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 Ficlet Prompts for August
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| M1795537OCVirn |
Posted on 01-08-2025 09:16
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 Admin  Posts: 15638 Joined: 14.01.22 |
Travisina says: 1. The Perseids meteor shower reaches its maximum in August. The Liberator encountered meteor storms in Space Fall and Mission to Destiny, but there may have been other encounters...? 2. July was the month of Dog Days, but August 17th marks the start of Cat Nights! An obscure Irish legend said that a witch could turn herself into a cat eight times, but on the ninth (17th August) she couldn't regain her human form. This folklore also led to the idea that cats have nine lives... Time to get our graphite writing sticks out! "You're not sulking, I hope?"
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| Cygnus Bazza |
Posted on 02-08-2025 20:24
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 Alpha Grade  Posts: 7169 Joined: 14.06.22 |
TOP CATALOGUE “Merch? What the hell is ‘merch’?” “Merch, Avon! Merch! MERCHANDISE!” “And why on earth, Blake, would we be needing…MERCHANDISE?” “To raise awareness, of course…” “Raise awareness? Raise awareness of WHAT exactly?” “Well, of the need to raise awareness, just for starters!” “Let’s get this straight, Blake. You’ve designed some ‘merch’, as you call it, so we can raise awareness of the need to raise awareness?” “Precisely. But that’s only Step One. Limited product range. If we’re going to promote the rebellion effectively, we’ll rapidly need to escalate to Step Two.” “Will we now.” “Oh yes. That’s why I’m currently working on a comprehensive merch catalogue. Oh, I’ve got loads and LOADS of ideas, Avon. T-shirts, snoods, fridge magnets, fudge, unscented scented candles, mum’s recipe for passionfruit curd... But let’s not get ahead of ourselves…” “The very thought…” “So… Step One! See what you think of…THIS! Ta-daaaaah! Just a first stab. I’ve never designed a set of coasters before…” “You don’t say. And you came up with these all on your own, did you, Blake?” “Absolutely!” “Yes, I can believe that. I really can. So who precisely – or indeed what – are….‘Blake’s Eight’?” “Well….us, of course!” “US? US??? And who exactly are you including in this ‘US’?” “Well, as you can see from the individual coasters, there’s you, for instance, looking trademark snarky….” “Not happening, Blake. I’m not having people plonking their glasses down on this gorgeous fizzog. You can do me as a separate tea-towel. In fact, I’ve got a much better idea. Leave me out altogether.” “OK, Mr Strop! As you wish! Keep your pudding-bowl on! I’ll amend the design to ‘Blake’s Seven’. Or maybe ‘Blake’s Six’. Can’t have an odd number of coasters. I’ll give Gan the push…” “That’s fair. Not sure he can even COUNT to seven. So that leaves you as a dirty half-dozen… Let’s see… You…Jenna…Vila…Cally…Zen…Orac… Mmm… I have a question for you, Blake…” “I think I know what it is, Avon. And the answer’s ‘yes, VERY heat-resistant’. Stylish AND practical…” “Much like myself. But that wasn’t my question. I was going to ask why you need to put a number on it at all. Hostage to fortune. What if someone leaves? Or dies? Or dies, then leaves? Why not have something a little more…flexible?” “Flexible?” “Yes. Like ‘Blake’s Mates’. Or, much closer to the truth,…‘Blake’s Flakes’.” “A trifle harsh, Avon. No, numbers just trip off the tongue! Cats have nine lives. A stitch in time saves nine. Six of one and half a dozen of the other. That sort of thing.” “Well, you’re certainly not averse to getting yourself in a right two-and-eight, Blake, that’s for sure, so I can see why that would appeal to you. I’d be inclined to trim the number a bit, then. Keep it manageable.” “What were you thinking? Five? Four? Three?” “Down a bit more.” “Blake’s Two?” “Bit more.” “One?” “Yep.” “Actually I LIKE that, Avon! Yes, I like that a lot! Got a certain ring to it! And it’d look GREAT on a tote bag! Yes, I can see it right now in my mind’s eye…… Yes…..‘BLAKE’S ONE’!” “Oh………..isn’t he just.” |
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| Anniew |
Posted on 11-08-2025 13:30
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 Gamma Grade  Posts: 118 Joined: 16.01.22 |
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😥🤣😥
Play the hand fate deals you.
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| littlesue |
Posted on 18-08-2025 08:53
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 Alpha Grade Posts: 4206 Joined: 17.01.22 |
Over the years a few people have said my stories are almost like episodes, but this time I don’t think this one would get anywhere near pre production!! Mr Malony would have to hire nine more cast members, borrow a few cats from the RSPCA and three larger cats from London Zoo!!! So that is a no no...mind you, one redeeming feature is that this one stars a rather nice computer expert in his black flowing jim jams...so that’s a plus!!!!! So here goes...both prompts combined into one story.... And a late addition of a lovely piccie by Lurena!!! Appearances Can Be Deceptive He awoke with a start. Avon didn’t normally sleep so soundly, but this time something was amiss. He got up and went to the mirror. As his weary eyes adjusted he suddenly saw her reflection; seated on his bed, dressed in black and with bright amber eyes... Amber eyes? He quickly switched on the main light and turned round. “Who...” But she wasn’t there...but a cat was, purring. By the time he reached the Flight Deck, chaos ruled. Blake wasn’t in any mood to listen to excuses. “Where the hell have you been? We’re smack bang in the middle of a meteor storm and you’ve...where did that cat come from?” “I was hoping you might be able to tell me.” Avon put the cat down on the forward couch, “Didn’t Zen warn about this storm and where are the others?” “I don’t know. Thankfully the force wall is holding and as for the others...” And just as suddenly as it had begun, the storm subsided. “Zen, run a complete damage check,” Blake ordered. //CONFIRMED// “While I go and find out what happened to the others and get an explanation from Vila.” “You do that, “Avon replied, “I’ll just make sure that there isn’t any damage to the instrumentation.” He watched Blake leave then turned his attention to the controls at his position. “Well that all seems all right. Now then, what about you?” He looked up...straight into those amber eyes again. “Didn’t you hear the alarm?” Blake asked. “Oh we knew you could handle it,” Jenna replied, stroking the little kitten. “What?” Cally looked up, also cuddling a small furry feline, “Isn’t it cute?” “We couldn’t leave them alone,” Gan explained, also in awe of a bundle of fur. Vila smiled innocently, “I can explain everything. You remember that Animal Shelter? Well just as we were leaving, I spotted this small animal carrier with a cat and her kittens...and I sort of, well, I couldn’t leave them...could I?” “The problem is, their mother seems to have vanished,” Jenna explained. “I think Avon might be able to help you with that..” “Maybe it is time you told me who you are and how you found your way into my quarters?” “The ventilation shaft. And I was looking for my missing, shall we say, sisters. We are nine in number and three have vanished somewhere aboard this ship. Your friend, Vila, was very brave. He rescued us from that Shelter.” “Yes, that sounds exactly like Vila. So after all that fuss with the dogs I suppose he put you in a cabin?” “He did. But he freed us from the confines of that carrier,for which I was most grateful It can be very trying to keep ourselves that small for such a long time.” “So who put you in that carrier?” “The man who came to our planet and stole the ‘relic’. He and his men think it is gold, but like us, it can transform itself. It is now most probably a useless base metal and he will be angry...” “But at least he can’t get you or your friends now.” “No, he cannot, which is why we are grateful to your friend. Unfortunately the three youngest members of my group decided to do that which most youngsters do. Escape that cabin. I went after them...” “As a cat? But why me? Why my quarters?” “Because you were the most likely one to perceive our problem. Cally ‘told’ me that much. She is very gifted you know?” “I’m beginning to realise that. So where would those kittens of yours be now?” “That is my fear. It was they who killed the man’s companions.” “Kittens?!” “Not exactly.” They all stared at Avon and the woman standing next to him. “I’d be very careful with those kittens,” Avon began, “They’re not what they seem. Bastet is their...leader.” Bastet smiled and waved her hand. All the kittens suddenly turned into young ladies, much to Vila and Gan’s surprise. “We have a problem, Blake, there are three more of these ladies in the forward hold, according to Zen, but Bastet doesn’t think they will be kittens. Shall we go?” “Who or what is behind this door?” Blake whispered. “They may be the same as they were when they killed those men, “Bastet replied, “But do not be alarmed.” “What does she mean by that?” asked Blake. The door opened and Bastet looked into the gloom. “Be still, these men mean us no harm.” Blake followed her line of sight and suddenly there came into view three cats; big cats. A Cheetah, Jaguar and a Panther. He stood well back. hoping that the woman in front of him could control them..then just as suddenly, they turned back into three young ladies. Blake found his voice, “Um, I believe Vila has arranged some refreshment for you all and then we can arrange to get you back to your planet.” “That is most kind of you,” Bastet said, “But there is no need. That Meteor shower was our people trying to find us and a piece embedded itself in the hull of your ship. They will be here soon.” Blake nodded, “Ladies, if you would care to follow me...” Avon watched the group move off. “Bastet, what about that ‘relic’ of yours?” “Another will be fashioned once we get home and it. too, will look the part.” “Appearances can be deceptive can’t they?” “They can. Just as you like to give the illusion to the others that you don’t care. But I know differently now, just as Cally is beginning to realise.” “You seem to have gathered a great deal of information about us.” “Indeed. Your friend, Vila, pretends to be a fool and a coward ...” “It keeps him alive.” “And you...” “Let us keep that information between ourselves.” “If it pleases you?” “It does,” Avon replied softly, suddenly catching the mischievous glint in those amber eyes... 
Edited by littlesue on 23-08-2025 15:37 Cold! You don't know the meaning of the word cold! Cold is when you have ice on the INSIDE of your window!! Sue's Book Shelf https://www.mediafire.com/folder/z1xg...Zine_Shelf Rebel Run Video https://youtu.be/8prqS-XZtLo |
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| M1795537OCVirn |
Posted on 21-08-2025 10:51
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Admin Posts: 15638 Joined: 14.01.22 |
Never a Dull Moment In his cabin, Avon was trying to sleep, but the irregular shaking and occasional bangs finally dragged him from his dreams of fighting the massive Kairopan spider who’d stolen his proddy tool.... Another bang! What was going on? Now fully awake, he threw on his trusty judo suit, tying the hard-earned black belt around his waist. The belt Vila had recently ‘borrowed’ without asking and left abandoned under a storage unit. Avon was still planning an adequate revenge for that one. Scorpio jerked again and he was forced to steady himself with on hand against the wall. With the other, he slipped Orac’s key into place. “What the hell’s going on?” he demanded angrily. “Specify the frame of reference,” the AI replied, “Your human brain does not have sufficient capacity to comprehend everything I am currently monitoring....” Avon snatched the key away again and hurried to the flight deck. Tarrant was at the controls, with Dayna shouting encouragement, and Slave twisting its central portion back and forth, attempting to keep up. “Watch it – “ Dayna yelled, “Another one coming in at ten o’clock.” “Seen it,“ Tarrant nodded, working the controls as Scorpio lurched to the right, “Stay on it, Slave!” Avon marched to Tarrant’s position and stared at him from point-blank range. “Incoming, dead ahead,” giggled Dayna. “Hello, Avon, had a nice sleep?” Tarrant grinned as he dragged the ship back on course. There was another loud bang that rattled the wall panels. “I am sorry, illustrious sir, but that one hit the outer hull,” the ship’s computer apologised, “I am not programmed to - “ “Never mind, Slave, just follow my orders,” Tarrant told it, and swerved the Scorpio sideways again. Avon, gripping the control panel to stay upright, forced himself to smile, “Having fun, are we?” he growled, then barked, “Slave – damage report!” “Ooh – er – I’m sorry, Master, I - “ “Nothing we can’t fix with a new coat of paint,” Tarrant interrupted, “Go back to bed, Avon. Nothing you need to worry about.” “It’s okay,” Dayna added, “Just a bit of fun, we came across a meteor shower. Tarrant claimed he could outrun it, so I dared him to prove it.” A dare? Of all the childish, idiotic.....It wasn’t worth the effort...in silence, Avon turned and stalked away. On the way back to his cabin, he grabbed a pressure suit and emergency kit. In the circumstances, a reasonable precaution, he told himself. And if by some miracle they survived, he’d damn well make sure Tarrant paid for the fuel he was wasting, as well as Scorpio’s new paint job. "You're not sulking, I hope?"
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| M1795537OCVirn |
Posted on 21-08-2025 10:56
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Admin Posts: 15638 Joined: 14.01.22 |
Mine's nowhere near as scholarly as yours, Sue! Well done. And I think Blake always thought of himself as the One, CB. Great stuff, as always.
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
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| littlesue |
Posted on 23-08-2025 15:40
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Alpha Grade Posts: 4206 Joined: 17.01.22 |
Mine's nowhere near as scholarly as yours, Sue! Well done. And I think Blake always thought of himself as the One, CB. Great stuff, as always. Thank you for your lovely comment MCvirn...not too sure about scholarly...I've only got a smattering of O levels and 1 A Level...but look what turned up in my in box last night...a lovely piccie by Lurena and I've just added it to the story. Cold! You don't know the meaning of the word cold! Cold is when you have ice on the INSIDE of your window!! Sue's Book Shelf https://www.mediafire.com/folder/z1xg...Zine_Shelf Rebel Run Video https://youtu.be/8prqS-XZtLo |
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| Paula |
Posted on 24-08-2025 20:04
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 Moderator  Posts: 5447 Joined: 15.01.22 |
I've enjoyed all the ficlets this month. Well done authors!
Resist the Host
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| AnneArthur |
Posted on 30-08-2025 14:05
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 Alpha Grade Posts: 8570 Joined: 16.01.22 |
A late ficlet for the 'cat' theme. ‘And these depict the ancient Earth legend of the King of the Cats, Madam President.’ The First Minister of Tybalt 5 smirked as he waved his arm towards the wall paintings. Servalan turned her head, a pleasant smile on her face. She could hide her boredom well when she wanted to – and today she had a particular need of that ability. It was good to have another system back under Federation control, in this case after a short but bloody civil war, but she could have done without this tour of the capital and its notable buildings. Already her thoughts were turning towards the neighbouring system of Dralx: how could she bring them back within the fold? Reluctantly, she abandoned that line of thought and concentrated on the paintings. ‘I don’t think I am familiar with that story, First Minister,’ she said. ‘It’s a very simple one, Madam President. It concerns a man who is out travelling one day, when he sees a very odd sight: a procession of cats, carrying a little coffin, with a crown lying on the coffin. You see – here he is here, in this picture, on his horse, and here are the cats crossing his path. And in this picture, he is back home, and is telling his wife all about it. And his cat, which is lying by the fire, suddenly leaps up, cries ‘Then I’m the King of the Cats’ and vanishes up the chimney – you can see it here, just the tail hanging down – and he never sees it again.’ ‘Indeed, First Minister, how quaint.’ How dreary, more like – what a stupid and pointless story. Why would anyone want to commemorate that, especially in a parliament building? As if reading her thoughts, the First Minister went some way towards answering that question. ‘Tybalt 5 is of course famous for its cats, so the walls of our parliament chamber are painted with cat legends – and of course all the cats are Tybalt cats. They are descended from an ancient Earth breed, we believe.’ ‘Indeed.’ Servalan could scarcely hide her boredom. Why would this insufferable man think that cats would interest her, of all things? But she continued to smile. Encouraged, the First Minster continued, ‘And so, in gratitude for all you have done for us, we would like to give you a very special token of our appreciation. Jaxon!’ A flunky stepped forward. In his arms was a large Tybalt cat. ‘This is Princess Moonstone V, from one of our finest bloodlines. She is a gift, Madam President, from a grateful planet.’ To her horror, Servalan found that the cat was being put into her arms. Just like the cats in the pictures – cream coat (and she could already see her beautiful black dress disfigured with pale cat hairs) and dark face, legs and tail. It turned big blue eyes upon her for a moment, then started to rub its face against her shoulder. ‘Oh, thank you,’ she smiled insincerely. ‘What a magnificent animal.’ Princess Moonstone V gave her a filthy look. ‘She will always remind me of your beautiful planet. Carsten!’ Major Carsten stepped forward. With relief, Servalan put the cat into his arms. Annoyingly, that was not the end of it. The cat, she found, was expected to be present at the state banquet given in her honour, and the local press insisted on taking numerous vizcasts of herself with the cat in her arms. ‘Our saviour,’ they called her, ‘our protectress, our Queen of the Cats.’ At last the banquet was over, and she could get back to the ship. Dralx tomorrow, she told herself. Let’s just hope they have no ancient Earth animal they are obsessed with. She found Carsten on the flight deck; to her annoyance, he was fussing over the cat. To her even greater annoyance, the rest of the crew surrounded him. ‘Pretty puss, pretty Princess,’ Carsten crooned, as he tickled it under the chin. It purred and shut its eyes, an idiotic expression of bliss on its face. ‘Give me that cat and get under way,’ Servalan snapped. She picked up Princess Moonstone V, ignoring both its protests and Carsten’s apologies. Once the ship was into deep space she stalked off the flight deck. A quick trip to the nearest airlock, and the problem was neatly solved. Servalan smiled as she returned to her cabin. In her Federation, there was only one Queen of the Cats. |
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| M1795537OCVirn |
Posted on 01-09-2025 11:33
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Admin Posts: 15638 Joined: 14.01.22 |
Another one full of histoical stuff! Well done, AnneA.
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
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