Flutter
I knew about the butterfly effect. That a tiny movement could ripple through a complex system in increasingly unpredictable ways until cataclysmic changes occurred.
I didn't know exactly how I knew that, but I knew it. Just like I knew that Jareth was searching for that butterfly flutter equivalent in whatever unspeakably complex magical reality he was in so that he could free me from the sad pocket of reality I was in.
I just hated waiting. Waiting was not a canonical heroine trait, and I was a heroine at heart, despite being, at the moment, a Faerie realm queen with a borrowed Faerie mantle.
The chaotic currents of my mantle hissed softly and curled into butterfly outlines made of icy nothingness. One landed gently on my wrist and fluttered its wings at me.
Awww, thanks, guys. I stroked an ice-shadow wing absently. I just….miss my Jareth.
We know. We do, too.
I wish he was here now.
A black glittering tendril arched from the top of the butterfly wing I was touching, billowing out in a sudden rolling flash. I felt the familiar weight of Jareth's presence settle over me, and I sighed into it. I do appreciate that you come when I call.
I always have. I always will.
When you can.
When I can. Which is, conveniently, now.
Do you have any more idea what will happen when you find that magical-reality butterfly you're looking for?
A little.
Will you tell me?
Better for you not to know just yet, Sarah love.
That doesn't sound ominous at all.
Your knowledge of the situation is one of the many complexities of the system that I'm trying to navigate.
No doubt. Still ominous.
Velvety laughter slid along my skin, carrying his wry amusement. Still ominous, indeed.
I love you. I miss you.
And I you, Sarah mine.