#microfiction — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #microfiction, aggregated by home.social.
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CW: MH, PTSD, combat
Four months and three weeks after leaving "Mother of All", still at Hiiliteräs High Port.
Seeker was resting in the cabin she shared with Dyani. The counselling had stretched out to two weeks, but the doctor had given her a provisional all-clear, provided she kept up with the mental exercises she had been prescribed. And took the medications if she needed them.
There was a knock on the door. She got up, and opened it. The engineer, Sparks was there.
"You've been avoiding me" the older woman stated, "even though the Captain would have told you to talk to me."
"I thought it was not my place to intrude."
"Can I come in?"
Flustered, Seeker stepped aside "Sorry, yes, of course."
Sparks grabbed the desk chair, and sat, gesturing at the door.
Seeker closed it, and then perched on her bunk.Sparks looked at her for a few moments "The counselling has helped, I can see that. But I think you need something more. Scan me. Now."
Seeker started at the sudden unexpected order, and tried to pick up the engineer's mind, only to find - nothing.
"Sparks, you're, your mind, it..." She stuttered.
"Good. It works then," and she pointed to a barely visible comb in her hair, "Now. You've been avoiding me. Why?"
"Your past is your own. The Captain..."
"Seeker, I have known the Captain since we were children. We were separated for about fifteen years, but we're together again now. She would not have offered without me knowing."
"Oh" came the reply in a small voice.
"Now. Here is what you should have asked me about. Much like yours, our home planet is a single polity. Unlike yours it is a democracy - we elect our leaders. About four years after the Captain left on her first voyage as a trader there was a military takeover of the government."
Seeker was staring now.
"They cracked down on any opposition, killing anyone who objected to them. Or that they thought were objecting. For two years they held power, but then we struck back. And we struck hard. The response was brutal. I was working as a grav mechanic, when I saw a family being shot at by a squad of troops. One shot hit a four year old little boy. So I took the grav module I'd been fixing, and drove it into that squad at mach three. Then I picked up their guns, and went hunting."
Sparks looked at the ceiling. "Then I went hunting. When I could not find any more soldiers, I went hunting a bottle. We won. We are a democracy again. And the little boy lived. But. I. Was. Broken."
"What happened then?"
"Annabelle found me. Took me aboard, and showed me how to live again. When she purchased this ship, she named it after me."
After a few minutes Seeker asked "Why? Why tell me?"
"I was never a killer, but I had to become one. To save lives. You are not alone. You can still be a good person, still be worth knowing. Maybe even more so."
"She loves you, doesn't she?"
"And I still don't know why," Sparks replied with a lopsided smile.#SF #SFF #Microfiction #Microfic #tootfic #ShamanSpace #IAmWriting
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CW: MH, PTSD, combat
Four months and three weeks after leaving "Mother of All", still at Hiiliteräs High Port.
Seeker was resting in the cabin she shared with Dyani. The counselling had stretched out to two weeks, but the doctor had given her a provisional all-clear, provided she kept up with the mental exercises she had been prescribed. And took the medications if she needed them.
There was a knock on the door. She got up, and opened it. The engineer, Sparks was there.
"You've been avoiding me" the older woman stated, "even though the Captain would have told you to talk to me."
"I thought it was not my place to intrude."
"Can I come in?"
Flustered, Seeker stepped aside "Sorry, yes, of course."
Sparks grabbed the desk chair, and sat, gesturing at the door.
Seeker closed it, and then perched on her bunk.Sparks looked at her for a few moments "The counselling has helped, I can see that. But I think you need something more. Scan me. Now."
Seeker started at the sudden unexpected order, and tried to pick up the engineer's mind, only to find - nothing.
"Sparks, you're, your mind, it..." She stuttered.
"Good. It works then," and she pointed to a barely visible comb in her hair, "Now. You've been avoiding me. Why?"
"Your past is your own. The Captain..."
"Seeker, I have known the Captain since we were children. We were separated for about fifteen years, but we're together again now. She would not have offered without me knowing."
"Oh" came the reply in a small voice.
"Now. Here is what you should have asked me about. Much like yours, our home planet is a single polity. Unlike yours it is a democracy - we elect our leaders. About four years after the Captain left on her first voyage as a trader there was a military takeover of the government."
Seeker was staring now.
"They cracked down on any opposition, killing anyone who objected to them. Or that they thought were objecting. For two years they held power, but then we struck back. And we struck hard. The response was brutal. I was working as a grav mechanic, when I saw a family being shot at by a squad of troops. One shot hit a four year old little boy. So I took the grav module I'd been fixing, and drove it into that squad at mach three. Then I picked up their guns, and went hunting."
Sparks looked at the ceiling. "Then I went hunting. When I could not find any more soldiers, I went hunting a bottle. We won. We are a democracy again. And the little boy lived. But. I. Was. Broken."
"What happened then?"
"Annabelle found me. Took me aboard, and showed me how to live again. When she purchased this ship, she named it after me."
After a few minutes Seeker asked "Why? Why tell me?"
"I was never a killer, but I had to become one. To save lives. You are not alone. You can still be a good person, still be worth knowing. Maybe even more so."
"She loves you, doesn't she?"
"And I still don't know why," Sparks replied with a lopsided smile.#SF #SFF #Microfiction #Microfic #tootfic #ShamanSpace #IAmWriting
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CW: MH, PTSD, combat
Four months and three weeks after leaving "Mother of All", still at Hiiliteräs High Port.
Seeker was resting in the cabin she shared with Dyani. The counselling had stretched out to two weeks, but the doctor had given her a provisional all-clear, provided she kept up with the mental exercises she had been prescribed. And took the medications if she needed them.
There was a knock on the door. She got up, and opened it. The engineer, Sparks was there.
"You've been avoiding me" the older woman stated, "even though the Captain would have told you to talk to me."
"I thought it was not my place to intrude."
"Can I come in?"
Flustered, Seeker stepped aside "Sorry, yes, of course."
Sparks grabbed the desk chair, and sat, gesturing at the door.
Seeker closed it, and then perched on her bunk.Sparks looked at her for a few moments "The counselling has helped, I can see that. But I think you need something more. Scan me. Now."
Seeker started at the sudden unexpected order, and tried to pick up the engineer's mind, only to find - nothing.
"Sparks, you're, your mind, it..." She stuttered.
"Good. It works then," and she pointed to a barely visible comb in her hair, "Now. You've been avoiding me. Why?"
"Your past is your own. The Captain..."
"Seeker, I have known the Captain since we were children. We were separated for about fifteen years, but we're together again now. She would not have offered without me knowing."
"Oh" came the reply in a small voice.
"Now. Here is what you should have asked me about. Much like yours, our home planet is a single polity. Unlike yours it is a democracy - we elect our leaders. About four years after the Captain left on her first voyage as a trader there was a military takeover of the government."
Seeker was staring now.
"They cracked down on any opposition, killing anyone who objected to them. Or that they thought were objecting. For two years they held power, but then we struck back. And we struck hard. The response was brutal. I was working as a grav mechanic, when I saw a family being shot at by a squad of troops. One shot hit a four year old little boy. So I took the grav module I'd been fixing, and drove it into that squad at mach three. Then I picked up their guns, and went hunting."
Sparks looked at the ceiling. "Then I went hunting. When I could not find any more soldiers, I went hunting a bottle. We won. We are a democracy again. And the little boy lived. But. I. Was. Broken."
"What happened then?"
"Annabelle found me. Took me aboard, and showed me how to live again. When she purchased this ship, she named it after me."
After a few minutes Seeker asked "Why? Why tell me?"
"I was never a killer, but I had to become one. To save lives. You are not alone. You can still be a good person, still be worth knowing. Maybe even more so."
"She loves you, doesn't she?"
"And I still don't know why," Sparks replied with a lopsided smile.#SF #SFF #Microfiction #Microfic #tootfic #ShamanSpace #IAmWriting
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CW: MH, PTSD, combat
Four months and three weeks after leaving "Mother of All", still at Hiiliteräs High Port.
Seeker was resting in the cabin she shared with Dyani. The counselling had stretched out to two weeks, but the doctor had given her a provisional all-clear, provided she kept up with the mental exercises she had been prescribed. And took the medications if she needed them.
There was a knock on the door. She got up, and opened it. The engineer, Sparks was there.
"You've been avoiding me" the older woman stated, "even though the Captain would have told you to talk to me."
"I thought it was not my place to intrude."
"Can I come in?"
Flustered, Seeker stepped aside "Sorry, yes, of course."
Sparks grabbed the desk chair, and sat, gesturing at the door.
Seeker closed it, and then perched on her bunk.Sparks looked at her for a few moments "The counselling has helped, I can see that. But I think you need something more. Scan me. Now."
Seeker started at the sudden unexpected order, and tried to pick up the engineer's mind, only to find - nothing.
"Sparks, you're, your mind, it..." She stuttered.
"Good. It works then," and she pointed to a barely visible comb in her hair, "Now. You've been avoiding me. Why?"
"Your past is your own. The Captain..."
"Seeker, I have known the Captain since we were children. We were separated for about fifteen years, but we're together again now. She would not have offered without me knowing."
"Oh" came the reply in a small voice.
"Now. Here is what you should have asked me about. Much like yours, our home planet is a single polity. Unlike yours it is a democracy - we elect our leaders. About four years after the Captain left on her first voyage as a trader there was a military takeover of the government."
Seeker was staring now.
"They cracked down on any opposition, killing anyone who objected to them. Or that they thought were objecting. For two years they held power, but then we struck back. And we struck hard. The response was brutal. I was working as a grav mechanic, when I saw a family being shot at by a squad of troops. One shot hit a four year old little boy. So I took the grav module I'd been fixing, and drove it into that squad at mach three. Then I picked up their guns, and went hunting."
Sparks looked at the ceiling. "Then I went hunting. When I could not find any more soldiers, I went hunting a bottle. We won. We are a democracy again. And the little boy lived. But. I. Was. Broken."
"What happened then?"
"Annabelle found me. Took me aboard, and showed me how to live again. When she purchased this ship, she named it after me."
After a few minutes Seeker asked "Why? Why tell me?"
"I was never a killer, but I had to become one. To save lives. You are not alone. You can still be a good person, still be worth knowing. Maybe even more so."
"She loves you, doesn't she?"
"And I still don't know why," Sparks replied with a lopsided smile.#SF #SFF #Microfiction #Microfic #tootfic #ShamanSpace #IAmWriting
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CW: MH, PTSD, combat
Four months and three weeks after leaving "Mother of All", still at Hiiliteräs High Port.
Seeker was resting in the cabin she shared with Dyani. The counselling had stretched out to two weeks, but the doctor had given her a provisional all-clear, provided she kept up with the mental exercises she had been prescribed. And took the medications if she needed them.
There was a knock on the door. She got up, and opened it. The engineer, Sparks was there.
"You've been avoiding me" the older woman stated, "even though the Captain would have told you to talk to me."
"I thought it was not my place to intrude."
"Can I come in?"
Flustered, Seeker stepped aside "Sorry, yes, of course."
Sparks grabbed the desk chair, and sat, gesturing at the door.
Seeker closed it, and then perched on her bunk.Sparks looked at her for a few moments "The counselling has helped, I can see that. But I think you need something more. Scan me. Now."
Seeker started at the sudden unexpected order, and tried to pick up the engineer's mind, only to find - nothing.
"Sparks, you're, your mind, it..." She stuttered.
"Good. It works then," and she pointed to a barely visible comb in her hair, "Now. You've been avoiding me. Why?"
"Your past is your own. The Captain..."
"Seeker, I have known the Captain since we were children. We were separated for about fifteen years, but we're together again now. She would not have offered without me knowing."
"Oh" came the reply in a small voice.
"Now. Here is what you should have asked me about. Much like yours, our home planet is a single polity. Unlike yours it is a democracy - we elect our leaders. About four years after the Captain left on her first voyage as a trader there was a military takeover of the government."
Seeker was staring now.
"They cracked down on any opposition, killing anyone who objected to them. Or that they thought were objecting. For two years they held power, but then we struck back. And we struck hard. The response was brutal. I was working as a grav mechanic, when I saw a family being shot at by a squad of troops. One shot hit a four year old little boy. So I took the grav module I'd been fixing, and drove it into that squad at mach three. Then I picked up their guns, and went hunting."
Sparks looked at the ceiling. "Then I went hunting. When I could not find any more soldiers, I went hunting a bottle. We won. We are a democracy again. And the little boy lived. But. I. Was. Broken."
"What happened then?"
"Annabelle found me. Took me aboard, and showed me how to live again. When she purchased this ship, she named it after me."
After a few minutes Seeker asked "Why? Why tell me?"
"I was never a killer, but I had to become one. To save lives. You are not alone. You can still be a good person, still be worth knowing. Maybe even more so."
"She loves you, doesn't she?"
"And I still don't know why," Sparks replied with a lopsided smile.#SF #SFF #Microfiction #Microfic #tootfic #ShamanSpace #IAmWriting
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CW: MH, substance abuse, PTSD, consent orders, swearing
Twenty two years ago, planet Qnzick.
Sparks felt her head pounding. That meant she was getting sober. That meant that she would remember. She must not remember.
A hand grabbed her head, she tried to struggle, but her arms were not working right. Maybe she was still drunk. Drunk was good.
"You stink Athena" came a voice.
Sparks groaned in response. She was trying to say that her name wasn't Athena. She'd lost the right to that name. Lost the right when - she blacked out again.Annabelle looked down at her old friend. She'd heard the stories - the unstoppable mechanic who had torn through dozens of squads of the dictator's troops. And then, once the revolution was over, she'd vanished.
It had taken her six months to find Athena. And what she found was a mess.
She rolled the unconscious woman onto a cargo gurney, and took her back to the shuttle, guiding the little grav sled up the cargo ramp.
"Doc?" she called.
An older man looked up. "You found her, then?"
"Yep, but she's pretty messed up. Can you have a look?"
"I can look at the physical" he cautioned.
"I know. I'll have to find someone else to help with the rest."
"Are you sure you want to do this? She is not going to be happy with you."
"We agreed fifteen years ago that if one of us was incapacitated, the other would do whatever was needed."
"You have the paperwork?"
"Right here."The doctor read over the form. It was valid.
"You consent to this on her behalf?"
"Yep."
"Very well. On your head be it."Two days later, Sparks was sober and screaming at Annabelle.
"Let me fucking die! Just let me go! I'm a fucking mass murderer."
"Nope. You are coming with me" was Annabelle's calm reply.
"Where? Where are you taking me?"
"To get you the help you needed. The help you should have got after the fighting stopped."Annabelle pushed the float chair Athena was strapped into through the city. People stepped aside as her screaming continued until her voice was too hoarse to be heard. They turned into the hospital. At reception she said "I have a consent grant in the case of incapacitation. And a confirmation from a doctor." She showed them the paperwork.
Sparks whispered "No, just let me rot, please."
"No way. I am getting you back, and then we are leaving. Together. I never should have left you behind in the first place."
"I deserve to be forgotten."
"Not by me. Get well. I will visit as often as they let me."The next six months were terrible for both of them. Sparks refused to see Annabelle, and yelled at her when she insisted. But, gradually, the yelling stopped. Then there were tears. Then the ghost of a smile. Eventually, Sparks looked forward to seeing her.
A year later, Sparks walked out with Annabelle on her arm, and onto a trader ship. They never returned to Qnzick.
#SF #SFF #ShamanSpace #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting
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CW: MH, substance abuse, PTSD, consent orders, swearing
Twenty two years ago, planet Qnzick.
Sparks felt her head pounding. That meant she was getting sober. That meant that she would remember. She must not remember.
A hand grabbed her head, she tried to struggle, but her arms were not working right. Maybe she was still drunk. Drunk was good.
"You stink Athena" came a voice.
Sparks groaned in response. She was trying to say that her name wasn't Athena. She'd lost the right to that name. Lost the right when - she blacked out again.Annabelle looked down at her old friend. She'd heard the stories - the unstoppable mechanic who had torn through dozens of squads of the dictator's troops. And then, once the revolution was over, she'd vanished.
It had taken her six months to find Athena. And what she found was a mess.
She rolled the unconscious woman onto a cargo gurney, and took her back to the shuttle, guiding the little grav sled up the cargo ramp.
"Doc?" she called.
An older man looked up. "You found her, then?"
"Yep, but she's pretty messed up. Can you have a look?"
"I can look at the physical" he cautioned.
"I know. I'll have to find someone else to help with the rest."
"Are you sure you want to do this? She is not going to be happy with you."
"We agreed fifteen years ago that if one of us was incapacitated, the other would do whatever was needed."
"You have the paperwork?"
"Right here."The doctor read over the form. It was valid.
"You consent to this on her behalf?"
"Yep."
"Very well. On your head be it."Two days later, Sparks was sober and screaming at Annabelle.
"Let me fucking die! Just let me go! I'm a fucking mass murderer."
"Nope. You are coming with me" was Annabelle's calm reply.
"Where? Where are you taking me?"
"To get you the help you needed. The help you should have got after the fighting stopped."Annabelle pushed the float chair Athena was strapped into through the city. People stepped aside as her screaming continued until her voice was too hoarse to be heard. They turned into the hospital. At reception she said "I have a consent grant in the case of incapacitation. And a confirmation from a doctor." She showed them the paperwork.
Sparks whispered "No, just let me rot, please."
"No way. I am getting you back, and then we are leaving. Together. I never should have left you behind in the first place."
"I deserve to be forgotten."
"Not by me. Get well. I will visit as often as they let me."The next six months were terrible for both of them. Sparks refused to see Annabelle, and yelled at her when she insisted. But, gradually, the yelling stopped. Then there were tears. Then the ghost of a smile. Eventually, Sparks looked forward to seeing her.
A year later, Sparks walked out with Annabelle on her arm, and onto a trader ship. They never returned to Qnzick.
#SF #SFF #ShamanSpace #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting
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CW: MH, substance abuse, PTSD, consent orders, swearing
Twenty two years ago, planet Qnzick.
Sparks felt her head pounding. That meant she was getting sober. That meant that she would remember. She must not remember.
A hand grabbed her head, she tried to struggle, but her arms were not working right. Maybe she was still drunk. Drunk was good.
"You stink Athena" came a voice.
Sparks groaned in response. She was trying to say that her name wasn't Athena. She'd lost the right to that name. Lost the right when - she blacked out again.Annabelle looked down at her old friend. She'd heard the stories - the unstoppable mechanic who had torn through dozens of squads of the dictator's troops. And then, once the revolution was over, she'd vanished.
It had taken her six months to find Athena. And what she found was a mess.
She rolled the unconscious woman onto a cargo gurney, and took her back to the shuttle, guiding the little grav sled up the cargo ramp.
"Doc?" she called.
An older man looked up. "You found her, then?"
"Yep, but she's pretty messed up. Can you have a look?"
"I can look at the physical" he cautioned.
"I know. I'll have to find someone else to help with the rest."
"Are you sure you want to do this? She is not going to be happy with you."
"We agreed fifteen years ago that if one of us was incapacitated, the other would do whatever was needed."
"You have the paperwork?"
"Right here."The doctor read over the form. It was valid.
"You consent to this on her behalf?"
"Yep."
"Very well. On your head be it."Two days later, Sparks was sober and screaming at Annabelle.
"Let me fucking die! Just let me go! I'm a fucking mass murderer."
"Nope. You are coming with me" was Annabelle's calm reply.
"Where? Where are you taking me?"
"To get you the help you needed. The help you should have got after the fighting stopped."Annabelle pushed the float chair Athena was strapped into through the city. People stepped aside as her screaming continued until her voice was too hoarse to be heard. They turned into the hospital. At reception she said "I have a consent grant in the case of incapacitation. And a confirmation from a doctor." She showed them the paperwork.
Sparks whispered "No, just let me rot, please."
"No way. I am getting you back, and then we are leaving. Together. I never should have left you behind in the first place."
"I deserve to be forgotten."
"Not by me. Get well. I will visit as often as they let me."The next six months were terrible for both of them. Sparks refused to see Annabelle, and yelled at her when she insisted. But, gradually, the yelling stopped. Then there were tears. Then the ghost of a smile. Eventually, Sparks looked forward to seeing her.
A year later, Sparks walked out with Annabelle on her arm, and onto a trader ship. They never returned to Qnzick.
#SF #SFF #ShamanSpace #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting
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CW: MH, substance abuse, PTSD, consent orders, swearing
Twenty two years ago, planet Qnzick.
Sparks felt her head pounding. That meant she was getting sober. That meant that she would remember. She must not remember.
A hand grabbed her head, she tried to struggle, but her arms were not working right. Maybe she was still drunk. Drunk was good.
"You stink Athena" came a voice.
Sparks groaned in response. She was trying to say that her name wasn't Athena. She'd lost the right to that name. Lost the right when - she blacked out again.Annabelle looked down at her old friend. She'd heard the stories - the unstoppable mechanic who had torn through dozens of squads of the dictator's troops. And then, once the revolution was over, she'd vanished.
It had taken her six months to find Athena. And what she found was a mess.
She rolled the unconscious woman onto a cargo gurney, and took her back to the shuttle, guiding the little grav sled up the cargo ramp.
"Doc?" she called.
An older man looked up. "You found her, then?"
"Yep, but she's pretty messed up. Can you have a look?"
"I can look at the physical" he cautioned.
"I know. I'll have to find someone else to help with the rest."
"Are you sure you want to do this? She is not going to be happy with you."
"We agreed fifteen years ago that if one of us was incapacitated, the other would do whatever was needed."
"You have the paperwork?"
"Right here."The doctor read over the form. It was valid.
"You consent to this on her behalf?"
"Yep."
"Very well. On your head be it."Two days later, Sparks was sober and screaming at Annabelle.
"Let me fucking die! Just let me go! I'm a fucking mass murderer."
"Nope. You are coming with me" was Annabelle's calm reply.
"Where? Where are you taking me?"
"To get you the help you needed. The help you should have got after the fighting stopped."Annabelle pushed the float chair Athena was strapped into through the city. People stepped aside as her screaming continued until her voice was too hoarse to be heard. They turned into the hospital. At reception she said "I have a consent grant in the case of incapacitation. And a confirmation from a doctor." She showed them the paperwork.
Sparks whispered "No, just let me rot, please."
"No way. I am getting you back, and then we are leaving. Together. I never should have left you behind in the first place."
"I deserve to be forgotten."
"Not by me. Get well. I will visit as often as they let me."The next six months were terrible for both of them. Sparks refused to see Annabelle, and yelled at her when she insisted. But, gradually, the yelling stopped. Then there were tears. Then the ghost of a smile. Eventually, Sparks looked forward to seeing her.
A year later, Sparks walked out with Annabelle on her arm, and onto a trader ship. They never returned to Qnzick.
#SF #SFF #ShamanSpace #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting
-
CW: MH, substance abuse, PTSD, consent orders, swearing
Twenty two years ago, planet Qnzick.
Sparks felt her head pounding. That meant she was getting sober. That meant that she would remember. She must not remember.
A hand grabbed her head, she tried to struggle, but her arms were not working right. Maybe she was still drunk. Drunk was good.
"You stink Athena" came a voice.
Sparks groaned in response. She was trying to say that her name wasn't Athena. She'd lost the right to that name. Lost the right when - she blacked out again.Annabelle looked down at her old friend. She'd heard the stories - the unstoppable mechanic who had torn through dozens of squads of the dictator's troops. And then, once the revolution was over, she'd vanished.
It had taken her six months to find Athena. And what she found was a mess.
She rolled the unconscious woman onto a cargo gurney, and took her back to the shuttle, guiding the little grav sled up the cargo ramp.
"Doc?" she called.
An older man looked up. "You found her, then?"
"Yep, but she's pretty messed up. Can you have a look?"
"I can look at the physical" he cautioned.
"I know. I'll have to find someone else to help with the rest."
"Are you sure you want to do this? She is not going to be happy with you."
"We agreed fifteen years ago that if one of us was incapacitated, the other would do whatever was needed."
"You have the paperwork?"
"Right here."The doctor read over the form. It was valid.
"You consent to this on her behalf?"
"Yep."
"Very well. On your head be it."Two days later, Sparks was sober and screaming at Annabelle.
"Let me fucking die! Just let me go! I'm a fucking mass murderer."
"Nope. You are coming with me" was Annabelle's calm reply.
"Where? Where are you taking me?"
"To get you the help you needed. The help you should have got after the fighting stopped."Annabelle pushed the float chair Athena was strapped into through the city. People stepped aside as her screaming continued until her voice was too hoarse to be heard. They turned into the hospital. At reception she said "I have a consent grant in the case of incapacitation. And a confirmation from a doctor." She showed them the paperwork.
Sparks whispered "No, just let me rot, please."
"No way. I am getting you back, and then we are leaving. Together. I never should have left you behind in the first place."
"I deserve to be forgotten."
"Not by me. Get well. I will visit as often as they let me."The next six months were terrible for both of them. Sparks refused to see Annabelle, and yelled at her when she insisted. But, gradually, the yelling stopped. Then there were tears. Then the ghost of a smile. Eventually, Sparks looked forward to seeing her.
A year later, Sparks walked out with Annabelle on her arm, and onto a trader ship. They never returned to Qnzick.
#SF #SFF #ShamanSpace #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting
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Sentient inks bleed falsified verdicts.
Bone-tomes whisper accusations never spoken.#Ithaxar #Lore #Fantasy #WorldBuilding #WritingCommunity #MicroFiction
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Oublier
Je suis précog au dernier degré : je sais absolument tout ce qui va m'arriver, chaque minute, jusqu'à la dernière. Le seul moyen que j'aie trouvé de supporter mon avenir, c'est d'oublier mon passé. Je sais ce qui va m'arriver, mais ne sais plus qui je suis.
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Oublier
Je suis précog au dernier degré : je sais absolument tout ce qui va m'arriver, chaque minute, jusqu'à la dernière. Le seul moyen que j'aie trouvé de supporter mon avenir, c'est d'oublier mon passé. Je sais ce qui va m'arriver, mais ne sais plus qui je suis.
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Oublier
Je suis précog au dernier degré : je sais absolument tout ce qui va m'arriver, chaque minute, jusqu'à la dernière. Le seul moyen que j'aie trouvé de supporter mon avenir, c'est d'oublier mon passé. Je sais ce qui va m'arriver, mais ne sais plus qui je suis.
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Oublier
Je suis précog au dernier degré : je sais absolument tout ce qui va m'arriver, chaque minute, jusqu'à la dernière. Le seul moyen que j'aie trouvé de supporter mon avenir, c'est d'oublier mon passé. Je sais ce qui va m'arriver, mais ne sais plus qui je suis.
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Pain writes louder than mercy.
The tributary runs red with discarded verdicts.#Ithaxar #Lore #Fantasy #WorldBuilding #WritingCommunity #MicroFiction
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One false strike, and the prison yawns.
Cracks birth truth.#Ithaxar #Lore #Fantasy #WorldBuilding #WritingCommunity #MicroFiction
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Catgirl Flashback 2
Twilly sat in the armchair in the library, and watched the sunlight make its way towards her. She would let it reach her this time, and luxuriate in the warmth.
One of the first things Twilly had done after her rebirth was to seek out the spell book that Mum - Lady Catherine - had used to save her life. It now sat on the side table next to her. Along with several letters and a file.
A file that Twilly would never have suspected the existence of in her past life. But now, along with memories of resting on Big Mother's lap and being gently scritched behind the ears, there were Lady Catherine's memories of having a small grey cat on her lap, and scritching her ears. And memories of trips to far off lands. Of dead drops, one-time pads, and secret codes. Of picking locks, searching desks, planting bugs, and the Official Secrets Act.
The lawyers had been true to Lady Catherine's wishes, and had set things in motion for Twilly to inherit everything. But her Mum's employers. They would want to know what had happened to her. Lady Catherine had been a valuable agent. And Twilly was not.
Her Mum's final words before she blended into Twilly's memories were to seek out others like her, to save them if they were in harm's way.
If Twilly was going to survive, she was going to need their help, too. Sadly this meant no sunbeam today.
Twilly got up and opened the hidden door behind the bookshelf. She knew where to find the first of her sisters.
She was going to have to break into MI5's research labs. Fortunately Mum's memories would show her how.
#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls
Still @ami_angelwings fault. Just saying.
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Catgirl Flashback 2
Twilly sat in the armchair in the library, and watched the sunlight make its way towards her. She would let it reach her this time, and luxuriate in the warmth.
One of the first things Twilly had done after her rebirth was to seek out the spell book that Mum - Lady Catherine - had used to save her life. It now sat on the side table next to her. Along with several letters and a file.
A file that Twilly would never have suspected the existence of in her past life. But now, along with memories of resting on Big Mother's lap and being gently scritched behind the ears, there were Lady Catherine's memories of having a small grey cat on her lap, and scritching her ears. And memories of trips to far off lands. Of dead drops, one-time pads, and secret codes. Of picking locks, searching desks, planting bugs, and the Official Secrets Act.
The lawyers had been true to Lady Catherine's wishes, and had set things in motion for Twilly to inherit everything. But her Mum's employers. They would want to know what had happened to her. Lady Catherine had been a valuable agent. And Twilly was not.
Her Mum's final words before she blended into Twilly's memories were to seek out others like her, to save them if they were in harm's way.
If Twilly was going to survive, she was going to need their help, too. Sadly this meant no sunbeam today.
Twilly got up and opened the hidden door behind the bookshelf. She knew where to find the first of her sisters.
She was going to have to break into MI5's research labs. Fortunately Mum's memories would show her how.
#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls
Still @ami_angelwings fault. Just saying.
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Catgirl Flashback 2
Twilly sat in the armchair in the library, and watched the sunlight make its way towards her. She would let it reach her this time, and luxuriate in the warmth.
One of the first things Twilly had done after her rebirth was to seek out the spell book that Mum - Lady Catherine - had used to save her life. It now sat on the side table next to her. Along with several letters and a file.
A file that Twilly would never have suspected the existence of in her past life. But now, along with memories of resting on Big Mother's lap and being gently scritched behind the ears, there were Lady Catherine's memories of having a small grey cat on her lap, and scritching her ears. And memories of trips to far off lands. Of dead drops, one-time pads, and secret codes. Of picking locks, searching desks, planting bugs, and the Official Secrets Act.
The lawyers had been true to Lady Catherine's wishes, and had set things in motion for Twilly to inherit everything. But her Mum's employers. They would want to know what had happened to her. Lady Catherine had been a valuable agent. And Twilly was not.
Her Mum's final words before she blended into Twilly's memories were to seek out others like her, to save them if they were in harm's way.
If Twilly was going to survive, she was going to need their help, too. Sadly this meant no sunbeam today.
Twilly got up and opened the hidden door behind the bookshelf. She knew where to find the first of her sisters.
She was going to have to break into MI5's research labs. Fortunately Mum's memories would show her how.
#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls
Still @ami_angelwings fault. Just saying.
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Catgirl Flashback 2
Twilly sat in the armchair in the library, and watched the sunlight make its way towards her. She would let it reach her this time, and luxuriate in the warmth.
One of the first things Twilly had done after her rebirth was to seek out the spell book that Mum - Lady Catherine - had used to save her life. It now sat on the side table next to her. Along with several letters and a file.
A file that Twilly would never have suspected the existence of in her past life. But now, along with memories of resting on Big Mother's lap and being gently scritched behind the ears, there were Lady Catherine's memories of having a small grey cat on her lap, and scritching her ears. And memories of trips to far off lands. Of dead drops, one-time pads, and secret codes. Of picking locks, searching desks, planting bugs, and the Official Secrets Act.
The lawyers had been true to Lady Catherine's wishes, and had set things in motion for Twilly to inherit everything. But her Mum's employers. They would want to know what had happened to her. Lady Catherine had been a valuable agent. And Twilly was not.
Her Mum's final words before she blended into Twilly's memories were to seek out others like her, to save them if they were in harm's way.
If Twilly was going to survive, she was going to need their help, too. Sadly this meant no sunbeam today.
Twilly got up and opened the hidden door behind the bookshelf. She knew where to find the first of her sisters.
She was going to have to break into MI5's research labs. Fortunately Mum's memories would show her how.
#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls
Still @ami_angelwings fault. Just saying.
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Catgirl Flashback 2
Twilly sat in the armchair in the library, and watched the sunlight make its way towards her. She would let it reach her this time, and luxuriate in the warmth.
One of the first things Twilly had done after her rebirth was to seek out the spell book that Mum - Lady Catherine - had used to save her life. It now sat on the side table next to her. Along with several letters and a file.
A file that Twilly would never have suspected the existence of in her past life. But now, along with memories of resting on Big Mother's lap and being gently scritched behind the ears, there were Lady Catherine's memories of having a small grey cat on her lap, and scritching her ears. And memories of trips to far off lands. Of dead drops, one-time pads, and secret codes. Of picking locks, searching desks, planting bugs, and the Official Secrets Act.
The lawyers had been true to Lady Catherine's wishes, and had set things in motion for Twilly to inherit everything. But her Mum's employers. They would want to know what had happened to her. Lady Catherine had been a valuable agent. And Twilly was not.
Her Mum's final words before she blended into Twilly's memories were to seek out others like her, to save them if they were in harm's way.
If Twilly was going to survive, she was going to need their help, too. Sadly this meant no sunbeam today.
Twilly got up and opened the hidden door behind the bookshelf. She knew where to find the first of her sisters.
She was going to have to break into MI5's research labs. Fortunately Mum's memories would show her how.
#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls
Still @ami_angelwings fault. Just saying.
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The Unbroken Note waits where ink meets oblivion.
The flayed gospel maps every shadow I cast.#Ithaxar #Lore #Fantasy #WorldBuilding #WritingCommunity #MicroFiction
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CW: Fictional injury, death, hit and run, pet.
Catgirl Flashback 1
Twilly had always been a clever kitty, and she'd seen how Big Mother had closed the cat carrier many times. So this time, as soon as they were out of the moving box she flipped the catch with a claw, pushed the door open, and leapt to the grass of the New Place.
It was a smaller grass than Home, but there were birds!
She stalked towards one, but it flew off. She gave chase. She heard Big Mother calling her, but there was That Bird!
She ran off the grass, chasing the bird, and then there was a thump and the worst pain she could ever have imagined.
She was on the grass again. Big Mother was over her, and she sounded so sad, Twilly tried to pat her, but her paw wouldn't move.
It was hard to breathe, and she couldn't keep her eyes open. From far away she heard Big Mother calling her. She tried to come, because she was a good kitty...
Then there was a bright light. And she felt Big Mother - Lady Catherine Miller - all around her. Big Catherine, Mum, was sinking into her, and she could feel her paws again, but they were changing. She was bigger. She was CatherineTwillychissLadyMi - everything went black.
Mum was holding her hands, looking her in the eyes. "Twillychiss, my sweet little girl. I'm sorry I won't be there for you."
"Mum? Big ... No ..." She tried to hold Big Mother like she had held her so many times, but she could not move.
"Twilly, listen to me. You must save your sisters. There are others like you out there, I know this now. Promise me."
"I will, Mum... But where will you be?"
"I will be a part of you, Twilly. The truck - you were too hurt, you were dying. I had to do something."
"But Mum" she was crying now. How was she crying?
"My lawyers have instructions. They will help. You will remember what I know."
"What did you do?"
"What I had to, to save you, my sweet kitten. Now you have a long, long life ahead of you. Save your sisters. Find joy in them."Her Mum was starting to glow, and then she felt her filling her up as Mum faded.
Twillychiss the Third sat up on the grass in front of the City House. There was no sign of Lady Miller. She looked at her hands, felt her tail behind her. She was wearing Mum's clothes.
She was Lady Miller now.
And she had a job to do.
#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls
Even if she did not come up with the title, I'm still blaming @ami_angelwings .
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CW: Fictional injury, death, hit and run, pet.
Catgirl Flashback 1
Twilly had always been a clever kitty, and she'd seen how Big Mother had closed the cat carrier many times. So this time, as soon as they were out of the moving box she flipped the catch with a claw, pushed the door open, and leapt to the grass of the New Place.
It was a smaller grass than Home, but there were birds!
She stalked towards one, but it flew off. She gave chase. She heard Big Mother calling her, but there was That Bird!
She ran off the grass, chasing the bird, and then there was a thump and the worst pain she could ever have imagined.
She was on the grass again. Big Mother was over her, and she sounded so sad, Twilly tried to pat her, but her paw wouldn't move.
It was hard to breathe, and she couldn't keep her eyes open. From far away she heard Big Mother calling her. She tried to come, because she was a good kitty...
Then there was a bright light. And she felt Big Mother - Lady Catherine Miller - all around her. Big Catherine, Mum, was sinking into her, and she could feel her paws again, but they were changing. She was bigger. She was CatherineTwillychissLadyMi - everything went black.
Mum was holding her hands, looking her in the eyes. "Twillychiss, my sweet little girl. I'm sorry I won't be there for you."
"Mum? Big ... No ..." She tried to hold Big Mother like she had held her so many times, but she could not move.
"Twilly, listen to me. You must save your sisters. There are others like you out there, I know this now. Promise me."
"I will, Mum... But where will you be?"
"I will be a part of you, Twilly. The truck - you were too hurt, you were dying. I had to do something."
"But Mum" she was crying now. How was she crying?
"My lawyers have instructions. They will help. You will remember what I know."
"What did you do?"
"What I had to, to save you, my sweet kitten. Now you have a long, long life ahead of you. Save your sisters. Find joy in them."Her Mum was starting to glow, and then she felt her filling her up as Mum faded.
Twillychiss the Third sat up on the grass in front of the City House. There was no sign of Lady Miller. She looked at her hands, felt her tail behind her. She was wearing Mum's clothes.
She was Lady Miller now.
And she had a job to do.
#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls
Even if she did not come up with the title, I'm still blaming @ami_angelwings .
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CW: Fictional injury, death, hit and run, pet.
Catgirl Flashback 1
Twilly had always been a clever kitty, and she'd seen how Big Mother had closed the cat carrier many times. So this time, as soon as they were out of the moving box she flipped the catch with a claw, pushed the door open, and leapt to the grass of the New Place.
It was a smaller grass than Home, but there were birds!
She stalked towards one, but it flew off. She gave chase. She heard Big Mother calling her, but there was That Bird!
She ran off the grass, chasing the bird, and then there was a thump and the worst pain she could ever have imagined.
She was on the grass again. Big Mother was over her, and she sounded so sad, Twilly tried to pat her, but her paw wouldn't move.
It was hard to breathe, and she couldn't keep her eyes open. From far away she heard Big Mother calling her. She tried to come, because she was a good kitty...
Then there was a bright light. And she felt Big Mother - Lady Catherine Miller - all around her. Big Catherine, Mum, was sinking into her, and she could feel her paws again, but they were changing. She was bigger. She was CatherineTwillychissLadyMi - everything went black.
Mum was holding her hands, looking her in the eyes. "Twillychiss, my sweet little girl. I'm sorry I won't be there for you."
"Mum? Big ... No ..." She tried to hold Big Mother like she had held her so many times, but she could not move.
"Twilly, listen to me. You must save your sisters. There are others like you out there, I know this now. Promise me."
"I will, Mum... But where will you be?"
"I will be a part of you, Twilly. The truck - you were too hurt, you were dying. I had to do something."
"But Mum" she was crying now. How was she crying?
"My lawyers have instructions. They will help. You will remember what I know."
"What did you do?"
"What I had to, to save you, my sweet kitten. Now you have a long, long life ahead of you. Save your sisters. Find joy in them."Her Mum was starting to glow, and then she felt her filling her up as Mum faded.
Twillychiss the Third sat up on the grass in front of the City House. There was no sign of Lady Miller. She looked at her hands, felt her tail behind her. She was wearing Mum's clothes.
She was Lady Miller now.
And she had a job to do.
#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls
Even if she did not come up with the title, I'm still blaming @ami_angelwings .
-
CW: Fictional injury, death, hit and run, pet.
Catgirl Flashback 1
Twilly had always been a clever kitty, and she'd seen how Big Mother had closed the cat carrier many times. So this time, as soon as they were out of the moving box she flipped the catch with a claw, pushed the door open, and leapt to the grass of the New Place.
It was a smaller grass than Home, but there were birds!
She stalked towards one, but it flew off. She gave chase. She heard Big Mother calling her, but there was That Bird!
She ran off the grass, chasing the bird, and then there was a thump and the worst pain she could ever have imagined.
She was on the grass again. Big Mother was over her, and she sounded so sad, Twilly tried to pat her, but her paw wouldn't move.
It was hard to breathe, and she couldn't keep her eyes open. From far away she heard Big Mother calling her. She tried to come, because she was a good kitty...
Then there was a bright light. And she felt Big Mother - Lady Catherine Miller - all around her. Big Catherine, Mum, was sinking into her, and she could feel her paws again, but they were changing. She was bigger. She was CatherineTwillychissLadyMi - everything went black.
Mum was holding her hands, looking her in the eyes. "Twillychiss, my sweet little girl. I'm sorry I won't be there for you."
"Mum? Big ... No ..." She tried to hold Big Mother like she had held her so many times, but she could not move.
"Twilly, listen to me. You must save your sisters. There are others like you out there, I know this now. Promise me."
"I will, Mum... But where will you be?"
"I will be a part of you, Twilly. The truck - you were too hurt, you were dying. I had to do something."
"But Mum" she was crying now. How was she crying?
"My lawyers have instructions. They will help. You will remember what I know."
"What did you do?"
"What I had to, to save you, my sweet kitten. Now you have a long, long life ahead of you. Save your sisters. Find joy in them."Her Mum was starting to glow, and then she felt her filling her up as Mum faded.
Twillychiss the Third sat up on the grass in front of the City House. There was no sign of Lady Miller. She looked at her hands, felt her tail behind her. She was wearing Mum's clothes.
She was Lady Miller now.
And she had a job to do.
#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls
Even if she did not come up with the title, I'm still blaming @ami_angelwings .
-
CW: Fictional injury, death, hit and run, pet.
Catgirl Flashback 1
Twilly had always been a clever kitty, and she'd seen how Big Mother had closed the cat carrier many times. So this time, as soon as they were out of the moving box she flipped the catch with a claw, pushed the door open, and leapt to the grass of the New Place.
It was a smaller grass than Home, but there were birds!
She stalked towards one, but it flew off. She gave chase. She heard Big Mother calling her, but there was That Bird!
She ran off the grass, chasing the bird, and then there was a thump and the worst pain she could ever have imagined.
She was on the grass again. Big Mother was over her, and she sounded so sad, Twilly tried to pat her, but her paw wouldn't move.
It was hard to breathe, and she couldn't keep her eyes open. From far away she heard Big Mother calling her. She tried to come, because she was a good kitty...
Then there was a bright light. And she felt Big Mother - Lady Catherine Miller - all around her. Big Catherine, Mum, was sinking into her, and she could feel her paws again, but they were changing. She was bigger. She was CatherineTwillychissLadyMi - everything went black.
Mum was holding her hands, looking her in the eyes. "Twillychiss, my sweet little girl. I'm sorry I won't be there for you."
"Mum? Big ... No ..." She tried to hold Big Mother like she had held her so many times, but she could not move.
"Twilly, listen to me. You must save your sisters. There are others like you out there, I know this now. Promise me."
"I will, Mum... But where will you be?"
"I will be a part of you, Twilly. The truck - you were too hurt, you were dying. I had to do something."
"But Mum" she was crying now. How was she crying?
"My lawyers have instructions. They will help. You will remember what I know."
"What did you do?"
"What I had to, to save you, my sweet kitten. Now you have a long, long life ahead of you. Save your sisters. Find joy in them."Her Mum was starting to glow, and then she felt her filling her up as Mum faded.
Twillychiss the Third sat up on the grass in front of the City House. There was no sign of Lady Miller. She looked at her hands, felt her tail behind her. She was wearing Mum's clothes.
She was Lady Miller now.
And she had a job to do.
#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls
Even if she did not come up with the title, I'm still blaming @ami_angelwings .
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Décrypteur
"Alors, votre équipe a-t-elle pu appliquer le décrypteur au message des Aliens ?"
"Oui."
"Et ?"
"Et la moitié d'entre eux est toujours catatonique, et l'autre, secouée de rires nerveux."
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Décrypteur
"Alors, votre équipe a-t-elle pu appliquer le décrypteur au message des Aliens ?"
"Oui."
"Et ?"
"Et la moitié d'entre eux est toujours catatonique, et l'autre, secouée de rires nerveux."
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Décrypteur
"Alors, votre équipe a-t-elle pu appliquer le décrypteur au message des Aliens ?"
"Oui."
"Et ?"
"Et la moitié d'entre eux est toujours catatonique, et l'autre, secouée de rires nerveux."
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Décrypteur
"Alors, votre équipe a-t-elle pu appliquer le décrypteur au message des Aliens ?"
"Oui."
"Et ?"
"Et la moitié d'entre eux est toujours catatonique, et l'autre, secouée de rires nerveux."
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Ash rained from the shattered bone-dome like the tears of forgotten gods.
Cracks birth truth.#Ithaxar #Lore #Fantasy #WorldBuilding #WritingCommunity #MicroFiction
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#WordWeavers 2026.05.12 — What role does romantic love play in your story?
Part of my aim writing the Reluctance Series of stories is to address what-if human social structures totally different to ours, societies with no history of being male-centric. As a result, I approach the concept of romantic love from a totally foreign point of view, deconstructing what romance means when human biological imperatives are accepted as typically human and as normal as eating and sleeping, never regulated to control half of humanity or build a social hierarchy to oppresses both genders. Romance exists, but it's more applicable to friendship and long term relationships, regardless of gender, than to a woman stereotypically finding a man to whom she's not related to depend upon, possibly to raise a family. Even in a society stripped of the concept of blood inheritance, I think it's possible for humans to find soulmates, to experience love, and feel comfortable attachment. For this reason, none of my stories can really escape a romance angle; most include romance subplots.
[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]
#gender #fiction #writer #author
#romance #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory -
#WordWeavers 2026.05.12 — What role does romantic love play in your story?
Part of my aim writing the Reluctance Series of stories is to address what-if human social structures totally different to ours, societies with no history of being male-centric. As a result, I approach the concept of romantic love from a totally foreign point of view, deconstructing what romance means when human biological imperatives are accepted as typically human and as normal as eating and sleeping, never regulated to control half of humanity or build a social hierarchy to oppresses both genders. Romance exists, but it's more applicable to friendship and long term relationships, regardless of gender, than to a woman stereotypically finding a man to whom she's not related to depend upon, possibly to raise a family. Even in a society stripped of the concept of blood inheritance, I think it's possible for humans to find soulmates, to experience love, and feel comfortable attachment. For this reason, none of my stories can really escape a romance angle; most include romance subplots.
[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]
#gender #fiction #writer #author
#romance #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory -
#WordWeavers 2026.05.12 — What role does romantic love play in your story?
Part of my aim writing the Reluctance Series of stories is to address what-if human social structures totally different to ours, societies with no history of being male-centric. As a result, I approach the concept of romantic love from a totally foreign point of view, deconstructing what romance means when human biological imperatives are accepted as typically human and as normal as eating and sleeping, never regulated to control half of humanity or build a social hierarchy to oppresses both genders. Romance exists, but it's more applicable to friendship and long term relationships, regardless of gender, than to a woman stereotypically finding a man to whom she's not related to depend upon, possibly to raise a family. Even in a society stripped of the concept of blood inheritance, I think it's possible for humans to find soulmates, to experience love, and feel comfortable attachment. For this reason, none of my stories can really escape a romance angle; most include romance subplots.
[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]
#gender #fiction #writer #author
#romance #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory -
#WordWeavers 2026.05.12 — What role does romantic love play in your story?
Part of my aim writing the Reluctance Series of stories is to address what-if human social structures totally different to ours, societies with no history of being male-centric. As a result, I approach the concept of romantic love from a totally foreign point of view, deconstructing what romance means when human biological imperatives are accepted as typically human and as normal as eating and sleeping, never regulated to control half of humanity or build a social hierarchy to oppresses both genders. Romance exists, but it's more applicable to friendship and long term relationships, regardless of gender, than to a woman stereotypically finding a man to whom she's not related to depend upon, possibly to raise a family. Even in a society stripped of the concept of blood inheritance, I think it's possible for humans to find soulmates, to experience love, and feel comfortable attachment. For this reason, none of my stories can really escape a romance angle; most include romance subplots.
[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]
#gender #fiction #writer #author
#romance #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory -
#WordWeavers 2026.05.12 — What role does romantic love play in your story?
Part of my aim writing the Reluctance Series of stories is to address what-if human social structures totally different to ours, societies with no history of being male-centric. As a result, I approach the concept of romantic love from a totally foreign point of view, deconstructing what romance means when human biological imperatives are accepted as typically human and as normal as eating and sleeping, never regulated to control half of humanity or build a social hierarchy to oppresses both genders. Romance exists, but it's more applicable to friendship and long term relationships, regardless of gender, than to a woman stereotypically finding a man to whom she's not related to depend upon, possibly to raise a family. Even in a society stripped of the concept of blood inheritance, I think it's possible for humans to find soulmates, to experience love, and feel comfortable attachment. For this reason, none of my stories can really escape a romance angle; most include romance subplots.
[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]
#gender #fiction #writer #author
#romance #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory -
The Godshackles sing with forgotten anguish.
In Vaelthyr, mercy is a divine crime.#Ithaxar #Lore #Fantasy #WorldBuilding #WritingCommunity #MicroFiction
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#WordWeavers 2026.05.11 — Antagonist POV: Tell us about a fun time you recently had.
While flying, I found a new praetorian of mine and a day angel woman I'd been told about by an advisor having fun in the sky, flying tandem. She went by the name Lightning Bolt and was the one who taught Arrow Flies True precision flying that allowed him to become part of my guard—for selfish reasons I could see! Very athletic, those two.They were having so much fun. I soared in to join them.
Most people either fright, flee, or fawn when I show up, this time flying circles around her, them, but she took the challenge and flew flack, stunt for stunt I tried, countering me sparrow versus hawk driving her away from the man, despite my being faster and more agile, able to augment my acceleration [by magic]. We ended with us on either side of my handsome new praetorian wingtip to wingtip, having gotten me to sweat at least.
The fellow looked adorably confused and worried, but kept formation despite being fought over.
It wasn't anger Bolt showed me. It was more like annoyance, having her needed playtime interrupted perhaps after a previous bad day? I knew that feeling. It was a fragility masked with a hard shell. A good talent.
I liked her. I hadn't had such fun in awhile. I mentally noted to make her a student. Lots of potential to match my ability given the right training.
Author note: As an absolute ruler, you don't want to interest Rainy Days. She seems pleasant and normal, but her students quickly find she's an unrelenting and demanding teacher.
[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]
#gender #fiction #writer #author
#Cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory -
#WordWeavers 2026.05.11 — Antagonist POV: Tell us about a fun time you recently had.
While flying, I found a new praetorian of mine and a day angel woman I'd been told about by an advisor having fun in the sky, flying tandem. She went by the name Lightning Bolt and was the one who taught Arrow Flies True precision flying that allowed him to become part of my guard—for selfish reasons I could see! Very athletic, those two.They were having so much fun. I soared in to join them.
Most people either fright, flee, or fawn when I show up, this time flying circles around her, them, but she took the challenge and flew flack, stunt for stunt I tried, countering me sparrow versus hawk driving her away from the man, despite my being faster and more agile, able to augment my acceleration [by magic]. We ended with us on either side of my handsome new praetorian wingtip to wingtip, having gotten me to sweat at least.
The fellow looked adorably confused and worried, but kept formation despite being fought over.
It wasn't anger Bolt showed me. It was more like annoyance, having her needed playtime interrupted perhaps after a previous bad day? I knew that feeling. It was a fragility masked with a hard shell. A good talent.
I liked her. I hadn't had such fun in awhile. I mentally noted to make her a student. Lots of potential to match my ability given the right training.
Author note: As an absolute ruler, you don't want to interest Rainy Days. She seems pleasant and normal, but her students quickly find she's an unrelenting and demanding teacher.
[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]
#gender #fiction #writer #author
#Cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory -
#WordWeavers 2026.05.11 — Antagonist POV: Tell us about a fun time you recently had.
While flying, I found a new praetorian of mine and a day angel woman I'd been told about by an advisor having fun in the sky, flying tandem. She went by the name Lightning Bolt and was the one who taught Arrow Flies True precision flying that allowed him to become part of my guard—for selfish reasons I could see! Very athletic, those two.They were having so much fun. I soared in to join them.
Most people either fright, flee, or fawn when I show up, this time flying circles around her, them, but she took the challenge and flew flack, stunt for stunt I tried, countering me sparrow versus hawk driving her away from the man, despite my being faster and more agile, able to augment my acceleration [by magic]. We ended with us on either side of my handsome new praetorian wingtip to wingtip, having gotten me to sweat at least.
The fellow looked adorably confused and worried, but kept formation despite being fought over.
It wasn't anger Bolt showed me. It was more like annoyance, having her needed playtime interrupted perhaps after a previous bad day? I knew that feeling. It was a fragility masked with a hard shell. A good talent.
I liked her. I hadn't had such fun in awhile. I mentally noted to make her a student. Lots of potential to match my ability given the right training.
Author note: As an absolute ruler, you don't want to interest Rainy Days. She seems pleasant and normal, but her students quickly find she's an unrelenting and demanding teacher.
[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]
#gender #fiction #writer #author
#Cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory -
#WordWeavers 2026.05.11 — Antagonist POV: Tell us about a fun time you recently had.
While flying, I found a new praetorian of mine and a day angel woman I'd been told about by an advisor having fun in the sky, flying tandem. She went by the name Lightning Bolt and was the one who taught Arrow Flies True precision flying that allowed him to become part of my guard—for selfish reasons I could see! Very athletic, those two.They were having so much fun. I soared in to join them.
Most people either fright, flee, or fawn when I show up, this time flying circles around her, them, but she took the challenge and flew flack, stunt for stunt I tried, countering me sparrow versus hawk driving her away from the man, despite my being faster and more agile, able to augment my acceleration [by magic]. We ended with us on either side of my handsome new praetorian wingtip to wingtip, having gotten me to sweat at least.
The fellow looked adorably confused and worried, but kept formation despite being fought over.
It wasn't anger Bolt showed me. It was more like annoyance, having her needed playtime interrupted perhaps after a previous bad day? I knew that feeling. It was a fragility masked with a hard shell. A good talent.
I liked her. I hadn't had such fun in awhile. I mentally noted to make her a student. Lots of potential to match my ability given the right training.
Author note: As an absolute ruler, you don't want to interest Rainy Days. She seems pleasant and normal, but her students quickly find she's an unrelenting and demanding teacher.
[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]
#gender #fiction #writer #author
#Cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory -
#WordWeavers 2026.05.11 — Antagonist POV: Tell us about a fun time you recently had.
While flying, I found a new praetorian of mine and a day angel woman I'd been told about by an advisor having fun in the sky, flying tandem. She went by the name Lightning Bolt and was the one who taught Arrow Flies True precision flying that allowed him to become part of my guard—for selfish reasons I could see! Very athletic, those two.They were having so much fun. I soared in to join them.
Most people either fright, flee, or fawn when I show up, this time flying circles around her, them, but she took the challenge and flew flack, stunt for stunt I tried, countering me sparrow versus hawk driving her away from the man, despite my being faster and more agile, able to augment my acceleration [by magic]. We ended with us on either side of my handsome new praetorian wingtip to wingtip, having gotten me to sweat at least.
The fellow looked adorably confused and worried, but kept formation despite being fought over.
It wasn't anger Bolt showed me. It was more like annoyance, having her needed playtime interrupted perhaps after a previous bad day? I knew that feeling. It was a fragility masked with a hard shell. A good talent.
I liked her. I hadn't had such fun in awhile. I mentally noted to make her a student. Lots of potential to match my ability given the right training.
Author note: As an absolute ruler, you don't want to interest Rainy Days. She seems pleasant and normal, but her students quickly find she's an unrelenting and demanding teacher.
[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]
#gender #fiction #writer #author
#Cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory -
My neighbour moved into her house over a year ago.
She has never put her bins out.
-
My neighbour moved into her house over a year ago.
She has never put her bins out.
-
My neighbour moved into her house over a year ago.
She has never put her bins out.
-
My neighbour moved into her house over a year ago.
She has never put her bins out.
-
My neighbour moved into her house over a year ago.
She has never put her bins out.
-
We dwell within the ribcage of a god,
judging his heart for the crime of compassion.#Ithaxar #Lore #Fantasy #WorldBuilding #WritingCommunity #MicroFiction