Drabble #88: While You Were Sleeping

[jalenstrix]

...we had a quieter response to the drabble prompt of Drabble 87, with an entry by me (your intrepid drabble proposer jalenstrix).



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

While You Were Sleeping

What exactly went on? Who was out of it at the time and why? Tell us all about it labyfic-style!




Given our entries from recent months, let's continue with the suggested limit for this month 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
Drabble: $your_beautiful_drabble



I'll aim to get the next drabble challenge out on the first Friday of next month (February 7).

I'm also very happy to take suggestions if something in particular strikes your fancy -- comment on this post or PM me with your suggestions. You can see our current collected suggestions here.


Remember: Feedback is LOVE. So do reply to your fellow labyficcers' drabbles if so inclined. (Though be careful of concrit unless specifically okayed by the author beforehand.)

Comments

[jalenstrix]

Word count: 273
Drabble:

I blinked groggily at the sunshine streaming through the window. It was a remarkably dust-free, sparklingly clean window. This caused me to blink again, harder, turn my head, and survey the rest of the throne room. I then sat up on the velvet chaise lounge I’d crashed in (no longer smelling of things best unmentioned) and looked at Jareth. “Exactly how long was I asleep?”

“Not long. A few hours.” He looked particularly pleased with himself. I could tell by the way his eyes glittered just so. This was the glitter of Ha, you didn’t think I had this in me, did you?

Best to indulge him if I wanted answers. I shook my head slowly. “How...?”

“What, because you know I won’t clean?”

“I wasn’t going to say it. But you’re more of a delegator, honey. Comes of being royalty, I’m sure.” I inhaled the scent of lemon verbena from Karen’s favorite cleanser. Aha. A clue. “Did you set Karen on this?”

“After I showed her a timeturner charm. She’s been happy as a clam for weeks, from her perspective.”

“Incredible. You found a way to both appease my stepmother and get this castle sorted out.”

“As you said, my dear, delegation. Comes of being royalty.”

“I knew there was a reason I agreed to marry you.”

“Hopefully more than one.”

“You’re telling me Faerie monarchs have multiple skills? Inconceivable.”

He traced a finger down my neck, his eyes glittering now with something hungry and very male. “Perhaps a demonstration is in order. To remind you.”

“I vigorously support this plan.”

“I’ll show you vigorous.”

I grinned up at him. “Please do.”

Impediment

[redwolf]

Word count: 500
Drabble:

Sarah curled up in the window seat of the guest room, closed her eyes in concentration to summon a crystal and thought of Jareth.

As she looked into its depths, it took her a moment to realise that the darkness she could see was her bedroom that was only lit by a banked fire, with a pair of large wolves curled up on the hearth rug. Frowning when she couldn’t see Jareth, she called his name again. The lighter of the two wolves slowly unfurled and lazily half rolled away from the fire to deposit a barn owl on the rug that quickly resolved into her husband, who was now sitting cross legged, shirtless and holding a crystal of his own.

“Sarah.” Jareth enunciated slowly with a delighted smile that showed his sharp teeth. Behind him, Sarah could see the wolf continue its roll to curl around Jareth’s back before placing its head in his lap. The darker wolf repositioned itself to use the first wolf as a pillow and they both settled down with an audible huff. “How are you?”

“About as exhausted as you look.” Sarah frowned in concern at the shadows under his eyes. “How did negotiations go?”

Jareth grimaced. “I’m still uncertain if I’m expected to mediate a solution to their squabbles or if it was hoped that I would snap and bog both parties.” Sarah felt for him, she smiled sadly as he idly scratched the ears of the wolf in his lap, pleased that Rook and Bishop were with him. After her own recent unpleasantness, she’d found the company of wolves surprisingly comforting, even if she was mostly still baffled by their human counterparts.

“I am pleased I was able to excuse you from the duty.” So was Sarah, as annoying as some of her extended family Above could be, they were child's play in comparison. He sighed dramatically before brightening. “Tell me, my love, how is the family?”

“I think my father may be planning to adopt Gan.”

“Usurped already?”

Sarah shook her head. “You’re probably safe, but I might be in trouble.”

Jareth laughed. “As fond as I am of Gan, I’d much rather have you warming my bed.”

As Sarah caught Jareth up, she had to dissuade him from immediately bogging her more rapacious relatives until they escalated their behaviour, but they did find common ground on a little education by goblin being in order.

It was when she raised the prospect of making Irene’s anonymous work with a local charity an ongoing proposition that Jareth also saw the potential. “I can set a trust up and she could administer it, but might I suggest she keeps that quiet and plays the assistant card to vet the executives of any businesses she has personal contact with.” He blinked at Sarah’s sudden laughter.

Sarah made a waving motion to indicate she wasn’t laughing at him. “She’ll love it, I just can’t wait to tell her she’s going to be the door bitch.”