Drabble #197: Fierce

[redwolf]

...we had a nice response to the drabble prompt of Drabble 196, with entries by apachefirecat and redwolf, and comments by apachefirecat, jalenstrix and redwolf

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

Fierce

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

Fierce

[redwolf]

Word count: 500

Sarah waited until the door to the meeting room closed before reactivating the room’s privacy magicks.

“Some of the gloss came off that report,” Bishop tilted his chair back and put his feet up on the table.

“That was the point of the exercise,” Sarah sighed as she produced a scrying crystal with a flick of her wrist that contained further evidence. Jareth had helpfully crafted the device she was using, which was for the best when her own attempts had left a sizable gap in an ornamental hedge.

If it wasn’t for the woman’s obsequiousness immediately rubbing her the wrong way, Sarah was concerned she would have missed other red flags. On paper the woman seemed a good fit as a team leader and she certainly presented well, but all of her reporting was suspicious due to a tone that framed the work as a solo effort when Sarah knew the woman had the backing of a team.

“Her arrogance to imply that she wrote that report was astounding.” Bishop had been amused to watch the woman struggling to respond to deeper questions that should have been easy to answer if she had actually been the author of the presentation.

“I am not fond of people who steal the credit for the hard work of others.” Sarah ground her teeth in annoyance as she examined the crystal in her hand that had been use the monitor the woman’s recent interactions with her team. “I really shouldn’t have been surprised to learn she’s been bullying her staff.”

Bishop shrugged. “They do seem to be narcissistic traits that go together. Although, from what we’ve learned from your observations.” He nodded at the crystal. “It looks like she weaponises incompetence to get others to do her work and then presents it as her own.”

“That’s bad enough,” Sarah agreed. “But the screaming tantrum she threw when I asked for something on a tighter time frame was disturbing. I would have to assume this is a common occurrence based on the high turnover of people who’ve worked with her.”

“I’m concerned that no one has complained about her behaviour.”

Sarah nodded thoughtfully. “So am I and I wonder if she’s been threatening people.”

“What do you plan to do about her?” Bishop raised an elegant eyebrow.

“Jareth suggested a solution that should work,” Sarah grinned in a manner that did not bode well for others. “I’ll be demoting this woman and replacing her as team leader, but that role needs someone with a suitable background in the area, prior experience in leadership and an ability to stand up to threats of intimidation.”

“I am assuming Jareth’s suggestion will be able to handle a narcissist having a meltdown.”

“Considering that they’re a dragon shifter, I would hope so, but seeing the woman end up a steaming pile of ash when she attempts to reassert her nonexistent authority on her new team leader may bring a smile to the faces of those she’s been torturing.”

Re: Fierce

[apachefirecat]

Love your idea here, and I continue to enjoy the uniqueness of this vast 'verse you've built for them! <3

Also, I'm pretty sure every one of us has had the misfortune to have to deal with a woman (or man) as is discussed here!

Re: Fierce

[redwolf]

It would be so cathartic to have your bully reduced to a nasty stain on the rug. 🦊🧡

Re: Fierce

[apachefirecat]

Absolutely! <3