February 2015 75-word Writing Challenge -- VICTORY TO TELFORD!

[Tywin]

The Arcane Art of Feminine Enhancement

“Girl, you gone and got yo’ self a whole mess o’ beads! What kind of show n’ tell you give those boys? I know you made ‘em big. Did you make ‘em flash different colors? Like the top of a police car?”

“I left ‘em just as they are.”

“Just like God gave ‘em to you?”

“Those boys said they hadn’t seen a pair of real ones in years!”

 

[Droflet]

Two Dollar Special


“Roll up, roll up. See the amazing Gonzo. Only two paltry dollars to be stunned speechless.”

“Let’s do it,” Anna pleaded.

I sighed. “Okay.”

Gonzo appeared, wearing a tattered purple cloak beneath a shabby cone hat.

“Whatever your desires, speak them to me now.”

Silence, until Anna giggled and shouted, “Pull a rabbit out of your butt.”

The rabbit appeared. Disheveled didn’t quite cover the description of the poor creature.

Indeed, everyone was stunned speechless.

 

[johnnyjet]

The Parade of Spirits

The parade of spirits moved through the city, passing through traffic and pedestrians, lampposts and bus stops. People lined the streets and waved.

Joey recognized his grandma.

Lila smiled at her aunt.

Bruce numbly watched his baby sister waving from a crib floating by.

Everyone felt a great burden lifted from them since they'd seen their loved ones off to Heaven.

Now was the time to celebrate. Let the Festival of the Dead begin!

 

[High Eight]

Up Helly Aa

I glimpsed him several times during the procession. Huge, barrel-chested, carrying a torch that looked more like half a tree burning. Sparks smouldered in his beard and his one good eye glowed orange, reflecting the firelight.

I last saw him at the burning of the galley. He hurled his huge torch and stepped back into the shadows, grinning.

This year will be a good one - Odin is pleased with us.

 

[Bowler1]

The Pied Piper Plays Old School House

Once more he stepped onto the stage, to his decks again.

Laid his long fingers on smooth silk vinyl and blew three bass beats.

To a rustling that seemed like a bustling, merry crowds jostling, pitching and hustling,
here come the ravers.

Eyes sparkling, tripping and buzzing, drum and bass, techno or house, they dance.

Drum beats and feet pound, like magic.

Pay the Piper, and you won’t get no sleep.

God… is a DJ.

 

[farntfar]

Hidden spirits

Grétel had a problem.
Well several problems actually;
Ghost children she was hiding with in Chelmsford from the Necromancer of Chateauroux.
And of course from “normal” people.
Unfortunately Grétel made friends too easily.
She knew she could give them night-ground arrowroot, to make them unaware. But how to not make them suspicious?
Her brother had the answer.
“Throw a Auvergnat pancake party,” said Han. “so they don’t notice the fifty shades of Gré.”

 

[Sancho]

Colour me bad

Jeb squinted up at the scantily clad women dancing on a high heeled float as it passed.
"Why is their glow purple Grandma?"
"It shows that they are free spirits."

Next came flipping bullfighters, basking in their golden glow.
"I'd forgotten all the colours! Mum is always blue and me..."
"Be patient Jeb! Kids don't stay green forever."
"Grandma...?" he turned to see her bloomers disappear after the bullfighters.
"Shade's of grey again today?"

 

[Fishbowl Helmet]

Meeting of the Courts

“Naw, chil’, you drink da ojen.”

“’Tain’t ojen. Dat sometin, but ’tain’t ojen.”

“’Tis a mix, drink.”

“Naw me.”

“Drink da ojen, foh me.”

A blade caressed her throat.

“See, chil’, taste good, no?”

“You kill me?”

“Naw, jus’ make you mah lésklav.”

“For true?”

“You gon’ make me Rex, chil’.”

“Whatevah you say, Big Chief.”

“Take dis doubloon, and give it to Mathieu. When he touch, he die.”

“Yes, Chief.”

“Mo laimé twa, chil’.”

 

[J.L. Borstlap]

Magic in All of US

"It is possible you know, magic!"

The words kept pulsing in my head, things were so simple before.
I hold the card to them, then with slight of hand its gone.

"It is possible you know-"

"MAGIC!" I shouted and curled my fingers inwards.
There was a sting followed by a blue hint of a ball, but I looked at him too soon, it is gone now.

"Was that it? Was that this magic?"

 

[WinterLight]

The River King’s Daughter

Behind, a comet’s tail of sparkling hair. The wind made way to let her pass, the ferns and pines opening arms in embrace. Snow, not blue alone nor white, twirled crystal flakes in delight as she carried her heart away from the celebration.
In the pale moon’s borrowed light she stopped, glowing, and smiled, having never felt so special in her life.

 

[Zoe Mackay]

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

Once, it was an honour the krewes competed to win. A small mistake and word got out. Now, the elected is dragged to the Meeting of the Courts, ringed by my flambeau carriers, imprisoned in the fire.

The mask goes on. The flames go out. The dolorous drum beats loudly.

I let the old life go, and step into the new. I am Rex, king of Mardi Gras, and I am born each year anew.

 

[ratsy]

A Spirited Festival

They float towards Bourbon Street every year, drawn to the mass of pumping blood.

Their souls hunger for the sustenance of life.

The horde arrives in a mass of ethereal wisps; the festival roars on.

Music reaches the group, and they wail in horror.

Again, they are staved off with the sounds of drums and trumpets.

Like every year, they dance until the sun comes up...and fade away.

Until next time.

 

[reiver33]

History, History

“Every August bank holiday Monday it’s always the same.” Frank raised his voice against the music from Ladbroke Grove, “And how come I’m always dressed as bloody Pierrot?”

I shrugged. “The same reason I’m always Harlequin, and she’s Columbine. It’s a cycle that keeps the world turning. Commedia dell’arte as personal Hell.”

We each drew a pair of revolvers and aimed at each other. Catherine smiled. “Not so much a comedy as tragedy.”

“Or farce.”

 

[chrispenycate]

Shriven Mummers​

Tiny snow flecks bit my cheeks as I turned to latch the shutters.
Colombina danced, warming up - even our crowded digs were too cold for the costume, and we'd be out on the canal banks soon, our only shelter other revellers.

Necessary - entertainers honoured lent, and could die of malnutrition without this last boost. Or freeze to death to get it.

A possibility of surviving the ash, and seeing spring, fertility, and older gods.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

A Beltane Celebration​

Ailis danced about, laughing. Beltane was her favorite day of the year.

She giggled, giddy off honey mead. Little lights started swirling about the merriment, and Ailis continued her dance, her clothes falling from her as things continued.

She then started glowing white, the lights twirling around her, and she rose into the air. The rest of her village cheered as she rose to a few feet in the air, then disappeared.

 

[Glen]

There was a young lady from Sydney
Who wasn’t all she appeared to be.
On the day of the march,
She was punched in a bar,
On her face, her chest and a kidney.

She didn’t dismay, but danced all day,
On the float, she was carefree and gay.
At the end of the night,
To her joy and delight
She really was a young lady.

 

[Starbeast]

Werewolf Queen of New Orleans​

Carnival attraction, Madam Zola, a woman who could become a werewolf, was a crime boss. I had already dealt with her henchmen, and served them up as alligator food.

*****************************​

Upon finding Zola, she transformed, then cackled at my Colt pistols. Silver bullets slammed into her, sending her crashing into a cotton candy machine. Another lycanthrope entered the scene. To my surprise, he's also a detective. "Thanks pal. That wolf doesn't run this town any more."

 

[crystal haven]

Committee meeting

“No.” Mr White pointed across the table. “They are too disruptive. Too slow.”

“You telling them?” Phyllis Bloom jibed. “You’ll be strung up in their branches for a week.”

“They could go last,” Brenda suggested.

Mr White bristled. “They brought down the telephone cables. They are not in the carnival. That’s final!”

The door shook, separated from its hinges, and scuttled down the corridor.

“A spy in the camp,” Brenda muttered. “That’s all we need.”

 

[mosaix]

An Unfair Cop?

Thumping, rhythmic drums introduce a dazzling troupe of scantily-clad, high-kicking, dancers in rippling feather headdresses. Revellers surge and roar with excitement.

But tonight our interests lie elsewhere. With William Sykes for instance – notorious psycho-lifter of this parish – who’s targeting an unzipped back pocket.

Despite the distractions his concentration’s good. A perfect lift – a fat wallet full of notes. We move in. A scuffle, a search – an empty wallet!

My concentration is even better.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Penny’s Last Gleaming

Penny whistle, penny lick,
Pitch a penny; dodge the trick.
Dance forever, little pup,
If I see you looking up.

Penelope’s hand slipped from mine. I grasped her thumb and yanked her onwards. Away. Never watch the Carnival - we knew the rhyme. I was so busy not looking, it found her; in my hand was a lambent coin, not her thumb.

Now she capers along the line of dawn with all the others who peeped.