Stuck Over the Rainbow

Dorothy Gale. "Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue. And the dreams you dare to dream really do come true."

[insane-little-doll-deactivated2]

Sally stopped moving and turned to see the other, with a quick glance around her eyes focused on the girl again. “Hello!” She smiled. She kicked off her shoes and climbed into the fountain careful not to get her book wet. “I’m not sure.” She answered honestly as she looked at the book trying to decipher the cover. “I found it in the back of the library. It’s an upside down book!” She grinned and waved the book around before opening, “Would you like to read it after me?”

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Dorothy watched the girl, and felt her eyebrows furrow only slightly when she got into the fountain. "Oh..." she looked at part of the book she could see, and couldn't tell anything from it's cover at all. "What do you mean upside down?" she asked. She didn't understand, was it upside down inside the cover? Or was it sitting upside on the shefl? She wasn't sure if the latter would necessairly hold any interest. "Yeah, if that's okay." she nodded at the girl. "Let me know what it's about when you finish."

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[thefixerupper-deactivated201410]

"I didn’t have what you’d call a ‘run of the mill’ childhood." He replied with a nervous chuckle. He knew he’d heard someone mention coloring books in the art room before and he statement confirmed that he was correct. He nodded his head, "I’ll be sure to check them out the next time I get a chance. Though to be perfectly honest I probably wouldn’t recognize them if I ever did find them." Another nervous chuckle and a quick shrug of his shoulders. "I guess I could just ask someone though, right? Not everyone was raised by trolls." It always made him nervous to talk about his past, most of the other patients were incredibly understanding, but it was up in the air when he mentioned how unusual he was to someone new. More than anything he feared being called insane by a fellow inmate, he was used to hearing it from his doctor, but having another patient call you crazy was a horse of a different color.  

"I’m from Norway." He responded, "A place called Arendelle." He added, his voice taking on a dreamy tone. There was nothing he loved more than talking about his home. "I’m convinced there’s no where else in the world that quite as…magical." He said with a longing sigh, thinking of the trolls and of Elsa. "What about you, Dorothy? Where’s your home?" He asked. He hoped this question wasn’t too personal and that she wouldn’t claim up again. There more at ease she became, the more he was beginning to enjoy her company. "Munchkinland." He repeated, the name felt funny on his tongue. He liked it a lot. "Maybe you could replicate the smell some how." He suggested, "There’s got to be a series of scents out there that’s similar…that way you can bottle it and keep it with you so you can smell it whenever you like."

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Dorothy watched the boy as he spoke, thoroughly interested in his lack of knowledge about simple coloring utensils. She wanted to ask if he was familiar with markers and crayons, or even blank paper to color or paint on. But she decided that the nervousness he was letting off would only increase if she asked the multitude of questions pertaining to his knowledge or lack thereof. “If you wanted to…” she answered his shrug with a shrug of her own. “I don’t think anyone would mind. They’re pretty obvious when you find ‘em though.” Dorothy smiled lightly at his comment about being raised by trolls and shrugged again. She looked up at him for a moment. Clearly, there was a lot more to this boy and his past than she had originally thought. Loving the smell of pine and growing up in a different place were one thing, but she was fascinated by the fact that he was raised by trolls. “I wouldn’t think so,” she said. “What were your trolls like? If you don’t mind me asking?” She didn’t want to push herself into his private life or his past, and she hoped that if he was uncomfortable answering he’d say so.

Her eyes were fixed on the boy as he spoke about his hometown. The way he talked about it, it was clear that he loved where he had come from. It was obvious he cherished that place deeply, and that he always spoke high of it. Dorothy could understand that feeling, loving a place more than anything, especially a place you had been taken away from. “Will you tell me more about your home? … What you did there and where you lived and… who your friends were?” she asked, again hoping this wasn’t too personal. She found herself being pulled into this conversation with him, it was easier to talk to him now, and she really was interested in him. He seemed to have such a different history than people she had met, but she hadn’t really asked. His history was fascinating. “I’m from Kansas,” she said. “It’s not as magical as Arendelle… But my Auntie and Uncle live there, and Toto too. It’s quiet, mostly. Farmland everywhere.” She wanted to say ‘twisters’, and while she was feeling more comfortable with him, she didn’t quite know if being taken to Oz by a twister was something he’d find… incredibly unusual or not. “That’d be great,” she nodded. “I just can’t find similar smells. I’ve looked and looked and looked, and nothing smells similar to Munchkinland. I’d have to go back and bottle the air,” she shook her head and smiled lightly. “Even then I think I’d be lucky to have fully bottled the smell. I wish you could smell it, it’s something gorgeous.”

[insane-little-doll-deactivated2]

Sally was digging through the books in the library until she found an old paper back that was winkled, the binding was broken and it was covered in dirt. Wiping the sweat from her face, smearing her skin with dust she flipped open the book to see that it was upside down. She turned to look at the cover and the cover was right side up. Smiling she gripped the book tightly and left the dusty library and headed outside to the garden to read her new upside down book. 

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Dorothy was only halfway through the book she had taken from the library only a few days earlier. The book was longer than she had expected, the writing inside the pages was smaller and quite a bit harder to read. Sitting out in the garden helped her concentrate on the words and allowed for little distraction from other patients and her friends. 

She glanced up when she heard the footsteps, curious about who was entering the garden. It was a girl she hadn't met before carrying what looked like a very... unattractive book. It was broken and covered in dirt, but the girl seemed attached to it somehow. She watched the girl for a while before standing and sticking her finger in between the pages. "Hello," Dorothy said softly, her eyes flickering from the girls face to the curious book. "Sorry, what are you reading?"

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[myoldbonyself]

"You’ll be the first to know." He nodded back. He nodded again as she spoke of where she was going. "Do you know where that is though? I’d hate for you to get lost." He replied, gently.

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Dorothy looked down for a moment. She knew vaguely where the common room was, at least on which floor it was. Though she hated the idea of walking the empty hallways alone, she didn't want to keep him any longer than was necessary. "I think I'll be okay." She looked up at him and smiled lightly. "Sorry. Again," she said as she took a few steps back. 

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[myoldbonyself]

Jack grinned widely. “An EXCELLENT idea, Ms. Gale! How have I NEVER thought of that?” He said almost ready to drop the book and applaud her genius.

"Of course, now I’ll have to think up some things but that shouldn’t be too hard." He lookedat her then at himsilf. "So it appears we have our books. You’re new here, do you need me to escort you anywhere else?" He offered.

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Dorothy laughed at his response, a faint blush appearing on her cheekbones at the praise. It was definitely something she was less than used to.

“Make sure to let me know what you decide on,” she said, nodding at him. She nodded again, they did indeed have their books. Jack seemed to be happy to have his, and Dorothy was more than excited to read this book. She thought for a moment as she chewed on her bottom lip. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about that,” she answered. “I, um, I think I’m just going to go to the common room. Do a bit of reading.” She shrugged and looked up at him.  “Thank you, though.”

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[myoldbonyself]

  "Me too." He grinned. Wow, he found it much easier to slip back into this normality than he thought. "Skellington. I tried seeing if it did once. One half of the internet says ‘-ington’ means ‘son of’ the way ‘von’ does and the other half says it doesn’t mean anything. And I looked up Skell and apparently it was once New York slang for homeless person.

THEN I looked up my whole last name and it apparently means…. skeleton. But I bet that’s just because that’s what it SOUNDS like and doesn’t ACTUALLY mean that. So in the end I just decided it HAS no meaning. It’s just one of those last names that exists without meaning.” He chuckled.

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Dorothy nodded along with Jack as he explained the meaning of his last name. She liked that they had moved on in their topic of conversation, and that they had fallen back into the same sense of comfort she had felt earlier with him. Son of a homeless person? Dorothy briefly hoped that Jack didn’t interpret his name to mean son of a homeless person, and as he continued she was relieved when he came to the conclusion that his name simply had no meaning.

“That’s better than having a name that means something,” she smiled. “Now you can create your own meaning,” she shrugged lightly. “Or maybe the meaning of your last name is just… you.” Unless he didn't want it to mean anything. Dorothy wanted to add that to the end of her statement, but decided instead to stay quiet.

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[myoldbonyself]

Jack smiled as kindly as ever. “It’s alright.” He said, shrugging it off. She couldn’t control her paranoia anymore than he could control his undead-ness…. undeath…. whatever it was called.

"Funny enough Jack is apparently a variant of John or Johnathan. So something along the lines of "God has given" or "graced by God" or something of the like." He answered.

"Can you imagine me as… John Skellington?" He chuckled lightly at the thought.

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Dorothy watched him as he spoke, still astonished by his kindness. He was being incredibly kind to her, much kinder than she deserved. Auntie Em had always been rather stressed by Dorothy’s almost constant paranoia. Dorothy knew that she still loved her, but she had never been as kind as Jack was being.

She smiled lightly at the description and at his chuckle. “I think Jack much more suits you,” she answered. She knew that she should probably have gone, she'd probably cause enough stress for the poor boy. She should take her book, be glad that he had found his, and leave him alone. But a queston popped into her head, and for whatever reason, she desperatly wanted to ask it.  “Does Skellington have a meaning?”  

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[myoldbonyself]

"The first that comes to mind is Dorcas. When I first saw it, it was spelled D-o-r-k-a-s-s. Dorkass and I thought it just looked like THE most insulting name. Come to find it means gazelle. Prettier meaning than name. Then I found Rachel and its variants mean ewe. A sheep. Prettier name than meaning."

Jack tone stayed kind and willing to divulge these things. But he wanted nothing more than to keep asking ‘are you convinced yet?’. In the kindest of ways of course. He wasn’t annoyed, he just wanted her to be comfortable around him again. Then again WHO’S fault was it that things went south so quickly? Not her’s. Her comfort would come at her pace………. hopefully.

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Dorothy took a deep breath to settle herself before looking back up at him. The brightness had dimmed to something much more manageable. She looked directly at Jack, wondering what he was thinking. She wanted to know what he was thinking about in regards to her. Had she upset him? Of course, she had. She seemed to have a knack for ruining things. Her eyes unfocused for just a moment, the sight of Glinda's back at the end of the aisle allowed her to breathe again. She looked down, and when she looked back up, Glinda was gone. 

“I’m sorry,” she finally said. She didn’t know what else to say. How could she even begin to explain herself when she herself was so confused about what had just happened between them, and between her and Glinda? It was always Glinda who pushed the thoughts that made Dorothy afraid, Glinda had seemed so nice in Oz. “I just… What does Jack mean?” She didn’t want to think about the thought that he was a stalker, he seemed to have thoroughly convinced her otherwise. He appeared to just like names. Dorothy chewed her bottom lip and clasped her hands together in front of her tightly. 

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[thefixerupper-deactivated201410]

A smile spread across his face at the sound of the laughter, but it falters when she stops so abruptly. “Coloring books?” He asked, quirking one of his brows and tilting his head to one side. He’s obvious confused, having spent most of his childhood in the company of trolls and a reindeer, Kristoff isn’t exactly educated about such things. He assumes they’re books but she talked about them as if they’re in a category of their own. “Crayon?” It’s another word his doesn’t know, but he might have heard it once or twice before, his associates the word with the art room for some reason, but he hasn’t really spent much time there so he can’t be sure. “I’ll smell one the first chance I get.” He replied with a shrug of his shoulders. He’d probably make more of effort to find out what the things are now that she’d mentioned them. He’s spent a good amount of time getting requited with civilization, but there were still things that slipped through the cracks. 

He felt a little better knowing that his response didn’t stir up any suspicion and it even makes him smile that she’s basically admitted to having something in common with him, now if he could only get her to feel a little more at ease. It’d probably be a lot easier to interact with if he knew what brought her to asylum in the first place, but there was no way he’d be brave enough to ask such a question. In fact, he didn’t know way anyone else was there but himself. She interrupts his thought process with her question and this time he doesn’t hesitate before answering, “Pine, pine needles, pine trees…” He chuckled a little, “I love being outdoors and that smell, even if it’s artificial, always reminds me of the woods I spent most of my time in back home.” He sighed softly, “Is there another smell you like? Besides old books?”

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Dorothy nods, the smile painting her lips growing slightly. She realizes in a split second that he’s probably never heard of coloring books or crayons, and that surprises her. “Have you never seen a coloring book?” Dorothy asks. She wants to ask where he grew up, where he lived before coming here and why he hadn’t had the same childhood experience she’d had. She supposed it made sense, if they were all coming from different places that they’d have different experiences. She hadn’t really met enough people to understand if any of them were similar in any way, but she felt like she was one of the few people here who had been to Oz and back. But, maybe these people came from just as magical places. The thought of coloring books assaulted her mind again. How could anyone not know about coloring books or crayons. Even in such a magical place as Oz, she’d seen young munchkins with coloring utensils in their hands. “I believe I saw one in the art room,” she said. “There’s an entire drawer, you know. Books and crayons.” She shrugged. “Let me know what you think.”

The smile that he produces allows her to let herself feel slightly safer in his presence. He was mentioning a lot of things that involved ‘pine’. “Why pine?” she asked, curiosity lighting up her face. Sure, she had smelled pine before, and while it smelled beautiful, she wouldn’t really describe it as her absolute favorite smell. Maybe understanding why he liked the smell of pine would help her figure out where he was from, and why he hadn’t heard of certain things, and why everything she seemed to be telling him seemed new. He spoke his explanation soon after and she tilted her head slightly. “Where is back home?” She licked her lips and thought for a moment, her mind sifting through the smells that she remembered. “I once visited this place, called Munchkinland,” a distant smile spread across her face as she thought of the people and the atmosphere and the smell. “It was… the best smell. The entire place. I can’t… I can’t describe it. It was just… I wanted to bottle it.” She shrugged and looked up at him. 

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[myoldbonyself]

"It depends on the name. Some have better sounds than meanings some better meanings than sounds." Jack answered.

Crap, he was sorry he’d even mentioned it now. He berated himself for thinking it was even okay to tell someone he’d JUST met what their name meant. If he had an even partially  rude bone in his body, he’d just find his book -oh, there it was…. got it- and take off. But he wouldn’t, he COULDN’T.

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Dorothy kept her head down, her eyes were closed in front of her. She didn’t want to see Glinda, she didn’t want to see anybody. She didn’t know what she wanted, but she knew for a fact that she didn’t want to see the people that seemed be following her. And more than anything, she wanted to get back to that feeling of comfort she’d had when she first started talking to Jack. Since arriving at the… in this place, she’d felt like she was out of place and that she didn’t belong. Everything was different and dark and frightening and not what she wanted. But Jack’s appearance and the way he spoke and his kindness had been refreshing. Seeing someone who was made-up and dressed as he was be something different than what she had expected was…. Odd. She’d been expecting the worst out of everything since she’d arrived, and the worst is what had been happening. Being pushed by Dr. Hook, Glinda and East were everywhere, and she missed the familiarity of Kansas. She wanted to feel comfortable again. Was that even possible now?

“Like what names?” she asked. 

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[thefixerupper-deactivated201410]

He’d never really considered the smell of old books, so when she mentioned it he took one of the books off the shelf and opened it, lifted it to his face and takes a inhaled deep through his nose. It was a kind of musty scent, but she was right, overall it was pleasant, comforting in some way. A smile spread across his lips and he nodded his head in confirmation. “That was actually my first time smelling a book, if you can believe it.” He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders and setting the book back on the shelf. “I guess it takes someone else pointing out before you truly appreciate it. I will make a habit of smelling old books more often.” 

It’s obvious that his presence is making her far from relaxed and that he should probably make himself scarce in consideration. He turned his back on her and walked a little ways down the aisle, putting more distance between them. When she dared to ask him a question, he turned back toward her and frowned. He didn’t know how to answer without flat out lying to her. He knew plenty of book titles, but if she asked any questions about the books plot he’d be caught in a lie. “I know it sounds kind of silly considering I’m here in the library right now, but…I don’t read much. At least not enough to have a clear-cut favorite.” He shrugged his shoulders, his frown deepening. He wished more than anything that he could have given her a real answer, but given the circumstances he had no choice. “What about you? What’s your favorite book?”

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Dorothy watched in astonishment as he promptly pulled a book off the shelf and breathed in its scent. Her mouth might have dropped only slightly, but she wouldn’t have noticed if the light giggle she had attempted to suppress hadn’t come out as loud as it obviously had. Even though he himself had laughed, she felt like she shouldn't have been laughing for some reason. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand, still feeling her lips turning up at the edges. “You really should,” she answered, reaching out to pick up another book from a close shelf. It was a brighter color than the one she had dropped earlier. She flipped through the pages, the smell filling her nose. “Coloring books smell nice too…” she chewed her bottom lip for a moment. “The new ones… The used ones smell like crayon.” She shrugged, looking down again. She’d completely lost herself in the excitement of him smelling a book for the first time. How was that possible? She couldn’t let that happen again, he seemed so serious and probably thought she was annoying.

She was actually surprised when he turned around. She had fully expected that she had scared him away, she wasn’t even sure why she had asked the question. To make conversation, she supposed, something she’d been taught back in Kansas. Maybe it was because he had smelled the book, she couldn’t be sure. “It’s not silly,” she answered, “Not having a favorite book shows you’re… uh…” she looked up and searched her mind for the word. It was a word that people used when describing certain teachers… “You don’t play favorites,” she said, smiling lightly at her success. She looked up at him again, and noticed the frown. Had she said something to upset him? Dorothy began thinking through her fear of the man himself. He was still big, and still… somewhat frightening. But he seemed nice, at least she hoped so. He hadn’t tried to kidnap her yet, so there was that. She decided she shouldn’t be scared of him, of course that was easier said than done.  He was here for a reason, just like she was. Maybe he, like her, had been sent by family. Maybe he, like her, just wanted to be fixed. “I don’t play favorites either,” she answered, shrugging lightly. “I do like books, though.” She looked down for a second. “What’s your favorite smell?” she asked suddenly. Obviously the book conversation hadn’t interested him, maybe if she asked him other questions he’d stop frowning. “Sorry… You don’t… If you want to go, you can,” she said softly. “Or I can. I was just…” she trailed off and moved a foot so it was just a little behind the other so she could turn around if need be, but she didn’t step back. 

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[thumperdoesntlivehere-blog]

Thumper had decided he wanted to read Frankenstein. It was a book he had heard Jack mention to someone, maybe it was Elsa, but he wanted to read it. He hadn’t been expecting to see anyone in the library and was so preoccupied scanning the shelves for his book that the loud thud of another book falling to the floor startled him. 

He turned quickly to get a look at the girl as she bent to retrieve the object. He shook his head. “No, I’m— sorry,” he told her. “I didn’t see you. Are you… okay?” He asked, spotting Frankenstein on the shelf just over her shoulder. 

Not wanting to scare her again, he stayed where he was. “My name’s— Thumper,” he introduced himself, his nose twitching slightly as he offered her a small smile.

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Dorothy put her head down and stepped back slightly, her face reddening at her obvious blunder. She should have been paying more attention to her surroundings, and she could tell that she had frightened him as well. Nothing ever worked when two people were frightened of each other. She brushed her hair out of her face and looked up when he started talking, reaching down to tuck the book where it had come from.

“No, no, it was me. I’m sorry. I uh… I should have been paying more attention.” She shrugged, taking a deep breath in hopes that it would control her frantically beating heart. She put her hand on her chest, as if that would decrease the pumping. “I’m alright… I didn’t… Scare you too much?” she tilted her head slightly, wanting to make sure that he was okay.

“Thumper…” she mused as he spoke, noticing the way his nose twitched. It was… cute. Bunny like, almost. “Dorothy,” she answered, returning his slight smile. “I uh… I don’t know what book to read.” She gestured vaguely at the walls and walls of books and sighed. 

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[myoldbonyself]

When she asked “what?”, he could tell it wasn’t directed toward him. He understood then. He doubted he’d ebb her…. cautiousness but it was worth a try. Plus, when would he ever be asked this again?

"Uhhh. Pamela…. because of its meaning too, "all sweetness" and…. Giocondo stood out. Apparently HIS wife, Gioconda was the Mona Lisa. That name has something to do with happiness.” 

Was this convincing enough? God, why NOW, did all the interesting names he’d discovered, leave his mind?

[dorothys-notcrazy]

She heard rather than felt the stirrings in her mind begin to slowly die, concentrating instead on ‘Giocondo’. The way it was spelled, how it sounded, what shapes the letters made when she played with them, the way it sounded in her mind’s voice. She heard a frustrated groan from behind her. Believe what you want, Dorothy. Just be warned, he’s dangerous. Everybody here is dangerous. She nodded slightly, licking her lips and looking down.

“Why… Why do you like names?” she asked, still looking down. “The meanings? Or… When… The sound?” She looked up then, her eyes squinting slightly against the harsh light from above them. She felt the urge to apologize for something, but she didn’t know why. Maybe assuming that he was a stalker… but that was still yet to be discovered. This small bit of information tended to lean towards the ‘no’ side of the spectrum, but Dorothy could never be sure. And Glinda was sure convinced he was, and Glinda was almost always right about everything. 

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[myoldbonyself]

Oh, God. Although she played herself off as calm, he saw that slip right out the window. Who knew what she was thinking right now? Crap crap crap crap crap crap. Just calm down, it’s not as if you really DID stalk her.

"From those, name meaning books and sites. I used to go through those out of boredom or to discover new names or meanings of names I liked…. I know alot of things like that." He said it calmly, but his tone was almost laced with apology for having caused ANY level of a panic within her.

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Do you honestly believe that? He just happens to like the name Dorothy and Gale? Likely story, Dorothy Gale. The woman speaking from behind her had a point. Even if Jack's story was accurate, what was the likelihood that he'd like both names. 

She could hear the apology in his voice, but she could also hear her mind ticking. Her mind seemed to be analyzing him, and using Glinda's words as truth. She took a deep breath. Test him. "What?" Dorothy shook her head slightly, ready to turn around when the woman spoke again. Test him. Ask him. "Um..." her fingers curled tightly around the binding of the book. "What other names... What are your... What names do you like?"

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[myoldbonyself]

"No! No no no no no no no. Not at all." Jack protested, trying to comfort her. "The name’s been in my family for… ever but yes coincidentally I DO live up to it cuz I look like a skeleton…….  AM a skeleton. I love that."

She sure was a polite little thing. Scared to offend him to the point of being quiet when she thought she might. Quite the opposite of those he’d grown up around.

"Your name suits you too. God’s Lively/Joyful Gift. Dorothy Gale. It’s beautiful." He smiled, hoping his kind words and light tone would let her know he was completely 100% un-offended.

In all truth, he was thrilled. She was probably the first to ever say it aloud here. Did other people even NOTICE the coincidence? Maybe they had the same fears she did, not wanting to say it out loud.

[dorothys-notcrazy]

She glanced back at him when he began protesting, her eyes wide with both concern and interest. She wanted to ask more about his name, where it came from and where he was from. But she simply nodded, choosing to save her questions for later, deciding that she had already bothered him enough for the time being. The 'AM a skeleton' remark encouraged Dorothy to take a good look at Jack Skellington. He didn't look like a skeleton. The make-up might have suggested otherwise, but he still had skin on his body. Maybe he just meant 'skeleton' as in under his skin. 

"How... did you know that?" she asked, cocking her head slightly. "The meanings of my name, I mean." She attempted to smile despite the nerves fluttering in her stomach. She knew the smile hadn't appeared on her face right, why would it? When she was certain he had been following her. How else would he have known the meaning of her name? It made perfect sense, he would have followed her, discovered her name and looked it up only to present it now and reveal the truth to her. Or maybe he had been following her for years, maybe that was the reason she was at the asylum. Maybe he had followed her from Oz, tricked her Aunt and Uncle into thinking she was insane and sent her here? That's right, Dorothy Gale. Look at him, he'd blend right in. Dorothy took three measured steps back and clutched her book to her chest, ready to run if he came at her. 

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[myoldbonyself]

"If you insist, miss." Jack replied with a polite smile.

Jack caught sight of the book. Just a small stretch aaaaaaaaand…. “Got it.”

He hopped down off he rung and turned to her with the book. “Here we are.” He said, adding a smile. 

"Oh, I’ve forgotten to introduce myself. I’m Jack. Jack Skellington." He offered his cold, bony hand forward.

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Dorothy looked up at him and gave him a slightly smile, happily taking the book from his grasp. "Thank you, Sir" she said, looking down at the cover of the small book. 

She glanced up when she heard him speak again and hesitated only a moment before pressing her smaller hand into his. "Dorothy Gale." She pulled back a moment later, but kept her eyes on him. "Skellington?" she asked. "It matches your..." she stopped in the middle of her sentence, a sharp pang of nerves hitting her square in the chest. "I didn't mean... I just... The way... Your..." She fought for the correct words, taking breaths with each pause. "Sorry," she finally said again, giving him an apologetic look before clasping the book to her chest and turning to face the shelves. 

[dorothys-notcrazy]

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore / Open

[thefixerupper-deactivated201410]

The steps she takes away from him are anything but subtle, but he pretends not to notice. He avoids looking at her directly, instead to turns toward the bookshelf and runs his fingers across the spines as she had been doing earlier, pretending to the read the titles. It was so silent, you could hear a pin drop and for a moment he considered slipping away and retreating back into his darkened corner, not only for his sake, but for hers too. He really wished he’d been able to avoid her altogether, stuff like this always happened when he met a new patient.

Then she decided to introduce herself, he looks toward her for a brief moment, taking in her forced smile and outstretched hand. “It’s nice to meet you Dorothy.” He said in response, taking a few short strides toward her so that his hand meets hers for a handshake, brief enough to keep them both for getting too uncomfortable. “I’m Kristoff.”

His gaze traveled to the book in her hands and he smiled. “Old books are my favorite.” He replied. Of course it wasn’t the contents that appealed to him since he couldn’t read. The covers and the illustrations in old books were always so much more interesting. They always so looked so delicate and important. “You should let me know if you like it.” He said, with a shrug of his shoulders. “Maybe, I’ll read it after you’re finished.” 

[dorothys-notcrazy]

Dorothy refuses to take her eyes off the man in front of her. She had learned in Oz to never look away from a possible threat, you never know what they could do when your head is turned. She watched him touch the bindings of the books, her eyes watching his finger as it passed from title to title, touching story after story. It was like his finger was taking a trip through a story village, and knocking on every door along the way without actually taking a step inside. She finally dropped her gaze after a moment. She couldn’t decide if she liked his company or not. There was something about him that both interested her and made her want to back away slowly. He himself didn’t seem like much of a threat but neither had that field of poppys.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said, pulling her hand back a little too soon. Her hand found it’s place gripping the book again, and she presented Kristoff with a small, genuine smile. “It’s the smell that gets me,” she answered softly, thumbing through the pages to release the smell. The smell of the old book itself wafting up to her nostrils, she felt the old pages of the book flipping by softly on the pad of her thumb. “I will,” she paused for a moment, pressing the book back against her chest. She stayed silent for a short moment, looking down and not at the man in front her. “What’s your favorite book?” she asked suddenly. “Sorry,” she whispered, stepping back again. She briefly considered just turning and leaving him here, he had obviously been here before she was. It seemed that she was stepping into where he had made himself comfortable.