Hey everyone! Welcome back to my first ever Labyrinth fanfiction, and to the second chapter. You would not believe the writers block I have been through (Sarah thought *she* had it rough. All she had to do was run through an impossible maze, be chased by Cleaners, escape from an oubliette and run around in a funky room covered in stairs, pursed all the while by a sexy Goblin King. She never had to face...WRITER'S BLOCK!!!) But the chapter is alive and well and finally posted. Hurrah. So, enjoy! And don't forget to review!
Disclaimer: If I owned Labyrinth, I would be lying on a beach sipping a fun little umbrella drink. As I am stuck here at school instead, that must mean I don't own it. Damn.
Between Dreams and Reality
by Lyra Matsuoka
Chapter 2: Step Into My Parlor...
Rated PG
Sarah Williams walked happily down the street, her messenger bag bumping slightly against her legs as she went. Some Saturday afternoons in the summer were muggy and oppressive, but Manhatten had sparkled today under the brightly shining sun. Now, as dusk cast her shadow over the city, the diamond-like lights came awake, illuminating the city with a different kind of a glow.
Sarah shook her head. Sometimes she waxed too poetic. It was, after all, just another evening in NYC, but Sarah had been in an extraordinarily good mood today, and it had buoyed her all through the day. It was pleasent to just stroll through the city today, riding the metro and people watching. It was rare that Sarah enjoyed a day off, the life of a writer being somewhat hand to mouth, and she was living it up today.
Greenwich Villiage was bustling tonight, the vibrant pulse of the culture all around. Even this early in the evening, college students wasted no time at all in celebrating the weekend. Sarah continued through the streets, heading for her apartment with reluctance. Maybe tonight she would venture into the college scene. At twenty four she was young enough to blend in and have a good time. The idea continued to appeal to Sarah as her feet carried her forward.
Music poured into the streets from every bar, coffee shop and resteraunt that she passed. Sarah heard jazz, blues, pop, rock and roll, and various mixtures of them all. She absorbed the sounds, allowing her step to conform to the beat. With so many ecletic sounds around her, Sarah was puzzled when the sounds of a wooden flute reached her ears. This was Greenwich, and artists did play on the street for a little extra pocket money, but this tune was different. It was a strangely haunting tune that got under Sarah's skin. Of their own volition, her feet turned a corner, following the music. Three blocks later the music was clearer, and then it stopped as suddenly as it had begun. Sarah stopped as well, disappointed that she would never know the origin of the music that was now playing in her head.
Sarah held her breath, hoping that the musician would begin another tune, or even better, continue the first one. She was not disappointed. But the flute did not begin again; a crystaline voice picked up the melody. The words slipped into Sarah's heart and made themselves at home. She felt possessed by the need to find this musician. A determined haze settled over her eyes as Sarah focused on the music and continued to follow.
It's only forever
Not long at all
The lost and the lonely
No one can blame you
For walking away
But too much rejection, no, no
No love injection, no, no
Life can be easy
It's not always swell
Don't tell me truth hurts, little girl
Cause it hurts like hell
But down in the Underground
You'll find someone true
Down in the Underground
A land serene
A crystal moon
It's only forever
Not long at all
The lost and the lonely
That's the Underground
Underground
Sarah picked up her pace, jogging through the streets, through throngs of dancers as the crystal voice dropped off and the flute returned, playing the tune as delicatly as it had before. Sarah's brain began to clear as she drew closer to the music of voice and flute. She became aware of her surroundings. The parties and other music could still be heard as she only three city blocks from where she had been when the strains of the song had first reached her ears. But she now stood in front of a jewelry shop. Crystal dragons dangled in the picture window, and displayes of rings, necklaces and bracelets were strewn about on a bed of blue silk. A mahogany door stood slightly open, and it was through that portal that the music of the flute drifted now. The song was drawing to a close, the mellow notes becoming fainter.
Sarah took a step back, and turned her head upward to see the sign above the door. It too was wood, the front view of a barn owl spreading its wings above the calligraphy that spelled out the name of the store.
The Labyrinth.
Sarah took a step back. It was only coincidence, of that she was nearly certain. After all, Labyrinth had been a very popular play at one time. In all likelyhood, the owner was a fan of the play, and had seized upon it as a name for this store. Sarah's eyes drifted back to the display in the window. It was an apt name, she acknowledged to herself.
The final note of the song faded into nothing, and Sarah's gaze returned to the door. Chiding herself for being silly, Sarah took three steps to the door, pushed it open, and stepped inside.
The inside of the store was calm, and rather dark. Displays were lit using intricate systems of inlaid ceiling and floor lights. Sarah was impressed. The entire place smelled of cinnamon and vanilla, and various colored silks were draped over antique tables. One table held a pyramid of books. Sarah walked closer, and stretched forth a hand to lift a book from the stack. Red leather carressed her hands as Sarah's finger traced the gold lettering. Labyrinth.
"Are you a fan?" came a quiet inquiry. Sarah spun around, dark hair flying around her. From the shadows at one end of the store came footsteps. As Sarah watched, two feet came into the pool of light around the nearest display.
The feet were encased in soft leather boots with a pointed toe and slight heel. They ended just above the ankle, the tops folded down. Above the boots were sky blue leggings that encased long, slim legs. As the person moved farther into the light, Sarah could see a blouse of sorts. The sleeves were long and puffy, gathered at the wrist by a band of sky blue silk and made of a transparent and gauzy material. The body of the shirt was the same material, and had a plunging neckline, with sky blue silk lacings in criss cross fashion to hold the neckline together. When the figure finally stepped completly out of the shadows, Sarah was taken aback.
The woman had classic features; an aristocratic nose, full lips, and large blue eyes. Her hair appeared silver, though Sarah was certain the color was a mere trick of the light. Around her head was a diadem, with the shape of a nine pointed star in the center of her forehead.
Sarah gaped for a moment. The woman looked like a heroine out of a role playing game, or a fantasy novel. All she needed was a sword and a horse. Sarah noticed that the woman was holding something in her right hand. A carved wooden flute.
"You've read the play, I assume," the woman stated. It wasn't a question. Sarah snapped her mind back to the present.
"Yes I have. It used to be one of my favorites actually."
"Used to be?"
"I've...lost touch with it."
"Such a pity."
Sarah's ears perked up. Another subtle reference. *Jareth, fading into nothing, leaving her alone on the hill as his disembodied voice taunted her.* But the Goblin King said that in the play as well. Many times, if she was remembering correctly. Sarah shrugged off the slight feeling of unease that prickled the back of her neck.
"A truely classic play, don't you think? It has everything. A heroine, a villian, daring feats, miraculous escapes, trusted friends, betrayal and a dash of romance," the woman lifted another volume of the play from the table and glanced at it. "Though the ending has always bothered me."
"Why?" Sarah found herself asking. She had always found the ending to be rather remarkable. A show of strength, of passion, of power, of...
"Infinite loss is what it shows. She too young, he too proud. Both in love, yet neither willing to bend enough to show it. A tragic fate, that."
This woman was hitting just a bit too close to home. It was disturbing, and Sarah felt as if those blue eyes were probbing into her soul.
"I heard the music," Sarah changed the subject quickly. "It was beautiful."
"Thank you. I enjoy playing, and my customers seem to enjoy listening while they browse. As you may have noticed, I try to maintain a certain type of athmospehere. Luster Havens, proprietor and designer," the woman smiled, offering a hand. Sarah extended her own hand to shake, and when the two touched, Sarah felt a tremor race from Luster into her and back again. The tremor left a tingling behind, almost as though champagne had just bubbled through her veins. Sarah shivered lightly at the strange senstation, and Luster dropped her hand.
"Feel free to take a look around. People rarely come here just to poke about."
As Sarah watched, Luster produced a crystal ball and began twirling it in her hand. Sarah watched, mesmerized as the orb slipped gently over hands, arms and wrists. Somehow, it seemed that Luster's hair was darkening, and growing shorter. Her clothes were altering, and leather gloves were encasing her hands. Sarah's eyes fixed on the crystal orb. Just a crystal, nothing more...
"Contact juggling," Luster said. "This looks impressive, but I learned with an orange. That didn't look so wonderful." Luster smiled at Sarah as the crystal continued its dance across the surfaces of her arms.
Sarah was lost in memory. Everything about this place was a little too familiar, and just a little too perfect. But it was so unlikely that any of this had any connection to her thirteen hours of adventure and nerves. Luster twirled the crystal in her palm, rolled it up her arm to her shoulder and down to her elbow. Casually, and preceisly, the crystal flew off Luster's arm and into the air. Without thinking, Sarah stretched her hand forth and caught the delicate weight. As Sarah looked closely, there appeared to be something inside the crystal. A metal charm. A unicorn.
"A personal favorite, the unicorn. Always been fascinated by them. Not to mention dragons, faeries, elves, and goblins. Bet you couldn't tell," Luster gestured with her flute to the store around her, inviting Sarah to share in the joke.
Sarah just smiled lightly and noncommitally and turned away, tossing the crystal back to Luster. The strange woman caught it with little effort and placed it on the table to her left. Sarah saw a pile of crystals there, each with a glinting piece of metal inside. Luster returned to the corner she had been sitting in.
"The crystals were inspired by the Labyrinth," Luster said, her eyes focused on the pile. "I hope my fanaticism doesn't disturb you. Many find my shop a little...over the top."
Sarah shook her head. "Not at all. It has a very...magical feel to it." Luster smiled this description, and Sarah smiled back. It was true, after all.
"Do you mind if I play?"
"Please do," Sarah said, her eyes focused on a charm bracelet that had faeries as the charms. The were bowing, dancing, turning in circles, and precious stones forming the colors on their delicate wings.
As Sarah walked through the shop, the music of the flute picked up again. Again, the melody was haunting, one that Sarah felt she should know. The music crept under her skin, racing through her mind as it seemed to take control. Sarah felt as though she were losing control as her body slipped slowly into the music. Again, the flute faded into nothing and Luster began to sing.
When the last eagle flies
Over the last crumbling mountain
And the last lion roars
At the last dusty fountain
In the shadow of the forest
Though she may be old and worn
They will stare unbelieving
At the Last Unicorn
Sarah turned slowly, as though she was looking for something. The music had created a lethargic turn of mind in her. She was moving slowly and deliberatly, running her fingers over each piece of jewelry.
When the first breath of winter
Through the flowers is icing
And you look to the north
And the pale moon is rising
And it seems like all is dying
And would leave the world to mourn
In the distance hear the laughter
Of the Last Unicorn
I'm alive! I'm alive!
Finally Sarah turned toward the display to one side of the store and walked toward it. Inside the glass case, on a bed of black silk, lay a crescent moon pendant with a sideways eight. Infinity. It looked so familiar that Sarah felt the need to touch it; to turn it over in her hands until she grasped what it was that this piece of jewelry reminded her of.
When the last moon is cast
Over the last star of morning
And the future has passed
Without even a last breath of warning
Then look into the skies where through
The clouds a path has formed
Look and see her, how she sparkles
It's the Last Unicorn
I'm alive! I'm alive!
The flute began again, its song strumming through the store.
"I'll take this one," Sarah stated, tapping the glass lightly, her eyes never leaving the burnished metal of her prize. Luster did not pause in her playing, but walked over to the counter. Her step was light, and she made no sound as she moved. Sarah did not notice. Smiling, Luster played a final note, and set the flute down. Quickly she bundled the pendant up and turned it over.
"How much?" Sarah asked.
"How much do you have?" was the response.
Thinking briefly that this was an odd way to do buisness, Sarah fished her wallet out her bag and opened it.
"Fifty," Sarah said.
"Twenty five," Luster returned. Sarah handed the money over without even considering the cost. For the oddest reason, it didn't seem to matter. Luster handed the jewelry box to Sarah. It was a plain white, not logo or stamp anywhere on it.
"Enjoy," Luster smiled. "I think that pendant may surprise you with its...appropriate-ness."
Sarah smiled. "This is a lovely shop," she said as she headed back out into the night.
"Sarah."
Sarah turned at the sound of her name. Luster had come around to the front of the counter.
"Full moon's light to wake the truth
Full moon's light to hatch it
Midsummer's Night will crack the world
St. John's Day will patch it."
Sarah tipped her head both in question and in thanks. The poem was oddly foreboding, and yet comforting at the same time. Luster tapped her flute to her forehead in a little salute as Sarah turned away once more and entered the pulsing Greenwich evening.
Behind her she heard the flute continue its song. As Sarah vanished into the growing darkness, Luster watched from the door of The Labyrinth as her 'customer' disappeared.
The flute drifted down from Luster's lips and the last rays of the sun stained the sky orange... the orange of an Underground sky.
All told, she had spent a mere fifteen minutes in the presence of Jareth's love, and yet she could already see what Jareth saw in the child.
"Showtime," Luster whispered, turning to walk back inside. As the door of The Labyrinth swung shut behind her, the entire store melted away, leaving an empty warehouse in its wake.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Okay! That's it for Chapter 2. Are you all still hanging on the edge of your seats waiting to know the particulars of the scheme that Jareth and Luster hatched between them? All shall be revealed in due course, my friends.
Now, Kudos (the yummy granola bar!) to Kendall Rhiannon, Lauralye_amazon216, Mithril_perretta, and shiva for seeing the references. For those who didn't know....
Amalthea is the name of the Unicorn's human form in 'The Last Unicorn'
Luster is the name of the magical land of the unicorns in Bruce Coville's 'Unicorn Chronicals'. Summerhaven is their meeting place, and names like 'Cloudsculptor' (though I thought that one up...) are prevalant as last names for Coville's unicorns.
Does everyone see 'The Last Unicorn' reference in this chapter? And there's another Coville reference as well. I apologize if I didn't get the Coville reference exactly right (I don't have the book with me) If someone would email me the original text, I would be most grateful!
Major thank you's to all who reviewed! I love you all so very much! You make this all worth it.
Stay tuned for Chapter 3...
Disclaimer: If I owned Labyrinth, I would be lying on a beach sipping a fun little umbrella drink. As I am stuck here at school instead, that must mean I don't own it. Damn.
Between Dreams and Reality
by Lyra Matsuoka
Chapter 2: Step Into My Parlor...
Rated PG
Sarah Williams walked happily down the street, her messenger bag bumping slightly against her legs as she went. Some Saturday afternoons in the summer were muggy and oppressive, but Manhatten had sparkled today under the brightly shining sun. Now, as dusk cast her shadow over the city, the diamond-like lights came awake, illuminating the city with a different kind of a glow.
Sarah shook her head. Sometimes she waxed too poetic. It was, after all, just another evening in NYC, but Sarah had been in an extraordinarily good mood today, and it had buoyed her all through the day. It was pleasent to just stroll through the city today, riding the metro and people watching. It was rare that Sarah enjoyed a day off, the life of a writer being somewhat hand to mouth, and she was living it up today.
Greenwich Villiage was bustling tonight, the vibrant pulse of the culture all around. Even this early in the evening, college students wasted no time at all in celebrating the weekend. Sarah continued through the streets, heading for her apartment with reluctance. Maybe tonight she would venture into the college scene. At twenty four she was young enough to blend in and have a good time. The idea continued to appeal to Sarah as her feet carried her forward.
Music poured into the streets from every bar, coffee shop and resteraunt that she passed. Sarah heard jazz, blues, pop, rock and roll, and various mixtures of them all. She absorbed the sounds, allowing her step to conform to the beat. With so many ecletic sounds around her, Sarah was puzzled when the sounds of a wooden flute reached her ears. This was Greenwich, and artists did play on the street for a little extra pocket money, but this tune was different. It was a strangely haunting tune that got under Sarah's skin. Of their own volition, her feet turned a corner, following the music. Three blocks later the music was clearer, and then it stopped as suddenly as it had begun. Sarah stopped as well, disappointed that she would never know the origin of the music that was now playing in her head.
Sarah held her breath, hoping that the musician would begin another tune, or even better, continue the first one. She was not disappointed. But the flute did not begin again; a crystaline voice picked up the melody. The words slipped into Sarah's heart and made themselves at home. She felt possessed by the need to find this musician. A determined haze settled over her eyes as Sarah focused on the music and continued to follow.
It's only forever
Not long at all
The lost and the lonely
No one can blame you
For walking away
But too much rejection, no, no
No love injection, no, no
Life can be easy
It's not always swell
Don't tell me truth hurts, little girl
Cause it hurts like hell
But down in the Underground
You'll find someone true
Down in the Underground
A land serene
A crystal moon
It's only forever
Not long at all
The lost and the lonely
That's the Underground
Underground
Sarah picked up her pace, jogging through the streets, through throngs of dancers as the crystal voice dropped off and the flute returned, playing the tune as delicatly as it had before. Sarah's brain began to clear as she drew closer to the music of voice and flute. She became aware of her surroundings. The parties and other music could still be heard as she only three city blocks from where she had been when the strains of the song had first reached her ears. But she now stood in front of a jewelry shop. Crystal dragons dangled in the picture window, and displayes of rings, necklaces and bracelets were strewn about on a bed of blue silk. A mahogany door stood slightly open, and it was through that portal that the music of the flute drifted now. The song was drawing to a close, the mellow notes becoming fainter.
Sarah took a step back, and turned her head upward to see the sign above the door. It too was wood, the front view of a barn owl spreading its wings above the calligraphy that spelled out the name of the store.
The Labyrinth.
Sarah took a step back. It was only coincidence, of that she was nearly certain. After all, Labyrinth had been a very popular play at one time. In all likelyhood, the owner was a fan of the play, and had seized upon it as a name for this store. Sarah's eyes drifted back to the display in the window. It was an apt name, she acknowledged to herself.
The final note of the song faded into nothing, and Sarah's gaze returned to the door. Chiding herself for being silly, Sarah took three steps to the door, pushed it open, and stepped inside.
The inside of the store was calm, and rather dark. Displays were lit using intricate systems of inlaid ceiling and floor lights. Sarah was impressed. The entire place smelled of cinnamon and vanilla, and various colored silks were draped over antique tables. One table held a pyramid of books. Sarah walked closer, and stretched forth a hand to lift a book from the stack. Red leather carressed her hands as Sarah's finger traced the gold lettering. Labyrinth.
"Are you a fan?" came a quiet inquiry. Sarah spun around, dark hair flying around her. From the shadows at one end of the store came footsteps. As Sarah watched, two feet came into the pool of light around the nearest display.
The feet were encased in soft leather boots with a pointed toe and slight heel. They ended just above the ankle, the tops folded down. Above the boots were sky blue leggings that encased long, slim legs. As the person moved farther into the light, Sarah could see a blouse of sorts. The sleeves were long and puffy, gathered at the wrist by a band of sky blue silk and made of a transparent and gauzy material. The body of the shirt was the same material, and had a plunging neckline, with sky blue silk lacings in criss cross fashion to hold the neckline together. When the figure finally stepped completly out of the shadows, Sarah was taken aback.
The woman had classic features; an aristocratic nose, full lips, and large blue eyes. Her hair appeared silver, though Sarah was certain the color was a mere trick of the light. Around her head was a diadem, with the shape of a nine pointed star in the center of her forehead.
Sarah gaped for a moment. The woman looked like a heroine out of a role playing game, or a fantasy novel. All she needed was a sword and a horse. Sarah noticed that the woman was holding something in her right hand. A carved wooden flute.
"You've read the play, I assume," the woman stated. It wasn't a question. Sarah snapped her mind back to the present.
"Yes I have. It used to be one of my favorites actually."
"Used to be?"
"I've...lost touch with it."
"Such a pity."
Sarah's ears perked up. Another subtle reference. *Jareth, fading into nothing, leaving her alone on the hill as his disembodied voice taunted her.* But the Goblin King said that in the play as well. Many times, if she was remembering correctly. Sarah shrugged off the slight feeling of unease that prickled the back of her neck.
"A truely classic play, don't you think? It has everything. A heroine, a villian, daring feats, miraculous escapes, trusted friends, betrayal and a dash of romance," the woman lifted another volume of the play from the table and glanced at it. "Though the ending has always bothered me."
"Why?" Sarah found herself asking. She had always found the ending to be rather remarkable. A show of strength, of passion, of power, of...
"Infinite loss is what it shows. She too young, he too proud. Both in love, yet neither willing to bend enough to show it. A tragic fate, that."
This woman was hitting just a bit too close to home. It was disturbing, and Sarah felt as if those blue eyes were probbing into her soul.
"I heard the music," Sarah changed the subject quickly. "It was beautiful."
"Thank you. I enjoy playing, and my customers seem to enjoy listening while they browse. As you may have noticed, I try to maintain a certain type of athmospehere. Luster Havens, proprietor and designer," the woman smiled, offering a hand. Sarah extended her own hand to shake, and when the two touched, Sarah felt a tremor race from Luster into her and back again. The tremor left a tingling behind, almost as though champagne had just bubbled through her veins. Sarah shivered lightly at the strange senstation, and Luster dropped her hand.
"Feel free to take a look around. People rarely come here just to poke about."
As Sarah watched, Luster produced a crystal ball and began twirling it in her hand. Sarah watched, mesmerized as the orb slipped gently over hands, arms and wrists. Somehow, it seemed that Luster's hair was darkening, and growing shorter. Her clothes were altering, and leather gloves were encasing her hands. Sarah's eyes fixed on the crystal orb. Just a crystal, nothing more...
"Contact juggling," Luster said. "This looks impressive, but I learned with an orange. That didn't look so wonderful." Luster smiled at Sarah as the crystal continued its dance across the surfaces of her arms.
Sarah was lost in memory. Everything about this place was a little too familiar, and just a little too perfect. But it was so unlikely that any of this had any connection to her thirteen hours of adventure and nerves. Luster twirled the crystal in her palm, rolled it up her arm to her shoulder and down to her elbow. Casually, and preceisly, the crystal flew off Luster's arm and into the air. Without thinking, Sarah stretched her hand forth and caught the delicate weight. As Sarah looked closely, there appeared to be something inside the crystal. A metal charm. A unicorn.
"A personal favorite, the unicorn. Always been fascinated by them. Not to mention dragons, faeries, elves, and goblins. Bet you couldn't tell," Luster gestured with her flute to the store around her, inviting Sarah to share in the joke.
Sarah just smiled lightly and noncommitally and turned away, tossing the crystal back to Luster. The strange woman caught it with little effort and placed it on the table to her left. Sarah saw a pile of crystals there, each with a glinting piece of metal inside. Luster returned to the corner she had been sitting in.
"The crystals were inspired by the Labyrinth," Luster said, her eyes focused on the pile. "I hope my fanaticism doesn't disturb you. Many find my shop a little...over the top."
Sarah shook her head. "Not at all. It has a very...magical feel to it." Luster smiled this description, and Sarah smiled back. It was true, after all.
"Do you mind if I play?"
"Please do," Sarah said, her eyes focused on a charm bracelet that had faeries as the charms. The were bowing, dancing, turning in circles, and precious stones forming the colors on their delicate wings.
As Sarah walked through the shop, the music of the flute picked up again. Again, the melody was haunting, one that Sarah felt she should know. The music crept under her skin, racing through her mind as it seemed to take control. Sarah felt as though she were losing control as her body slipped slowly into the music. Again, the flute faded into nothing and Luster began to sing.
When the last eagle flies
Over the last crumbling mountain
And the last lion roars
At the last dusty fountain
In the shadow of the forest
Though she may be old and worn
They will stare unbelieving
At the Last Unicorn
Sarah turned slowly, as though she was looking for something. The music had created a lethargic turn of mind in her. She was moving slowly and deliberatly, running her fingers over each piece of jewelry.
When the first breath of winter
Through the flowers is icing
And you look to the north
And the pale moon is rising
And it seems like all is dying
And would leave the world to mourn
In the distance hear the laughter
Of the Last Unicorn
I'm alive! I'm alive!
Finally Sarah turned toward the display to one side of the store and walked toward it. Inside the glass case, on a bed of black silk, lay a crescent moon pendant with a sideways eight. Infinity. It looked so familiar that Sarah felt the need to touch it; to turn it over in her hands until she grasped what it was that this piece of jewelry reminded her of.
When the last moon is cast
Over the last star of morning
And the future has passed
Without even a last breath of warning
Then look into the skies where through
The clouds a path has formed
Look and see her, how she sparkles
It's the Last Unicorn
I'm alive! I'm alive!
The flute began again, its song strumming through the store.
"I'll take this one," Sarah stated, tapping the glass lightly, her eyes never leaving the burnished metal of her prize. Luster did not pause in her playing, but walked over to the counter. Her step was light, and she made no sound as she moved. Sarah did not notice. Smiling, Luster played a final note, and set the flute down. Quickly she bundled the pendant up and turned it over.
"How much?" Sarah asked.
"How much do you have?" was the response.
Thinking briefly that this was an odd way to do buisness, Sarah fished her wallet out her bag and opened it.
"Fifty," Sarah said.
"Twenty five," Luster returned. Sarah handed the money over without even considering the cost. For the oddest reason, it didn't seem to matter. Luster handed the jewelry box to Sarah. It was a plain white, not logo or stamp anywhere on it.
"Enjoy," Luster smiled. "I think that pendant may surprise you with its...appropriate-ness."
Sarah smiled. "This is a lovely shop," she said as she headed back out into the night.
"Sarah."
Sarah turned at the sound of her name. Luster had come around to the front of the counter.
"Full moon's light to wake the truth
Full moon's light to hatch it
Midsummer's Night will crack the world
St. John's Day will patch it."
Sarah tipped her head both in question and in thanks. The poem was oddly foreboding, and yet comforting at the same time. Luster tapped her flute to her forehead in a little salute as Sarah turned away once more and entered the pulsing Greenwich evening.
Behind her she heard the flute continue its song. As Sarah vanished into the growing darkness, Luster watched from the door of The Labyrinth as her 'customer' disappeared.
The flute drifted down from Luster's lips and the last rays of the sun stained the sky orange... the orange of an Underground sky.
All told, she had spent a mere fifteen minutes in the presence of Jareth's love, and yet she could already see what Jareth saw in the child.
"Showtime," Luster whispered, turning to walk back inside. As the door of The Labyrinth swung shut behind her, the entire store melted away, leaving an empty warehouse in its wake.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Okay! That's it for Chapter 2. Are you all still hanging on the edge of your seats waiting to know the particulars of the scheme that Jareth and Luster hatched between them? All shall be revealed in due course, my friends.
Now, Kudos (the yummy granola bar!) to Kendall Rhiannon, Lauralye_amazon216, Mithril_perretta, and shiva for seeing the references. For those who didn't know....
Amalthea is the name of the Unicorn's human form in 'The Last Unicorn'
Luster is the name of the magical land of the unicorns in Bruce Coville's 'Unicorn Chronicals'. Summerhaven is their meeting place, and names like 'Cloudsculptor' (though I thought that one up...) are prevalant as last names for Coville's unicorns.
Does everyone see 'The Last Unicorn' reference in this chapter? And there's another Coville reference as well. I apologize if I didn't get the Coville reference exactly right (I don't have the book with me) If someone would email me the original text, I would be most grateful!
Major thank you's to all who reviewed! I love you all so very much! You make this all worth it.
Stay tuned for Chapter 3...