Friday morning brought about a lapse in the weather. It took the warmth of springtime, dismissed it, and allowed winter one more final attempt. A chilled wind swept over the city. Clouds lay gray and low across the horizon, thick enough to block out the sun, yet too thin to rain. Oberon smelt the moisture he knew would not fall as he walked, approaching the three story Victorian house. For appearance's sake he not only wore a well-tailored mundane suit, but also carried a dark leather suit case. He smelt the air again. With a smile he noted the scent of the woman: Jareth's dance partner, the exotic dark haired woman.
He had stayed at the dance club following Jareth and the young woman's departure. The Greek had danced with none other except her daughter. Instead she had stayed near the bar, one moment her aura glowing clear, then red, and clear again. It had been a light show for those with sensitive eyes. He had watched fascinated.
It was apparent to Oberon that he needed to keep an eye on his kindred. Why not investigate this sensitive, lush woman as well? After all he was going to need a place to stay.
Kayla Valdez was in the kitchen at the back of the house standing over the sink. In one hand she held a freshly peeled potato. In the other she gripped a kitchen knife preparing to dice the root to boil it. All of the sudden she felt every hair on the back of neck rise up. She stiffened. He lips involuntarily formed the word "Diablo" and she turned to leave the kitchen with the knife held defensively.
Ever since she had danced with Jareth King she had felt out of sorts, not her self. The club had become too crowded, the noise level too high. One moment she was listening to a million voices at once; the next feeling a surge of energy so intense it made her blush. That night she had dreamed about the blackness again. This time though Senor King was with her and her precious girls. He had stood before the door, the blackness pounding, cracking the wood. Sarah had taken steps near him, towards the door. With tears streaming down her face Kayla had cried out, "No mi querida! No!" When she awoke she attributed the dream to guilt, guilt for having danced so with her querida's boy friend.
Now half way down the main hallway she realized how tense her body was. She heard the doorbell, which brought to her attention the knife, gripped in her hand. She pointed the blade down, wanting something protective near her. At the door the gentleman who greeted her had the most wonderful deep brown eyes. "Senora Valdez? Pardon me madam," he began inclining his head politely. "might I inquire if you have any vacancies?"
She looked him over- he wore a well-tailored suite, stylish haircut, attractive. "Yes, I do. I normally only rent out to the students at the university though. May I ask who you are and what your profession is?"
He spoke with grace. "Of course. My name is K. F. Oberon. I am here in the city for pleasure visiting an old acquaintance of mine. Perhaps you know of him, a Jareth King?"
He saw her slight flinch, just around her eyes. "Yes I do," she replied despite her self. "He is a man of good reputation. Please come in Senor Oberon." She made room for him to enter. "How long are looking to board?"
"Roughly a week." He surveyed the room. He noted the portrait of the Virgin Mary on the wall as well as a Cretan Labyrinth hanging over the thresh hold of another room. "Just enough time for a nice holiday."
Kayla brought a hand to the back of her neck smoothing down the hair that was still raised. "I have a good sized room on the second story. If you will follow me." They began to ascend. Awkwardly she continued talking, "For a week it will cost two hundred dollars which includes any laundry you may need done." She reached the room and allowed him to pass in.
Oberon saw the simple twin bed, smelt the fresh linens, and saw the window that looked out over the back yard. "Meals?" he inquired.
"Those are an extra fifty dollars- breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Might I ask why you didn't just stay at a hotel Senor Oberon?"
He smiled at her. "I am a fastidious old man madam, and hotels are not so keen on finer details any more. Plus the charm of a Victorian home with a lovely lady about," there he paused his smile broadening. Kayla felt herself blushing. "I'll pay the extra money for the meals," he then added.
Sarah felt very sleepy. With a stretch of her arms she yawned. Around her the streets rolled by. Jareth was driving her back to the dorms. There were a few things she needed to see to like calling her father back, seeing to the final editing on a school project, collect her mail, and all other such common tasks. Reluctantly he dropped her off at the curb. She looked at him feeling the car purring under her. Last night had been a good talk; it had opened up many issues, spread them out to be honestly scrutinized. In the light of day she could look at him with less suspicion. Absently she rubbed the material of his black shirt between her fingers. "I like these clothes on you," she said.
He looked at her and grinned. "I'll remember that." Leaning closer he added, "Maybe I will keep them handy for your own personal enjoyment."
Keep them around- yes, because in the Underground a button down dress shirt and jeans wouldn't go over very well. She looked away, briefly, not knowing how to wrap her mind around the thought. She smiled. "Call me later?"
"How about I am here to pick you up, say six thirty? I heard of a wonderful sushi place we could go to."
"All right." She leaned in and gave him a warm, sweet kiss on the lips. As she exited the car he watched her with a boyishly happy smile. As he drove away it morphed into a face-stretching grin.
Passing into the main hallway Sarah walked with a light step. Despite the chill in the air and the over cast skies she felt such a sense of happiness. Ms. Dharma the dorm mom watched her as she made her way to the stairs. "Someone looks like cupid has been after them!" she commented. Sarah waved and grinned. Call it what you will she thought to herself, whatever it is, it feels wonderful! At her door several notes were stuck including one from Penelope that demanded she call her at once; major news to report.
She swung the door open and froze.
Something had just scuttled across the floor. Bigger than a cock roach, but smaller than a cat it was dark colored. She listened: no squeaks, no scratching, no hissing. It had definitely run under her bed. "Rats!" she gulped a gag. Leaving the door ajar she found her umbrella and inched towards the bed. Rats. There had never been a problem with rodents before. Rats. Ugly smelly things that gnawed on your toes in the middle of the night. She extended the handle and made a sweep under the bed. Nothing. Boldly she lifted up the bed skirt ready to beat to death anything that moved. "Ha!" she exclaimed with a tone of false bravado. Nothing. Rather nothing other than her hardly ever worn pink thong lying on the floor.
Curiously she removed the underwear. Odd. One last inspection proved fruitless. Feeling dirty at the very thought of a rodent even possibly being among her things she tossed the thong into the dirty clothes basket and went to the bathroom to shower.
Meep gripped the under belly of the box spring. Hearing Sarah Williams close the bathroom door she heaved a sigh of relief. The mortal woman had nearly spotted her.
Once out of the shower, red skinned from being scrubbed down, she got dressed and then called her father. Once a month he made a mandatory call to check in on her, ask after her studies, and how much money to send for her living expenses. He was determined to not let his daughter have any distractions- a job was not necessary. A job would only take time away from her studies. Sarah was grateful though slightly annoyed. She knew she could very well maintain at least a part time job with a full time college schedule.
Her father's reservations about distractions even tended to seep into her personal life- he never much cared for the boys she dated. Though if Sarah was being honest she her self had never much cared for the boyfriends she had in the past. As the phone rang she wondered to herself how well her father would react to knowing she was dating, courting a man several centuries older than her. She chuckled softly. Yes, but his castle is all bought and paid for, she thought amused. The received picked up.
"Hello?" It was Karen.
"Hi Karen!"
"Why hello Sarah. How are you doing sweetie?"
"Just fine."
"That is good. And how is Penelope and her mother doing?"
"They are really good too. Is dad home?"
"Yes he is sweetie. Real quick Sarah- I was wondering if you had any plans for this weekend? Toby has been wanting to come up and see you."
Too tired to think it through she replied, "No plans. I'd love to see him."
"Excellent. I'll give Senora Valdez a call and see if she has any vacant rooms. It being Spring Break and all she should. Here's your father. Bye Sarah."
"Bye." She heard the phone crackle as it was passed from one hand to the next. "Hello dad!"
"Hello Sarah. How is my girl doing?" His voice sounded so warm and genuine.
"Just fine. Penelope said you called her looking for me the other day?"
"Yes." The tone took on a protective edge as he continued; "I couldn't get a hold of you to talk to you about your living expenses. Sarah what have you been doing this past week?"
Parents have some sort of radar…. "I've just been busy dad. Enjoying my Spring Break."
"Hhhmm. Penelope mentioned a name I didn't recognize. She said you were with a Jareth King." He paused. She wasn't going to get defensive, not with her father. "Is this someone that you are seeing?"
She cleared her throat. "Yes. It is. He is a nice gentleman who moved into the area recently. We have been seeing a good deal of each other." Her father made another one of those humming noises. "Dad, I am over eighteen. You're going to have to trust me a little."
"It's not you I worry about trusting. You say he is a gentleman? So he's met Senora Valdez- I trust her to make a good judgment call. Maybe I will come up with Karen and Toby this weekend, meet this young man."
The dots connected in her head- Toby and Jareth in the same area? Well this could get interesting.
"If you want to," she managed to say. She changed the subject, "Now about the monthly check- same as last month."
"Very well. Sarah," he paused. "perhaps what I said about trusting you wasn't exactly truthful. You are being careful aren't you?"
"Yes dad I am."
"I know that you're all grown up and I just…" His tone was changing from protective to awkward.
She smiled faintly. "Dad I am not doing anything foolish."
"Good. Well I will mail the check out then and deposit the monies for you in our joint account. Love you Sarah."
"Love you too dad. Give Toby a hug for me. All right then. Bye."
Well at least nothing foolish by any fae standards.
