My Output from Drabble Tag
The other night simplytoopretty and I hosted a spur of the moment game of Drabble Tag. We’d never played it before so we had to make up the rules, which were pretty simple (ha! pretty simple and simplytoopretty ). She would start with a drabble and a prompt. The first one to respond with a drabble got to pick the next prompt.
It was easy going for the first half hour or so, since we were the only two playing. She’d post a prompt and then I had all the time in the world to read what she wrote, write my drabble, come up with a new prompt and post it. I could even comment on her drabble while I waited for her to respond.
But then justforspite and excelaunt showed up, quickly followed by eklipsed . Even marikology and tobywolf13 joined in. It was a mad dash to write the first response and have the honor of picking the next prompt.
There was no time to read or comment or even proof read (which explains all my embarrassing typos). All you could do was write, write, write as fast as your little fingers could carry you. It was a great way to get the creative juices flowing.
I have to say it’s obvious that, when under pressure, I fall back on comedy, and also, apparently, the past tense.
We’re going to play again, with some revised rules to make it easier to follow and also a point system to reward commenting. Until then, here’s what I wrote, sans (I hope) glaring typos. You can check out the other drabbles here.
Right Where We Belong
Prompt: Promises
He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, savoring the warm air. The colors assault his eyes. After years of only white and blue, it’s strange to see green, yellow and red.
He allows himself another breath, but that’s it. He doesn’t have time to stand around and revel in his freedom. He made a promise. He’s going to keep it.
In the blink of an eye he’s found her, sitting at a desk on the third floor of the Daily Planet. He’ll have to ask her later how she got her job back. Right now he just wants to hold her.
“Chloe,” he says loud enough to be heard over the noises of the busy office.
She looks up. He has to smile at the shocked expression on her face.
“Oh my God,” she gasps. Then she’s rushing into his arms where she belongs. “You came back.”
“Well, yeah.” His smile broadens at the glistening tear in the corner of her eye. “I said I would.”
Compulsion
Prompt: Need
It’s embarrassing. He knows she must be aware of it, but he can’t stop doing it. He just can’t quash this need to touch her. He tries to play it off casually, brushing his hand along her back as he passes by, but this is the third time in as many minutes. It’s so obvious.
She’s kind enough to pretend she doesn’t notice. She doesn’t smile or frown, or even look up. She just continues typing.
He’s determined to stop, so he sits down a fair distance away from her and occupies his hands with the day’s edition of the newspaper.
“I’m going to get some coffee.” She stands up. “You want some too?”
“No, I’m good.” He studies the paper extra hard so he can resist the urge as she draws nearer.
And then like that her hip is bumping into his shoulder.
“Sorry,” she says as she pats his head.
Maybe she needs it too.
The Prize
Prompt: Awards
“You like it?” Lois asks. “It looks good, doesn’t it?”
“It looks great,” Clark says.
“All the attention in the room is drawn to it,” Chloe adds.
“You don’t think it’s too much?” Lois asks, suddenly self conscious. “I’m not bragging am I?”
“You won the Pulitzer,” Chloe reassures her. “You have every right to brag.”
“All I did was interview him,” Lois says. “Superman’s the one who provided the story.”
“But it was a great interview,” Clark says.
“Confession time.” Lois looks around nervously. “I just pretended I was you, Cuz. I thought ‘What are the questions Chloe would ask?’”
“You’re the one who asked them,” Chloe says. “You deserve the Pulitzer.”
Clark gives her hand a quick squeeze and runs his thumb along the gold band on her ring finger.
Lois may have won the award, but Chloe got the prize.
First Day
Prompt: Beginnings
“Clark!” Principal Kwan just about shouts as he makes a B-line towards the gangly teen.
All heads turn. Clark wishes that with all the things he can do, turning to air was one of them. But he has to stay solid and visible as the principal crosses the crowded cafeteria.
“I need your help,” Kwan continues. “I’ve got a new student starting today and no one to show her around. Will you do it?”
“Show her around?” Clark asks.
“Yeah, introduce her to your friends. Make sure she gets a warm welcome.”
Clark doesn’t want to do this. He’s no good around girls. And he really only has one friend, Pete.
“Okay,” he gulps because he doesn’t have the guts to turn the principal down.
He follows the man out of the cafeteria and down the hall to a petite and very pretty blonde girl.
“Chloe, this is Clark,” Kwan says. “He’ll get you situated and tell you everything you need to know.”
“Great,” the girl says. “Where can I get a copy of the Daily Planet?”
In a Hurry
Prompt: Underwear
“Shit!” Clark climbed out of bed. “Shit! I was supposed to be there half an hour ago. How could you do this to me, Chloe?”
“You did it too,” she said defensively as she pulled the sheet up to cover herself. The first time they made love and this was how he reacted.
Clark stopped. “Yeah, yeah, I did,” he said backtracking quickly. “And it was great. And I want to do it again and again. But right now…” he glanced at the clock, “the League’s expecting me. It’s my official unveiling with the suit and all.”
“So stop dallying,” she said. “If you jump into superspeed you can be dressed and at the hall in 2 minutes.”
“Right,” he nodded and in the next instance he had the cape and spandex on. “You were amazing.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll be back as fast as I can and we’ll do it again.” Then he vanished.
“Wait… Clark…” she called, but she already knew it was too late. “You have your underwear on the outside.”
Missing Scene from Combat
Prompt: Leather
“I got my in,” Clark said, his face set with determination. “I’ll be making an appearance in the fight club. Hopefully I can stop this guy from killing anyone else.”
“But he might kill you,” Chloe gasped. “Clark, don’t do this.”
“I have to, Chloe.” He brushed past her. “I don’t have a choice.”
“Well, at least let me help you,” she pleaded, “so that you don’t have to face this alone.”
“Alright,” he nodded. “I do need your help with one thing.”
“What?” she asked earnestly.
“What should I wear?”
If Clark was facing death tonight then Chloe had to act fast. This might be the only chance to fulfill one of her fantasies.
Calmly she replied, “Black leather.”
An Unfortunate Event
Prompt: Paris
“So,” Chloe put her hands on her hips and glared at Clark, “how was she?”
Clark looked around. How did he end up in trouble? He was only doing his job.
“She was a little drunk,” he gulped. “She giggled a lot.”
“Did she touch you?” She asked. “Did you touch her?”
“The car was going to exploded,” he explained. “I kind of had to touch her.”
“Those pictures!” she gasped, her hand coming up to cover her mouth. “They weren’t Photoshopped. That actually happened.”
“She wanted to thank me,” he stammered. “Honestly, the pictures make it look worse that it was. It was only a little kiss.”
“Did she slip you the tongue?”
He couldn’t answer her. He could only look away and hang his head in shame.
“It’s official,” Chloe growled. “Paris Hilton is a slut.”
I Hope this is what Happens
Prompt: Hope
“I’m so sorry,” Lois said, tears streaming down her face. “We never meant to hurt you.”
“I don’t understand.” Chloe had to sit down. It felt like someone had punched her in the gut. “Why would you go after a man you know I’ve been in love with?”
“It’s just that we spent so much time together and he needed me, Chloe,” Lois cried. “I’ve always wanted to be needed.”
“And he feels the same way too?” Chloe asked.
“Yes,” Lois said. “Jimmy and I are in love.”
Dark Waters
Prompt: Drowning
It was like waves crashing over him, the words the nurse said, “I’m sorry but Chloe Sullivan didn’t make it.”
He staggered down the hospital corridor, letting the water pull him under. It crushed his chest, filled his lungs. What did he care? The currents could take him. Chloe was gone.
But suddenly there was a life line in front of him, two simple words he latched onto. “Clark! Help!”
He broke to the surface and raced for the morgue, finally able to breathe.
It was easy going for the first half hour or so, since we were the only two playing. She’d post a prompt and then I had all the time in the world to read what she wrote, write my drabble, come up with a new prompt and post it. I could even comment on her drabble while I waited for her to respond.
But then justforspite and excelaunt showed up, quickly followed by eklipsed . Even marikology and tobywolf13 joined in. It was a mad dash to write the first response and have the honor of picking the next prompt.
There was no time to read or comment or even proof read (which explains all my embarrassing typos). All you could do was write, write, write as fast as your little fingers could carry you. It was a great way to get the creative juices flowing.
I have to say it’s obvious that, when under pressure, I fall back on comedy, and also, apparently, the past tense.
We’re going to play again, with some revised rules to make it easier to follow and also a point system to reward commenting. Until then, here’s what I wrote, sans (I hope) glaring typos. You can check out the other drabbles here.
Right Where We Belong
Prompt: Promises
He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, savoring the warm air. The colors assault his eyes. After years of only white and blue, it’s strange to see green, yellow and red.
He allows himself another breath, but that’s it. He doesn’t have time to stand around and revel in his freedom. He made a promise. He’s going to keep it.
In the blink of an eye he’s found her, sitting at a desk on the third floor of the Daily Planet. He’ll have to ask her later how she got her job back. Right now he just wants to hold her.
“Chloe,” he says loud enough to be heard over the noises of the busy office.
She looks up. He has to smile at the shocked expression on her face.
“Oh my God,” she gasps. Then she’s rushing into his arms where she belongs. “You came back.”
“Well, yeah.” His smile broadens at the glistening tear in the corner of her eye. “I said I would.”
Compulsion
Prompt: Need
It’s embarrassing. He knows she must be aware of it, but he can’t stop doing it. He just can’t quash this need to touch her. He tries to play it off casually, brushing his hand along her back as he passes by, but this is the third time in as many minutes. It’s so obvious.
She’s kind enough to pretend she doesn’t notice. She doesn’t smile or frown, or even look up. She just continues typing.
He’s determined to stop, so he sits down a fair distance away from her and occupies his hands with the day’s edition of the newspaper.
“I’m going to get some coffee.” She stands up. “You want some too?”
“No, I’m good.” He studies the paper extra hard so he can resist the urge as she draws nearer.
And then like that her hip is bumping into his shoulder.
“Sorry,” she says as she pats his head.
Maybe she needs it too.
The Prize
Prompt: Awards
“You like it?” Lois asks. “It looks good, doesn’t it?”
“It looks great,” Clark says.
“All the attention in the room is drawn to it,” Chloe adds.
“You don’t think it’s too much?” Lois asks, suddenly self conscious. “I’m not bragging am I?”
“You won the Pulitzer,” Chloe reassures her. “You have every right to brag.”
“All I did was interview him,” Lois says. “Superman’s the one who provided the story.”
“But it was a great interview,” Clark says.
“Confession time.” Lois looks around nervously. “I just pretended I was you, Cuz. I thought ‘What are the questions Chloe would ask?’”
“You’re the one who asked them,” Chloe says. “You deserve the Pulitzer.”
Clark gives her hand a quick squeeze and runs his thumb along the gold band on her ring finger.
Lois may have won the award, but Chloe got the prize.
First Day
Prompt: Beginnings
“Clark!” Principal Kwan just about shouts as he makes a B-line towards the gangly teen.
All heads turn. Clark wishes that with all the things he can do, turning to air was one of them. But he has to stay solid and visible as the principal crosses the crowded cafeteria.
“I need your help,” Kwan continues. “I’ve got a new student starting today and no one to show her around. Will you do it?”
“Show her around?” Clark asks.
“Yeah, introduce her to your friends. Make sure she gets a warm welcome.”
Clark doesn’t want to do this. He’s no good around girls. And he really only has one friend, Pete.
“Okay,” he gulps because he doesn’t have the guts to turn the principal down.
He follows the man out of the cafeteria and down the hall to a petite and very pretty blonde girl.
“Chloe, this is Clark,” Kwan says. “He’ll get you situated and tell you everything you need to know.”
“Great,” the girl says. “Where can I get a copy of the Daily Planet?”
In a Hurry
Prompt: Underwear
“Shit!” Clark climbed out of bed. “Shit! I was supposed to be there half an hour ago. How could you do this to me, Chloe?”
“You did it too,” she said defensively as she pulled the sheet up to cover herself. The first time they made love and this was how he reacted.
Clark stopped. “Yeah, yeah, I did,” he said backtracking quickly. “And it was great. And I want to do it again and again. But right now…” he glanced at the clock, “the League’s expecting me. It’s my official unveiling with the suit and all.”
“So stop dallying,” she said. “If you jump into superspeed you can be dressed and at the hall in 2 minutes.”
“Right,” he nodded and in the next instance he had the cape and spandex on. “You were amazing.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll be back as fast as I can and we’ll do it again.” Then he vanished.
“Wait… Clark…” she called, but she already knew it was too late. “You have your underwear on the outside.”
Missing Scene from Combat
Prompt: Leather
“I got my in,” Clark said, his face set with determination. “I’ll be making an appearance in the fight club. Hopefully I can stop this guy from killing anyone else.”
“But he might kill you,” Chloe gasped. “Clark, don’t do this.”
“I have to, Chloe.” He brushed past her. “I don’t have a choice.”
“Well, at least let me help you,” she pleaded, “so that you don’t have to face this alone.”
“Alright,” he nodded. “I do need your help with one thing.”
“What?” she asked earnestly.
“What should I wear?”
If Clark was facing death tonight then Chloe had to act fast. This might be the only chance to fulfill one of her fantasies.
Calmly she replied, “Black leather.”
An Unfortunate Event
Prompt: Paris
“So,” Chloe put her hands on her hips and glared at Clark, “how was she?”
Clark looked around. How did he end up in trouble? He was only doing his job.
“She was a little drunk,” he gulped. “She giggled a lot.”
“Did she touch you?” She asked. “Did you touch her?”
“The car was going to exploded,” he explained. “I kind of had to touch her.”
“Those pictures!” she gasped, her hand coming up to cover her mouth. “They weren’t Photoshopped. That actually happened.”
“She wanted to thank me,” he stammered. “Honestly, the pictures make it look worse that it was. It was only a little kiss.”
“Did she slip you the tongue?”
He couldn’t answer her. He could only look away and hang his head in shame.
“It’s official,” Chloe growled. “Paris Hilton is a slut.”
I Hope this is what Happens
Prompt: Hope
“I’m so sorry,” Lois said, tears streaming down her face. “We never meant to hurt you.”
“I don’t understand.” Chloe had to sit down. It felt like someone had punched her in the gut. “Why would you go after a man you know I’ve been in love with?”
“It’s just that we spent so much time together and he needed me, Chloe,” Lois cried. “I’ve always wanted to be needed.”
“And he feels the same way too?” Chloe asked.
“Yes,” Lois said. “Jimmy and I are in love.”
Dark Waters
Prompt: Drowning
It was like waves crashing over him, the words the nurse said, “I’m sorry but Chloe Sullivan didn’t make it.”
He staggered down the hospital corridor, letting the water pull him under. It crushed his chest, filled his lungs. What did he care? The currents could take him. Chloe was gone.
But suddenly there was a life line in front of him, two simple words he latched onto. “Clark! Help!”
He broke to the surface and raced for the morgue, finally able to breathe.