AUGUST 2023 -- 75 Word Writing Challenge -- VICTORY TO JOHNNYJET!

[Sphinctus Bogstrider]

Aunty May and her special gift

Wrapped in brown paper and tied with string, the parcel had ‘Milly’ scrawled on it.

“Hell”, she mumbled. “The old witch could have left me some cash or something”. She had been her favorite niece, after all.

There were weird symbols embroidered in gold thread on the back. As she took the grey robe out of the wrapper, the room grew colder. She put it on. Nothing happened.

“Bitch”, she said, “It’s not even magical”.

 

[therapist]

Bruce's Jersey

Judith awoke wearing her late husband’s jersey. It smelled of his woody cologne, of nights spent wrapped in his arms. It smelled of a long life full of love and warmth.

That evening, she went to the dresser where his jersey was folded. ‘Good night, my Bruce. I’ll leave the dresser drawer open for you. Come to me if you feel lonely. Or if I get cold.’

Once again, she awoke wrapped in his arms.

 

[Astro Pen]

Rocket Stage

“Lieutenant Marks! Why are you shuffling around with your arm stuck out?”

“Rehearsing for the Dance of the Sugar Plum Dalek. Captain.”

“Oh very well, and Carmen, ple-ease stop making PA announcements with that rose in your mouth. It's causing confusion.”

“Oi you, the pearl fisher. Help me on with these cavalier boots, the Ganymede show starts in ten minutes.”

Oh Lord, I wish I hadn’t signed on as Captain for this bloody space opera!

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Midnight Chimes​

Ella twirled in silk and jewels. Hard glass slippers made every step excruciating. Pain, she supposed, was the price of the fairy’s magic.

Staring into her prince’s eyes, she heard a clock begin to strike. Dare she risk another few minutes?

They danced another measure, Ella mesmerized by his intense dark gaze—though she could feel her beautiful gown ripping and tearing around her, turning back into rags.

And across the room, her stepmother advanced.

 

[StilLearning]

The Emperor’s new… circumstances…​

The funeral, of the Emperor of the Lunar colonies, was surprisingly dignified - under the circumstances.
"It's hereditary," the court physician quietly admitted, watching.
Her aide frowned. "Nude suicide?"
"No! The hallucination. Males in the royal line get it. We hid it. But… now…".
"Hallucination?"
"Emperors think they're dressed when they’re naked - since antiquity, on Earth. Here… on Luna… oh, that boy tried to warn him he wasn’t suited… but he used the airlock anyway…".

 

[JS Wiig]

Apparel to Die For

“And with this ring, aye, thee dead!”

A fleshy finger under a gold band disintegrated to dust. Surprised eyes went opaque and rolled back into a freshly exposed skull. A skeleton, all that remained, clattered to the ground. The morbid crowd gasped, then cheered.

Milton, proprietor of a traveling wagon titled Wicked Fine Wears, flashed a rotted grin and addressed the patrons gathering in the queue.

“Who wants to try on some shoes?”

 

[mosaix]

Moments in Time

2055 it reads. Eight years ago. Alice with Jason, six and Kate, four. All wrapped up against the cold – hats, scarves, gloves. A snowball fight. Laughter and giggles.

I spin the dial – 2047. The garden again, as always. Alice heading out wearing the red dress we chose together. She turns and smiles.

Another spin – 2059. Her mother and father – in black. My heart breaks.

I jab the off switch. Who invented the damn thing anyway?

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Over at the Headquarters of The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Barbarian Heroes

"I'd like to join the guild, please."

"What? With those garments?"

"What do you mean?"

"Which beast did you slaughter with your bare hands for that cloak? A stag? A bear?"

"Chamois goat actually."

"But you defeated it?"

"No, it fell off a cliff."

"And that loin cloth. Wolf?"

"Lemming."

"And you killed it?"

"Not exactly. It died of old age."

"Those boots. Let me guess. Angora?"

"Yes, nice aren't they?"

"Application denied. Go away."

 

[Parson]

There’s a Limit to Being Diplomatic ​

Julia grumbled: “Crud! there’s a diplomatic dress code? I’ve always done my share as a Terran diplomat before. I’ve eaten mussluss, which tastes like something a loose moose defecates. Several times I’ve sat for hours sitting waist-deep in a bubbling warm sulfur spring negotiating. I smelled hellish for days each time.

…. So, what’s required?”

The director held up Andromeda’s required “no additions” diplomatic ensemble: a pink ruffled pantie and a peek-a-boo bra.

“I QUIT! IMMEDIATELY!”

 

[Starbeast]

Meeting of Prof Foster and Dr Zart​

”I destroyed my invisible suit.”

“Why Professor?”

“I didn’t become invisible. Instead, I saw otherworldly beings.”

“What, beings?”

“As I walked through our city. I witnessed Angels and demons accompanying everyone. Angels were taking notes, while demons became angry at those who didn’t listen to them or grinning at those who did.”

“Amazing. If you’ll pardon me Professor. I have a date.”

#

“Commander. Foster’s refraction suit didn’t detect our presence on this planet.”

“Excellent.”

 

[BigJ]

The Flame and the Prey

He navigated underbrush trudging through knee-deep snow, thick furs deterring bitter cold, searching for what had been spooking his livestock.

Ahead he saw a naked young woman standing in a clearing, auburn hair falling over pale skin.

He smiled; he had a use for lost girls.

As he breached the clearing the air shimmered and instantly she was wreathed in violet flame, smiling below jet black eyes.

“You look like you need to warm up.”

 

[Christine Wheelwright]

Hazing in The Earth Diplomatic Service

Starsmith stared sternly at his subordinate.

“Really Withers, these practical jokes on interns must stop! Telling them galactic diplomacy is conducted naked! Whatever next!? The Beta Cerberus ambassador was most offended and I’m told the Debussian queen assumed young Perkins was a gift! Where is he by the way?”

Withers lowered his gaze and shuffled nervously.

“Don’t tell me he’s____”

“Well sir, the negotiations over mining rights were at a particularly delicate stage.”

 

[chrispenycate]

Tricking treat​

A couple of zombies, a fairy princess. October was swiftly running out.

Very traditional, and the squeak and wobble shopping trolley contrasted with not really afraid footsteps starting to drift home as the streetlights came on.

The trolley rags had a few more days before their moment of fame. But they were as important as the sugar-soaked kid treats. I stopped an adult who didn't look sweet.

"Penny for the guy, mate? 'E deserves it."

 

[The Judge]

Putting the F Into Effigy ​

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It’s important, once you’ve made your Doll, to dress it properly.​

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For the Make Your Own Husband version, you’ll want hard-working fabric, of course – nothing fancy but don’t forget some colour.​

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If you’ve gone for the Passionate Lover, then it’s silk all the way – have fun, but remember, it doesn’t last.​

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Obviously, though, our best seller is easiest to clothe – for the I Want Him Dead simply take its chest and add a large knife.​

 

[Bren G]

Careful What You Wish For
The princess’ silk gown was a testament to her regalness, but it felt like a gilded cage, keeping her from her true love, a humble cobbler.

She addressed her petitioners. A wizened woman approached, offering to grant a wish instead.

The princess hastily agreed! Moments later, she found herself inside a common shop, now clothed in dirty rags.

“Peasant girl, be gone!” The cobbler’s face twisted in disgust as he shoved her into the street.

 

[Ursa major]

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No Escape from a Self-Woven Prison​

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Warp drives? Ridiculous. Humans don’t understand the fabric of Spacetime. I’d tell them, but the spell prevents it. Ironic: magic hindering technological progress.​

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I do try. “Use a Weft Drive,” I say. The spell’s changed my words before I've uttered them.​

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No wonder humans think it, and me, a joke: “Spinning thread into a yarn again?”​

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I’ve been imprisoned here, turned into a tailor, just because I wanted to use magic to become this planet’s god.​

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[Ursa major]

This challenge is now closed to new entries. The poll will be along in a moment or two.

 

[Ursa major]

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The poll is now open at the link below:

POLL -- August 2023 75-Word Challenge -- READ FIRST POST!​

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