labyfic | Drabble #183: Whirlwind

...we had a nice response to my last posted drabble prompt of Drabble 178, with entries by

apachefirecat, and commenting by both of them as well. Huzzah!

As always, special labyfic love to

redwolf for adding entries and comments for several previous drabble prompts. You are the very best ever!

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

Whirlwind

What's all a-whirl (or who)? Why? How? Is someone sowing a whirlwind, reaping one, or perhaps both? 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
$your_beautiful_drabble

I'll aim to get my next drabble challenge out on the first Tuesday of next month (Dec 3).

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. Authors generally write for love.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Word Count: 500

It was past noon when Sarah finally managed to drag herself out of bed. The night before had been a whirlwind, and she was thankful it was the weekend. Toby was crying again in the nursery, but her stepmother still took time to glare at her as Sarah all but stumbled into the kitchen.

"Good heavens, you look a mess! I know you weren't out last night, Sarah, but goodness, what did you do?! Robert, look at your daughter!" She waved an imperial hand at Sarah in disgrace before turning and marching from the room, undoubtedly, to go take care of her spoiled baby. Sarah was glad Toby had survived, no matter what he may have cost her, but she still recognized how spoiled the little brat was.

She slumped into her chair. Her father noisily rattled his newspaper, a clear sign that he was disturbed by her appearance but would not speak to her. After all, his new wife wasn't in the room, so why waste his time and energy actually talking to his elder child? Sarah glowered again. She was in no mood to be disrespected... But then wasn't she always disrespected?

She had not been disrespected last night, but the events she seemed to remember so avidly could not possibly have been real. She could admit that, now that the cobwebs were clearing from her mind. Yet, if last night's adventure had not been real, why was she so tired now? She had never slept this late before! She also still hurt all over, especially her legs.

"Sarah," her father actually broke the silence, loudly turning to a different section in his paper, "what is that song you're humming?"

"Hm? Oh, am I humming?" What was she humming? She hummed a few more notes, and remembered the feeling of waltzing in strong and gentle arms. Her cheeks burned at the memory of laughter as well, but when they had been alone in his castle, she had certainly not felt the King laughing at her. He had been threatening, yes, but he had also been... Lonely? She closed her eyes and tried hard to think back, to shift through reality and the essence of this dream that felt so real as it continued to hang on to her in the light of day.

"Do stop. It's annoying. If you must hum, hum something sensible."

Sarah's eyes flashed open. She happened to be looking at the solitary window and was just in time to see a great, white bird take flight. Rushing to the window, she confirmed that it was indeed an owl as it flew away.

"What is wrong with you this morning?"

Turning, she caught sight of a bowl of fruit on the table and plucked a peach from it.

"Nothing." She bit into the peach. Nothing that a dream turning real cannot fix! Biting again into the peach's tender flesh, she made her way back to her room, where she let herself hum and dream.

The End

Sarah is having a rough morning after 🦊🧡

Drabble #183: Whirlwind

Morning After

Re: Morning After