A Fortnight's Apology
Even Ali, all unforgiving as she is, can only withstand so many apologies before even her impressive walls of resistance crumble. For two weeks, with efforts unrelenting and unmissable, Jareth had been apologizing for his case of foot-in-mouth. Not with words; that wouldn't suit either of their temperaments very well. And neither was it with grandiose gestures, for which she was very grateful. No, the apologies were small, subtle; insidious: a vase of lilies waiting on her doorstep, each time someone entered the Nexus. Given the frequency with which members of her household did just that, her house was now full of flowers. The first few such gifts were met with curiosity, then pleasure; the next few dozen were shown indifference when she realized Jareth was trying to wear her down. When his efforts continued unvaried, she allowed herself to show interest again, hoping it would encourage her estranged suitor.
But now, with her home full of flowers and curiously-cut crystal vases, Ali knew it was up to her to act. Having brought the latest offering inside after Casey's had a good long sniff, Ali sent her loyal companion to play with the children while she found someplace out of baby-reach for yet another very breakable bauble. Then she washed up (because trying to keep up with a dog of Casey's size and enthusiasm is hard work!) and changed into more a more appealing outfit then her running clothes.
She couldn't go to him. She was too proud, and she didn't want to set a bad precedent. But it was clear he wasn't going to come to her--they'd had to meet halfway. So back into the Nexus, land of wonders, and to a cliff on the edge of forever where they had once danced.
"Jareth," she says to nothing in particular, but certain he's listening, "this really must stop."
But now, with her home full of flowers and curiously-cut crystal vases, Ali knew it was up to her to act. Having brought the latest offering inside after Casey's had a good long sniff, Ali sent her loyal companion to play with the children while she found someplace out of baby-reach for yet another very breakable bauble. Then she washed up (because trying to keep up with a dog of Casey's size and enthusiasm is hard work!) and changed into more a more appealing outfit then her running clothes.
She couldn't go to him. She was too proud, and she didn't want to set a bad precedent. But it was clear he wasn't going to come to her--they'd had to meet halfway. So back into the Nexus, land of wonders, and to a cliff on the edge of forever where they had once danced.
"Jareth," she says to nothing in particular, but certain he's listening, "this really must stop."