Drabble #71: Empire
Friday, 3 August 2018 00:01![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jalenstrix in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
labyfic...we again had a quieter response to the drabble prompt of Drabble 70, with an entry by me (your intrepid drabble proposer
jalenstrix). The terrific 3iggy and gorgeous ghislaine represented the labyfic collective with commenting love — huzzah!Mwah to my labyfic collective! I miiiiiiiiss you, though. Come joooooooin us again!!
For this prompt, we continue with our one-word drabble roots, with a word inspired from the origins of the month of August (ave, Caesar, ave!):
Empire
Ah, the concerns of those who rule...likely Jareth, but perhaps not! Who knows what troubles an empire may face, requiring the help of a goblin king?
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 (Sep 7).
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.)
no subject
2018-08-14 18:17 (UTC)Comments: My mind went straight to Star Wars. I couldn’t help it.
Drabble:
I closed my eyes briefly. “Look, I asked you here because I thought you might have useful experience with this kind of thing.”
“Your asking seems a lot like summoning.” Jareth sketched a mock bow as an afterthought. “Your imperial majesty.”
“Oh, stuff it, your majesty. If you’re not going to help, you can just leave.”
“When I can stay and pester you? Hardly. This is far more diverting.”
“You’re insufferable. I can’t believe I thought it was a good idea to ask you for help.”
“So why did you?”
I took a breath and lifted my chin. “My strategic battle planning skills need improvement. I’m more of a small skirmish kind of girl. Lead from the front, et cetera.”
He nodded sagely, steepling his fingers together. “Not wise for larger maneuvers.”
I snorted. “Don’t I know it. I’ve been trounced the last three battles, and my people are losing faith. I can’t afford another failure.” I smiled slightly, trying not to grit my teeth. “I need your help.”
“What will you give me for helping you?” He peered over his fingers, eyes alight with Faerie mischief.
I tilted my head. “What do you want?”
“Mmmm, your undying love and fealty?”
I snorted. “Seems like a poor trade when you already have it.” I held up my wedding ring and waggled my fingers at him. “You can do better than that, your majesty.”
“How about a proper date night this week? Steaks, good music? We were sadly interrupted last time.”
“That I can do.”
“Very well— I accept your terms. Tell me about your campaign, oh Empress.”
“Insufferable,” I muttered. “Alright, the Rebellion troops are in these three spots, and I have two actions per move, and one move before they respond. I have a semi-operational Death Star that delivers a major morale hit, but it’s slow.”
“Can you pan the view this way? Mmm. I see. You’re in a bit of a pickle, aren’t you? Any other assets?”
“A Sith Lord of questionable reliability named Vader.”
“Tricky. But not impossible.” He leaned over so one arm was on either side of me, his breath hot in my ear. “I have a plan for you.”
“I knew I married you for a reason.”
“More than one, I hope.”
“Definitely more than one.”
no subject
2018-08-24 12:38 (UTC)no subject
2018-08-29 21:45 (UTC)no subject
2023-05-23 09:09 (UTC)