SCENE 6

DINNER IS BEST SERVED HALF NAKED

Brianna was giving her a very probing look. It felt as if she were trying to burrow a hole right through her head. What exactly she thought or hoped would come out as a result was a bit lost on Sarah. Perhaps she thought that Sarah's conscious would pop its little head out, tip its hat like Jiminy Cricket, and tell her exactly what was going on with the intricate (not to mention expensive looking) corset. People like Sarah Williams, women like Sarah Williams may occasionally indulge in get-ups from the local costume shop; such individuals may even be found play acting by themselves, but such people never actually indulged in expensive clothing. Or at least that is what she had always assumed. Now on this fine Friday afternoon her assumptions were being put to the test.

To ease the tension Sarah shrugged. "So are you going to help me or not?" she demanded trying to sound indifferent.

The probing look eased. "Sure. Why not? It is a pretty dang sexy piece."

Between wiggling, pulling, shifting, and squirming the two women managed to get the bodice around Sarah's torso. Brianna began to adjust the laces.

"How tight mademoiselle?" she asked coyly.

"Just… go until it gets uncomfortable." She concentrated on how smooth the lining was against her body. It was almost like silk. A great deal of care had gone into this. 'His care,' she thought fleetingly.

As the laces tightened she again let her thoughts to wander. 'How long has it been? Over five years. I wonder if he even ever thought of me again until now.' Catching a glimpse of her self in the mirror, she allowed for a small bit of hope that he indeed had.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Jareth leaned back on his throne with a sigh. In his hand he held the card with the yellow rose. Sarah, his lady, had thanked him for the gift. The restitution had been successfully received. Abruptly he leaned forward and read the few simple lines over again. She obviously hadn't been insulted or frightened; no, she had been thankful. Would it be safe to assume she liked the gift? Such a thought caused him to smile. He wondered if she tried it on yet. That notion made him grin like a cat.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Having laced her friend up successfully Brianna informed her that she had errands to run. "Are you going to be alright for a few hours in that get-up?" she asked.

Sarah nodded. "I'll be fine." Her roommate left.

In truth she knew that she would be more than fine; she would be absolutely wonderful. The corset was surprisingly comfortable. It held her posture correctly, flattened her stomach, and raised her breasts- all in all giving her a very pin up girl appeal. 'Comfort and sex appeal,' she thought looking at her self. She struck a Bond Girl pose: legs spread wide and arms raised pointing an invisible gun. Her lips curled. This corset was turning out to be a lot of fun.

It felt perfectly natural to wash up the dishes, eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, sweep, and do all other mundane things while clad in the corset. Nothing rubbed funny or chaffed against her skin- it was just incredibly comfortable. Feeling bold she even imagined how the scenario would play out if his royal nibs were to pay her a call. "Oh yes," she laughed airily. "I run around like this all of the time Jareth dear. Your gift was exactly what I had been looking for!" She rolled her shoulders and tossed her head. "What's that? You'd like to ask me to dinner? Why Jareth I never knew you were interested in me that way!" Here she stopped and smiled to her self. It was far too easy to imagine.

"He does like to eat dinner," quipped a small voice.

Sarah spun around. Fash, Dink, Blot, Meep, and a few others all stood regarding her from the kitchen's door way. They all looked genuinely calm and interested in her playacting. A blush leapt to her cheeks.

"Look Fash," began Dink. "Look at the way she's wearing one of the vests."

"Yes. Rather unique way don't you think? But," he paused adjusting his glasses. "I hardly think it is complete appropriate dinner attire. Blot where did you put those black heels?"

Sarah blinked and shook her head. "No, no, no. I'm not planning on eating dinner in this."

"But you just expressed a desire to," countered Meep.

"And with our king," added Dink.

"Someone check the royal schedule for availability."

"I didn't mean it," she quickly explained. Right? She didn't mean it. "I was just… goofing off. I was pretending."

Did they all look slightly crest fallen? She was sure that they did.

Blot spoke first, "Why would you pretend about eating dinner?"

"It's not like the king would say no!" commented Dink.

"Does she not eat dinner?"

"The king eats dinner all of the time."

"When is dinner?"

"I'm hungry!"

Sarah sighed. "Guys." The conversation had now gone completely off on some new tangent. "Guys!" she yelled getting their attention. "I do eat dinner. I'm not asking the Goblin King over to eat. Though," she paused wondering if she really wanted to know the answer to the question preparing to exit her lips. "What makes you say that he wouldn't say no?"

"Well miss," began Fash in a tone that suggested the answer he was about to give was obvious. "With the way he holds onto your thank you card and reads it over and over again."

"Yes," chimed in Meep with a nod. "He even sniffed the envelope."

Her nerves fluttered all over again. "Really, did he now?" After five years why sniff an envelope? 'Why send such a personal gift?' asked her mind in return. She shook off the sensation. "Well, it doesn't matter." She heaved a sigh. "I was just getting ready to have a snack, so why don't you all go out in to the living room and wait. Anybody know how to work a television?"

At that everyone began talking at once. Apparently game shows and soap operas were very poplar among the goblin community.