Of all the dressing rooms, the on belonging to Elyssa D'Artagnan was definitely the messiest. Parts of costumes, hose, leotards, and half finished cups of tea were strewn about the room. Dominating most of the wall stood a wooden vanity illuminated by several lights surrounding the three-way mirror. Elyssa currently lounged in her favorite brown swivel chair, situated right in front of the vanity. A silken kimono dressing gown draped over her pale shoulders as she slowly nursed an after-dance brandy.
"Look Marcus, I don't see how you could possibly have such a positive outlook on this new summer ballet. It's absolutely terrible," Elyssa expressed dramatically.
"Maybe if you spent more time concentrating on your work, and less time on men, you wouldn't be so bitchy!" Marcus swatted at one of Elyssa's propped up legs.
Elyssa graced her friend with a lascivious grin, "No, my love…that's your job."
Marcus twittered an effeminate giggle, "Yes, but I can't help the fact that I've got such a cute ass!"
Elyssa rolled her eyes and smiled. She could never quite get over just how hilarious Marcus could be. He stood at a gangly six foot one, with cornflower blue eyes and ultra blonde hair. Elyssa had never been able to decide what Marcus enjoyed about ballet more – the dance itself, or the chance to flaunt himself in tight leotards. Knowing him, it was probably a combination of both.
"Oh come on Elyssa, how could you not love this story? A young girl, seduced by a powerful king, taken to a magical land, molested by goblins…"
"She doesn't get molested by goblins, and personally the thought of a king of goblins is not exactly what I find sexy. Marishka always goes out of her way to pick the most unflattering things she can find for these silly summer ballets!"
Marcus sighed deeply. "Well I wouldn't mind getting molested by goblins," he said sulkily.
"You wouldn't mind getting molested by anyone!"
"Don't you think I'll make a delicious Goblin King?" He fluttered his eyes and puckered his lips, "Come sit on my lap like a good girl and lets make Goblin-Love."
Elyssa swallowed her comeback when she heard a soft rap on the door. Opening the door a crack, her bodyguard Michael stuck his head in. "The Madame is hear to see you."
Marcus stuck his tongue out and rolled his eyes, making Elyssa fight back a giggle. "It's okay Michael…thanks."
With an impatient air, Madame Marishka shoved past Michael and swept into the small dressing room. "What the hell are you two doing in here? The benefit ball started twenty minutes ago and neither of you have even bothered to dress yet," she hissed menacingly. Shaking her head in frustration, Marishka turned to Elyssa, hands on her hips. "And please tell me your not still sulking about The Labyrinth. It's one of the newest ballet's out there, and if we're going to keep supporters, we can't keep throwing the same old musty things at them." As Director, Marishka stuck almost exclusively to the time honored ballets of old. Everyone knew, however, that Marishka delighted in exploring new and exotic scores which she reserved for the summer Children's Series.
Elyssa hung her head penitently, sneaking a smile and a wink at Marcus. "Yes Madame. Marcus and I were so caught up in our discussion of new choreography, that we simply forgot the ball." Elyssa offered her a winning smile.
Marishka snorted, and turned away disgusted. "If you please, you two had better be downstairs within the next ten minutes, or I'll drag you both down there myself - bodyguard or no." With a menacing shake of her finger, she swept out of the room in a huff.
Marcus grabbed a silver boa hanging from a hook and wrapped it around his neck. "Well Dahling, I'm off to the ball." He strutted out of the room, sending Elyssa into peals of laughter. With a resigned sigh, Elyssa heaved herself up and began searching for a suitable dress.
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The ballroom brimmed with the wealthiest and most powerful people New York society could offer. Waiters in tight white jackets and black pants circled the crowds offering trays of hors' doerves and champagne. After the last ballet of the season, a benefit ball was traditionally held to buffer the always needy theater. Patrons had the opportunity to dance with their favorite ballerinas who where auctioned off for vast amounts of money. Elyssa detested the idea, and always dreaded the balls. Unfortunately, her contract was clear – no ball, no dancing. Of course, the same was true for the summer children's ballet, another thorn in Elyssa's side. Standing on the top of the stair, she glared down at the mass of people. Shaking her head in disgust, she was suddenly comforted by Michael's presence, his nearness.
Her ever present body guard was probably the only person in the world who hated these damn things worse than she, albeit for different reasons. Because of the auction, Elyssa never new who her next dance partner would be. There were several occasions when an over-zealous admirer would go to far in his, shall we say, "admirations." Last year, one man tried to force Elyssa to leave with him, forcing Michael to give the gentleman a little "advice" about how to treat a lady. After that incident, Madame Marishka banished Michael to stand back against the wall, far from the middle of the ballroom where Elyssa would dance.
Overprotective by nature, Michael was an excellent bodyguard even if he did tend to smother his vivacious employer. Just a hair under six foot, he weighed a muscular 250 pounds. In his 46 years, Michael displayed an excellent martial background. His career began in the Marines, followed by several years of intelligence work for the CIA. Michael was employed by the D'Artagnan family ten years ago. Following Elyssa's father's death, he guarded her exclusively now.
"Are you ready to go down, now," he inquired softly. Elyssa was lovely tonight, Michael noted as he gazed upon the smooth pillar of her neck. Because of lack time, Elyssa had simply left her tempestuous hair in its chignon from earlier. A few rebellious hairs had begun to pull loose, contrasting against her pale skin. She had chosen a dark green silken dress drawn tight at the bodice exhibiting the mounds of her soft breasts. Swallowing hard, Michael looked quickly away, kicking himself for allowing such thoughts.
"I suppose I have to, don't I." She turned and smiled at him, unaware of his discomfiture. "Try to have a good time tonight. At least one of us should. Go find some champagne and a rich widow to share it with." Taking a deep breath she faced the crowd and descended the stairs slowly, gathering up the folds of her long gown and allowing time to scan the audience for Marcus. Faces, faces faces, she thought to herself, how the hell am I supposed to find anyone in this crowd?
Elyssa caught her breath when she found two eyes staring directly at her. A man with spiky platinum hair stood against the wall, almost obscured by shadow, but she could still make out most of his features. He was dressed in tight black pants, possibly leather and leaving nothing to the imagination, a strange black coat that came only halfway down his waist, and a white ruffled poets shirt. Hmm…she wondered…very sexy, but I'm betting he's gay. No strait man would wear those ruffles. She giggled softly. Something about him was extremely intriguing. I'll have to tell Marcus when I see him. Smiling to herself she tore her eyes away from his gaze, barely managing to avoid walking straight into Marishka.
"Elyssa, where the hell have you been? We've been waiting and waiting for you to come. The auction is already over, and the dance is about to begin" she chided.
"Oh now that's a really shame, Madame. I suppose I can just leave early then, right? You know, make an appearance then leave," she asked hopefully.
Marishka laughed harshly. "Not a chance my dear, your dance card is still quite full. In fact, I believe even that hulking beast of yours, Michael, will even be happy with this arrangement."
Elyssa eyed her suspiciously. "Now why is that?"
Marcus suddenly came whirling in to view wearing an outrageous orange suit.
"My god, you look like a carrot," Elyssa began laughing.
He folded his arms across his chest and winked conspiratorially at Marishka. "You bitch," he gestured at Elyssa. "You've been keeping secrets from me, you evil thing" Marcus placed a hand against his forehead, dramatically. "I'm so hurt."
Elyssa shook her head in confusion. "Marcus, what on earth are you talking about?"
Marishka cleared her throat, "Your entire card was purchased by a single buyer. A man by the name of Jareth, I believe. Considering the amount of money he just spent, I'd suspect he thinks quite highly of you " She fought back the urge to smile, and covered her mouth with her hand.
"You obviously have a new admirer, and had the audacity to tell me nothing about it." Marcus fanned his face with his hand, wiping away imaginary tears with the other.
"I have absolutely no idea what the hell either of you are talking about," Elyssa exclaimed. "I haven't even seen anyone since...since.."
"...Eric," Marcus whispered. Elyssa shook her head emphatically, "...and especially no one named Jareth."
Marishka raised her eyebrows and gestured. "Regardless, it would seem that this gentleman has taken quite an interest in you, my dear. And it would seem that our kind benefactor is coming now to claim his prize." Marishka grinned, knowing that describing Elyssa as a "prize" would surely rankle her.
"Oh. My. God...he his to DIE for," Marcus exclaimed as he glanced over Elyssa's shoulder. "Oh, I'm so jealous. That's so damn typical of you, 'Lyssa...taking the only good looking man in the whole place. Well, other than me of course. " With an offended harrumph, Marcus twirled away loudly exclaiming to other friends and admirers.
Although the ballroom resounded with the noise of laughter and chatter, the sound of Jareth's approaching footsteps resounded in Elyssa's ears. I'm NOT turning around, she thought. Her eyes frantically sought Marishka's, silently pleading. Marishka simply shook her head and reached out to affectionately touch Elyssa's cheek. "Go and dance with him, my dear. It's only for one night, and what harm could it do?"
Why am I so damned terrified of someone I've never even met, she wondered. Hooboy...I've got to get more sleep. Suddenly aware of his nearness, Elyssa turned to meet her "kind benefactor." Her breath caught in her throat as two mismatched eyes snared and trapped her own. She was shocked to discover that it was the man she had seen coming down the stairs, the mystery man in the shadows. Something about his strange eyes caught her off-guard. It was almost as if this strange man was devouring her with his eyes, consuming her in his vision. Apparently, he liked what he saw. Jareth's thin lips spread into a grin, his pointed teeth gleamed. Elyssa got the distinct impression of standing before a wild animal, naked and defenseless. Suddenly, she became aware of the plunging neck line of her gown, and the thin fabric which barely concealed her form. I've never been afraid of any man in my life, and I don't intend on starting now. With a defiant shake of her head, Elyssa forced herself to walk forward and meet this...Jareth.
He bowed slightly. "Elyssa," his voice was soft and gravely sending shivers of pleasure up and down her spine, "I had no idea you were so beautiful in person." His eyes sparkled with amusement, the grin widened to a charming smile. Elyssa couldn't pinpoint why, but she somehow knew Jareth was enjoying watching her squirm.
"Hmm...everyone seems to say that. Little inane compliments like that are a great way to start conversations, you know," she said acidly. Something about his man made her nervous. Oh forget that, she grimaced, he makes me feel terrified.
Jareth tilted his head back roaring with laughter. "Oh my, my - your reputation proceeds you, my dear," his silky voice sent her mind reeling. "I have a feeling that tonight will be money well spent."
At that moment, Marishka appeared on the stage set up in the front of the ballroom. "Ladies and gentlemen, take your places on the floor, we are about to begin." Excited laughter filled the vast room as couples formed. "Maestro, if you please," Marishka chirped shrilly.
Elyssa looked around trying to glimpse Michael, hoping that seeing him nearby would help dispel the growing turmoil inside her. She jumped as the man's voice whispered into her ear, "Elyssa, what are you searching for...?" Jareth's sudden nearness caught her off gaurd. She turned quickly around, putting some space between them. Her mouth was dry, her heart was fluttering. Why am I so terrified, her mind screamed, he's just a man. An extremely sexy man, but just a man all the same.
The man moved closer and offered a hand. "Don't be frightened..."
She swallowed hard, her temper suddenly flaring. This is ridiculous...I will not allow myself to fall to pieces like this. Suddenly, her temper flared. "I'm not frightened, just a little tired and disoriented after the performance earlier."
Defiantly, Elyssa forced herself to meet his gaze, studying Jareth. Now that she saw him up close, she was surprised that she could have ever thought him, well...umm...nevermind. His face was aristocratic in nature, delicately shaped with high cheekbones. However, everything about him was deeply masculine and animal like in nature. His smile gave him a wild, feral look. Elyssa blushed when she realized he was still holding out his proffered hand. She slipped her tiny hand into his strong gloved one. How odd, she thought, I've never seen a man wear gloves like these. But then again, I don't think I've ever seen a man quite like this in all my life. "Now, what was your name again? I meet so many men, it's so hard to keep names straight." Like I'm ever going to forget it...
His hand tightened around hers, pulling Elyssa to him. He leaned down close and whispered into her ear. "You can call me, Jareth..." he murmured into her neck. Heat coursed up through her body, filling her with fire, making it impossible to concentrate. When his free hand moved to encircle her slender waist drawing her ever closer, Elyssa closed her eyes breathing in his scent. "Shall we dance, my dear?" his voice sounded dark and husky. The music swiled around them as he deftly guided her into a waltz, caught in the rhythm of the orchestra.
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Michael followed the dancing couple with his dark eyes as they swept across the ballroom. After the first waltz ended, he fully expected Elyssa to switch partners dancing with whoever could afford the price of donation. His eyebrows raised when the music began leaving her with the same man. When the third song had begun and ended, his brow came together with worry. From across the room, Marishka noticed Michael's growing irritation and hurried over. Not wanting another "advice on how to treat a lady" incident, Marishka sauntered to where he stood, glowering.
"You might as well know, that the gentleman had purchased the entire evening's worth of dances, and no amount of dirty looks can change the situation."
"Just as long as he doesn't try anything, he'll be just fine," Michael ground out from clenched teeth.
Marishka's irritation faded. "Michael...you can't protect her from everything," she said softly.
"I can sure as hell try." His dark eyes turned to her for a brief moment, before returning once again to Elyssa.
Suppressing a sigh, Marishka walked away sadly. Michael glanced at Marishka as she retreated back to the floor. The sound of Elyssa's laughter drifted to his highly attuned ears, quickly snapping his head back around. Michael played escort countless times while Elyssa showered her affections on men...so why was this guy so different? There was something about this that he didn't like - something that tweaked his highly attuned sense of danger. Narrowing his eyes, Michael stared on.