Sarah was sitting on a large plush bed. She looked around her thinking this was certainly different from her last adventure. Earlier in the dripping tunnels, she couldn't contemplate how Joshua could insult the Labyrint. But now, sitting in a four-poster bed, in a room fit for a princess, she began to see there might be slight differences.

Joshua had led her through a series of tunnels that she was sure she could never find her way out of. At first she had tried to keep up with the twists and turns, but the longer they continued, the more she began to feel more lost and confused.

Looking back, Sarah realized her dream had come true. She was on an adventure. Her own adventure, there was no Toby to worry about or guilt hanging over her head. Sarah stood up and slid off the silk coverlet of the bed. The bed was too tall for her to simply step out of. She felt like Alice in Wonderland, except what she had seen so far, seemed more like a nightmere.

Sarah walked over to inspect the walls of the room. Before leaving, Joshua had told her she should "get comfortable" and he would send a nurse over. He still hadn't explained why she was here or how he knew where she lived. The walls were covered in intricate wallpaper with leaves and vines. She followed a vine with a finger and traced its never-ending twists and turns until she found a vanity. The mirror reminded her of him. Her friends, what would they think if they knew she was in the Underground? Would Hoggle or Sir Didymous come and hang out? Somehow Sarah doubted that the City of the Underground was a place for such creatures.

Vampires. Joshua had mentioned them in passing as if it were the most casual thing in the world. Only it wasn't, not for her at least. Thinking back, Jareth had had pointy teeth…was he a vampire? He hadn't seemed like one.

Sarah sighed. She felt trapped, she wanted answers, but more so she wanted her head to get better and to see the City.

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Joshua had changed into his evening attire. Gone were the jeans and sweatshirt. Now, facing himself in the mirror was the perfect image of a rich noble boy about to embark on the nightlife. Joshua wore a hand made perfect black velvet overcoat with slim black pants. His cream ascot had delicate blue embroidery that highlighted his eyes, and gave him a dangerous look with his striking black hair.

Joshua smiled. Sarah would me much more impressed by this attire. Joshua thought of the stubborn girl with the green eyes and long hooded coat. For a mortal, she was quite beautiful, and her sense of style earned his respect. He couldn't say he was dissapointed by the Champion of the Labyrinth. This was the girl that had beaten The Goblin King. He couldn't wait to introduce her into society. They would have a marvelous time. She would be his conversation, comrade, and companion in all things.

Not that Joshua needed anything. He was at the top of his group, the kingpen of the youth. However, Joshua was bored. He wanted someone new. Someone unexpected. The company here knew each other so well they could outplay and block each other years ahead of time. Sarah would bring something different to the mix. Joshua had been watching her for years. Waiting, watching, listening to her witty banter with classmates and friends, hoping that one day she would follow him to a place where her skills would be appreciated and used. Sarah made friends easily, and she had spent enough time being socially rejected that she knew how to outsmart those bigger and more powerful.

Joshua hoped the nurse would heal her soon. He had a dress ready for her and there was a dinner party at eleven. Joshua loved to be fashionably late, but only fashionably.

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The nurse walked into Sarah's room to find her staring at the mirror. She saw Sarah's reflection and the blood on the girl's head. She had to stiffle a gasp. It was a miracle Joshua had been able to get her here without being attacked.

At her gasp, Sarah turned around to lock eyes with the nurse. Now the nurse knew why Joshua had brought her here. Her face held curiosity, determination, and intelligence. Not to mention, her ravishing looks and youth, but surely that was only a bonus for the young master. She chuckled lightly under her breath. Addressing the girl she said, "Hello Sarah, I'm Beatrice. I'm here to heal you. Don't fret, that wound will be gone in minutes. You're looks aren't destroyed".

"My looks?" Sarah seemed amazed by the woman's concern mostly for her appearance. Regaining her composure, Sarah said, "I'm sorry, thank you so much. You can heal it completely? That's fasinating."

"Yes, I can. You'll see most beings here are more then what they seem, although from what I hear, you may already be aware of that little fact". Beatrice watched the girl's face carefully. She knew a little, like most of the City, of her past with the Goblin King. She saw the girl's face tighten, if only for a second, and a longing cover her eyes. She wondered if her yound master also knew that things were not what they seemed, and that he may have bargained for more then he meant to. Not everyone in the Underground took things so lightly as Joshua and his companions. There were older, more powerful individuals that took to older ways.

Sarah looked away from the nurse at the mention of her last trip here. How many people new? Did the King know? Was she a laughing stock? Did they know what he had offered her? Would she see Jareth? Did they know about that horrible vest she wore? Good lord…the possibilities. "Yes, I have had some experience," Sarah looked back to meet Beatrice's eyes, "but not nearly enough".

Beatrice smiled uneasily at the girl's intensity. She now knew that this Sarah would fit in well here, and that she could be scary as hell. "Well…I should get to fixing that bruise, you've lost a lot of blood."

Sarah smiled weakly, looking now like a simple young girl. Sarah obediently sat in front of the vanity and let Beatrice work her magic.

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Joshua waited outside of Sarah's room. This was normally inappapropriate behavior, but Joshua wasn't sure if Sarah would be all right with the dress, much less if she could put it on. Also, Joshua didn't usually care about propriety and didn't want Sarah to feel like they were separate entities. He planned on spending all his time with her, outside and inside of the house.

The door cracked open and Sarah walked out. She had managed to find her way into the tight corset, probably with the help of Beatrice. Her hair was left to hang openly down her back. It was like a curtain for her face, adding mystery to the innocent looking satin sky blue dress. The three quarter sleeves and matching ribbon choker matched the embroidery on his ascot perfectly. It was a classy subtle claim over her. The low neckline showed more clevage then Joshua had ever seen Sarah show in her normal life, but if she were uncomfortable in it she hid it well. She smiled uneasily at him. His new attire seemed to surprise her and she seemed to be judging him for the first time now that her head was healed.

"You look…different. I suppose your earlier wear was for my benefit?" Sarah enquired with lively green eyes.

"Yes, well sort of…" Joshua found himself stumbling, now that he was no longer leading the fair maiden or playing the hero. "Well I know how mortals dress, it is quite comfortable." He looked at her uncomfortably. She smiled. Encourgaed, he asked, "How do you feel?"

"I feel perfect. Thank you. Why am I here?" Sarah just stared at him, smiling. Not dumbly, but curiously. She was completely honest, and it scared the crap out of him. She looked perfect.

"I thought it would be fun? The parties, the people, it would be something new? And you could've gotten hurt, if someone or something else found you. You let go, of reality, before you feel, when you did that you allowed anything and anywhere to take you."

Sarah stared at him. Joshua imagined staring at himself. Had he really just said "fun"? Oh dear, he would have to watch himself.

Sarah filed away the information for later use. She couldn't believe it was so easy as just "letting go". She closed her open mouth and nodded. "Okay, I see. Well I guess you're going to make my dreams come true."

Joshua smiled, feeling he would faint. Faint? What the hell? It was going to be a long night.

A butler down the hall watched the interaction. He was shocked to see his master, who never slipped up or seemed unsure of himself, conversing with a female in such an unconfident way. He coughed loudly enough for his master to hear him, hopefully hinting that the young male should control the situation. The butler was surprised at himself, warning a master, looking out for him? Was he himself losing his identity? Well, who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

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