Friday, 7 February 2020

Interim


Herewith words for next week. A snatched half hour before others wake up have given me time for a quick re-read, and I declare David's Bring home for Emma  winner for last week.  You’ll have a turn to choose in a couple of weeks. As ever, I thank you for your participation and comments, which is what keeps this site alive.

Words for next week: daisy opportunity stripe

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 13th February, words posted Friday 14th

 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 uses 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.

122 comments:

  1. Congrats, David. Your doomsday tale really resonated and deserved the nod. Well done.

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    1. jdeegan536@yahoo.com7 February 2020 at 16:55

      Your entry was an excellent choice for top honors, David.

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    2. I thought I'd already added my congratulations, David, but just in case I didn't...very nicely done and a worthy win.

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    3. just brilliant, Davide - and now Rie has Thirteen up and running again, you have an outlet for some of your outstanding stories, yes?

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  2. The Bray Chronicles

    The young Moroccan aide left the embassy at his usual time. He declined offers to be accompanied despite the heightened awareness of the escalating murders. His clothes were daisy fresh, his striped silk tie immaculate as he walked, chilled by the cool afternoon air and the excitement of meeting his new Tinder lover. He glanced at the gleaming Rolex, a calculated, opportunistic gift from his latest sugar daddy. He’d have to be especially careful the two didn’t find out about each other.

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    1. Methinks he need be careful about a LOT more than a little two-timing!

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    2. The invulnerability of youth leads to the wisdom of old age. Survival is the only caveat. Very good story, John.

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    3. jdeegan536@yahoo.com9 February 2020 at 04:17

      This young Moroccan could be sailing into dangerous waters, John. He'd best not be too haughty. As always, nicely done!

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    4. Lovely subtle introduction into the character of this "young Moroccan." The Tinder and sugar daddy references, along with the deceptive tidbit, tell us everything.

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    5. character creating going on here, superbly, I hasten to add.

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  3. David, a very enjoyable if on the non hopeful side , is an excellent and worthy selection as winner for last week. Congratulations.

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  4. Who says winning isn’t everything?

    The weasel sat upon the back of the tortoise as they made their way eastward, occasionally plucking a daisy to decorate her luxuriate subtly striped fur.

    “Can you walk for a while?” said the tortoise, breathing heavily.

    “There’s gratitude for you,” the attorney said. “Didn’t I get you off for murdering the hare?”

    From behind, bloodhounds bellowed in the distance.

    “Are you sure we were supposed to leave the prison?” the tortoise said.

    “Absolutely,” she said, examining her paw pads. “Can’t you walk any faster?”

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    1. No wonder weasels and tortoises get such bad press.

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    2. Oh my, I'm sure it's just a legal technicality that came up. Some paperwork not filled out properly. Wonderful continuation, John.

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    3. Magnificent interaction between these two. That "Can't you walk any faster?" question brought to mind that poem found in "Alice In Wonderland."

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    4. clever use of dialogue to move this on.

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  5. Language difficulties [Threshold 287]

    ‘Day’s eye?‘
    I thought I’d misheard, assumed he mistook me for someone else and took the opportunity to correct him. ‘I‘m not Daisy –’
    ‘No.’ His intensive stare, taking in my tangled hair, my dust and tear-striped face (come darkness doubts and misery had momentarily gained the upper hand), my filthy garment and dirt-encrusted feet, turned to apology. ‘I do not have the words. You are woman dazed? Woman of black birdman?’
    ‘”Blackbird –”? You mean Raven?’ What had Raven meant by “dazed”? And was I his woman?
    ‘You come. I take you to him.’
    ‘In the SUV?’
    Yes. You see.’

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    1. I think she's going to accept a ride from this stranger. Maybe Raven meant dazzling and not dazed. We can rule out Daisy. Only a few thousand more names to eliminate.

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    2. Nice episodes of misspoken words here. I'm wondering exactly what might be meant by it all and whether it's intentional or something of a red herring. Don't know if I'm that keen on our protagonist accepting that SUV ride.

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    3. oh a rare mix to be sorted - and I'm with Patricia here, not liking the SUV ride.

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  6. Discussion

    “Mom, stay and help me run the manor.”
    “And scare all the eligible ladies away. They’ll be like bees to a fragrant daisy. You know about blacksmithing, tanning, numbers, building a house, along with the longbow and sword. Abbot Richmond said you took the opportunity to learn writing and reading.”
    Malik brushed the yellow stripe in her red hair and stared into her violet eyes. “I prefer the anvil and forest over books and quills. How long will you be gone?”

    “A year at most. The Tarniv Steppes are six weeks away.”

    “Who’s the caravan master?”

    “Red Beard Jakhol.”

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    1. Mother and daughter sound like a formidable duo. I'm looking forward to seeing what this caravan master is like. With a name like Jakhol, he likely won't be a pleasant type.

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    2. Dialogue driven entry as always your forte, Jeffrey. "Red Beard Jakhol" certainly conjures one hell of an image.

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    3. Thank you both for your dedication in following and commenting on my stories and this series. Oh, one minor point, Malim is her son.

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  7. Change of focus [363]

    The body, lying between brick wall and industrial dustbin, was so brightly lit by SOCO spotlights that blood-spill draining into metal gully resembled stripes of strawberry sauce.
    At Pettinger’s arrival the CIO took the opportunity to straighten up, lift the blue and white-striped crime scene tapes and bring him up to date. ‘Teenager. Chased and beaten. Ran in here to hide. Bled out.’
    ‘Witnesses?’
    ‘Round here, guv? In yer dreams!’
    ‘Ditto ID I suppose?’
    ‘You suppose right. No phone, nor no wallet.’
    ‘Male or female?’
    ‘At first, daisies painted on the Docs; I assumed female. Then bum-fluff stubble suggested not.’

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    1. The tight, gritty dialog works well with this, Sandra. It brings us right into the crime scene. Nicely done.

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    2. As John pointed out, this certainly came with its fair share of gritty dialogue, but it works so very well in this instance. Must say, that image of strawberry sauce stripes brought a shudder.

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    3. it is tight dialogue, not easy to do - but you have it mastered, Sandra.

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  8. Gathering magic 3

    Thoughtfully, she viewed the skull as she would a delicate daisy or precious gem; then stowed it carefully within her cloak.
    Her skin rippled with absorbed magic and shadowy sigils striped her face.
    Wiping her mouth, she watched his desiccated remains float up to mingle with the fairy bones.

    ‘Shame you’ll miss the opportunity to see me challenge the master of deceit and lies father,’ she observed, then, creating a doorway in the stone-walled tower, she wrapped her cloak and hood about her and stepped out into the night.

    A sooty-winged creature flew silently from the tower-top and followed her.

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    1. So strange, so enticing and so vividly painted that I saw it all. Wicked stuff Terri.

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    2. A good episode, Terrie. A hint of the Highlander here and that makes it even more enjoyable.

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    3. Fresh with absorbed magic, this girl is quite the formidable foe for the master of deceit. This should prove to be an interesting tale.

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    4. Oooohhhh...a sooty-winged creature. How utterly delightful. This is so visual that it's a treat to read.

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    5. jdeegan536@yahoo.com12 February 2020 at 17:13

      'Her skin rippled with absorbed magic... A sooty-winged creature...' I SO love your marvelous use of language, Terrie!

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    6. I've a bedroom carpet covered in soot at the moment, major cleaning job going on. I could do with a sooty-winged creature to come and whisk it all away. What a vivid and enticing description that is!

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  9. The Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 78
    Quick recap as it’s been a few months– The wounded and bloody creature called Moses has just stumbled across the ‘dillo party moving the ‘Pangonel contraption’


    ‘Is he dead?’ someone asked.

    Nigel put a paw to its chest, ‘Given opportunity ‘e will be, ‘e’s more dead than alive... Looks like a gerbil.’

    Cinereus tried to staunch the blood flow. ‘Tosca,’ he said, ‘find comfrey , an’ woundwort leaves too - even if they’re dried up they’ll still have that stink to turn your snout up along wiv that striped daisy flower atop.’

    As Tosca scurried off Nigel spoke quietly to the smallest platoon member. She looked unhappy at what he said but nodded then scampered off full tilt, tail flying, back the way they had come.

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    1. The limited experience I have with gerbils is you usually find them stiff in their cage at some point. It's fun to see them, and the other woodland creatures humanized. The line I found most entertaining was the small platoon member scampering off, tail in the air.

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    2. Yes, I too was enchanted by the 'scampering' - you certainly have a skill at utilising the perfect verb.

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    3. Those 'dillos have lost none of their charm during the hiatus. How they have been so sorely missed. I do hope they'll stick around now.

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  10. Glad that the Dilo's have returned as well and with a very good episode. Some good dialogue in this story.

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  11. Bump in the Night: #6
    After placing a vase of fresh daisies on the table, Mary spoke to Jim.
    “Now is a good opportunity, dear. What questions do you have?”
    “Besides the fact you use magic or about April?”
    “The former, you see my great, great grandmother is Ursula Southeil. Did you know April had magic in her?”
    “Don’t all ghosts use magic?”
    “No, it depends on their rank and what they were in life. Why didn’t you tell me you liked BDSM?”
    “I’m not for or against it but after a few years, I saw a stripe of vindictiveness in April and stopped participating.”

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    1. It's good to know magical ghosts are limited by the rank they possess. It's interesting how Jim stays so calm about all this. I'd be a wreck. I think deciding whether or not to participate in BDSM depends on if you're the dominator or the dominated.

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    2. Interesting idea...the ranking of ghosts dependent upon the magic they practiced and their professions.

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    3. Again thanks for your commentary, interest, and support. This series is a follow up to an earlier one: Squatters Rites.

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  12. jdeegan536@yahoo.com8 February 2020 at 18:35

    A WORK IN PROGRESS

    I call them Daisy Duck and Minnie Mouse. They don’t resemble those cartoon characters, but not knowing their actual names, I had to call them something. They live with me, although “living” is somewhat a stretch. They’re in my basement, and I’m still working with them.

    I love Daisy’s head and arms; they’re a perfect fit with Minnie’s torso. Legs though are a problem. Neither girl has particularly attractive ones. Daisy’s thighs are striped with stretch marks, and Minnie’s ankles are too thick.

    If opportunity favors me tonight, I’ll find a girl with beautiful legs. I’ll call her Petunia Pig.

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    1. A great piece, Jim. He can't just settle for someone with kankles. You're going to think I'm crazy, but I find Daisy Duck (The Disney one) to be kinda hot.

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    2. Insidiously nasty this, Jim ... stuff of nightmare

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    3. Wicked. Wicked. And I'll say it again. Wicked. How deliciously nasty this is. And I love the devil may care air about it.

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  13. Even Frankenstein practiced his craft. Though gruesome,you've another very well written story with some good descriptive visualizations.

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  14. The Cambion Proposal: #11

    “I owe you my life, good sir. I’ll freely give what he was going to take, as a reward.”
    Zindar chuckled, “A well said offer, I’ll give you an opportunity to make some honest coin.”
    “Doing what?”
    “Your moral stripe is confusing; you’d sell your body but question the one who saved you?”
    “I’m no newly bloomed daisy, I own little more than my body, why wouldn’t I sell it?”
    “I’ll get a room and you can sell the information in your brain.”
    Zindar searched the body and tossed her a small pouch.
    “He’s paid you. Now, can we go?”

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    1. Moral stripe was a great way to use that prompt word. Zindar paying for the information in her brain indicates he may treat her honorably... I hope so.

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    2. jdeegan536@yahoo.com11 February 2020 at 17:13

      'The information in your brain' is quite the provocative line, Jeffrey. I don't know who I'd rather be in this tale.

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    3. Very nice use of the prompts, Jeffrey. I think this is my favourite piece from you this week.

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    4. My thanks to all three of you for your compliments on this story.

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  15. Snap: Probationary detective constable’s conscience starts to prick

    Phone. Theo. Unexpectedly reluctant, Jo answered.
    ‘Safe to talk?’
    ‘If you’re quick –‘
    ‘I’ve book somewhere special –‘
    ‘Tonight? Oh, no –‘
    ‘Oh yes, Jo –‘
    ‘I need to catch up on sleep –‘
    ‘I’ll not take no for an answer. Not every day you get that sort of opportunity. We’ll have an early night.’

    Jo hesitated. Her boss’s lecture about vigilance was still ringing in her ears as was, increasingly, the ugly striping of Theo’s affection with ulterior motives.

    Come morning, no disguise. ‘Tell me when the next drug raid’s due, Jo, or prepare to be pushing up daisies.’

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    1. I was expecting a more risque push from Theo, but now Jo appears to be in dire straits. Loved the quick, terse dialog.

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    2. This is proving to be a serialization par excellence. I do hope Jo doesn't come to a sticky end. She's starting to grow on me.

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    3. intriguing setup here, more please

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  16. The Perfect Child

    See my dear little girl, wrapped safe and sound in her pink-and-white striped blanket bordered with yellow daisies?

    Be quiet now. She's sleeping.

    They look for an opportunity to take her from me, but she's mine and I refuse to give her up.

    She's such a good baby.

    Never cries.

    Never.


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    1. Another of your - Jim has it aright - "wrecking ball" endings which you are enviably good at.

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    2. Vintage Patricia Purvis. I'd know this style if it were randomly included with a hundred other short shorts. An enviable trait.

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    3. I've noticed that shocking seems to do very well in winning and this fit's the bill to a T, Patricia.

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    4. this is horror encapsulated in so few words it's untrue and it works. Every time.

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  17. jdeegan536@yahoo.com10 February 2020 at 18:06

    Never... such a potent word here, Patricia. It hit me like a wrecking ball. Very nice!

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  18. The Reluctant Hussy

    Wearing fabulous form fitting Daisy Dukes and a semi-opaque crop top, Misty squandered yet another opportunity. The would-be customer roared off in his custom Jag.

    “What the hell was that?” said Sheila.

    “He was so crude,” Misty said.

    “You’re a goddamned hooker, we all are, everyone’s gonna be crude!”

    The next guy pulled to the curb in a tiger striped Maserati. “How much for a shag?”

    “Piss off.”

    “Sheila shook her head. “Are you sure you’re cut out for this?”

    “Absolutely,” said Misty, flipping the next customer the bird.

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    1. Sincerely hope this too will become a serial and let us into the secret of how she earns her living (or what a guy has to do to get her approval)

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    2. jdeegan536@yahoo.com11 February 2020 at 17:06

      It appears that Misty was booted out of Hooker school. Still, she must look very comely in her Daisy Dukes' outfit. Quite the original entry, John.

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    3. Methinks Misty probably doesn't pull much in by way of payment most nights. I hope her pimp...assuming she has one which doesn't actually seem likely given her attitude...is the understanding sort.

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    4. She has standards, nothing wrong with that. She's not in it for the money and hookers probably aren't in it for the sex, so what is she in it for? What was the movie, Play Misty for Me. Great story John.

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    5. oh yes, really tight writing bringing out a fascinating character.

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  19. Cripplegate Junction/Part 220 - On The Move

    Miss Constance and her brother George had yet to board the train and George continued to rummage through his kitbag while Constance took the opportunity to examine revealed items. They appeared far more numerous than the duffle could actually hold.

    She found the military service decorations particularly interesting and drew attention to the three chevron insignia.

    "You're a sergeant?"

    George shrugged.

    "Almost made it a time or two but..." He winked. "Kept the stripes anyway!"

    George stuffed everything back into his bag and took Constance's elbow.

    "Upsy-daisy, sis. We need to go find us a seat before it's too late."

    --------------------------------------------------------
    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. I love the concept of the kit bag holding more than it seemingly could. Upsy-daisy... good one.

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    2. I agree with your use of prompts. How would get get the chevron's of s sergeant if if never became one?

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    3. I've had chevrons and right now have a Nazi Youth badge in the shop, but I don't think George got his legitimately somehow.

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  20. TASDEK 4 - Spit and secrets

    D’jan brushed away glinting dust. ‘That troll-made machine will never get us out of here.’
    Unwilling to reveal confidential mission details, Vixen took opportunity to lower his gaze to the dark blood trailing her wrist. ‘Let me heal your arm, D' D'jan.’
    All daemon-born were created for specific qualities.
    Vixen was Grallech bred but also Herhtuq, a Medicine-Clan daemon; his saliva had healing properties.
    D’jan wiped the blood with her daisy-stripe kirtle and with her teeth pulled a sliver of rock from her wound. She held out the limb for him.
    He spat.
    She rubbed the soothing saliva into the gash.

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    1. Yet another visual feast from your talented pen this week, Terrie. This had very much a "Dungeons and Dragons" feel to me.

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    2. From title to final line - a sensual delight.

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    3. Rubbing saliva into a gash seems so... I don't know, weird. But he does have the healing properties. Very intriguing stuff going on here.

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    4. Visual descriptions galore in your story, Terrie. I loved the unusual words that flowed with the sentance.

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    5. jdeegan536@yahoo.com12 February 2020 at 17:05

      As always, Terrie, your work is rife with powerfully vivid images.

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    6. using saliva is a very old remedy, this roots the story in a time when everything natural was used. More please.

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  21. Kursaal (Episode One Hundred Ninety Four) - "The Return Of Lulu"

    It was a sad occasion when Libby Pepperdyne and her adopted dog Lulu (named for Libby's deceased twin, Lucy) went missing. Reported sightings had amounted to naught.

    The pup had been one of a dozen whelped by Daisy the Doberman (Maximillian Corviday's beloved bitch), who paid the newborns no attention and abandoned them at the earliest opportunity.

    And so, when a small dog was found, striped collar bearing the name tag "Lulu," in the vicinity of of Lucy Pepperdyne's grave, it was cause for celebration since Libby and Lulu were inseparable.

    Surely, the little girl could not be far away.

    --------------------------------------------------------
    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: Daisy the Doberman, her owner, Maximillian Corviday, and the Pepperdyne Twins (Lucy and Libby), along with Libby's pup, Lulu, have all featured in previous episodes.


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    1. As ever, I'm impressed by your ability to recollect and recall individuals from Kursaal's colossal cast, and then weave them, along with prompts, so seamlessly into the next episode.

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    2. Your Kursaal episodes are always enjoyable, I also appreciate your references.

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    3. yes but in what form will she be found... anything could happen at the Kursaal.

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    4. Love the Kursaal. Libby must be near, as you indicate. Please bring her back, Patricia... Libby's fate remains in your hands.

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  22. Cripplegate Junction/Part 221 - Dream A Little Dream

    Marmalade dreamed.

    He was with Mamma Cat and his siblings. They stalked tall grasses that grew by the railway tracks. Took every opportunity to pounce upon rugby-shirted black-and-yellow striped Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars. Chased Peacock Butterflies that flitted among Oxeye Daisies and hovered above lightly-fragrant Lady Ann Lavender.

    But then, the mewling of littermates grew distant and Marmalade became separated from the heart of his family by a tunnel of Dog Violets. There was the tinkling of teacups and vague aroma of Earl Grey brewing in an urn.

    Marmalade awoke with sharpened claws and a granite glitter in his gold-green eyes.

    --------------------------------------------------------
    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. Ready for action, no doubt ... but to do what? Can't wait (but know I'll have to) for the next episode.

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    2. There's that tea urn again.
      Such great descriptions in this. Just what a kitten would enjoy. Brilliant use of rugby-shirted to suggest stripes.

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    3. ooh, what next for our favourite cat with the sharp claws and a massive intelligence?

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  23. Mamma Cat, perhaps an homage to Mama Cass Eliot? Lovely flowery descriptions and probably what a cat would dream of.

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  24. Privileged

    She never imagined an elite lifestyle so monotonous. Day after day embroidering French Knots and Lazy Daisies into genteel patterns of domestic bliss or arranging striped Peruvian Lilies in Waterford vases to adorn antique tables located in every damn room.

    She expected him to be more lascivious. Apparently, appearances deceived. He sorely lacked imagination in the erotica department. She had no objection to being treated as something of a trollop in the boudoir, but he handled her like delicate porcelain.

    Beyond the confines of the castle, however, the opportunistic Beauty found many a Beast keen to indulge her fantasies.


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    1. Ah ... how eminently ... satisfying

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    2. An enjoyable and intriguing twist on a classic tale. Perhaps she should suggest such.

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    3. jdeegan536@yahoo.com12 February 2020 at 17:02

      Oh to be a Beast when this Beauty requires servicing! This entry gets the blood running,Patricia! Very nice!

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    4. yes, another lovely twist - setting the imagination going - as a good story should.

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    5. The Beast pretty much made his own bed here. A girl does what a girl needs to do. I'm still trying to decipher if I'm offended by the latter half of the last sentence.

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    6. I feel rather proud of myself. To think, I may have managed to offend John! Whod've thunk it could be done?

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    7. That does it. I'm naming one of my future characters Patricia. Maybe she'll have a nickname, like Peppermint Patty or something like that.

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  25. The Cambion Proposal: #12

    Melthane went to the temple of Thoth and spoke with head priest Bocelli.
    “Princess Melthane, you’ve become quit a daisy since your pregnancy. Welcome to our repository.”
    “My father hates and is embarrassed by me; I need to show that I can be of help and that I still love him.”
    “The daughter seeks an opportunity that’s always been in front of her. Remember that the weight of a crown, matters not to the stripe of being a father.”
    “Tell me about the leaders of city of Tagzig Olmo.”
    “Which leaders, pique your interest, seer of love.”
    “The Pasha-Mir.”

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    1. It's funny, the opportunities right in front of someone are often the hardest ones to grasp. I'm confident Melthane and her father will make up. Nice use of dialog here.

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    2. The Muse of Dialogue is running without pause this week, Jeffrey. Another fine addition to this week's contributions.

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  26. Stop The Week; I Want To Get Off (84)
    We’re going to have to be like daisy roots, solid, going nowhere. It seems some London property developer sees a good opportunity to snap up the block where we are, and the five flats above us. The auction is this Friday. Our landlord hasn’t reported back from the solicitors yet. I don’t want to put a black stripe down the window and say END, not just yet anyway. Depends on the rent in the future. It’s still tough at the moment. I’m using affirmations to stay positive, they seem to be working with me, will they work for the shop?

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    1. Landlords do things a little differently once developers start showing interest. Hopefully, this will work out in your favor. Sometimes, with a change of scenery comes new customers.

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    2. jdeegan536@yahoo.com12 February 2020 at 22:01

      Here's hoping everything works out in your favor, Antonia.

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    3. Oh no. That little Curiousity Shop on the Isle of Wight simply must remain intact. How will we manage without our delightful little whimsical snippets every week? I do not want to read a blow-by-blow of its shutdown.

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    4. Heart-stopping this. Antonia. Fingers crossed and hope springing eternal the outcome will be benign.

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  27. The Mad Italian (143)
    The virus currently racing through the population of your world is still outdone by the virus that infects the social media. Whilst it has its uses, it seems more to damage than uplift. Yes, repeating comments from last week but the opportunity for support and kindness is there and is ignored, just as the daisy is ignored and yet how wonderful they are, massed on lawns. Until the mower creates the deep green stripes, of course… politically there are the usual problems and outrages, nothing changes except people get poorer and more desperate. Your politicians must remember that.

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    1. An interesting comparison of viruses. A Facebook friend recently commented about radical political posts and said he would block such people. One person responded and said she would just post pics of her cat from now on. I don't know what's worse. I agree, though, with the Italian about opportunities for kindness that are ignored.

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    2. Lovely comparison of the current political climate to the care given by those who tend to lawns...or should that be laws? Either way, the Mad Italian always provides words of wisdom. If only our ears would listen.

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    3. How thouehtful - and I have noted many daisies out this month, and wondered aloud whwther they are earlier than usual.

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  28. I'll Be Watching You...

    All my exes are in one place.
    No! It's not Texas!
    Wouldn't have 'em in that godforsaken state even if there was an opportunity to do so.
    I'm vindictive, not cruel!
    True, most should be pushing up daisies. Literally. But many of 'em were too handsome back in the day to be kept in the dark now.
    Course, a few are showing those nasty stripes of decay and putrefaction.
    But I'm a sentimental old softie.
    Like to keep 'em where I can see 'em.



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    1. VERY nasty Patricia. And, thanks, but I won't come round for tea.

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    2. George Strait called; something about royalties.
      I loved: 'I'm vindictive, not cruel!' What a great piece.

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    3. Tis said that you keep your friends close and your enemies closer. A rather grim composition, yet someone has to keep the Texas Rangers employed.

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    4. jdeegan536@yahoo.com13 February 2020 at 17:15

      How does one advise a fellow to exercise caution if courting this "vindictive" gal? We males should have some sort of warning. This was a good read, Patricia!

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  29. What Could Be

    Ontassete’ came to visit today, while on his way to Williamsburg. I marveled at his exquisite handmade blanket with ocher, blue, and white stripes. I took the opportunity away from my studies, for us to ride in the late summer woods while hunting. He shot a deer and I only managed a small boar. He noticed my discountenance.
    “Thomas, fret not on the obvious. The daisy worries not about the magnolia, only the joy of those who inhale it’s fragrance.”
    That night, while writing on that, mother yelled to me.
    “Thomas Jefferson, turn that lamp off and get to bed.”

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    1. The native Americans likely had a hunting advantage over young Thomas. Nothing shameful though, of shooting a young bore. I'm sure it was very tasty. Nicely written piece, Jeffrey.

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