A/N: Chapter two. Not much to say, except that I hope you will read and review! :)
Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure that I don't own Labyrinth.
A Writer Required
Chapter Two
"What?"
I could hear the incredulity in his voice, and I closed my laptop. "I said No." I repeated, and there was a scowl on his face when I deigned to actually look at him.
"I heard you. What I do not understand is why."
I turned myself fully toward him now, my own features serious. "What are the rules for a fae coming to the mortal world? Are you breaking any laws by doing it? I'm a little concerned about the possible repercussions for that."
Jareth's expression showed surprise, then eased as amusement took over, and he laughed. I frowned at him. The laugh could be a good sign, but he could also have been making fun of me.
"Well?" I questioned.
Jareth waved a hand and settled down into the armchair, crossing his legs and smiling. "Besides the fact that I am a king and can do many things regular fae cannot-no, I am not breaking any laws." He gestured at my bookshelf as though by way of explanation. "Your Shakespeare had an encounter with Oberon, and aside from a few tales to tell, he remained unscathed from any 'repercussions' as you put it. In fact, I believe William did quite well for himself." My face gained a pinker hue at his nonchalant tone.
William Shakespeare had really met Oberon? The Faerie King Oberon? I took a moment to process this. A moment turned into a minute as I thought about Shakespeare's stories. Jareth seemed to think that was enough time to consider his words, for he cleared his throat. "So I will ask you again, 'dearest'." He added the endearment at the end, frosting it with light sarcasm. "Will you, or will you not assist me in this task?"
I had to admit I was interested. Getting a real faerie's life story? What writer wouldn't jump at the chance for such an opportunity? Clearly Shakespeare had, and that had worked to his benefit a great deal more than he likely anticipated. My eyes flit over Jareth's face, and I studied him with shrewd eyes. Well, if he was even real to begin with. Still, it'd be an interesting story to write.
At last I raised my shoulders, almost in a noncommittal shrug. "Well…" Taking a breath, I nodded. "...I guess we can give it a shot." I raised a hand when he opened his mouth, his expression smug at getting what he wanted. "But we need ground rules. You can visit a few times a week, and only between ten am and noon. I have work in the afternoon until the late evening, and I'll be too tired to deal with you after that." Jareth nodded slowly, contemplating my conditions.
"Very well." He leaned against one arm of the chair, propping his chin on his fist. "Anything else?"
"You must announce yourself before you arrive. I don't want you bursting in while I have visitors-give me at least five minutes. It needs to be inconspicuous." Jareth thought on this, and I went on. "We'll have to figure out some method for it. Something no one but myself will notice or recognize." Suddenly Jareth's eyes lit up, and he smirked, a secretive gleam in his eyes I certainly didn't like. My stomach sank.
"I have something in mind. It will take me a few days to prepare it." He said.
"What is it?" I asked warily.
Jareth's smile grew, if possible, bigger than before. "I will bring it with me when next I come."
My stomach sank further.
"...Great."
Momentarily determined to ignore how unsettled I was by his words-I knew I'd think them over later-I looked round for my phone. It was plugged into my laptop, and lay on the couch. Picking it up, I unlocked it and opened my calendar. "So today is Monday… What if we did Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and start this Wednesday?Will that work?"
Jareth inclined his head in acceptance, as though he didn't really care. "It will. I shall return wednesday with the item to be used for our communication."
"Great. Sounds good." I said. Dropping my phone back down next to my laptop, I heaved a quiet sigh and rubbed my tired face. This was by far the weirdest situation I'd ever found myself in. Though, to be honest, its title wasn't hard won. I'd had very few truly weird experiences. At least, nothing significantly weird enough that I could remember.
The arm chair creaking as Jareth stood up, brought my attention to him, and I dropped my hand from my face enough to watch him. "I shall leave you now." He straightened his coat as he spoke. "If I am to have the object ready by our next meeting, I will need adequate time." I stood, too, seeing that an exit was soon in coming. I wrapped my blanket over my shoulders and held it closed, already missing the warmth of the couch.
"Ok. I'll see you later, then." I said, walking toward the door. Poking one arm out of my protective blanket, I swiftly unlocked the door. Taking hold of the handle, I turned to face Jareth, expectant. He quirked an amused eyebrow, and strolled at a leisurely pace until he reached the door.
"Indeed. Farewell for now." He agreed, smirking at me. Bracing myself against the cold, I turned the handle and stepped backward, the door following me. There was a 'whoosh!' as snow and wind tore through the gap, and Jareth leaned forward. He blurred as though moving incredibly fast, and in an instant he was out the door, the snow and wind halting and reversing their path to follow with him. The wind pulled the door shut as he disappeared, and I gasped in fright when the door was ripped from my grasp. It slammed shut, the lock twirling into place-and all was still.
I stared at the door until I heard the screech of an owl, and hurried to the window. I was just in time to see a barn owl flying out of sight over the house across the way, the storm swallowing him whole. Once he was truly gone, I took stock of the room, checking for a small snowdrift or two that would have come in with the door opening. Aside from several items looking ruffled, nothing was amiss, or otherwise disturbed.
The fire cackled on, oddly merry-seeming, and my laptop screensaver had long since come up with pictures of the rose garden in Oregon. I was about to return to the fire-warmed couch when a loud knock at the door sounded, making me jump and whirl around. Was it Jareth? What more could he have to say?
Shaking my head in bemusement, I unlocked the door and opened it a crack to see who it was. Before me stood a tall, dark figure.
A/N: Uh oh… Who's this? O_O" Sorry for how short it is! The next chapter is nearly finished. Read and review and I'll post it sooner!