Drabble #74: Gratitude

[jalenstrix]

...we had a quieter response to the drabble prompt of Drabble 73, with an entry by me (your intrepid drabble proposer jalenstrix). 3iggy and womanroaring represented the labyfic collective with commenting love — huzzah!

Oh, labyfic collective, what can we do to draw you back in? Different prompts perhaps? Do let me know.


For this prompt, we continue with our one-word drabble roots, with a word inspired by Thanksgiving:

Gratitude

Whose gratitude? Why are (or aren’t) they grateful and what about? Or who? So many possibilities, so little time...



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 (Dec 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.)

Comments

Embrace

[redwolf]

Word count: 500
Drabble:

When Sarah had arrived at the city library on her way to taking her turn reading to the children, she’d spotted Rook and Doug amid a pile of books as they discussed their latest project. After she’d finished cheerfully adulterating Above children’s stories to better suit her Underground audience, she was surprised to see the pair were still at work. However, this time Rook held a shaking Doug in her tight embrace.

Sarah had been quietly explaining her morning excursion to Bishop as they worked in the castle’s library reshelving books as an excuse to monitor Rook, who had ensconced herself in a window seat. She had her arms tightly wrapped around her knees as she stared out across the Labyrinth. If her withdrawn posture wasn’t enough of an indicator, the new polychromatic hue of her hair was a clear sign that she’d seen her friend through a recent incident.

Sarah was certain that Rook could still hear them, but it seemed rude to speak loudly while the woman was in the room. “None of Doug’s past trauma is her fault. Especially when she did everything she could to keep him alive and get him away from his abusers.”

Bishop picked up a book from the cart, dancing his long fingers along the shelf until he found its proper place. “She knows this intellectually, but the emotional fallout from his panic attacks has always hit her hard.” He climbed up a rolling ladder and reached down for another book.

Passing books up one by one, Sarah was again struck by the contrast that Bishop bore to his partner. With a brightly embroidered waistcoat over a jewel toned silk shirt, he displayed an Above approximation of Jareth’s effortless sartorial elegance. Unlike Rook, who dressed for comfort and had all the discernible style of a goblin. The one item of clothing that the woman always wore or had close at hand was a black brocade frock coat. Sarah could only assume that the coat had been chosen because it was large enough to conceal the many weapons the woman carried, rather than for its design. The fact that it was puddled, somewhat pointily, on the other side of the room was cause for concern. While she had no doubt that Rook was still armed in some way and was more than capable of inflicting harm in her human form, it felt wrong that she’d so casually disarmed herself.

Sarah looked up as Jareth entered the library, catching his eye and jerking her head in Rook’s direction. Jareth’s eyebrows raised in understanding and he crossed the room to wriggle his way behind Rook, one leg pressed against the glass, his other foot on the floor as he held her tightly to his chest, idly traced patterns along an arm to leave colourful tattoos curling in his wake.

Bishop climbed down to rejoin Sarah. “For all that the kingdom is a magnet for refugees and the broken, we do well looking after our own.”