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1000 results for “microfiction”
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"Why do we have to learn all these old words in a language no one speaks?" Teal's moan broke the silence in the library. "I want to learn magic, not linguistics!"
A #distant hiss caught the boys' attention, but they couldn't tell where it came from.
"We have to understand the words we're saying when we cast a spell," Mouse answered in a hushed tone. "I mean, you wouldn't want—"
A large, mist-coloured cat landed silently on the table, then hissed in warning, teeth bared. The cat then playfully knocked over the small sign on the table with one paw. It fell into Teal's lap.
Teal returned the 'Quiet please' sign to the table, and the boys smiled at each other. The cat was gone without a trace.
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"Why do we have to learn all these old words in a language no one speaks?" Teal's moan broke the silence in the library. "I want to learn magic, not linguistics!"
A #distant hiss caught the boys' attention, but they couldn't tell where it came from.
"We have to understand the words we're saying when we cast a spell," Mouse answered in a hushed tone. "I mean, you wouldn't want—"
A large, mist-coloured cat landed silently on the table, then hissed in warning, teeth bared. The cat then playfully knocked over the small sign on the table with one paw. It fell into Teal's lap.
Teal returned the 'Quiet please' sign to the table, and the boys smiled at each other. The cat was gone without a trace.
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"Why do we have to learn all these old words in a language no one speaks?" Teal's moan broke the silence in the library. "I want to learn magic, not linguistics!"
A #distant hiss caught the boys' attention, but they couldn't tell where it came from.
"We have to understand the words we're saying when we cast a spell," Mouse answered in a hushed tone. "I mean, you wouldn't want—"
A large, mist-coloured cat landed silently on the table, then hissed in warning, teeth bared. The cat then playfully knocked over the small sign on the table with one paw. It fell into Teal's lap.
Teal returned the 'Quiet please' sign to the table, and the boys smiled at each other. The cat was gone without a trace.
-
"Why do we have to learn all these old words in a language no one speaks?" Teal's moan broke the silence in the library. "I want to learn magic, not linguistics!"
A #distant hiss caught the boys' attention, but they couldn't tell where it came from.
"We have to understand the words we're saying when we cast a spell," Mouse answered in a hushed tone. "I mean, you wouldn't want—"
A large, mist-coloured cat landed silently on the table, then hissed in warning, teeth bared. The cat then playfully knocked over the small sign on the table with one paw. It fell into Teal's lap.
Teal returned the 'Quiet please' sign to the table, and the boys smiled at each other. The cat was gone without a trace.
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"Finally!" Tripping over a shattered mace, the rogue beamed at the statue. "And untouched. Those emerald eyes, ruby fingernails..."
"It might be guarded," the barbarian warned.
"By what? Look at the dust. We're the first visitors for centuries."
"Those bone fragments didn't arrive themselves."
"Pah, you grump. You should be glad we've found the smiling goddess."
"Looks more like a #frown to me," muttered the barbarian, just as the statue raised an arm.
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The rookie winced, watching the detective #wobble atop his desk. "Shall I try, sir?"
"Don't be silly, lad." He strained towards the light fitting. Flimsy fabric dangled just out of reach. "My office, my party, my responsibility."
"If I fetched a mop—"
"Uh oh." He stared out the window. "The boss has arrived. Quick, go and distract her."
Racing for the stairs, the rookie groaned. Why did the difficult stuff fall to him?
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"A constant whooshing sound?" The rogue rolled his eyes. "You're winding me up."
"No," the barbarian protested. "And it's not #continuous, more like—"
"Come on." Torch flickering in the draft, the rogue continued into the warm, damp tunnel.
"... something breathing."
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"What gave me away?" The rogue widened his eyes.
The barbarian huffed. "That #virtuous expression always makes me suspicious."
"But—"
"Not just me. Everyone else would feel the same."
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"What gave me away?" The rogue widened his eyes.
The barbarian huffed. "That #virtuous expression always makes me suspicious."
"But—"
"Not just me. Everyone else would feel the same."
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"What gave me away?" The rogue widened his eyes.
The barbarian huffed. "That #virtuous expression always makes me suspicious."
"But—"
"Not just me. Everyone else would feel the same."
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About a year since it happened. At least the sun rises in the morning. I will never forget that cold winter and what it took. We had large vibrant communities full of life. That winter took the flower of life that hasn't bloomed since. I feared that day would happen. I had terrible dreams the flowers were gone and the last of us foraged remaining fruits. People walking, losing energy and becoming slower every day until they remain frozen in time.
Most exhausted their supply several months ago, having enjoyed the convenience and perceived reliability of our society. But the clouds from the eruption poisoned the one place where they grew. It was a complex relationship of fungi, trees, bacteria, and plants, all connected together for millions of years. The bonds of life were broken and there is no flower.
I was fortunate to find a thriving beehive on the mountain where they had many lifetime's worth of the pure crystallized flower. I took a hundred grams, or about 10 lifetime's worth, crushed it into a powder, and stored it in a glass container. I had been weak in the last month since running out. I needed to prepare more and cook a small vial that would last me a few years. I would be strong again and my knees would heal and be young again.
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Of course the big winners of the wormhole revolution were the megacorps, shipping huge quantities of data and goods between the stars. But there were little indie wins too. One enterprising history nerd realised that with a careful array of holes and a really high gain PAL reviever, she could watch TV from the 1970s--90s "live".
I hear it's become quite a christmas tradition in some of the hipster bubbles.
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Clutching his chest, the official gasped, "Can't we negotiate? Special for you and your employees—"
"NO NEED." The dark figure swung its scythe. "YOU COULD CALL ME A #SOLE TRADER."
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S is for Snow
#FanFiction EstherAndErie by @art_of_goulwenr
#Wss366 #PIXIVCharitySanta“It snowed, Milady. It snowed!” Erie was practically bouncing.
Then, her smile vanished. “Sorry. It’s just that for a moment it reminded me of my youth.”
“You’re still young. Why so serious?” Esther replied.
“Lady D’Arcy said a maid should always show decorum.”
“I think I can forgive an occasional lapse as long as it's just around me. Would you like to go out in the snow? I would love to see you in that red coat I gave you.”
“May I, Milady? Lady D’Arcy said I would track snow into the house.”
“I'm sure you wouldn’t do that. I think I shall go out for a constitutional. It’s the perfect day to purchase a Christmas garland for the door. You should accompany me, and if you happen to make a snowman, I should not object in the least.”
Illustration by @art_of_goulwenr
Post processing Me. -
I sat under the stern of the ship where it bridged out like a fin shielding my head from the harsh rain.
I couldn't understand why the bay didn't have a roof, but I didn't mind. Until we came here I could not remember when the last time I was caught in rain.
"Pretty #grim huh?" I heard a voice behind me say.
"Grim... Nah. I grew up on one of the old mega ships... I never saw sky till I turned 17. I felt rain just 3 years ago."
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(...) Les hommes marchent. Des traits rouge vif marquent leurs pommettes saillantes. Colliers, perles d’os, flûte gravée, calebasses remplie de feuilles, graines, poudres, pierres secrètes. Les hommes marchent vers le monde des morts. Bientôt leur terre ne sera plus. Atteinte depuis trop longtemps d’une étrange maladie, elle rétrécit et personne ne sait comment la guérir, pas même celui qui sait, l’Ancien.
Une étrange maladie et bien d’autres fléaux aux mains d’un envahisseur blanc, cruel, avide, au pouvoir venimeux. (...)
#livre #cathygarciacanalès #textescourts #collages #microfictions
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"A credit a try! C'mon, give it a try! A credit could win a thousand. C'mon lady, give it a whirl!"
Holographic polyhedrons glimmered in the shallow bowl in front of the street kids. Pay a credit, reach in & try to grab the golden icosahedron worth a thousand--that's the play.
"I don't gamble," I said stiffly.
The leader #inclined her head.
"Aww, c'mon. This once?"
I relented. It's a terrible way to be gaining credits, but they didn't look like they had options.
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We open the door and Mother Winter beckons, but the cat #quails, shrinking back from Mother Winter's extended hand. He shakes the cold preemptively from his paws.
"Come," Mother Winter croons, but the cat flattens his ears and backs away. We close the door and the cat regards it balefully. Where is Master Autumn or Lady Summer? Where is Baby Spring.
"Gone for now," Mother Winter whispers from the other side of the door.
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Un chuintement, un bruit mécanique, le début d'une rotation de plus en plus véloce puis un bourdonnement continu à peine audible. Théodore contemplait l'artefact en suspension dans l'air.
« Vous avez donc volé ce dispositif aux Célestes ?
— On l'a extrait d'une de leur barges volantes qu'on a désossée.
L'étrange Velyani au teint orangé tirait visiblement une grande fierté de ce butin mécanique.
— Vous en avez les plans ?
— Des plans ? Mais c'est pas bête, ça ! » -
"Let's dine across the divide. Meet me at 7," Glint said.
"Where? Is that a restaurant?" I asked, looking down. But the gnome was gone.
I found Across the Divide just off the main square. The restaurant was crowded with a mix of humans, orcs and gnomes. I approved. People didn't always mix. I was especially glad I wasn't the only orc in the room.
But then I noticed the room was split. A gentle ramp on my left led to an area with a raised floor and shorter tables, mostly populated by gnomes. On my right were larger tables where humans and orcs sat.
Then I spotted the middle - several tables along the divide, one side for taller patrons, the other for shorter folk. I spotted Glint waving to me from one of them. I smiled.
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"When can we stop?" the barbarian wheezed.
Behind them, the ogre roared, its feet pounding rocks to gravel.
"Soon." The rogue kept up his effortless stride. "We only need to #exhaust it, then we can turn and fight."
His burly companion glanced back at the TWO ogres now on their trail and picked up his pace. "I've a better idea. Let's keep running."
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10. Moonlight Snare
#FanFiction #TheApothecaryDiaries
#wss366The cavalcade moved down the hill toward the house. Each person carefully led their horse to avoid rocks and walked on soft soil whenever possible.
Halfway down the slope, the inevitable happened, and the sound of rattling stones broke the silence. Below, in response, a light flared in the house.
In an instant, Basen sounded a blast on a war horn, and the brassy #refrain of another followed across the valley. The troops sprang into their saddles.
Before Mao knew it, she’d been thrown across a horse’s back, and her guard had mounted behind her. “Be still,” the woman hissed.
From Mao's perspective, everything became a blur of confusion. The rhythm of the horse's gait, the rough hand holding her, and the vibrations of thundering hooves made it difficult for her to regain her breath. The ground beneath them danced as it raced by, making her dizzy. In that chaos, Mao could only form two coherent thoughts: "Don't vomit," and "Just wait until that woman needs medical attention." However, neither thought lasted long, as her ribs collided with the saddle horn with each stride of the horse.
As suddenly as it started, the mad race ended at the house. From her supine position, all she could see were shadowy figures jumping from their horses and rushing into the building. It was only then that they broke their silence, shouting out a variety of war cries.
Mao slid off the horse, holding on to it as the ground pitched beneath her. She took a few wobbly steps to follow the soldiers, only to feel the woman’s hand on her shoulder restraining her.
“I need to ensure that no one escapes,” Mao gasped.
“Don’t worry, little Apothecary Lady. None will escape this snare.”
#MicroFiction #TootFic #Serial #NMFic #NMV366
#ApothecaryDiaries -
10. Moonlight Snare
#FanFiction #TheApothecaryDiaries
#wss366The cavalcade moved down the hill toward the house. Each person carefully led their horse to avoid rocks and walked on soft soil whenever possible.
Halfway down the slope, the inevitable happened, and the sound of rattling stones broke the silence. Below, in response, a light flared in the house.
In an instant, Basen sounded a blast on a war horn, and the brassy #refrain of another followed across the valley. The troops sprang into their saddles.
Before Mao knew it, she’d been thrown across a horse’s back, and her guard had mounted behind her. “Be still,” the woman hissed.
From Mao's perspective, everything became a blur of confusion. The rhythm of the horse's gait, the rough hand holding her, and the vibrations of thundering hooves made it difficult for her to regain her breath. The ground beneath them danced as it raced by, making her dizzy. In that chaos, Mao could only form two coherent thoughts: "Don't vomit," and "Just wait until that woman needs medical attention." However, neither thought lasted long, as her ribs collided with the saddle horn with each stride of the horse.
As suddenly as it started, the mad race ended at the house. From her supine position, all she could see were shadowy figures jumping from their horses and rushing into the building. It was only then that they broke their silence, shouting out a variety of war cries.
Mao slid off the horse, holding on to it as the ground pitched beneath her. She took a few wobbly steps to follow the soldiers, only to feel the woman’s hand on her shoulder restraining her.
“I need to ensure that no one escapes,” Mao gasped.
“Don’t worry, little Apothecary Lady. None will escape this snare.”
#MicroFiction #TootFic #Serial #NMFic #NMV366
#ApothecaryDiaries -
10. Moonlight Snare
#FanFiction #TheApothecaryDiaries
#wss366The cavalcade moved down the hill toward the house. Each person carefully led their horse to avoid rocks and walked on soft soil whenever possible.
Halfway down the slope, the inevitable happened, and the sound of rattling stones broke the silence. Below, in response, a light flared in the house.
In an instant, Basen sounded a blast on a war horn, and the brassy #refrain of another followed across the valley. The troops sprang into their saddles.
Before Mao knew it, she’d been thrown across a horse’s back, and her guard had mounted behind her. “Be still,” the woman hissed.
From Mao's perspective, everything became a blur of confusion. The rhythm of the horse's gait, the rough hand holding her, and the vibrations of thundering hooves made it difficult for her to regain her breath. The ground beneath them danced as it raced by, making her dizzy. In that chaos, Mao could only form two coherent thoughts: "Don't vomit," and "Just wait until that woman needs medical attention." However, neither thought lasted long, as her ribs collided with the saddle horn with each stride of the horse.
As suddenly as it started, the mad race ended at the house. From her supine position, all she could see were shadowy figures jumping from their horses and rushing into the building. It was only then that they broke their silence, shouting out a variety of war cries.
Mao slid off the horse, holding on to it as the ground pitched beneath her. She took a few wobbly steps to follow the soldiers, only to feel the woman’s hand on her shoulder restraining her.
“I need to ensure that no one escapes,” Mao gasped.
“Don’t worry, little Apothecary Lady. None will escape this snare.”
#MicroFiction #TootFic #Serial #NMFic #NMV366
#ApothecaryDiaries -
10. Moonlight Snare
#FanFiction #TheApothecaryDiaries
#wss366The cavalcade moved down the hill toward the house. Each person carefully led their horse to avoid rocks and walked on soft soil whenever possible.
Halfway down the slope, the inevitable happened, and the sound of rattling stones broke the silence. Below, in response, a light flared in the house.
In an instant, Basen sounded a blast on a war horn, and the brassy #refrain of another followed across the valley. The troops sprang into their saddles.
Before Mao knew it, she’d been thrown across a horse’s back, and her guard had mounted behind her. “Be still,” the woman hissed.
From Mao's perspective, everything became a blur of confusion. The rhythm of the horse's gait, the rough hand holding her, and the vibrations of thundering hooves made it difficult for her to regain her breath. The ground beneath them danced as it raced by, making her dizzy. In that chaos, Mao could only form two coherent thoughts: "Don't vomit," and "Just wait until that woman needs medical attention." However, neither thought lasted long, as her ribs collided with the saddle horn with each stride of the horse.
As suddenly as it started, the mad race ended at the house. From her supine position, all she could see were shadowy figures jumping from their horses and rushing into the building. It was only then that they broke their silence, shouting out a variety of war cries.
Mao slid off the horse, holding on to it as the ground pitched beneath her. She took a few wobbly steps to follow the soldiers, only to feel the woman’s hand on her shoulder restraining her.
“I need to ensure that no one escapes,” Mao gasped.
“Don’t worry, little Apothecary Lady. None will escape this snare.”
#MicroFiction #TootFic #Serial #NMFic #NMV366
#ApothecaryDiaries -
The red came in between, reshaped, and became a question. That question was taken seriously by someone, and my nerves twisted into a gray cocoon. #microfiction #flashfiction #shortstory #fragment #smallstory #mastoart #tootfiction
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"I'm known in the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects," Taylor said. "And in the state of Montana I'm known to cause stampedes. In the state of Georgia I'm known to tarnish silver, and in Vermont I'm known to curdle milk."
Brent waited a full minute, then said, "You done?"
"More or less. I just want you to be properly warned."
Brent laughed. "You're a little #warped, huh."
"Yep. I'm known for that in Kansas. Forgot to mention that one."
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Minashi-by-the-Sea (What the Iron-Gray Catkin Saw)
Conclution
Kurotsuki Kaibyō awoke the next morning to the sounds of bamboo flutes and lime wood lyres out in the street. Inside the inn, the whining of merchants denied their morning meal could be heard, for its iron-gray owner had already taken a berth on a ship bound for fair hills #unblighted by Kurosuki’s shadow, and the new owner was nowhere to be seen.
Restlessly, the Stealer of Dreams walked the streets. The smells of roasted lamb skewers, chestnuts fresh from the coals, and overflowing drinks of rum, redolent with the scent of lime, cinnamon, and cloves held no appeal for her, for she had heard Nyarlathotep’s piping and it haunted her like nothing had before.
Still, when the people paraded out of the city to frolic in the orchards on the hills, she made her way to the High Citadel. After casting wary glances to see if anyone was watching, she climbed the walls in a spot sheltered from the Toads of Lang’s view. Then, on silent feet, she jumped to the courtyard and swiftly blended into the shadows of the citadel itself.
It took only moments to slip through the moldering gate that none had dared to maintain in centuries.
What happened then no one knows. But the obscene piping that night grew louder, drowning out the bright bells and lutes of the celebration. The iron-gray catkin whose name might mean “She Who Fled a Doom That Did Not Come” reported seeing something drifting amid the lime blossoms festooning the waters of the harbor. Something that should not have been there. What is known is that Kurotsuki Kaibyō, the Stealer of Dreams, was no longer seen walking on silent feet amid the shadows of doomed dreamers.
#MicroFiction #TootFic #Serial #NMPrompts #NMV366 #Lovecraft #LordDunsany #Pastiche #Cats #Otherkin #Catgirl #Neko
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Minashi-by-the-Sea (What the Iron-Gray Catkin Saw)
Conclution
Kurotsuki Kaibyō awoke the next morning to the sounds of bamboo flutes and lime wood lyres out in the street. Inside the inn, the whining of merchants denied their morning meal could be heard, for its iron-gray owner had already taken a berth on a ship bound for fair hills #unblighted by Kurosuki’s shadow, and the new owner was nowhere to be seen.
Restlessly, the Stealer of Dreams walked the streets. The smells of roasted lamb skewers, chestnuts fresh from the coals, and overflowing drinks of rum, redolent with the scent of lime, cinnamon, and cloves held no appeal for her, for she had heard Nyarlathotep’s piping and it haunted her like nothing had before.
Still, when the people paraded out of the city to frolic in the orchards on the hills, she made her way to the High Citadel. After casting wary glances to see if anyone was watching, she climbed the walls in a spot sheltered from the Toads of Lang’s view. Then, on silent feet, she jumped to the courtyard and swiftly blended into the shadows of the citadel itself.
It took only moments to slip through the moldering gate that none had dared to maintain in centuries.
What happened then no one knows. But the obscene piping that night grew louder, drowning out the bright bells and lutes of the celebration. The iron-gray catkin whose name might mean “She Who Fled a Doom That Did Not Come” reported seeing something drifting amid the lime blossoms festooning the waters of the harbor. Something that should not have been there. What is known is that Kurotsuki Kaibyō, the Stealer of Dreams, was no longer seen walking on silent feet amid the shadows of doomed dreamers.
#MicroFiction #TootFic #Serial #NMPrompts #NMV366 #Lovecraft #LordDunsany #Pastiche #Cats #Otherkin #Catgirl #Neko
