Act II
Scene VIII
Living in New York City had given Sarah a master class education when it came to human behavior. New York was a real-life pressure cooker, which in one way or another would bring out the best or worst in people. While Sarah hated her time as a barista, as it meant she hadn't booked any auditions, it was a blessing in disguise it seemed. Sarah had interacted with people ranging from sleep-deprived college students, to caffeine-addicted investment bankers. She had overheard discussions of infidelity and corporate takeovers to generous anonymous donations and professions of committed love. Humans were complicated and messy and… well Jareth wasn't human. Though some might argue the individuals she interacted with, when they berated and treated her like garbage, were also not human…
No, Jareth wasn't human, but what exactly made emotions human? Emotions could be displayed and acted upon in many creatures. Sarah friendships in the Underground taught her this.
So, this is why Sarah knew she could wrap Jareth into a deal. She knew from the way the Goblin King carried himself that he had great pride, and an even larger ego. She knew that the fact that he was toying with her, and the fact that he somehow implicated himself into her life again, was because he was wounded. Hoggle had revealed as much.
Sarah didn't have all the details, but Jareth was humiliated enough to disappear and create a power vacuum that this Aquilo was more then happy to fill. This other King appeared to likely be a thorn in Jareth's side. So it was with this in mind that Sarah now found herself walking the sparkling sands side by side with the Goblin King.
She did not want to cut a deal with the shifty king at a physical disadvantage, so she suggested they discuss terms outside. Sarah was half hoping Hoggle was perhaps tied up behind the little house, but alas he was not.
They had been walking the outskirts of the Labyrinth for sometime. The land was surprisingly dry from the recent torrential downpour. Sarah was surprised the usually boisterous Goblin King hadn't begun prodding her for more details on what deal she was going to try and strike with him. She didn't know too well the details herself, if she was being honest. What she did know was she had to be careful- so very careful with her wording. As with the right words to transport herself here, she knew she needed the right words to fix her entire life trajectory.
Sarah's mind flashed to a lesson from Prof. Aegerter. It was about the old Scottish "Ballad of Tam Lin". Sarah felt as if she was now the protagonist in that tale, forced to hold steady not a man, but her future, as it continuously deformed before her eyes thanks to magical intervention. Sarah wondered what Prof. Aegerter was doing right now. She didn't even know how time passed Above even really.
She was so lost in thought that she yelped in surprise as her feet gave way under the soft sparkling sand. A firm hand stabilized her at the small of her back. Sarah felt her cheeks burn a little as she stepped away from the now-suddenly-too-close Goblin King.
"Thanks," she muttered as she pulled some hair away from her eyes.
Jareth paused with his hand outstretched, but then smoothly returned it to clasp the other behind his back, "While I do enjoy strolling and catching you my dear, I am ever so curious about this deal you want to offer me."
Sarah nodded as they both began walking instep again, "Um, yes. I hear you're having some… issues with a usurper to your throne."
Jareth stopped walking, and Sarah looked over. The Goblin King looked… irritated. Good.
Sarah wasn't really sure about any details regarding Aquilo, so these next few minutes would be critical for her.
Jareth, probably realizing he had made a mistake in pausing, quickly restarted forward. Sarah followed.
"More things that Hogwart told you no doubt?"
Sarah chuckled mirthlessly, "Ah disappointed you couldn't interrupt my conversation with Hoggle sooner? Some might say your losing your touch Jareth."
The last point was meant to jab, but Jareth seemed to be onto Sarah as he kept a neutral expression, "You would like to offer me what exactly regarding this intel you've received Sarah?"
Sarah narrowed her eyes as she looked ahead; the two of them had reached the looming Labyrinth wall. Sarah saw the shrub she had poofed behind a few meters away. Thunder rang out in the distance and Jareth turned to begin walking back toward Hoggle's shack.
"I would like to offer my services in helping to remove this usurper from your life. Of course, I will have the final say on what I can or cannot do. Nothing truly life threatening of course."
"Of course," Jareth mirrored.
"And," Sarah continued
"Sarah, what makes you so certain I require any aid with my Lands? I don't deny that little water king was a minor inconvenience for a time, but I am unquestionably King."
The Goblin King had stopped walking again, and was standing a little straighter. He wasn't a large man by classical standards, more sinewy and long limbed, but Sarah wouldn't mistake him for being harmless. He seemed incredibly more… formidable in this state then the lounging King she had recently interacted with. She could feel her heart rate picking up and knew he was trying to intimidate her, something the older male patrons of her coffee shop often tried on her. Jareth wanted her confused and desperate enough to agree to his deal, but Sarah knew she was on the right track. She needed full confirmation though, so she diverted and started walking back toward the looming Labyrinth wall.
"No, I'm certain you need my help- specifically my certain powers help to remove Aquilo from your lands."
Jareth chuckled, "Ah, the powers you so eloquently have used thus far?"
Sarah felt her cheeks redden with a different emotion this time, "I'm sure the Almighty Goblin King can provide apt instruction for me to get a handle on them."
Jareth tilted his head as he looked down at Sarah, "You do realize that that will take time, no matter how talented the instructor is."
Sarah shrugged, "Ah- yes speaking of time, you've reminded me of something. So no life threatening perils, but also the time it takes to handle this must be within a reasonable range."
Jareth sighed, "And what, pray tell, is reasonable for you dear Sarah. For reasonable for me will certainly not be for you."
Sarah felt a light breeze jostle her hair and tickle her cheek, the words "It's only forever- not long at all" passed through her mind just as gently. Her brows furrowed, "I guess I'm assuming this world works in 26 hour intervals based on that clock you loved to shove in my face way back."
Jareth smiled, "Ah, delightful times. Your face made the loveliest expressions each time I "shoved" it, as you say."
Sarah did roll her eyes at that comment, "Yes, indeed lovely. Regardless, can you poof to where Aquilo is?"
"Ah, you wish to take the River King head on Sarah? How very noble of you, and perhaps a bit daft."
"Worked well enough with you now didn't it?" Sarah retorted.
Jareth snorted but continued, "To answer the initial question- no poofing isn't something done in lands out of my jurisdiction. Consider it a courtesy Monarchs of these lands share. In reality it's more of a safety measure. The magic to relocate can be easily sensed and targeted."
Sarah didn't dwell on what being "targeted" could look like, " So then I guess that leaves walking as the main source of transportation at the moment. So, how long does it take in Underground days to reach the River Kings lands?" Sarah looked at Jareth expectantly.
Jareth responded, "Oh perhaps two weeks on foot."
Sarah nodded, "So then one week."
"Are you calling me a liar Sarah?" Jareth responded, holding a gloved hand to his heart. Or whatever Fae Kings had in that general region of their chest.
Sarah looked at the Golbin King incredulously, "Um, absolutely?"
Jareth mocked a pained expression, "You wound me Sarah. We are in fact forming a deal that will certainly make us partners. What can we do if there is no trust?"
"We can succeed and go our separate ways Jareth," Sarah replied bluntly.
Recovering from his fake injury, Jareth began to tap his index finger against his chin, "Hmm, this deal of your seems awfully one-sided now that I think on it. What are you getting, simply Hoggle back?"
Sarah nodded, "Yep. I just want Hoggle."
Sarah stopped walking as they reached a pair of imposing old wooden doors that led into the Labyrinth. Sarah could hear a faint growl far off in the distance. She stifled a shiver. Staring at these doors with the mortal awareness of a fully-grown adult made the Labyrinth much more imposing then she remembered as a child.
Jareth stopped alongside her. To her chagrin he must have registered her blooming fear, as he smiled crookedly at her, "My my Sarah, are you interested in running my Labyrinth again before we look for our River King?"
Sarah bristled at his smile, "No, but I did think we could continue this discussion at your castle. I'm sure you have supplies that Hoggle's cabin doesn't for the journey?"
Not missing a beat, Jareth turned away from the Labyrinth's entrance, "Ah, well I can certainly conjure much of what we need easily."
Sarah's eyes narrowed, "I'm sorry, so does poofing travel snacks in the River King's land somehow work as a loop-hole among the monarch's around here?"
Jareth smiled cooly to her ever-growing irritation, "Ah, that is why we shall get it all together before we start out. I also must warn you, while not as technologically developed as your Above is, we do have this thing called a currency which we can easily use to procure what we cannot carry."
Sarah scoffed, "Fine I won't beat around the bush-"
"You're hardly making a dent my dear" Jareth interjected.
Sarah pursed her lips, "What I mean to say is- you can't enter your own lands anymore can you?"
Jareth's cool expression stayed, "Interesting assertion. Pray tell, just what brought you to this conclusion?"
Sarah gestured around herself, "Well since I need to spell it out for you, the first time we met since I defeated you, was on the outskirts of the Labyrinth. Chance, perhaps- but then you mentioned how you cannot come to my world. You certainly could before. I mean I said the right words but those did not include bringing you to me. Additionally, you keep walking away from your precious Kingdom. I even offered myself on a silver platter to go into that ridiculous topsy-turvy Escher-like castle of yours!"
Jareth began laughing as he shook his head, "Ah, Sarah,you never disappoint do you?"
Sarah's brow crinkled as she responded deadpan, "I aim to please."
Jareth's laugh mellowed out as regained composure, "Yes, of course. I will concede you are not incorrect. I cannot enter my lands, but Aquilo certainly cannot either."
"Either? How is that possible?"
Jareth put a hand through his blond hair, "That, my dear, is a story for another time."
Not wanting to push her luck, Sarah moved on, "So we can establish Aquilo is a problem for you."
Jareth shrugged nonchalantly.
"We can also establish that I have certain powers that are likely strong enough to be of use to you."
"My my Sarah, just what are you getting at?"
"Jareth, Goblin King of the Labyrinth, I offer to lend you my certain powers in order to reclaim your lands, in a reasonable time-frame, in exchange for safe passage for myself and Hoggle to wherever we choose."
Sarah stuck out her hands as her heart rate increased. She worked out the wording of this over and over in her head while walking. Would Jareth accept the deal? He was already questioning her on her motives. While he was correct that she didn't just want Hoggle back, Sarah hoped her tacking on the "safe passage" part of the deal would satisfy him for now.
Jareth didn't immediately make a move for Sarah's hand. He stared at it as he mulled over her words. Sarah's resisted the urge to take back her outstretched hand.
Another rumble of thunder sounded out in the distance.
Jareth, sighing dramatically, pulled off the leather glove encasing his left hand. Sarah blinked a few times. Jareth's hand reminded her of some of the musicians, specifically a pianist, that she had hung around with when she had bar crawled with friends back in New York. They were long, strong, and likely quite… coordinated.
Sarah's remembrance of the skills of musicians' hands was broken when Jareth encased her much smaller hand in a firm handshake. She felt herself begin to blush, but pushed down her embarrassment to return his shake with a squeeze of her own. She registered they must be both left-handed as a familiar tingle re-emerged in the palm of her hand. Magic?.
"So we have a deal Gob- Jareth?"
Jareth stared at Sarah with a piercing gaze as he responded, "It's official"
They both stood staring at each other. It felt like an eternity and yet, when Jareth released her from his grasp, not long enough.
Sarah grabbed her tingling left hand back and rubbed it, irritated with her thoughts and the renewed sensation.
Jareth looked down at her, "It appears your body is responding nicely to me."
Sarah gapped at the Goblin King, "Um- what?" She responded not very eloquently.
Jareth gave a mischievous grin, "Why Sarah, I'm referring to my magic and yours. I can't even begin to teach you if you can't sense another's magic."
Sarah felt the fire in her cheeks override her tingling hand as she scoffed and started making her way back to Hoggle's home.
Whatever deal she had just struck, Sarah knew she was already going to get more then she bargained for.
A/N
Things are very crazy right now on so many levels, but I finally got around to wrapping this chapter up. I also have the rest of the story sketched outttttt. It's weird how it just kind of spewed out onto the page really fluidly randomly one day. I guess that's what creatives call "inspiration" or something? Not too sure, but I'll run with it.
Also, has anyone tried brainstorming with ChatGPT besides me? I'm not really interested in having the AI write anything for me, but it is nice to have a system to throw ideas or questions at. AI is pretty bad imo for most things, but for brainstorming I really like it haha
Anyway, hopefully the next half of this year is gonna go well for us all. I'm trying to graduate and move on to the next phase of my career, but I'm 100% in the place where I'm in the cave and idk when I'll reach the opening. Could be 6 months, or (godforbideeeee) 2 years XD
Please follow/ review if you'd like, and I'll see you guys hopefully with another update in the next few weeks/ months!