To the Victor Go the Spoils

I really ought to be writing my Hamlet paper. But, eh, what's a little more Labyrinth among authors? I'm sure Shakespeare will understand. Now if only my professor would . . . Anywho, round up the disclaimers and brand 'em. Our theme today is Look of Love by Madonna. Have fun!

Ladymage ;)

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To the Victor Go the Spoils

Part 16 ~ A Theory or Two

Cecilia glanced at her friend as they sat next to each other through the last class of the day. Sarah had been pensive ever since lunch, her face void of expression. Celi wanted to help, but she knew there were things Sarah had to accept on her own. God knew that Cecilia had had a hard enough time with that on her fifteenth birthday. A magical gift wasn't all it's cracked up to be. But she had dealt with it and learned slowly and painfully what she could do.

She only hoped Sarah could find a teacher.

Cecilia was worried, but decided that one couldn't pass up the opportunity to get to know a true Fae. Between classes and making sure Sarah was where she needed to be, the girl chatted with the Goblin, er, Lord. He told her the details of the past few days, but only in respect to Sarah's magical experiences. Celi had a feeling he was leaving quite a bit out. Eh. The man hadn't had anyone to really have a conversation with in a century. Stood to reason he'd be a little closed mouthed. Besides, from what she could read of his mind (which wasn't much, since they'd only had brief physical contact and he had a number of barriers) he really seemed concerned about Sarah. She wondered if he knew he was concerned.

The girl jogged Sarah's shoulder, relieved when awareness blinked its way in. "Hey, chica, it's time for auditions." Sarah's face lit with a mixture of anticipation and dread. With the play replicating her experiences, neither surprised Cecilia much. "Jareth, are you going to read the Goblin King for us?" she asked wickedly. "I'm sure you'd do marvelously."

He gave her an answering grin. "If my lady wishes, I would be delighted."

The gym was packed with students, most of them in one of two groups. For once, Sarah felt undeniably grateful for Jareth's presence at her back. Though she was passionate about acting, she had found that she wasn't often welcome among the other players; there was something different about them that bound them together while leaving her on the outside. It was easier since Celi had started acting as well, but she couldn't deny that Jareth's strong presence was--comforting, perhaps? Certainly not dependable, but after that display at lunch, she felt a little more secure with him. Maybe she was just getting used to him.

Sarah listened dimly to Celi and Jareth's conversation, her thoughts turning once more to the revelations from lunch. Confirmation from one of her closest friends, the only person who she felt shared her background, of her magical ability had shaken her. She had told herself she believed Jareth, but hearing the news from someone she trusted implicitly still made an enormous difference in how real the situation felt to her.

"Celi?" she asked abruptly, interrupting the girl mid-sentence. "How did you learn magic?"

Eyebrow raised, Cecilia answered, "I learned by sheer force of will. On my quinceaƱera, my fifteenth birthday, I awoke to find that I was levitating all of the objects in my room. It scared the hell out of me. No one in my family has any ability, so there was no one to teach me. Hell, my mother's side believes witches are evil. I couldn't tell them. It took a while for me to accept it. But once I did, I grit my teeth and learned the limits of what I could do. Having Hitoshii believe in me helped a great deal."

"Hitoshii knows?" Sarah was surprised. She had assumed that if Celi's closest friends didn't really know, then her boyfriend wouldn't, either.

Celi nodded. "It's a long story, but he has power, too, and both our magics are very much bound to each other. Don't worry, Sarah, we'll find some way of controlling and channeling your magic."

"It makes sense, then," Sarah persisted, "that no one told you about your magic. But why didn't abuela tell me? She must of known; she taught me the dances."

"Jareth told me about that," Cecilia affirmed. "Maybe she felt like I did, that your knowing wouldn't have made a difference. You were a lot younger then and she didn't have a lot of time to teach you. It's easier to deal with the modern world if you feel you're more or less like everyone else. You weren't ready, so she taught you control and let you live your childhood without having to worry about it." She shrugged. "That's what makes sense to me, anyway."

"I don't know. . ." Sarah's voice trailed off uncertainly. It sounded like something a grandmother would do, but would her grandmother do that? Abuela had never seemed to shield her from realities. But then, that period in her life had not been one of the most stable. Mother had left and Dad had remarried. Sarah had been very angry and very unsure of herself. She still wondered a lot of times why her mother hadn't taken her with her.

Jareth laid his hand hesitantly on her shoulder. "Your friendly speaks wisely," he told her quietly. "But for real answers, you must ask your grandmother. Do not waste time doubting something you cannot answer."

"Man's got a point," Cecilia agreed. "Stop brooding. It's almost time for your audition, anyway. And Mr. Cantiello agreed to let Jareth play opposite you."

"He did?" Sarah's eyes grew round. "What scene are we doing?"

It wasn't hard to read Sarah with her aura sparking the way it was, but Cecilia kept her face bland. "First the final monologue, then the ballroom scene. The monologue's the test, you know, but Cantiello wants to see if he can find some good chemistry right off the bat, so he's having all the Sarah candidates do the ballroom. Glad I'm not trying for your part. You're a shoo-in."

"What are you trying for, then?" Jareth asked.

She grinned. "The junk lady," she replied. "It's fun to play the voice of temptation sometimes. I only wish I had the chance to play you. You've got some great lines. But Cantiello doesn't like gender-crossing, even if we don't have enough guys." She made a face. "He cuts the parts rather than put girls in them. Idiot."

Just then, a short, round man walked up to them. "Sarah, it's your turn."

"Yes, sir," she answered nervously. "Now, no funny business," she hissed at Jareth.

"Who, me?" he looked as innocent as a newborn.

"Yes, you. I'm trusting you."

"You can depend upon me, milady," he said gallantly, kissing her hand with an extravagant bow. But for all his theatrics, there was an undercurrent of sincerity. Cecilia smiled as she watched them. This ought to be good.