author: Lucinda
pairing: Willow/Jareth
Story #4 in Goblin Roses
rating: pg
disclaimer: I own nobody from Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Labyrinth.
distribution: Bite me please, WLS, nha, Quickie Challenge, yourmission anyone else please ask first
notes: AU season 7, based on rumors and spoilers mentioned
Jareth had decreed that there would be a ball, complete with music, dancing, and of course, costumes. Willow had known this, but she hadn't realized quite how much activity and bustle would go into it. Goblins were everywhere, polishing floors, scrubbing walls, hauling up bundles of candles, some of which were scented, and gathering what looked like enough food to feed an army. That was only the 'menial preparations', as Jareth called them. Willow hadn't realized that for this ball, there would be what he called 'Fae redecoration'. That didn't just mean new carpets, a change of lighting, no, for the Fae, it also included some remodeling of the castle to have a second large dance hall, and a few smaller rooms for guests to enjoy as well.
The idea of changing the construction of your house for a party was just astonishing to Willow. Almost as surprising was Jareth's comment that she could help. She was nervous, and kept glancing at him as they walked towards the area that the extra rooms would be slipped into.
"Jareth? Are you sure that I can do this? I mean... adding a room?" She licked her dry lips, feeling almost queasy at the possibilities of what could happen if her magic got out of control. "I wouldn't want to make a bad room, or make the castle fall down, or... what if it clashes?"
He laughed, a sound almost like bells. "My Willow, I'm quite certain that you can do this. It isn't that much different than producing a chair, simply a larger scale. Go ahead. Visualize something suitable, and make it so."
Still a bit nervous, Willow closed her eyes, trying to relax her body so that she wouldn't be as distracted. Then, she pictured a rectangular room, with a vaulted ceiling. The floor was tiled in ivory and a series of pale blues, and the walls were blue at the base, becoming paler as they rose, like an ocean wave. There would be a couple columns, with ocean themed carvings, sort of a pseudo-Classical Greek look, maybe? And as a final touch of whimsy, there would be a waterfall starting in the corner of one of the narrow walls, cascading down into a stream that would meander across the floor. Oh yes, that would be perfect... Her mind reached towards the castle, firmly holding the image.
There was this feeling, as if her energy, her insides were suddenly swirling down a drain, and everything felt like it was spinning. With a groan, Willow collapsed, hearing the sound of stone creaking and splashing water. Jareth's strong arms caught her before she could hit the floor.
She opened her eyes gain, seeing the afterimages of spots and swirls. Her head still felt like it was spinning, and she felt weak. "Did it work?"
His hand brushed against her cheek, and Willow sighed, finding the contact soothing. "Indeed, it worked quite well. The room is perfect for the ball, and you didn't damage the castle at all."
She was still leaning on his arm as she looked around the room. It was... well, perfect. There was even a pale radiance from the ceiling, like soft moonlight. "I did this? Wow..."
"To think that you were worried about not having what it takes to be Fae..." Jareth was smiling, his arm wrapped around her waist. "This room is certain to raise a few eyebrows, not that they'll admit it later, naturally. We Fae like to make people think that we've already seen it all, you know."
"My costume is going to look odd in here." Willow smiled a little, thinking of her planned outfit. Surely Jareth only had his arm around her to keep her from falling? Surely he didn't intend for things to seem so... flirtatious? Or what if he did? "Assuming that I still have the oomph to alter it, conjure up the additional details, and make it all stick together... And assuming that your castle lets me. Sometimes, I think this place has it's own will."
"What are you going to be, Willow?" He sounded curious. "Is there a particular color that you're using?"
"A lot of reds and golds, if I get it the way that I want. Dark brown and green accenting. And gauze." Willow smiled, thinking of her idea. Of course, it would never work back in Sunnydale, she'd never be able to find the words to describe it, or someone that could take the image and make it real.
"Willow?" He sounded thoughtful. "There will be those among the Fae who might try to dispel the magic holding your costume together, considering it a fine prank. Be careful what is real and what is enhanced."
"They would... but... I could end up half naked in the middle of a crowd of people! That would be... of, the public humiliation of someone not quite the right sort. Sounds like junior high all over again. I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully, you'll see it before someone tries to wreck it?" Willow remembered the pain and humiliation from years of being not quite right to fit in with any of the groups at school. The way she'd burned with embarrassment from numerous pranks and countless insults. She didn't want to go through that again.
She made her way to her room, thinking of the parts for her costume. There would be the under gown in amber silk, which would start as sort of a close fitting bodice, the sleeves fairly form fitting, and reaching to the floor. It was solidly real, or as real as anything else in the Goblin Kingdom. Over it went something sort of like a belted pieced robe, with fluttering gauzy sleeves in dozens of bits of assorted reds, oranges, and golds, and a skirt that also flared out in layers of uneven gauze. Magic had put it together, and would keep it that way, at least for now. The layers were held together by magically crafted embroidery in green and dark brown, rose stems and the bodies of butterflies. A whisper of illusion would add the roses, hopefully complete with scent, and another whisper would add in the fluttering wings of the butterflies.
The part that was the most fragile and dependant on the magic however, would be the large butterfly wings for her own back. At the moment, they were almost insubstantial frames of wire, stretched with pale golden gauze. Later magic would add more color to the wings, changing them from a solid pale gold to richly patterned creations in reds and golds. She was supposed to look like a Butterfly Queen, fluttering among roses and butterflies.
One of the female goblins had been assigned as her maid, and Willow was ever so pleased to have Foxglove's assistance tonight. To lace her into the gowns, and to help turn her hair from a mass of red locks that fell almost to her waist into an elegant hairstyle, with yellow roses woven into it like a crown. "There, Lady Willow. You look lovely. Shall I paint your face now?"
A dusting of golden glitter over almost all of her exposed skin, a hint of pink to her cheeks, and then her lips were painted gleaming bronze. Her mask, a creation with yellow roses, and a pair of antennae would hide most of her face, as if she were a butterfly as well. Her costume was almost complete, and a whisper of magic placed the illusion of living roses and butterflies on her gown, and more butterflies in her wake, and another moment spread reds, oranges, and more golds, along with a couple dark brown speckles over the wings.
Looking in the mirror, Willow smiled in delight and surprise. The reflection was not that of the tormented and painfully shy girl from high school, or the nervous witch from her time with Tara, or the vengeful menace after Tara's demise. She could hardly recognize the elegant and ethereal creature reflected as Willow at all. Perhaps it was the fact that her hair had grown so much since she'd come here, was it an effect of the Goblin Kingdom, or had she just been here that long? "I'm ready for the ball."
"Indeed you are, my lady." Jareth's voice came from the doorway.
Willow stepped away from the mirror, turning to look at him. He was in white and gold, with feathers, and the mask in his hand resembled an owl. The look on his face as he gazed at her was one of admiration. Was it for the costume, or for her? "You look spiffy yourself."
Holding out one arm towards her, Jareth smiled warmly. "Shall we go to the ball?"
Willow offered her own smile, feeling as if some of the butterflies trailing her had gotten mixed up, and had actually arrived in her stomach instead. It was too late for second thoughts; it was time for the ball. A ball that she would be arriving at as the escort of the King of the Goblins. She had the feeling that there would be a few people jealous of that. "I'm as ready as I can get. Let's go to the party."
End Rose Magics.
pairing: Willow/Jareth
Story #4 in Goblin Roses
rating: pg
disclaimer: I own nobody from Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Labyrinth.
distribution: Bite me please, WLS, nha, Quickie Challenge, yourmission anyone else please ask first
notes: AU season 7, based on rumors and spoilers mentioned
Jareth had decreed that there would be a ball, complete with music, dancing, and of course, costumes. Willow had known this, but she hadn't realized quite how much activity and bustle would go into it. Goblins were everywhere, polishing floors, scrubbing walls, hauling up bundles of candles, some of which were scented, and gathering what looked like enough food to feed an army. That was only the 'menial preparations', as Jareth called them. Willow hadn't realized that for this ball, there would be what he called 'Fae redecoration'. That didn't just mean new carpets, a change of lighting, no, for the Fae, it also included some remodeling of the castle to have a second large dance hall, and a few smaller rooms for guests to enjoy as well.
The idea of changing the construction of your house for a party was just astonishing to Willow. Almost as surprising was Jareth's comment that she could help. She was nervous, and kept glancing at him as they walked towards the area that the extra rooms would be slipped into.
"Jareth? Are you sure that I can do this? I mean... adding a room?" She licked her dry lips, feeling almost queasy at the possibilities of what could happen if her magic got out of control. "I wouldn't want to make a bad room, or make the castle fall down, or... what if it clashes?"
He laughed, a sound almost like bells. "My Willow, I'm quite certain that you can do this. It isn't that much different than producing a chair, simply a larger scale. Go ahead. Visualize something suitable, and make it so."
Still a bit nervous, Willow closed her eyes, trying to relax her body so that she wouldn't be as distracted. Then, she pictured a rectangular room, with a vaulted ceiling. The floor was tiled in ivory and a series of pale blues, and the walls were blue at the base, becoming paler as they rose, like an ocean wave. There would be a couple columns, with ocean themed carvings, sort of a pseudo-Classical Greek look, maybe? And as a final touch of whimsy, there would be a waterfall starting in the corner of one of the narrow walls, cascading down into a stream that would meander across the floor. Oh yes, that would be perfect... Her mind reached towards the castle, firmly holding the image.
There was this feeling, as if her energy, her insides were suddenly swirling down a drain, and everything felt like it was spinning. With a groan, Willow collapsed, hearing the sound of stone creaking and splashing water. Jareth's strong arms caught her before she could hit the floor.
She opened her eyes gain, seeing the afterimages of spots and swirls. Her head still felt like it was spinning, and she felt weak. "Did it work?"
His hand brushed against her cheek, and Willow sighed, finding the contact soothing. "Indeed, it worked quite well. The room is perfect for the ball, and you didn't damage the castle at all."
She was still leaning on his arm as she looked around the room. It was... well, perfect. There was even a pale radiance from the ceiling, like soft moonlight. "I did this? Wow..."
"To think that you were worried about not having what it takes to be Fae..." Jareth was smiling, his arm wrapped around her waist. "This room is certain to raise a few eyebrows, not that they'll admit it later, naturally. We Fae like to make people think that we've already seen it all, you know."
"My costume is going to look odd in here." Willow smiled a little, thinking of her planned outfit. Surely Jareth only had his arm around her to keep her from falling? Surely he didn't intend for things to seem so... flirtatious? Or what if he did? "Assuming that I still have the oomph to alter it, conjure up the additional details, and make it all stick together... And assuming that your castle lets me. Sometimes, I think this place has it's own will."
"What are you going to be, Willow?" He sounded curious. "Is there a particular color that you're using?"
"A lot of reds and golds, if I get it the way that I want. Dark brown and green accenting. And gauze." Willow smiled, thinking of her idea. Of course, it would never work back in Sunnydale, she'd never be able to find the words to describe it, or someone that could take the image and make it real.
"Willow?" He sounded thoughtful. "There will be those among the Fae who might try to dispel the magic holding your costume together, considering it a fine prank. Be careful what is real and what is enhanced."
"They would... but... I could end up half naked in the middle of a crowd of people! That would be... of, the public humiliation of someone not quite the right sort. Sounds like junior high all over again. I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully, you'll see it before someone tries to wreck it?" Willow remembered the pain and humiliation from years of being not quite right to fit in with any of the groups at school. The way she'd burned with embarrassment from numerous pranks and countless insults. She didn't want to go through that again.
She made her way to her room, thinking of the parts for her costume. There would be the under gown in amber silk, which would start as sort of a close fitting bodice, the sleeves fairly form fitting, and reaching to the floor. It was solidly real, or as real as anything else in the Goblin Kingdom. Over it went something sort of like a belted pieced robe, with fluttering gauzy sleeves in dozens of bits of assorted reds, oranges, and golds, and a skirt that also flared out in layers of uneven gauze. Magic had put it together, and would keep it that way, at least for now. The layers were held together by magically crafted embroidery in green and dark brown, rose stems and the bodies of butterflies. A whisper of illusion would add the roses, hopefully complete with scent, and another whisper would add in the fluttering wings of the butterflies.
The part that was the most fragile and dependant on the magic however, would be the large butterfly wings for her own back. At the moment, they were almost insubstantial frames of wire, stretched with pale golden gauze. Later magic would add more color to the wings, changing them from a solid pale gold to richly patterned creations in reds and golds. She was supposed to look like a Butterfly Queen, fluttering among roses and butterflies.
One of the female goblins had been assigned as her maid, and Willow was ever so pleased to have Foxglove's assistance tonight. To lace her into the gowns, and to help turn her hair from a mass of red locks that fell almost to her waist into an elegant hairstyle, with yellow roses woven into it like a crown. "There, Lady Willow. You look lovely. Shall I paint your face now?"
A dusting of golden glitter over almost all of her exposed skin, a hint of pink to her cheeks, and then her lips were painted gleaming bronze. Her mask, a creation with yellow roses, and a pair of antennae would hide most of her face, as if she were a butterfly as well. Her costume was almost complete, and a whisper of magic placed the illusion of living roses and butterflies on her gown, and more butterflies in her wake, and another moment spread reds, oranges, and more golds, along with a couple dark brown speckles over the wings.
Looking in the mirror, Willow smiled in delight and surprise. The reflection was not that of the tormented and painfully shy girl from high school, or the nervous witch from her time with Tara, or the vengeful menace after Tara's demise. She could hardly recognize the elegant and ethereal creature reflected as Willow at all. Perhaps it was the fact that her hair had grown so much since she'd come here, was it an effect of the Goblin Kingdom, or had she just been here that long? "I'm ready for the ball."
"Indeed you are, my lady." Jareth's voice came from the doorway.
Willow stepped away from the mirror, turning to look at him. He was in white and gold, with feathers, and the mask in his hand resembled an owl. The look on his face as he gazed at her was one of admiration. Was it for the costume, or for her? "You look spiffy yourself."
Holding out one arm towards her, Jareth smiled warmly. "Shall we go to the ball?"
Willow offered her own smile, feeling as if some of the butterflies trailing her had gotten mixed up, and had actually arrived in her stomach instead. It was too late for second thoughts; it was time for the ball. A ball that she would be arriving at as the escort of the King of the Goblins. She had the feeling that there would be a few people jealous of that. "I'm as ready as I can get. Let's go to the party."
End Rose Magics.