Hola minna! Short & sweet: themes are either Love-Lost in the Pain by Chisato or Charade sung by Andy Williams (from movie of the same name). Oddly enough, the Labyrinth music doesn't quite fit. Eh. Round up the disclaimers and brand 'em. Have fun!
Ladymage Samiko ;)
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To the Victor Go the Spoils
Part 18 ~ Amantes
Sarah got to her feet shakily, nearly falling over until Jareth caught her. She looked up at him, uncertain what to say. How do you apologize for nearly killing someone? Well, she hadn't, but she had been so caught up in the past that she had wanted to win more than anything else.
She had wanted him dead.
She noticed him looking down at her. Perhaps she was learning to read just a little better, but it seemed as though a tiny glimmer of compassion peeked through the impassive mask.
"I--" she began, before he placed a finger on her lips.
"Unnecessary, Sarah," he told he quietly. "Let the past be reburied." He let her go so abruptly she almost fell to the floor again.
And she still didn't know what to say.
"Okay, folks, let's do it!" Mr. Cantiello's voice filled the gymnasium and, obediently, the remaining students began to fill the gym floor, separating Sarah and Jareth.
The atmosphere of the ealier scene had been broken and the small crowd of high school students was a poor substitute for the masked horde in the ballroom. Still, Sarah couldn't see Jareth any more and that worried her. Was he really all right? She had felt the power in the room, but she had no idea how that might have affected him. Surely nothing she could do would be able to even touch him. He was the Goblin King, no matter what he told her, and possessed power beyond her imagining. He had to be fine. And yet, why couldn't she find him? Where was he?
Her search became more frantic as she came upon person after person, colliding with them, nearly running. Finally, flustered, her hands met with a familiar chest and her head tilted up. Jareth.
Before she could speak, he gave her that dazzling smile that, until then, had been just a dim memory, and gracefully manuevered her into the classic dance position. Staring at him, she told herself over and over, "It's just an act. It's just an act." And yet, acting couldn't begin to answer for what was flowing over and around her.
He drew her expertly across the floor, to music that Sarah felt rather than heard. Though he maintained his distance, she was acutely aware of the warmth of his bare hands in hers and at her waist. And, as though the magical working had opened a window in her mind, she felt the Fae power in them. The best description she could give of it--for she did not see it in the manner Cecilia did--was of warm sandalwood and molten silver. Nearly, but not quite, burning, an almost electrical feel. It played and mingled with her own power, which took turns flowing into his and pushing it away.
Slowly, he pulled her to him. "Just let go," his voice urged. "Let it happen."
She leaned her head against his chest, trying to decide what she should do. Her reverie was broken when she felt his hands clutch her convulsively. His power battered into her like the owl had battered the window. She gasped and pulled away from him.
His face was tight, eyes closed. He was fighting something and the strength that something had frightened Sarah. She fought to say something, anything.
"Jareth?" Her voice sounded high, like a frightened child's.
"Sarah, I need to get out of here," he said hoarsely. The difference from his usual rich tones scared her still more. She looked around, fixing her eyes on Cecilia, pleading. The girl responded instantly, rushing down the bleachers.
"We have to go," Sarah whispered. Cecilia nodded and together, they slipped Jareth's arms over their shoulders and began to move towards the door.
"Sarah?" Mr. Cantiello called. "What's wrong?"
"He's having an allergic reaction, Mr. C.," she replied, surprisingly sounding calm. "His medicine's in my bag."
"Do we need to call an ambulance?"
"No, he'll be fine once we get his things."
With that, they went through the door into the men's locker room.
Luckily, no one was in there. "Jareth?" Sarah asked. "Jareth, what's wrong? What's happening?" Even to herself, she sounded frantic. And she was justified, for as soon as the door had closed, Jareth had collapsed to the floor, gasping.
"Get the key," he told her. "Send me back to the Underground."
"What?"
"Just do it, Sarah! Please." The 'please' was faint, but it was enough to both terrify Sarah and convince her. The Goblin King never said please. She reached into the dimensional pocket and pulled out the crystal.
"How do I use it?"
"Turn it this way and it will show you your dreams," his laughter rasped. Sarah rolled the crystal between her hands until the energy felt right and she and Jareth vanished, leaving Cecilia alone in an empty room.
