Mistakes and Mishaps part 1
The cat sniffed disdainfully as it glanced about at the stone walls on either side of it. With the usual catlike arrogance the tabby stood and sauntered over to a piece of green lichen and pawed at it. To the cat's surprise the lichen moved and turned a dozen eyes in the cat's direction. Yowling in surprise the cat back peddled and bumped into the woman behind him. The woman glanced down and picked up the struggling animal to cradle it in her arms. The lichen watched as they walked passed with a gurgle of excitement. The woman spared it only a quick glance before going on. She had seen many such patches and the novelty had begun to wear thin. As she walked her heels clicked a strange rhythm on the ground marking her passing. The cat had calmed down enough to begin to struggle demanding to be put down. The woman absently rubbed it's head behind the ears reaching the magic spot with ease. The cat immediately quieted and purred contentedly. The woman smiled down at him and paused to catch her breath.
The dusty red sky was beginning to brighten into a rosy pink. A translucent moon hung in the sky unmoving and cold. There were wispy clouds high in the sky but no low hanging ones. The air was warm but not stifling. The stone walls gave the illusion of it being a few degrees colder then it was but that was because of their opposing nature then any real fact. The woman flicked long blonde hair out of her eyes and studied the wall before her. Blue eyes flashed in the sunlight as they took in everything. She reached out and ran a hand along the wall and pulled back with a start when they encountered the strange moss growing on the wall. Her sweeping skirt flared as she turned and continued walking. She didn't notice the grey-green goblin peering out at her from behind the wall at one of the openings. Muttering something under it's breath the creature disappeared leaving the woman and cat alone. The woman stopped and allowed the cat to jump to the ground. "Well, darling, what do we do now? We are indeed in a pretty predicament." She sighed and leaned back against where she thought the wall should be. To her surprise she fell backwards and hit the ground with a painful oof! Her head struck something hard and mildew smelling. Wincing as she rubbed her head she glanced to her side to see a smaller corridor. Her eyes lit up. "Of course! I forgot that the wall wasn't completely solid! How absolutely embarrassing. Come along Arlyn, we have to get going. With that she stood and headed off down the corridor.
Arlyn glared at her disappearing figure for a moment not appreciating being ordered around but when he realized that he was about to be left alone he stood and hurried after her. After all, she was going to need his help. Humans could be so helpless some times.
* * *
Jareth squinted as he eyed himself in the mirror. There was a hair out of place, he could feel it, but he couldn't find it. He had been at this for the last half an hour and still was no closer to perfection then before. He refused to do anything until he found that hair. He had finally gotten the cape to flare dramatically when he turned and the ruffles on his shirt to lay just right but that hair was still wrong. Using a pick he carefully frizzed strategic hairs hoping to find that one little problem spot to no avail. He breathed out in annoyance. A scuffling sound caused him turn and he gasped as a grey-green creature came barreling at him. He stepped out of the goblin's path. The creature tried to stop but the waxed floor repelled his efforts and he bounced off the mirror with a disgustingly squishy sound. Jareth frowned at the green smudge on his mirror. He turned towards the creature and began to slowly advance upon it.
The goblin had righted itself and turned towards the king. "I have important information for his, uh, your majesty." It proclaimed.
"Is that so?" Jareth asked with mock interest.
"There is a woman wandering through the, uh, your labyrinth."
Jareth wasn't paying much attention, again he was searching for that hair so it took a few seconds for him to realize what consequences the goblin's words had. "Wait a minute. I didn't bring a girl here."
"Well she's certainly here now. I've seen 'er with my own eyes."
"Is she alone?"
"Yes, uh, no. Actually she has a cat with her."
Jareth's frown increased. "A cat?"
"A big tabby lookin thing."
"A witch." Jareth hissed in anger. "How dare she enter my realm without permission!"
"A witch!" The goblin screeched and ran for cover.
Jareth whirled and disappeared in a flurry of feathers.
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Mistakes and Mishaps part 2
The woman cocked her head as she studied the marble wall before her. She was sure it had been a passage way a moment before. She shrugged and turned to go back the way she had come trying to figure where she had taken a wrong turn. The sunlight that had been illuminating her hair and warming her skin was suddenly blocked by a curtain of darkness. She shivered slightly and glance upwards to see what had happened to the sun. To her surprise it hadn't been any cloud but rather the far more solid body of a man. Curious she cocked her head and took in the rather pleasant, though somewhat humorous, sight.
Whitish hair framed an oval face that was either in some desperate need of sunlight or had been covered in makeup. The man's eyes were outlined by sharp blue strokes of paint. The woman couldn't determine exactly what color his eyes were but she was more entranced with their shape. The angular eyes went well with the sculpted nose and the mouth that was curved at one side in a form of sneering smile. Tight fitting clothes further accented the man's body and the whole package was wrapped in a cape that fluttered slightly in the breeze.
The woman felt a slight smile tugging at her lips. She could learn to like this place if all it's surprises were as interesting as this. "And who might you be?" She asked noting that her voice had lowered a few notes at the word you.
Jareth blinked and resisted the urge to step back. This was not what he expected when he had heard the goblin speak of the woman. He had no doubt she was a witch, how else could she have gotten in without his help if she didn't have any power? And the tabby that was weaving itself between her legs helped solidify his claim. Granted not all witches were ugly and old, some were indeed very beautiful but he had never seen a blonde witch before. Of course just because he had never seen one didn't mean they didn't exist. He became very aware of her intent stare and forced himself to stare into her blue eyes. The middles were pools of ice while the outside held a rim of sapphire. He shook himself and forcefully reminded himself why he was here. "What are you doing in my labyrinth, witch?"
The woman smiled and chuckled a little. "Getting lost, it seems. So it's your labyrinth, hmm? I thought as much. That means you'd be Jareth. Well I'm . . . wait a minute. What did you just call me?"
Jareth was surprised at the sudden change that flashed through the woman's body. Her stance, which had been relaxed and calm, was now rigid. Her eyes narrowed and he could practically see her emotions boiling over. He was determined not to back down. "You know very well what I called you." He replied arrogantly.
"I'm going to . . ." the woman forced herself to calm down and breath deeply. It would do her no good to verbally bash this man. Especially if what she had heard about him was true. There were more subtle ways to get revenge. "You must be mistaken, sir. I am no witch."
"Then how did you get into my labyrinth without my permission, and how do you know who I am?" Jareth asked smugly.
"I don't know how I got into the labyrinth." The woman replied. "All I know is I'm here now and I intend to enjoy myself until I figure out how to get back."
"Well I suppose you know the rules, thirteen hours etc. etc." Jareth raised his hand and waved it dismissive. He was about to leave when he heard a gasping for air then out right laughter. He turned disbelieving eyes upon the woman who was laughing so hard tears streamed down her face.
"Honey, you said it yourself, you didn't bring me here, therefore I'm not subject to your silly rules. Now you might want to start breathing that particular shade of purple doesn't suit you at all. Now if you just let me do my thing, I'll let you do yours. Ta Ta!" The woman turned to leave when she heard the goblin king speak again.
"You didn't answer my second question. If you aren't a witch then how did you know who I was?"
The woman paused and glanced at him over her shoulder. "Why I watched the movie, of course." With that she disappeared down the corridor which had been blocked by the marble wall moments before leaving a surprised and horrified Jareth standing alone.
He had been wrong. She wasn't a witch.
She was a list member.
And, the gods help him, they were coming to his labyrinth through their own power.
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