Meme drabbles part III
Feb. 17th, 2010 01:17 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dolevalanThe challenge:
1. Pick a character, pairing, or fandom you like.
2. Turn your music player on and set it to random.
3. Write a drabble/ficlet to each song that plays. You have only the length of the song to finish the drabble; you start when the song starts and stop when it’s over. No lingering afterwards!
4. Do five and post them.
So addicted to this meme, wow. 10 for Clara, this time. Split between her canon and AU selves.
Clara sighed, looking over at the man asleep on the ground a little way from her. Yuri looked, as ever, utterly relaxed in his sleep. The bastard.
Not that she had any right to feel possessive. She lay back, putting her hands behind her neck. And she was sure that he wasn’t going to break up their partnership, not over something like this. Surely he wasn’t that serious about such a…
… Clara unclenched her jaw with some effort.
Well. She’d just have to wait and see how this played out. After all, he was just her partner. He could bed whoever her wanted.
But she swore to all the gods, if he tried to bring her along when they left this town, she would poison the bitch’s tea.
And if she broke his heart, well… an upgrade to a bolt of lightning might be appropriate.
Yuri turned over, completely oblivious. As ever. At least one of them would be well rested tomorrow.
(- I Know What’s Going On, Joan Osborne)
She stretched, one last time, then started through the course. It was as easy as breathing, these days, but that was no reason to let her mind wander.
It felt good, she had to admit. Extending herself, body, mind, magic. Part of her wondered if it felt good because he’d made it feel good, or if she could actually get satisfaction from this.
Morpheo would be watching, of course. He always was. Making sure she didn’t… stray. Making sure she was trying her hardest. Pushing her limits.
He might have wanted her broken, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want her strong.
She could feel the power swirl around her, responding to obstacles, reaching for targets.
Clara didn’t know if the targets were illusions or people.
She should probably care.
They fell away from her course, as they always did. She was good.
(- They, Jem)
The sun slanted into the barn loft. She stirred, unsure at first what had woken her.
The sun. Gods, how long had it been since she’d woken up to the sun?
…he’d called her that, sometimes. “Sunshine.”
Shivering, Clara got up, reaching for her cloak. She should have left before sunrise. Now she’d have to be careful. She didn’t dare use magic to get out unnoticed.
With a silent groan, she saw the boy enter the barn. He was maybe thirteen or fourteen, whistling to himself as he moved to fetch the morning feed.
(- Sunshine, Regina Spektor)
They were standing behind the table, and it was all Clara could do not to yawn. Their current employer had employed perhaps the most dreary singer she’d ever heard of for the night’s entertainment.
She glanced over at Yuri. He appeared to be listening attentively, all polite appreciation. In fact, he was subtly scanning the room. Something was bothering him. She wished she was in a position to ask.
Well. She could ask, magically, but she knew it would piss him off. He didn’t like her to use her abilities for things that weren’t emergencies. Said her energy could be better spent.
Like observing the room for herself, perhaps.
She hated when he lectured her from within her own head.
Still, it was better than trying to be interested in the dirge-like ballad. It might drive her to suicide if she paid too much attention. So she’d try to subtly see what had caught her partner’s interest. She’d have time. And maybe they’d have something to discuss, once the interminable evening was over.
(- Quant je suis, Sonus)
The day was a fine one, and the brothers had decided to take her on a picnic. She thought it better not to fight them. They were fine boys, she supposed. Ben all shy attention; James easy charisma and responsibility; Toby eager curiosity.
She didn’t think she’d ever been as young as any of them.
James noticed. Noticed she was different; noticed that even when they pleased her, she was never really at ease. But he also seemed to sense she didn’t want to discuss it.
Clara could tell he was worried about Ben’s attachment to her. But it would pass.
(- Jenny Wren, Paul McCartney)
She remembered music. There wasn’t any, in Morpheo’s complex, but she had dreams of when she was very small, sometimes. Hard bright sounds, breathy, floaty sounds, sounds almost like a voice.
Clara knew what music was, of course. Her education, while unorthodox, hadn’t been lacking. But she couldn’t remember ever hearing any.
She wondered if the other people she saw were allowed music, when they weren’t around her. Or if it was something Morpheo had taken away from her, exclusively.
(- ‘Tis the Last Rose of Summer, Wynton Marsalis)
She was dressed as a man, this time, as it was the only way to get her into the club. She could tell Yuri was amused. She muttered something under her breath that only made his smirk widen.
They’d need to impress this lot hard and fast. Nothing like a boys’ club to point out that the members felt like they had something to prove. It must have gotten bad, for them to consider hiring outsiders.
Still, some problems were too big for even the barons of leisure to scowl away.
Yuri leaned over. “Is the scowl part of the disguise?”
“I’m scowling because men making a clubhouse with a ‘no girls’ policy is juvenile.”
He chuckled. “So it is. Lucky for you, you aren’t a girl. Stop swaying your hips so much.”
Clara sighed, but before she could retort, a dark black smear blotted out the sun. “Bloody – “ She pushed Yuri behind her and thrust a hand out, muttering a quick incantation. The shield absorbed the spurt of flame with effort, but well enough.
“…was that a gods-damned dragon?”
“I do believe it was.” She gave him a push. “Stop gaping and get inside, you twit.”
He went, but said, “This should be a hell of an interesting job.”
(- Hey Now!, Oasis)
Would you like to dance?
She wasn’t sure whether he was joking or not. “I’m not sure how that would work.”
He sounded amused. It could be arranged. Truly, I probably shouldn’t neglect it, as part of your education.
Clara rose. “Well. If you’ve made up your mind.”
She could feel the sensation, warm and sure, slide up her spine. Like a hand. So obedient, love. That’s what we like to see.
She exhaled, and then they were in a space that… well, it wasn’t physical anymore. There was a man in front of her; this time, he was swarthy, handsome, just a little taller than she was. It was a ballroom, on the small side, lit with candles.
“Well,” she said. “Where shall we begin.”
“Music, I think,” he replied, his voice rich as it always was, eyes black as they always were. He lifted a hand, and a waltz began. Clara wasn’t sure how she knew it was a waltz until she realized he’d just shared the name with her.
“This is a special occasion,” she said, dryly.
“Mm. So it is.” She could feel him, curling within her mind… within her body. She knew she was still in that little empty room… but for now, she was here, with him.
Morpheo came to her and took one of her hands, placing it on her shoulder. He put one hand at the small of her back, taking her other one in his. “Now. Just… follow me.” He’d picked the perfect height, and he held her firmly.
After all, she was his.
She found the rhythm easy to fall into. After all, he had trained her to perform much more… complex physical maneuvers. They were very close, in a way she wasn’t entirely used to, but he was dominating. Leading utterly, in every way. What else could she do, but…
“You hate me, don’t you,” he murmured, as if he was asking whether she loved him.
Clara squeezed her eyes shut. “…always.”
(- A Little Piece of Heaven, Avenged Sevenfold)
“Poker.” He fanned the deck of cards. “We will start with poker. You can’t impress our clientele with only drinking and swearing, you know.”
Clara scowled. “You can impress them with poker. I’ll watch.”
Yuri grinned. “You’re just worried you won’t be any good.”
“The hell I am.” She pulled up a chair, sitting on it backward. “I’m worried that learning it will be a massive waste of my time.”
“Don’t be like that. You can teach me something when we’re done.”
She crooked an eyebrow. “Like what?”
He shrugged. “I’m sure I don’t know. You’ve got to have a hobby or something.”
The other eyebrow joined it. “And when would I take up a hobby.”
“When I’m out playing poker, of course.”
His grin did not prevent her from hitting his arm soundly.
“Alright, look. Cut the deck, and we’ll start.”
She glared, but did it. “You’re awful.”
“Absolutely.”
(- It’s the Little Things You Do Together, Company)
This was not going to end well. Not that she really would have guessed it would, but still.
Clara reached for her magic, trying to feel the borders of… whatever it was that had been done to this man’s drawing room.
She groaned aloud when she could see. It was a curse, of course, but it was a wishing curse. The buffoon had been “granted some wishes” by a hedgewitch who wanted to make his life miserable. Maybe several; the magic had almost curdled.
Perfect.
(- Six Glorious Wishes, The 10th Kingdom)
1. Pick a character, pairing, or fandom you like.
2. Turn your music player on and set it to random.
3. Write a drabble/ficlet to each song that plays. You have only the length of the song to finish the drabble; you start when the song starts and stop when it’s over. No lingering afterwards!
4. Do five and post them.
So addicted to this meme, wow. 10 for Clara, this time. Split between her canon and AU selves.
Clara sighed, looking over at the man asleep on the ground a little way from her. Yuri looked, as ever, utterly relaxed in his sleep. The bastard.
Not that she had any right to feel possessive. She lay back, putting her hands behind her neck. And she was sure that he wasn’t going to break up their partnership, not over something like this. Surely he wasn’t that serious about such a…
… Clara unclenched her jaw with some effort.
Well. She’d just have to wait and see how this played out. After all, he was just her partner. He could bed whoever her wanted.
But she swore to all the gods, if he tried to bring her along when they left this town, she would poison the bitch’s tea.
And if she broke his heart, well… an upgrade to a bolt of lightning might be appropriate.
Yuri turned over, completely oblivious. As ever. At least one of them would be well rested tomorrow.
(- I Know What’s Going On, Joan Osborne)
She stretched, one last time, then started through the course. It was as easy as breathing, these days, but that was no reason to let her mind wander.
It felt good, she had to admit. Extending herself, body, mind, magic. Part of her wondered if it felt good because he’d made it feel good, or if she could actually get satisfaction from this.
Morpheo would be watching, of course. He always was. Making sure she didn’t… stray. Making sure she was trying her hardest. Pushing her limits.
He might have wanted her broken, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want her strong.
She could feel the power swirl around her, responding to obstacles, reaching for targets.
Clara didn’t know if the targets were illusions or people.
She should probably care.
They fell away from her course, as they always did. She was good.
(- They, Jem)
The sun slanted into the barn loft. She stirred, unsure at first what had woken her.
The sun. Gods, how long had it been since she’d woken up to the sun?
…he’d called her that, sometimes. “Sunshine.”
Shivering, Clara got up, reaching for her cloak. She should have left before sunrise. Now she’d have to be careful. She didn’t dare use magic to get out unnoticed.
With a silent groan, she saw the boy enter the barn. He was maybe thirteen or fourteen, whistling to himself as he moved to fetch the morning feed.
(- Sunshine, Regina Spektor)
They were standing behind the table, and it was all Clara could do not to yawn. Their current employer had employed perhaps the most dreary singer she’d ever heard of for the night’s entertainment.
She glanced over at Yuri. He appeared to be listening attentively, all polite appreciation. In fact, he was subtly scanning the room. Something was bothering him. She wished she was in a position to ask.
Well. She could ask, magically, but she knew it would piss him off. He didn’t like her to use her abilities for things that weren’t emergencies. Said her energy could be better spent.
Like observing the room for herself, perhaps.
She hated when he lectured her from within her own head.
Still, it was better than trying to be interested in the dirge-like ballad. It might drive her to suicide if she paid too much attention. So she’d try to subtly see what had caught her partner’s interest. She’d have time. And maybe they’d have something to discuss, once the interminable evening was over.
(- Quant je suis, Sonus)
The day was a fine one, and the brothers had decided to take her on a picnic. She thought it better not to fight them. They were fine boys, she supposed. Ben all shy attention; James easy charisma and responsibility; Toby eager curiosity.
She didn’t think she’d ever been as young as any of them.
James noticed. Noticed she was different; noticed that even when they pleased her, she was never really at ease. But he also seemed to sense she didn’t want to discuss it.
Clara could tell he was worried about Ben’s attachment to her. But it would pass.
(- Jenny Wren, Paul McCartney)
She remembered music. There wasn’t any, in Morpheo’s complex, but she had dreams of when she was very small, sometimes. Hard bright sounds, breathy, floaty sounds, sounds almost like a voice.
Clara knew what music was, of course. Her education, while unorthodox, hadn’t been lacking. But she couldn’t remember ever hearing any.
She wondered if the other people she saw were allowed music, when they weren’t around her. Or if it was something Morpheo had taken away from her, exclusively.
(- ‘Tis the Last Rose of Summer, Wynton Marsalis)
She was dressed as a man, this time, as it was the only way to get her into the club. She could tell Yuri was amused. She muttered something under her breath that only made his smirk widen.
They’d need to impress this lot hard and fast. Nothing like a boys’ club to point out that the members felt like they had something to prove. It must have gotten bad, for them to consider hiring outsiders.
Still, some problems were too big for even the barons of leisure to scowl away.
Yuri leaned over. “Is the scowl part of the disguise?”
“I’m scowling because men making a clubhouse with a ‘no girls’ policy is juvenile.”
He chuckled. “So it is. Lucky for you, you aren’t a girl. Stop swaying your hips so much.”
Clara sighed, but before she could retort, a dark black smear blotted out the sun. “Bloody – “ She pushed Yuri behind her and thrust a hand out, muttering a quick incantation. The shield absorbed the spurt of flame with effort, but well enough.
“…was that a gods-damned dragon?”
“I do believe it was.” She gave him a push. “Stop gaping and get inside, you twit.”
He went, but said, “This should be a hell of an interesting job.”
(- Hey Now!, Oasis)
Would you like to dance?
She wasn’t sure whether he was joking or not. “I’m not sure how that would work.”
He sounded amused. It could be arranged. Truly, I probably shouldn’t neglect it, as part of your education.
Clara rose. “Well. If you’ve made up your mind.”
She could feel the sensation, warm and sure, slide up her spine. Like a hand. So obedient, love. That’s what we like to see.
She exhaled, and then they were in a space that… well, it wasn’t physical anymore. There was a man in front of her; this time, he was swarthy, handsome, just a little taller than she was. It was a ballroom, on the small side, lit with candles.
“Well,” she said. “Where shall we begin.”
“Music, I think,” he replied, his voice rich as it always was, eyes black as they always were. He lifted a hand, and a waltz began. Clara wasn’t sure how she knew it was a waltz until she realized he’d just shared the name with her.
“This is a special occasion,” she said, dryly.
“Mm. So it is.” She could feel him, curling within her mind… within her body. She knew she was still in that little empty room… but for now, she was here, with him.
Morpheo came to her and took one of her hands, placing it on her shoulder. He put one hand at the small of her back, taking her other one in his. “Now. Just… follow me.” He’d picked the perfect height, and he held her firmly.
After all, she was his.
She found the rhythm easy to fall into. After all, he had trained her to perform much more… complex physical maneuvers. They were very close, in a way she wasn’t entirely used to, but he was dominating. Leading utterly, in every way. What else could she do, but…
“You hate me, don’t you,” he murmured, as if he was asking whether she loved him.
Clara squeezed her eyes shut. “…always.”
(- A Little Piece of Heaven, Avenged Sevenfold)
“Poker.” He fanned the deck of cards. “We will start with poker. You can’t impress our clientele with only drinking and swearing, you know.”
Clara scowled. “You can impress them with poker. I’ll watch.”
Yuri grinned. “You’re just worried you won’t be any good.”
“The hell I am.” She pulled up a chair, sitting on it backward. “I’m worried that learning it will be a massive waste of my time.”
“Don’t be like that. You can teach me something when we’re done.”
She crooked an eyebrow. “Like what?”
He shrugged. “I’m sure I don’t know. You’ve got to have a hobby or something.”
The other eyebrow joined it. “And when would I take up a hobby.”
“When I’m out playing poker, of course.”
His grin did not prevent her from hitting his arm soundly.
“Alright, look. Cut the deck, and we’ll start.”
She glared, but did it. “You’re awful.”
“Absolutely.”
(- It’s the Little Things You Do Together, Company)
This was not going to end well. Not that she really would have guessed it would, but still.
Clara reached for her magic, trying to feel the borders of… whatever it was that had been done to this man’s drawing room.
She groaned aloud when she could see. It was a curse, of course, but it was a wishing curse. The buffoon had been “granted some wishes” by a hedgewitch who wanted to make his life miserable. Maybe several; the magic had almost curdled.
Perfect.
(- Six Glorious Wishes, The 10th Kingdom)
