Author's Note:

Rhymes. :)

This is just a collection of snippets, whimsies, scenes, daydreams, etc. for the 100 Themes Challenge, more of a writing exercise than fully developed stories. These are not beta-ed and I'm not spending nearly as much time editing them as I would if they were "official" stories. So, please forgive the lack of polish. This will be updated as the mood strikes, each chapter a different theme.

The 100 Themes Challenge was posted in the Jareth/David Bowie Fangirl Harem Group (link on my profile). Essentially, you pick a number at random, look it up on the list, and write something based on the assigned theme.

Standard disclaimer applies.

Enjoy! Constructive criticism is always appreciated. :)

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Number 23: Cat

Sarah ambled slowly down the sidewalk, quietly observing the masses milling about Main Street in the late afternoon. She had stopped by her favorite used bookstore on her way home from school, a new treasure trove of fantasy stories safely tucked away in the backpack hanging heavily from her shoulder. She was debating whether to veer off toward the park to lose herself in another world, or head home where Karen was waiting for her to help clean the house for company this weekend. Already running late, she knew her stepmother would be in a snit, and really wasn't in the mood. What was another hour or two?

A growing cacophony interrupted her internal deliberation. Sarah slowed to a stop as she reached the edge of an alleyway running between two buildings, peeking around the corner.

She should have been reluctant, shocked, appalled, frightened, or at least annoyed, but curiosity had always been her weakness. Curiosity killed the cat, so the saying went. Lucky she wasn't a cat. In fact, she seemed to have a guardian angel out there somewhere, given her track record.

In the alleyway, a quartet of goblins were digging about in metal trashcans seemingly supervised by a cat, oddly enough, patched in caramel and cream, sitting serenely on top of a wooden crate, unaffected by the surrounding chaos.

"Hey," Sarah called out as she headed determinedly into the commotion, "what's going on?"

The clamoring stopped abruptly as four pairs of beady and bulbous eyes all turned to look at her guiltily.

"Um….nothing?" This came from a goblin with a metal colander on his head holding what looked to be an old, chewed up shoe tied by its shoelaces to a stick that topped him by at least a foot.

"We's on a mission!" A second, smaller goblin piped up excitedly, brandishing a crumpled up piece of paper and a half-eaten hotdog.

"Shut up!" Admonished a third, giving the smaller goblin a quick slap to the back of the head. Sarah decided he was probably the smartest of the lot – his stringy green-tinted afro reminiscent of a goblinesque Doc Brown.

The forth remained silent as he ducked back into the trash can, the crash of the lid reverberating loudly against the stone walls as he disappeared.

Sarah narrowed her eyes as she took in the three goblins and the goblin-turned-trash-can. The fact that they were here was not necessarily surprising – they were always around somewhere – but, rather, the fact that they were obviously up to something was cause for concern.

Momentarily startling her, the cat suddenly sprang down onto the pavement, crisscrossing coaxingly between her legs before jumping up on the trash can beside her. It regarded her with peculiar blue-green eyes, its tail curled up into a question mark.

It certainly didn't look like a stray, she thought as she reached out, her fingers running through its soft, shiny coat. It purred under her caress, leaning into her hand as she rubbed its ears, the vibration skimming happily along its length. Instantly delighted by the gorgeous, friendly feline, Sarah let her backpack slide from her shoulder to the ground, freeing both hands to devote to the charming little creature. She massaged its fluffy face as she cooed endearments before placing a kiss on its little nose.

The goblins giggled.

"Is this your cat?" she asked, turning back to address the three goblins watching her with interest. The fourth peeked out at her from under his lid.

"Not ours, that's…" started the shoe-sword wielding goblin.

"Shut up!" Doc Brown interrupted, a slap to the back of his companion's head sending the colander clattering to the ground. The injured goblin scurried after it, mashing it back on his head with a glare.

Deciding that, yes, there was definitely something fishy going on here, she narrowed her eyes again before turning back to look at the cat.

Something wasn't right. She took a nervous step back. Did that cat just wink at her?

Taking a flying leap from the trash can, the lid rattling in its wake, the cat morphed in mid-air, a figure of a man now standing in front of her. His honey-laced platinum hair fell in razor-edged layers just past his slightly pointed ears, haphazardly framing an exquisitely etched face. Cat-like blue-green eyes slowly trailed from the tips of her toes upward before finally locking with hers. A ruffled white silk shirt billowed out from snug fawn colored breeches tucked into mahogany knee-high boots. A feral smile spread lazily across his lips.

"It's not everyday one is molested by a pretty young woman." He winked at her again as if answering her unspoken question.

A blush stained her cheeks, Sarah now mortified at her behavior given the new development.

"Never mind my bungling crew here. They're just helping me out on a little project." A casual flick of his head sent the platinum streaks dancing. "You see, I'm a collector, of sorts. Goblins are particularly gifted at…obtaining things."

"Um…who are you?" she asked, taking another hesitant step backwards.

Drawn into the cat and mouse play Sarah unwittingly initiated, the eerily alluring stranger stalked towards her. Sarah took matching steps backwards until she found herself flush against the wall hugging the alley. He draped an arm lazily against the brick, effectively caging her.

"Gaven, second son to the High King and Queen of the Underground, and noted black sheep, at your service." He smiled rakishly, his eyes touching lightly on her parted lips before returning to her wary gaze. "I believe you're acquainted with my brother."

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Author's Note:

So, yes, goblinesque is not a word, but it should be. ;)

Oh, and there's another 80s movie reference scattered about in there somewhere.

Raise your hand if you like Gaven...? I've been toying with the idea of continuing this little story - something along the lines of The Owl and the Pussycat (and the little mouse in a maze)? ;) Of course, nothing like the original poem, 'cause that would just be incestuous.

Thanks for reading! If you're so inclined, please leave a contribution in the little box. It would make my day. :)