Ah, mystical number 13. In tribute to all that is "evil," our theme today is "Forest of the Round Dance" from Vampire Princess Miyu. BTW, the themes are usually music I was listening to while writing or otherwise reflect the "mood." Not required, but good background, I think. Anyway, round up the disclaimers and brand 'em, then on with the show! Have fun!
Ladymage ;)
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To the Victor Go the Spoils
Part 13 ~ At First You Don't Succeed
As Jareth spoke, the room around them dissolved, to be replaced by the lush green of the clearing. It was an entirely different place by daylight, Jareth noted. The shadowy ring of trees was now brightly highlighted by the sunlight playing around and through the leaves. Birds were everywhere. Jareth raised an eyebrow. Unless they were hunters, he didn't much care for birds. Perhaps that was why the only flying things in his kingdom were those damned fairies. And a few other beings.
He led Sarah to the center of the grassy area. She watched him sit cross-legged on the ground, fully expecting to hear a seam rip. When it didn't, she told herself that she had to remember to ask him who his tailor was. To be able to get something that form-fitting without spandex and stay in one piece, now that was an accomplishment. It took her a few seconds to realize Jareth was motioning for her to sit in front of him. Sarah mimicked his position, facing away the same direction he was.
She felt rather than heard him move closer to her. "Now lean back," his voice came near her ear. "And rest your weight on your hands." Sarah did that, finding her head resting on his chest. She tilted her head to look up at him. He had a nice chin.
"Is this how you normally do this?" she demanded.
He chuckled down at her and she could feel the movement in his chest. "No, you suspicious child, this is not how I would do it. But we are on your planet, looking for your grandmother. I do not share those links which would make it extremely easy for me to find her myself. Since you do, it is better to work through you again, as I did to show you how to put the key away. After this, you will be able to do it yourself, though I would not advise it until we figure out your magical limitations."
"Okay," Sarah shrugged and leaned back, closing her eyes. Jareth had nice teeth, too. Huh.
Blinking at her unusually quick acceptance, the Fae moved his hands, for once ungloved, to cover hers on the ground. She had very soft skin, he noted. As soft as the velvet he was accustomed to having surround his hands. Unconciously, his thumb moved back and forth across her hand.
Sarah's head flew back, nearly banging him in the chin as she stared up at him wordlessly. She didn't otherwise move, but Jareth felt as surge of power in her which flowed through him feeling rather like a strong electric shock. It was both like and unlike his own power and it was the unlike part that alarmed him. What was he doing?
He recalled the girl who was still, after all, staring at him. "Sorry," he said simply. "I didn't mean to startle you." She gave him another dubious look, but returned to her original position.
"Now relax," he murmured. "Lean into the Earth. Feel it. It is a part of you. You--" His eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement. He ought to be going into trance state with her. Sarah felt totally relaxed, so was the problem him or her? He looked down at the girl. "Sarah," he said, slightly exasperated. Her head was resting completely on his chest, her eyes closed, her mouth slightly open. She was asleep. Shaking his head, he moved to let her weight rest in his arms. Picking her up, he stood and both disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Once again in her room, he laid the girl on her bed, magically changing her clothes and tucking her in. She must be exhausted, he thought. It was only five in the afternoon according to the clock on the dresser. He glanced at her.
It was a cliche, but Sarah really did look child-like in her sleep. The determination--the stubborness--disappeared, leaving behind the girl of dreams. Jareth wondered briefly if her grandfather had seen something similar in her grandmother. "Sarah," he said softly, "what am I going to do with you?" His hands remembered the feel of hers, and moved to stroke her face. Once he realized what he was doing, he pulled back.
"What am I going to do with myself?" he said disgustedly, and vanished from the room, leaving only a vague impression of myth and magic behind him.
