FEBRUARY 2021 75-Word Story -- VICTORY TO PARANOID MARVIN!

[Tywin]

The Return of the Hometown Hero

“Lord, the mayor wants to hold a parade in your honor.”

He said nothing.

They had passed her house. She wasn’t home, but her husband had welcomed him. He had a firm handshake, and was excited to finally meet him. Likeable. Patient with the children.

… and the children. Curious little scamps scurrying around his entourage. One asked to hold his sword.

“My Lord?”

He exhaled. “Tell the mayor we leave in the morning.”

 

[Bren G]

Alone with a Barbarian's Thoughts

Past my shallow breaths and into my dimming mind, the memory found purchase. It whispered:

Repent.

I tried to push the thought away, but it flashed with haunting fidelity. A venomous curse. A berserker rage. Cold blades swung like a demon possessed. Limbs separated like chaff.

Repent.

Those women and children be damned. I will not!

The death rattle signaled my end, and too, the glowing eyes, dark cowl and glinting scythe that greeted me.

 

[farntfar]

Until my darkness

I have to turn my head, each time I pass that place.

They say it’s perilous for mortals to walk in fairy lands, but seldom speak of the reverse case.
Was it her unearthly beauty that caused the car to swerve? All I know is the sound of screeching tyres and wakening alone in the hospital; an arm and a heart broken.
Never to regret anything again like that last stroll with my elven queen.

 

[Lawrence Twiddy]

Missed ‘I love you’s’

Linus the proprietor; in his peppery mood stomped towards the exit of his stables.

“Please dear! we always say it even after an argument!” Darlene exclaimed, “who knows what black cardinals lie in wait out there!”

Ignoring his wife, he stormed out in a temper. Linus knew he’d be fine and able to tell her once again.

Sullenly she turned and stepped into an empty bucket. Tripped. Plummeted downwards.

A pitchfork pierced her gullet.

 

[Vaz]

Lost Kiss


Ryianne stopped sweeping as the King claimed Alayna with a kiss; sealing her as his Queen. The crowd was silent as the music of life missed a beat, erupting a moment later into mournful joy.


She gripped the broom as she'd gripped Alaynas' hand on that moon swept night. Ryianne had counted the perfect small lines of her lover's mouth before turning and denying her.


Sometimes a kiss is not enough to seal love.

 

[mosaix]

Better Late Than Never?

“He did so much for us and we never really thanked him,” said a tearful mourner. She nodded.

“He was so good. We just took him for granted,” said another. She nodded again.

She could take no more, moved away from the mourners and stared at the burning funeral pyre.

Rescuing maidens, slaughtering dragons, quest after bloody quest. All those years never at home and such a creep.

“I should have killed you sooner.”

 

[Vince W]

Tongue of Kthalnan

Years spent apprenticing to that vile predator. Enduring humiliation upon degradation just to snatch glints of knowledge. Unlocking the dark arts through agonies never dreamt possible. All leading to the fateful moment; ready to usurp his master and tormenter.

Tongue freshly split, Abal spoke words rehearsed countless times; gloried as the demon appeared in a miasma of foetid heat.

“Fool,” gabbled Bakthl. “You’ve not the tongue of Kthalnan.”

Abal’s anguished scream was joy throughout hell.

 

[therapist]

Regret-Me-Not

Tim lay awake cringing at the time his mum caught him jerking off. He reached for his Regret-Me-Not, mashing the red button.

ZAP

Can’t regret what you can’t remember.

Next day, Tim ran over the neighbour’s cat. Too much guilt.

ZAP

Stressed due to looming work deadline?

ZAP

Losing his job due to missed deadline.

ZAP

Being an idiot. Using Regret-Me-Not carelessly.

ZAP ZAP

Leaving for the weekend, but remembering he left the stove on

 

[Hugh]

Myths, Mists and Memory: the Uncertain Nature of Reality​

I’d love to have watched flights of dragons soaring on the wind, burnished scales shimmering in summer sunlight.

I’d love to have danced with fairies in flower meadows, gossiping frivolously over thimbles of nectar.

I’d love to have conversed with foxes and badgers and crows and all manner of wild creatures.

Yet I know I’ve done all these and more, only for some reason their memory eludes me, and I mourn what might have been.

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Kajar and the Television Interviewer

"And finally, Kajar, as the oldest living barbarian hero, any regrets?"

"Errm. No, not really."

"But you've robbed princes and paupers. You've killed countless men."

"They probably deserved it."

"What about the dragons you've slain?"

"Nasty, treasure hoarding vermin."

"But dragons are now extinct, mainly due to your adventures."

"Oh I see! A journalistic hatchet job eh? Well let me show you my hatchet job."

"Wait! We said no weapons! Drop that axe! Nooooo! Aaarglgle!"

 

[彐ildHunter]

Legend of the Alcoholic Galaxy
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The drunken crowd cried out acclamations each time the blade falls on guillotine. From the neck of each executed war criminal, a stream of liquor burst into the snowy ground.

General Chen was escorted to the execution stand with a numb expression in charge of massacre of old humans.

As the Christmas bell rings, blade slide from the top.

All the audience stood in silence, from the vein of the first liquor-citizen, red blood surges.

 

[Parson]

A Princess’ Duty and Regret

Robert whooped to read “Come home.” Princess Paula had forgiven his too quick approach!

Robert danced a jig and twirled, while he yelled: “Arthur, conjure the carriage! I’m allowed at Willingford again. And I remain consort!”

Paula saw the dust eight furlongs away. Robert came in full haste; as usual. Dreams of slow smoldering nights of passion dimmed. Robert never did anything slowly. But her belly bulge testified to his virility.

Regrets could be managed.

 

[The Scribbling Man]

Embrace

First, Mallory left me; broke me, then begged I let her return. We’d flirted with theurgy, but I toyed with a notion: the power to refuse. Hurt her as she had hurt me.

If I had said, "Yes. I love you. Come back", would she have dragged me down, or I have pulled her up into the infinite?

I know not, save that the guilt only grows, as she lies in the arms of demons.

 

[johnnyjet]

Who Ya Gonna Call?

When the new owner of Shackleford House encountered its legendary ghost, he didn't scream.

When the ghost tried to scare him off, he clapped his hands. Shrieks in the middle of the night and shaking walls didn't upset him. He even hunted the ghost down and begged for more scary stuff.

"Why? Why?" Echoing.

"I'm a horror fan."

Regretfully, the ghost abandoned his old homestead. It just wouldn't be the same anymore.

 

[scarpelius]

Have I ever lived?

The orc's axe crushed my chest armor with ease, breaking my ribs.
The pain was atrocious for a moment, then... darkness.

"Take my daughter's hand in marriage." the King had said as a reward for saving her.

I couldn't.
I wanted to face more powerful foes, I longed for more victories. Now... I can't remember those moments.
Her face is the only memory shining in the dark.
I've never...
She's fading away.

FAAAAADING AAAAAAAWAY...

FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...

 

[chrispenycate]

Avec mes souvenirs…​

I could have done better, but was younger, less diploma'd, less diplomatic.

No desire to cause pain, but less disgust at the chaos that agony - someone else's agony - could cause.

No excuses - youth is the period for learning, and pain the great stimulus. Even another's pain.

The same situation now? But I'm not the same person, would avoid the trap,

If I were the first ever to overreact maybe I'd be more ashamed.

Perhaps not.

 

[Peter V]

Victory Parade

I’d rescued her as an infant but often since regretted not leaving her to the raiders that killed her parents.

Atop her chariot she passes. Cold, aloof, ignoring the vanquished innocents, forced to their knees at sword-point.

Only the thousand heads on pikes do not kneel.

Our eyes meet. She smiles at me, her Captain, and it is like the sun dawning after the darkest night.

And I know I would make the same choice.

 

[Perpetual Man]

The Morning After the Night Before

“Aww my head!” Ivor the dwarf ran his fingers through his thick hair, “What ‘n the hells did I drink last night?”

His companion, the androgynous elf Gospar winced, “Don’t shout! It wasn’t just the beer or wine that did us in, but the Orcspew Rum didn’t help.”

Ivor burped, “Did I drink a pint of the stuff?”

“Then puked it back up.”

“Oh Lords!”

“And let us not mention the tattoo…”

 

[Maya13]

Why I regret I didn’t believe my Irish grandmother

I never liked green hats, and fairy tales... In our century!
But I’ll never say that again. You know, I hit this tiny guy in green with my car. I couldn’t let him there. On the way to the hospital, he woke up frightened. Started to scream he’ll grant me three wishes if I let him go. I let him. I didn’t believe in wishes.
But if leprechauns are real... and I lost the opportunity...

 

[Ursa major]

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Regretfully Yours​

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“The amulet allows you to prevail in battle?”​

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“Only if worn by a warrior,” said the old man, “one with well-honed fighting skills.”​

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“How does it work?”​

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“It weakens opponents by seeding doubt, by making them recall what they regret most. Everyone regrets something.”​

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I snatched the amulet from the table. “You’ll regret meeting me.”​

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“No, child. It is a father’s gift to his long-lost daughter, one trained well by his archenemy....”​

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