#flash fiction challenge 19

[hashioki7]

When they fight together again

Travis Hackett stared at the figure sitting with hands clasped between their eyes. Well, to be precise, he glared. In the quiet sheriff's office, where even the rustle of clothes seemed audible, the blonde figure before him was clearly an unwelcome guest.

"If you have something to say, spit it out. I'm busy," Travis said, his voice dismissive, chilling the already frigid temperature of the office. He inwardly felt a slight pang realizing his words sounded colder than intended. Of course, he didn't want to be here with her and hoped she'd leave soon. But considering what he had done to her in the past, he thought it best to at least outwardly be as courteous as possible.

Laura looked up at him with visibly discontented eyes but said nothing. Travis, curious, observed her again with those dark eyes—eyes his mother always found unsettling—licking over him like a flame.

Given her usual demeanor, it was odd she wasn't retorting. Something was up, something quite troublesome, judging by her behavior.

Laura fidgeted with her shirt sleeve, her shoulders tense, indicating considerable nervousness. But her expression—though tense—seemed more like she was searching for the right words rather than just being nervous.

Travis had seen such expressions before. Criminals with something to hide, seeking some kind of reward by divulging information just before confession, often wore such faces.

This was going to be even more troublesome. Travis sighed inwardly, making sure not to show it on his face.

Laura's profile, bowed to avoid his gaze, suddenly flushed red. When she looked straight at him, her eyes were resolute.

"I need your help."

"…Regarding what?"

"Ryan… You remember him, right? The camp leader from that incident. He's gone missing."

"What does that have to do with me?"

Laura furrowed her brows, briefly silenced, searching for words again. Her cheeks regained their color.

"…There seems to be something supernatural involved. I don't know if it's a werewolf, but… no, probably not. But what I can say for sure is that it's not human."

"Why would you think that?"

"Ryan, you see, got into Bizarre Yet Bonafide podcast… As part of an internship, he started working for that show. Then, he went to this town rumored to have supernatural occurrences and we lost contact with him. And that town is about 20 km from here."

"Are you kidding me? After all the havoc that incident caused, after ruining people's families and homes, you still haven't learned your lesson? What are you thinking!"

Travis slammed his fist on the desk without thinking. But seeing Laura flinch, he immediately composed himself.

"No… That wasn't meant for you to hear. I apologize."

"Yeah… Well, it's natural for you to think that, given your position."

"And then? What exactly can I do? Even if the enemy is a werewolf, we don't even know its identity, right? I'm just a sheriff, not a ghost hunter."

"But you have more knowledge and experience dealing with supernatural phenomena than we do, right?"

Travis chuckled under his breath.

"Is this the first time in six months since that incident that you've come to ask for help? You're still as cheeky and presumptuous as ever."

"But you involved me in that incident, didn't you? Especially about Silas…"

The last words stabbed at Travis's heart like a knife. It seemed Laura hadn't intended to voice that. Her flushed face turned porcelain-pale, and she bit her lower lip, looking down.

An awkward silence fell between them.

"If you won't cooperate, we have other options," Laura said, her voice quiet yet determined.

"We've gathered quite a bit of evidence from that incident, us camp leaders. We'll take it all to the police and spill everything."

"Hmm… Wouldn't that trouble you more? I lost everything—my family, my home—in that incident. I have nothing left to lose. When that incident becomes public, it's your futures that will be scarred."

"Of course, we'll make sure only the parts that inconvenience us don't get out. With multiple testimonies aligned… who do you think everyone will believe?" Laura retorted.

"…Is this blackmail?"

"No… Please," Laura pleaded.

Well, it had certainly become troublesome. This time, Travis sighed deeply without trying to conceal it.

"Give me some time to think… I know time is short. I'll contact you by tonight. Where are you staying?"

"Harbinger Motel." Was it just his imagination, or did Laura's words carry a faint hint of laughter as she replied?

"Thanks, Travis." As he watched her walk away from the sheriff's office, Travis realized that deep down, he had no intention of refusing her request.

"Shit"

He frowned, clicked his tongue, and exhaled deeply, not knowing how many times he had sighed today.

[fanovember]

Fanovember 2024 prompt list

(Written list below the line)

We decided to go through literary genres this time, although you can fit the prompt however you please (by using the literal word in your piece, a small reference, or writing in the style of that prompt!)

→We'll be posting some ideas every day to spark creativity if any prompt in particular doesn't work well for you. Although you don't have to complete the challenge 100% (I won't, more on that later)

→There's no limit on extension at all, whatever you need will be fine. (At least 200 words was the initial idea, but I, for instance, sometimes need less)

→You can write in any language you want, we'll repost anyway. It's also valid if you mix languages! (I'll use Spanish since the media I've chosen is originally in that language)

→Arists are welcome too, of course!

→Some people suggested creating an Ao3 Collection for this challenge and we have listened carefully (also had some help from @prettysophist, tysm again!) So here it is! Fanovember 2024 Ao3 Collection is now available for all of you. Remember to tag and categorize your works correctly so people can find what they'r looking for/avoid anything they don't want to read. Be nice!

→Remember to mention this blog @fanovember and use any (or all) of these tags both here and on Ao3:

#fanovember

#fanovember 2024

#fanovember 24

→Needless to say, this event does NOT allow AI generated content of any kind. We want to see the most human of arts and writings

Personally, I don't think I'm completing the full list, as I'm absolutely surpassed by daily responsibilities. But since Softober went well, I'll choose 12 or 13 of the prompts that appeal to me the most and write those throughout the month. You can do whatever works best for you too, we don't want you to feel pressured by any means.

Choose your fandom (or fandoms) and start creating! Let's have some fun!!

Fanovember 2024

01. Romance

02. Short story

03. Terror

04. Adventure

05. Art

06. Retelling

07. Historical

08. Journal

09. Theatre

10. Witchcraft

11. Religion

12. Fantasy

13. Astrology

14. Mithology

15. Poetics

16. Reality show

17. Press

18. Urban fantasy

19. Film/Movie

20. Family

21. Music

22. Epistolary

23. Sci-fi

24. Autobiography

25. Cuisine

26. Dance

27. Board games

28. Classic

29. Triller

30. Flash-fiction

[ellatholmes]

Welcome to Devious December! 🔥

The objective? Use the writing prompt for each week(ish) as inspiration for a scene, flash fiction, short story, chapter, poem, or any other writing thing you can think of.

Each prompt runs for a couple of days, giving you more time to think and get those dastardly plots down. Write your heart out. Write something every day of the prompt, or one thing for each. It's completely up to you!

Devious December prompts:

Dec 03 - 06: Fire

Dec 07 - 11: Spy

Dec 12 - 18: Tricks

Dec 19 - 23: Rumours

In the spirit of community, share your dastardly writings this month using the hashtag #deviousdecember ❤️‍🔥 I'll be reblogging pieces and sharing the love, and I hope others will join me!

Tag your writerblr friends, take up the challenge, and have fun!

[polizwrites]

PoliZ's WIP Update - 9 Oct 2024

I had a very productive writing week!!    I touched nine  fics (4 new & 5 WIPs)  for a total  of  2702  words! 

On Ao3, I posted: 

 Chapter Nine of My Love is Vengeance - young!Tony/ recovering!Bucky action adventure fic  

Tony Stark Bingo Mark VIII - September Round Robin - Tony POV time travel shenanigans

Sweet Dreams and Flying Machines -  Tony & Rhodey MIT Era ficlet.

On Tumblr I posted: 

 Having the Last Word - POV Tony vs a hallucination

Up, Down, North, South, East and West - Tony & Morgan fluff

I’m juggling  20+  active/semi-active WIPs with my current  deadline being the Fictober, Flufftober and Whumptober writing challenges that run til the end of the month, along with the Build a Bucky Bingo. 

See  below cut for what I’m working on/planning to work on - arranged more or less by bingos/challenges/etc.  As always, feel free to send me   prompts or plot bunnies as well as asks regarding  any of these projects  or any other WIPs I’ve got out there.   Interaction really helps feed the Muse and keep me motivated!

WinterIron Gets It Done Bingo [WIGID] 

This new WinterIron Discord server event runs on a monthly basis as a flash bingo with a content creation card and an engagement card - working on filling squares for both! 

* Classic1 - "Oops"   Wrote up a double drabble that crosses over with the FltT prompt 11. Ingredients & Spells as well as my TSB S3 - KINK: Aphrodisiacs square.   Love Potion Number  φ  came in at 200 words and will post here on the 11th.  

* Classic_3 - FREE - filling this with the upcoming final chapter of Love is a Thing That Can Never Go Wrong - my (eventual) WinterIron Reality Show AU fic from this summer.  The final episode of Courting a Royal has James choosing his potential partner - and he throws a wrench into things with his choice.  It’s coming in at  1092 words and will also fill the BaBB October: Formal Wear prompt and my  TSB:  R1 - WinterIron square - coming to Ao3 on Friday!   

* Classic_4 - Fortune Teller - wrote a drabble that incorporates the Fictober prompt  22 - “Why are we doing this again?”  It came in at 100 words and will post here on Tumblr on the 22nd.  

Build-A-Bucky Bingo [BaBB_R1] (Ends 31 Oct 2024)

Another fun year-long  event from the folks at  @buckybarnesevents!  Each month there’s a list of prompts and you choose (at least) one  each month for your card!  At thirty-five  fills and one month to go, I think I’ve gone a bit overboard …. 😁 

* May:  Bucky’s Trigger Words -  combined this with a previous  Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF251 Out There] for Just To Live One Day Out There - a Winter Soldier self-reflective ficlet. It came in at 312 words and will get posted to Ao3 Real Soon. 

* October: Formal Wear - see WIGID Classic_3 - FREE above. 

Flufftober 2024  [FlfT_24] (Runs 1-31 Oct)

This writing challenge hosted by @flufftober  runs for the month of October.  My goal is to write one fic a week that incorporates these prompts: 1 posted so far with four more coming - hoping to write  one or two more! 

* 5. Acorn, Chestnut, Pine Cone - Posted  Up, Down, North, South, East and West  last Saturday.  Combined this with R3 - AU: adventurers/explorers  for some Tony  & Morgan fluff. It came in at  347 words and will get posted to Ao3 at some point.. 

* 11. Ingredients & Spells - see WIGID Classic_1 - “Oops” above. 

* 12 - “This is spooky.” - “Really?” - Combining this with the Fictober prompt  - 12 “Did you hear that?” and my BBB B3 - "Anyone out there?"  square  for a pre-war Steve & Bucky fic where they venture into the creepy cellar of their apartment building. Digging Up The Past  is coming in at 577  words and may get tweaked a bit before I post it on the 12th.  

* 18. Bewitched - Combined  BBB B1 - Magic and  Fictober 19. “This is getting ridiculous.”  for a  WinterIron ficlet  where something odd (and adorable) is going on with Bucky.  Copy Cat is  coming in at 272 words and will post here on the 18th.  

* 22 - Heirloom - Using this, combined with my WIB G2 - Edwin Jarvis &  TSB T2 - Wedding -  for Chapter 10 of A Sugar-Coated Pill.  It’s jumping forward in time and has Tony gifting a tie bar to Bucky as his ‘something old’ for their wedding.  It’s sitting at  966 words and will post on the 22nd.   

Whumptober 2024 [WmpT_24] (Runs 1-31 Oct)

This writing challenge hosted by @whumptober  runs for the month of October, but the prompt list has already been published, so you can get a jump start!  My goal is to write two fics (whump isn’t normally my bag)   that incorporates these prompts. One done and hopefully one more at some point.  

* No. 2: TRUST ISSUES - Amusement Park | Role Reversal | “You got away with the crime while the knife’s in my back.”  – crossover with WIB  N5 - "I'm here for you." and possibly my BBB Y2 - Kidnapped!  square. 

* No. 4: HALLUCINATIONS + “You’re still alive in my head”. Combined this with the Flash Fiction Friday prompt   [#FFF273 Invisible Guest]  for  Having the Last Word   where Tony confronts an imaginary (but still dead) Obadiah Stane.  It came in at 310 words and will get posted to Ao3 at some point.  

Fictober 2024 [FicT_24] (Runs 1-31 Oct)

Another October writing challenge with daily prompts - all of which are dialogue. Go check out @fictober-event  for details!  I’ve got three crossover ficlets WIPS and have a few more possibilities.    Targeting four fics total for the month.  

* 12 “Did you hear that?”  - see FlfT 12 - 12 - “This is spooky.” - “Really?”

* 19. “This is getting ridiculous.” - see FlfT 18. Bewitched 

* 22 - “Why are we doing this again?” - see WIGID Classic_4: Fortune Teller 

WinterIron Bingo Round 2  [WIB_R2] (Ends 16 Dec 2024)

Signups are still open for pre-made cards for Round Two of this super-fun bingo event! I have twenty  fills and zero WIPs at the moment - setting this aside for the moment, as I have other time-sensitive events going.  

* Iron Soldier (One Bingo, One Fill) - looking at combining my Column B prompts: Matchmaker, Bucky Riding Tony, Stark Gala, Inside Joke and Threesome.  Still working on a plot - if you have any suggestions/want-to-sees - let me know! 

* I3 - Car Sex -  Have a fun ficlet in mind for this - some of the dialogue & such already worked out in my head.  

* N5 - "I'm here for you."  - Possibly the next chapter of  Lady Natasha’s Consort and Lord Steve’s Companion ?  

Marvelous Yahtzee [MY_24] (Ends 31 Dec)

Another writing challenge that I kind of forgot I signed up for!  This one is a bit complicated - check out the Tumblr blog for more info.   Hopefully I can pick up a few lines and put something together before the event ends.  

Bucky Barnes Bingo - Round Six [BBB - R6]  (Ends 31 Mar)

This amazing bingo event from the folks over at @buckybarnesbingo is back!  I have sixteen  fills (but somehow only one bingo) with two WIPs at the moment, and a couple  more crossovers planned. 

* B1 - Magic - see FlfT 18 - Bewitched above.

* U3 - Yelena Belova  - Magica and I are circling back around to Peresmešnik, (aka Three Avengers and a Baby) - with the next chapter featuring Tony’s interactions with Mirriam, and a revelation about her parentage. I’ve written 313 of the 560 words in this chapter so far - it needs about 500 more words before we’ll be ready to post - maybe sometime  this month?   

*  K2 - IMAGE: Bucky and Steve in Siberian silo hallway (CA:CW)  - Combined this with the Flash Fiction Friday prompt  [#FFF269 Living Weapon]  for  Reconstruction - a fix-it/canon divergent ficlet where Steve, Bucky and Tony team up instead of fighting.   It came in at 268 words and will get posted  to Ao3 before the event is over.   

Tony Stark Bingo - Mark VIII [TSB_R8]  (Ends 31 May)

This amazing bingo event from the folks over at @tonystarkbingo is back! Late signups should start this month  if you want to join in on the fun!  I have  thirteen  squares filled and three  WIPs -

* T1 - Watching Helplessly -  Posted Stranded Among the Stars  to Tumblr as a crossover with the Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF265 Galaxies Away]. It’s a Nebula & Tony ficlet set on the ship - it came in at 345 words and will get posted to Ao3 before the event ends. 

* R1 - WinterIron - see WIGID - Classic_3 - FREE above

* R2 - I love you 3000  -  Posted  A Difficult Decision this morning.  It’s an  Endgame- compliant drabble  that looks into Tony’s thought processes right after tucking Morgan into bed.  

* R3 - AU: adventurers/explorers - see FlfT 5. Acorn, Chestnut, Pine Cone above.  

* R5 - Future fic - Filled this with  the Tony Stark Bingo Mark VIII - September Round Robin.  Tony is tasked with saving the world by his future self,  and gets punched in the nose for his trouble.  My part came in at 799 words and it posted last Saturday    

Post July Break Bingo 2024  [pJBB_24] (Ends 30 Jun 2025)

I requested two 2x3 cards for this  Discord-server only event from @julybreakbingo  – so if you want to join in the fun, let me know and I’ll try to get you an invite!  I have four  fics posted & 0 WIPs - need to figure out some more crossovers.

* C2_B1 - Courting/courted in a different way than they're familiar with -  posted A Symbol of Devotion on Tumblr as a crossover with the Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF267 Gifted Violets] - a bit of Stony fluff with Tony  buying Steve little things for his apartment.   It came in at 374 words and will get posted to Ao3 before this event is over. 

* C2_B2 - Being there for someone after a traumatic event -  posted Melting Down as a crossover with the Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF271 Tantrum Entrance] - post IM3 where Pepper’s struggling with Extremis.  Will post to Ao3 before this event is over. 

Warm and Fluffy   Bingo  [WFB]   (no end date)

Eight fills on my card, courtesy of   @warmandfluffybingocards  - need to try for another crossover or two!

* I2 - Vulnerable Drunk -  Finally got  Sweet Dreams and Flying Machines  posted to Ao3.  It crosses over with the  Flash Fiction Friday prompt of [#FFF258 Milky Way Dreams]  and is a MIT-era Tony & Rhodey ficlet, where a drunk Tony shares a childhood dream with his best friend.  It came in at 317 words. 

————

On  other creative fronts:  I am working on a Wolfman  figure for a custom commission along with prepping for Marvel Trumps Hate 2024 - see my Marvel masterpost if you’re interested.  

If  you’re looking for one of a kind gifts for birthdays or other celebrations, check  out Stuffed With Character    over on Facebook for a full list of my designs (now over 150!).   These soft stuffed figures are  mostly Marvel and monsters, but I have some Star Wars, Star Trek, DC   and Disney figures as well. Plus I love to take custom design   requests  for any fandom!

[study-with-aura]

Monday, February 19, 2024

It's a federal holiday here so the library is not open to volunteer today. However, the flash fiction competition is open, so I submitted my short story that I wrote. I did several more edits on it after my friend peer reviewed it and my mom looked at it, so it was ready.

I made multiple simple mistakes while working on my geometry review today, such as multiplying by 4/3 instead of dividing both sides by 4/3 which is multiplying by 3/4 when finding the volume of a sphere. I went back through on KA for the practice assignments that did not have full marks and re-did those, plus the mastery challenge. At the end of the quarter is when I do the unit tests for the units I studied that quarter, then I will do the course challenge to help at the end of the year for review before the final. I can't keep making simple mistakes.

My mom liked my newspaper assignment, but she said I could have been more detailed in places. She is not wrong, but that's why my grade was a 98%. That's still really good, but when I have the grading rubric available, I should be scoring 100%. She also thought it could have been a bit more organized, which again, she's not wrong. Then my dad said that the hypothesis section for my lab work was a mess. I did color code the if then statement, but it was not specifically what the directions asked for which was one statement and not a paragraph plus statement. It's okay. It's a 95%, and that's an A.

I'm also working on a few things for Girl Scouts, different activities that are available for fun patches. It is fun to discover new things.

Tasks Completed:

Geometry - Review day

Lit and Comp II - Reviewed Unit 16-18 vocabulary + read chapter 23 of Emma by Jane Austen + submitted newspaper writing assignment to mom for grading (122/125)

Spanish 2 - Listened to a story in Spanish + reviewed vocabulary

Bible I - Read Joshua 10

World History - Read timeline for days 9-12 out of 37 days prior to the start of WWI

Biology with Lab - Completed online population lab + submitted lab assignment to dad for grading (36/38)

Foundations - Read more on persuasiveness + completed Lumosity daily brain workout + learned about no true Scotsman, genetic, and black or white fallacies

Piano - Practiced for two hours in one hour split sessions

Khan Academy - Used for Geometry review

CLEP - None today

Duolingo - Studied for 15 minutes (Spanish, French, Chinese) + completed daily quests

Reading - Read pages 47-92 of My Dear Henry: A Jekyll & Hyde Remix by Kalynn Bayron

Chores - Cleaned my bathroom + cleaned windows in my bedroom and in the study + took the trash and recycling out

Activities of the Day:

Personal Bible Study (Joshua 1)

Ballet

Contemporary

Journal/Mindfulness

-

What I’m Grateful for Today:

I am grateful for the opportunity to learn.

Quote of the Day:

The only tired I was, was tired of giving in.

-Rosa Parks

🎧Spiritual Suite for Piano: No.1, The Valley of the Bones - Margaret Bonds

[wackus-bonkus-maximus]

⭐️

fuckinnn go I am ecstatic

send in a ⭐star⭐ to have the author select a section they’ve been dying to talk about!

hi wiggly! ty for the ask ❤️

today i will tell you about my favorite lines from my fic, one does not love breathing! to keep it short i will give you my top five (in no particular order bc i can't decide 😂).

"Adrien had lost a minute of his life. His Rolex ticked away on the bone of his wrist, unaware it was precisely sixty seconds behind the time on his phone." (chapter 4)

i was so proud of this one when i wrote it! it's a fun bit of personification i got to use to show something magical has transpired. something otherworldly and freaky just went down and this rich rolex-wearing guy has been affected by it. how do you react when you lose a minute of your life? hopefully as well as adrien (fun characterization too!)

"Shadows flickered on the adjacent roof—a man’s silhouette in lightning, cutting across her path like a blade, and Ladybug chased both as she tore through wind and water, following the darkest part of the sky up the side of Montparnasse Tower." (chapter 24)

i love this one bc it was a challenge for me to write anything but "it was a dark and stormy night." trying to see in a storm at night is crazy and freaky, and yet lb did it with laser focus. i remember writing this and being like "oh yeah, that imagery is perfect." cn is in the middle of so much darkness, yet he's the darkest thing within it too.

"the darkness collapsed like pyroclast" (chapter 44)

this MIGHT be stolen from my original fiction wip. if you ever come across a book that uses this, you'll know it's me :))

"It had almost taken Adrien from him. It would have taken the air from the world with him, too. It ached in his lungs now, as though knowing how close it had come to escape. And every new breath he took felt like a tear in his seams." (chapter 34)

i really really wanted to title drop in this line but i couldn't find a way to make it work! still, it turned out great, i think. gabriel's love for adrien is the air he breathes, and without his son whose happiness and well-being he arrogantly took for granted, there is no point in living. or breathing.

"He flashed a smile with all the wicked beauty of a sharpened blade." (chapter 19)

hehe this is the first time felix gave kagami a real smile. she liked it because he looked dangerous, like he was going to take her down. and he DID. she thought that was really hot.

from the fanfic writer: director's cut ask game.

[writingdotcoffee]

Writing Challenge: 3 Flash Fiction Pieces by 19 Feb

I want to feature a writing challenge from jshawng. He's writing three flash pieces for a competition run by Fractured.

The submission deadline is 19 February 2023. You can include two stories up to 1,000 words each per submission. Each submission is subject to a $20 reading fee. The winner gets $250 and the story will be included in their anthology.

In jshawng's words:

I like to use contests to help me finish short pieces of work, both flash fiction and short stories. For anyone interested, there is a flash fiction contest at https://fracturedlit.com. Click on current prize to see the contest ending 19-Feb. Pieces are 1,000 words or less. Use this challenge to write three flash fiction pieces between now and Feb 19th and if you so choose, submit your favourite before the contest submission deadline. Note - I am not affiliated with the group at all.

This is really smart. Using the contest to set a hard deadline for yourself is a great way to focus your mind and finish the story. You can easily write a flash piece in a day and move on.

I also like the approach of writing three stories and submitting the better two of them. This is awesome. It's not something you can do with a novel, but it makes so much sense when writing shorts.

When you're working on any story, your judgement is a little skewed. You will judge yourself way too harshly. Having to pick the best story out of a few will switch your brain into a different gear. You'll have to think like an editor for a bit. Comparing the stories against each other will make you a little more objective.

Join jshawng's challenge and write three flash pieces too! I'm planning to join myself.

Here's the link:

https://app.writinganalytics.co/challenge/63d9d5c7c88356cdb34338bb

[julieduffy]

7 Ways To Write Flash Fiction with Windy Lynn Harris

  In this revist of my interview with writer Windy Lynn Harris, we talk about Seven Ways to Write Flash Fiction, a skill that is extremely handy during the upcoming StoryADay challenge Sign up for the challenge at StoryADay.org

CHAPTERS: 1:16 Flash art comes organically when being open.

6:58 Flash fiction: creative, short, under 500 words.

12:28 Be specific in short flash fiction writing.

13:05 Editing is essential for shorter pieces.

17:37 Essential aspect of storytelling, representing a moment.

19:32 Woman faces fear, mystery, and self-discovery.

23:27 Enjoy working on soliloquies and rants in writing.

26:56 Background, training influence the form of writing.

29:13 Accessing your authentic voice is essential.

33:08 Writers adapting to shorter work during pandemic.

36:51 Creativity can flourish without lofty goals.

41:05 Distraction in the world, set timer, create.

43:12 First book on writing short stories.

46:12 Strategic shorts can boost writing career prospects.

49:43 Writing needs community for support, progress, success.

54:27 Exciting prompts for daily creative writing in May.

The StoryADay Podcast

[fanovember]

IT'S FINALLY HERE, PEOPLE, OUR PROMPT LIST FOR THIS YEAR'S FANOVEMBER!!! (Written list below the line)

We decided to go through literary genres this time, although you can fit the prompt however you please (by using the literal word in your piece, a small reference, or writing in the style of that prompt!)

→We'll be posting some ideas every day to spark creativity if any prompt in particular doesn't work well for you. Although you don't have to complete the challenge 100% (I won't, more on that later)

→There's no limit on extension at all, whatever you need will be fine. (At least 200 words was the initial idea, but I, for instance, sometimes need less)

→You can write in any language you want, we'll repost anyway. It's also valid if you mix languages! (I'll use Spanish since the media I've chosen is originally in that language)

→Arists are welcome too, of course!

→Remember to mention this blog @fanovember or use any (or all) of these tags:

#fanovember

#fanovember 2024

#fanovember 24

Personally, I don't think I'm completing the full list, as I'm absolutely surpassed by daily responsibilities. But since Softober went well, I'll choose 12 or 13 of the prompts that appeal to me the most and write those throughout the month. You can do whatever works best for you too, we don't want you to feel pressured by any means.

Choose your fandom (or fandoms) and start creating! Let's have some fun!!

Fanovember 2024

01. Romance

02. Short story

03. Terror

04. Adventure

05. Art

06. Retelling

07. Historical

08. Journal

09. Theatre

10. Witchcraft

11. Religion

12. Fantasy

13. Astrology

14. Mithology

15. Poetics

16. Reality show

17. Press

18. Urban fantasy

19. Film/Movie

20. Family

21. Music

22. Epistolary

23. Sci-fi

24. Autobiography

25. Cuisine

26. Dance

27. Board games

28. Classic

29. Triller

30. Flash-fiction

[randombouquet]

Hello,

So this page is to try and experiment and grow creatively, finding ways to integrate AI to assist me in that (shout out to my fav collaborator Chat GPT). Taking daily time to try and flex and train those muscles with only myself to be accountable and disappoint.

We're starting off with a 30 day creativity challenge with small tasks and some big to keep me motivated and undettered.

Here's the outline:

30-Day Creativity Challenge for Your Blog

Day 1: Micro-Story MagicWrite a 100-word story based on the first object you see today.

Day 2: Snap & CaptionTake a photo of your morning routine and write a captivating caption.

Day 3: Mood PlaylistCreate and share a playlist that reflects your current mood, along with a brief description of your song choices.

Day 4: One-Sentence JournalSum up your day in one powerful sentence.

Day 5: Color Palette ChallengeCapture photos of objects in your surroundings that create a compelling color palette when put together.

Day 6: Character CreationWrite a brief introduction to a character you've just thought up, complete with quirks, likes, and dislikes.

Day 7: Photo RecreationRecreate a famous artwork or photograph in your style.

Day 8: Flash FictionWrite a 300-word flash fiction piece inspired by the word "Discovery".

Day 9: Virtual TourCreate a photo or video tour of your favorite spot in your home or city and describe why it's special to you.

Day 10: Quote InterpretationShare a quote that resonates with you and create a visual interpretation (drawing, photo, digital art).

Day 11: Review in HaikuWrite a haiku review of the last book, movie, or TV show you enjoyed.

Day 12: Shadow PlayTake a series of photos focusing on interesting shadows during different times of the day.

Day 13: The Sound of EmotionsRecord and share ambient sounds that represent your current mood, with a brief explanation.

Day 14: Dialogue ChallengeWrite an intriguing dialogue between two people who just met in an unusual circumstance.

Day 15: Creative CollageCreate a digital or physical collage that represents your week.

Day 16: Life in MonochromeCapture your day in black and white photos.

Day 17: Dreamy DescriptionsDescribe the most recent dream you remember with vivid details.

Day 18: Silhouette StoryPhotograph silhouettes during the golden hour and weave a short story around them.

Day 19: Letter to YourselfWrite a letter to your future or past self and seal it in an envelope (to be opened later).

Day 20: Nostalgia TripShare a childhood photo and narrate the memory associated with it.

Day 21: Recipe RemixInvent and photograph a new dish by remixing ingredients from two of your favorite meals.

Day 22: Urban SafariCapture the wildlife of your city (birds, insects, pets) through your lens.

Day 23: Minimalist ChallengeCompose and photograph a minimalist scene that conveys a strong emotion or story.

Day 24: Echo PoemWrite a poem where each line is a response or reflection to the previous one.

Day 25: Time-Lapse ArtCreate a time-lapse video of you drawing, painting, or crafting.

Day 26: Perspective PhotographyTake a photo that plays with perspective in an unusual way (e.g., forced perspective photography).

Day 27: Found PoetryCreate a piece of found poetry using headlines from old newspapers or magazines.

Day 28: Themed PhotoshootPlan and execute a themed photoshoot, detailing the process and inspiration.

Day 29: DIY DecorCreate and showcase a DIY decor project for your home or workspace.

Day 30: Reflection and ProjectionReflect on the 30-day creativity challenge with a blog post summarizing the experience, your favorite entries, and what you've learned about your creativity.

[polizwrites]

PoliZ's WIP Update: 12 Jun 2024

Busy work week, but I made my  unofficial weekly goal. I touched four fics (3 new & 1 WIPs) - for a total of 2142 words. 

On Ao3, I posted: 

 Baring His Soul -  Stucky getting-together College AU ficlet.

Chapter Five of   Love is a Thing That Can Never Go Wrong  - No Powers Omegaverse AU with Alpha!Bucky & omega!Tony (eventual WinterIron) 

A Time to Lose and a Time to Keep -  pre-war Steve POV ficlet

Coming Clean -  WinterIron PWP ficlet with bonus Steve. 

I’m juggling  19 active/semi-active WIPs with my current  deadline being the  Steve Rogers Bingo which ends on June 15th.  

See  below cut for what I’m working on/planning to work on - arranged more or less by bingos/challenges/etc.  As always, feel free to send me   prompts or plot bunnies as well as asks regarding  any of these projects  or any other WIPs I’ve got out there.   Interaction really helps feed the Muse and keep me motivated!

Steve Rogers Bingo - Round 3 [SRB_R3] (ends  15 Jun 2024)

Twenty-one  fills, two bingos and no WIPs at the moment  - need to focus on getting my Tumblr posts on Ao3 before this wraps up! 

* B1 - Project Rebirth -   Went with an outsider POV to fill this - Judging A Book By Its Cover is 413 words of Howard Stark’s perspective on the moments before shrimpy!Steve is transformed into Captain America.   Planning to post this on Friday.   

* B2 - Streaking - Posted  Baring His Soul  to Ao3 last week. This Stucky college AU also fills the  Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF252 Spill the tea]  and came in at 634 words.

* C2 - "In order to grow, you must let go of the past" (Sarah Rogers) - Posted  A Time to Lose and a Time to Keep to A03. This pre-war Steve POV ficlet incorporates the  Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF253 Pushing Up Daisies] and came in at 182 words.

* D2 - Alpha Steve - Pulled together a  crossover with  Week 2 of Hot Bucky Summer - combining  “What should I call you?”  +  Master  + Alpha - and my BBB K5 - Voice  square  for   The Business of Pleasure.  Bucky seeks out a professional Alpha Dom and - despite appearances, will be getting exactly what he needs.  It’s coming in at 970 words and, while it will be tagged as a one shot for now, has the potential of being continued. It will post on Friday. 

* E3 - Steampunk -  Squished this square to combine it with  the Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF250 Rushing Train] for An Attractive Concept -  a vaguely steampunk mostly-platonic Stony ficlet where Tony tells Steve about his newest invention.  It came in at 380 words and will get posted to Ao3 before the event is over.  

Hot Bucky Summer 2024 [HBS_R2] (Ends 31 Aug)

More fun from the @buckybarnesevents folks - this time weekly challenges to create a (presumably hot) Bucky-centric fanwork!   I’m starting off a bit behind the eight-ball, as I missed the reblog deadline for the first week.

* Week 1: I combined the following prompts - “Louder, let everyone hear you.” + Noisy Sex +  Exhibitionism  along with my WIB  A/B/O: Knotting and BBB KINK: Shower sex  squares for   Coming Clean - 659 words of PWP featuring WinterIron shower room shenanigans with a surprise appearance by Steve.  This may get a second chapter, if the Muse cooperates. 

* Week 2:  “What should I call you?” + Master + Alpha  see SRB - Alpha Steve above. 

Hawkeyes Bingo [HB_R2] (Ends TBD) 

Working on this  Tumblr event - got a 3x3 card and and am looking forward to creating more  Clint-centric content and trying my hand at a bit of  Kate Bishop fic as well!    

* A3 - Awkward Flirting – this might be a good entry into my first femslash fic with Kate/Yelena?    

Build-A-Bucky Bingo [BaBB_R1] (Ends 1 Sep 2024)

Another fun year-long  event from the folks at  @buckybarnesevents!  Each month there’s a list of prompts and you choose (at least) one  each month for your card!  At seventeen fills and two WIPs with five months to go, I seem to be going a bit overboard …. 😁

* May:  Bucky’s Trigger Words -  combined this with last week’s  Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF251 Out There] for Just To Live One Day Out There - a Winter Soldier self-reflective ficlet. It came in at 312 words and will get posted to Ao3 Real Soon. 

* May:  Praise Kink - planning to fill this with Chapter Six of A Little Bit Carried Away where Alpha!Bucky and omega!Tony get to live out their fantasies.  It’s sitting at 754 words and will get posted later this month.  

*June - Breeding Kink  - Filled this with Chapter Five of  A Little Bit Carried Away  which posted last Friday. Tony and Bucky share their mutual fantasies over Bucky’s home-cooked dinner.   This chapter also filled my WIB  Surprising New Kink square and came in at 1287 words.

* June: Inconvenient Attraction - filling this with Chapters Six  of Love is a Thing That Can Never Go Wrong  which is sitting at  835 words and will get posted later this month. 

WinterIron Bingo Round 2  [WIB_R2] (Ends 16 Dec 2024)

Signups are still open for pre-made cards for Round Two of this super-fun bingo event! I have fifteen  fills and zero WIPs at the moment.  

* Iron Soldier (One Bingo, One Fill) - looking at combining my Column B prompts: Matchmaker, Bucky Riding Tony, Stark Gala, Inside Joke and Threesome.  Still working on a plot - if you have any suggestions/want-to-sees - let me know! 

* I1 - A/B/O: Knotting - Filled this with Coming Clean  - see HBE Week One. 

*I4 - SHIELD HQ - combined this with the Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF245 You Never Cared] and wrote Fathers Don’t Know Best  -  No Power AU with Bucky working as an analyst at SHIELD who stumbles across a late night visitor to the lobby.  It came in at 407 words and will get posted to Ao3 before the event ends.  

* N1 - Hair Pulling Kink -  thanks to a fun prompt from @scottxlogan  - I filled this square with Untangling Their Attraction - where Tony’s offer of assistance leads to mutual kink discovery (not as racy as it might sound).  It’s coming in at 544 words and will post to Ao3 before this event is over. 

* N5 - "I'm here for you."  - Possibly the next chapter of  Lady Natasha’s Consort and Lord Steve’s Companion ?  

* June Adoptable: Surprising New Kink  - filled this with Chapter Five of  A Little Bit Carried Away  - see BaBB Breeding Kink above. 

Bucky Barnes Bingo - Round Six [BBB - R6]  (Ends 31 Mar)

This amazing bingo event is back!   Got my card last week and am still looking over my squares  after getting a couple of them swapped.   I have one fill already, and zero WIPs.  

* K5 - Voice -  Just realized I could squish this into  The Business of Pleasure - see HBE Week Two above.     

* C4 - KINK: Shower sex - filled with  Filled this with Coming Clean  - see HBE Week One. 

* Y5 - Polyamory or open relationship - if I continue  Coming Clean, this would be an obvious square to use. 

Warm and Fluffy   Bingo  [WFB]   (no end date)

Six  fills on my card, courtesy of   @warmandfluffybingocards  - need to try for another crossover or two!

————

On  other creative fronts:  I am working on  a Buzzie the Vulture as a custom commission,  along with a Count Orlok/Nosferatu for another commission.  

If  you’re looking for one of a kind gifts for birthdays or other celebrations, check  out Stuffed With Character    over on Facebook for a full list of my designs (now over 150!).   These soft stuffed figures are  mostly Marvel and monsters, but I have some Star Wars, Star Trek, DC   and Disney figures as well. Plus I love to take custom design   requests  for any fandom!

[rosecreer]

25 Years of Childhood, Kids Show Arthur Finally Ends.

'Arthur is based on the children’s books written and illustrated by Marc Brown. It is set in the fictional city of Elwood City. Each episode teaches children about development, friendships and valuable life lessons.'

Many adults who grew up watching Arthur praised the show for diversity and the lessons they learnt from this group of children growing up and making memories. But how did the show Arthur succeed in creating so many episodes?

Often, educational programmes before Arthur aired in 1996 were mostly live action entertainment until the entirely animated tv show The Magic School Bus in 1994. Arthur was accessible on most televisions, and carefully balanced entertainment with educational lessons.

'Arthur created a space where kids’ opinions, feelings, and experiences mattered. The storylines and dialogue never belittled nor condescended to its audience, but instead honoured the high emotional stakes of its characters’ circumstances. The plot was viewed from an authentic child lens, while still offering the wisdom of an adult through its conclusive life lessons.'

Writer Marc Brown believed that 'children are owed the truth' about life and experiences, not flashed in pretty colours and presented through rose tinted glasses. Different children lead different lives and they all deserve to be understood and represented, each child is an individual and should 'believe in yourself' as the intro theme repeats before every episode. Some experience extreme trauma, some have an unforgettable embarrassing moment but the most important part is that this is normalised.

Arthur never strayed away from discussing how to deal with the topics of the time, an episode was released following the events of September 11th teaching children how to deal with tragedy and loss, whereas episodes released during the Covid-19 pandemic discussed the importance of handwashing and wearing a mask.

Sometimes children need to develop their emotional intelligence and empathy, and watching a show where their favourite characters experience difficulties, challenges or even have happy moments teaches children important lessons on how everyone copes differently to life. Emotional intelligence is better taught through examples rather than being told by the book, and this is what the show provided for many years and many episodes.

Fitzpatrick, F. (2022). How Arthur became the longest-running animated children’s show ever. [online] The A.V. Club. Available at: https://www.avclub.com/how-arthur-became-the-longest-running-animated-children-1848652529.

[limejuicer1862]

#TheWildness. Day 24. Imagine you could communicate with one animal species. Which species would you choose and what would you ask them? Please join Jane Dougherty and me in celebrating wildness all this month. I tried to get permission from the Wildlife Trust to use their #3ODaysWild as prompts but it was not forthcoming, so here are my own prompts with a little help from chatgbt. I will feature your draft published/unpublished poetry/short prose/artworks using the following prompts. Please include a short third person bio. Numbers refer to dates in June: Day 1. Describe the sounds you hear when you step outside your home. How does nature contribute to this musical work? 2. Write a letter to a tree or plant that you encounter on your daily walk. What would you say to it? 3. Imagine you could transform into any animal for a day. Which animal would you choose and why? 4. Write a short story about a magical encounter with a wild animal in your backyard. 5. Describe a peaceful moment spent observing a body of water. What emotions does it evoke in you? 6. Write a poem inspired by the vibrant colours and patterns of a butterfly's wings. 7. Imagine you are a wildlife photographer. Describe the most breathtaking picture you have taken during your challenge. 8. Write about a favourite childhood memory spent in nature. How did it shape your connection with the natural world? 9. Create a dialogue between two different species of birds perched on a branch. What would they talk about? 10. Describe the texture and scent of wildflowers you encounter on your nature walks. How do they make you feel? 11. Write a persuasive essay on the importance of conserving and protecting local wildlife habitats. 12. Imagine you are a nature guide. Describe a walk you would take visitors on to showcase the beauty and diversity of your local environment. 13. Write a poem about the changing seasons and how they affect the behaviour of wildlife. 14. Imagine you are a detective investigating the disappearance of a rare animal. Describe your search for clues in the natural world. 15. Write a poem/flash fiction about a mischievous squirrel that causes chaos in your garden. 16. Describe a special moment when you felt truly connected to nature. What did it teach you about yourself and the world around you? 17. Write a letter to future generations, urging them to protect and cherish the natural world. 18. Create a detailed observation log of a specific species of bird that you have been monitoring throughout the challenge. 19. Write a poem inspired by the soothing sounds of a flowing stream or river. 20. Imagine you are a nature-inspired artist. Describe the masterpiece you would create using materials found in the great outdoors. 21. Write a short story about a group of friends who embark on an unforgettable camping trip in the wilderness. 22. Describe the most fascinating insect you have encountered during your challenge. What makes it unique? 23. Write a diary entry from the perspective of a tree, chronicling its experiences and the changes it witnesses over the course of a year. 24. Imagine you could communicate with one animal species. Which species would you choose and what would you ask them? 25. Describe a magical sunrise or sunset you have witnessed during your journey. How did it make you feel? 26. Write a letter to a future self, reflecting on the impact of the challenge on your relationship with nature. 27. Imagine you are a character in a wildlife-themed adventure novel. Describe the perilous situation you find yourself in and how you escape. 28. Write a poem celebrating the diversity and resilience of nature, even in the face of human challenges. 29. Describe the feeling of walking barefoot on cool, damp grass. How does it connect you to the Earth? 30. Write a short story about a hidden, enchanted forest where magical creatures dwell. What adventures await those who discover it? Feel free to adapt these prompts to suit your writing style or preferences.

Old Moor Bird photo by Paul Brookes Wolf, where are you? I know you’re there, lying low. Not in these quiet meadows and wooded slopes perhaps, but along Garonne’s broad reaches harried by flood waters, where farm buildings sink beneath the weight of ivy, wooden planking falls like flakes of slate. Wolf, where are you? Down there amid the forest-tangle, the woodland left untended, plantations…

[diracsea]

năm hai mươi tuổi, mỗi lần nhìn lên khán đài sân cẩm phả, hai long vẫn thường nghĩ đến màu trời.

nó nhận ra sự tương đồng đó vào cái lần ghi bàn thắng đầu tiên cho than quảng ninh. trận đấu thứ năm nó được điền tên vào đội hình chính thức thay cho anh hải huy đang chấn thương, và nó đã bình tĩnh dẫn bóng qua bốn cầu thủ của quảng nam trước khi sút tung lưới đội bạn. khoảnh khắc chạy về phía khán đài nơi có những lá cờ xanh đang tung bay, bỗng dưng nó cảm thấy như đang lao vào giữa một vùng trời trong vắt và bồng bềnh mây trắng. và, hoàn toàn vô thức, nó dang hai cánh tay ra, tưởng tượng mình như một chú chim tung cánh giữa không trung cao rộng.

nhưng những lá cờ ấy vẫn ở đó chờ đợi hai long, ngay cả khi đôi cánh của nó chẳng thể đưa nó bay lên, khi đôi chân nó nặng trĩu vì đất bùn, vì mỏi mệt hay vì thất bại. những ngày như thế, nó thích đi bộ thật chậm trên đường piste, chạm tay mình lên những lớp vải, những logo, những dòng chữ và khẩu hiệu in trên đó, lắng nghe lời động viên từ những con người - chẳng phải máu mủ ruột rà gì - vẫn luôn sẵn sàng theo chân nó, yêu thương nó. trước khi vào trong đường hầm, nó luôn dành thời gian nhìn ngắm cái khán đài xanh biếc ấy lần cuối, nhắm mắt và hít thở một hơi thật sâu, thấy lòng mình dịu lại, thấy mọi lo lắng bỗng tan thành gió mây, thấy bầu trời lại mở ra trước mắt.

năm hai mươi hai tuổi, mỗi lần đứng trên đất hà nội và nhìn lên bầu trời xanh mây trắng, hai long lại nghĩ về khán đài sân cẩm phả của những năm tháng dĩ vãng. khi tương lai còn ở phía trước, khi nó cảm thấy rằng với điểm tựa quê hương nó có thể nâng cả thế giới bằng đôi tay mình.

mặc dù trên khán đài sân cẩm phả những ngày này, chẳng màu xanh nào còn tung bay.

flash fiction challenge, entry 19: màu trời. đã đăng trong moment capsule.

[wardenred]

Random Flash Fic

I found this flash fiction challenge while I was exploring the Mastodon #WritingCommunity tag, and I thought, hey, why not?

I make the pilgrimage to the Dead Guardian’s Dolmen every summer. If I arrive while the sun is still up in the sky, I camp in the copse of dogwood trees nearby until the horizon turns maroon. Then I squeeze past the tall stone columns supporting the quoit, and I descend into the cave below.

The path down is twisting and long, but I know it by heart: every crumbling stair, every cobweb, every crack in the wall. When I reach the statue at the heart of the dungeon, I stop and look at it for a while. Simply to catch my breath. No other reason.

The statue’s all wrong, by the way. It hardly resembles the Guardian at all. He was never that tall. He didn’t have wings. The sculpted face under the carved hood bears hardly any resemblance to his. By the way, he was never a fan of hoods.

That just goes to show: all those people still waiting for his return? They never knew him like I did. They never knew him at all. They tell each other they worship him, but they don’t. They bow at the feet of a shared fantasy, a projection of their own wishes. They’ve always craved a divine protector, and they chose to believe he was one, never mind his actual methods or goals. Never mind the lies.

That’s why they keep waiting for his rebirth.

That’s why, every summer, I come here and cast the ritual to prevent it.

[i-found-you-justine-time]

Varian’s Tangled Trials

A “Varian and the Seven Kingdoms” fan fiction.

Chapter 19. Sigrevet. 9802 Words.

The gang arrives in Ingvarr in time for the celebration of Sigrevet! Hugo is offered a choice.

Previous Chapters: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

Varian finished rigging Prometheus to the wagon as Yong pushed a box of supplies into the back. 

“Guess, that’s it then,” Varian muttered. “Ready for what’s next.” He turned and found the end of a sword pointed right between his eyes. “Aahh!” He yelled, startled.

Hector, the person at the other end of the sword, gave Varian a dark smile. “Sure you don’t wish to stay with us, Nephew? You’d only stand to benefit from our training. You’d have a much easier time with these challenges,” he asked.

Varian carefully pushed the blade away. “Oh, you know, that sounds really great and all but we’re kind of on a time crunch so we’ll have to make do the way we are… maybe next time?”

“Just be sure to be careful out there,” said Adira, walking up to the two of them, Ruddiger riding her shoulder. “Demantitus’s Eternal Library holds great power. There will be others who will seek out such power and try to use it for their own nefarious desires.” Hector nodded in agreement as he sheathed his sword.

Varian laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Funny you should say that,” he said. “I think… well my mom’s old partner, Donella, might still be after the Library… and we might have upset her a bit… So yeah. There’s that.”

Adira’s eyes flashed but she quickly calmed herself and just gave a nod. “The grumpy one, yes. It wasn’t smart of you to cross her. She’s grown very powerful since we met her. She has great influence in Ingvarr.”

Yong walked over behind Varian. “Ingvarr… Varian, isn’t that where we’re going next?”

Varian’s eyes were on the ground. “Well? Yeah. But we have no choice. The Iron Trial is in the capital of Ingvarr.”

“No!” Shouted Hector. “You will not put yourself in danger like that! Forget this stupid errand and stay here where we can protect you!”

Varian looked up at Hector, his face dark and his eyes narrowed in anger. “Stupid errand?” “Varian?” said Yong softly, face full of concern and his hand reaching out for him hesitantly.

“Stupid errand?” Varian repeated, louder this time. 

“Really, Varian,” said Adira. “There’s no need to be upset. Hector didn’t mean it that way. We’re just worried for your safety.”

“Safety,” spat Varian. “This is my mother’s life’s work! I thought you understood! But you’re sounding just like dad! The Library is important. It could help save Nuru’s Kingdom. It could help you rebuild yours! It could have solutions for hunger and disease. Isn’t that worth the risk?” He looked at Hector pleadingly, needing affirmation. 

Hector looked back, face dark and serious as he considered Varian. After a moment he sighed and put a hand on Varian’s shoulder. “You show true bravery, Nephew. And just because I don’t understand it doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for. Just be sure to watch your back.”

Varian smiled, placated by Hector’s words.

“Goggles?” 

Hugo came running over. Hector dropped his hand from Varian’s shoulder and stepped back as Hugo rushed up and gently put his own hand on Varian’s shoulder. “I heard shouting,” he said, face anxious. “Is everything alright?”

Varian blushed and looked back over at Hector and Adira. “Yeah, it’s fine. Just got a little carried away there.”

“Passion is good when it’s properly directed,” said Adira. “Beanpole, Hairfluff, be sure to watch over Varian as you continue your journey. Make sure he’s safe.”

Hugo relaxed, his whole demeanor changing on a dime as he turned to Adira. He smirked and put his elbow on Varian’s shoulder, using him as an armrest. “Oh, no need to worry about this guy here. He can be scary when he wants to be. He can definitely take care of himself.”

Varian, while annoyed by Hugo leaning on him, looked surprised and touched by Hugo’s defense of him.

“Though, of course, having such a smart and talented alchemist like myself is very helpful,” added Hugo. Varian rolled his eyes and pushed Hugo off of him.

Just then, King Edmund and Nuru walked up, engaging in conversation. She handed him a letter as they approached the others.

“If you send this directly to the palace in Koto you’ll be able to start negotiating an alliance. I’ve explained everything and I’m sure my sister Zuri will be happy to help you once our own Kingdom is safe.”

“It is good to know that such kindness still exists in the world,” said King Edmund. “Thank you, Princess, for helping me put my pride aside.”

Nuru smiled at him. “Everyone needs help sometimes.”

“A wise observation.” King Edmund turned to all of them. “And we appreciate the help you all gave us. Please be sure to travel safely. And Varian, when you reach Corona do tell that son of mine that he needs to come visit me soon.”

Varian laughed and nodded. “Yeah, I’ll let him know,” he agreed.

“Varian,” said Adira, stepping forward again. “I have one more thing for you. Here” She pulled a stack of papers from her pocket and passed it to Varian. Once in his hands, he could see that it was letters bundled with a thin length of twine. “Letters from your father. Everything he wrote to me since going to live with your mother. You wanted to know more about them and about yourself so I figured these might help.” Varian’s face brightened. “Thanks! This is wonderful!” He threw his arms around Adira. She froze in surprise at the affection but soon patted Varian’s back. Hector rolled his eyes and came over and joined the hug as well. Then King Edmund put an arm around all of them giving a strong squeeze that crushed Varian a bit. Varian laughed and pulled back happily. 

Ruddiger, still on Adira’s shoulder, gave her an affectionate nuzzle then hopped onto Varian’s back. Varian absentmindedly scratched behind Ruddiger’s ear as he looked up at the three adults. “Thanks,” he repeated. “It’s good to know I have a family on my side all the way out here in the Dark Kingdom.”

Everyone else had already gathered on the wagon and Varian climbed up into the seat next to Nuru. They set off down the road, waving until they were out of sight.

Adira, Hector, and King Edmund watched a moment longer. When the group was well on their way Adira and Hector shared a look. 

“He will hate us if we try to interfere,” she said warningly.

Hector grimaced. “Better an angry nephew than a dead one. Besides, he doesn’t need to know if I keep my distance.”

“What’s this then?” asked King Edmund, confused. 

Hector turned and bowed. “Permission to ensure the safety of Varian’s mission, Your Majesty.”

King Edmund thought it over. “We have made a lot of progress on our rebuilding efforts thanks to him and his friends. You being away for a few months shouldn’t hurt. Very well. You may have this mission. But take Hammuel with you so you can report back to me. And be sure to only interfere if it’s a matter of life or death.” Hammuel, who had been resting on the King’s shoulder, cawed and hopped over perch on Hector instead. He accidentally bumped into him and fell, but Hector scooped him out of the hair and placed him on his shoulder. 

“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you,” He whistled, and with a loud rumble a large intimidating rhinoceros already fitted with a saddle and bags ran to Hector’s side. He swung up onto the creature’s back. “Farewell, sister.” “Good luck, Hector,” said Adira, then herdace darkened. “If you meet the grumpy one, be sure to send my regards.”

Hector nodded and then urged the rhino forward. They set off into the woods, picking a slightly more northerly direction than the wagon just went. Read the rest of the chapter here!