I missed the lights to most; most others complained about them, said they were too bright and it was too hard for them to see to dance. I loved those lights. When I was on stage with those lights shining on me I saw no one else, not a single soul in the audience, and it was as if I was dancing all alone. It was perfect. When I saw people watching me I never danced as well, but when I was able to ignore them I danced more passionately than ever before. I missed dancing. I didn't feel much like dancing here, in The Goblin City.
"Tell me about your world." Eevan tried to spark a polite conversation with me as he sat with me in the bath room while I soaked in the tub, the privacy screen up between us.
"What do you want to know?" I asked him simply.
"What did you do there?"
"I was a student at a performing arts school."
"Performing arts, like play productions?"
"Yes, and much more. I was a Dance Theatre Major, meaning my primary course of studying was Dance Theatre." I explained to him realizing he might not realize what a "major" was in this sense of the word.
"What happens after school?"
"Well, after you finish your studies you usually enter a career associated with your degree."
"Degree?"
"A degree is proof you completed your studies." I furthered explained to him. "There are all kinds of degrees to earn, all sorts of things you can study, and endless career opportunities."
"Does someone tell you what to study?"
"Well, parents often try to lead their children to a certain path but most the time when a child is old enough to start a higher level of education they pick their own course."
"Really?" Even though I couldn't see Eevan I had this strange feeling that he had a certain sense of wonder about him with the concept. "You can do whatever you want?"
"Well when it comes to school, basically yes." Even though I couldn't see Eevan, I imagined he had the strangest sense of wonder plastered all over his face at the concept; something told me he didn't get to make a lot of his own decisions here. "So, what's on the agenda for today?"
"For once that is a question I do not know the answer too." He admitted, as if he was somewhat ashamed at his lack of knowledge. "Ever since Jareth returned from the human world he's kept to himself, hasn't even left his room."
"I still don't understand why you won't tell me what he was doing there in the first place."
"Because that's also something I have no answer too, but that isn't uncommon. He keeps his affairs in the human world to himself, he never shares that business with me." Eevan confessed.
"So, since he's keeping himself hostage in his room does that mean we can have the day to ourselves?"
"Ourselves?" Eevan seemed incredibly taken off guard by the suggestion. It was obvious he was a creature of instruction, doing as he was told and never forming an actual opinion that belonged to him. "Well…was there something you had in mind?"
"I was actually wondering what you enjoyed doing." I suggested as I stood up in the tub and reached for the robe hanging from the top of the privacy screen. "You know, like, for fun."
"I'm afraid that isn't something I have much experience in." He insisted as he followed me from the bath room and back into my chambers.
After I dressed Eevan did my hair and we headed out to the city. Once I did a little more investigating I was able to get Eevan to admit a few things he enjoyed doing but rarely had the opportunity to go out and actually do. First on his list was shop at the bazaar. There were all sorts of different goblins that were selling all sorts of things from books, jewelry, pets, and furniture. There was one booth that seemed to be Eevan's favorite; a small little hairy creature selling woodwork. Eevan took his time carefully looking at each well crafted peace. The creature running the booth was actually kind of adorable in a walking pom-pom kind of way. It had big bug eyes and walked on rabbit like feet but had tiny paws like a kitten. The creature told me his name was Loel, and proudly informed me he was the artist who made all the pieces Eevan was so entranced by.
"Loel actually made the wardrobe in your room." Eevan informed me as we continued to admire Loel's stock.
"Really?" I was actually rather shocked, considering Loel was a creature no bigger than a fat house cat and my wardrobe was at least six feet tall.
"I painted it too." Loel admitted proudly.
"Well it's beautiful." I smiled sweetly at Loel and he actually started to purr.
"Cat!" We heard a goblin scream from down the road, followed by cries of fear that caught my attention.
"Cat?" I asked curiously as I stepped away from Loel's booth.
"Be careful Princess," Loel instructed me as I started to wander a bit down the road towards were all the screams were coming from. "Those cats are vicious demons!"
"A cat, really?" I was so confused.
"Perhaps we should move along?" Eevan suggested as he tried to persuade me away from the growing scene down the road.
"But I don't understand, they're scared of a cat?" I asked as I looked back at Eevan who just nodded with a roll of his eyes.
"I don't understand it much myself to be honest." He shrugged.
"It's simple really." Loel interjected, "Cats are the only animals we goblins can't seem to be able to train. Dogs, horses, they're simply minded creatures that are easy to teach. They're loyal and obey. Cats are just plain mean."
"Well that's just ridiculous." I insisted. "Cats are just a little more independent, but they're just as loving as dogs and horses." As I turned back towards were all the commotion was coming from I saw large groups of goblins making their way towards us, actually running with expressions of fear playing along their creepy little faces. "They're actually scared, aren't they?" I asked Eevan who just sighed. As goblins rushed to hide and clear the streets, I could see the small feline just bouncing about as it walked down the cobbled road. I instantly recognized the cat as a Maine Coon breed, my mother had one when I was little until my father developed a sudden allergy to cats. It had thick layers of brown and black fur, and striking bright green eyes. It looked like it was just barely out of its kitten years, and despite being a complete mass of fluff it still seemed so skinny as if it hadn't eaten in some time. It stopped when it saw me, right in mid stride, about a foot or two away. Its ears lowered as it slowly backed away. It didn't hiss and its tail didn't fizz up, instead it meowed innocently at me as if it was scared and was begging for me to leave it alone.
"Poor little darling." I got down on my knees and reached my arm out, holding my palm face up towards it, "Come here pretty kitty." The cat seemed a little tense, and I heard Loel's faint voice from behind me urging me to run away while I still had the chance. I ignored Loel and proceeded to make kissy noises at the cat and fake a few meows which only seemed to confuse it. It was pretty obvious this cat had never actually come across anyone who ever tried to be nice to it. Yet despite the cats hesitations it seemed rather intrigued. Soon the fluffy little creature found its way towards me, inching each step with caution until its furry little head pressed adorably against my hand. I pet it a little, stroked its back, and rubbed under its chin. It purred and meowed softly and forced its way into my lap.
"Look!" I heard Loel shout, as if to get the attention of the other goblins in the surrounding area, "The Princess tamed the devil!" I turned my head and started to see eyes pop out and heads turned towards me to look as I held the cat in my lap, petting it softly.
"She saved us!" I heard some shout.
"She's a beast tamer!" Others called out.
I looked back at Eevan who was smiling softly at me before he helped me off the ground while I kept the cat in my arms. "So, do you want to keep it?" He asked me.
"Do you think Jareth will let me?"
"As long as it makes you happy I don't think he'll be able to say no." He insisted. "What will you name it?"
"I don't know…Is it a boy or a girl?"
Eevan shrugged before carefully taking the cat from my arms and lifting it up. I saw him look the cat over a few times, and with a nod he handed it back to me, "Boy."
"I think I'll call him Beastie." I insisted with a smile as we started to head back towards the castle, goblin gasping in awe as I walked by with the perfectly calm cat purring lovingly in my arms.
