Authors Note: Okay so I'm really struggling with this and trying hard to make sides of MC that Baba hasn't seen before. I should have did a story like I did with Morgan and MC first but I'm obsessed with Labyrinth right now and just couldnt help it. Anyway I'm trying hard to keep the story flowing well and keeping Baba in character but I'm finding it pretty hard to do. Also if you don't know what a Fushigi ball is google it XD I swear it ws what came to mind now when I see Jareth and his little crystals XD.
The next few days Alex and Crystal practiced every chance they could and just about every place where they could find quiet. Today Crystal had to practice the slight of hand tricks that Jareth used ever so much in the movie and was failing horribly. "Ugh.. I used to be able to do this when I was a kid... and mind you I watched that movie a million times.. and this week I added a hundred to it when you told me what you needed me for..." said Crystal as she dropped the fushigi ball. Baba smirked from a nearby tree as he watched. He'd always made sure Crystal didn't see him as he wanted her to be able to practice without distraction but it was getting harder and harder not to laugh. Alex on the other hand laughed at every chance she got. "Well why don't we just practice the lines for now? Cause clearly you're never gonna get that slight of hand at all." giggled Alex as Crystal picked the ball back up. "I'll get it... eventually... " sighed Crystal looking at the ball. They had bought a fushigi ball as it was the perfect prop for those crystals in the movie even the hand trick Jareth did when he first appeared was a fushigi trick, it was just a matter of actually being able to do it and do it in front of who knows how many people. "I could ask Baba to help me... he's a master thief after all.. slight of hand should be child's play for him..." thought Crystal as she stared at the little ball. "Earth to Crystal come in Crystal." came Alex's voice snapping her from her thoughts. "Huh? Oh right! Yeah we can practice the lines." said Crystal snapping her head up and blinking.
Alex and Crystal faced each other both taking a stance that fit the characters at that moment in the play. Baba noticed how Crystal was imitating a smirk he'd given her so many times and couldn't help but smirk in amusement at this. "You're him aren't you?.. You're the Goblin King!" said Alex acting out her lines looking slightly fearful. Crystal stood there smirking her hands placed on her hips and head tilted slightly. "I want my brother back please.. if it's all the same." continued Alex. "What's said is said." said Crystal in a light playful like voice. Alex opened her mouth to speak but stopped and groaned. "I forgot my line!" she cried out in frustration which made Crystal start to laugh. "It's not funny!" "Is too!" replied Crystal with glee. "You've been making fun of me for the past few days every time I slipped up and dropped the crystal or started giggling like an idiot over the fact I'm playing a guy that reminds me of Baba to an extent." Baba blinked a little at that and was curious to just what Jareth the Goblin King did in the movie that made her think of him. Alex blinked and burst out laughing as her screw ups were more innocent than Crystal's had been. "Why don't we take a break and let me practice with the ball a bit longer and you can read over your lines back at my place?" said Crystal smiling softly. Hearing that Baba took his leave not wanting her to notice he'd been watching.
After a peaceful walk home with Alex, Crystal had finally come to decide what it was she wanted to do. "Alex I'm gonna go call Baba you keep studying your lines okay?" she said as she pulled her cell out of her pocket. Alex nodded smiling wondering if Crystal was going to admit she was going to be in a play that Baba could watch. "Good, I like him. He makes my big sister happy.. I've never seen her honestly happy like this. I think she's found her real Goblin King minus the wishing me away forever.." thought Alex happily. She listened quietly as Crystal placed the phone to her ear. "Baba? I need a favor." said Crystal fidgeting a bit where she stood. "I just need help with a trick.. thats all I swear." Alex held back a giggle as she watched Crystal start to blush. That told her Baba must have been suggestive for sure. Crystal came and sat down on the floor looking at the ball and rolling it around a little. "So what's the trick you asked him for help?" said Alex looking up from her script. "Oh, I asked him for help with this ball. He's clever really clever so I know he can do it." said Crystal leaving out that Baba was a thief. "No way can I tell her he's the "Modern Day Lupin"... not because I'm ashamed its just shes got a big mouth..." thought Crystal quietly. After about thirty minutes of Alex reading over her first lines several times, Baba knocked on the door. Crystal quickly darted to the door and beat Alex there and stuck her tongue out at Alex.
Opening the door she found Baba standing there smiling. "Hello pretty lady." said Baba bowing slightly taking his hat off knowing that would make Crystal blush a little. "H-hello Baba. Please come in." said Crystal smiling trying not to blush. Baba smiled and came in finding the place wasn't as much of a mess as the last time he was here. "So what's the trick you need help with? Or was that just a little fib cause you missed me?" he teased making her blush red. "I-it's this... it's called a fushigi ball .. and I made a bet with Alex that I could figure out how to use it... but I need help .. I figured since your so smart and clever you could help me.." said Crystal blushing and lying. Baba blushed a little at being called smart and clever. "Of course. I'd love to help you with anything Crystal." said Baba smiling. "Why don't you show me what the trick is first." Crystal nodded blushing as she tried to roll the ball across her hands like the Goblin king and dropped it on her foot as it came to the part where it would roll on her left hand then back to her right hand. "Ow!... that's the third time today I've done that..." sighed Crystal leaning down to pick up the ball. "Here.. I think I see where you're messing up.." said Baba stepping behind her once she was standing again. He gently wrapped his arms around her and guided her arms into position. "You're being much too stiff with it.." said Baba holding her gently which made her blush more. Alex quickly looked down at her script trying not to laugh at the look on Crystal's face.
He gently guided her right hand to the movements it needed to make. "Just like that .. don't be afraid that you'll drop it.." said Baba softly into her ear. Crystal blushed and nodded too shy to speak now. Alex bit down on her lip to keep from laughing. "Alright now we add the other hand... " said Baba softly as he guided her left hand up. The ball gently rolled over from her right hand to her left then back again. "W-wow I'm doing it!" said Crystal happily as the ball continued to roll and not fall. Baba chuckled at how happy she was. "It's only as hard as you make." said Baba smiling. Alex watched blinking surprised Crystal actually did manage to do the trick. "Thank you for helping me with this Baba." said Crystal smiling. "Of course. If you need help with anything don't hesitate to ask me, I love to see you smiling." said Baba kissing her cheek making her blush brightly. Alex giggled a bit. "Also, I look forward to seeing you in that play." Crystal's eyes grew wide and she dropped the ball while blushing. "W-what play? N-no clue what you're talking about." said Crystal trying hard to deny the existence of a play. "You're a terrible liar Crystal.. ooh maybe I should play poker against you some time." chuckled Baba as he thought about just her and him playing poker. Alex fell over laughing at this point. "I-it's your fault! You told him!" said Crystal looking right at Alex. "Guilty!" said Alex grinning. "But honestly you want him to come see it .. I read your diary remember?" Crystal grew silent at that and redder. "Ugh... I can't win..." she muttered.
Baba frowned wondering why Crystal didn't want him to come and watch. "Crystal.. do you not want me to come and see?" said Baba with sad eyes. "W-what? N-no! It's not that..." said Crystal feeling bad now. "Then what is it?" he said giving her a look that made him look like a kicked puppy. "I just... I'm nervous... embarrassed... and I can't sing all that well..." said Crystal looking down. "Liar! You can sing amazingly! I've heard it!" said Alex looking shocked that that was what Crystal thought. "Can not..." said Crystal sitting down on the bed. "I stopped singing when I was in middle school.. I stopped doing a lot of things I used to like doing.." Alex frowned as she remembered how her sister always came home crying. Baba sat down next to her and gently pulled her into a hug. "I'd bet good money you can sing better than anyone.. I'd love to hear you sing and if anyone says it's bad .. I'll talk to Soryu." said Baba winking to her. Crystal blinked a bit and smiled laying her head against his chest. "Sorry.. that I didn't tell you..." said Crystal softly. Alex smiled and went back to reading to try and give them privacy in the small apartment. "It's fine. I would have showed up with the others to watch even if you hadn't told me. Alex told me where her school is so I can come and watch." said Baba kissing Crystal's forehead. "It just hurt a little.. I thought I'd done something wrong and hurt you some how.. I could never forgive myself if I'd hurt you." said Baba softly. "What? Oh no no no! You didn't hurt me at all! I missed you I was just busy... I'm sorry!" said Crystal hugging Baba feeling bad that she'd worried him so much.
Alex smiled happily as she listened to them. She could tell they loved each other very much. "Hey Baba.. wanna hear something funny about Crystal?" said Alex grinning. Baba blinked and looked up wondering what the funny thing was. Crystal felt a ball in her stomach and knew she was super nervous now. "Sure." said Baba smiling. "She had a crush on the Goblin King when she was little." said Alex giggling. Crystal grew red in the face as Baba blinked then laughed. "S-shut up Alex... " said Crystal blushing brightly. Alex laughed more. "I think It's cute.. Maybe I can be your Goblin King?" said Baba giving Crystal a suggestive smirk. Crystal's face became even redder than it already was. "U-um w-we need to practice more.. s-so... um..." said Crystal trying to find an escape. "That's fine. I'd love to watch I can help with the ball again if needed." said Baba smiling. Crystal sighed in defeat there would be no escape and now for the rest of the week Baba would be volunteering his time to helping her act like a guy she had a crush on when she was little. For the next few hours Crystal shyly practiced her lines with Alex while Baba watched smiling. When she wasn't practicing her lines she was practicing slight of hand with Baba and getting much better at it. Slowly she was becoming less and less awkward with it around him and actually starting to smile more about it. "Just one more day... and I'll have to do this on stage... " thought Crystal as Baba helped Alex with her lines where she had to talk to Sir Didymus.