Author's Note: Woo! Another chapter! Review, review, review! Now, to repay you FOR those few reviews I've gotten already. I rhyme anymore, and I will have to off myself... Now for my reviewers! I've gone to your accounts and read stories from most of you, I think. I love them! I hope to hear from you again, and please review if you have a question about the future of the book, it helps remind me of what I still need to answer. I'm also looking for someone interested in the idea if hey want to help. Contact me!
Reviewers:
Lythandae: You are the lucky winner! Because you were my FIRST review! Thanks alot, because your review had substance and was encouraging! Hope to hear from you again! theshadowcat: Again, my most embaressed thanks for the Dali/Escher edit there. I was mortified, but thanks for not being the type to bitch me out for it. Lady of the Labyrinth: Thanks for reviewing. I've read your stuff, and I love it. batteredchild: Thanks for reviewing, hope to see more from you! Jibiathon: Thanks for the comment, I like 'interesting'! Elenora Rose: Thank you so much! Here's another chapter for you! Boop: Wish you had an actual account that I could check out like the other's, but thanks for reviewing anyway! Hope to hear from you again!
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"Oh, come now, my dear! It's just France. Where else would I go to get a decent cappuccino?" Still with a light twinkle in her eye, she waved a waiter over and ordered for them both, giving him a dazzling smile before turning to Sarah. Well, maybe there is a little Jareth took from his mother. He has her charm, and her grace. And that grin! Sarah couldn't help but grimace at the amount of times she was on the painful end of the Goblin King's amusement. "So tell me, dear. What do you amuse yourself with here Above? What do you spend your time doing each day?" Sarah was silent a moment, trying to think of what exactly she did do with her time.
"Well, I have school every day. Well, not every day. But almost. Five days a week. So that takes up most of my life, really. I have the theater. You know, acting? And that takes any and all free time during production seasons. Those are twice a year, fall and spring. But then when I'm home from that, my stepmother sets me chores around the house, and she and my dad leave on their 'dates', so I have to watch Toby. He's my brother. I live in a small town, and I don't have that many friends. Well, I have friends, but just not as many as most. So yea, most of my time is spent at school, the theater, or home slaving away for my evil stepmother…" Sarah took a deep breath and realized their cappuccinos had arrived. The Lady was lightly sipping her drink, listening and watching Sarah intently. She looked at her and started playing with her cup, twirling it on the saucer nervously. The Lady's silence was starting to make Sarah uncomfortable, so she leaned forward to catch her attention. "Um, Lady? Is- is everything ok?"
She straightened up and snapped out of her thoughts. "Of course, my dear. I'm so sorry, my mind just wandered. May I ask you another question?" Sarah nodded and took a sip from her cup. "Why did you react so at the thought of returning to the Underground? Was your time there so awful?" Sarah could not help but feel bad from looking at the concern filling the Lady's eyes.
"No, Lady, I hold no grudges against the Underground. It just… symbolizes many things that hurt for me. And going back there… It just brings up unwanted memories and emotions." Sarah sat up straighter, and the Lady noticed her stiffening up. Her mouth was set with determination as thoughts ran through her head. She is still hurting, the Lady thought. As little as I wish to see the girl hurt, that is a good thing. Their bond is not broken. The Lady sighed deeply and looked up into the pain-filled eyes of the young girl across from her.
"I'm so sorry you had to come to our world that way, Sarah. But h-" The Lady bit her lip, the first possibility of the Lady being unsure Sarah had seen. No, there are some things the girl will just have to learn on her own. She cleared her face and put on a smile for Sarah. "But you have only seen my son's domain! Surely you would love the Underground if you saw some of it's better lands? I assure you, my dear girl, that you would love it. Keep it in mind, would you, dear?" Sarah could not bring herself to say no to the imploring look in the Lady's eyes and nodded shyly at her.
"I will, Lady. But… may I ask you a question, now?"
"Of course, my dear. Anything."
"Why did you come Above to see me? I- I'm sorry I beat the Labyrinth, but it wasn't just me at stake, it was my baby brother! I had to get him back. I mean, just because I was being an immature little girl, doesn't mean other people should actually takeme seriously! Who the hell ever takes teenagers seriously, anyway? I mean, honestly. We're ignored for a reason. Because we're stupid, and irresponsible, and we don't know what we're talking about. And did I really break the whole Labyrinth? I figured it would just be the castle. I mean, I've asked Hoggle, but he doesn't seem to want to answer me. Or maybe he can't? Is the Goblin King threatening him?" The Lady had sat back in complete fascination to watch the girl go from one passion to another and to even another, all in mere moments. Humans really are openly-emotional creatures, aren't they? No wonder Jareth was captivated by this girl. She has just as much raw passion as he does. Even for a non-Fae! Yes, she will fit right in. The Lady found herself smiling at an indignant and angry human girl, and quickly changed her features to be less of a clash.
"My dear, I promise you that Jareth is in no way threatening your friend, Hoggle, is it?" Sarah nodded, appreciating the difference between Jareth and his mother's memories. "Are you finished your cappuccino? Yes? Well, then, we are off!" In a flash, the Parisian scene had given way yet again to Sarah's bedroom. Looking at her shocked and still slightly angry look, the Lady chuckled. "Sarah, surely you do not think I left without paying? I left enough Euros there for the café owners to close up shop and live content lives on!" She winked mischievously at Sarah and brushed her gown skirt smooth of nonexistent wrinkles. "What can I say? I'm an over-tipper."
"So you aren't… angry that I beat the Labyrinth?" The Lady looked up at her sharply, confused at the question.
"Angry?… Ofcourse I'm not angry. You did not best my tricks! Although I can tell you right now, Jareth is pretty sore about the whole thing. And your name being all over the Underground surely does not help with Jareth's healing pride…" The Lady noticed Sarah's grimace and she smiled warmly. "I fear I have pushed the limits for one day. I have given you much to think about, non? Or, rather, I have brought many questions to the surface." The Lady backed away from Sarah as she began to fade. "I came Above because you were fading, my child. And I simply could not allow my son's stubborn streak to let that happen. I will come again, if you would allow it. Goodbye for now, Sarah. And stay safe."
The last few words were barely audible as the Lady's form disappeared completely. Sarah fell back onto her bed in a tired heap, exhausted from all the questions and new knowledge. I was fading? Jareth's stubborn streak? I think the Lady is trying to make my head explode, making me full of all these questions. Of course I'll allow her back, needing to know all this now! Yes, she is decidedly exactly like Jareth. Manipulative.
But rather than remaining in the house all day doing nothing, as she did every other weekend, Sarah got up and out. She needed time to think and relax. She needed a quiet spot to do that. She needed the park. As she walked down the street, another qery popped into her head. Wait... 'My name all over the Underground'? Am I... famous there? A faint smile spread across her face as she walked on, going deeper into the park to find herself a spot with no one else around. No one but herself, the trees, and the animals. Like that owl in the tree above her head...