Author's Note: Okay, really sorry, but this chapter is short too. But plus side: its from Jareth's POV~ I want to try and not switch POVs in chapters, so these past two ended up kind of short. But two chapters in one week is a good sign from me. XD
My internet keeps crapping out so I will respond to reviews in the next one,but basically, y'all are all amazing, and I'm starting to fall back in love with this story. So, expect a lot more frequent updates!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth.
Chapter 8: First Impressions.
Jareth did not know what to make of this girl.
Despite her average looking appearance, she managed to spike his curiosity. The moment he heard her wish, he had to stop and process her words. Hundreds of years reigning over the Labyrinth, thousands of wishes made and runners tried, yet never had someone wished themselves away. Brothers, sisters, children, but never themselves.
Yet this young, unassuming girl did just that. And upon seeing her laying in the dirt before him, he found himself a little disappointed. She seemed so… normal. Her mousy appearance with wild brown hair pillowed behind her head, her face still holding some roundness from her obvious youth.
Ignoring her looks, however, the moment her eyes opened, he had to school his surprise. Pale blue eyes that looked like the held the sky stared back at him. Had he not know better, he would have thought them Fae eyes, reminding him of the most envied color of his kin. But this girl held not a drop of Fae blood in her, with no magic surrounding her sans the few wisps remaining from her trip to his realm.
A smirk crawled onto his lips as she swore, and he watched in amusement as she scrambled up to stand. Her cheeks darkened to red behind her copious amounts of freckles. "Sorry," she mumbled under her breath, looking towards the ground as fiddled with the sleeves of her sweater.
Finally pushing off the tree, he casually rolled the crystal along his hand while slowly approaching her, his smirk never faltering. "Am I correct to assume that you know where you are?"
"The Labyrinth," she stated, finally allowing her eyes to meet his. She looked as if she was about to say something, but upon meeting his gaze, she froze. Her mouth opened into a little 'O' shape, her head tilting to the side a bit. "Your eyes… they are two different colors." Seeming to realize what she had just asked, she suddenly ducked her head down in a sort of bow. "I'm sorry, your Highness! I just, well… I apologize for being so informal."
He could not help himself, letting out a low, almost sinful chuckle. This girl. She amused him. He could only imagine why. Tossing the crystal into the air to disappear, he decided to ignore her flustered ramblings and get down to business. "So, what to do with the girl who wished herself away?"
"I am so sorry for inconveniencing you," she began hesitantly, lifting her head back up. "I should have not been so loose with my words. I know the risks more than most, and well… you could say I lost my head for a moment."
Internally, he sighed, predicting what would happen next. "So, I presume you now want me to simply send you back?"
Her Fae-like eyes blinked, before she rapidly shook her head no, sending her frizzy brown hair to spill about her shoulders. "Oh, no. I understand the rules of the realm. I just want permission to enter the Labyrinth."
Jareth's two-toned eyes widened. "I beg your pardon?"
"Sir, I wish to be a runner."