Chapter Text
There was some sort of commotion in town, but before Sally could even finish standing from her breakfast, she was swiftly banished to her room, guards marching at her sides, as much for her protection as to ensure that she actually went there. It wasn't fair. She knew her parents loved her, but would it kill them to give her some space? Or the opportunity to experience anything for herself? It wasn't as though they were shutting themselves up in their rooms. Just her. She was a grown woman, and ready to take on responsibilities! Why must she be sent away like a child, when she could address whatever crisis this was with them?! It was hard to hear from behind her bedroom door, but there were voices, loud and shrill with shocked confusion. Then, a new one. Bright, welcoming, and smooth in its entrance. She couldn't hear the words, but they did not seem to be delivered in the typical Dream Town fashion. How was that possible?! Her eyes darted about the room, searching for a means of escape. Whatever, or whoever this was, she needed to see.
*****
Jack was positively abuzz with excitement, which was probably the only way he could continue fighting the sleep-inducing effects of this brand-new land.
"W-Welcome traveler!" The Governor greeted, eyes wide with an appropriate amount of bewildered horror. His wife stood rooted beside him, putting an admirable effort into hiding her panic behind a gracious smile.
"Thank you!" He boomed, taking in the Mansion behind them. "You have an enchanting town!"
"Y-yes...and where might you be from?" The woman nervously inquired.
"I hail from Halloween Town!" He crowed with a low bow. "Jack Skellington, The Pumpkin King, at your service!"
"Halloween..." The man whispered, his complexion fading into a milk blue.
"So...you cause...nightmares." She murmured faintly.
"We do our worst!" Their undead visitor grinned proudly.
The Governor quickly cleared her throat. "Well, this is a...great honor, but unfortunately...we have so much scheduled for today, and-"
A shriek cut through the air, jerking Jack’s head up to the blur dropping towards him, prompting him to catch—
There was now a young woman in his arms. She appeared disoriented, but on the whole, unharmed. The couple before him gasped and surged forward.
"What in Hypnos’s name happened?!" The Governor frantically demanded, while her husband rushed to deliver the lady from Jack's hold.
"I…wanted to meet our guest, and...the door was stuck." She glared meaningfully at her parents. "So...I decided to try the window." All four of them looked up to see a glass pane jutting out from the rest of the building, with a trail of bed linens flowing past, swinging gently in the breeze.
"How-?!" Her father sputtered, now deeply purple. "you could have-!"
"Are you alright, Miss?" Beckoned softly behind her.
The stranger was rail thin, and sharply dressed in a black and white striped suit. He towered over Sally with a face that she could easily imagine contorted in a frightening visage; yet at this moment, it held only gentle concern for her wellbeing.
“F-fine.” She stammered, heat flooding her cheeks. Gracious, what is this? She wondered, feeling a twisting of her gut and a fluttering in her chest. Get ahold of yourself!
“Thank you.” She managed, forcing herself to look him in the…eye sockets, and was promptly rewarded by the bright relief in his smile.
“I’m very glad to hear it.” He returned, with the warmth and weight of a promise.
“Yes. Thank you so very much.” The Governor agreed, sounding harried, forehead resting in the grip of his palm.
“You have our sincerest gratitude.” His wife nodded solemnly. Then she turned to her daughter, her expression anxious. “Let’s have you examined.”
“I’m fine!” The young lady insisted as her parents began to lead her back inside.
“There’s no harm in being careful, miss…”
“Sally.” She stopped fighting long enough to answer.
“Our daughter.” Her parents supplied simultaneously.
“I see. That’s a lovely name.” He responded kindly. “It suits you perfectly.”
Sally was barely able to temper the shy grin blossoming across her cheeks.
“Well, Governors,” he gave a quick bow to her parents, “Miss Sally,”—was it her imagination or did he appear to put more grace into hers—“it has been splendid to meet you all, and I hope that I might be able to see more of your town—“
“A personal tour is the least we can do.” Her Father interrupted, while the skeleton humbly waved away his appreciation.
“Another time though, it would seem.”
“I do believe that would be best.” Her Mother concurred, appearing ready to throw Sally over her shoulder and haul her to the doctor herself.
“And of course, you are all more than welcome to visit my domain!” The Monarch invited, perking up with his original zeal.
“That’s…very generous of you.” The woman said, sounding a little strained. Sally was certain that even if her parents went, she would never be permitted to join.
Jack beamed at what he apparently took for acquiescence. “I look forward to it!” Then his gaze fell to meet hers. “I hope you will be well enough to come too.” He told her cordially.
“I will.” She informed him. She was going on this adventure. Her parents could not stop her from experiencing a new world, one wholly different from what she had always known. And besides… She thought, catching the tail-end of Jack’s exuberant smile as he turned away. It might be nice to see him again.
*******
After another day dedicated to Halloween planning, Jack finally found himself able to shuffle home. Fortunately, the streets were empty, even for this late hour. He just didn't have enough energy to be "The Pumpkin King” right now. Yet the closer he got to the town square, he started to hear shouts of excitement. Briefly, he considered using this distraction as a means to slip past unnoticed. But no. He really should see what all the fuss was about.
A mass of townspeople were gathered around the fountain, jeers and whispers flying above the crowd. Once they took note of his presence however, a path was readily formed.
“Jack! Jack! Look at this!” Rose up around him. “See what this thing is!”
“Calm down, everyone!” He instructed, making his way towards the center.
Oh!
“It’s you!” He blurted out in shock. The young woman from Dream Town! Though trying to remain calm, her wide eyes and trembling limbs clearly demonstrated fright at the nightmarish creatures surrounding her. While he could not fault them for their curiosity, this was not how one received guests. And for that matter, he was being rather rude too, wasn’t he?
“Miss Sally!” He hastily corrected, threading an apology into his tone. Jack gently extended his hand to guide her away from the fountain’s edge. “I’m sorry we scared you.”
“Excellent job.” She valiantly managed, despite some loose cackles at his words. He smiled, and gave a deep bow.
“I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that you are most welcome to our town.”
Now that she had some space, Sally began looking around, the edges of her lips lifting with a sort of puzzled delight. It struck him how very pretty she was in fascination’s hold, with her roving, inquisitive gaze.
“Are your parents—er, the Governors—are they here as well?” He questioned lightly.
Suddenly she appeared nervous. “No…”
“Ah, well, that's a shame.” He noted politely, as she nodded somewhat stiffly. “But even so, I would be happy to show you around!” To his surprise, Jack actually found himself quite eager, despite the day’s toil.
A stern voice told Sally that she shouldn’t be disturbing what must be a very busy man, and she was almost able to decline, until she saw the excitement dancing in his eye sockets, and a bright toothy grin to match.
“I would be honored.” She curtsied slightly, head dipped to hide her darkening cheeks.