Drabble #21: A Most Unusual Development

[redwolf]

Digging up an old challenge from Livejournal:

This time I'd like to see you write a story that features an unexpected development or a suprising twist. I'm going to leave it quite open as to what this development could be, but let me just say the wilder the idea the better! The main purpose of the challenge is to try and get people to avoid the familiar tropes and cliches associated with the fandom - let your imaginations loose. So you could have Sarah become a ninja and join an order fighting malovelant supernatural forces, or Jareth could somehow end up as a down-and-out stalking through the streets of New York. In effect, take a character or setting from Labyrinth and do something different with it.

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

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. Authors generally write for love.)

Comments

Bathos

[redwolf]

Word count: 500
Drabble:

Jareth appeared in the room and Sarah had a brief moment of disappointment that he’d changed out of his full armour in transit, before she noticed that the guardians who had returned with him looked annoyed, Rook moreso.

Jareth grabbed Rook in a side hug and they shared a few quiet words before he kissed her on the forehead and told her to fuck off. They grinned broadly at each other and Rook gave him a playful shove as she walked off to join the rest of the guardians.

Sarah may have been used to the way they spoke to each other with deep affection, but their profanity still grated like fingernails on a blackboard.

“Rook seems displeased,” Sarah commented as she nodded to the woman on the other side of the room who now looked slightly less stabby.

“She’s frustrated that our arrival was curtailed.” Jareth pulled Sarah into his arms. “The moment our guests demanded to run the Labyrinth, we were bound by the rules.”

Sarah pulled back to look Jareth in the eyes. “They didn’t use their right words.”

He flashed her a grin of sharply pointed teeth before dropping into a chair and hauling her onto his lap. “No, my love, they most certainly did not.”

“Oh dear, how unfortunate.” Sarah deadpanned.

What had initially been the prospect of a war had been repeatedly downgraded until it ended up in a disappointing anticlimax. Their latest runners had neglected to specify the reason they were running, so even in the highly unlikely outcome that they managed to make it to the castle in time, they would still belong to the Goblin Kingdom. As it stood, Sarah suspected that they would still be standing outside the walls at the end of their run having failed to gain entry.

“What shall we do with them? And don’t suggest bogging them.” Sarah fondly tapped Jareth on the nose, following the action up with a kiss.

“We could strip them of the little powers they have and send them Above.” Jareth suggested as he distracted himself with a thorough inspection of Sarah's neck in a series of gentle nips.

Sarah shook her head. “That’s possibly the one punishment they’re eminently suited for.”

Jareth leaned back to look her in the eye. “How so?”

“By human standards they will be viewed as highly attractive.” Sarah carded her fingers through Jareth’s hair, smiling as he started humming in appreciation. “Even with no magic at their disposal, the first thing they’ll do is what they’ve done all their lives Underground and find someone to support them while they continue to waste their potential. They’ll attach themselves to some unlucky human like a parasite and bleed them dry before moving on.”

“They will have learned nothing.” Jareth finished. “As it’s unlikely they’ll enter the Labyrinth to learn from the experience, it seems that we now have thirteen hours to come up with a suitable punishment and and opportunity for education to suit our newest citizens.”