microsff

[microsff]

Ko-Fi takes a much smaller cut.

** Apologies for being quiet, I've been made redundant from my day job, so I've been mourning a timeline I had been looking forward to, where I kept working with these good colleagues doing interesting things.

The union made sure I've got a decent severance package, and there are jobs, but…

… I haven't found a new job yet, and …

…er …

Um.

Incidentally, I've just posted the collected stories from March 2025 for my supporters on Ko-Fi and Patreon. **

[microsff]

** Apologies for being quiet, I've been made redundant from my day job, so I've been mourning a timeline I had been looking forward to, where I kept working with these good colleagues doing interesting things.

The union made sure I've got a decent severance package, and there are jobs, but…

… I haven't found a new job yet, and …

…er …

Um.

Incidentally, I've just posted the collected stories from March 2025 for my supporters on Ko-Fi and Patreon. **

[microsff]

I opened the door to let my cat in. A minute later, I opened the door to let my cat out.

Soon, there was a meow. I opened the door to let my cat in.

"Look," I said, "it's either this side or the other side, where do you want to be?"

So today I learned about the other other side.

It's amazing.

[microsff]

The wizard finished the incantation, and the demon appeared in the sigil.

"Let us continue."

"Do you really not have any friends who could help," the demon asked

"I cannot show weakness."

"You'd show strength."

"Quiet!"

The demon sat, muttering "I can't wait for the invention of therapists."

[microsff]

The party was a great success. The princess listened with fascination as a dragon and a librarian were discussing storage and organizing of books.

"You two have so much in common!" she exclaimed

"What? No! They share books," the dragon growled, disgusted.

"Indeed," the librarian said with pride.

[microsff]

Hugo Award finalist

I have collated my collected works in 2024 as PDF and epub, and delivered them to the Hugo Voter Packet team.

If you are a WSFS or WorldCon member you will get them as part of the packet.

I have also made them available to my regular supporters on Patreon and Ko-Fi.

[microsff]

"Wait," the American representative said.

The rest of the Human trade delegation groaned.

"With this deal, the Galactic Empire get all our entertainment, and we get all their technology."

"Yes?"

"Is that fair? We have, like, thousands of films!"

"They have spaceships."

"That's one thing!"

[microsff]

I key my code into the terminal and put my left little finger on the scanner. It beeps rejection.

"There was another data breach last night," the cashier says. "All prints compromised. You must use a backup print."

"Sorry about this," I say and bend down to untie my shoe.

"You're not the first."

[microsff]

"What can I do for you, my lady?"

"I need a suit of armour modified," the lady said.

The armourer took her measurements, checked the pieces, and gave her an appraising look. "You've had this a while?"

"Yes. Since before... Ah..."

"Thought so. You'll need new thigh pieces and a wider skirt."

[microsff]

"... and in other news, USA is being sued by a company that will be founded some time in the future, when time travel is invented. Apparently, the company will offer 'punch a nazi' tours, with exclusive rights to 1933-45. But competitors will start to offer similar tours to USA 2025-28, and..."

[microsff]

A spaceship landed in the park. A door dilated and a robot rolled out, holding a golden disc in a transparent sleeve.

"Greetings! We found your sound recording. We enjoyed it, and have made one for you in return."

It placed the disc on the ground and returned to the spaceship, which took off.

[microsff]

"Dragon!" the knight called, "I'm here to end your reign of terror!"

"I merely land by a town and ask if they will give me someone to eat."

"Yet when they offer a sacrifice you spurn it and instead eat the mayor."

"Yes. And if they refuse to sacrifice anyone, I leave."

"That's... Hm. Carry on."

[microsff]

"I don't get why we can't just go straight to Japan."

"A few intermed-"

"They say teleports are instant, but we have to walk between stations!"

"A few steps to adjust your angle and-"

"They say distance don't matter!"

"Yes, but your momentum and orientation does."

"That's discrimination!"

[microsff]

I befriended a crow. I'd put scraps of food out on the balcony and watch it eat.

After a while it started to bring gifts in return. Bottle caps, disposable lighters, that sort of thing, left on the table.

I accepted them.

But this morning it was waiting for me, holding a diamond ring.

Should I?

[microsff]

"I see what you're trying to do," the dragon said, "but for the third prince to succeed, his two older brothers must first fail. You can't skip that step."

The dragon pondered. "Tell you what, I'll leave for twenty years. We can try again when I return."

"I'll be old then! I'll be twentyfive!"

[microsff]

It's said to be a fey forest, where you can get lost in time, years passing unnoticed.

I wander aimlessly, lightly touching boles of ancient trees. Suddenly I emerge into sunlight.

I blink. Who knows how long I've-

"There you are! You were gone for half an hour, we were getting worried!"

Damn.

[microsff]

The Emperor listened to his ministers as they told him why each of the books on their long list needed to be banned.

"Gentlemen, your explanations are a good start."

"So you will ban these books?"

"Not at all! If these books are problematic, we must provide context to help them be understood."