#prompt: books and friendship

[puppetmaster13u]

Prompt 120

Lancer hasn’t been in the business for years. He’d long since retired, having enough to live comfortably, to finally go to college, and to slip away from the scene like a ghost. Or perhaps not like a ghost, apparently they liked to make a racket. 

 But he was getting increasingly concerned about one Danny Fenton. He didn’t want to assume anything of course, but it was increasingly obvious that something was very wrong. Something familiarly wrong, even if he himself was never a part of that side of things. 

 He tries to tell himself that it’ll all be fine, he’s out of that life after all. But he can only see a teen getting shot at so many times. Can only try to convince himself not to get back into exercising and practicing his shot. He can only see that teen come into his class exhausted and bruised so many times without helping however slightly. 

But then the GIW happens. The city gets stolen into another dimension. Everyone got dosed with ecto, everyone is at risk. Danny is just a kid, who shouldn’t have to deal with this. Whose curled up in his home with his friends bandaged and bleeding green. 

It seems it might be time to call his old fling. So here he was, tapping his foot as he looked out his window far too late at night while waiting for the phone to connect. It felt like forever before it did, but that only strengthened his resolve. 

 “Hey Slade, hope you remember me because I have information about something you’ll really want to know…” 

(I misspelled and it corrected to fling instead of friend but i am keepin that in lmao)

[timetravelsong]

𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐚 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲.

excerpts from a book I’ll never write

[drpenpusher]

“Slap me, cuss at me, scream at me, push me, ruin me, despise me, disgrace me, but please come to me.”

-Dr.pen_pusher

[black-salt-cage]

Stimboard prompt: Send me a character from our whitelist and I'll make a stimboard based off what I believe their queer identity is (and/or their canonical identity) Character: Princess Twilight Sparkle (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic) Answer: Bisexual demigirl (pronouns are she/her and they/them) ☽ - ✰ - ☾ ☽ - ✰ - ☾ ☽ - ✰ - ☾

ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ♡‧₊˚ Question by anon!

[joelletwo]

So: Let me be clear. I like writing you. I like reading you. When I finish your letters, I spend frantic hours in secret composing my replies, pondering ways to send them.

ILL HORRIFICALLY ILL WITH IT DISTRAUGHT WITH IT. a scant third thru the book which either means ive hit a peak and will be disappointed from now or i havent and i will be killed in yet crueler possibly even more frank ways. Horrible to imagine.

[authormikamathews]

The Power of the Friendship? Gross!

 Am The only one tired of this trope? When the love between a group of friends overcomes obstacles far greater than they ought to? You see this all over Young Adult books and Anime, but like why? Friendship is great, it creates a synergy that can help heal and overcome countless things but always? Always undoes the machinations of countless overpowered beings far greater than the protagonists? 

There are a few examples of it being done well, usually when the connection enhances the strategic or connective powers of those involved but literally never when it is a literal magical power that makes things brighter, better and more overpowered on the side of the protagonists. Most of the time though, it really falls flat and leaves things sort of... empty. Look at most Shonen anime fights for frame of reference, that trope is everywhere. 

Also, who wishes we could see this trope used by villains and antagonists? Nothing about their beings usually preclude them from being loving towards each other, towards their own friends, loved ones and so on. It would be amazing, interesting and fun too see this power analyzed by the darker characters. Think what they could do if their tapped into one of the most OP tropes in media. 

I think, though, that is partially why we don't see it. Antagonists and Villains are usually overpowered to start with, the heroes are almost always starting at and staying at a lower spot so there is a need for tactics like the Power of Friendship. It is a method of compensation more than anything.

What do you think, do you find the trope overdone? Can you think of some better examples of it being done well, and if so can you share them? 

So... yeah!

[tmt-sketch-a-day]

Sketch a Day 2938-A Friendship Bracelet- 3/20/24

[stars-forever]

My work for April 12th Riordanverse Flash Fic Fridays!

Here is my work based on the April 12th prompts for the @drewtanakaweek. The prompts were so amazing and I chose number 1. As soon as I saw the prompt I just started writing and finished everything within a few hours. Some things came up and I couldn't post it, but I was finally able to post it!

[thatstudyblrontea]

what would you say could you here see your friend—who, on former voyages, when you for months were left behind, has, I dare say, often longed, and longed, for one peep at you—now transported with terror at the least thought of having you anyway nigh him.

Herman Melville, Benito Cereno

[livingloved007]

The Tenacious Five

[awordwasthebeginning]

.

[timetravelsong]

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐬𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.

excerpts from a book I’ll never write

[drpenpusher]

Her shattered heart muscles had dilated to the extent that her heart could hardly beat for anyone.

-Dr.pen_pusher

[betweenthetimeandsound]

--based on the doughnut prompt from @writeblrcafe

"How are you feeling, Cary?" Rosario asked as she fiddled with a box of donuts; its lid was at an obtuse angle. Caroline snickered as she bit her lip, trying to keep herself from laughing at her friend's awkwardness. However, her heart beat from not having donuts left, as they were back at her last gig.

"Let me help you," Caroilne replied, only to gasp at the few which remained in front of her.

The apple fritters, the powdered sugar, the sprinkles...Caroline's head almost spun, if it weren't for her mind wandering elsewhere, she would have screamed. Her eyes widened, and she inadvertently dropped the box and grabbed the powdered sugar donut.

"Where did you get them?"

Rosario giggled as Caroline devoured the donut, while she cradled the rest around her arms.

"I bought them to take them to Chantal at the hospital; she's supposed to go home tomorrow. Can't you believe that she managed to survive that electric shock--it's rare you get struck by lightning, but rarer that you manage to survive it."

At that moment, Caroline froze when she picked up the apple fritter, her glance growing blank. The views didn't make her refocus, despite the morning light skirting the buildings with a peachy glow. The salty scent of the bay made her wince, fighting with the sugary apples with their presence. And she twitched her feet, hoping the wind would take her away to another body.

"Caroline, what's up?"

"Nothing," Caroline muttered before taking a bite of the fritter, and then another. eating a good donut is its own experience; despite how it lodged into her stomach for hours, it made her wiggle and think about how the day could improve, somehow.

Suddenly, a bird swirled from the sky, taking in the blue-and-white dotted sky before it landed on the bench between the two of them. Its beady eyes took note of Caroline, and then it stretched out its wings for her, as if she wanted to capture it.

"What was that..."

"Get out of the way, get out!" Picking up the near-empty box, Rosario stood up and kicked at the bird, but her foot always met the bench. Caroline laughed, but stopped when it flew closer to her, and then she lifted her hand, about to summon a flame.

"Are you going to kill it?"

Digging her fingers into her palm, Caroline imagined a spark taking over her skin. Smoke emerged from her fingers, and a flame tickled her hand. Biting her lip, she pulled her hand back before taking one last glance at the predator.

Instead, her arm trembled and the flame went out.

[leevanbeek]

Here is an anthology that I've been working on behind the scenes. I'm super excited to announce that it will be coming out on the 30th!! It will be available on Amazon

Blurb:

What happens when ten authors from different genres decide to write an homage to a very special fairy godmother? Why, you get Tattooed Wings & Stranger Things, From fantasy worlds filled with magic to the everyday miracles of love and friendship, there's something for everyone here,

The link is in bio

Authors:

K.R. ORINICK

MELODYE DAVIS

EMILY MICHEL

CLINT BAKER

HELGA R. PAXTON

LEE VANBEEK

EDEN KNOX

IVY M. YOUNG

KRYS STRONG

CORIN DIVELY

[knightskeeper]

Dreams of Freedom

Authors note: This is part of a backstory for a side character in the book I'm working on. This piece was inspired by "The Lost Dreamer" by Lizz Huerta. Enjoy!

The harmonic melody of the field hands singing their hearts out filled the area surrounding the fields. Their songs were abruptly cut short with the sudden ringing of the overseer’s bell, indicating the end of the day. Teak trudged through the muddy fields of the Rumpvine Plantation, even though he no longer had to actively work in the harvesting grounds. The job of sorting the grape vines and hauling the bins they were placed in came with its own challenges, Teaks’ worn paws sunk into the soft earth with each heavy step he took. Hanging his head, the weight of the day's labor pressed down on his shoulders, a constant reminder of the life he led as a half-blood in servitude. Around him, the other half-bloods moved with weary determination, their fur matted with sweat, water, grape juice and dirt under the setting scorching sun.

  “Long day of hurling them barrels has you dragging your feet?” A sudden voice spoke.

  Halting his walk back to his quarters, he looked up from the ground, ears perked. Teaks eyes fell upon his friend Jargen, a young dog like Half-Blood like himself; his fur looked scraggly and matted, with sweat and mud no doubt, and his ears. Although perked up, had a slight droop to them, Jargen looked tired and worn but that never stopped him when it came to checking up on him. Teak couldn’t help a slow tail wag.

  “Maybe if y’all weren’t so good at picking them grapes, there wouldn’t be so many barrels to haul.” Teak joked, a small smile cracking on his face.

  Jargen let out a chuckle, it was uplifting moments like these that got the two of them through the long days, sun scorching at their backs as the overseers or pattyrollers, as some of the other half-bloods called them, would watch them work the field and enforced the master’s law.

  “It’s not like I chose to be this good at pickin’ grapes” Jargen said, while rubbing the back of his scruff. “Say, would you mind if I joined you back to your place? I got somethin’ important to ask ya”

  “I don’t see why not, lets get movin’.”

  Walkin side by side the two made their way, leaving the fields behind them. The slave quarters, unlike the fields, were placed on the left front side of the plantation. Close enough for master Zether to keep an eye on them but hidden enough out of sight for his guests not to look at the ghastly things. It also gave the Half-bloods some privacy as well.

  Just about halfway through the grounds, Teak glanced towards the main plantation building, a grand white house with supporting pillars and deck all around that stood as a stark contrast to the run-down housing where he and his fellow half-bloods were relegated to live. The disparity between the opulence enjoyed by their master, Zether, and the squalor endured by the workers was a bitter pill to swallow. The sight made Teak feel an inner turmoil within himself stir, he only dreamt of being able to experience such things. Hearing a low growl, Teak turned to look at Jargen next to him, He too was looking at the Masters home. He had a face of irritation, eyes narrowed with his nose wrinkled slightly, as if he was about to bare his teeth. Teak put a hand on his friend’s shoulder.

  “Hey friend, you doin’, ok?” He asked.  

  “Why can’t we have that, Teak?” Jargen questioned. Looking at his friend, “We work hard enough round here to deserve somethin’!” He barked, fidgeting with his hands.

  “Shhh!” Teak shushed, looking around him to make sure none of the overseers were around.

  “Don’t be speakin’ like that! What if one of the pattyrollers hears ya?”

  “So, what if they’s hear? I ain’t aimin’ to be nobody’s slave forever!” Jargen argued, balling his fists, and looking down at the patchy grass.

  Jargen made a point, Teak came from five generations of Half-bloods that were slaves here, when does the cycle end? His friends’ words made that turmoil stir up inside of him, he felt loyal, grateful even to Master Zether. The master gave him a less taxing job, better food, warmer blankets and much more, yet he too yearned for the luxuries the master had. Better yet, he yearned to live his life as he wanted to, not to be bound here forever, but that was a dream he pushed down long ago.

  “Listen, I know you got favor with the master—” Jargen stopped before grabbing teak and pulling him into some brush closer to the slaves’ quarters and out of sight from both the masters house, and any other nosey Half-bloods. “—I was thinkin’, what if we took a break for it? Get away from all this.” Jargen said, making an open palmed gesture to the plantation.

  Teak felt a lump in his throat, this was serious and just speaking of escape was worth a lashing. He could feel Jargen eyeing him, waiting for a response, but this is all he’s ever known. He’s only ever heard whispers from the masters’ guests about how the outside world was, and as grand as it sounded. There were parts of it that also made him grateful to be under the master’s protection. Teak was grateful that Jargen had even asked him, most other half-bloods would’ve just left without a word, and upon being caught, would’ve disappeared all the same.

  “J-Jargen, you’re my closest friend, but I must admit…“ Swallowing another lump, Teak knew this was going to break his friend’s heart. “T-This is just…too much to ask.”

  As if on cue, Jargen looked away from him, flattening his ears against his head and sucking his teeth while his tail stiffened.

  “Alright.” He scoffed “I get it, you like bein’ masters favorite.”

  “No that’s not what—”

“You don’t gotta explain yourself to me. I just figured you might wanna come along, bein’ my friend and all.”

  Jargen took a few steps back, putting space between himself and Teak before completely turning around to walk back to his own quarters. Teak felt a mix of sadness and guilt, he drooped his ears and hugged his legs with his tail. Am I doing the right thing? Should I stay, or should I join my friend? Teak couldn’t decide what he wanted, he felt he had an obligation to his master yet, another side of him screamed to join his friend, to be free.

  “ Jargen Wait!” He called out to his friend.

  It was the only thing he could think of doing, he didn’t want his only close friend to leave. Jargen only took a few steps, before stopping to look at Teak, drooped ears and hardened eyes met him, but Teak’s known him long enough to see through his façade. Both the hurt and disappointment were there, just hiding.

  “If you change your mind, come find me tomorrow in the fields, I’m set on leavin’, but I ain’t goin’ quietly.”

  With that final say Jargen turned his back to Teak, giving a backhanded wave before leaving his friend to walk back to his quarters himself. The sun was just about fully dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the barren landscape, Teak made his way back to the ramshackle housing he called home. The wooden walls groaned with the evening breeze, and the roofing let out low whistles from where the wind came in. It was a crude existence, one that offered little respite from the harsh realities of life on the plantation.

Teak collapsed onto his makeshift bed, his muscles throbbing with exhaustion. Despite the weariness that his tired body felt, he couldn’t get himself to sleep. His mind buzzed with thoughts of the world beyond the wooded fence that surrounded the plantation, Jargens' words also echoed tormentingly in his mind. He just reminded himself that such thoughts were dangerous, in this place thoughts like those were swiftly crushed beneath the iron fist of their master. Although he couldn’t help but return to his friends' very words, he was drawn to the ideal of being free, but at what cost would it come to him if they were caught? If Jargen was caught?

  Tomorrow, he’ll try to talk his friend out of it, whether it was his own fear of all the “what ifs” or what he knows to be true here on the plantation. He would be a terrible friend to just let Jargen get himself beaten or worse killed!

  Tomorrow is going to be one hell of a day.