~Jareth’s POV~

Ugh! Why can’t I figure out shit for my own business!? I already got the stuff done for the community center charity; I just need to wait for them to get back to me. So now I should be able to focus on expanding my own business, right? Right?! “Ugh! Why won’t you work with me, muse?”

“Because I am not your puppet. You made a deal with me to give you creativity when creating designs for people. You never specified making designs for yourself.” My muse, Samry, wore a devious grin as she said that. I sometimes wish I never made a bargain with her, but she found me at a desperate point in my life. Homeless. Hungry. Hopeless.

“Are you sure we can’t negotiate the terms? I really want to reach more people, and I cannot do that without expanding my business!” I don’t know why I bother asking. It’s always the same answer.

“We can, if you want to give me the soul of your firstborn, in addition to your own that you already owe me upon your death.”

Sigh “Can you at least try to not look pleased while making that offer? We’ve had this exact same conversation for the past ten years we have been working together, and you haven’t been helping me. I already regret giving you my soul, I’m not going to offer up my not-even-concieved-yet first born’s as well.”

“Fine, fine. You just seem so insistent on bringing it up. Night. After. Night. After. Night. I should just start charging you more every time you bring it up from here on out.” She looks pleased with the thought.

“Of course, you will.” I swear, even though I am no longer stuck living on the streets, I sometimes wish she would have just left me alone. I don’t know why she wants my soul so bad anyways. Every time I have tried to ask, she just gives me a bullshit reason; different every time. I gave up asking a few years back. I get woken up from nightmares sometimes, though, of her being the one to kill me and taking my soul straight out of my chest, and I’m helpless to stop it. Always gives me the heebie-jeebies just thinking about it. “So what have you been up to lately? You seem to be harassing me less and less these days when I go out.”

“Oh, y’know, a li’l bit of this, li’l bit of that. Have you been missing me, little one?” I once thought she was the most gorgeous woman I had ever met..until about ten minutes into our bargain; I then realized I had been horribly wrong. Once the bargain was set, she dropped the mask; almost literally. She went from looking ethereal to just average, and she went from having an air of grace and other-worldliness to downright…mundane, I can’t think of another word to say it.

I really wish I could figure a way out of this, and still maintain my creativity. This job is my dream, and I’m able to help so many organizations with it. But unfortunately, I don’t know anyone I can ask for help, nor have internet searches been helpful. Instead of lamenting this, I think a night out will do me good. Maybe I can find someone to help alleviate my ever-growing horniness since seeing that woman in the shop. Sophi. Who knows, maybe I’ll happen upon her tonight, and we can have some fun.

“I’m going out. Don’t wait up. In fact, please just leave. I’m hoping to bring someone back tonight. Even if they can’t see you, I can, and I don’t want an audience. As you know, I’m not an exhibitionist, unlike you, you pervy voyeur.”

“I’ve been around for a long time and not many beings are able to see me. I gotta get my pleasure somehow since you’re not giving it to me.” She seriously just winked at me. I think I might be sick.

“Please, go get your rocks off somewhere else.”

“Suit yourself.” Thank God; she’s gone.