Drabble #220: Stretch

[redwolf]

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

Stretch

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

Design

[redwolf]

Word count: 500

Sarah did not expect to find the pillow pit in the castle’s library floor. Although she had to admit that it was in keeping with the aesthetics, unlike the incongruity of the bean bags she’d walked in on in the past.

“Do I want to know what’s going on?” Bishop asked as he entered the room.

Jareth and Rook were ensconced amongst the pillows in a tangle of limbs where they were doodling on each other with the wild abandon of sugared up toddlers given unsupervised access to permanent markers.

Sarah had just come from their studio, hoping to meet Jareth there. She had found it empty, with all of the mobile benches in the painting area having been pushed aside to make room for the three large canvases lying on the floor. While she didn’t have an appreciation for abstract art, it was obvious they were a related series and each painting had a distinct vibe.

“I’m guessing they finished a commission. I saw three paintings drying on the floor. They’re not unpleasant to look at, but they have a real gut punch feel of greed, infidelity and corruption. I don’t know if that’s by design or magic.”

Bishop nodded. “That would be the triptych commission for the oligarch and it sounds like they’ve been tailored to the client nicely.” He chuckled as he took a seat. “I believe they’re intended to be installed as lobby art. The notes from the gallery state that he’s an insufferably rude, little man who tries to make up for his copious insecurities and shortcomings by being shouty and offensive.”

It was never a bright idea to belittle others, but when your target was not human and could break you like a twig, the consequences could prove fatal. Once the transaction was finalised, Sarah was certain that the retaliation was going to be more nuanced than merely spitting in his coffee. As if tanking his business with screaming warning signs wasn’t enough punishment for poor behaviour, there was a magic wielding individual with a grudge who had taken a personal interest in the man.

“Make it more liquid.” Rook had a leg across Jareth’s lap and was dragging his fingers across her calf, spreading a splash of green through the blue.

Jareth huffed. “We’re not working with ink, it won’t work in a heavy medium.” He manipulated the colours running under the skin of her leg.

Sarah’s eyes lit up and she waded into the pit, reaching for the closed unmarked limb and holding Rook’s arm above the soft furnishings. “Can you run rows of dots around her arm, please?” Jareth obliged as Rook watched in patient fascination. “Now if you could just,” she made a twisting motion. Reaching back to Bishop with a wide grin, she pointed at the pattern that looked like a hole disappeared inside of Rook’s forearm. “This is the optical illusion I was trying to figure out. Can I borrow your arms to work out a spiral design?”