The day was warm for spring, as a mid-May day should be. Both the suns of the Underground were perched high in the sky as amicable clouds chased each other back and forth like barefoot children in a meadow of cyan. A decidedly airy and florid smell wafted over the wall of the courtyard from Jareth's massive and extravagant gardens just beyond. Passing through a small portion of the gardens to walk to the stables, he severed an iris from its stalk and twirled it between slender fingers. The blue and purple flower nodded its head as he moved, the heels of the tall black boots clicking along the cobblestoned pathway. Upon reaching the stables, he tossed the flower aside and glowered. Three of the goblin guards were away from their posts and playing cards while sitting atop overturned buckets.
"Idiots. Simple moronic creatures." The Goblin King growled softly under his breath and silently moved to lean a shoulder against the doorframe looking over a goblin's shoulder.His brightly kindled eyes snapped with electricity as he grinned a toothy smile, his teeth a flash of white beneath his lips. The other two beasties looked up, gasping simultaneously. Jareth grinned, and gave them a 'not a word' look. With a flick of a black gloved hand, he produced an ace of spades from thin air and tossed it leisurely onto the table in front of the still oblivious goblin. The small armored creature jumped up and put its tiny clawed hands on what could have been its hips.
"Ok, tat's it! Yous guys are cheatin' again, ain't ye?" The guard stabbed a stubby finger at the two others, who sat motionless, their twisted little faces masks of fear. Confused, the standing goblin frowned. "What? What's going on? Ye Wimps! Ye look like ye just saw Jareth's shadow!" And the beast began laughing hysterically, clutching its sides. "Yer Blooming Fairies! Jareth ain't nothing but a big blowhard! All talk and no action!" Both the other two gritted their jagged teeth and swallowed so hard it was audible.
Jareth, oppositely, smiled genially, produced another ace, and began waving it in front of the standing gaurd's face. The poor creature whirled around so fast he landed squarely on his rump on the not-so-soft-stone floor before stuttering.
"Y-y-y-yer M-majesty..." Jareth beamed. This was no challenge at all. Cowards.
"Promyis, dear Promyis..." His eyes gleamed, as his voice took on a mockingly fond tone. "What's going on here might I inquire? It certainly doesn't look like you're guarding the stables effectively. Perhaps it's just my failing vision."
"Y-y-yes sir! I mean NO sir! We's j-just...w-w-watching,...er...t-taking a b-b-b-b-break see..."
Jareth's smile faded and he grabbed the goblin by the thick bandana about it's neck, hoisting it from the ground with ease. His lips pulled back into an animalistic snarl revealing the neat row of regimently pointed teeth.
"What a pity you weren't assigned a break. But perhaps you're right. Perhaps you do need a break..." He trailed off, a malignant grin creeping over his mouth like a disease. The goblin looked uncertain.
"W-w-what?"
"Right about here." The grin spread and Jareth immediately closed his hand in a vice-like grip about the guard's neck. His long fingers as steely and unyeilding as so much chain. With a quick motion the goblin found himself hurtled against a stone wall, the wind knocked out of him and more than likely a few snapped ribs. Jareth clicked his teeth at the other two. "See that it doesn't happen again."
Wordlessly the goblins who were able to respond bowed, almost toppling over in the process. Jareth walked past them without another glance. Both leapt out of his way.
"Stupid things," he muttered in annoyance and considered having one of the grooms saddle his horse. Wishing simply to be alone without interruption for a short while, Jareth himself took down the smooth saddle that shone like polished gold from its rack, grabbing a thin carved leather bridle adorned with tassels as well. His steps slowed as he sauntered down the rows of stalls, glancing appraisingly at each horse in turn. Finally at the end of the row he stopped and placed the saddle and bridle on the rack hung by the stall's door before opening it.
With skilled haste, he tacked up the massive dapple grey mare, and lead her outside before swinging aboard. He lost no time in gathering the laced reins tightly in his gloved hands, and for good reason, for the mare began dancing about impatiently.
"Let's go then," he intoned, leaning forward and giving the horse her head.
Without needing the urging in the slightest, the mare plunged ahead.