The Christmas Letter
*Standing slack-jawed* 33 reviews? Wow. And not one single object thrown, yay for me! Let's keep it that way, all right? Anyhow, here we have a building up chapter of the things that are to come, the vital chapters to a story, which set the backdrop for things to come. Don't mind me, it's 9:30, I'm tired, and I'm even weirder than usual when I'm tired. Not to mention just finishing reading 'The Christmas Carol' has put me in a poetic mood. Oh, and since certain people have told me they're sorry that they said they didn't like me being in my stories, I may pop in somewhere around the finalé, or perhaps even before, if I have a mind to. Anyhow, hope you enjoy this chapter, and remember to review!
Disclaimer: Oh I saw Sarah kissing Jaaaareth Claus, underneath the mistletoe last niiiight…*coughs* Ahem, I mean, I don't own the Labyrinth, or any of that jazz.
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Chapter 4: Preparations
Jareth changed into his animal form of the owl, and flew Aboveground, his heart feeling lighter than it had in years. He even did several loop-de-loops, before his stomach made it quite clear it didn't care for such antics.
He landed in an alley, so as not to attract attention as he transformed back into his human shape. He was in clothes that would be considered normal for Aboveground, wearing a black turtleneck sweater and black jeans, and his blonde hair tied in a ponytail. Never mind he couldn't figure out why in the flaming pits of the seventh dimension of Hell that this was considered fashionable.
He strode confidently out of the alley, giving off a regal air even without his royal garments, and caught the eye of many ladies passing by. He paid them no heed, as he walked into the jewelry store.
"Can I help ye, sir?" asked a female voice, with a heavy British accent. Jareth turned to see a rather petite young woman, with reddish orange hair and emerald green eyes.
"Yes, I'd like to see that necklace in the window." Said Jareth. He knew he had heard that voice before, but where?
"The Snowflake one made of diamonds?" asked the clerk. Jareth nodded, and the girl opened the display, taking it out to show Jareth.
"It's a mighty fine piece, sir." Said the clerk. "You have excellent taste."
"How much is it?" Jareth asked.
"It is 450 dollars, sir." Said the clerk. Jareth didn't even flinch when he heard the price, and asked the clerk to wrap it up for him. She found a velvet box with satin interior for it, as Jareth took out a wallet conveniently conjured from his pocket, and gave her the money, along with another hundred for the clerk.
"That is for being so helpful." Said Jareth, as the clerk's eyes went wide.
"Th-th-thank you, sir." Said the clerk, as Jareth turned to leave. The clerk called to him as he left, with her voice slightly altered, and her eyes blazed a brighter emerald. "And good luck to you, Jareth."
Jareth turned, but the clerk had disappeared. Could it have been the mysterious L.D…no, that was inconceivable.
Or was it?
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Sarah sat again at her dining room table, wrapping the last few gifts for her Labyrinth friends.
Not that, if she were truthful with herself, could she say she really had any other kind of friends. She had worked too hard in school, trying so hard to be able to take care of her brother reasonably. She hadn't had time for being social then, and working from home; she didn't really have anyone to be social with, except clients. And somehow, handling a man's finances kind of sucks the romantic-ness from a room. (AN: Ok…that just came out wrong. And not in the good way either -_- )
Sarah put her head down in her hands, and took several deep, shuddering breaths. She would not cry. She had a reasonable income from her career, enough so she and Toby could live comfortably. She still kept in touch with her only true friends. She had her brother, who was the sweetest, most caring little boy there ever was, it seemed sometimes.
So why did she feel so empty?
"Sarah, are you ok?" asked Toby, dressed for bed in his pajamas, as he stood by his sister. Sarah hadn't even heard him come in.
"I'm fine." Sarah lied. "Just tired is all. But I've got to finish wrapping these gifts. You know this year we're having our party Christmas Eve, and that's only a few days away."
Toby could tell she was lying, he could almost always tell when Sarah was lying, but he said nothing about it. "Ok, anyway, I'm ready for bed. Can you read me a story tonight?"
Sarah smiled, as she walked with her brother to his bedroom, tucking him in, and reading him a Fairy Tale. She kissed him on his forehead, and turned out the light.
"Good night, Toby." Said Sarah. "Sweet dreams."
"Good Night Sarah," said Toby. "Don't stay up too late. You don't want to fall asleep at the table again."
"I won't." said Sarah, as she closed the door. She could hear Toby mutter "That's what she always says." Before the door shut. She shook her head, smiling, and went to wrap the last, most important package.
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Sarah tied the last ribbon, as she finished wrapping Jareth's present. It had taken several years, but her so-called 'creation', was finally completed. Maybe that's why she hadn't invited Jareth before, as she didn't have his present ready yet. Not that it had started out as a present for him; it just sort of evolved as it.
Either way, she hoped he liked it, if he came. Well, if nothing else, she could always have Hoggle or somebody deliver it for her, though she would really love to see the look on Jareth's face when he opened it.
'Sure that's why you want to see him.' Her sub-conscious sneered at her. 'Not because you're in love with him or anything, oh no. Nothing like that.'
"I am nothing of the sort." Sarah muttered sleepily. She shook her head. It was bad enough her sub-conscious was being mean to her, she was answering it. She definitely needed some sleep.
As she tumbled into bed a little while later, unbeknownst to herself and the Goblin King, they had the same thought before falling asleep.
"I wonder what will happen at the party..."
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Yes, I am so very evil, aren't I? I just can't help myself with cliffhangers. And what is Jareth's present, you ask? Wouldn't you like to know! You'll just have to wait to find out. I really hope to finish this chapter before Christmas, Magic help me, so I may make this a shorter story than planned, with longer chapters. Heck, I may even make it in two more chapters, or maybe even one. Just don't quote me on that, k? Anyhow, I'm still tired, and about to fall asleep at the keyboard, so I shall take my leave now. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and remember…
"Please leave a contribution in the little review box"
Emerald, The Lady Destiny a.k.a. Emmy-chan
