Friday 4 December 2015

It’s only words ...


... and although I can hear the highly emotional strain with which the words were were sung, I can’t, at the moment, remember who sang it. But three words this week – and not very compatible words –grew nine wide-ranging tales, from death, to death, and around death, and resurrected a couple of detectives too, all most excellently. Because I feel so guilty about Antonia’s cabin boy, I’m hoping that declaring her 124th episode of ‘Infinity’ this week’s winner will mitigate somewhat, and Kai’s 19th, with a smoky detective, earns him runner- up. Thank you all for the enjoyment – hope this week’s words are a little easier. [btw - Rosie belatedly posted a second episode of 'Rosebud, Princess Pirate' ]

Words for the coming week are: obliterate, peg, virgin

Entries by midnight Thursday December 10th, new words and winners posted on Friday 11th

Usual rules: 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.

51 comments:

  1. thank you, Sandra! what a way to start a Friday!!!! The Captain is already prowling, I might get in earlier this week...
    congrats, Kai, this is building up to be one fine serial.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sandra and thank you Antonia. I really enjoy Samuel and Death. We'll see where their story takes them. ;)

      Delete
  2. Many congratulations to Antonia and Kai. I absolutely adored both entries. They were so smooth and entertaining. Oh, and in the event that song is still eluding you, Sandra, it was The Bee Gees: "It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away." Great lyrics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Patricia ... I was a long, long way from recalling the Bee Gees (they invariably trigger that "Mass a chew sets" parody!)

      Delete
  3. Round 2 [Threshold 92]

    Knowledge, they say, is power. I calculated mine.
    The four brainless virgins bathing me, readying me as if for the harem, were concerned only with when their turn would come. Not knowing I understood, they commented disparagingly on my sinewed, peg-thin body, wondering why he desired it. Wondered more when I seized the carbolic soap to obliterate all traces of perfume. This encounter would contain nothing of seduction.
    But – almost – it did.
    So clichéd, I was ashamed. Candlelight, warmth, music. Tenderness of hands touching responsive places. Smooth skin on skin – ah, god, so long!
    Ice-blue eyes. Not black.
    Not black.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not what I was expecting, but an interesting turn of events. The Puppetmaster isn't Ravenscar, but I guess someone close (even if creepy) can be better than someone who is always distant.

      Delete
    2. Something of a change of heart, or so it seems. A very sultry piece and nice evoking of changing emotions.

      Delete
    3. Kai has it right, someone close is scarier. This is an interesting, intriguing episode, nicely done.

      Delete
    4. I agree, was surprised by the twist after her cold determination. Very intrigued by this piece, and I love the poetic imagery of 'Ice-blue eyes. Not black. Not black.' Curious to see where this is headed!

      Delete
  4. The Immortal 20

    I woke up in my bed with a humongous headache, like someone had pegged me with a boulder.

    My last meeting with Death was unwelcomingly fresh in my mind. He gave me to understand that if I did not kill Sandie, my obliteration from this plain of existence was nigh.

    Hell, there were plenty of fish in the sea. She was an angel, sure, but it’s not like she was the Virgin Mary.

    I was just going to have to suck it up and get it over with. I was Death’s lackey, better get used to it and keep living.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SO pragmatic! But I suppose he thinks he has no choice ... I like the tone of the final para.

      Delete
    2. Nice display of resignation. I suppose when one is dealing with the personification of Death, there's not much else one can do but go with the flow. I always look forward to these continuations. They so often veer radically from where I think they're going to go.

      Delete
    3. it's one of the intriguing things about having serials, they never do go where we expect them to (the Captain is no exception!) and that makes it an ongoing feast to look forward to. This is a good instalment.

      Delete
    4. Resigned and humorous. Loved the line about the Virgin Mary, sounds almost like he knows her, like a character like Death. :)

      Delete
  5. Cripplegate Junction/Part 24-Heroes And Villains

    Ignoring the proffered necklace, Constance eyed the bloodied bandage.

    "What happened?"

    "Part of the job. Fighting dragons. Saving virgins." Her brother shrugged. "Not named George for nothing!"

    Her attention turned to the item being held by the Grande Dame.

    "Where did you get that?"

    The Grande Dame tensed like an over-tightened tuning peg.

    "Impudence! How dare the likes of you question me!"

    With an expression that would obliterate most displays of defiance, Constance beckoned Christopher to her side. The Grande Dame, however, was neither impressed nor intimidated. Her clawed fingers dug into the child's shoulder.

    "The boy remains with me."

    ---------------------------------------------------------
    To read the earlier installments (a suggestion only) which led to this point in the tale please visit: http://www.novareinna.com/cripplegate.html
    A link to return to "The Prediction" can be found on the site. Thank you.
    ---------------------------------------------------------

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh!! Oh!! Standing ovation for " over-tightened tuning peg."
      But I need to know what happened next ...??

      Delete
    2. yes, I need to know too! definitely developing well.

      Delete
    3. Laughed about the use of George in this piece. ;) And I agree with Sandra, loved the phrasing of 'over-tightened tuning peg'.

      Delete
  6. Change of focus [157]

    But whose the finger?
    Pettinger didn’t need Olive Tree’s reminder that her virgin daughter was still in danger. Ignored her pressing to deliver Vanessa, despite believing Dave Divine had pegged his strategy on swapping her.
    His belief in human goodness long obliterated, Pettinger considered this might be a hoax. Told Olive Tree to go away. Ordered Forensics to fingerprint, Criminal Records to check.
    Updated himself on the progress of bomb-blast casualties.
    Thought long and hard about the damage his long-term boss had long-term done.
    Phoned Jack Divine. Issued not-to-be-questioned instructions and dire warnings.
    Phoned Vanessa.
    Invited her out to lunch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the crisp writing here. Nothing excessive, trimmed to the bone and yet conveying everything we need to know. Admirable piece of work.

      Delete
    2. concise as always, and always leaving me wanting that bit more before next week rolls around...

      Delete
    3. Patricia summed it up beautifully - crisp yet full of meaning. Sometimes you just have to get things done one after the other. Loved the ending. :)

      Delete
  7. A Case of the Mondays

    It was Monday, not too bad of a day until the phone rang.

    "Tony, you gotta help, her dad's gonna obliterate me. I gotta leave town!"

    Yeah, I already knew who it was.

    "Calm down, Bobby. Whose dad is gunning for you?" It was hard to keep up without a program.

    "Kate's dad, he's crazy, says he's gonna play mumbledy-peg with my nuts."

    Imaginative, I'd give him that. "Catherine Caprezi, the virgin queen? You couldn't get within a mile of her."

    "Yeah, umm, we been seeing each other on the sly, and you know that whole virgin thing, well..."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laconic is the word, along with delightful - I especially love the "It was hard to keep up without a program" line but all of this is so very, very good.

      Delete
    2. Another totally engrossing entry. Nice interweaving of the prompt words. They all seem to be so fitting.

      Delete
    3. very nicely done, winding up the tension and leaving the ending for anyone to guess, as in, what happens next?

      Delete
    4. Loved the back and forth between the narrator and Bobby. Hilarious, fun piece!

      Delete
  8. The Oracle has pondered your question deeply

    Choosing a robe from the row of pegs on the wall, he entered. As always the vapors stung his nose and clutched at his throat.

    "Sister, I'm told there is a prophecy."

    A voice like rocks grating together. "Our dread god will obliterate us, tomorrow, at sundown."

    He choked on the fumes and the surprise. "He will? I mean, what may be done to calm his wrath?"

    "Two sacrifices, man and woman, unblemished, one and twenty years, pure in heart and body."

    Two virgins? In this town?

    She continued, "I sense your thoughts. That's why I'm leaving in the morning."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, yes. Love this one too ...

      Delete
    2. Adored this one and just had to chuckle at that last line. You have a wonderful way with words, sir.

      Delete
    3. definitely a chuckle at the end there! Very clever.

      Delete
    4. Loved this! The title and ending were brilliant. Really enjoyed the dialogue and I loved how you set the atmosphere with the descriptions.

      Delete
  9. What's Your Sign?

    It was the classic pickup line and he gave a gold-toothed grin at her reply.

    "Wouldn't have pegged you for a virgin," he said, eying the tight sweater, short skirt and spike heels.

    "Virgo," she corrected, accepting his offer of another Singapore Sling. "Not necessarily indicative of my character."

    Later, during an intense moment of intimacy, he penetrated her body, obliterating all healthy cells in the process.

    "You should have asked mine," he whispered. "But I daresay you'll figure it out soon enough."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Probably my shout of laughter was at the cleverness, because obviously, this isn't remotely funny. (Except that it is) Great piece, this, Patricia.

      Delete
    2. really liked that, very cleverly done.

      Delete
    3. Clever, dark and curious. The line 'all healthy cells' has my imagination spinning in a million directions. So very curious. :)

      Delete
  10. Infinity 125.
    I wanted to obliterate that entry, for seeing it makes these old eyes want to water up and that will not do. All of us got to peg out at some time, but what bothers me is he was virgin, now he be gone without growing up and knowing what it be like. I knows well how good it is –
    What I do want to know is how old he was, so I can write it in the log. I haven’t any idea. And I can’t ask him. He be old enough to go to sea, is all we know.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh this is desperately sad, Antonia! And, as ever, smooth ue of the prompts.

      Delete
    2. I cannot express this any better than Sandra did. So heart-tugging and the emotions of our Captain shining through. This was sensitive and quite lovely.

      Delete
    3. Sad and poignant. Beautiful and haunting final line; love the phrasing.

      Delete
  11. Congrats Antonia and Kai! Been sick so not sure if I'll have time this week to play, but will attempt. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Summer Spells

    “It’s gotta be virgin blood,” Ell said, looking meaningfully at the circled girls.

    Virgi propped her peg-leg atop Ell’s backpack and snorted. “What? Gawd Ell, you’re so gullible! Tristan probably said that so he’d know who to shag.”

    Lisabet, green eyes blinking like an owl behind her spectacles, giggled and looked back down at the weather-worn book between her knees. “No virgin blood, but we can cast an obliteration spell with just a bit of dragon tongue.”

    “The book’s probably rubbish,” said Hen, lupine eyes scanning the apple grove.

    Virgi grinned. “Then let’s authenticate it, shall we?”

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And another one to shock me into laughter, this time almost causing a splurge of coffee over my laptop - hugely entertaining, and so glad you recovered enough to join in with this one.

      Delete
    2. This was totally adorable and, at the risk of being a "Sandra copycat" this week since I seem to simply be reiterating all her comments, so delightfully entertaining. And the names you chose...omg.

      Delete
  13. Oh and keep forgetting, Sandra, can you update my website in the sidebar links to hollyjkarlsson.com? Switched sites so not updating the old one anymore. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 'Tis done - thank you, (and deleted the old one so as not to confuse - was that okay?).

      Delete
    2. Ooohhh...another website to bookmark and enjoy...!!!

      Delete
  14. The Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess #3
    Mind your head! is written above the stairs to the hold, with good reason. I scrape my head every time I load the hold, as I did this morning with the Greek amphorae of extra virgin olive oil. Those silly Greeks, always forgetting to pay their protection duties to my mother, Queen Petronella. Just yesterday I obliterated FIVE of their pesky little ships, after taking their cargo, of course. Do they think they’re invincible? I even let one get close enough to knock that same roof panel’s holding peg loose and what did they do? Nothing! Boring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love the narrator's light, carefree attitude and the why you've set the scene. Love the Greeks! ;)

      Delete
    2. Rosebud is a delight, as is this episode, and such clever use of the prompt words, I just wish you managed to post earlier in the week so that others can fully enjoy and re-read!

      Delete