Jason was one for music but not this type. He looked to Ironhorse for a second before gently putting Shade and Fatespeaker into his hoodie pocket. Shade liked it in there and nodded off while Fatey was pleased to pop her little head out.

They stepped up and through the doorway into a magnificent foyer, with a double grand staircase sweeping toward a high vaulted ceiling and a roaring fireplace surrounded by plush black sofas. The hardwood floor gleamed red, the walls were patterned in red and black, and gauzy black curtains covered the high arched windows near the back of the room. Nearly every clear space on the wall was taken up by paintings--oil paintings, watercolors, black-and-white sketches. The Mona Lisa smiled her odd little smile on the far wall, next to a weird, disjointed painting that was probably Picasso. Music echoed through the room, dark and haunting piano chords played with such force that they made the air vibrate. An enormous grand piano stood in the corner near the fireplace, the flames dancing in the reflection of the polished wood. Hunched over the keys, a figure in a rumpled white shirt beat and pounded the ivory bars, fingers flying.

Jason's eyes were caught on the artwork,having never been to an art museum before so he was new with the Mona Lisa. Fatespeaker looked around with wide eyes.

Brown hair hung limp and shaggy on his shoulders, looking as if it hadnt been washed in days. The piano player's shoulders were broad, though his shirt hung loose on a lean, bony frame that was so thin his spine pressed tightly against his skin. The song ended with one last, vibrating chord. As the notes faded and silence descended on the room, the man remained hunched over the keys. His muscles trembled as if from exertion. He seemed to be waiting for something. A slow clapping came from the top of the stairs. It was none other than Grimalkin, sitting on the railing with his tail around his feet, looking perfectly at home. A woman stood on the balcony, her gold and crimson gown billowing around her. Her wavy, waist-length hair shimmered like strands of copper, almost too bright to look at, floating around her face as if it weighed nothing at all. She was pale and tall and magnificent, every inch a queen. Forget Arcadia or Tir Na Nog; they were in her court now, playing by her rules.

Jason's gaze was pulled from the paintings to the lovely woman and he whispered something soft that seemed to be 'darn.' .

"Bravo, Charles." Her voice was pure song, made of poetry given sound, of every creative notion you've ever had. "That was quite magnificent. You can go now."

The man rose shakily to his feet, grinning like a little kid whose finger painting had been praised by the teacher. When he turned and spotted them, Puck shivered. His face and hazel eyes were blank of reason, as empty as the sky.

Jason didn't stare,just tried to be polite about it. He did agree that the song was,for it's type,was very nice. Not what he was used to or what he favored,but for those who like that type,yeah,pretty nice. He gently put a hand to Pucks shoulder to try to make him feel better after he shuttered.

The man blinked at Jason, dazed for a moment, but then his eyes grew wide. "You," he muttered, shambling forward, jabbing at him with a finger. I frowned. "I know you. Dont I? Dont I? Who are you? Who?" He frowned, an anguished expression crossing his face.

"The rats whisper in the darkness," he said, clutching at his hair. "They whisper. I cant remember their names. They tell me..." His eyes narrowed and he panted, glaring at Jason. "Who are you? Who?" This last was a shout, and he lurched forward. Ironhorse stepped between them with a rumbling growl, and the man leaped back, hands flying to his face. "No," he whimpered, cringing on the floor, arms cradling his head. "No one in here. Empty empty empty. Who am I? I dont know. The rats tell me, but I forget."

"That is enough." Leanansidhe floated down the staircase, her gown trailing behind her. Sweeping up to the human, she touched him lightly on the head. "Charles, darling, I have guests now," she murmured, as he gazed up at her with teary eyes. "Why dont you take a bath, and then you can play for us at dinner?"

Charles sniffled. "Boy," he whimpered, clutching at his hair. "In my head."

"Yes, I know, darling. But if you dont leave, Ill have to turn you into a harp. Go on, now. Shoo, shoo." She made little fluttery motions with her hands, and with one final glance at Jason, the man scuttled away.

Jason now was stiff as heck,tail close and same with his wings. Fatespeaker was gazing in awe at the beauty of this woman before them.

Leanansidhe sighed and turned to them, then seemed to notice the trio for the first time. "Ah, there you are." She smiled, and their faces lit up in the glow of her attention.

"Did you manage to get the eggs, darlings?"

Warren snatched the backpack from Nelsons arm and held it out. "We found the nest, Leanansidhe. It was just where you said. But the dragon woke up then, and..." He unzipped the pack, revealing a yellow-green egg the size of a basketball. "We were only able to get one."

"One?" Leanansidhe frowned, and shadows fell over the room. "Only one? I need at least two, pets, or the deal is off. The former Duke of Frostfell specifically said a pair of eggs. How many is in a pair, darling?"

"T-two, Warren stammered.

"Well, then. Id say you still have work to do. Go on, now. Chop-chop. And dont come back without those eggs!"