Drabble #103: Peace/Piece of Mind
Friday, 2 April 2021 05:32![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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labyfic...we had a quieter response to the drabble prompt of Drabble 102, with an entry by me (your intrepid drabble proposer
jalenstrix).For this prompt, we continue with our one-word/phrase drabble roots:
Peace/Piece of Mind
A potential pun! Who's getting peace of mind? Or who's giving who a piece of their mind? Maybe someone's giving a piece of their mind to get peace of mind? Tell us all about it. Labyfic-style, of course.
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 (May 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.)
no subject
2021-04-28 12:42 (UTC)Drabble:
“I can see the message was unclear.” I held up the note with the words WANTS PEES UV MIND scrawled in bright red crayon by my toddler son.
Jareth’s lips twitched slightly. “One can hardly blame Feanor for recruiting goblin help, though his ultimate spelling leaves something to be desired.”
“I didn’t ask him to send you that message, I’ll have you know.”
“I’m sure. But he’s your son, and he’s clearly inherited some of your unfathomable empathy. He thought you needed help.”
I put my head in my hands briefly. “He’s not wrong, I suppose. I could use some peace of mind.”
Jareth raised a knowing eyebrow. “Or perhaps to give someone a piece of your mind?”
“Or that.”
He leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms thoughtfully. “I could lend you a piece of my mind. It might help you see things more clearly.”
“What, is that like a Vulcan mind meld?”
“Something like. More fun, I’m told.” Secret promises and soft laughter wove through his voice and right down my spine.
I blinked hard. “How did you just make a pseudo-Vulcan mind meld sound sexy?”
“Skills, my dear. Lots of them.”
“Mmmhmm. Maybe you can demonstrate some of those skills after I get this...thing sorted out.”
His smile glittered in the sunlight. “Perhaps I can help with the sorting.”
I sighed and stretched back into my chair. “It’s a thing with my department. I just want to make sure I’m making a reasonable choice as Chair.”
“The travails of leadership, how well do I know them.” He cocked his head to the side. “Let me make it simple: Have you thought about the consequences?”
“The immediate ones, yes. The long term ones...sort of.”
He waved his hand dismissively. “Are there other sources you can consult about consequences you may have overlooked?”
I smiled briefly. “I think I’m currently consulting the only source I haven’t tried.”
He nodded, all business now. “Very good. Do you think it worthwhile to go over specifics with me?”
I thought for a long moment. “Honestly? No. I’ve already thought things through with a little imagined you perched on my shoulder.”
Both his eyebrows raised. “That’s...rather hilarious. At any rate, since you have all the perspective you’re going to obtain about the potential consequences, and you can live with said consequences, then you’re finished. Spend your energy elsewhere.”
I huffed out a soft laugh. “And I didn’t even need a Vulcan mind meld for that.”
“Indeed, no. Going to take my advice?”
“To be decisive, cease my fruitless worrying, and spend my energy elsewhere? Oh...maybe.”
“What would convince you?”
“Maybe some specific ideas on the elsewhere I could spend my energy?”
“My dear, I am more than happy to oblige.”
“I knew there were good reasons I agreed to marry you and bear your children.”
“So very happy to hear it.”
“I love you so much, you know.”
“I know. And I you, Sarah mine.”
no subject
2022-07-26 08:40 (UTC)Circumspect
2022-07-26 08:40 (UTC)Drabble:
While Sarah was raiding the kitchen for dinner she caught up on the castle gossip to discover that she’d lost in the betting pool to Thadie, a tall halfling with a gift for splicing Above and Underground plant life and a talent for guessing how long it took Jareth to find hidden confections.
Laughter and conversation flowed around Sarah, filling her with warmth, as did the company of Bishop who had joined her for dinner.
“So,” Sarah watched as Bishop delicately ate a sugar dusted flaky pastry with an enviable lack of mess. “You want to tell me about what happened at the market today?”
“The stallholder?” Sarah nodded. “Rook stumbled over him Above. He was being tortured at the time and she was displeased.”
Sarah shuddered. “The last time she was displeased, someone was disassembled in the throne room.”
“Quite.”
Sarah recalled the man she’d seen at the market and in the gardens. He had all but vanished into his heavy coat and looked like a strong wind would pose a flight risk. “I know that appearances can be deceiving, but he looked so fragile. How could he be a threat to anyone?”
Bishop shrugged. “Several of his compatriots had been killed by the same people. According to Rook they were the kind of people to have a long reach and there was little chance he could ever return to a normal life. A request for asylum was made to the Labyrinth.”
“An adult wished away?”
“Yes and no. It’s a much longer process than a wish and the Labyrinth decides their fate. If they are accepted, whoever made the request is responsible for them.”
“For how long?”
“Always.”
Sarah wasn’t certain if that meant Rook was loco parentis or sponsor or something else, but it was good to learn that people weren’t just abandoned in the Underground and left to find their own way in their new life. “He has PTSD doesn’t he?” Bishop nodded. “And the hair thing?” When she’d seen him at the market, while his hair had been jewel coloured, in the gardens it was a different hue and his companion had sported the same look.
Bishop wiped his lips delicately with a napkin and set it down by his plate. “It’s a manifestation of his magic. When he recovers from a panic attack his magic flows outwards and that’s the result.”
“It’s very pretty.” Bishop tilted his head in acknowledgement. “And Rook?”
“I believe she takes it personally.”
“It wasn’t her fault. She saved his life.” She met Bishop’s eyes. “She loves him?”
“Of course, but that may not mean what you think it does.” Bishop leaned back in his chair and watched the bustle of the kitchen. “I do know he’s in a relationship with a naiad.”
“It’s complicated?”
“Things aren’t always what they seem.”
Sarah nodded in understanding. “What will Jareth do?”
“He is extremely good at distraction.” Bishop flashed Sarah a Cheshire Cat grin and offered her his arm. “Shall we?”
no subject
2022-08-01 22:39 (UTC)Re: Circumspect
2022-08-01 22:42 (UTC)Re: Circumspect
2022-08-01 22:58 (UTC)