Drabble #261: Husky

[redwolf]

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

Husky

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

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Comments

Snow

[redwolf]

Word count: 500

Sarah enjoyed the simple pleasure of the mug warming her hands as she sipped her hot chocolate. The fire crackled in the room behind her and, while she was toasty and warm, she snuggled happily into the comfort of the thick faux fur throw that was wrapped around her shoulders.

She looked through the vast picture windows at the expanse of the mountain lit to allow for night skiing. There were quite a few people taking advantage and as some of them were guardians, Sarah guessed that others were also longer stay guests as well as staff and locals. Throughout the day the slopes were crowded with tourists. In contrast, the evening runs, while limited the a single slope, were leisurely, provided you didn’t mind sharing the slopes with those guardians who preferred to negotiate the runs in wolf form.

Tucking her legs into her cocoon of blanket, Sarah smiled as she watched a wolf bound down the slope in the wake of another skier who snaked their way down the lit snow.

“They seem to be having fun.” Jareth joined her at the window as he towel dried his hair.

Sarah openly ogled a Goblin King who was half clad in a black silk that made his pale skin glow in the flickering light of the fireplace.

“It was a great idea to take a break instead of attending hat lady’s festivities.” The novelty of wondering about the structural integrity of her headwear did not negate the dullness of conversation.

Jareth had arranged for a chalet, which would have been overkill for two people, but they’d brought several of the guardians along with them. Sarah had been accompanying whichever guardian was on the morning’s grocery duty and had been amused to overhear people gossiping about who was occupying their chalet. So far she’d heard that it was a celebrity recovering from plastic surgery, a disgraced minor royal or an organised crime lord laying low to await a court date. It amused Jareth when she recounted the latest theories.

“The goblins seem to be enjoying the break too.” Sarah looked towards where Jareth indicated and could see the children’s slope had been taken over by small creatures who were eating the snow and burying each other in it. One had been packed into a snowball that was pushed from the top of the hill to collect or flatten several goblins on the way down. They crashed into a sled at the bottom and fought over who would be the next snowball core.

“It’s good that no one can see them. The men who groom the slopes have been blaming drunken tourists.”

“Close enough,” Jareth chuckled. He hung his towel around his neck and looked down at Sarah. “Are you planning to watch them all night?”

“I am cosy out here.”

“But then I will be all alone in that great big bed,” he pouted dramatically.

“We can’t have that.” Sarah held out a hand. “Take me to bed, your majesty.”