Drabble #189: Trail

[redwolf]

...we had a nice response to the drabble prompt of Drabble 188, with entries by apachefirecat and redwolf and comments by apachefirecat and redwolf

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

Trail

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

Curlicue

[redwolf]

Sarah had initially dismissed the sock wearing goblin when they’d first crossed paths, but as they seemed to be stumbling over each often enough times that it was unlikely to be a circumstance of chance, she finally gave into curiosity.

“Kingy borrow.” Sarah frowned at the goblin’s answer, which did little to enlighten her. It took her several minutes of trying to rephrase her query in a manner that made sense to both parties. Although she didn’t think the elaborate game of charades that had accompanied their discussion had actually helped.

Sarah had managed to determine that Jareth had borrowed the goblin’s helmet and that Rook had provided the sock he was currently wearing as a placeholder. The logic of how the goblin understood the concept of a placeholder, but could only convey the reason for the temporary trade as pretty, was baffling to Sarah.

She was about to question the goblin further when several others arrived to admire the sock and the discussion devolved beyond all sense.

With a sigh, Sarah placed her hand against the wall and asked the Labyrinth for Jareth’s location. Not being too surprised to learn he was in his studio, she headed in his direction.

When Sarah entered the studio she found Jareth and Rook working together, which was not unusual. What was unexpected was that their canvas was the goblin’s missing helmet.

She watched as they worked on opposite sides of the helmet, mirroring each other’s movements as they painted elaborate pinstripes and curlicues across the surface. As motorcycle tanks were thin on the ground locally, their choice of a different canvas suddenly made sense. It was metal and relatively smooth, even if it was a kitchenware item of dubious provenance that had been fashioned into headwear.

Sarah wasn’t certain if they had discussed their design plans before commencing, but they both finished with neat flourishes and stood back to examine their work. Provided you ignored the object itself, the artwork was gorgeous, with complex pinstriped details in a gradient of purples through yellows that evoked a fire motif.

With a grin, Jareth snapped his fingers and a flash of glitter cascaded over the helmet. “Enamel takes forever to dry,” he explained in response to a queried look, then held out a hand. “Join us?”

Sarah took Jareth’s hand and the three of them materialised in a hallway. The sock wearing goblin came scampering over, returning the placeholder before accepting its newly decorated helmet with great ceremony.

“Kingy and Puppy made hat flamey.” The little goblin looked delighted, although it did seem to be just as happy about the sock, so Sarah wouldn’t peg it as a discerning art critic. Still, a happy recipient was always appreciated.

While she wasn’t a painter, Sarah could appreciate the artistry involved in the pinstriping and while she didn’t think the technique would work with slip, she wondered if she could get a similar result in ceramics. It certainly gave her ideas she was eager to try.

Re: Curlicue

[apachefirecat]

Love the idea of Jareth painting the Goblin's helmet, or even helmets! :) You could've really started something with this one! ;) LOL

Also, very glad to see someone else has them refer to Jareth as Kingy! ;)

Re: Curlicue

[redwolf]

Jareth gets a suitable canvas and a goblin gets a new shiny, that would be a win-win. 🦊🧡

Re: Curlicue

[apachefirecat]

Absolutely!