Prompt 36 drabble: In Death, Be Not Free

[ubiquirk.livejournal.com]

Title: In Death, Be Not Free
Author: ubiquirk
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 150
Prompt: #36 W&H
Character: Lilah Morgan
AN: Set just before she approaches Angel at the end of “Peace Out”

She raises fingers long numb to run them across the flesh hidden by her poorly tied scarf. Numb to certain sensations, that is – the silk of her shirt nothing, the smoothness of the skin of her chest refusing to register.

Yet the jagged edges of unhealed cuts rasp rough under suddenly sensitive fingertips. She can feel the tears where the skin didn’t part cleanly, the slight bulges where muscle isn’t fully realigned underneath, the slickness of the liquid seep of blood oozing slowly without the impetus of heartbeat.

She draws her hand over her chest, sensation fading gradually as the smeared blood traces ever fainter lines down, down, down. By the time she raises a damp cloth to wipe the red away, the wetness of it is a cerebral thing – her fingers once again nerveless. It makes retying the silk scarf difficult, but she can’t stop until it’s just so.

Comments

[firefly124.livejournal.com]

What an intriguing idea, that she wouldn't be able to feel anything but those wounds. And she certainly wouldn't be able to leave the scarf alone. Her wardrobe was as much a weapon as anything Angel & Co. had.

What I really like is how this is about W & H and what they've done to her even more than it's about her. Yes, she's certainly done her share of evil, but they've contrived a pretty nasty Hell for her.

[ubiquirk.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it and that so much of what I wanted to convey came through for you! I went searching for a symbol/metaphor of her contract extending into death and what W&H have done to her, and this came out.

[imbaskinrobbins.livejournal.com]

Gorgeously written, and a great idea. The cruelness of the Senior Partners, visited even, if not especially, upon their own employees.

[ubiquirk.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That was one of the most chilling reveals about W&H for me (which made Angel accepting their offer even more intense). I'm really glad you liked it!

[divadea.livejournal.com]

Excellent.

[ubiquirk.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[spankulert.livejournal.com]

I really liked this one. Good work :)

[ubiquirk.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It's wonderful to hear you liked it!

[thedothatgirl.livejournal.com]

I really love this, I'm using the whole peace out scene where she lowers that scarf to show the scar in a vid at the moment, so it is great to read about all the emotions and sensations Lilah is going through.

[ubiquirk.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I find that scene really gripping too, so it's great that you find this seems to fit what she might be going through then! [I hope you share the vid!]

[redrikki.livejournal.com]

You are so good at writing sensation. This whole piece is so tactile, so visceral, so real. Great, if disturbing, job.

[ubiquirk.livejournal.com]

Thanks! You must made me realize that I did hearing last time and this time touch - I didn't even realize I was working my way through the senses. I'm so happy you liked it!

[lauratd.livejournal.com]

You have such a great sense of detail. You always use just enough to get the sensation across but without a word wasted.

[ubiquirk.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That's wonderful to hear! I have to force myself to write detail (I'm usually a dialogue person), so I've been working on it.

[wereleopard58.livejournal.com]

Wow brilliantly written and a great idea, well done

[ubiquirk.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It's great to hear that you liked it!