Drabble #112: Quiet
Friday, 7 January 2022 06:10![[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 111, with an entry by me (your intrepid drabble proposer
jalenstrix). For this prompt, we continue with our one-word/phrase drabble roots:
Quiet
Is it a peaceful sort of quiet or a tense one? Is it the quiet before some kind of hubbub, or perhaps after? Does someone need to quiet down? (And if so, who riled them up in the first place and how?) 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 (February 4).
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
2022-01-30 14:42 (UTC)Drabble:
I breathed a sigh of relief as I collapsed onto the couch. Feanor was asleep at last — or at least enough on his way in the darkened nursery not to raise an extended fuss when I tiptoed out.
“It really is astonishing how much commotion one small boy can generate.” Jareth lounged next to me, firelight dancing on the sharp lines of his profile as his long legs splayed gracefully out. You’d never know how weary he was, honestly.
My lips twitched in a half-smile as I closed my eyes. “Especially when all your normal goblin nannies are otherwise occupied for the day?”
“Particularly then.”
I opened one eye, surveying the lean length of Goblin King sprawled next to me. “You know, since Feanor’s now asleep and the goblins are still away…”
His gaze flicked towards me.
I traced my foot along his calf. “Privacy. What a precious commodity for parents of young children, hmmm? Especially parents who also happen to run a goblin kingdom. We should carpe diem.”
His eyes flashed with some unnameable mix of interest, irritation, and incredulity. “How is it you have any energy left at all?”
My mouth curled up in a sly expression I’d learned from him. “I’m highly motivated. You continue to be one fine-looking Faerie lord, and private time like this is more scarce than unicorn fingernails these days.”
His quiet laughter edged into the room like an autumn gust, sharp and invigorating. “Unicorns don’t have fingers, silly girl.“
“Mmm. Guess that makes unicorn fingernails pretty darned scarce then.”
“Indeed.”
“So, carpe diem?” I trailed a finger along his jawline, gently scratching with the nail.
He caught my finger and nipped at it. “Carpe diem, love.”
no subject
2022-05-10 22:05 (UTC)no subject
2022-05-30 22:01 (UTC)Evaluation
2022-05-10 22:04 (UTC)Drabble:
Sarah sighed inwardly while maintaining her outward calm. She glanced at Jareth who had a stupid goblin grin plastered all over his face. It was a smile that was all sharp teeth and very much the look of a predator. It absolutely did not make her want to shove him onto the nearest flat surface and straddle his stupid tight breeches. She side eyed him in passing and noted that his grin was showing even more teeth, because of course he could smell her frustration and arousal.
Brushing her hands down her skirts to settle herself, Sarah strode regally into the room to judge the entrants.
She could admit to herself that it was her own fault that she was in this situation, but she never expected a throw away comment about county fairs to have proven so enthralling. Her childhood memories of attendance were mostly about weird food, carnival games and rides seemed designed to separate the riders from their weird food.
A junior school trip had shown her the agricultural side of the fairs with petting zoos of baby farm animals, produce displays and livestock judging. She hadn’t thought about it in years, but had done her best to recall the details to an audience of unexpectedly rapt goblins, who had met her tale with oohs and aahs and surprisingly astute queries. She was now kicking herself that an afternoon’s respite came with a cost.
Sarah hadn’t been too surprised to learn that the goblins had readily taken to the concept of fried food on a stick. She was however a little astonished that they’d managed to successfully pull off deep fried goblin ale. Somewhere Above there was a Texan kicking themselves for not coming up with that culinary improbability.
The cotton candy had been a predictable disaster. The only upside being that the clean up had attracted so many eager helpers that the area was quickly cleansed of the sugary residue. Clean being a relative term if you objected to goblin saliva.
With a gracious smile Sarah scrutinised each of what appeared to be identical black chickens, asking their proud owners for details. It was a good thing that the goblins had managed to misinterpret her description of livestock judging with Above beauty contests, as her decision on a winner was going to be based on the chicken wearing the most elaborate costume that still allowed it freedom of movement.
As Sarah announced the winners, Jareth appeared at her side, handing her a selection of small medals.
“This is ridiculous.” Sarah ensured the winner’s headdress wasn’t tangled in the ribbon as she carefully placed it around the bird’s neck.
“Perhaps.” Jareth’s breath ghosted her ear. “But your subjects love you and have been better behaved than I would have credited.” He nodded towards a cluster of conferring goblins. “Although I daresay that lot would also like a prize.”
Turning her head to look into his eyes, Sarah mimicked his goblin grin. “That, my love, is your problem.”
Re: Evaluation
2022-05-30 22:02 (UTC)Re: Evaluation
2022-05-30 22:26 (UTC)Re: Evaluation
2022-06-01 19:57 (UTC)