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labyfic2020-02-07 12:01 am
jalenstrix) wrote in labyfic2020-02-07 12:01 am
Drabble #89: Lost and Found
...we had a quieter response to the drabble prompt of Drabble 88, with an entry by me (your intrepid drabble proposer
jalenstrix).For this prompt, we continue with our one-word/phrase drabble roots:
Lost and Found
Who or what was lost? When or how were they found? Were there consequences? 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 (March 6).
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.)
no subject
Drabble:
I surveyed the utter disaster of the room — there were blankets and toys strewn everywhere, stains on every visible inch of fabric, and one very hollow-eyed goblin king standing in the center, bouncing an extraordinarily overwrought baby against his shoulder. I sighed. “You look like a truck ran over you. I thought you had experience with little ones.”
Jareth glared. “For thirteen hours at a time.”
“It was just two days. You said you could handle it.”
“You said our son was sweet most of the time. Clearly, we both lied.”
“He’s incredibly sweet.”
“I’m sure he is when he can find his ‘lovey’. What, pray tell, is that?”
“Ah.”
“Ah, indeed.”
“I take it Feanor wasn’t able to tell you.”
“In between the sobbing gasps of uncontrolled crying, sadly no.”
I reached into my bag to pull out a plush goblin toy with glittery hair. Feanor’s eyes lit up. “I always carry an extra with me, since the Tale of the Lost Lovey occurs a lot. Honestly, I suspect your subjects of making off with them. They are remarkably shiny.” I waved the toy in front of Feanor. “Luckily, the Tale of the Found Lovey also occurs a lot, usually shortly thereafter.”
Jareth watched in silent disbelief as Feanor grabbed the toy, sighed happily, and collapsed sleepily against Jareth’s shoulder. Weary crystalline eyes flicked from Feanor to me. “This is the first time he’s been calm in 36 hours. 36 hours, Sarah.”
“He does have remarkable stamina.”
He glared at me. “You could have left spare lovies when you dropped him off.”
“I really did forget. It wasn’t on purpose.”
“I’ll have my revenge.”
“I’m sure. Are you still up for watching him next weekend?”
Jareth’s shoulders slumped as Feanor gurgled happily. Jareth ran a hand down his son’s back. “Fine. But I want fair payment. Beforehand.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“From my mortal paramour? Three guesses.”
“Ooh, I love it when you talk Faerie bargain jargon with me. So sexy. Especially with baby drool on your shoulder.”
“Cruel woman.”
“Learned from the best. Here, put that adorable sleeping boy down for a nap and let me show you some appreciation. From a mortal paramour to her bedraggled Faerie paramour.”
“I am not bedraggled.”
“Check a mirror, honey. But I love you anyway. With the full body massage love.”
His lips twitched up in a smile as he laid Feanor down. “You do know just the right things to say.”
“Lots of practice. Now come lie down over here and relax.” I ran a hand along his arm, pulling him onto the velvet couch.
“What if relaxation via massage isn’t exactly what I had in mind?”
I glanced at Feanor, letting my fingernails lightly drag against Jareth’s skin. “Then I suggest we go to a different room and discuss more thoroughly what you did have in mind.”
There was heat in his eyes and a wolf in his smile. “After you, my love.”
no subject
Bothersome
Drabble:
Sarah was helping with the cleanup when she asked Irene if she’d be interested in performing her stealth charitable activities in an ongoing capacity. Her stepmother made a noise that Sarah was fairly certain could only be heard by dogs.
On learning that she’d be in charge of everything but her name wouldn’t be on the door, she looked confused until Sarah explained that as the gatekeeper she would have the opportunity to vet applicants from a perceived powerless position.
“I imagine being in charge would attract some attention.” Irene tapped her finger against her chin.
Sarah chuckled fondly. “It’s not like you haven’t been on the receiving end of Jareth’s charm.”
“Jareth is a darling and anyone with eyes can see he thinks you hang the moon, dear.” Irene waved the idea away. “I was thinking more of Harry Blair, an odious little man who was always wheedling your father into dinner invitations.”
“I don’t remember him.” Her father’s clients were occasional dinner guests throughout her childhood.
“For good reason.” Irene shuddered. “He is one of the most polite people I have ever met, yet he always made my skin crawl. Whenever he was here, you and Toby were at your grandmother’s. There is no way I was letting that man in the house with my children present.”
Sarah blinked at the levels of stabbiness coming from her stepmother.
“And then he just vanished as a client around your last year of school.”
“It could be a coincidence, but there was a student transferred from out of state that year.” Sarah frowned as she dredged up old school drama she hadn’t thought about in years. “She was very vocal about an incident at her previous school. A man who wasn’t a child’s parent started doing the school run. Maybe he gave the soccer moms the same willies, because they called the police on him and it turns out he was a paedophile. The police tackled him in full view of half the student body.” Sarah looked up from her recollection. “She made sure we knew his name was Harold Blair.”
Irene’s eyes widened in shock. “I know he felt like a creep, but it couldn’t be the same man.” She grabbed her phone and ran a search, before sitting down hard on one of the kitchen chairs. “Oh my god! That’s him.” She turned the screen to Sarah.
“Your mothering skills are on point.” Irene looked up in shock as Sarah handed her a brandy that she downed in one gulp. “Those instincts will put you in fine stead for spotting sleazes in your new venture.” She sat beside the woman. “You’ll also have the contacts and full support of our other businesses to help you and, if things get in any way confrontational, Gan and Eero have volunteered to assist you.”
Irene gave a strangled giggle. “Don’t let your father know about that or he’ll concoct an incident just to have someone to watch televised golf events with.”
no subject
Re: Bothersome
Re: Bothersome