Drabble #150: Squeeze

[redwolf]

...we had a nice response to the drabble prompt of Drabble 149, with entries by redwolf.

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

Squeeze

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.

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. Authors generally write for love.)

Comments

Squeeze

[redwolf]

Word count: 500

Sarah had quickly learned that if she didn’t order ahead of time she would end up standing at the counter in a puddle of her own drool as she struggled to make up her mind over what to purchase. It was not unlike the first time she wandered into a Turkish patisserie and discovered that baklava covered a far broader range of deliciousness than she had initially assumed. Smiling at the memory, she added the date filled shortbread to her list.

With her purchase finalised, she handed off the parcels to Bishop and stepped out into the bustle of the market, her fingers fondly touching an owl embedded in the bakery’s entrance as she passed. Her thoughts of Jareth were rudely interrupted by a commotion coming from a nearby stall.

Sarah could see the back of a very tall man with the overly broad shoulders and lack of neck prevalent in someone excessively fond of the gym. She realised this was an Above comparison and that he was likely to be human, but she couldn’t tell more from her vantage, aside from the customer definitely using his bulk to loom over the stall holder.

With a start she realised that it was Doug’s stall and she wondered how to manage to attract terrible customers. Perhaps it was just that he had such an air of fragility that they saw him as vulnerable to intimidation. Shaking away the thought, she summoned a crystal to call for Rook assistance, when a sharp voice rang out.

“How dare you threaten my father. Your mother’s order was negotiated for twice that sum and if you don’t pay in full immediately, we will cancel it, void her contract and inform all of her suppliers of this breach.”

The looming figure visibly shrunk at both the tone and the threat to call his mother and as he shuffled aside, Sarah could see Ada glaring at the man, her amber eyes seeming to glow. The girl had to have been standing on a box to make it easier for her to serve customers, but Sarah could well believe she would have looked just as adamant regardless. It certainly didn’t hurt her argument that George stood at her side, growling menacingly and staring at the customer with the same unusual eyes as the girl.

The large, probably not a gym junkie shaped creature quickly handed over payment and shuffled off with his goods before Ada made good on her threat to call his mother. The moment he was out of sight, Ada turned and flung herself into Doug’s arms.

Sarah had seen Doug break down in the past, but the sight of him holding Ada in one arm, while stroking the head of the young wolf who leaned against his leg made her heart clench at how well they had acclimated to being a family.

She decided to leave them in peace, but would be certain to let Jareth and Rook know how well the placement was working.