Sandra continues to recover from her stroke, but is currently awaiting further hospital procedures, so it's Julia here stepping in while the search for a deputy continues. My apologies for not being as familiar with the serial works of all the fabulous regulars here!
There was a definite medical theme to the words last week, but a wide range of inventive stories which I enjoyed reading. There were several entries where I had to search for the prompts, so seamless was the writing! However, my personal favourite for the week was David 's Place your bets please which I found particularly apt as the COP26 climate conference looms.
Words for the coming week are bark native appropriate
Entries by midnight Thursday 28th October, new words posted Friday 29th
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.
Well done David, and thank you Julia for stepping in. .Looks like I'll be unreliable for a week or so yet so will be relying on her further
ReplyDeleteNice, David. I did so enjoy that story.
DeleteCongratulations to David and sending all good wishes to Sandra for a speedy recovery...and thank you for taking the reins in the meantime, Julia.
DeleteHeed the warning signs
ReplyDeleteSearching his small mind for yet another inappropriate slur, the bigot continued to harass the natives, in their own land. A young boy watched, eyes narrowed, but he stayed the dog that refused to bark, laying his small hand on the muscled, quivering flank.
No sense presenting a warning, the dog seemed to think. The boy agreed.
The bigot laughed at the dog and approached a group of women by the riverbank, which included the boy’s mother. Harsh words erupted. Hurtful words. A hard, gnarled hand was raised as the women cowered.
The boy released the dog.
I love that the boy and the dog have a silent communion!
DeleteOne doesn't mess with a boy and his dog. A powerful read, John.
DeleteA succinct and powerful tale of violence withheld.
Deletesaying so much in so few words. Powerful stuff.
DeleteClever incorporation of the prompt words in a tight piece of writing. Really powerful imagery invoked. Masterfully done, John.
DeleteThought, Memory
ReplyDeleteWalking and foraging this October morning, near my childhood home. The Hunters Moon bright and mocking ahead, over the sere landscape. The old tree still standing at the end of the lane might have berries if we were lucky, bark if not. I no longer felt like a native, so far had the walls and roads crumbled, but I hoped to appropriate something at least. Mum needed food before we could move on again, and the woods might not be guarded here.
Two ravens sprang from the tree as I approached, cawing at another impotent human migrating along the ground.
Well-evoekd bleakness of existence.
DeleteRife with melancholy and hopelessness. Very nice.
DeletePowerful writing, really liked this.
DeleteOh i really enjoyed this . It revived memories of childhood but much happy ones than this bleak scene. Clever use of the word appropriate too.
DeleteWaste of words [Threshold 367]
ReplyDelete'"Challenging"? Me more so than the several varieties of native we've lately encountered? Most of whom have sought to appropriate my fecundity or your strength and cunning? The Norsemen? the Gaudy-but-barking parrot woman who shares your genes? She certainly challenged your common sense! And most recently Cocktail's Peeping Tom behaviour, which suggests to me he trying too hard to please, uncertain of his standing with the natives. You need to ascertain the impending threat.'
But size and nature of his cock said he'd instead recalled the fleeting visit of the naked maidens: The bed-frame now more threatened than our safety.
Ah, but there's challenging and challenging! A challenge with anticipated rewards very different from being challenged to think about one's own behaviour! Thought provoking piece
DeleteMe thinks someone has a one-track mind.
DeleteAbsolutely, but when has life got int he way of one track sex?
DeleteOh my, you just have to love the fiesty to and fro between these two characters. Every instalment I enjoy finding out who will come out on top - both in the battle of wills, and in the bed (or not) of course .
DeleteRepel the Aliens
ReplyDeleteThe planet was inhabited by tiny, verdantly hued natives who made their abodes in cracks in the bark of the towering trees that forested the surface.
Ramirez said it wasn’t appropriate to place them in bell jars in order to study them. Jenkins’ justification for her actions were that this was first contact and they tended to scuttle away too quickly to establish any form of conversation.
Their ensuing argument meant they didn’t notice the army that stealthy crept over the synthetic roof of their portable laboratory, little thorny weapons ready wreak havoc to free their kin.
Worryingly believable.
DeleteI wonder if the astronauts have weapons? You can't be too careful when on an alien planet. A good read!
Deletethis is good!! and something astronauts need to bear in mind when they're busy looking at stars...
DeleteTHe makings of a good story here. I like the idea of a mini army attacking. I am hoping they are more powerful than they appear.
DeleteOperation complete and I am now home suitablely bruised and sore. Everything aches and I wobble like a toddler on the crutches but starting to feel things mending. Up to 12 weeks off work and cant drive the car for 6. What's a girl to do .... but write ...
ReplyDeleteBack with some instalments of the 'Dillos
The Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 170
Alert to the appropriateness of his helpful actions, Sarg eyed the young ‘Dillo approvingly, ‘well done young un’, go tell ‘em I’ll be inspecting the digging directly, then come and sit with Denzil ‘ere while I do.
In the time, it took to bark the message and hear the resulting scurry of activity echoing along the tunnel system, spade-paw was back.
Sarg looked at Denzil, ‘’Es turned fevered, an’ talkin’ a bit in his native speak, but take notice of anythin’ ‘e says. It could be useful.’
Before the youngster had time to nod, she was gone.
I'm new to this serial, but I enjoyed the depth of this, and especially the complexity hinted at in the "native speak"
DeleteIt is always a pleasure to read your writing, Terrie. They in variably sparkle.
Deleteoh, good instalment. Are you still carrying traces of narcotic based medicines,Terrie????
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 171
ReplyDeleteChirrups of native birds broke the silence and Nigel’s snout twitched as he scanned the area, ‘We surprised ‘em. Won’t be so easy next time. Let’s get movin’ an’ catch up wiv Mossy.’ He barked. ‘An’ anyone who needs a stick see Clancy, ‘We kin work on that as we move.’
Furtively glancing at the undergrowth, and with some puffing and huffing from injured members they started travelling in the direction of Mossy and the contraption.
Cinereus hobbled among them smearing the appropriately named woundwort salve on cuts and bruises. ’See me if you need more.’ He ordered.
solid instalment to build on, really want to see this in book form.
Delete
ReplyDeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 172
As Atlas retraced his steps, the citrusy scent of the native paperbark tree drifted on the breeze along with the musky fragrance of ‘Dillos, ‘Varks and Pangolins; behind that wafted the faded scent of gerbils.
Atlas heard the mummer of voices before he saw the speakers and, although he recognised the gruff tenors of Cinereus and Nigel along with the familiar tone of his friend Armi, took appropriate action by secreting himself in nearby undergrowth.
He was surprised by Tosca’s stealth, briefly smelling an overpowering whiff, before he heard, ‘‘Allo mate,’ whispered close to his ear.
Well done, Terrie - good to see you back so productively. My brain mired in cotton wool, it seems.
Deletelove that last line!
DeleteChange of focus [445]
ReplyDeletePettinger took the DCI's barked 'Go put on something more appropriate!' as embarrassment until, turning, he saw its crimsoned echo flush Philly's face. They obviously knew each other, but as fellow professionals – native local reporter cooperating with local police – or something closer? Struggling to picture them together, Pettinger asked, 'Appropriate clothes for what? Scrabbling among old bones in a fifty-year-old inspection pit or attendance at Court?'
Desk. The CSI awaits your promised report –'
'Has the forensic archaeologist confirmed their age?'
'Sixty years. I'll set you to going through the records –'
Philly spoke up: 'Mispers. I'll check newspaper files.'
I really like "crimsoned echo" and Pettinger jumping to conclusions even while stark naked!
Delete;crimsoned echo; shouts you're getting back on course fast!!
DeleteThe plot gains another twist which is all the more reason to look forward to the next instalment. Seamless incorporation of the prompt words as well.
DeletedON'T
ReplyDeleteDon’t voice to me your sympathy,
And blame a cruel insensate fate.
Your words, though no doubt honest,
Are clearly not appropriate.
Don’t tell me of your sorrow,
As though it’s native just to you.
Don’t pat me on the shoulder,
Like it’s something you must do.
Don’t tell me of her endless love,
Don’t start barking up that tree.
Don’t tell me she was blessed,
By being joined in life to me.
Your words bring me no comfort,
Still, my feelings sometimes stir.
I wonder what you’d say to me,
If you knew I murdered her.
I really enjoyed this, starting out as a rail against social norms and ending up much more twisted!
Deleteoh good one!
DeleteI liked everything about this - The quiet and clever insertion of prompt words- the rhythm and rhyme - the dark undertones that grew with each line and the last line that adds such a subtle punch.
DeleteEllis - 016
ReplyDeleteBut enough wallowing in old memories, I told myself. Jasper had instructed me to write my report on what I could remember from last night’s undercover shift, I shouldn’t let him down.
I was glad of the new phones that replaced police notebooks, I could stay under the blanket.
I hated report writing, I can still hear my old training Sergeant’s sarcastic drone, “Ellis, the notebook is not the place for your native wit or inappropriate language.” Miserable git, he was.
Where to start? What can I remember from the haze? I glanced down at my barked knuckles
Teasing in the intimation of not only more to come but of what has already happened.
DeleteEllis had best be careful of what he writes. Interesting use of the prompts.
Deletethat was good, capturing a lot of things in a very very short space.
DeleteClever creation of the scene has created lots to peak my interest here so i am looking forward to the next instalment. I also enjoyed the unusual use of the prompt words but they fitted in so perfectly to the piece.
DeleteCongrats, David!
ReplyDeleteand my first entry for tonight -
The joys of mediumship
I’m not native to East Cowes, no council car park. No good barking about it, there are no appropriate places where a car park could go… I drive in each day and wait for a comment. I follow the same route, turn left, turn right, turn left – if I haven’t found a space in one of the roads by then, something’s wrong. Sometimes I ask Antony before I get near the left turn and get a pretend bark in return, because the space I need is just inside that first turn… life is such fun!
Stop The Week
ReplyDeleteSome days deadly slow, some days talking with non-natives (aka ferry people) who still don’t buy and some days when I can appropriate the time and use it to edit for my ‘other’ job, keeping everyone in Gravestone Press as happy as I can. It’s growing fast, as we just absorbed Double Dragon, an SF and fantasy site. There’s a ton of work to do. The shop is the root and the editing is the bark wrapped around the life I now have. Keeping it safe. Keeping me busy and as it’s clear this is spirit work…
Lovely to have work that lights up your spirit, and enjoying the tree metaphor!
DeleteAs always i love hearing about your work in the shop and at Gravestone and as usual the prompt words are cleverly interwoven .
DeleteThe Mad Italian
ReplyDeleteThe talk of lockdown at this time is inappropriate – the people have been through so much, they are now being faced with rising taxes, rising costs and a reintroduction of masks and other limitations… if the government are not careful, there will be riots, damaging ones, when they have already endured so much, it does not take much to set the natives against the government and, sadly, result in more deaths. The police can bark at us all they like, they are shown up to be untrustworthy in every way. What hope is left?