book about astronomy, which really tested my vocabulary. Apparently the owner had an unoccupied room upstairs which I could rent, so I took it. When everything in the room was settled I decided to take a walk, see if there was anyone who needed my help. That was all I could do, all I had done for.. I had lost track. How many years had I been jumping from place to place, time to time?

I heard a woman scream from an alley, so I ran over there. There was a man standing over a woman with a knife. Without even thinking about it I disarmed him and knocked him out. "Are you alright, milady?"

Name (and gender if it's not clear, again): Franziska Isabeau d'Arcy
Age (when you started the quest): 16
How are you on the quest: the voice in her head laughed at her when she arrived, saying that she was replacing a boy she didn't really even know but had fallen in love with her and named her as a loved one. She just arrived.
Appearance: About average height; tangled/messy dark brown hair, cut short for convienence; large brown eyes; slightly hooked nose; slightly tanned skin from sun exposure.
Personality: Franziska is shy and reserved. She talks little, preferring to listen and collect information for later use. She does not have many friend because she is cautious about who she puts her trust in. But if you do become her friend then she does open up.
What you tell about yourself if asked: My father is french and my mother is austrian. I was born in austria but moved to france as a child. My father was trampled to death in one of the riots during the revolution. My mother and I starved without an income and had to find work when ever. Eventually disease got my already weakened mother. Before she died she gave me a golden earing, which I used to bribe my way across the channel to england. I just arrived.
Skills: She is tri-lingual, speaking austrian german, french and english. She is good at observing and drawing conclusions about people, what people's true nature and whether they can be trusted or not. Her passion is music and she is skilled at laughing the scoping pipe she wears on a thread around her neck.
Other: she its open to relationships and friendships if you can persuade her to trust you.

Spoiler

Alvarin, I hope I did justice to Aksel (kind of wrote about him the same way I do about Jareth)
Vicky (that's how they call you, is it?) ~ ooh another French, she and Valérie should meet ^^ Stop by the DT
Both of the Quests, for Aksel and for Franziska, are coming up.. Soon, I hope. When I think of them xD

Beth

Ever since Nancy told her about the plans for Ben, she couldn't think clear. People around her, her job, her past, everything seemed unimportant, it all mixed together and disappeared, and she felt more alone than ever before. She didn't have the money - she won't have it, even in a year, not unless the Prince himself slips into her bed one night.
She sighed, watching as her girls take the positions in the shades of the street, and men of different ages as they approach every now and then.
Her spot was always the same, on the corner under a street light. A few steps from there, a narrow, dark street led towards the park and to the richer quarters, where everyone had houses, women had tons of dresses and men had a desire for discretion.

She saw a man approaching her. He wasn't very tall, but seemed very strong, with squared shoulders and the way he moved. Beth knew those kinds of men, who hid their faces with hats tucked on them. The best that could get out of that was to do the job and accept the fact that you're not going to get paid.
Except, Beth didn't do it because she wanted to.
"You have a look I don't like on women", he said. He took a step forward, so she took a step back.
"I encourage you to look for another woman, then," she said. "There are many streets in London."
She didn't even know where the bravery for that is coming from. He moved towards her again, so she kept moving away. And then, all of the sudden, they stood in the alley, her back against the wall, and he pulled out a knife.
"You will do as I say."
Without much thinking, Beth did the first thing that came to her mind - she screamed.

The next moment, she was on the ground, with her cheek burning from the hit, and the man with a knife stood over her.
[/i]At least[/i], she thought as he blocked her view to the street and lights, other girls won't get hurt. And Ben will be safe...

The man fell down, disarmed and hit by someone Beth didn't see. She almost screamed again when the other man reached his hand to her, realizing the next moment that he wasn't going to hurt her.
"Are you alright, milady?" He asked, and she slowly nodded, letting him help her to get up.
"No lady here", she said. "But still I can't thank you enough. Is there anything I could do to... Return the favor, sir...?"
"Wolf", he said. "Aksel Wolf. I believe any man would do the same, miss."
His English was flawless, just as his suit, yet he didn't quite seem English, and his name wasn't one Beth has ever heard.
"Elisabeth Grey", she said, looking away the second later. "Beth, that is, in this street. Thank you. I believe a gentleman of your kind should leave me now."
Unless you want something, and this was a very clever way to get it for free.
He stayed serious, frowning a bit, and looked at the unconscious man again.
"You shouldn't stay here, miss Grey," he said then. "Come. To the light at least."

She followed him back to the street, and stood under her usual street light.
"You are hurt", he said, and she touched her lip. Until then, she didn't even notice it - the pain nor the blood.
"I'm alright," she answered. "Thank you. I live just over there, above that tavern." She tugged her hair behind the ear. "Do you need a room?" he gave her a strange look and she could feel her face blushing. "I know the owner. A room for yourself, that is. Without company, if that's as you wish."
She hoped he will accept - that was her way to return the favor, though rather far from what he did for her.
"Very well", he finally said, following her as she led to the tavern. He had a trunk with him, and she wondered what treasures he might be keeping in there. She was sure Ben would be happy to meet him; her son just loved strangers of any kind, and would never miss a chance to talk to one.
"So", she muttered, to keep her mind off her child. "Did you come from afar?"
He frowned again, and for a moment he seemed concerned about something.
"What do you mean?"
"Your name doesn't sound English", she smiled. What else would I mean? Then she remembered. "There is a lot of strangers recently. Did you come with the circus?"

No, he didn't, she figured a second later, reading his face. It wasn't an easy ting to do, tell what he was thinking about - but he obviously had no idea what she was talking about now.
*

Aksel Wolf
"No, I did not come with the circus," I said absentmindedly. "I'm from Germany originally, but I have traveled quite a lot." I would have to tell the owner of that printer office that I would be staying at the tavern instead. That was probably good, since it meant that he would have to walk a couple of blocks to get to work.

I brought my wallet up from the pocket of my jacket and looked at the money I had earned today. A pretty decent sum, if I remembered correctly. "How much does it cost to rent a room for a week?" Ms Grey gave me a number, and I put the same amount of money back in my wallet and gave her the rest.

She looked up at me with a strange face. I had already figures out that she was a courtesan. "Keep it," I said as we entered the tavern. "Maybe you can keep of the streets for a couple of days." Since she lived at the tavern too I decided to keep giving her the money that I didn't need. A lady shouldn't be forced to prostitute herself just because of money.

"What exactly is it that you do, Mr Wolf?"

I looked down at her. Did she think I was shady? "I translate books."

Katherine Bryce
I smiled. I had always wanted to go to the future, but so far no luck. I had been stuck with the ancient Greece, middle ages, renaissance and of course Rome. Rome had been quite nice. "I'm from the second world war. You?" I turned to the guy expectantly.

Was I being a bit brash? They certainly looked at me as if I was. But I was curious. I had never encountered other questers before. Before he could answer the door flew up, and who else could it be than Mr Greendale? He was panting like he had run a mile just to get here.

"Thomas?" I did my best to sound surprised. He had probably worked like a horse just to finish whatever it was he did for a living early.

"Oh, Ms Br.. Katherine. I finished my work early and I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me for a.." His voice trailed of when he looked at the people who were sitting next to me. They probably looked very strange to him.

"Walk?" I finished his sentence and smiled. I turned back to the other two. "You'll have to excuse me." I actually wanted to talk to them a bit more, but then again, I needed money. "I hope we meet again."

I left the tavern with Thomas, who offered to pay for a room in an inn where he had once stayed. I gently dismissed his offer. If there was other questers staying at that tavern, I would too.

Spoiler

I hope i can start writing even though i don't have a quest yet XD
and yes they do call me vicky

Franziska

She lay in a pile of sewage, head on the paving stones, eyes tightly closed. Her ear that was pressed to the ground registered the sound of hooves on the ground, but the only thing she could hear was the laughter of the voice in her head, repeating over and over again. “Now, you’re an interesting one,” the voice taunted. “Come to replace a boy you never even really knew. Well, I have a quest for you.”

She couldn’t remember how long she lay there in the filth trying to recall who it was she was. Franziska. Franziska Isabeau d’Arcy. That is what the voice had called her. A pretty name, she thought, I might keep it.

Something hard and cold hit her arm and drew her out of her thoughts. Her eyes flickered open to see a young man decked in a suit and top hat peering down at her. After a few moments, he frowned at her and turned on his heals, marching away muttering “Ungrateful piece of filth.”

Confused, Franziska hauled herself into a sitting position and for the first time noticed her surroundings. She was sitting in the gutter of a cold, grey street, much like the people who bustled along it. Very few of the passers-by noticed her and most of those who did, sneered down their noses at her. It took at quick glance at herself to realise the problem. Her clothes – rather rags – were torn and dirty. Her hair was matted, her face black.
They thought she was a beggar, pathetic filth.

And the man had pitied her, thrown her a coin. She picked up the coin from where it lay beside her and studied it. The bronze metal was tarnished and one side was brazened with the relief of a regal young lady. Franziska shoved the coin into her pocket. It was important to keep it safe because, money meant food and she had to eat at some point. Perhaps she could part a few more rich men and women from their money.

She sat in the gutter for another hour, but had gained no more coins. Night was falling and she was alone in a strange place, with no food or money. Frustrated she leant her forward to rest it on her knees. Something wrapped around her throat, and tightened, stopping air from reaching her lungs.

Jerking back, Franziska reached for her neck and fingered a leather thong around it. After turning round slowly, she unhooked the strap where it had caught on the wall behind her. She tried to remember why she was wearing a leather necklace.

And then it came back to her. Her pipe. The one her father had given her. She had no idea how she knew that but she did. She drew it out from inside her top and turned it over in her hands. She fingered every groove and hole trying to bring back her memories.

Another woman strutted past, without even looking down let alone loosening her purse in charity. It seemed that generosity escaped the people of this city. But, she thought, with a little encouragement they may be more willing. Lifting her pipe to her lips, she began to play.

Quinn,

The girl, Katherine. I guess her name was, leaves with the man who just walked in. I'm surprised, and a little contemptuous. Such relationships have never gotten me anywhere, and only hurt you more when the time comes to leave, as it always does when you're a Quester. I turn back to Alex.

"So, as long as we're on the subject, when are you from?" I ask with a tight-lipped smile.

"The future," he says, with a quick grin. I roll my eyes.

"Obviously. Twenty-first century, by the looks of it," I say, and he nods, unphased by my deduction.

"How long have you been Questing?" He asks, and I give him a wary look, but I've been asking the questions up until now, so it's only right for me to answer his.

"A little over two years," I say, "You?"

"Around three."

"And how have you, uh, liked it?" I ask, nonchalantly. Alex gives me a suspiscious look. I sigh, "Let's go for a walk. There are too many people here who might be listening."

After a moment, he nods, finishes up the rest of his beer, and follows me out the door. The moment I step outside, Cressida flaps down to my shoulder. A few people stare, but not many. Alex gives a low whistle.

"Nice bird," he says.

"I raised her from an egg," I say, a little embarrassed, for some reason.

Alex nods vaguely, and then returns to the question I asked in the tavern.

Spoiler

Sorry for the shortness/abrupt ending. I'm not sure how Alex would react to the question. If you can't tell, Quinn is trying to recruit Alex for her rebellion plans

"And how have you, uh, liked it?" she asked. She was talking about my questing. I shot her a quick glare. She didn't know what I was going through. She sighed, because she knew I wouldn't talk in here, "Let's go for a walk. There are too many people here who might be listening." I nodded, finished my beer, and followed her through the door.We stepped into the bright sunshine, and a bird flapped down and landed on her shoulder. She didn't seem to notice, it must have been hers.

"Nice bird," I said.

"I raised her from an egg," she sais as her face turned a little red.

I nodded, "Do you have a family? back where you're from?"

She frowned, "No. I was a slave. I almost died when the Time Master arrived. He saved me."

"Well aren't you lucky, I replied. "Do you know what it's like, to have a family, to have a beautiful wife, and the most precious baby in the world? And you make one mistake, and they're gone. But if you ever want to see them again, some guy tells you that you have to sleep with other women! Now think of how that must feel!" I looked at the ground, I had slipped. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overreact." I looked back up at her and she was smiling. "Why are you smiling?"

"Because, the Time Master may have saved my life, but I've been planning against him. And after that, I can tell you're in." I smiled and just shook her hand, and we talked more.

Spoiler

Just gonna end it there, because I don't know your master plan RedBird. And yep, pretty darn big hint

Aria

Things were simple so far, with Althea captured and only one clock to deal with, it was time to start leveling this rotten place to the ground. Time to go find this clock, I felt for the clocks pressence, and began following the pressence. Walking though the streets, men honked at me. Probably thinking me some whore, every time it happened, my hands lit up with powerful amounts of electricty, and I took aim and destroyed the car, with the men still inside. I smiled at the delight of death, excilerating. I continued my walk as I followed the pressence to it's destination, I soon stop as I knew I was in the area of the Clock.

"Your a powerful one ain't you?" I said to myself.

I decided to make things easy on my self, I point my finger at an electrical box and suddenly, it blew up into flames, the tavern setting ablaze. My dark amber eyes scanned the tavern waiting for the Clock to appear before me so I may do battle all across London, people stood up as to put out the fire the explosion caused. Another guy, who was familier, how? I gripped my head flashbacks of something happening. This guy? Who was he?

"Aria? Is that you? Aira!" He said, he hugged me.

"Who are you?" I asked.

I didn't hug this man back, but the flashbacks were pouring in, my head pounded as I got a headache from it all.

"You don't remember me? Oh god, your a Quester?!" He said quickly.

"I'm, not, a, Quester." A sudden burst of power in my hands and it sent him flying back.

He lands with his back and head in pain from being slammed against the wall.

"Aria, what are you doing?! Don't you reconize me?!" He asked urgently.

"No, I don't, and now, for battle." I said.

Jareth

If this is how people around me are, I'm far more different than I thought, Jareth thought as he walked the city streets, slowly giving up from trying to find Althea - she was probably back at home already. Men and women, in their best clothing and mostly with smiles on their faces, spent their time wandering around with no real destination in mind. Most of them just wanted to be seen, and to see others so they could later talk about them. In their dreams, reading their books and listening of adventures of others, they saw themselves as heroes of their own little worlds, craving to become someone of importance but never really moving forward to achieve it. Jareth could see which of them have future they desire - he could even tell which one of them have the future they could never even dream about - and who is hoping for no reason. He could see the ways fates could change, and disappointments that destiny will bring onto some of them. He watched as a woman with a child walked pass him, knowing she'll be left with no family in matter of days. Old man held his little granddaughter's hand, and Jareth could practically see the days he had left. It was sad, in a way, that they had no idea how little they may have. How they spent their lives and believed in happiness awaiting for them, never even wondering if there was someone who truly knew the answers to their questions. Not that Jareth would tell them, even if they'd ask... But still it was interesting to observe.
He smiled at a kid watching him from the street's corner. He was selling newspapers, probably dreaming of what he'd call magic but unaware of its existence. Jareth knew the boy will face a choice in a few hours, and the right one will make him a powerful politician - the other consequences varied, from distant plantations to death by poison.

Then he felt it. The aura of another Clock, close and powerful.. And familiar. So familiar that he didn't want to turn around.
A car exploded, with a man still inside, but the side street it happened in was far enough so no one of the unimportant people around him would notice. As of the person causing it wanted more attention, a near tavern burst to flames - and he saw auras of men and women glowing stronger, as they became more and more connected to what will be happening there in a few minutes. The newspaper boy's choices faded in Jareth's eyes, as he was pretty sure soon enough many people will die. That wasn't so a moment ago - it could only mean the other Clock had something to do with it, and Jareth turned to face her.

No way.
She wasn't the same as she was before. She dressed differently, her hair was a bit different and she seemed slightly older - if so could be said for a Clock - but it was her. Jareth didn't even know how much he missed her. He felt a smile stretching his lips again, he couldn't help it. For the first time ever, as he approached her, he was happy for being a Time Master's son.
She didn't hug him back. And even before some strange strength of hers hit him, he knew she wasn't sent to help him.

His head hurt as he stood up again. Well, everything hurt, and people slowly started to turn in their direction. Nothing to see here, he thought, half way to moving time back to the moment before she attacked him, and then he changed his mind. He didn't need to start differently - he needed to know why is she acting like that. She said she's not a Quester, though he already knew it when he asked; she still had the same aura of a Clock like last time he saw her. But if she wasn't made a Quester again, why doesn't she know him?

"Aria", he said, approaching her again and speaking silently enough for the others can't hear, yet urgently enough she understands how important it is tore member him. "What are you doing? Don't you recognize me?"
She looked at him as if he was his enemy.
"No, I don't," she said, "and now, for battle."
He barely had time to react before she made another move. The blaze of electricity missed him for an inch this time, as he took a step aside fast enough, but instead it fell on a carriage, blowing it up.
He was told not to use his abilities. Yet if he doesn't, too many people will die. He could see the future slowly starting to change, and not all the changes were good. No one from his family did anything yet.. So if the Time Masters were too busy to interrupt, it was on him to do all he could. Without using too much of his strength, that is, as he still had bad feeling about using it at all.

Jareth stopped another blast of Aria's energy in the air, along with everything else around him. The leaves, the wind, the people, even her, the other Clock. Everything stood calm, time not passing anymore, and he was the only one moving. He couldn't help her power destroying something behind him once he moves away, but that was the best he could do at the moment. He didn't want to fight her. Not her, not like that.
He walked over to her.
She was standing in the same position as when she threw her power at him, frowning but with a strange expression in her eyes. Almost as if she knew something, almost as if she could remember... Something.
Raising his hand, he touched her forehead. He was colder than her - but then, he was colder than anyone - and on his touch, he aura glowed stronger.
Looking strictly, he wasn't supposed to do that. But if there was no Time Master to stop her, there will be none to stop him either. He closed his eyes, focusing on traits of blue as he searched for Questers connected to her. His eyes opened a moment later, and he knew exactly who and where they are.

Using his time manipulation and his tracking abilities at the same time was really far from following the don't use your powers and stay away order. But now he knew what his next steps will be. He shared the knowledge of her Questers with her, and he knew exactly how to use that knowledge.

He sighed as he looked at her for the last time before he left. She will not have the memory of him stopping time and doing what he did. For her, and for everyone else, it will seem as if he vanished in thin air. The time will start flowing again, and he will be far enough for her not to find him, no matter how much she tried.
"I will find out what happened to you," he whispered, knowing she can't hear him, and then turned around and disappeared from the scene.
*