Drabble #212: Underwater

[redwolf]

For this prompt, we continue with our one-word/phrase drabble roots:

Underwater

Tell us all about it. Labyfic-style, of course.

Given our entries from recent months, let's continue with the suggested limit of 500 words. Though remember that shorter pieces are most definitely welcome!

Your entry should take the following format, posted as a comment on this entry:

Word count: # of words
$your_beautiful_drabble

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Comments

Bouyancy

[redwolf]

Sarah felt the pull of a wish and had just enough time to set her work aside before she materialised into a room that was comparatively darker than the one she’d left.

Knowing that it was always best to stay quiet and let people make the wrong impression, Sarah waited for her eyes to adjust to the light difference, parsing the information dump of data the Labyrinth had placed in her mind as she was transported Above.

Keeping her expression neutral, Sarah took stock of her surroundings. A wall of glass was all that separated the restaurant from a pool. Sunlight filtering through the water was the cause of the peculiar lighting. As she watched, people dived into the pool and turned somersaults for the diners.

Turning back to the table at the end of the people aquarium, Sarah took in the sallow complexion of a young woman who returned her look with open wonder. Before anyone spoke, Jareth stepped forward to pull out a chair for Sarah, before he took a seat beside her. It was unusual for them both to be called, as odd as it was that they were both dressed in Above fashions suitable to the establishment rather than Goblin armour.

“Thank you for coming, Your Highnesses.” This was not the typical greeting they encountered.

“Mama! Can I swim too?”

Sarah barely restrained herself from startling at the child’s voice. She was definitely the one wished away, and yet not only had the goblins not taken her, they were currently in the pool pressed against the glass where the little girl looked up at them in delight.

“Perhaps later, darling.” She smiled sadly, then looked at Sarah. “Will she be taken care of?”

“She will be treasured,” Jareth answered in a gentle manner, reaching across the table to take her hand. “She will have a long, healthy life and will be raised in a loving family.”

The woman almost collapsed in relief and Sarah suspected she was barely holding herself together. The Labyrinth had informed her that the woman was suffering from a malady that had already claimed the child’s father, which seemed unlikely to be coincidental and raised questions of an environmental concern.

Jareth produced a crystal and held it out to the woman. “I am obligated to offer you your dreams.”

She shook her head and returned a soft smile. “You’ve given me my dreams.” Taking a deep breath she pulled her daughter into her arms and hugged her tightly. “I love you more than anything, darling, but the King and Queen will take you to play with your friends in the pool.”

“Okay, Mama. Love you too.” She hopped down and held her arms up to Jareth who stood and lifted her into his embrace.

Just as she felt the tug of the Underground, Sarah had a brief glimpse of the woman as she collapsed. Her final act of finding a loving home for her child had been all that had sustained her.