Heya everyone,
This is my new Spring Listain story. Please tell me what you think so far. As always I don't own anyone and I don't make any money so don't sue me!
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Chapter One
I sat there, looking decidedly odd in my normal all black as the children came up to me once again, begging for a Spring Story. So after a little thought I pulled them to my knee and started telling my tale.
Now you must remember, that though we did put Jareth through a Christmas Carol it didn't really work on him. Yes, I know it should of but it didn't, now do you want me to tell this? Good, because I can't start until you settle down. Now where was I? Oh yes. Jareth hadn't learned anything and was nearly as mean as ever. Now with Spring coming you would think he was in a happy light hearted mood, right? Well, we were wrong. So when we place our scene...
Jareth sat there in his throne, watching the goblins scurry about with the coming mating season. Oh, how he hated that time but he needed it if he was to have a kingdom to rule. Now as it was almost impossible for the goblins to work this was almost always the time when Jareth called in the listians for the yearly cleanup.
Now we lived in fear of this day and dreaded the night when we would get that sparkling, gold summons. Lyris felt for us, she really did but it was her job to make the list of those who needed to be punished... well I mean honored of course with the summons to come and scrub Jareth's nasty little messes. I knew I would be on that list.
What do you mean how did I know? Who else do you think had a standing summons. No, he isn't always mad at me, just most of the time. Why? Well didn't you read the Labyrinth Christmas Carol? No I don't count that as self promotion so hush at let me tell this!
Now back to Lyris. So she sat there, randomly going over the stories sent to the list this year. She picked out the people who always went then add some others who weren't on the list. This was going to be a big party this year. Suddenly a large hopping was heard from out in the corridor and in Starlight came. She looked lovely as always in her light hunter cloak with her long red hair. In her hand she carried a basket of fresh spring flowers.
She almost seemed to float over to Lyris the smell of the flowers overpowering the odor of goblin... well didn't I say it was mating season? Make up something for yourself. Her green eyes almost seemed silver as she granted her that dazzling smile. Her voice was almost like bells as she spoke. "Hello, Lyris. How goes the day?"
Lyris gave her a brilliant smile of her own as she took the basket that was offered. Her nose was pulled down into it and her eyes closed as the glorious smell swept over her. "I am well, Starlight? Where did you get such lovely flowers?"
Starlight cast a disapproving eye over the acts that were occurring in the throne room and a cold look was given to the pig... err King sleeping with one leg throne over the throne. "I brought them from my garden, it has such wonderful blooms at this time of year. So tell me is Jareth still planning on the Annual Listain Clean-up?
Lyris sighed softly as she looked at the scrolls piled up on her desk and spilling over onto the floor. A slow, weary nod was given. "Yes, I am going over those people who should attend right now."
Starlight almost seemed to bristle at that fact. "Since when did he become so mean, so lazy? Why he could clean it up with a mere wave of his hand if he so chose to. I really don't understand how he can treat those poor girls so. Why he's becoming a barbarian like Darkness is."
A low angry voice came from the direction of the throne, as Jareth stood slowly up. "Well, Starlight, I may be a barbarian but I do not recall inviting you to bother those in my employ! As I remember I told you never to come here after you being involved in the horror called the LCC!"
"Oh, really Jareth, must you act like a spoiled little boy? I came here to say I was sorry and to bring you some flowers. Lovely ones at that."
"You came here to meddle just like always. It's Spring and spring means that those who have been nasty to me all year come and clean up! And you cannot stop me, Starlight. I want you to leave, now!"
Starlight bristled under Jareth's blatant hostility. Her voice became very soft, almost like that of a hurt child. "Now there was no cause to be rude, Jareth. I was only trying to help and say I was sorry."
"You want to help, Starlight? Stay out of this. The girls need to be taught they cannot order me around and make me into some type of toy. I mean it Starlight, stay out of my way."
She turned, almost shuffling on her feet, but she still held her legendarily grace. As she reached the door she turned around her eyes peering deep into his. Her voice was very soft, almost like a child reciting a well drilled lesson. "You shouldn't do this, Jareth. You really shouldn't. People are watching how you act. I'd hate to see what you would have to go through to get those girls back."
He dismissed her, slowly giving her his back. He walked over to the desk and Lyris watched them both her eyes wide. Very slowly he started to read the names of the people he had chosen for this years clean-up. "Audrey, Rachel, Anony, Rhonda, Melissa, Mollie, Angeline, Lauren, Jess, NorthStar, SilverStar Wizard, Amaranth, Touchnothiscat, Unicorn Lady, Anne-Marie, Laura. Now let's see who else am I missing?"
He lifted the scroll slowly, his eyes glancing over every name as Lyris almost seemed to bite her tongue. Her arm fell casually over the end, hopefully stopping him from reading the rest of the names on the list, but it was all in vain as he gave a small tug causing the rest of the scroll to unroll. His eyes almost seemed to narrow as his gaze fell on the name that stood out in his heavy, bold writing. His voice was almost a sneer. "Oh, yes, Kim, The Manipulative Little Monster and soon to be leader of the cleaning crew. Lyris get any other names together then send out the invitations. The party shall take place two nights hence."
And with that he stalked slowly out of the room, leaving Starlight and Lyris staring in his wake. It was Starlight who spoke first in her child-like whisper. "Well, he certainly is moving faster then I thought he would this year."
Lyris cast a quick glance around before she whispered back, "Yes, well everything be ready anyway?"
"Yes, as long as you can stall him for a little longer. One more night and he should have everything ready for them."
"Starlight, are you so sure this is going to work?"
"I'm very sure, Lyris. He assured me it would and I would think he knows. Anyway I should go now, there are things I must do, and things you have to do too. If all goes well this should be an Easter Jareth shall never forget."
And with that she vanished into the air, leaving a very startled Lyris in her wake. A slow sigh was given as she turned back to the scrolls, wondering if there was anyone else she should put in.
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Woo-hoo here comes the author's note,
Thanks to everyone who wanted to be in my story. This is the last call of anyone who wants to be in it. So if your name's not listed and you want it to be then send me a little note with what you look like, what you act like, and what your personality is. Thanks once again,
~Kim, The Manipulative Little Monster