Drabble #265: Bait

[redwolf]

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

Bait

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

Basement

[redwolf]

Word count: 500

Sarah stood at the back of the room with a clear view of the stage and looked over the crowd. While she knew some of them had Underground connections, she wondered about the rest who had just shown up to an unannounced event.

She had seen the performance space when it was just a dark room lined with event posters, a small raised stage and suspect carpet. It looked more the part now that the house lights had been turned down and the stage was lit.

Jareth liked to test music he’d been working on with a live audience who were neither involved in its creation, deferential to his status nor as undiscerning as goblins. He didn’t have any problem wrangling a slot at a live music venue, but perhaps the location in a pub basement and the out of slate timing made things easier. Even so, the event still pulled a full house of just over a hundred people who were loudly enjoying Jareth’s set.

Sarah loved watching him perform, this time he was solo with an acoustic guitar for accompaniment. He seemed a lot freer than when he was acting as Goblin King. She loved the knack he had of seeming to be singing to each individual, but she knew him well enough to note that his performance persona was just another mask.

Several guardians were in attendance in addition to the security provided by the venue. Sarah caught Bishop’s eye and nodded as he walked the perimeter of the crowd. She’d seen him quietly eject a couple of people earlier who’d outstayed their welcome.

She was happily dancing with the crowd when she felt the unwelcome presence of a stranger sidling beside her, Sarah could see him lean in as if he was trying to speak to her. While he couldn’t be heard over Jareth and the crowd, she aimed a subtle audio isolation spell towards him before shutting it down with a shudder. Aside from a distinct lack of hygiene and a disrespect for personal space, he was trying to hit on her by mansplaining her husband’s music.

Shaking her head and stepping away from the man didn’t deter him and his lack of situational awareness meant that he was unaware that he had caught the attention of larger predators. It was best for the man’s longevity that Bishop intervened by grabbing his hips and grinding into his rear. Although Sarah suspected that the lesson of unwanted sexual contact was lost on the man, he did back away. With a broad grin, Bishop pulled the man aside and dragged him up the stairs.

Sarah hadn’t seen Rook since the house lights had dropped, but she suspected she was handing off idiots with Bishop. She did idly wonder if they were passed on to the bouncers or if they were further educated on the errors of their ways. She had little sympathy for them when they felt the urge to prey on people enjoying a night out.