#alexpromptstidalwaves

[wildler]

“How long have they been in the tank?”

Dr Reyes scratched her head with a pen, then jotted something down on her clipboard. “Three weeks I suppose.” She frowned at the page in front of her and glanced up at me. “It was found on the northern beaches, a few days after the tidal wave.”

I rubbed my cheek and watched the figure float aimlessly with the circulating current, confusion plain in their glassy eyes. “Where did you come from?”

“The Pacific Ocean, we assume.” Dr Reyes answered, and I gave her a look that conveyed it was not her I’d been asking. Oblivious, she added, “Quite likely somewhere around the Mariana Trench.”

“Mariana,” I echoed, watching the form tumble through a slow roll. Despite being unable to right themself, they still had a certain grace. Their face was human-like, with beautifully soft features that were neither male nor female.  The almost translucent skin of their torso shimmered as muscles contracted and relaxed beneath it, while their tail of a dozen transparent tentacles moved in a slow wave. Hints of bio-luminescence briefly lit their body like slow sparks.

“Suggestions?” Reyes demanded, breaking my trance.

I tore my eyes from the tank. “How is the water dosed?”

“It’s seawater, un-dosed, pumped straight from the shore to the lab.”

“You’ve not added a sedative?” My gaze found its way back to the gently turning body.

“None. It’s been this stupefied since it woke. If anything, it’s condition is deteriorating.”

“Can I see the nutrient levels in the water?”

She led me to a screen by a giant pump. It lit up to her touch.

“Dissolved oxygen is too high.” I ran a hand over my mouth. “They’d be used to the deep ocean—low oxygen. These levels would be toxic. Turn off the aerators.”

Dr Reyes did as I asked and we watched the tank. Limbs and tentacles began to flutter to life. Before long movements were fast and frantic.

I bit my lip, throwing a glance in the direction of Reyes and her clipboard. “We have no way of replicating their environment, if you keep them here it’s as good as a death sentence.”

“I’m sure we’ll find a way to make it work,” she replied in monotone, not looking up from her scribbling.

“You can’t. They should be released as soon as they’re well enough.”

The doctor took a breath to reply, but was cut off by violent banging on the glass. The tank’s occupant thrashed against their constraints. Their panicked cries reverberated through to my chest.

Reyes turned away from the scene, her face impassive. “Thank you for your help Professor, if we need your expertise again, I will let you know.”

----------

@alexprompts got me thinking about what gets washed ashore with: tidal waves... :)

[alexprompts]

Tidal Waves

The prompt of the week is...

The due date to be included in the masterpost is Sunday the 3rd of November, at midnight, AEST.

Countdown

Rules:

Tag @alexprompts and #alexprompts and #alexpromptstidalwaves somewhere on your post.

The response must in someway be related to the prompt, whether expressly stated or in a round about way.

Any style of writing or art is welcome, from poetry, to painting, to digital work to short stories. It can be completely original, or set in another world, such as your wip or fanfiction. Please try to create something new for it, however, rather than using an excerpt or something already created.

Reblog to share this with others, to help the page grow and your work reach a bigger audience

The response needs to be in it’s own post, with clear reference to the prompt.

Please tag anything potentially triggering, NSFW or graphic. However, please keep in mind that if something is deemed too inappropriate, it may not be reblogged or included in the masterpost. Please feel free to still tag and use the hashtags if you find inspiration from this prompt and think it may be considered too graphic.

Multiple responses can be made to the prompt.

Reblog this to be included in the prompt taglist, which tags you in the masterpost of the short stories. Or, send an ask for access to the permanent taglist.

Permanent taglist:

@every-book-has-a-secret @theflavorofmymadness @sarahcamillabarr @cirianne @joyful-soul-collector @ddesign8or @anaestheticdisaster @timefirewrites @whatnameshallitake @writingforjoy @pennedin @consciousdreamz @pe-ersona @hobyblack @elyteracy @pied-piper-of-hamlet @alien-from-pluto-writer @thescribesloft @hauntingthestars​ @wildler​ @writingonesdreams​ @asherscribbles​ @nightmares-and-fireflies​ @dowings​ @kd-holloman​ @lonelywanderingstars​ @smudged-glasses-writing​

[elycwinters]

Tidal Waves

Your love washes over me like tidal waves, It’s soft and quiet and constant, Leaving me breathless and I gaze Into the dark depths of your eyes and I, I stand still and in awe.

You are the waters I want to lose myself in, The ones I allow to wash away Any fear of the ocean, for they are kind And ever present under the moon And I am the Earth you picked.

Your love washes over me like tidal waves, Your caress is like a kiss from the sea Strong yet gentle and soothing, And you make me feel at home As I breathe you in and drown in you.

- Ely C. Winters.

[Prompt: Tidal Waves from @alexprompts]

[kiraawrites]

2MSS #1: Tidal Waves

Day 1 of the 2 Month Short Story Challenge w/ @flyingfalconflower12

Prompt by @alexprompts​

Word count: 1220

Constructive criticism welcome!

At first, I would always fear of drowning. The menacing pull of the sea was unending, as it drew back the trinkets that had dared escape prior. This is a warning; let’s not test it. Windy beach days were no better; pushing me to the very edge of the aquamarine waters. The breezes would ruffle my hair and whisper in my ears, “Just once.” Shrugging them off, I would return to the book I was reading beneath the warm hug of the midmorning sun.

I was comfortable on land. Sandcastles and beach volleyball were no strangers — I still remember my weekly games with my best friend (Mikayla, or Miki) and a few others, hitting balls up as high as the tops of the palm trees. My cheeks would blush a deep red in the excitement of it all. Earnestly prancing on the burning-hot sand. Returning home with a sunburn but without an inch of regret. The orange sun giving way to purple night, a time of peaceful rest before spending the next day at the shore.

Miki had always thought her life’s purpose was to go adventuring. We would sit on the beach chairs, hands interlocked as she recounted her latest exploits. This is the one I remember best:

“Elliot, you fear the sea, aren’t you?” she asked, a light laugh falling from her lips.

“No, no — I’m really not. Am not the strongest swimmer. Why’d you ask?”

“Liar. You wouldn’t put even a toe in the water today.” She shook her head in disapproval and prodded my cheek. “I’ve been diving a lot recently.”

I shivered at the thought of freezing depths, limited oxygen and — “Oh, that’s fun... Tell me about it.”

Her head resting on my shoulder, she rattled off the species of fish she saw, some of which I had only heard of at the dinner table. I felt myself drifting away, lost in the ocean of fish names. I have no interest in the sea. Why is she telling me all this?  Oblivious to my inattention, she continued: “But most of all, the corals! You should’ve been there.”

“You recently said it’s obvious that I’m scared of the ocean. Are you trying to threaten me with fish?”

The sun was creeping downwards, its brightness turning more muted by the second. Clouds hung heavy in the horizon, heaving with the promise of a midnight monsoon. At this, she replied, “Before we go... It’s my sixteenth birthday in three days. Follow me once. You’ll never want to leave.” A wink.

“If I perish then, at least I drown with you,” I muttered, kicking the sand.

Pulling me close, she wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. “I love you, Elliot. You’ve been my best friend since the day we met on this beach. Ten years have passed too fast,” she said, her chin against my collarbone.

“It’s been ages and you don’t have a special name for us? Damn, I should at least be called ‘soulmate’.”​

“Aren’t those just for couples? But hey, thanks for being my lifelong partner. I know you’ll never leave me. Will you?”​

Shaking my head, I took her hand and led her home.

​----------​----------

​It was the night before her birthday. Restlessly, I tossed and turned in my bed. I know my fear is pretty irrational... But it doesn’t hurt to stay on land. The Earth’s mostly water, but am I really missing out?  I swallowed hard, thinking about the pristine blue and the rainbow of colour that she promised me. She looked so happy talking about it. Agh, maybe I’d go just to see her smile.​

Rolling over to the bedside table, I picked up my phone and texted her my decision. A flurry of multicoloured hearts. “I knew you’d say yes!” Anything that makes her happy makes me even happier. Can’t wait to see her tomorrow.

​----------​----------

9 am. Miki was radiant, dressed in an orange polo shirt and neon yellow shorts. Her brown waist-length hair billowed out from behind her as she bounded towards me. Taking my hand in hers, she dragged me towards the coastline. My flip-flops nearly tore from the strength of her pull. In no time, we were ankle-deep in water. 

“Aren’t we going diving? Where’s the diving gear? I thought your parents would be around. Miki, what are we doing?“ 

“It’s something special. Take off those flimsy flip-flops. They won’t be any good now.”

Obediently, I threw them aside. “Now what?”

“Now, we wait for a big wave. Let it drag you out into the sea. I’ll be holding your hand — no buts, you agreed to do this with me.”

Approaching us on the horizon was a timely monster of a wave (in my opinion). I swore under my breath as I stood there and waited for it to seize me underwater. Deep breath. A metre away. Half a metre away. Then, it crashed right into me. I shook from terror and squeezed her hand as it dragged my body across the sand and into the sea. Bewilderment spread through my system. Waves can’t be this powerful. My eyes were shut as I hurtled through the water.

Miki was speaking to me. Underwater? “We’ll be fine, Elliot. A few minutes more. You can breathe in this water, by the way.”

I opened my eyes slowly to the brilliant sights around me. A mystical force seemed to be pushing Miki and I. We zoomed past coral reefs dotted by schools of fish, scales glimmering as they zipped around. I took a deep breath and nearly choked from surprise upon doing so. All I knew was that my legs could no longer spread apart — they were joined together, from feet to thighs — but I trusted Miki’s nod of reassurance. The different schools of fish, instead of swimming where they liked, seemed to be all following the same direction then.

 “Where are we heading?”

“Look at your legs. See how they’ve become scales, with a flipper at the end? We’re arriving in Atlantis, Elliot.”

Spires of great buildings towered above. Each level was crowded with mermen chatting, bartering and living regular lives. Miki spun me around and embraced me. She had a shimmering blue tail and a gigantic smile plastered on her face. My heart wanted to leap out of my chest at the ancient glory that had uncovered itself to me. But more than anything, I was confused. 

“We were supposed to migrate to someplace across the globe this morning. I knew I wouldn’t be able to leave you behind — really, I don’t know how I’d cope,” she answered the questioning look on my face. “Time freezes in Atlantis. We’ll never age and well, we can be happy forever.”

“Miki, you just left everyone else behind. Are you sure about this?”

“Only if you are.”

“If there was one promise I’d never break, it would be to never leave you. So that’s a yes.”

Meeting my eyes with a coy look, she asked, “We’re not just best friends, are we? We’re soulmates — like you said. I just couldn’t imagine living with anyone else.”

“Does that mean—?”

A nod. Grasping the back of my head, she pulled me in for a kiss. Is this the meaning of eternal bliss?

Taglist

@galaxy-charm @rhyseoshaughnessy

[alexprompts]

Tidal Waves Masterpost

The prompt from the 28th of October to 3rd of November was...

And incredibly sorry for the delay on this masterpost! Especially to the amazing people who gave us responses!

We had a super cool and chaotic doodle from @stuupidlildoodles, which you can see HERE.

@elywinters provided us with one of their downright stunning poems, which you can read HERE.

And @wildler amazed with an incredible and mysterious short, which are always an incredible read, and which you can find HERE.

Thank you all for taking your time to make a response to the prompt!

Permanent taglist:

@theflavorofmymadness @sarahcamillabarr @cirianne @joyful-soul-collector @ddesign8or @anaestheticdisaster @timefirewrites @whatnameshallitake​ @writingforjoy @pennedin @consciousdreamz @pe-ersona @hobyblack @elyteracy​ @pied-piper-of-hamlet​ @alien-from-pluto-writer​ @thescribesloft​ @hauntingthestars​ @wildler​ @writingonesdreams​ @asherscribbles​ @nightmares-and-fireflies​ @dowings​ @kd-holloman​ @lonelywanderingstars​ @smudged-glasses-writing​ @writingtotherain​

Prompt weekly taglist:

@every-book-has-a-secret​

Tidal Waves Taglist:

@silveringrose​ @hamaheaven​ @doevell​ @knife-dragon​ @captain-kiri-storm​

[alexprompts]

This is well thought out and I like it a lot!

“How long have they been in the tank?”

Dr Reyes scratched her head with a pen, then jotted something down on her clipboard. “Three weeks I suppose.” She frowned at the page in front of her and glanced up at me. “It was found on the northern beaches, a few days after the tidal wave.”

I rubbed my cheek and watched the figure float aimlessly with the circulating current, confusion plain in their glassy eyes. “Where did you come from?”

“The Pacific Ocean, we assume.” Dr Reyes answered, and I gave her a look that conveyed it was not her I’d been asking. Oblivious, she added, “Quite likely somewhere around the Mariana Trench.”

“Mariana,” I echoed, watching the form tumble through a slow roll. Despite being unable to right themself, they still had a certain grace. Their face was human-like, with beautifully soft features that were neither male nor female.  The almost translucent skin of their torso shimmered as muscles contracted and relaxed beneath it, while their tail of a dozen transparent tentacles moved in a slow wave. Hints of bio-luminescence briefly lit their body like slow sparks.

“Suggestions?” Reyes demanded, breaking my trance.

I tore my eyes from the tank. “How is the water dosed?”

“It’s seawater, un-dosed, pumped straight from the shore to the lab.”

“You’ve not added a sedative?” My gaze found its way back to the gently turning body.

“None. It’s been this stupefied since it woke. If anything, it’s condition is deteriorating.”

“Can I see the nutrient levels in the water?”

She led me to a screen by a giant pump. It lit up to her touch.

“Dissolved oxygen is too high.” I ran a hand over my mouth. “They’d be used to the deep ocean—low oxygen. These levels would be toxic. Turn off the aerators.”

Dr Reyes did as I asked and we watched the tank. Limbs and tentacles began to flutter to life. Before long movements were fast and frantic.

I bit my lip, throwing a glance in the direction of Reyes and her clipboard. “We have no way of replicating their environment, if you keep them here it’s as good as a death sentence.”

“I’m sure we’ll find a way to make it work,” she replied in monotone, not looking up from her scribbling.

“You can’t. They should be released as soon as they’re well enough.”

The doctor took a breath to reply, but was cut off by violent banging on the glass. The tank’s occupant thrashed against their constraints. Their panicked cries reverberated through to my chest.

Reyes turned away from the scene, her face impassive. “Thank you for your help Professor, if we need your expertise again, I will let you know.”

———-

@alexprompts got me thinking about what gets washed ashore with: tidal waves… :)

[alexprompts]

This is stunning, really lovely to read

Tidal Waves

Your love washes over me like tidal waves, It’s soft and quiet and constant, Leaving me breathless and I gaze Into the dark depths of your eyes and I, I stand still and in awe.

You are the waters I want to lose myself in, The ones I allow to wash away Any fear of the ocean, for they are kind And ever present under the moon And I am the Earth you picked.

Your love washes over me like tidal waves, Your caress is like a kiss from the sea Strong yet gentle and soothing, And you make me feel at home As I breathe you in and drown in you.

- Ely Winters.

[Prompt: Tidal Waves from @alexprompts]