Friday 21 July 2017

Dawns darker already ...

... reminding me how panic-stricken I’d get at the idea that summer had passed even before the schools broke up for the summer holidays. Last week’s words weren’t intended to panic but having found an opening line or two I found coming up with the rest of it, for a stand-alone, quite hard. Goodness knows how this week’s will work out, but I know I’m guaranteed some bright entertainment.

Hence the simplicity and smoothness of Rosie’s Pirate Princess #86 – ‘Going Home’ struck an especial chord and  gave her the top spot this week. As ever, thank you all for your contributions and comments.

Words for next week:  acute drench hymn

Entries by midnight Thursday 27th July, words and winners  posted on Friday 28th

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. Serialised 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 you prefer.

64 comments:

  1. Congrats Rosie. I had a busy week and just went back to read 'Going Home.' I'm sure glad I did. The concept of a Pirate Princess is very appealing. Sounds like the makings of a novel I'd love to read.


    King of Hearts

    Roland held the revolver to his head, drenched in sweat, acutely aware that he couldn’t do it. With a trembling hand he slammed the gun on the table, cursing himself profusely. He turned up the volume on the radio.

    “The inspirational song of the hour is brought to you by the Transmission Clinic of Millwood.”

    Roland listened to the introduction, the hypnotic melody dancing in his head and he picked up the gun. Inspiration was just what he needed. He aimed and fired, blowing the radio off the table.

    “I hate hymns,” he said, smiling for the first time in years.

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    1. There's lots of stuff on the radio which would bring this reaction from me - nicely told.

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    2. oh good one,. Wish I could do that to some of the car stereos that thump away outside the shop...

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    3. An enjoyable litle didy, nice twist and oh how I was so jealous that he did what I never could.

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    4. A very enjoyable little tale of someone's at their wit's end and then finding a very creative way out. Love the smile at the end.

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  2. Many congratulations to Rosie for a fine win. I just wish more people had the opportunity to read these whimsical little jewels that are presented every week.

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  3. Congrats to Rosie for her excellent story. Many, unfortunately do miss out as she posts near the end of the week.

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    1. congratulations, Rosie, no doubt writing against the clock sometimes!
      Patricia, an awful lot of people do read this ongoing blog!

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  4. Canticle

    The most acute cases were given into the care of Father Tobias, who promised to change forever the lives of these young offenders. He vowed to drench them with awareness in the name of the Holy Spirit and bring them, meek and accepting, into the fold.

    He visited each novitiate at bedtime to dispense solace. His chosen lullaby was a most appropriate hymn and he made sure all understood its true meaning.

    "Abide With Me."

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    1. Creepy - inevitably so with your talent for the insidious!

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    2. definitely creepy, really liked this one!

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    3. Yes, innocuously haunting and very well written.

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    4. Really compelling, Patricia. I shudder to think about what solace Father Tobias is dispensing. Your writing is very beautiful if I may say so.

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  5. Doubts assuaged? [Threshold 172]

    As the dirge of the Evangelicals hymn-singing faded Raven, hearing acute as a bat, separated gasp from leaf-rustle. A warning glance to Law Man held both complicity and guilt then he strode towards me.
    ‘Eavesdroppers never hear good –‘
    ‘But often truth –‘
    ‘Truth not needed in –‘
    ‘Bartering? The seller usually begins price high –‘
    ‘Negotiation.’ Softly, ‘But I’m not selling you –‘
    ‘Law Man thinks so.‘
    ‘That’s my intention. Soften him up and –‘
    ‘And then what?’
    From nowhere came a drenching of memories; I recalling his softening of me. Which he read.
    ‘Send him on his way.’

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    1. clever use of the prompts, like this instalment a lot.

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    2. How to bst describe duplicity and evasion and yes, good prompt use.

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    3. You're definitely the 'queen of the dash' when used in dialog to create the space needed for people talking over each other. I enjoyed this a lot.

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    4. Loved this concept of leaving words unsaid, while still conveying much. You are so the expert at this type of thing, if I may say so. As enjoyable as ever. Your interactions are always a joy to read. You have such a grasp of human nature.

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    5. Thank you all - your kind comments much appreciated.

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  6. (this piece has been bothering me for 24 hours. Here goes...
    On The Other Side

    It looks like they’re singing hymns, standing around in groups, mouths opening and shutting in unison. It’s a guess as even my acute hearing doesn’t pick up a sound. We’re standing here watching them, drenched by a sudden downpour while they stay dry.
    The singing stops, they surge toward us, arms outstretched, expressions ecstatic. Religious fervour? I fork the sign of the evil eye at them. One bursts into tears. Another shakes his fist.
    We’re studying them but getting nowhere. They look and act human but, without communication, we’ll never know.
    We can’t break the glass wall between us.

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    1. The sadness in the naration, a longingness that desires to be quenched. I liked this one very much.

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    2. Science fiction, futuristic horror,Whos from Whoville, metaphor from hell... what is it Antonia? It's driving me crazy. Great writing and emotional upheaval.

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    3. I don't know what it is, John, I had a vision, a scary one of distorted faces pressing against glass as the people walked alongside me, trying to get my attention. I had to write the piece. So far you and Jeffrey are the only people who've commented, I hope the others have at least read it! I'm quite pleased with this standalone.
      OK, of to post the Mad Italian's musings for the week.

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    4. Powerful indeed - somehow huge in portent as well as intent, with a very scary soundtrack.(Possibly from a song I can't place)

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    5. Like John, I have trouble in pigeon-holing this piece under the canopy of a particular genre...and therein lies its brilliance. I think the notion of mouths moving and yet no sound being able to be heard is the most vivid image here. My mother once had an unsettling dream that she was in peril and calling my name. Although I was within distance, I was unable to hear her cries for help. She found it most upsetting and this is so very reminiscent. Magnificent piece of writing.

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  7. Window dressing

    He said the ecstasy was more acute when he knew I was watching. The hymns more glorious, prayers more uplifting.
    Even though, once I was in place behind the dusty, incense-impregnated curtain I could neither see or be seen he liked knowing I was there. In wintertime he wrapped me in furs, supplied a hipflask of whisky. In the summer he insisted I wait naked, the sun through the glass drenching me with heat, lozenges of colour, like boiled sweets, moving slowly across my skin.
    It was summer when I tipped the local Press off. Told them, ‘Bring a photographer.’

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    1. there's a good deal going on here which we don't see but can visualise.
      Nice last line - again!

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    2. Implied action is a skill, like ledgerdemain or mastereing a marionette.
      Very good propmt use.

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    3. Bring a photographer, and oh yeah, bring the police as well. Great imagery.

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    4. Even after having read this more than once, I'm unable to pinpoint my exact feelings. There seems to be a number of interpretations...none of them particularly pleasant. However, what I do know is a powerful piece of writing when I see it. Some beautiful turns of phrase as well.

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  8. Kandar 19: The Little Lies of Truth

    “Kadesh, how could a thief have gotten past the guards,drenching rain,and magical wards?” Galiel asked.
    “Unknown my lord, yet why any of the staff would kill Jet? Lady Salevon, I’ll have guards by the door.”
    “I’ll go to my temple, and offer hymn’s for Jet’s passing and the killer’s acute demise,” she said with an air of defiance.
    “Let’s head to the library and I’ll check the guardians. Has Lazar be notified?”
    “Yes my lord.”
    When they reached the library, Galiel spoke to the two suits of amour.
    “Have any thieves gone past you?” their reply, “No thief passed us by.”

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    1. more strangeness - good use of dialogue here, no tags, it works well.

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    2. I know not intentional but the "two suits of amour" gave me a chuckle.

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    3. I'd love to say it was intentional and I'm glad it has provided a chuckle or two, and that sometimes laughter is the best medicine.

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    4. I think the guards know more than they say. If no thief passed them by, it could be taken either way. Intriguing story with lots going on.

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    5. To incorporate the comments of both Antonia and John into once concise observation, this is both strange and intriguing. These installments are coming along nicely.

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    6. Once = one. Sorry 'bout that.

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  9. Kursaal (Episode Eighty) - "Props And Personas"

    Capers' final farewell took place on a rain-drenched day, reminiscent of Lucy Pepperdyne's interment. Only his siblings knew the whereabouts of Capers' cremated remains, so services were purely commemorative. Turnout was laudable, everyone acutely aware of the small figure and attentive companion watching from the fringes.

    Gianni's barrel organ churned "Thunder And Blazes" while Leonardo respectfully kept time twirling his tiny pocketwatch. The Caledonians then piped "Will Ye No Come Back Again," the sole hymn-like tune in their repertoire.

    A clown shoe, symbolic of Capers' vocation, was left at the site.

    It was later found chewed virtually beyond recognition.

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

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    1. Though I loved the last line, I've no clue where the dog came from, or even if it was a dog. I just didn't get the reference.

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    2. Sorry for the confusion, Jeffrey. Sometimes when putting an installment together, I assume the essence will be as clear to those who read it as it is to me. Can't always be pulled off, especially when one is trying to be a little mysterious with the ending and much depends on knowledge of what went before. I would clarify, but best to just let it stand I think. Regardless, I do apologize that you failed to understand the reference.

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    3. I know you said you would, but this winding down and the drifting air of mystery is so doom-laden. Loved the opening line.

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    4. One of these days, I'm going to your site to read earlier versions of this. It would be a worthwhile endeavor, I'm sure. I keep forgetting who's who. Really great piece.

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    5. Unfortunately, this particular installment relied rather heavily on what had previously transpired, so I'm not surprised that it left many feeling baffled. Truth to be told, I had more than a bit of a struggle in melding this week's prompts. Nothing really seemed to fit very well. Still...onward and upward!

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  10. Symposium III

    “Dr. F, it’s so nice to see you again.”
    “A pleasure as well, Dr. M.”
    “What should we discuss today?”
    “The exasperations of a writer, after all, they did create us.”
    “The reader created us because they believed in us.”
    “The writer drenched the paper with the ebon blood of his imagination.”
    “The reader’s acute senses transformed that into harmonious hymns about us, not the writer.”
    “The creation of literary life is the result of good writing and yet more difficult than what we do.”
    “How?”
    “They have readers that provide conflicting advice. We have no such distractions.”

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    1. Characters discussing readers and writers... very clever.

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    2. Indeed, yes! One of your best to date. This oozed with creativity and the use of tagless dialogue was totally inspired.

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  11. Cripplegate Junction/Part 106-Transmissions

    On Sunday afternoons, boarders at Cripplegate Sanitarium congregated in the Conservatory and listened to Caniadaeth y Cysegr, the BBC Home Service's broadcast of Welsh hymn-singing featuring the honey-drenched tenors of an all-male choir.

    Vocal participation was encouraged, indeed compulsory, despite the likely language barrier and acute differences in musical range. It was unwise not to comply. Matron took worship and chapel very seriously.

    The wireless continued crackle to life and air the programme on a regular weekly basis even after the assemblies had been abruptly abandoned without reason and nobody, including Matron herself, was in attendance.

    --------------------------------------------------------
    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.
    ---------------------------------------------------------

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    1. Honey-drenched tenors was great. Oh the memories of a nun teacher who was probably a nun since the day after Jesus was born.
      Enjoyed your use of prompts

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    2. liked this for the memories of listening to the radio and the images you've conjured. Good one.

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    3. Such strong visual and oral imagery and the prompts redered invisible. Again.

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    4. I'm quite sure I wouldn't enjoy being one of the boarders listening to Welsh hymn singers, regardless of the honey drenched tenors, but it was certainly entertaining to read about it.

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  12. The Mad Italian 15
    I am acutely aware of the seething political resentments and opinions on the topic of Brexit, which I will not go into here, it’s too complex, too difficult and even I find it hard to comprehend every part of the vast topic. It’s drenched in acrimony and outright ire as well, which doesn’t help. What happened to ‘everyone singing from the same hymn sheet’? I will say that cooperation between nations has worked only to a certain degree, cultural and other divisions always raise their ugly heads and confrontation erupts before it can be stopped. This is how wars begin.

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    1. Nice to see the hymn-sheet reference!

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    2. I'd be curious to hear how he feels about the American president. I'm sure he'd have a choice word or two. His Brexit comments are very astute.

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    3. Interesting that to him politics hasn't changed. Excellent prompt use.

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    4. As always, the observations of the "Mad Italian" are on point and current. I loved the comment on "This is how wars begin." Now, how true is that? Absolute wisdom of the ages here.

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  13. My stand alone was published earlier, it's up there somewhere - check it out. Even for me, it's an odd one.

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  14. Change of focus [245]

    Until Aleks arrived in his life ¬– a green- eyed, grubby, brave hobgoblin – John Pettinger had never known the acute agony and all-encompassing ecstasy of fatherhood. Having experienced he could not subsequently relinquish. Could it be that, never having sung a hymn to marriage, wedding Valdeta might be similarly fulfilling?

    The agony now was Aleks’ eye-screwed, optimism, as he attempted to decipher his future from the hesitant semi-sentences, the double-edged lies and sliding-eye avoidances taking place above his head. A single word, a sincere “Yes” would drench his face with delight but Pettinger, gut instinct shrieking, could deliver only dismay.
    ‘No.’

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    1. As in real life a no is sometimes the best answer. Loved your use of hobgoblin.

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    2. I find Aleks totally charming and disarming. I see him as something of an Artful Dodger or Gavroche from "Les Miserables" or a combination of both. And yet, he is a unique character for all that. You have created something of a little heartbreaker there, Sandra.

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  15. Natasha, Rosebud, and I say "Thanks!" I'm quite good at forgetting the days of the week, so these are mostly written on Thursdays right after dinner as my 7pm is your midnight.

    The Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess #87
    Shiver-y Timbers


    I managed to get that stubborn hatch battened just before the sky opened. I got drenched on my way inside, of course. I ended up with an acute case of shivers, but nothing worse. If it wasn’t summer I’m sure I’d have to visit the guild of hymn-singing doctors. Their care is excellent, but the queues are terrible!

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  16. An enjoyable little didy, or a shanty for the doctors. I was able to picture this very easily while reading it. Nicely done.

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