Hey all! Jareth and Sarah are definitely being unmanageable. I had meant to get a lot farther in this part than I did. Grr... Also, is it just me, or does Jareth seem to keep stealing the POV? But then, what can you expect from an arrogant, self-centered ex-Goblin King? (I do hope I'll get around to reinstating him at some point.) Anyway, notes: 'niñita' means 'little one' essentially, and 'abuela' is grandmother. The reason I use these terms will be revealed as soon as I get to that part of the plot.
Have fun!
Ladymage ;)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To the Victor Go the Spoils
Part 8 ~ No Business before Lunch
Sarah rolled over, blinking at the bright sunlight flooding her room. She stretched lazily. Mmm. . . she felt so relaxed. It may not have been wise, but it had definitely been a good idea to dance last night. Grandma was right (as always). "Acting may be your passion, niñita, but your life, your soul will always be in the dance." Very, very true as far as Sarah was concerned. Dancing let her express her feelings, to enhance them or let them go. Unfortunately, she didn't often get the chance to truly dance as she had last night. Dad didn't approve of Abuela, so Sarah danced the songs she had taught her when he couldn't find out.
Somehow, she was not surprised to see Jareth sitting on the windowsill once her eyes began to focus. Hmm...
"Morning, Jareth," she said cheerily. He blinked at her.
"Good morning, Sarah," he replied. "Did you sleep well?"
"Mmm," she nodded in assent. "Marvelously. You?"
"Quite well." He had, in fact, though he had developed a crick in his neck which he soon banished.
"Good." Sarah took another look at him. "You're looking awfully tan this morning, Jareth," she commented.
"Yes, it's one of the hazards of visiting Hell. The heat, you understand."
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry about that, Jareth!" Sarah's hand went to her mouth in amazement. Up to that point, she hadn't really believed he had gone. "Uh, when did you get back?"
"Last night. Hell really isn't all that interesting, you know. Satan only has so many topics of conversation, and we went through them all quite some time ago. Not much changes and it doesn't take to long to get bored of his boasting and whining."
Sarah blinked. That wasn't quite the characterization of the Prince of Darkness she had been expecting. Oh, well. "At least you returned safely. If you wouldn't mind leaving for a bit, though, I would like to get dressed."
"Sarah, we have things we must discuss," he told her.
She waved a hand at him. Later, later. "Sure. We can talk over lunch. Just let me get dressed."
Puzzled, Jareth did as she requested, stretching along a tree limb a short distance from the house. Was it just him, or was Sarah extraordinarily cheerful this morning?
[Jareth! You can come back now!] He instantly reappeared in her room. "Sarah, I really have to ask you something," he said urgently.
"Okay, but you'll have to change if you want to come down to lunch. My parents are there. Use an illusion or something."
"What?" The sudden change in topic confused him.
"Listen." She turned to him and spoke like he was a thick-headed child. "This is America, where thirty-something guys do not go around dating teenagers. Well, guys who look thirty-something, anyway. If my father sees you, especially with the hair and the clothes, he'll call the cops. So, if you could look younger and come in through the front door like a normal person, then we can say you're a friend of mine and we'll have a chance at being believed."
Eyebrow raised, Jareth proceeded to tone down his age. "How's this?" piped the voice of a ten-year-old.
Sarah laughed. She is definitely not herself, Jareth thought. She's supposed to get annoyed with me. "Try again," she told him.
This time, he shifted to appear as a eighteen-year-old. He wore a white button down shirt open at the collar and slightly looser black pants with his customary black boots. He hadn't bothered to change his hair. No one messed with his hair.
"Not bad," Sarah commented admiringly. She stepped back to look him over and gave a chuckle. While Jareth had preserved his usual grace and demeanor, he couldn't prevent his build from changing. He definitely had the "arms and legs" look young men have before they fill out to match their height. Having seen the Goblin King, Jareth now just looked, "Cute."
"Cute?" Jareth turned to look in the mirror. He had changed into a teen idol and all he could get now was "cute"?
"Don't worry," she told him with a twinkle in her eye. "You'll grow into it eventually." Giggling, she turned down the stairs. "Don't wait to long. It'll get cold."
Yes, Sarah was very definitely out of character this morning, Jareth said to himself as he blinked out to the front door.
