Delay


It was a truly epic moment - Jareth and his mother were poised on opposite sides of the rather expansive field where the Bog used to be, arms raised, posture regal, auras glittering with barely-contained magic of world-shattering proportions, and faces set in identical expressions of conviction that guaranteed mutually-assured destruction.

I watched it all in a crystal with Feanor, bundled down safe in our usual refurbished oubliette, and sighed as I imagined the magical hazmat cleanup this familial dustup was likely to cause.

It looked like Jareth's mother was going to throw the first magical punch this time, with Jareth's counterpunch a breath behind.

But then...nothing happened.

Oh, Jareth's mother expelled what should have been enough magic to leave a crater the size of the castle where Jareth was standing, and Jareth threw out enough magic to deflect it back at her, both of their bodies rocking with the aftermath.

But literally nothing happened.

They both straightened up, looked briefly down at their hands with identical expressions of suspicious confusion, and then back up at each other, eyes narrowed.

Glittery script appeared in the air between them, one delicate ethereal letter at a time. Your magic has experienced an unexpected delay. Please know that we are actively working to resolve your issue.

Jareth's mother recovered her composure first. "Delay?! And, who may I ask, is we?"

Jareth crossed his arms, his mouth compressed. "Trust me, mother, I intend to find out."

And then they both stalked off the field, radiating identical outraged dignity.

It was honestly hilarious how similar they were. If only they wouldn't butt heads so much about Feanor's upbringing. I kissed the top of Feanor's head. "Now we have to figure out why Daddy and Granny's magic wasn't working, sweetie."

"Why?"

"Well, we need to know if the Labyrinth is magically unprotected."

"It's fine!"

I turned him to face me. "How do you know?"

"The Labyrinth told me so."

"Mmhmm." I sent out a mental ping to Labyrinth. Really?

I just got tired of all their bickering. The magical hazmat really irritates my constitution. So I called in a favor.

From who?

There was a sheepish pause. A friend.

You called Mordor, didn't you?

Maybe.

You know that place doesn't have our best interests at heart.

It just gave me a little tutoring about influencing magic in my own boundaries, that's all.

So the magic delay is just for the latest epic firestorm?

Yes. Everything else is normal.

You're sure?

Perfectly.

I crossed my arms. Well, I hope you're right. What was with the delay message anyway? It sounded like an auto-response from some IT division.

Diversionary tactics.

My lips twitched up despite themselves. Cute. Well, we all better enjoy this period of quiet before the storm.

Storm?

Jareth and his mother aren't going to be pleased when they figure out it was you. Expect tantrums. No one likes to be thwarted.

The Labyrinth sniffed. Then they'd better find a different way to settle their disagreements.