Judge this week: Ronel
Word count: 300 max
How: Submit your stories as a comment to this post, along with your name, word count, and title (and Twitter handle or blog if you've got 'em!). One entry per person.
Deadline: Midnight tonight, PDT.
Results announced: Next Wednesday afternoon.
Remember: Your entry must begin with the prompt! The prompt can be mutilated, but not beyond recognition. (Pictures do not need to be incorporated into your stories: they're for inspiration (and amusement).)
Prompt:
‘Yes, but last week a dragon almost set my hair on fire, so
it’s your turn to negotiate.’
300 fire-breathing factoids that cannot be denied
ReplyDelete@billmelaterplea
www.engleson.ca
Glow Ball Warming-Dragging the Dragonian Depths
"Yes, but last week a dragon almost set my hair on fire, so it’s your turn to negotiate."
Eloise disappoints me. Always whining! Never accepts responsibility.
Or rarely, to be fair.
That’s me. Fair to a fault.
Still, we’re in this together. We drew the short stick. It could’ve been worse. We could’ve drawn Syria and the threat of ISIS head-chopping hanging over us like…like a guillotine. Or Nicaragua. No threat there other then the occasional volcano busting a gut or some retro death squad flipping the bird.
Instead, we, the lowliest of functionaries in the UNFCCC, (The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) drew Dragonia, a caustic little country full of firebrand Global Warming deniers.
Dragonians, predictably, haven’t mastered the nuances of fair-minded international negotiating, the give and take, the reciprocity.
Unfortunately, for Eloise and me, the official line from the upper echelons of the Dragonian Government is that “Fiddle Faddle. The hotter the better for Dragonian.”
And with the change in the Trumptwit position, the Dragonians are digging in ever deeper.
“Eloise.” I finally manufacture a point, “It was close, I admit, but Minister Mušḫuššu apologized. His burp backfired. Totally accidental.”
She gives me the old stare down. She’s not buying it. Not for a minute.
“Spare me, Clarence. That brazen bolt of flame was no accident. Pure intimidation, plain and simple.”
I sigh. I’m always sighing these days. Eloise is bang on. The Dragonian negotiators spew a furnace of fire at the drop of a hat.
At our first negotiating session at Crocodilian Castle, as the Ministers Aide gave me a welcoming smooch, I suffered a tiny second-degree cheek burn that still smarted.
“It doesn’t matter, El. Suck it up. We’re doing this for Mother Earth.”
That gets her.
Always does.
She’s ever an environmental trooper.
AJ Aguilar-van der Merwe
ReplyDeletewww.annajaileneaguilar.com
@AnneVDM0519
294 words
DESTINY
"Yes, but last week a dragon almost set my hair on fire, so it’s your turn to negotiate." Amanda looked resolute.
"But I'm sick. My stomach is killing me and my head feels like it's going to explode. I'll be vulnerable." Annabelle's face was pale and she was squirming in pain. "Can we postpone this?"
"We can't." Amanda whipped out her wand and pointed it at Annabelle while she muttered a short spell. "There, you'll feel better shortly."
"Do we know when the warlocks are expected to attack?"
"Anytime soon. That's why you have to go. You're our only hope." The desperation in Amanda's voice was apparent. "You have to go now, Belle. Go!" She gave her cousin a hug before pushing her through the portal.
Annabelle found herself in front of a castle. She didn't know what to say to the Wizard Master but as she walked towards the door, she envisioned the Higher Power guiding her. All she had was her heritage and her sincere and humble heart that distinguished her from her cousin who was strong and assertive.
"What is the purpose of your visit, young one?" The voice startled Annabelle.
She composed herself and presented her solemn request on behalf of the Witches Hives. She didn't even think about the dragons. She perceived them as lovable.
The Wizard Master thought for a while. He gazed at her, contemplating.
Finally, he declared, "My wizards and dragons will come to your aid."
Annabelle’s face lit up. "I... we are most grateful."
"There's one condition,” said the Wizard Master. Annabelle held her breath. “You have to stay. When we defeat the warlocks, you will serve under me."
Annabelle nodded in agreement without further consideration. This was necessary. She felt positive about her destiny.
Hi Ronel! Sorry I missed the deadline this week, but thank you for your reminder! Love this contest, gives me a chance to try the prompt even if I don't make the due date. Have a great week! - Theresa Barker
ReplyDelete