Flash Fiction February - Vivian and Xena
This flashfic is inspired by a prompt posted on 17th February 2022 by the Writer’s Digest to write about “an object” by choosing between a hammer, key, fishing pole, lamp, book or bottle. This story is just under 600 words. Enjoy!
Vivian knew even as she was living through it she would never forget this moment: the soft sunshine through blades of corn, the long shadow of the travelling castle over her back garden and the pampered princess knee-deep in fresh mud, a nail and shovel in her hand.
“How does a fence even get this broken?”
Vivian hefted a brand-new panel and dragged it over to the “blast zone”. It looked like something had barrelled through it with the force of a landslide, leaving shrapnel and dirt strewn inside the sheep pen, a danger to the fluffy, little animals that lived there. “My sister was trying out some new earth magic incantations my father bought her for her birthday. Apparently, it didn’t go very well.”
Princess Xena used her white-gloved hand to undo the top button of her blazer. Then she fixed her hair, a losing battle against the summer sweat gathering on her brow. “I disagree,” she said, smirking, “I think she’d make a promising cadet.”
Vivian sniggered. But as soon as her eyes fell on the pile of tools beside the Princess’ feet, she frowned. “We’re not going to get these fences up with a mini trowel and brute force.”
The Princess pulled a face.
“I though I told you to get the hammer from the shed.”
“Well, I couldn’t find it.” She pouted. “That place is like a hoarder’s nest.”
Vivian supressed a grin, remembering her father’s “methods” fondly – essentially throwing anything and everything in the general direction of a reasonable storage place. “You’re just too used to your maids.”
Xena sat back on her hands, knocking a trowel with her boot. “Isn’t that why I’m here?” she grumbled out, eyes closed, face turned up to the warm sun.
For a moment, Vivian indulged in the sight – those long lashes, the light dancing in her hair, the relaxed expression usually crossed with stress lines and sleepless shadows.
Xena was right though. She was only here because things had gotten a little . . . hurtful during their first couple’s row. In short, Vivi had accused of being “out of touch”, and farm work was apparently the solution.
At least it’s a step, she reminded herself, sighing almost fondly.
A creaking-rolling sound started quietly in the distance but gradually became louder until it was practically on top of them. Vivian watched the bewitched wheelbarrow with a friendly smile. “Hello, Mr Barrowson,” she said with a polite wave.
Xena raised a brow and peeked open one eye. The corners of her lips tilted down, and Vivian rolled her eyes at her barely contained contempt.
A bright, green wheelbarrow came to a halt a little ways from Xena’s elbow and rocked noisily from side to side, jangling its contents.
Smiling sweetly, a vision in a strawberry print summer dress, Vivian held out a hand to the Princess, which she took and grumpily used to get to her feet. Together they surveyed Mr Barrowson’s contents.
Xena lifted up a hammer. “Uh, been looking for this.”
Proudly, Vivian patted her trusty companion’s rim. “Mr Barrowson is extremely helpful in that way. He always has whatever you’ll need.”
Staring pointedly at her girlfriend, Xena raised one finger from the wheelbarrow’s bowl, a set of lacy undergarments dangling from it.
Vivian blushed. “He also has a vile sense of humour.” She looked away, trying to hide the heat in her cheeks.
“Right.” Vivian heard Xena shifting around rummaging through the miscellaneous items and setting down her haul in the grass. “So, how about this fence then?”
17/02/2022
To Be Proofread. . .