Out of this world
1 - 5
by
Lilith
The following Labyrinth story is inspired by the song "Out of this world", by The Cure ( from the album 'Bloodflowers' )
Comments are VERY welcome.
Disclaimer: usual stuff, Labyrinth and everything related is not mine, neither is the song "Out of this world" by the Cure ( though I wish I had written it…it's beautiful ! ) ...bla,bla,bla….
BUT ALL NEW characters are mine, they're the result of my own twisted brains….
| O |
ut of this world
( words by Robert Smith )
When we look back at it all
As I know we will
You and me, wide eyed
I wonder……will we really remember
How it feels to be this alive?
And I know we have to go
I realise we only get to stay so long
Always have to go back
to real lives where we belong
Where we belong
Where we belong
When we think back to all this
And I'm sure we will
Me and you, here and now
Will we forget the way it really is
Why it feels like this
and how?
And we always have to go
I realize we always have to say goodbye
Always have to go back to real lives
But real lives are the reason why
We want to live another life
We want to feel another time
Another time……
Yeah……another time
To feel another time……
When we look back at it all
As I know we will
You and me, wide eyed
I wonder……will we really remember
How it feels to be this alive?
And I know we have to go
I realize we always have to turn away
Always have to go back to real lives
But real lives are why we stay
For another dream
Another day
For another world
Another way
For another way……
One last time before it's over
One last time before the end
One last time before it's time to go again……
~1~
| S |
he smiled as she saw the little note on her pillow. *Toby.* She picked it up gently. He would always leave this lovely little notes somewhere in her room, when she came back home for the weekend. Ever since he learned writing. She sat on her bed. Her smile broaded when she opened the folded paper. "Sweet dreams" it said. She stared at it for a moment. *Since when did Toby write so well ? He was only six. He must have copied it from a book. And he had sure developed a steady hand since last time she was here. But then, he liked writing and he practiced a lot. Should be it.* She shrugged and stood, leaving the note on her pillow. Consumed with thoughts she walked over to her dressing table. She didn't see how the little note started to glow with a strange blue light. Sarah sat down behind the table and stared in the mirror. The note crumbled to dust, leaving no trace on the fabric. A voice called for her, asking her to come down for dinner. With a sigh she got up and left the room.
Forty minutes later she was back. She buried her face deep in her pillow. * It always ended up the same ! Her step mom would pretend to be kind to her, but never could keep it up the whole evening. Neither could she for that matter. But then, she didn't feel like pretending anymore. Not even to please her father. Evenings like this always ended with a fight* She turned her head and stared at her stuffed toys, illuminated by pale moonlight. * Magic. * Her lips formed a sad smile. * It had been a dream, hadn't it ? Could be…Should be .Then…* She turned and stared at the ceiling. Counted the stars she had painted there. They were faintly glowing in the darkness. * Then I wish upon a star that I would dream like that again…* A tear rolled down her cheek and fell on the pillow. * It seemed to evoke a delicate smell of flowers. * She was surprised at the thought. * How could that be? * She turned and sniffed. The overwhelming scent of roses filled her head. * Had Karen sprayed her pillow with perfume ?* She doubted. Then she smiled, without really knowing why. Her eyelids felt suddenly heavy with sleep. She curled up and rested her head on the pillow. The moment sleep took over, a thought came to her *Oh yes, I'll dream tonight. Just as Toby whished. A beautiful dream to forget the misery of real live. If it was only just for the night. One night.* A smile lit up her face and she relaxed.
~2~
| S |
he felt herself sliding into a dream and out of this world. The faint send of roses surrounded her. She felt comfortable and very much ……alive. * How could I feel like this ? I was so tired when I got to bed * she thought surprised. She tossed and turned. * Okay, okay. I'm awake. But where has the dream gone to ? I was dreaming just then, wasn't I?* Rather annoyed she opened up her eyes. She looked up at the ceiling. * That's not MY ceiling.* She sat up. * And this definitely isn't my room ! Am I still dreaming then ? But it doesn't feel……this is all……* Sarah felt confused. It was only then that she noticed. The room was bathed in light. Sunlight.
Carefully she slit out of the bed. Her bare feet met with the cold tiled floor. She shivered, but she hardly noticed. The room was beautiful. The bed she had been sleeping in, was made of a beautiful wood, she didn't recognize. It was brown, almost black, which made quite a contrast with the white lace sheets. The tiles on the floor were a faint shade of red, like they had known better days. To her left side there was a huge wardrobe, made of the same wood as the bed. When she walked over to it, she saw it had a beautiful carving. Sarah didn't dare to open the enormous doors of this beautiful piece of furniture. *Well, at least not now* she added.
She turned round and saw on the other side of the room a dressing table. She couldn't help but giggle. * And I thought mine was awesome ! * She almost ran to the other side, and stopped just in front of the table. This too was made of the dark wood. Feeling like a queen she seated herself on the white velvet surface of the stool in front of the dressing table. Her eyes ran over the items lying on it. Carefully she picked up a silver brush. She admired she engraved weapon on the backside. It looked like cat sitting on a cloud, with on his left side a closed book and on his other side a hour glass. *Impressive. * she judged. She placed the brush back on the table. Right in front of her was a silver box. Curious as ever she opened it. A make-up palette, or that's what it appeared to be. Her eyes wondered further over the vanity items. * Must be somebody very rich who owns this * she thought, and with a smile she added * And that person has an excellent taste. *
Her eyes met with her own in the mirror. She blinked in surprise. It was still the Sarah that went to sleep feeling so angry. Same pale skin, same dark lines near her eyes. * Still the same nightgown * she grinned. But she noticed one difference. It was in her eyes. The bored, fatigued look had disappeared, and seemed to be replaced by a burning fire. * Yes *, she thought, * 'Cos there a things going on now. Things are happening ! Just like then…...* Her smiled faded. * But that had been a dream. Is this a dream ? * She remembered reading a book, where the heroine of the story pinched her self to find out if she wasn't dreaming. *Could always try !*. She pinched herself. "Ouch" she cried loud. * That was sure really painful * she thought while rubbing her arm. * So I am awake. But how did I come to this place ? Where the hell am I anyway ? If this isn't a dream, what is going on ? We didn't went on holiday, did we? No, we didn't. The last thing I remember is going to sleep…… sliding into a dream……the scent of roses.* The thought hit her, and she sat up straight. * The scent of roses ! Yes, her pillow had, somehow, smelled like a bouquet of roses. This room…… it was filled with the same delicate perfume. * She frowned. * How could that be. Had she been drugged ? Impossible. No drug smelled like roses * She smiled again, finding the thought comforting. *And then, who would drug her, and bring to……where ever this room was.* The frown came immediately back . * He. He had drugged her. But that was then, and that had been a dream. IT HAD BEEN A DREAM. * She clenched her hands and closed her eyes. She definitely had to calm down. * But HOW am I supposed to calm down ?* Before she could think of something, the sound of footsteps entered her ears. Her eyes flew open. * What?……Who could that be ?* She got up too quick and with a bang the stool fell to the ground. The person who was coming towards her room sped up. Sarah couldn't move with fright. Her eyes quickly searched the room. * Where to get out? The windows…other side of the room.* But her muscles didn't want to listen to her command, that told them to move. The footsteps stopped in front of the door. Sarah saw the door handle move. Slowly the door opened. A person dressed in white entered the room, eyes searching for Sarah. When they had found her, a vague smile played around the lips. Sarah stared at the person. She could hardly suppress the urge to pinch herself again. * This was impossible ! *
~3~
| T |
he person in front of her made a swift, elegant gesture that Sarah didn't understand. "Good to see you awake. How are you ?" a strange voice asked. She opened her mouth to say…*Say what ? That this can't be real ? That I don't understand a thing ?* The person opposite her smiled again, seeing her confused face. "Oh, but I am so sorry. I haven't properly introduced myself, have I ? Please forgive me. I am Rimada."
Sarah couldn't help but stare at the woman in front of her. *She was……strange……yes, that was the right word.* The woman's eyes were a light shade of gold and held the shape of almonds. The colour of her skin was as white as the sheets on the bed. And her hair. The colour was……* How to describe ? Something between red and orange. Yes. * And it started just above her brows, it grew on the tips of her ears and it was on her hands. * Wouldn't be surprised if she appeared to have a long tail.* Sarah thought in awe.
"It's rude to stare!" the woman smiled. Sarah blushed "Uh, I……I am very sorry. It's just that I've never seen …… somebody like you." She felt awkward and stared intensely at the floor. For a moment the room was filled with silence. Then a surprised laughter came from the woman called Rimada. "I see. I see. Not really strange I think. But forgotten about it. You earth people are not used to anything. Your world must be so boring. Though I thought YOU must be used to some strange appearances." Sarah looked up in surprise, she hadn't missed the emphasis on the word "you". * Where was the woman referring to ? Perhaps……No, it couldn't be……could it?* But before she could ask, the woman went on. "Oh dear. So I have to explain. Would have to anyway. Tell you why you are here and stuff." For a moment it seemed like Rimada had forgotten about Sarah. The strange woman stared with musing eyes at the wall behind Sarah. But then she smiled again and took Sarah by the hand. "Come on, come on. We haven't got all day! Let's go downstairs and have a drink." She pushed the girl to the door without taking a further look at her. Rimada missed the shocked look at Sarah's face when she heard those familiar words.
~4~
| S |
arah stared at the banner that was hanging above the enormous wooden doors. It showed the same picture she had seen on the back of the brush. The banner was made of white velvet, with the symbols in colourful velvet patched onto it. The cat was bright orange. * Like the colour of Rimada's hair really……* The cloud the animal was sitting on was like fluid silver. The book on the left had a red cover and the hourglass at the other side a yellow holder. The catlike woman next to her smiled "I am Rimada born at the House of the Silver Cloud Cats." It sounded like a statement. Sarah couldn't decide if she would nod like she understood, or if she would ask for explanation. But Rimada seated herself on a pile of pillows and made an elegant gesture as to ask Sarah to do the same. She sat down carefully while examining the room they had entered when they had come down the stairs.
The chamber was really big and looked as if it was frequently used by a lot of people. The floor was filled with extraordinary woven carpets in colours Sarah never thought would have existed. * Colours that you are only able to see in your dreams, but you're never quite able to put your finger on it……* There were no tables or chairs. Instead there were cushions lying around in circles. The walls had been painted a warm shade of yellow. Light fell in through large oval shaped windows. Sarah could see treetops waving in a gentle breeze against a crystal clear blue sky. * It's spring……or it sure looks like it ! But……it was autumn when I ……* She frowned. "What is it, my dear ?" Rimada's gentle voice asked. "I'm confused !" Sarah muttered absent minded. When the cat woman didn't answer Sarah turned to look at her. Rimada was staring at her with amused eyes. Sarah had expected an explanation about her whereabouts, but the woman suddenly looked as if she didn't feel like talking anymore.
A sunbeam fell in through one of the windows and bathed the two women in a warm light. Rimada closed her eyes. *She looks like a cat lying in the sun. She'll start to purr, no doubt !*
Sarah could hardly keep herself from giggling. Rimada didn't move. * Do I have to wait for her to talk, or should I just start asking ? But perhaps she would consider it rude……* Sarah stared at the intricate pattern on the cushions. * It's like looking at a enormous painting with a market scene on it. You can't stop looking at it, as you always discover new things.* The picture on the pillow showed a battle, with two armies full of strange creatures fighting each other. * Not really a nice thing to look at, when you're sitting comfortable, drinking a cup of tea.* Sarah frowned. * A scene like this just didn't fit in a room that looked so peaceful.*
With a soft knock one of the small doors in the left wall opened. Sarah stretched her neck to see who was entering. * Could be anyone. Could be any creature.* She could see from the corners of her eyes that Rimada didn't even open her eyes. The person who entered looked like the cat woman next to her, but was at least a foot smaller. Also the clothes looked far more plain. Rimada, her eyes still closed, made an elegant gesture with her hands:" You can place the tray on the ground in front of us, Gabina." Sarah gazed at the woman who carefully placed a large round plate with two bowls on the carpet. Unlike Rimada's red hair this cat woman had chocolate brown hair and a beige skin. * Not even half as noble and elegant as Rimada. Must be her servant, I guess.* The woman called Gabina silently left the room. This seemed to be the moment for Rimada to open up her eyes and move. With her hairy hands she picked up one of the bowls and handed it to Sarah: "It's something like the drink you call tea. Try it. It's really very good."
They both sat back and sipped from the hot drink. * It sure tastes like tea, but it doesn't look like it.* She stared at the liquid in the bowl. * Deep blue is a funny colour for something that tastes like tea……* She felt like laughing, but the voice of Rimada interrupted her : "Well Sarah, I, princess Rimada of the House of the Silver Cloud Cats, would like to welcome you to the eternal City of the Worlds." Sarah couldn't help but stare……
~5~
| R |
imada smiled : "Never heard of it, have you ? " But before Sarah could reply that, indeed, she had never heard of it, in spite of her fantasy knowledge, the cat woman went on. "This is the central place that links to all the worlds there are. And it is a world itself, even though it's only a city. You earth people. You only think about reality. You think there is only your little planet full of life. Oh yes, you are looking for other worlds. But you are searching in space, because you want something you can prove exists. You want something you can touch, feel in your hands, some place you can tell how you got there. Everything in your world is about reality!" The last words sounded like a conviction. Sarah shifted uncomfortable on her cushions. "Do you think this is a dream, Sarah ?" Rimada asked gently. Sarah looked up, she felt confused. "Should be reality, this……It's all so real." she muttered. Rimada chuckled : "And dreams, don't they sometimes feel real. Did you never wake up with the feelings you experienced in a dream, still running through your body ?" Sarah frowned, shaking her head, feeling upset :"Yes, yes….but……I don't know. I feel like I'm going crazy ! Just like after……" Rimada put a kind hand on the shoulder of the girl:" Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse you. Don't worry, this world is as real as the one you came from. But the way you got here, is not a way your world would accept. Calm down, and have some tea."
Sarah sat back and closed her eyes. Rimada got up and paced through the room:" This city, the eternal City of the Worlds as it's called, is just a city, surrounded by walls. Behind the walls, there is nothing. Still there are gates in the walls. You can go through the gates and there will be something on the other side. These gates are the links I was talking about, the links to other worlds. There is a gate to your world, you know. Your world exists as much as this or as the world I come from. Every world just has it's own dimension. And yes, in your world there is a gate to this city. But your world forgot. Earth people wanted certainty, they wanted to prove things, but nothing can prove magic !"
Rimada stared with musing eyes at the carpet in front of her feet. "This city has a purpose of course. Everything has. This city is a meeting place for all the people from the different worlds." She smiled at Sarah:" Though we rarely see people from earth." She settled again next to Sarah:" But the most important thing about this city is the High King. He actually is the King of all the worlds. Even King of your world, something you also forgot. This King could always interfere in every world, if he wanted to. But he doesn't, only if things would go terribly wrong. He is satisfied to keep an eye on everything. He has enough worlds to take care of. And to ease himself, some of the worlds are ruled by his children. And other worlds are ruled by creatures he trusts." Sarah smiled at the word 'creatures'. * Such a convenient term.*
Rimada lifted her head up high:" One of the creatures he trusts is my family. They rule the world of Mialan. My father is the leader of the House of the Silver Cloud Cats, and King of this world far away from this City. My eldest brother will be the next King. As I am the second child, I was send here, to serve the High King, as his personal councillor. My family is famous for it's wisdom. The book in our banner depicts this fact……." Her voice trailed off. She seemed to be lost in thoughts once again.
Sarah silently sat next to her. Her mind filled with this new information. * So this isn't a dream. This is reality. Just another reality. Good to know……NO, not good to know! It would mean……that it wasn't all a dream, six years ago…But it was. No. I thought it was……* She let out a deep sigh, overwhelmed by the though. * I have to ask Rimada. I have to know if it was real. If it was just another world. If he……No ! But I have to be careful, not to be to eager. She might get suspicious.* She bit her lip. * But how to start ?* She shifted. Her movement seemed to wake the cat woman from her daydream:" It's a wonderful job, working for the High King. An honour actually. Sarah, you'll meet the High King today. He has got to do with the reason I brought you here, so he told me to bring you to the castle." For a moment Sarah forgot the question that seemed to burn in her mind:" Then why did you bring me here?"
TO BE CONTINUED