The Tome has finally arrived home from visiting its Mother and is ready for winners and words. Who knew it has a Mother?! Any rate, we are ready to go.
Our winner this week is Zaiure with Spike:, for the sheer lushness of the writing. This story is gorgeously descriptive. It was an absolute pleasure to read. Thank you!
Also winning this week is Patricia Purvis with First Encounter: I'm delighted with the cleverness of this piece. The prompts are so seamlessly woven that I had to read more than once to find them. Thank you!
And now for our new words:
Aroma
Ice
Ragged
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Saturday, May 16th. Winners and words on Sunday, May 17th.
The Gates are Open!
congratulations Zaiure and Patricia! Stars, both of you.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you're all right, Colleen, doesn't life throw some curve balls at you?
I learned on Saturday that a dear friend (medium) was murdered in his home on Monday last (my birthday, so I won't forget the date) and I've been in a state of shock ever since. Can't quite come to terms with the violence of his end. He said he didn't go out of his flat in the evenings in Brighton (UK) as it was dangerous and he is killed in his flat.
I will attempt to lose myself in Infinity's ongoing tale later this week and find some consolation with the Captain's journal. Meantime, looking forward to the entries this week.
Thank you and congrats to Patricia! Have been traveling so had no idea. :)
DeleteVery sorry to hear about your loss Antonia.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Antonia. I'm honored, if Prediction helps comfort you in any way during such a difficult time.
ReplyDeleteReinforcements
ReplyDeleteA drunken-leaning staff, its embroidered banner ripped ragged by the ceaseless wind was the first sight of the battlefield. The cry of scavenger birds and the aroma of death added an unnecessary confirmation of the result of the conflict.
An icy pall fell over their leader as he lifted a hand to halt their punishing pace. The need for haste was over.
Apologies for the topic but the prompts seemed to lend themselves to such a tale.
DeleteAnd how very well - and vividly - you've used them to create a truly powerful atmosphere.
DeleteVery good use of the prompts, always polished work
Deleteit says a lot in so few words. I'm well aware of the medieval battlefields, this has the strong feeling of one of those senseless confrontations.
DeleteThis imagery was astounding. Some of phrases were totally inspired: "cry of scavenger birds" and "aroma of death." Nicely done and a beautifully descriptive piece of work.
DeleteCongratulations - so well-deserved, Zaiure and Patricia and so sorry for the shocking death of your friend Antonia.
ReplyDeleteA change of focus [127]
Vladlina Petzincek.
Pettinger studied her photograph.
Twenty-six years since her generous mouth had laughed up at him; told him who her father was. He hadn’t known. Raptor ever-generous in the scattering of his seed.
If she remembered – and he feared she would – she’d know how best to damage him.
Breath ragged, ‘So – Vladlina. Hostage, or hostage taker?’
In reply Vanessa set two tumblers on her desk. Uncorked and waved a heavy, oval-profiled bottle invitation at him. Smoky gold aroma wafted across the room, ‘Ice?’
‘In single malt? You some sort of heathen?’
‘No more than your half-sister seems to be.’
I'm always torn between wanting to hear more descriptions and more conversations, if only it was 150 words lol
DeleteI have looked at the decanters in my ship differently since reading oval-profiled bottle, some of our decanters are oval-profiled indeed. Lovely choice of words. And takes this intriguing tale a step further on and still leaves me wanting more.
DeleteNice continuation of the story. Brings a nice feel of atmosphere. I'm afraid I'm a heathen though with a nice single malt.
DeleteI'm really not sure that I have anything of value to add which would complement what has already been posted. Suffice to say that I am utterly enthralled.
DeleteJustification [Threshold 64]
ReplyDeleteI could not deny my appearance lent itself to unsuitability. Cider-maker’s long-dead mother’s least-loved dress, ragged-edged and apple-stained. Beneath which my body exuded an unappetising aroma of river water which complemented three days’ horse-ridden sweat.
But Ravenscar never had been moved by my appearance. My swollen pregnancy had, I thought, repelled him. His tenderness – when I still hated him – as he acted midwife for my son, evidence only of compassion.
But then he’d bathed me.
And I fell in love. The searing heat of which he’d tried to douse, ice-eyed with denial.
Failing, he fled from me, taking my son.
I think my nose actually curled up a bit with that first paragraph lol
DeleteI enjoyed the mixture of scents and colours leading into the emotional element in the final paragraph, great work.
your ability to use all the senses is what makes your writing stand out. Never so much as here, with these vivid descriptions.
DeleteThe smell is well described - I do like it when you can be there. I'm enjoying the Ravenscar story
DeleteAn incredible continuation to a thoroughly engrossing tale. Wonderful use of the prompts and the descriptive passages are inspiring.
DeleteIn the Jewel of Cities (Part 2)
ReplyDeleteWelcome, friend, to the bazaar. The “Tattered Palace,” if you’re feeling poetic. It certainly lives up to the nickname, no? The aroma of spices and dung intermingling, the shouting of the merchants, even the raggedy pickpockets that haunt the crowds. Commerce has its own artistry; don’t let the philosophers tell you different.
Now, what was it you wanted? Ice from the mountaintops? Perhaps some powdered lion fangs, for the bedchamber?
Magic? It’s not impossible of course, merely difficult. And expensive. No, don’t tell me why you need it. I’ll spread the word, quietly.
Don’t worry, my friend. They’ll find you
Such poetic promise in this, Noah - sly and wheedling with undercurrents of menace. Hope its the beginning of a novel.
DeleteI enjoyed the description of the market, sounds like something out of Aladdin lol
Deleteintriguing stuff, and yes, there is menace under the words. More, and soon!
DeleteCertainly a sense of place comes across. Something dangerous too. It's intriguing.
DeleteI absolutely adored the "feel" of this. It reminded me of a fantasy novel which finds itself in a mystical marketplace which offers much and more besides. Lovely turns of phrase hidden nicely within the words.
DeleteSorry to hear about your loss Dorothy, my condolences to you and their family.Hope we still get to hear the Captain's words this week.
ReplyDeleteThe Root of All (10)
Although I found the path easily I had forgotten how long it took in the excitement. But the aroma of fish cooking brought my raggedy spirits back up as it meant I was close to the village.
Not a moment later I could hear it, a shrill scream, the voice sounded young; I sped up, the wailing continued near relentlessly as I got closer, the sound piercing like ice water running down my spine as I arrived at the village.
There in the center of a couple of dozen corpses knelt a child staring horrified towards the huts and screaming.
Oh - 'ice-water' such a wonderful use of the prompt. This serial seems to have me tied by the neck and being led along, not always comfortably. I do like your sentence structures.
Deletestrong writing here, with vivid pictures being created. Excellent episode.
DeleteThis drags the reader in. I love the feel of horror and sadness in the last line.
DeleteWhat an image: a child kneeling within a circle of corpses. This was crisp and clean and moved along at a swift clip with no lag time. I initially had trouble even finding the word prompts and had to do a double-take.
DeleteSad Songs
ReplyDelete(By: Foxxglove)
(100 Words)
Fragrant cologne. Exotic tobacco. The aromas lingered still, if only in memory.
Recent trysts had brought nothing but humiliation, betrayal and abandonment; whereas David -- David had been romance and devotion and loyalty. David had been love. But love had been snatched from his grasp many years ago now and he had grown so weary of the game. In short, he had outstayed his welcome.
"When all hope is gone..." echoed softly from the radio.
He gave a ragged smile and raised his glass.
The melting ice tinkled merrily with the promise of freedom from pain.
"I'll drink to that!"
Bittersweet relationships - so many tales to be spun therefrom. Like the ragged smile, especially because I almost used it myself.
Deletethis captures all the emotions of those relationships in just these few words. Brilliant.
DeleteCertainly sad songs. The piece echoes with it bring an empathy from the reader.
DeleteAh, Patricia - you have music in yours and regret for opportunities not taken - not pale at all!
DeleteI've been reading Ian McEwan and Sarah Hall this week - not 'channelling' but some of it has rubbed off, maybe.
ReplyDeletePost mortem
Me unlocking his front door a first: he’d always known when I drew near, claiming sixth sense: proof of how much he loved me.
It didn’t work in reverse, though I taught myself to recognise his particular aroma Linseed oil, Balkan Sobranie and the whifflings of whatever else he’d been handling that day; the ragged cuffs of the dirty-blue cotton jumper he always wore thoroughly impregnated. Me making token complaint as he enfolded me tightly to his chest.
In the otherwise silent house, a humming.
Another open door.
The fridge, its interior solid blocked with ice.
Just like my heart.
one of your crushing last lines, beautifully done.
DeleteFeels so sad. The prompts work well to bring this across.
DeleteThis was nothing short of perfect eloquence. I should have taken my offering on a totally different theme course since it pales horribly in the face of this exquisite piece.
Deletethank you for your sympathy. The pain is easing, especially after I went to pieces Tuesday night, not something I do very often but I think it all got to me in the end. I've been using Morse (I have the boxed set here) as my escape over the last few weeks, I indulged in three episodes this week, it's helped, along with many thoughts and words from friends. The president of one of the island's spiritualist churches came over to East Cowes (where I have my shop) and gave me a huge bunch of tulips with love. We had never met but she came into the café where I was eating and walked straight over to me with the flowers. Things like that are just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Captain has been around, telling me to get on with life and work as he would have wanted me to do. So here is the next instalment of the Captain's saga... whilst I endure the whistles and nonsense going on outside. Some idiot thought it would be good to have the first part of some prestigious cycle race here on the island, which has meant hasty road repairs and a chronic amount of disruption. I have no time for cycle races...
Infinity 97.
And so we made the Indees, or one of they islands, anyway. Time to repair the ragged sails, that last storm battered the Infinity even as it brought the aroma of spice from these strange lands. Tis hot but the thought of the Creature brings ice to my spine, dare I admit it anywhere but in this Journal? Methinks not.
The crew be landside right now, leaving the cap’n in sole charge of his ship. Tis good for me this way, if I need or want to talk to the Almighty about what’s following us, there be none to hear.
I've already had the smell of cigarettes in my office (I don't smoke, no one smokes in this house) and I've suspected I've heard a hint of his laughter and his oft repeated 'girl' when he spoke to any female and never, ever made it sound patronising. Don't know how he did that!
For the umpteenth time, you have made the prompts yours, and blended them to invisibility. There is never a stumble with the Captain's voice.
DeleteAnd yes - the way an innocent word can be made to sound an insult. In contrast, up here, the frequently-used 'flower' always delights.
After such a hard time you've done a nice bit with the Captain. As Sandra says the prompts are yours, fitting in well with the continuing story.
DeleteA delightful peek into the inner workings of the Captain's mindset. I see the Creature is still very much to the forefront of his thoughts and I'm wondering if it is wise for him to be manning the ship alone. Only time will tell. Yet another delightfully satisfying episode to further the saga.
DeleteTrue story, I read your entry for this week and was enjoying it and didn't notice the paragraph below was a separate entry, I reread it all about three times before I realised the reason I got confused, I think I need sleep...
DeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 11-Office Of Lost And Found
ReplyDelete(By: Foxxglove)
(100 Words)
The Conductor hurried along the platform. Marmalade followed leisurely, lured by the aroma of frying fish emanating from the Dining Car.
A grand dame lowered the window of her First Class Carriage. "When will our journey commence, young man? The wait has been interminable." The ice-blue eyes behind her pince-nez matched the colour of her elegant coiffure.
"British Railways humbly apologize for the delay, Madam," said the Conductor as he entered "Lost and Found."
"I am looking for Christopher."
The Custodian opened a ledger with yellowing pages and ragged binding.
"Missing is he? Which game did he lose this time?"
Yet another intriguing twist!! Nicely-placed prompts and elegantly told.
DeleteAre you collecting these together anwhere?
Only on my own computer. LOL.
DeleteOh hey, HI! Yep...I'm here....Gates are closed...back in a bit with winners and words. Thank you all for playing this week!
ReplyDelete