Drabble #137: Noisy

[redwolf]

...we had a nice response to the drabble prompt of Drabble 136, with entries by redwolf.

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

Noisy

Noisy describes a situation characterised by a high level of sound, often in a disruptive or unpleasant manner. It can refer to a chaotic environment where sounds compete for attention, potentially causing discomfort or hindering communication. Tell us all about it. Labyfic-style, of course.

Given our entries from recent months, let's continue with the suggested limit 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
$your_beautiful_drabble

I'll be running weekly challenges in the space around jalenstrix's monthly challenges.

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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

Groan

[redwolf]

Word count: 500

Sarah’s search for Jareth led her to a crystal on a desk that gave her distinct Alice vibes. Taking a deep breath, she picked it up and found herself standing in a city Above.

She could see that most shops were closed, but the restaurants and bars were generating a fair amount of foot traffic. A point driven home when a pair of giggling women in vertigo inducing heels tottered through Sarah.

“Your better half has arrived, mate.” Sarah turned at Rook’s quiet announcement. Both her and Jareth wore an Above approximation of their usual attire, aside from loose shirts that looked a little the worse for wear.

Jareth caught her eye in the window. “You’ll be able to see and hear everything, love, but you can’t interact with us.” Sarah wondered how he knew where she was standing. “Think of it as your personal pantomime.”

“Our quarry’s at the end of the block.” Sarah spotted a group of young men staring in rapt fascination at a closed jewellery store, the window empty of all bar display stands.

“They were foolish enough to spike our drinks…” Sarah gasped, recalling Jareth’s previous experimentation with adulterated beverages. “...and believe we’re under the influence. Time to reel them in.”

With their arms slung around each other, Jareth and Rook gave a credible impression of drunkenly staggering on their way. With a sigh at their dramatics, Sarah turned to follow and frowned as they were no longer in sight.

She jogged ahead and found them in an alley, where Jareth was pressing Rook into the wall, looking very much like a couple engaged in a tryst.

“Don’t think they saw us.” Rook looked towards the street. “Give us a good groan.”

Jareth pulled back to look at Rook in confusion and she gave him a smile full of mischief. “Your favourite gelatissimo has a new french vanilla with chunks of brownie and orange peel.”

Jareth groaned in a manner that really should not have been heard outside the bedroom and Sarah wondered at her husband’s priorities. “The order’s in, along with some of that awful rocky road your missus favours” Sarah let out a groan to rival Jareth’s and dismissed her previous thought with an indelicate snort.

Sarah’s eyes widened as the sound drew the group of phantom jewellery connoisseurs into the alley. “Look out! Behind you!” She grunted in annoyance at herself as she realised that Jareth couldn’t hear her.

The group started shouting abuse at Jareth and Rook, their tiny brains not quite comprehending that their soft target was sporting surprisingly sharp teeth.

Sarah heard Jareth very clearly say, “Let’s dance,” and gasped, finding herself sitting in a chair with the crystal she’d dropped rocking slightly on the desk in front of her.

Trusting that her husband and his guardian were more than capable of taking care of themselves on their hunting expedition, she turned her thoughts to the more important task of wondering when they’d be back with her ice cream.