Another week of rich entertainment, for which I thank you all. Last weekend I gained a pile of books, some bought, some and borrowed; stacked-up their titles provide a pile of prompts. This week's top-spot goes to Perry for the wonderfully vivid, "The brood swirled like an underwater eddy"
Words for the coming week: consolation plain
traveller
Entries by midnight Thursday 17th June new words posted Friday 18th
Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all 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.
Thank you very much. And, so as not to leave it hanging THERE...
ReplyDeleteTHE CHALLENGE
It was only a plain, tiny foot, but the sound of it dragged forcefully through the dust smashed the menacing silence like a cymbal. Every head turned.
Una struck an effacé derriere pose which was utterly, brazenly natural before executing a choreographic set which defied anatomy and gravity … and they were hers again.
Her grace stirred in Colm an odd nostalgia for the freedom of movement they had had while still unhomed travellers.
There was a growl from the albino.
Some unknown lab had eradicated its innate connectivity and left viciousness as poor consolation.
Furious, it hurled itself at her.
The poetry of this is something to emulate - if possible. 'Her grace stirred in Colm an odd nostalgia for the freedom of movement they had had while still unhomed travellers' stirs a variety of emotions.
Deletecongrats, Perry! Comments on contributions tomorrow...
DeleteWas Una twerking? I enjoyed the line about unhomed travelors. Nice writing here.
DeleteThis was very lyrical and so very enjoyable. Loved "growl from the albino."
Deletedefinitely poetic, very different, something to relish.
DeleteNicely done on last week's win, Perry. Great use of the prompts.
ReplyDeleteThank you Patricia. This place is a wealth of inspiration and talent. I get a glow with each mention and grin like an idiot if I'm picked.
DeleteYou certainly deserved being picked last week, Perry.
DeleteMake Me A Deal and Make It Straight
ReplyDeleteWhen the traveller disembarked at Friedrichstrabe he left a crushed cigarette pack on the table. She picked it up and followed him. Craven Virginia Plain. He was English then. The pack smelled of his cologne.
What would be the best consolation? Betray him to the Stasi or the CIA? Toss a coin. See if it falls east or west of the Wall? It made no odds. Once she’d played the Gestapo off against the British SOE.
Catching him up, stilettos clacking on cobbles, illicit silk swishing on bruised thighs, she fluttered her painted eyelids and cranked up the charm.
Very nice - Le Carre-ish.
DeleteLe Carre or John Lawton indeed, and rich and suggestive enough for the reader to tell himself a novel.
DeleteFabulous final paragraph, David. Such a vivid image you created.
DeleteLoved 5he thought of seeingbwhichbside of the Wall the coin fell on. The bruised thighs says a ton.
DeleteI see I should proofread before hitting publish.
DeleteVery cloak and dagger and reminded me of those film noir offerings from back in the day. Don't want to ponder too much on the "bruised thighs" though.
Deleteexcellent portrayal of deceit.
DeleteAnd is 'nature' the most appropriate word? [Threshold 353]
ReplyDeleteIs it a sign of a true traveller that destination and direction are of little matter? That arrival at a place of comfort is small or short-lived consolation because when tomorrow comes the need to move onward has, with the darkness, become imperative? The journey the thing, no matter whether the terrain is land or sea; mountainous oceans or arid flat plain, such as we'd been making our erratic way across for some weeks.
Musing as I interpreted the body language between Raven and the tattooed Cock-tail, I knew, more important than destination was the nature of one's chosen companion.
This is lovely, poignant and profound. Before the nervous breakdown I was able to strike forth when the Wanderlust came upon me and I miss that. This piece brought an echo of that back into my soul. Thanks.
DeleteWhat a great opening line. And the rest wasn't too shabby either. At least she's musing. I figured she'd be plenty irritated with Raven.
DeleteAnd yet another poetic entry this week. Seems the prompt words are lending themselves toward the style and this is a perfect example.
Deletethoughtful and poetic, really enjoyed losing myself in this piece
DeleteThe road less traveled
ReplyDeleteThe traveler turned left on Consolation Avenue. Easy Street had treated him poorly and it was plain to see he needed a respite. Don’t try to get it all at once, someone had told him. But for the life of him, he couldn’t remember who. Some jackass, likely. But alas, he continued on his way, hopeful of grabbing third prize, if he were lucky.
Two days later, bloodied, and broke, he came to Desolation Boulevard. It was a tee in the road. Go back or keep going? Dang, he said, turning right. How much worse could it be?
A nicely wry nod to Pilgrim's Progress, cleverly working in "consolation" in a fresh manner.
DeleteI admire his spirit.
DeleteThis was intriguing and your choice of street names an inspiration to us all. Very nicely composed, John.
Deleteintriguing is the overwhelming word for this entry, carrying a whole world of thoughts with it.
DeleteChange of focus [430]
ReplyDeleteHenry Moth's abject apology was too little, too late; his red-faced explanation he didn't, not quite, go all the way with Nickle's sister, only small consolation to Pettinger who understood it had been squeamishness – 'Plain to see she was covered in the same sort of rash as her brother; not one I fancied catching' – rather than moral scruples.
'Hope you can prove it lad. Rumour has it the Nickles are Romany. Traveller blood in the family. Understandably, they won't stand for slights to their women's honour –'
'But I didn't, I swear!'
'More pertinent is what she says about it.'
Delicious instalment where the prompts disappear into the engaging text.
DeleteNot quite going all the way can be frustrating and exiting. I think Henry is a little frustrated.
DeleteThe Case of the Disappearing Prompts. How you always manage to pull that off is beyond my comprehension.
Deleteit takes skill to lose the prompts so completely, a skill to be admired.
DeleteFor Whom The Bell Tolls
ReplyDeleteHe had been an abomination. Plain and simple. Should never have been born or, at the very least, suffocated at birth. When his grotesque carcass was dragged between the gates of the cathedral...gates through which weary travellers passed in search of sanctuary and consolation...nobody lamented, nobody mourned.
Except...
High on the ramparts overlooking the city, the gargoyles of Notre-Dame, ever vigilant and unsleeping, grieved in stony silence for one of their own.
Poignant tribute to Hugo's work.
DeleteThat final sentence is heartbreaking - even ones of stone.
DeleteThis is so good, Patricia! The dire mood you establish resonates throughout this piece.
DeleteSometimes, leaving things out can be so powerful. No need for names here. Stony silence... I think you nailed it.
Deletemagical - I love these very short pieces that say so much.
DeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 262 - Back To Back
ReplyDeleteMiss Constance found no consolation in the fact that her brother George disappeared from the railway tracks mere moments before the wheels of the train reached his location. The plain truth was that he vanished and she had no idea where he might be.
Through the window of her carriage, Miss Constance looked back at the platform but George was not among the waiting travellers. Indeed, there were no waiting travellers. Not a single soul remained at the station, not even the Station Master, and all buildings stood in abandoned ruination.
--------------------------------------------------------
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.
----------------------------------------------------------
Another engaging installment of mystery. Beware the sudden desertion, Miss Constance.
DeleteAnd now I have to wait until next week to find out what next??!!
DeleteI think we are getting close. Tick tick tick. I envy your style.
Deleteso where, how and who will bring it back, and if they don't, what will happen to Miss Constance?
DeleteNo Escape from Bad Driving
ReplyDeleteAlthough Todd usually took delight in scoffing at the standard of English in The Daily Traveller, the misspelling “traggedy” in the report on the Martian plains transport accident was no consolation as he read the floppy sheet at his – no longer – last bachelor breakfast in the Eberswalde Dome.
Ah! This is very intriguing! (or I'm a bit thick) Has Todd just got wed? Or has he just made sure he won't?
DeletePerhaps the one sentence was overly condensed. It's "no longer" his last bachelor breakfast because his bride to have been is implied to have been killed in the accident.
DeleteI suppose a fender bender on Mars could be quite serious. Especially if ones space suit was punctured.
DeleteShear genius...such a masterpiece in few words AND incorporation of the prompts. Bravo...!!!!
Deleteseriously clever...
DeleteAPOLOGY
ReplyDeleteI hated killing you, honey, but at times things happen that are beyond our control. Well, at least my control. That is a plain and simple fact, sweetheart. Sure, I pointed the gun at you and it went off, but perhaps I didn’t load it, and perhaps I didn’t realize that my finger was on the trigger.
Okay, that’s a stretch. No way you’d fall for that foolishness.
Now I have to dismember you and dissolve your parts in acid before I resume my travels. You do understand that, don’t you?
If it’s any consolation, you are not my first.
Sanctimonious nastiness - a very precise variety.
DeleteHmm Schrodinger's serial killer?
DeleteYou tend to gravitate toward unhappy couples. This one takes the cake, though. Nice one, Jim.
DeleteMethinks this guy has taken a leaf out of the murder book composed by John Haigh. How delightfully evil.
Deletedefinitely evil and the casual way he passes on the news is so off hand, such a sorry but not really feel about a nasty killer.
DeleteBest Foot Forward
ReplyDeleteShe was one of the most plain candidates, definitely at the back of the line when they were handing out beauty, poise and elegance. Still, she took her place among the other hopefuls who awaited the arrival of the famous royal traveller.
She did have one saving grace. One small consolation that bolstered her pipe dream and gave her a possible advantage. Her tootsies were exquisite. Works of art, even. Delightful toes and perfectly formed nails enhanced with delicate pearl pink polish.
And if the shoe fits....
Very clever - great denouement. Tootsie be or not tootsie be.
DeleteI'm pulling for this gal, Patricia. You make a great argument for her!
DeleteShe might get away with it if he keeps looking downward ...
DeleteI'm with Jim. I'm a fan of this girl, regardless of what the royal traveler thinks.
Deleteoh nice one! I like the way we end up rooting for her!!
DeleteKursaal (Episode Two Hundred Thirty One) - THE MYSTERIUM MANUSCRIPTS/PART FOUR:
ReplyDeleteTHE PREDICTION PAPERS
Excerpt from a document collection labelled "The Prediction Papers" found in a plain wooden box residing in a dusty corner of The Mysterium:
"And during the Time of the Travellers, disappearances will be noted. Persons will begin to vanish from the confines of The Kursaal. Some will rematerialize within the borders of the Travellers' establishment itself while others will never be located.
Many of these occurrences will involve dual personages and comes with the dubious consolation that such a situation often eventually results in a full and unharmed recovery. However, the same cannot be said...."
--------------------------------------------------------
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: The Mysterium has featured in previous episodes.
and the next page presumably missing ...
DeleteWhat better place to find the wooden box than the Mysterium. I can't decide if this helps me or hinders me in figuring out the disappearances. Nicely done.
Deletesomeone must nave the missing pages, the question is, will they be prepared to give it up?
DeleteIt’s been a week of being with Mr Delderfield, who is visiting and seems to want to stay a while. He has a reason to be here, but as always nothing is plainly obvious. If it is consolation for overwork, he can stay! We are all travellers on the path to going home again. What we learn in this time goes with us into the next life. Many years ago, when I had my first reading, the medium said she wished she could show me my life, it was full of surprises. It has been and continues to be.
ReplyDeleteAh ... Mr Delderfield took up a large chunk of my time when I was in my teens, and I still remember his use of a seagull flying above the town to give an overview. Same goes for Thomas Armstrong (to read, not seagulls)
DeleteAs always, these commentaries on your visitors are fascinating and informative.
DeleteI don't doubt your life has a surprise or two. An entertaining piece.
DeleteStop The Week; I Want To Get Off (4)
ReplyDeleteTraffic and more traffic, the project should be plain for all to see but is confusing. Plans for locals to read do not give consolation to those plagued with lorries and cars passing by 24-7. Travellers today were caught in jams – a mobile home transporter edging past a crane for one – and - a hole in the road at a point we know has a tunnel beneath it, built for flood water run off… Island Roads put cones round it, danger keep off tape between them and sandbags to disguise the damage… too many great lorries and not enough cars…
Traffic has become a curse. Roads built back in the day were never meant to support such a heavy load. If I had a sense of balance and no inner ear issue, I would ride a bike...!!!
DeleteA deplorable situation well described, Antonia.
DeleteTraffic rates right up there with a bleeding hangnail.
Deletetoday we contended with broken water main, caused by the lorries, this afternoon the water company got its men out there to dig holes and start fixing the pipe. I walked into the shop this morning unaware of this but like it or not, the flashing lights had arrived...
DeleteThe Mad Italian 206
ReplyDeleteAt a time of high tension, disappointment, more bankruptcies and financial disasters, it should be plain to politicians that they should spend less time playing travellers to G7 summits and other expensive get-togethers and offer the populace consolation for the terrible time they have endured through the Covid virus and all that it has brought out. This could start with the vicious attack by a former friend and colleague, what spite is contained in someone who looks innocent but is probably as capable as any of us at fighting back when shot down. This, though, is pure spite.
One can feel Leonardo's irritation here. And rightly so, I might add.
DeleteTension, disappointment and disaster, pretty much describes the world at the moment. But it will get better... won't it?
Delete