Drabble #70: Sultry

[jalenstrix]

...we again had a quieter response to the drabble prompt of Drabble 69, with entries by the terrific 3iggy and me (your intrepid drabble proposer jalenstrix). We also both happily represented the labyfic collective with our commenting love — huzzah!

Mwah to my labyfic collective, and tally ho!


For this prompt, we continue with our one-word drabble roots, with a word that’s evocative of hot and sweaty times:

Sultry

Metaphorical, literal, it’s hot hot hot! And you just know some good writing times are waiting to be had. Share them, my labyfic collective, share them all.




Given our entries from recent months, let's continue with the 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
Drabble: $your_beautiful_drabble



I'll aim to get the next drabble challenge out on the first Friday of next month (Aug 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.)

Comments

[jalenstrix]

Word count: 499
Drabble:

“Honestly, Sarah, you kind of look…”

“What? C’mon, I need to perfect sultry before the casting call tomorrow.”

“Um...well…”

“Spit it out.”

“Constipated.”

I flushed. “Constipated?”

Eliza threw up her hands. “Look, I don’t know what to tell you. Your current sultry isn’t doing it. Have you tried imagining something that makes you want to project ‘come hither’ instead of ‘my innards pain me’?”

I glared at her.

“Just try it.”

“Fine.” I closed my eyes, and let my thoughts wander sexy-wards. It didn’t take long for them to land where they’d reliably landed since I was fifteen.

I mean, he was a sexy beast of a faerie lord. Those patrician features, lean limbs, and cornsilk hair were easy on the eyes. Now, where to put him….

I let my thoughts run a little more freely than usual, let them reach and stretch...

A Roman-esque bath filled my mind’s eye, marble columns and sculpted arches soaring into the indistinct ceiling, the water a luxurious turquoise. And there he was, lounging half-submerged on shallow steps, distinctly sans clothing.

He smiled. “Don’t you think you should be the one tempting me into these delightful waters if you’re refining your come-hither?”

Imaginary-Jareth had a point there. Unless… “What if my goal is to entice you out?”

“You might want to update your look, unless that hideous t-shirt is meant as a handicap.”

Jesus, even in my daydreams, he was a pain in the ass. “What would you suggest?”

He gestured, and I found myself wrapped in suggestive bits of diaphanous nothing.

“Oooh, fancy.” I raised my arms and twirled. “Shall I unwrap myself for you?”

A masculine light danced in his eyes. “I might suggest you make me unwrap you. But first, you have to get me out of this water. And it’s rather delightful water, as mentioned, so you’ll have to really make me believe you.”

“You are such a royal pain in the ass.”

“Mmm, that pissed-off expression is rather delightful, too. You look like a little hellcat. Not sultry, but enticing in its own way.”

Oh, for fuck’s sake. This wasn’t working at all. I was so out of here.

“Wait.” The word unfurled between us, anchoring in my chest, strumming against lower places. The water splashed gently as he rose from it, and I could see the indistinct light highlighting every glistening contour of him. “Look at me, Sarah.”

And, boy, did I look.

“That’s it!!!” Eliza’s squeal of excitement shattered my vision. “Whatever you were just thinking, that was...Jesus, that was smoking. Can you do it again?”

I blinked, then conjured my nude, wet, softly-lit goblin king commanding me to look at him.

“Oh, yes, Sarah. You got it!” Eliza gave me a quick hug. “You’re gonna kill that casting call tomorrow!”

Oh yes, Sarah. And tonight, we’ll continue our...conversation. The words strummed into me with velvety softness.

No. It couldn’t be.

Velvet laughter echoed in my head. See you later, little hellcat.

[3iggy]

😳😳😳🤯

That’s hot stuff right there! Love the banter and the images. And, it is certainly hot. This girl is ready for fall. I’m all about fall.

[jalenstrix]

Hee hee hee — so glad you enjoyed! I felt myself in need of some sexytimes with my labyfic. ;)

[ghislaine]

I love this! So sensual.

[jalenstrix]

Eeee -- thank you so much!!

[redwolf]

I don't quite know if that scenario would result in a sultry expression or a lot of drool. Experimentation may be required 🦊🧡

Allure

[redwolf]

Word count: 500
Drabble:

Sarah had expected everything to get back to normal with Erich’s departure, but Jareth was still off kilter. When she heard that Grae, Rook’s partner Above, had access to another secret gig in London, she jumped at the opportunity for a distraction.

Sarah was fascinated by the venue. It was an industrial take on an opera house, with a mezzanine level of fully catered, private viewing rooms that overlooked a main floor that was artfully designed to look like it had been assembled from chequer plate and scaffolding.

The music was amazing. She’d only heard one of the songs before, but her companions were familiar with the entire back catalogue and loudly sang along. After the main act a DJ had taken over and the main floor had become a mass of writhing dancers, so they retired to their private room to enjoy dinner. Jareth had lessened the sound, but Sarah could still feel the thumping bass pulse through her sternum

Grae had opted for smart casual, Sarah wore a dark sheath dress and everyone had removed their jackets and coats earlier in the night. Jareth and Bishop had rolled up the sleeves of their jewel bright silk shirts. However, it was Rook’s bondage trousers that were accidentally on trend. Sarah could see that she still bore Jareth’s not tattoos that spiralled from wrist to neck and vanished beneath the edges of a black tank.

Grae had shared tales of their work in the field and Rook’s input into the storytelling was hilarious. Watching Jareth laugh in response was a joy that warmed her heart. It gave Sarah more of an insight into Rook, with her directness being buffered by the diplomacy of her partners. Eventually Grae mentioned his need for an early start and Rook offered to escort him out.

Sarah was surprised they left via the dance floor rather than the private entrance. As she watched them cross the floor from her vantage point, she was startled that Rook’s polychromatic hair and the marks on her arm were glowing under the venue’s blacklight. “Jareth?” Both men joined her as she pointed out Rook. “Is that your doing?”

“Not intentionally.” They watched as Rook returned, her progress slowed as the stoned dancers, entranced by her glow, were swept into her orbit. “I’ll go rescue her.”

“With what happened during the test, why isn’t she just barging through them?”

Rook’s passage had halted, her usual invisibility apparently overridden by the inebriation of her admirers. “Combat is different, but she’s not comfortable with physical contact from strangers under normal circumstances. She has a highly repressed flight response and will be struggling to refrain from harming civilians.”

Jareth parted the crowd below with a gesture and folded Rook into his arms, his hand cradling her head against his neck, as she returned his hug with a death grip. They eventually parted, Jareth kissing her on the forehead before taking her hand and leading her through the crowd.

“They’re still recovering, aren’t they?”