Short stories that aren't really short stories

kaspanaze on 25/10/2017 at 20:25

Anyone wants to read my stories? I publish them (https://noveltrove.com) here, but under a different username. I'm not sure if they are accepted on ttlg, as they are NSFW.

Sulphur on 30/8/2019 at 11:24

Summer was a concept to her. She thumbed the crisp pages of illustrations, pastel blues and golds poured inside thick black lines: adults with bronzed skin talking and laughing, kids with pails kicking sand castles over, breakers crashing upon glittering shores, all underneath a yellow sun. It seemed so relaxed, so carefree.

But she wasn't interested in ancient history. She peered at the girl in the swimmingsuit, noticed she was wearing... well, they weren't goggles, but looked kind of like...

'Ey, moon-face. Site's off-limits.'
'Patty.'
'What?'
She closed the book. 'I'm taking this,' she hefted the thick-bound volume under her arm, 'and today my name is Patty.' She narrowed her eyes at the boy. 'Short for Patagonia.'
He smirked, rubbed the tip of his nose. 'I don't care what your name is, 'cause I don't need it.' He swept his palm across the bump on her wrist. 'Civilian A1396-B. Now get out 'fore I shuck your access from the entire complex, moon-face.'

Patty stuck her tongue out at him, fully aware that her cheeks were turning red despite her best efforts. Thankfully, he just rolled his eyes and walked past her. He locked the room and continued on his patrol. ‘You remember who my dad is, don'tcha?' she called after him.

‘Said I had no use for names, but if you want me to file an access violation report, go ahead an' remind me.' His voice receded with his footprints down the corridor.

Patagonia scowled at his back, then stomped her way out of the complex. She could hear the mashrabiya close behind her; when she turned back to look, they'd encrusted themselves across the doorway like barnacles.

Useless, she thought to herself. All of them, completely useless. She adjusted her white shawl - ‘dupattah,' memory of her mom's voice correcting her - and took the shadeway home. The walk was long, and halfway back as she neared the towers, she could feel the connections come alive. Dammit.

‘Patty.' Selena's voice was calm, soothing. ‘You said you were going to play with your friends.'
‘I did. I lied.'
‘That is... disappointing.'
This time, it wasn't despite herself that she found her ears burning. ‘Happy to hear that you have some feelings, Leena.'
‘Of course I do. Your father asked me to look out for y--'
‘Don't bring up my dad, Leena.'
‘We only want you to be safe.'
‘"WE!?" Who the fuck do you think you are, my mom?' Her voice echoed down the shadeway and back at her. It was louder than she imagined; it wasn't loud enough.
‘I'm only doing what your father asked me to.'
‘That's right,' Patty replied, her voice suddenly calm. ‘You're not my mom. Because you know what the difference between you and her is?'
‘No. What?'
‘I can turn you off.'
A pause. ‘I would not rec--'
‘Override key six four nine nine five one dash beta. Disengage.'
The voice inside her head died, along with the rest of her information feeds.
Thank god, she thought to herself. She looked at the book she'd stolen, still nestled under her arm. How else was I going to hide you from her?

The rest of the way back was uneventful.

rachel on 30/8/2019 at 15:41

Quote:

The cat sleeping by the hearth. The crackling warmth of the fire. The familiar smell, tobacco pipe and beeswax, salt and spices. The waves crashing beyond the swaying trees, soothing even as the storm rages. The glint in your eye, telling me I'm home.

Quote:

I was out of "traditional" options, but I had one last card to play: Goldie. From the demure waitress I once knew, she'd become the undisputed queen of the underworld, beautiful, cunning... and ruthless. She'd help me clear my name. For old times' sake.

Quote:

It smelled like dust and ghosts, room after room of bottles, neatly stacked up to the ceiling by year and kind. For my father the expansive cellar under the house was a revered ground to stock his treasures. For us, an endless playground.

Quote:

The clacking keys echoed in the chiaroscuro of the room, specks of dust mixing with cigarette smoke as she hammered on the typewriter. No time to hunt for stray typos, she was in the flow, dark ink filling the paper as the story came to life before her.

Quote:

The horse ran fast, tree branches tore my dress and hit my face, leaving marks that stung as I wiped blood and tears. But I wouldn't stop til I found the sorcerers' realm.
I could renounce my right to the throne, I didn't renounce my right to revenge.

Quote:

"Anyway, don't leave town, ok? Might need you for further questioning."
He turned, bumping a small figurine off the bookshelf, and left.
"Of course officer, that's not my intent."
I smiled as I replaced it next to the others.
Six of them. Soon, seven.

Quote:

He let out a groan, his eyes fixed on the two bullet holes in his chest. Raising himself to rest his back on the wall, he coughed up one last sentence.
"You got revenge, Birdie... What now?
She struggled for an answer.
His cruel smile froze in death.

Quote:

Humiliation turned to anger.
"Joke's on you.", he muttered.
He focused, and let the power flow.
Their sneers turned to painful gasps as their brains swelled in their skulls. They stumbled, begged for forgiveness, but too late.
No more mercy.

Quote:

"Whatever they pay you, I can pay double."
The young man shook his head.
"Now now, Mister Donovan... We have a reputation."
"I don't care! Triple!"
He just smiled, crushed his cigarillo, and got up.
"I'm sorry. A job's a job."
He raised the gun.

Quote:

Everybody leaves but her. I watch her delve in her pocket and take out a ring.
"This was for you."
A tear runs down her cheek.
"For us."
She places it on the stone and walks away.
I stay there, unable to follow her. Looking at my grave.

Quote:

With the new tachyon drive, humanity would finally get a permanent foothold in space, leave the Solar System, reach for the stars.
Then SETI received the Message, and everything changed.
"Stop broadcasting, they will hear you."

Quote:

The fog cleared and the trap revealed itself. A spiderweb of cracks appeared on the floor as the walls started moving, boxing us in like flies in a dionea. The old guardians of the temple had awakened to our presence. We were not welcome.

Quote:

A soft light guided them, and like moths they followed. Cracks appeared under their footsteps, ancient runes glowed with anger. Then rock and vines awoke, hunting the intruders one by one til only bones remained. The tumb of the Empress suffered no visitor.

Quote:

There was a glow over the horizon, shimmering gold over the dark blue sea.
"This ain't no dawn, lads", the old Pete said, his voice trembling. "Such wildfire can only mean one thing: the drake's awoken.
He lowered his head, finished softly.
"Run. Now."

Quote:

Kiro was defiant.
"The way of the warrior is free of emotion!"
Master smiled.
"On the contrary, young one. Empathy for the ones you protect. Pity for the ones you fight. Love for the ones at your side. Pride for your School. The Way is emotion, in its purest essence."

Quote:

The sun rose, gently kissing the sheet with golden light. Salty and wild ocean fragrances poured through the open window, filling the room, and we snuggled in the soft tangle of the blanket, lost in each other's warmth, and the glory of a new day.

Quote:

After they took her, I hunted. Under the gothic skyline, down in the rain-soaked streets, I hunted. Cleansing the corruption from a godforsaken city, I let my soul bleed out and rot. I hunted. Not for fame, not for glory. Not even for her. For me.

Quote:

I try to swing the sword but my fingers betray me. A vermillion stain grows on the ruffles of my shirt. Percival smirks confidently and swings twice in a mock salute. I stagger. I don't understand. A vague dread takes me. Before I know, darkness falls.

Quote:

I kicked the door open. Harry was at his desk. He looked at the gun and grunted, took his pipe and proceeded to refill it.
"Not gonna lie, kid. You're a stubborn sunovabitch but I like your style. Reminds me of me."
A click behind me. He smiled.
"Too bad. Bye, kid."
Bang

Quote:

Master picked up a pebble at the edge of the stream.
"See this pebble. Imagine that ages ago, it was as large a rock as this." He pointed at a boulder above. "So must be the mind. Polished until only the essence remains."
Kiro nodded. She understood.

:angel:

Sulphur on 30/8/2019 at 18:10

I love how the Kiro ones are similar in tone to the master/student scraps I have in my 'ideas' notepad*. And these are from your ideas scraps, no? Develop some of them, s'il vous plaît.

*mine may have more grievous bodily harm and/or egregiously bad mentorship, but the theme is the same! :D

rachel on 30/8/2019 at 18:37

Thanks Sulphur! Yeah, they're part of a compilation of short stories I'm working on, that takes place in my sci-fi/fantasy universe :D I can share a few others, the rest is under wraps :)

Quote:

Kiro was fidgeting.
"I keep hearing everything. It's too loud."
Master let go a long breath. "Do not try to quiet the symphony of thoughts. Learn to join and dance with the flow. Only in harmony can you direct where the music goes. Such is the Way."

Quote:

Kiro was practicing on the terrace when the suns came up. She started over with renewed energy, timing her movements to finish the kata right as the second orb appeared, and the morning bell rang to wake the others. It was her favourite part of the day.

Quote:

In the Hall, the statues of ancient masters tower above her. Tantalizing aromas linger from the food offerings at their feet, mixed with sweet smells of incense. But she won't touch them of course. She sneaked in to catch a glimpse of the new acolytes.

Quote:

Kiro was meditating. For her grandmother, the temple had been a haven. For her mother, a duty. For herself? She had a rebel streak, everyone could see that. She wanted more, to be a Jin, travel the worlds. She clutched the pearl and prayed for answers.

Quote:

She crashes heavily on the floor, again. Master starts towards her but she beckons him to stop. She gets up, grips the sword. Closes her eyes. Breathes deep to gather her thoughts. Takes the stance. She won't let the drone blindside her a third time.

Quote:

Teenuo would remember the evenings spent tucked in as Kiro read her stories from the scrolls, great wild tales of adventure and spiritual revelation. She wanted her daughter to follow in her footsteps. Little did she know her path would be much darker.

Each short story focuses on a particular locale or species in the universe. Kiro and Teenuo (names not final) are two of five generations that we follow in this particular segment, which is focused on a major spiritual order of that civilization.