Title: Chances Born
Part Two: Dances
Author: Fire Fairy (at least until I change it)
Disclaimer: Everyone should know who owns 'Labyrinth'. Everyone should also know that it isn't me. That's just common sense. I wish they'd come out with a sequel. They need a sequel.
Summary: Okay, we get to hear Riley's poem and then fast forward to a dance at the school, on Friday night.
A/N: Heidi-ho. Thanks to my only reviewer so far. The poem Riley wrote was one I wrote last year for English. I couldn't find a better one. Oh well. I have a dance in here. Not very detailed but, it's a just a generic high school dance. Most of the things in Riley's life (i.e. the broken pencil case, the heavy backpack, and the shortcut from one class to another) are taken from my own life. And I am VERY lightly basing her father and mother on my own parents. I'm not mean enough to impersonate my brother through Jacob. He's not that mean. In case it isn't obvious later on, I really don't like Jacob. Okay well, enough of my manic ramblings. Please leave a review when you're done, they really decided whether or not I write another chapter. Have a good day (and night, and weekend and week and month and year) and I wish everyone all the happiness in the world.
***************
" So, who has their homework assignment?" The teacher looked around, a cheerful smile literally plastered to her face. " We can either have volunteers or victims. I really don't mind which."
That was Mrs. D's favorite saying. Most of the students had trouble with saying her last name so she shortened to 'D'. Sighing heavily, Riley raised her hand.
" I'll read mine Mrs. D." Shuffling through papers, she produced a piece of notebook with plenty of scribbles and crossed out words covering it.
" Thank you Riley." Even if Riley hadn't volunteered, or if someone else had, she would have been first.
" Who are those that warrant our admiration?
Those that stand center-ring at all times
Those that entrance an entire nation
Those that practice hours to remember lines
Humans that take a different face
Different people to make us think
They transport us through time and place
Into imagination they make us sink
Unfortunately they always fade
New stars shall take their place and pave the way
Old fortunes spent and new fortunes made
Most will forget them, we try but we may
They always take us and themselves far
They are the ones, the Hollywood stars."
After the unenthusiastic clapping ended, Mrs. D smiled at Riley and spoke, " Well done Riley, well done. Now, who's next?" Sitting down to ignore the rest of the class, she saw Sarah stand up and vaguely heard her read her poem.
One thing she'd noticed, Sarah wrote poetry that surrounded her trip through the Labyrinth. The fieries, the Bog of Eternal Stench, Sir Didymus, the castle and even the battle in the Goblin City. ' Maybe she does remember.' Riley mused as Sarah sat down and another student stood up to read their poem.
*****
After paying attention to Riley and Sarah's poems, Jareth returned his attention to the meeting before him.
" He's been good. He seems to be truly repentant about what he did." The loudest supporter for Jacob's release continued to argue. Jareth sat back, fingers steepled, and tried to decipher what this king could gain from having a very dangerous fae being released.
After allowing the collected murmuring to grow slightly, Jareth spoke, commanding silence before he even vocalized his thoughts.
" Need I remind everyone of the reason he is incarcerated as it is? He has tried to kill one of his own. It would have been bad enough if it had simply been another creature of the Underground, worse, if it was another fae, but to try and kill his own flesh and blood? He should be destroyed, not released."
" Yes Jareth, we all know your position on the matter. But the girl refuses to come forth and tell us all of what happened. By Acridae's fury," The Elfin king muttered a quick apology at Acridae and continued, " We can't even find the girl! How do we know she even speaks the truth? Jacob has said that she is given to fantasizing."
Jareth literally surged up, his power overflowing in anger, all centered on the buffoon that stood in front of him.
" Do you doubt my word, Martok? Do you?!" Martok cowered before the Goblin King, the king who seemed to grow angrier with every passing second. " I saw with my own mismatched eyes what he tried to do to her! Do you suggest that I lie?!" Martok was now whimpering in pain and fear, and Jareth only seemed to get angrier. " ANSWER ME!" He thundered.
" No." Martok was only able to get a whisper to pass the lump in his throat.
" Good. I didn't think even *you* were that stupid." Jareth sat back in his chair, tugging at his shirt to get it to look smooth once more. " Now that everyone knows that Martok is not as stupid as he seems, maybe we can get onto actual business. Jacob will never be released. End of discussion."
" But-" The speaker received a withering look and didn't continue.
" No buts. He is held within my boundaries and I will decide when, if ever, I release him. Are we clear?" He looked around, just hoping someone would be idiotic enough to challenge him.
A collection of 'yes's' came back at him from all sides. Smiling, he motioned for the members to continue with the rest of the business before the council.
Once the meeting had finished, the other members of the commission had left and Jareth summoned his goblins to him.
" The ball is to be held here this time. I want this castle ship-shape before anyone even gets near here. That includes dust, cobwebs AND chicken shit. Understood?" Jareth looked pointedly at his subjects before shooing them away from him.
Finally given a perfect opportunity, Jareth's thoughts followed the same course as Riley's had. Sarah acted as if she couldn't remember anything from her time in the Labyrinth, yet wrote poetry that reflected her feelings towards him, the other inhabitants and the Labyrinth itself.
'She has to remember. It's the only explanation.' Jareth didn't listen when the goblins came and reported on their progress, his mind on another troubling thought. Jumping to a very dark and dank room, lights flared on with his presence. The only other inhabitant cried out in pain and covered his eyes with his arms.
" Hello Jacob."
" Just go Jareth. I don't feel like talking today." Lowering his arms, Jareth noted that his eyes were shut tight against the light.
" I have always asked one question and one question only. Need I repeat it?" Jareth felt a strange hostility towards Riley's older brother.
" No, and I still refuse to answer it." Raising his eyebrows, Jareth nodded and stood, getting ready to leave.
A voice cried out in a heart-wrenching plea, " Jareth. Please, leave the lights on. Please!"
" You didn't listen to Riley's pleas, why should I listen to yours?" Jumping, the lights extinguished until his next visit. Tearful whimpering filled the dark as the creepy crawling sounds returned.
*****
" Hey Riley!" Sarah called out after the class ended. Riley had been hurrying down the hall to her next class, eager to get this day over.
" Yeah?" Stopping, she turned and faced her friend.
" Are you going to the dance tonight? And that was a good poem."
" Thanks and yes. I already bought my ticket. Are you going?" Riley already knew the answer. Sarah went to every dance the school held.
" Yeah. So, I'll see you there?" Sarah was the only person willing to really make an effort to talk to her and be her friend since the legendary accident three long years ago.
" Yep. Bye Sarah." Noticing the already thick crowd, Riley headed towards the girl's bathroom and practically ran through there, to arrive on the other side, halfway to her next class.
The day literally flew by as she looked forward to the dance that night. Riley hadn't been able to get the words ' letting him off early' out of her mind all day, and only the thoughts of the dance forced them to quiet down some.
" Riley, sweetie, are you ready?" Her dad was driving her to the dance at her high school.
Taking a last look in the mirror, Riley smiled slightly and pounded down the steps to where her dad and mom waited. The pride in their eyes almost made Riley feel bad for deceiving them for so long.
" Okay, pictures." Her mom held up the digital camera that she had bought the month before and snapped a picture before Riley could say anything.
" Sweet-heart, how much gel did you use?" Riley's shoulder length bronze hair had been gelled up and around to look much like Jareth's hair usually did.
" Not much, smile dad." Putting her arm around her dad's back, she turned his chin towards the camera as her mom took another picture.
" Okay, time to go." Her dad kissed his beloved wife and the two walked out the front door.
Riley was looking for a very pointed reaction from Sarah when she arrived. Hoping for some sign of recognition at her outfit, so like Jareth's in the ballroom, except a color matching the copper highlights in her hair perfectly.
A swift look of shock passed through Sarah's eyes but she didn't let anything else show.
" You wore pants?" The dances held a code that you had to dress up, not as much as what was needed for prom but a dress code none the less.
" Yes. I thought this was very nice and fitted into the dress code perfectly." Sarah shrugged and directed Riley towards the doors. Everyone commented on how beautiful the two girls looked, even their few friends and many of the people from the play.
At every slow song, Sarah was asked to dance while Riley had to wait at the table for a fast song to come back on. Riley's sad, depressing thoughts were coming back when she saw someone's feet in front of her.
" Would you care to dance?" The voice surprised her, though it shouldn't have.
Looking up, she saw Jareth's face, framed perfectly by his white-blonde hair. Not trusting her voice, she nodded, happy to have a friend in the room. Jareth led her to the middle of the floor, his eyes never leaving hers.
Sarah just noticed that Riley was dancing with someone, but had no reaction until they turned and she saw his face properly. Crying out softly, Sarah marched over and practically ripped Riley from his arms. Forcing her towards the bathroom, Sarah was angry and frightened enough to kill someone.
Riley didn't fight, and allowed herself to be directed into the girl's bathroom.
" Why is *he* here?" Closing her eyes and shaking her head, Riley looked back up at Sarah.
" Because I asked for him to be here." Sarah's chestnut eyes asked the question she couldn't verbalize. " Because of everything that's been going on in my life. Come over to my house tomorrow and I'll explain everything, scout's honor. For now, can you at least *try* to be civil to him?"
Seeing her friend's distress, Sarah backed down and nodded. Riley smiled happily and flung her arms around her friend's neck in a huge hug.
" Thank you Sarah. I knew you remembered." That last comment was spoken, but Sarah never got an explanation for that either as Riley exited the bathroom quickly, headed back to look for Jareth.
Sarah returned to the boy she had been dancing with, apologizing, saying that she had to tell her friend something private immediately. Trying to ignore Jareth all night, though it was hard to do, seeing him fast dance for the first time, Sarah ended up having a very good time.
Going home, she realized that she didn't have Riley's address. Huffing at the lost opportunity for an explanation of what was going on, she almost missed the piece of paper on her door with an address on it.
'Thought you could use this Sarah. ~ Riley' Sarah fell asleep, trying to think of how Riley knew Jareth and why he had been there tonight. She didn't get too far before sleep claimed her.
Sarah woke up the next day, ready to hear Riley's explanation. After eating breakfast and getting ready to go, she was stopped by Karen.
" Where are you going?"
" I need to get over to Riley." 'It's time to find out the truth.'
" Will you be back in time for dinner?" Karen and her dad were going out that night, once again leaving her to baby-sit the two-year-old Toby.
" Yes, this shouldn't take too long, promise." Kissing Karen on the cheek, Sarah started for the door, her stubbornness and determination shining through her eyes.
*****
" You realize this won't be easy, don't you?" Jareth and Riley were watching Sarah leave her house through a crystal he had called into existence.
" I know. But she remembers and I need to clear a few things up."
The same look of determination in Sarah's eyes had entered Riley's own. Sighing, Jareth thought, 'How much alike they are.'
Part Two: Dances
Author: Fire Fairy (at least until I change it)
Disclaimer: Everyone should know who owns 'Labyrinth'. Everyone should also know that it isn't me. That's just common sense. I wish they'd come out with a sequel. They need a sequel.
Summary: Okay, we get to hear Riley's poem and then fast forward to a dance at the school, on Friday night.
A/N: Heidi-ho. Thanks to my only reviewer so far. The poem Riley wrote was one I wrote last year for English. I couldn't find a better one. Oh well. I have a dance in here. Not very detailed but, it's a just a generic high school dance. Most of the things in Riley's life (i.e. the broken pencil case, the heavy backpack, and the shortcut from one class to another) are taken from my own life. And I am VERY lightly basing her father and mother on my own parents. I'm not mean enough to impersonate my brother through Jacob. He's not that mean. In case it isn't obvious later on, I really don't like Jacob. Okay well, enough of my manic ramblings. Please leave a review when you're done, they really decided whether or not I write another chapter. Have a good day (and night, and weekend and week and month and year) and I wish everyone all the happiness in the world.
***************
" So, who has their homework assignment?" The teacher looked around, a cheerful smile literally plastered to her face. " We can either have volunteers or victims. I really don't mind which."
That was Mrs. D's favorite saying. Most of the students had trouble with saying her last name so she shortened to 'D'. Sighing heavily, Riley raised her hand.
" I'll read mine Mrs. D." Shuffling through papers, she produced a piece of notebook with plenty of scribbles and crossed out words covering it.
" Thank you Riley." Even if Riley hadn't volunteered, or if someone else had, she would have been first.
" Who are those that warrant our admiration?
Those that stand center-ring at all times
Those that entrance an entire nation
Those that practice hours to remember lines
Humans that take a different face
Different people to make us think
They transport us through time and place
Into imagination they make us sink
Unfortunately they always fade
New stars shall take their place and pave the way
Old fortunes spent and new fortunes made
Most will forget them, we try but we may
They always take us and themselves far
They are the ones, the Hollywood stars."
After the unenthusiastic clapping ended, Mrs. D smiled at Riley and spoke, " Well done Riley, well done. Now, who's next?" Sitting down to ignore the rest of the class, she saw Sarah stand up and vaguely heard her read her poem.
One thing she'd noticed, Sarah wrote poetry that surrounded her trip through the Labyrinth. The fieries, the Bog of Eternal Stench, Sir Didymus, the castle and even the battle in the Goblin City. ' Maybe she does remember.' Riley mused as Sarah sat down and another student stood up to read their poem.
*****
After paying attention to Riley and Sarah's poems, Jareth returned his attention to the meeting before him.
" He's been good. He seems to be truly repentant about what he did." The loudest supporter for Jacob's release continued to argue. Jareth sat back, fingers steepled, and tried to decipher what this king could gain from having a very dangerous fae being released.
After allowing the collected murmuring to grow slightly, Jareth spoke, commanding silence before he even vocalized his thoughts.
" Need I remind everyone of the reason he is incarcerated as it is? He has tried to kill one of his own. It would have been bad enough if it had simply been another creature of the Underground, worse, if it was another fae, but to try and kill his own flesh and blood? He should be destroyed, not released."
" Yes Jareth, we all know your position on the matter. But the girl refuses to come forth and tell us all of what happened. By Acridae's fury," The Elfin king muttered a quick apology at Acridae and continued, " We can't even find the girl! How do we know she even speaks the truth? Jacob has said that she is given to fantasizing."
Jareth literally surged up, his power overflowing in anger, all centered on the buffoon that stood in front of him.
" Do you doubt my word, Martok? Do you?!" Martok cowered before the Goblin King, the king who seemed to grow angrier with every passing second. " I saw with my own mismatched eyes what he tried to do to her! Do you suggest that I lie?!" Martok was now whimpering in pain and fear, and Jareth only seemed to get angrier. " ANSWER ME!" He thundered.
" No." Martok was only able to get a whisper to pass the lump in his throat.
" Good. I didn't think even *you* were that stupid." Jareth sat back in his chair, tugging at his shirt to get it to look smooth once more. " Now that everyone knows that Martok is not as stupid as he seems, maybe we can get onto actual business. Jacob will never be released. End of discussion."
" But-" The speaker received a withering look and didn't continue.
" No buts. He is held within my boundaries and I will decide when, if ever, I release him. Are we clear?" He looked around, just hoping someone would be idiotic enough to challenge him.
A collection of 'yes's' came back at him from all sides. Smiling, he motioned for the members to continue with the rest of the business before the council.
Once the meeting had finished, the other members of the commission had left and Jareth summoned his goblins to him.
" The ball is to be held here this time. I want this castle ship-shape before anyone even gets near here. That includes dust, cobwebs AND chicken shit. Understood?" Jareth looked pointedly at his subjects before shooing them away from him.
Finally given a perfect opportunity, Jareth's thoughts followed the same course as Riley's had. Sarah acted as if she couldn't remember anything from her time in the Labyrinth, yet wrote poetry that reflected her feelings towards him, the other inhabitants and the Labyrinth itself.
'She has to remember. It's the only explanation.' Jareth didn't listen when the goblins came and reported on their progress, his mind on another troubling thought. Jumping to a very dark and dank room, lights flared on with his presence. The only other inhabitant cried out in pain and covered his eyes with his arms.
" Hello Jacob."
" Just go Jareth. I don't feel like talking today." Lowering his arms, Jareth noted that his eyes were shut tight against the light.
" I have always asked one question and one question only. Need I repeat it?" Jareth felt a strange hostility towards Riley's older brother.
" No, and I still refuse to answer it." Raising his eyebrows, Jareth nodded and stood, getting ready to leave.
A voice cried out in a heart-wrenching plea, " Jareth. Please, leave the lights on. Please!"
" You didn't listen to Riley's pleas, why should I listen to yours?" Jumping, the lights extinguished until his next visit. Tearful whimpering filled the dark as the creepy crawling sounds returned.
*****
" Hey Riley!" Sarah called out after the class ended. Riley had been hurrying down the hall to her next class, eager to get this day over.
" Yeah?" Stopping, she turned and faced her friend.
" Are you going to the dance tonight? And that was a good poem."
" Thanks and yes. I already bought my ticket. Are you going?" Riley already knew the answer. Sarah went to every dance the school held.
" Yeah. So, I'll see you there?" Sarah was the only person willing to really make an effort to talk to her and be her friend since the legendary accident three long years ago.
" Yep. Bye Sarah." Noticing the already thick crowd, Riley headed towards the girl's bathroom and practically ran through there, to arrive on the other side, halfway to her next class.
The day literally flew by as she looked forward to the dance that night. Riley hadn't been able to get the words ' letting him off early' out of her mind all day, and only the thoughts of the dance forced them to quiet down some.
" Riley, sweetie, are you ready?" Her dad was driving her to the dance at her high school.
Taking a last look in the mirror, Riley smiled slightly and pounded down the steps to where her dad and mom waited. The pride in their eyes almost made Riley feel bad for deceiving them for so long.
" Okay, pictures." Her mom held up the digital camera that she had bought the month before and snapped a picture before Riley could say anything.
" Sweet-heart, how much gel did you use?" Riley's shoulder length bronze hair had been gelled up and around to look much like Jareth's hair usually did.
" Not much, smile dad." Putting her arm around her dad's back, she turned his chin towards the camera as her mom took another picture.
" Okay, time to go." Her dad kissed his beloved wife and the two walked out the front door.
Riley was looking for a very pointed reaction from Sarah when she arrived. Hoping for some sign of recognition at her outfit, so like Jareth's in the ballroom, except a color matching the copper highlights in her hair perfectly.
A swift look of shock passed through Sarah's eyes but she didn't let anything else show.
" You wore pants?" The dances held a code that you had to dress up, not as much as what was needed for prom but a dress code none the less.
" Yes. I thought this was very nice and fitted into the dress code perfectly." Sarah shrugged and directed Riley towards the doors. Everyone commented on how beautiful the two girls looked, even their few friends and many of the people from the play.
At every slow song, Sarah was asked to dance while Riley had to wait at the table for a fast song to come back on. Riley's sad, depressing thoughts were coming back when she saw someone's feet in front of her.
" Would you care to dance?" The voice surprised her, though it shouldn't have.
Looking up, she saw Jareth's face, framed perfectly by his white-blonde hair. Not trusting her voice, she nodded, happy to have a friend in the room. Jareth led her to the middle of the floor, his eyes never leaving hers.
Sarah just noticed that Riley was dancing with someone, but had no reaction until they turned and she saw his face properly. Crying out softly, Sarah marched over and practically ripped Riley from his arms. Forcing her towards the bathroom, Sarah was angry and frightened enough to kill someone.
Riley didn't fight, and allowed herself to be directed into the girl's bathroom.
" Why is *he* here?" Closing her eyes and shaking her head, Riley looked back up at Sarah.
" Because I asked for him to be here." Sarah's chestnut eyes asked the question she couldn't verbalize. " Because of everything that's been going on in my life. Come over to my house tomorrow and I'll explain everything, scout's honor. For now, can you at least *try* to be civil to him?"
Seeing her friend's distress, Sarah backed down and nodded. Riley smiled happily and flung her arms around her friend's neck in a huge hug.
" Thank you Sarah. I knew you remembered." That last comment was spoken, but Sarah never got an explanation for that either as Riley exited the bathroom quickly, headed back to look for Jareth.
Sarah returned to the boy she had been dancing with, apologizing, saying that she had to tell her friend something private immediately. Trying to ignore Jareth all night, though it was hard to do, seeing him fast dance for the first time, Sarah ended up having a very good time.
Going home, she realized that she didn't have Riley's address. Huffing at the lost opportunity for an explanation of what was going on, she almost missed the piece of paper on her door with an address on it.
'Thought you could use this Sarah. ~ Riley' Sarah fell asleep, trying to think of how Riley knew Jareth and why he had been there tonight. She didn't get too far before sleep claimed her.
Sarah woke up the next day, ready to hear Riley's explanation. After eating breakfast and getting ready to go, she was stopped by Karen.
" Where are you going?"
" I need to get over to Riley." 'It's time to find out the truth.'
" Will you be back in time for dinner?" Karen and her dad were going out that night, once again leaving her to baby-sit the two-year-old Toby.
" Yes, this shouldn't take too long, promise." Kissing Karen on the cheek, Sarah started for the door, her stubbornness and determination shining through her eyes.
*****
" You realize this won't be easy, don't you?" Jareth and Riley were watching Sarah leave her house through a crystal he had called into existence.
" I know. But she remembers and I need to clear a few things up."
The same look of determination in Sarah's eyes had entered Riley's own. Sighing, Jareth thought, 'How much alike they are.'