The Underground appeared to be under the shroud of nightfall as well, as Sarah noticed through the oriel windows. She couldn't help but take in the view around her, noticing that there were significant changes to the white throne room below. It was cleaner, she had to admit. Newer. Although there were still the unmistakable signs of goblin discord - empty barrels of mead, random scraps of indiscernible materials, and a few goblins themselves strewn about - apparently passed out after emptying said barrels. Toby was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is my brother?" She directed to the presence behind her. Turning to face him, she noticed that Jareth had been studying her as she had been studying his throne room.

"He's in his room," he stated in a casual tone with eyebrows raised, as if the answer should have been so obvious.

With the wording of his reply came a pang of something in Sarah's stomach. Something like disgust blended with protectiveness.

As if this is commonplace, and as if any room in here is Toby's.

"Let me see him. I need to let him know everything's alright." His replying scoff immediately told her she'd be denied the request.

"He's much more scrappy than his sister gives him credit for. Even perhaps more scrappy than his sister herself," he added with a half smile. "Young Tobias has been perfectly fine. And in any case," he drew closer to her until she felt it necessary to ascend another step behind her, eyes not leaving his. "There will soon be plenty of time for your joyous reunion. In the meantime," he continued to follow her slow ascent, closing in until she had no more staircase left. "I think you should be shown why you're here." His eyes were lit with anticipation of some sort. Sarah tried to keep her breath steady as she processed the possible danger in the statement. The struggle to do so only worsened as he backed her into a wall, again closing in to an unnecessary proximity.

How I love when she looks so cornered, he thought, lips turning upwards in enjoyment of her noticeable discomfort.. That battle of intimidation against fiery defiance so visible in her gorgeous eyes…He forced his thoughts to stop. She was the only one that need be intoxicated tonight.

"Whatever you say, right?" she finally managed with a sarcastic tone. She squared her shoulders so as to not seem cowed from his cornering of her. Again. He knows I hate this tactic of his - everything always done to throw me off. Her expression subtly grew more resentful at the revelation.

"That's more like it," He was replying as he slid an arm around her waist, ignoring her futile attempts to push him away. Her dainty hands pressing against his chest might as well have been butterflies.

"Get your hand the fu…" her crass exclamation was cut short as her vision suddenly spun.

All she could see was Jareth, still holding her close, and then suddenly an uneven ground was beneath her feet. They were in the middle of a moss-ridden forested area.

"Stop doing that!" Her anger temporarily strengthened her as she pushed him away much harder this time. He released her with a small smirk showing on his face. "Just fucking warn me at least," she added, still catching her breath. Her glare only worsened as she realized his expression was nothing but amusement.

"And deny myself the rare pleasure of seeing you so taken off guard? I don't think so. Now," his expression turned slightly serious as he pointed to a small hill close by. "Beyond this hill, you will be able to see something I need you to brace yourself for. No screams, no cursing," the amusement ghosted briefly back to his face.

With noticeable gentleness this time, he took her arm and used only enough force to start guiding her to the view he spoke of.

Reluctantly she followed, not having any particular ideas for how to protest at the moment. Curiosity was also beginning to bud. He almost seems genuinely concerned about whatever this is, she thought with a tinge of worry. Beyond the hill, a small clearing came into view. The air seemed to increase in electric charge, not unlike the atmosphere of a lightning storm. Though the feeling was familiar - she'd long ago come to recognize it as magic in the air - this was subtly different. Darker. More chaotic. Towards the far end of the clearing was a pond, brightly lit by the stars and moon, and beside it a large dark figure. She stifled a gasp as she realized it was some sort of beast. One hand now over her own mouth, she leaned closer to the top of the hill, other hand extending to steady herself as she lowered down. The figure was moving, watching something in the pond. Its movements made her doubt her initial conclusion that it was a beast, as it now seemed almost human in its movements. Whatever it was, something inside her was increasingly warning her that it was dangerous. Every instinct began screaming at her to run and put as much distance from this thing as possible.

"What is it?" She whispered almost mutely. Jareth leaned in next to her. She found herself hoping his face would be amused; even smugness would be welcome in her newfound, inexplicably fearful state. His jaw was set however, his expression neutral with a hint of tension.

"Suffice it to say it shouldn't be in my realm," he finally whispered back in response. "Its presence only denotes the tear in the very fabric of my control of the Underground. A tear caused by a chain reaction initially set forth by you." His expression turned somewhat resentful. Sarah suppressed the urge to argue and only looked back to the view before her.

The figure was now grabbing at something through the water, pulling out what looked to be a fish. No, a child. What is that? Sarah thought in bewilderment as the watery creature - whatever it was - let out a distant screech that was cut short as the figure began to tear into it, devouring it savagely. Even from a distance it was a gruesome sight, and Sarah whipped around, her back now leaning against the hill as she tried to quiet her now rapid breathing. Jareth turned sideways to watch her, one hand extended to lean sideways into the hill.

"I was obviously right to prepare you," his soft whisper was still able to carry his amused tone. Her glaring response interrupted her deep breaths and brought a smile to his face. "Come. I have perhaps frightened you enough for your first night." He took her hand this time - still uncharacteristically gentle - and they were brought back atop the castle staircase.