Today being Winter Solstice, and me
having been born five minutes too soon to claim myself a ‘child of’ (and more
years ago than I envisaged myself reaching) I send you all greetings for the
season, however you intend to spend it, and thank you for your contributions to
this place over 2018. It gives me a great
deal of pleasure to declare Patricia’s
‘Pierce the veil’ as the final winner of the year, especially when she has
contributed – as many of you have – so much to the success of Prediction. Long
may it last.
Because of the way the dates fall
I’m sure I am not going to be the only one hard-pushed to find time to properly
read and appreciate, never mind contribute anything, so you have a fortnight to
find a use for the following:
Words
for next week: hedonist saturate
wishbone
Entries
by midnight (GMT) Thursday January
3rd, words and winners posted Friday
4th
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.
To all my extremely talented Prediction writers and friends: May you and yours enjoy a blessed and MERRY CHRISTMAS and a healthy and HAPPY NEW YEAR.
ReplyDeleteA traitor in the woodpile! [Threshold 229]
ReplyDeleteRaven’s plan was not at fault. Simply, neither of us had appreciated that in spite of their stated antipathy to a hedonistic lifestyle there was at least one among them who craved the dramatic magic of a stonking good fire. To which end, he had saturated the piled branches with some spirit which flared and sparkled, filling the air with the perfume of caramelised oranges, seductive enough to slow one just to savour it.
Tosca was certainly tempted. Just as well Wishbone, Raven’s bad-tempered stallion, had the sense to nip her hindquarters.
Unfortunate her rearing in retaliation threw me off.
Nipping at someone's hindquarters often lands one in trouble. (Well, it does work on occasion), but too often results in unfortunate rearing. I think Tosca will come around, though.
DeleteMy favourite line has to be 'saturated the piled branches with some spirit which flared and sparked filling the air with the perfume of caramelized oranges.' What a rich description. I can almost smell the scene as I read the words.
DeleteCaramelized oranges is a nice smell which matches the writing.
DeleteSuch a treat for all the senses. Thank you
Deletevery descriptive, laden with all kinds of images. Great instalment.
DeleteThe imagery here is so rich in both image and language. I do hope our beloved protagonist (and her unborn wee'un) don't suffer too badly from the tumble.
DeleteChange of focus [308]
ReplyDeleteAnd how now to view a girl who’d aimed to kill him? Whose son claimed her as sister and whose body had set his blood in a direction more potentially hedonistic than were it saturating his shirt.
Filip, who’d missed nothing, who had claimed Balincek would look kindly on the man who taught his daughter to accept her femininity, now sniggered.
‘Bit tricky, isn’t it? Having to choose between the well-worn charms of Valdeta and those yet-to-be-discovered of Rowena. Would a wishbone help you choose?’
‘Why? D’you want one of them yourself?’
‘I’m married, Yanno. Happily. The choice is yours!’
Loved this light hearted side of Filip. Fun story this week, despite the dilema of Rowena's charms.
DeleteOooh what wonderful twists and turns you weave into this story Sandra. Will he choose and if he does who will it be...
DeleteI liked how he tried to have Filip decide for him. A good installment and story.
DeleteNice chapter!
Deletelaid back Filip and yet... underlying menace in this.
DeleteI believe John said it best with his description of "light hearted" in terms of this particular installment. Always one of my favourite serializations, I am looking forward immensely to another year of spills and thrills from Pettinger and company.
DeleteMerry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. Stay safe. Let's make next year's creativity pool the best ever...!!!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas. The goal to improve on this year's creativity is a lofty one, but let's go for it...
DeleteBuon Natale e felice anno nuovo! Wow, a fortnight. It'll mean that many more good stories to be posted.
ReplyDeletePatricia, congrats on having an incredible story as last weeks winner.
How long is a fortnight?
Deletefortnight (ˈfɔːtˌnaɪt)
Deleten
a period of 14 consecutive days; two weeks
[Old English fēowertīene niht fourteen nights]
love it, another example of how we speak different languages! One of my authors sent me a photo of a packet of jelly babies, his wife ordered them specially for him for Christmas. He only heard of them through Tom Baker as Dr Who... I also remember vividly sending a diary to a penfriend (years ago) who wrote back to ask 'what's lighting up time?' and 'what's swan upping?'
DeleteUnexpected Opportunity 3
ReplyDeleteJack Armsford enjoyed watching the sunrise from the porch of his Keuka Lake home. It was serene and helped keep the pain caused by his stage three lung cancer, almost nonexistent. He’d saturated his bagel with coffee when his phone vibrated. DC, wonder what dad wants?
“So, how’s the President of Hedonism doing?”
“Morning Jack, you just got the biggest part of the wishbone…and it came true. An alien ship has landed on Earth. I’ve have secured the location, under General McDarren. SETI is in charge and since you’re SETI’s director.”
“I’ll be under General Mayhem?”
“You’re the boss, son.”
This story is widening out into something really good Jeffrey. As usual your economic dialogue move everything along at speed and keeps me as a reader wanting to know what happens next.
DeleteVery interesting story, Jeffrey!
DeleteI, like Terrie, like the way your grand use of dialog maintains a crisp pace to this engaging story, Jeffrey.
DeleteThis is expanding very nicely and a great use of the prompts.
DeleteUnderdogs
ReplyDeleteBarry kicked at the rusted bucket saturated with the losing halves of wishbones. He checked the turkey in the oven and the doorbell rang. His Match.com date had arrived.
“Tell me about yourself,” she said as Barry carved.
“I’m a loser.”
“So am I,” she said brightly. “And a hedonist.”
He raised his eyebrows. “I dabble in hedonism.”
“Interesting,”
Barry removed the wishbone and held it out.
“I’ve never won.”
“Neither have I.”
They closed their eyes, wished fervently, and tugged. It split down the geometric center.
“Close enough,” Barry said scooping her in his arms and headed for the bedroom.
Similar to Jeffrey, you have created really economic dialogue John. It tells the story with both clarity and ease. Very cleverly done.
DeleteI much enjoyed the under-stated nature of this; the xharpness of the characterisations.
DeleteI like Barry's way of thinking... take advantage of a "break."
Deletesharp dialogue, good writing, John!
DeleteSo very current and in the moment. You can always be relied upon to bring a totally unique slant to the prompt words.
DeleteAw, I love it!
ReplyDeleteVery enjoyable and proof that all people do have their day and match. Liked your use of prompts.
ReplyDeleteJilted
ReplyDeleteJill knew her fiancé was a bit of a boy. An aspiring Don Juan. To be blunt, a dyed-in-the-wool hedonist. She also knew his favourite trysting venue was Byron's Bluff, particularly when wishbone flowers were in bloom and the air saturated with provocative fragrance.
He'd taken a nasty tumble, Jill tearfully told authorities. Of course, splitting his head open on the sharp edge of a galvaniized bucket at the bottom of the hill had finally sealed his fate.
But life must go on and Jill, in her best bib and tucker, was the most fetching mourner at Jack's funeral.
It's too bad about Jack's broken crown, but I'm glad Jill managed to avoid her own tumble. Pretty cool, Patricia.
DeleteI always enjoy a twist on an old story. Very well done.
DeleteI like this piece Patricia, a story we all know with a darkly humorous twist. Good use of the prompt words too
Delete'Tis slow I am - until others pointed out the parallels I never noticed. On the other hand, I could claim it to be the result of being "saturated with provocative fragrance"
DeleteGreat re-telling of a classic tale. I have learned much.
DeleteI love these twists on old tales!
DeleteA Dream’s Wish
ReplyDeleteSuccess’s kernel, powers granted by faithful Masters
and common revelers.
Borealis streaks across the night sky,
cajoling taunts extraordinaire.
Saturated souls of decomposed wannabe’s
that line a most famous path.
Hedonists take pleasure in life’s cruel joke.
The Socratic toast; to obedience and to death.
What uses for a four-leaf clover, horseshoe or wishbone?
A merrythought is free
Wishes of dream-
Catchers; thieves you pay to have.
Eternal spring recycles waters
pond of coy, mindless marvels of human reflection.
Are we a king if we think such?
Those at the mountaintop say they are.
Sometimes your stories take me to the limits of my knowledge and make me wish I'd paid more attention in school. You obviously paid attention and weaved that knowledge into an interesting piece. Nicely done.
DeleteI did enjoy reading this Jeffrey it is, as John says, thought provoking and well crafted. I didn't see a couple of the prompt words I was so engrossed and had to re-read to spot them.
DeleteVery well-built project! It's perfect.
DeleteYour poetic submissions are constantly a delight...even if I don't always fully grasp the significance of the composition.
DeleteKursaal (Episode One Hundred Forty Four) - "Misters Before Sisters"
ReplyDeleteThe Scorned Sisterhood was defunct. Primrose Lee, founder and major advocate, now believed Arbuthnot Jester not hedonistic so much as misunderstood.
While pulling a Cornish Hen wishbone over supper the previous evening, Primrose scored the larger half, traditional augur of good fortune. But Arby insisted he was the lucky one to bask in such alluring company. And Primrose, with champagne-saturated emotion, disbanded the society.
Conjoined twins, Rita and Ruby Deviant, took umbrage at this decision and (in the name of comeuppance) effectuated Lenny Jester's immediate extraction from the depths of their Vanishing Cabinet.
Lenny, however, did not return alone.
--------------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: Primrose Lee, Jester Brothers (Arbuthnot and Lenny) and Conjoined Twins (Rita and Ruby Deviant) together with their Vanishing Cabinet have all featured in previous episodes.
Wouldn't it be funny if Arbuthnot was both? Fate decided the future of the society, good writing.
DeleteAh yes, champagne-saturated emotion... been there. It's good to find out Lenny is still with us. Nice tease at the end, too.
DeleteBrilliant use of the prompt words and cleverly written as usual. What a cliff-hanger of a last line Patricia, I cant wait to find out who is with Lenny.
DeleteThis intricate as vines, and leaves me wanting more.
DeleteYou continue to keep us hooked with this splendid episode, Patricia. 'In the name of comeuppance' is a great phrase!
DeleteFun story. Good character development. Love to see the next bit.
Deleteone advantage of the Kursaal is the many pieces of equipment in the place which then leads to all manner of strange happenings, like this one. So who came back with Lenny is the question...
DeleteFIRST, DIG TWO GRAVES
ReplyDeleteThere were pictures.
Karen, doing what a cheating spouses does.
I’m as hedonistic as the next guy, but discrete. This was not to be tolerated.
I ran home, furious, my mind saturated with revenge plots. She was waiting, with my gun.
I mentally pulled a wishbone to see if I could stop it all right there. Then she pointed the gun at her own heart, and pulled the trigger.
No one believed me. My photos, my fingerprints on the gun, her letter about “in fear for her life”. I was done, we both were.
I’ll see your revenge, and raise.
My apologise for submitting such a thing as thing, but I couldn't spin our kry words into gold. Maybe next week!
DeleteTry not to burn your own bridges, Dave. Been there and done that, you are a very good writer. Maybe you spun silver with this story. It's a nice story, with good prompt use and a catchy ending.
DeleteI guess hedonism is okay until one gets caught; then it all changes and the blame game starts. Perhaps they both got what was coming to them.
DeleteI enjoyed this David. Great imagery, strongly written and good insertion of the prompt words. I don't think you have anything to apologise for.
DeleteYou are so good at titles. And then at matching stories to them. This, its complexity, could be an entire novel, but you shovelled it into 100 words.
Deletereally good twist on the story!
DeleteVery interesting and yet another "outside the box" submission this week. I agree with Sandra, your choice of titles coupled with the matching tales are amazingly impressive. I strive for a similar goal, but so often fall short of the mark. :(
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 39
ReplyDeleteAtlas concentrated his attention on the stalk-saturated, raucously rowdy, thorny-lizard gang. It was evident Moloch’s appetite for depravity matched his lust for power and he’d set his sights on the ‘Dillo girl.
As he watched, Atlas suddenly realised, that in the heaving hedonism of thick air and shadowy bodies, he’d lost sight of the female.
Someone offered him a basin of clear liquid.
He started to wave away the bowl but the thick paws holding the delicate wishbone-handle seemed familiar. He looked up into the face of the ‘Dillo maid.
His gasp of recognition was lost in the unruly clamour.
Just how apropos is Moloch based on your description? Wishbone handle is a novel use of a prompt. Good writing, flow, and a nice continuation.
DeleteIt makes sense the leader of the thorny lizard gang would be depraved. A good beginning for a rescue I certainly hope happens.
DeleteBrilliantly-evoked atmosphere in this, heat and sweat and noise palpable.
DeleteAs always, Terrie, your choice of language is outstanding. I love the way your words so smoothly flow into one another.
DeleteLove the personalities of these characters, and they really are characters.
Deleteit's the fluidity of the story which holds me every week, it's just so smooth!
DeleteAs delightfully visual as always. This would work so well in an animated setting...not one of those frilly concepts but a true adult-based accomplishment. I do so enjoy these characters.
DeleteCONSCRIPTION 8: MORE!
ReplyDeleteThe four tiny beasts lurched about the tray in a clumsy waddle-walk until Crutch’s command, “Feed,” launched each to the chest of an immobilized target and on a path due north. The victims clamped their teeth, but upon reaching a mouth, each hellish horror jimmied its clawed toes between teeth and wishboned a mouth open. The crisp crack of breaking jawbones echoed through the room as the feral fowls began tunneling into blood-filled mouths.
Raucous bellowing from the spellbound hedonistic audience saturated the rancid air. I, equally entranced, joined in. My appetite expanded to gluttonous proportions.
I cravenly wanted more.
Horrible indeed, but so skilfully done, enough to eave me cravenly wanting more.
DeleteOoooh... More please
DeleteOnly one word of dialogue, the rest all narration, which is also very hard to do. A well written episode JD.
Deletepure gore and done with such vision, too!
DeleteHorror in its most pure form is the key word here. So reminiscent of those classic tales that never age. Magnificent...even if it is the stuff of nightmares.
DeleteThis is wonderful stuff. You have created a dark and bloody scene with expertly written phrasing. I was mesmerised from start to finish by the horrific descriptions and was so engrossed I totally missed the prompt words.
ReplyDelete'The crisp crack of breaking jawbones echoed through the room as the feral fowls began tunnelling into blood-filled mouths' is the stand out line for me. What an excellent continuation for the story….. going back to read it again .
The Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 40
ReplyDeleteThe sharp scent of sulphur saturated the evening air as they walked the path to the wishbone-shaped, healing, pool.
Divested of his armour, Tosca appeared less warrior-like and, despite his ragged appearance, moved with innate grace and fluidity.
‘Soak yerself well little mate, it’ll heal them sores,’ Nigel said, wading into the shallow end of the yellow-tinted pond.
Tosca followed, paddling into the deeper water of the curving arc of the pool.
‘Cor its warm,’ he said with a hedonistic, yet blissfully gentle, sigh and submerged himself fully.
Concealed by boulders and an unforeseen cloud-masked moon, Sarg watched thoughtfully.
Ooh - "wishbone-shaped" pool really impressive. As is the steamy atmosphere of the rest of this. Never fails to entertain.
DeleteThis week you surprised me, not in the quality but with the subject. You have excellent descriptions and through in some nice dialogue and a pinch of intrigue.
DeleteAnd yet another week that delights us with a double-dose. You need to be very careful, Terrie. This is coming to be expected and sadness will prevail if we don't get the extra treat in future.
DeleteYellow-tinted, and warm pond... Hmmm.
ReplyDeletesulphur David... Sulphur..honest ..lol
DeleteOK, I'll believe it was sulphur, if you say so... great instalment!
DeleteA Home spun Tale: A Short Fictional Autobiography-9
ReplyDeleteMatt had fallen on his bed, blood seeping from him.
“You’re a philosophical hedonist and a nice guy. If you had a wishbone you’d be dead. Your clavicle protected your heart from the ax.”
“Let me saturate your brain. The police will be here in answer to your call. Ms. Tosca and her brother are criminals. Students ensnared as accomplices in the murder spree. Being killed as their secret got out. Except you. One innocent student survived. They’ll believe you and they’ll get the death penalty. The public will eat it up. You’ll be atop a best sellers book list.”
The continuations "continue" to get better!
DeleteSometimes you just have to be practical
ReplyDeleteStrokes
ReplyDeleteSable brushes saturated with vivid colours painted scenarios that imagination and desire dictated. In the wishbone of life, he had rarely reaped the benefit of a lucky break but a solitary self-condemned hedonist is obliged to create his own pleasure palace.
A wonderful New Year story, painting. Good writers are able to bring a reader into the story and I saw some part of myself as the man who was painting. Excellent story, especially in that small package. A worthy contender.
DeleteA wonderful tale expressed in a modicum of words. 'The wishbone of life.........reaped the benefit of a lucky break' is a marvelous manipulation of words, Patricia.
DeleteThis somehow huge and echoing in its impact - his pleasure palace definitely high-ceilinged.
DeleteDoing it by the book
ReplyDeleteA dozen men, an entire twelvemonth, of hedonistic pleasure: wine sweated off with sex, sheets semen-saturated until, usually before month’s end, the both of us skeletal as hinged and doubly-cloven wishbones, he declared ‘Enough’
New Year’s Eve, peering through the opened trapdoor, I realised I was done with Hilary Mantel; and it was time to ‘Bring up the Bodies.
This year’s resolution, provided I can find sufficient nightingales – build a cage, perhaps – I could re-enact Eugene McCabe; I’d enjoyed the TV version.
I enjoy your writing. It's very descriptive and flowing. I don't know the reference you mention but I do pity those plotting against.
Deleteoh clever one, Sandra!
DeleteI am assuming this has a basis for which I am unaware. Nonetheless, it can stand on its own as a wonderful piece of writing. But then you are always so good at these "sensual" types of tales.
DeleteApologies - this one where I started and was obliged to finish in a rush - Hilary Mantel's 'Bring up the bodies' the wonderful second of her historical intended to be trilogy with Thomas Cromwell as MC, and Eugene McCabe's 'Death and Nightingales' was televised over Christmas, prompting me to ask for the book as a present (didn't watch it). I've yet to start it though, having received a total of fourteen books.
DeleteSquatter’s Rites 15
ReplyDelete“Mr. Gyst, this is insane! A ghost is trying to take my inheritance from me.”
“Dave, relax.”
“Can a ghost be a hedonist?”
“Isn’t anything living, to some degree, a hedonist? The court has said that ghosts are living beings.”
“Spirit mediums have saturated television with their commercials. Elvis and Micheal have a televised concert tonight.”
“We’ve missed the point. It’s not do ghosts exist, it’s can they inherit property. People have left their estates to pets. A pet is property. To inherit you must be tangible, intelligent and not legally dead. I found your wishbone, those declared dead can’t inherit.”
Very well written, and quite entertaining! Philosophical and amusing at the same time.
DeleteYou pose some intriguing questions here. I liked the way you snuck in a televised concert featuring both Elvis and Michael. Makes me wonder who else will have a cameo.
DeleteKhandar 27
ReplyDeletePhilus and his militia patrol went down Tannery Way, toward the ‘Wishbone’, one of several open-air amphitheaters. Three militia guardsmen approached as five stayed back.
“Lieutenant, ten more to question. The hedonistic torturer’s can saturated their tables with blood.”
The lieutenant looked at Philus in the dancing torchlight.
“What post are you from?”
“The Gate of Whren.”
A gurgling from behind saw a shadowy figure killing the five guards.
“Lieutenant, stay still and live,” said Uxator.“Excellent idea, Philus. I’ll need five, rest of you with Philus.”
Uxator whispered to Philus..
“Got it?”
He nodded
“Leave the guards naked.”
Your creative muse is on a high this week, Jeffrey. Seems the inspiration just keeps on coming. Another nice one!
DeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 170 - The Reluctant Traveler
ReplyDeleteClive Bailey had never been an extravagant chap and a more non-hedonistic fellow, one couldn't hope to meet. Existence prior to Cripplegate had been decidedly humdrum. He wasn't a fortunate soul either. Pull a wishbone and Clive would surely get the short end each time.
Although events had been undoubtedly nightmarish since his arrival, Clive (in spite of himself) had often taken unexpected pleasure in the mysterious adventure that saturated comings-and-goings at the Junction and he felt an integral part of it all.
Therefore, as departure loomed closer, Clive became less and less certain he wanted to board the train.
---------------------------------------------------------
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.
----------------------------------------------------------
Clive is probably very wise... if he follows through with not boarding the train, that is. Then again... he's very likely tempted and is there a man who can withstand temptation?
DeleteIntelligence is knowing that Frankenstein wasn't the monster. Wisdom is knowing that Frankenstein was the monster.
DeleteHow good to learn a bit more about Clive!
DeleteStop the Week, I want to get off (28)
ReplyDeleteChristmas and New Year are for the hedonists out there. The ones who saturate themselves with alcohol and gorge on rich unnatural foods… you guessed, I don’t drink and can’t eat the rich unnatural foods, so the holiday couldn’t pass quickly enough for me! Windows were done; sales are minimal whilst everyone recovers. Only those who had the wishbone and their wishes came true are visiting the shop with money… and there are few of those. So, the time has been used to clear up as best I can, to advertise loads (which I’m doing) and hoping for Good Times…
Fortunately your stories, for the most part, aren't unnatural and I do so enjoy, rich foods, in moderation of course.
DeleteI'm sure the Good Times will surface very soon, Antonia. You have such a diverse stock that I'm convinced there is something for everyone within those four walls...or are there more than four?
DeleteI got the impression the entire holiday was low key this year, and I'm certainly not complaining.
DeleteThe Mad Italian 87
ReplyDeleteThe holiday season has passed with false promises and much verbosity by the respective leaders of your political parties, all looking for the knighthood to allow them to indulge in a hedonistic lifestyle when their tenure in office ends. They saturate their speeches with hyperbole which no one believes but everyone has to act as if they do. Shall we try something? Pull a wishbone with me, friends, if you win, tell me what you have wished for, and I will see what I can do. If I win… heaven help the next parliament…
This observation mirrors our Congress, Antonia. You nailed it all right.
DeleteOh Leonardo, what a time I'd have seeing you grant my wish and an equally good time if you win. Antonia, a wonderfully crafted installment.
DeleteHeaven help everyone indeed. I fear we are all heading along a fast-moving river with not a paddle in sight. Fingers crossed that Leonardo will temper the situation with his customary insight.
DeleteLot going on today, but I will do my very best to return with comments before the "and the winner is..." deadline.
ReplyDeleteThe Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess #161
ReplyDeleteKnives or Arrows
Hey mister, you asked who I was. I might be the last thing you’ll ever see. The Lords of Fire once tried to saturate my rum markets with inferior product. Some people break wishbones, I break collar bones. What can I say, I’m a hedonist. You tried to send me back to prison. What do you expect?
Inferior rum! That's alcohol abuse of the most sinister kind. Rosie, a very solid and good story. Some extremely tight yet very effective writing.
DeleteOoh - do I detect a turn for the nastier in this? A bit of a bad-tempered Rosebud? Whichever, and whether or not, this is short and very very sweet.
Delete