rambles in a world of my own

Fanfic - Memorial - Torchwood - G

captain91 — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 02:30:04 GMT

Title: Memorial (part 1 of 2)

Author: captain91

Characters: Jack, Ianto

Rating: G

Written For: Challenge 295 – Family Tree at tw100

Spoilers: None at all.

Summary: Jack takes Ianto for a walk

Disclaimer: I don’t own Torchwood, or the characters.

Jack and Ianto walked in silence, heading across sheep covered hills. They had been walking for well over an hour, Jack far away in his own world. Ianto watched him, concerned, but left him to think.

Finally they stopped under a large oak. Jack walked up to it, running his hands over the bark reverently to the point where Ianto almost felt he should give them some privacy – or maybe a room!

"Ianto," whispered Jack, the wind almost snatching his choked voice away. Ianto hurried over, placing a hand on his partner's shoulder. "I want you to meet my family."

Title: Memorial (part 2 of 2)

Author: captain91

Characters: Jack, Ianto

Rating: G

Written For: Challenge 295 – Family Tree at tw100

Spoilers: None at all.

Summary: Jack takes Ianto for a walk

Disclaimer: I don’t own Torchwood, or the characters.

Ianto stared at Jack dumbstruck. "Uh, I know you have mixed species DNA, but even you don't have that much wood."

"I planted this tree with the Doctor. He procured the sapling for me. In my time each family had a tree where their remains were scattered when they died. The tree would absorb the nutrients, take a part of each family member into it. This contains the souls of my parents, grand parents and many generations before them." He broke off, rubbing his eyes.

"Hello," whispered Ianto, "I never though I'd get a chance to meet any of you"

Fanfic - The Most Important Job in the Hub - Torchwood - G

captain91 — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 13:29:46 GMT

Title: The most important job in the hub
Author: captain91
Characters: team
Rating: G
Written For: Challenge 289 – Baby Names at
Summary: Jack overhears a conversation
Disclaimer: I don’t own Torchwood, or the characters

"How about Amanda?"

"No, she doesn't look right, Jennifer?"

"I've got it! Christie."

Jack followed the sound, brow furrowed, as it degenerated into giggles. He went into a sub-office, raised an eyebrow, for once speechless.

Gwen and Tosh stood over a desk with their backs to him over a baby carrier. In it sat a baby that from a distance could pass for human, until the long purple tongue whipped out to eat anything within reach anyway.

He turned, shaking his head, to walk away and leave them to it. "Oh, ladies, I was thinking Thomas for our young man!"

Fanfic - Greenfingers - Torchwood - G

captain91 — Sun, 30 Jun 2013 22:49:54 GMT

Title: Greenfingers
Author: captain91
Characters: Jack, Owen
Rating: G
Written For: Challenge 288 – Reverse fandom – Last of the Summer Wine. Episode = Greenfingers
Spoilers: None
Summary: Jack gets a gardening shock
Disclaimer: I don’t own Torchwood, or the characters.

"Owen!

Jack stormed into the medbay, taking the stairs two at a time. "What the hell have you been doing in the greenhouse?" Jack grabbed a fistful of the medic's shirt in one hand, waving his hand, fingers now bright green, in the mans face.

"Nothing Jack, what happened to your hand? The last time I was up there was… oh… I put some new plant food up there to try, a toothpaste sized tube with clear liquid?" He raised an eyebrow. "And where's teaboy? He'll be wanting the antidote before the boils break out!" He ducked a green fist.

Fanfic - Scream - Torchwood - G

captain91 — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:13:24 GMT

Title: Scream
Author: captain91
Fandom: Torchwood
Pairing/character: Jack
Rating: G
Notes: written for the challenge # 281: Lepidoptera
Warnings: weirdness!
Disclaimer: I do not own, or make any money from the use of, these characters.

Note: Based on a nightmare my mother had recently. Sequel to Day off

Beautiful neon blue. Graceful. He watched the abnormally large butterfly float across the hazy park.

Landed on his forehead, large wings flickering, like a book in the breeze. Wings hanging over eyes, tickling legs on forehead.

It turned around, not unlike a cat, he chuckled at the idea.

Ow, that pricked, he thought, butterfly's didn't hurt.

Legs jogging on spot, piercing skin deeper and deeper. Couldn't get it off. Legs deep in skull, digging through bone.

***

Jack screamed awake, felt his forehead. Nothing there. It was a dream. He flopped back to his pillow.

Emperor Skildara perched on the ceiling.

Fanfic - Day off - Torchwood - G

captain91 — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:28:50 GMT

Title: Day off
Author: captain91
Characters: Jack Harkness
Challenge: Which Challenge 281 – Lepidoptera at tw100
Rating: G
Length: drabble

"Come on Jack, it's just a daytrip," pulling on his arm. "Put the tech away. No Torchwood!"

Jack sighed, relenting. Why would he go to a botanical garden – a fake rainforest? Why not visit the real thing if that's what they wanted?

***

He walked through winding paths, looking at rustling foliage and fluttering animals.

A slight tickle rose on the back of his neck. He absently scratched it. But… it wasn't his neck, it was a psychic touch. A butterfly landed on his elbow.

I am Emporer Skildara, it intoned. Help me get back home

So much for no work.

Nobel Peace? More like Nobel Share My Sick Opinions

captain91 — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:18:35 GMT

This is depraved! This man has a place of honor and responsibility.

Dear friend,

A Nobel Prize winner just said gay people should sit at the back of
Parliament or “behind a wall”. It happened in Poland, but it’s caused a
storm in newspapers around the world. And I just asked him to apologise.

He could completely get with it, unless enough of us raise a big enough
outcry that he knows his international reputation is at stake. Media
around the globe are already talking about it, now we just need to make
sure they know how outrageous his words are.

Walesa spends a lot of time giving lectures on peace and democracy.
Together, we can show him that the only way to fix his reputation - and
rescue his international lecturing career - is to say sorry.

Will you sign the petition asking Lech Walesa to apologise?

Sign: www.allout.org/apologise-lech

Fanfic - Torchwood - G - Acoffalypse

captain91 — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:34:13 GMT

Title: Coffocalypse
Author: captain91
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Jack, Tosh, Owen, Ianto
Summary: Torchwood’s personal apocalypse
A/N: So my last attempt came out a bit too dark, i thought I’d try again
Written for tw100 Prompt: 265: Apocalypse

“Where's Teaboy?" snarled Owen, hurling a slitheen foot across the hub

"Hmm, he has been him a while,“ murmured Tosh, bringing up the CCTV of the Welshman's favourite coffee artisan. Then another, and another. "I can't see him anywhere," she called, concerned.

"Search for rift spikes, no matter how small," barked Jack. "He wouldn't let anything get in the way of getting his nectar."

The cog-door alarms peeled as the harried Welshman returned several hours later. "Coffee was sold out everywhere. All I could get was this," he moaned, holding up a jar of instant.

"It's the apocalypse!" cried Owen.

Fanfic - Apocalypse - Torchwood - G

captain91 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:52:40 GMT

Author: captain91
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Jack Harkness
Rating: G
Prompt: 265: Apocalypse for tw100
Summary: Apocalypse

Jack gasped awake, choking on fumes. What happened, he though, before succumbing to death again. And again.

Jack gasped awake, choking on snow as he lurched forward. No… not snow. Ash. The millennia he’d survived through showed on his face as he stood, the rags of his great coat disintegrating as he did . he stared around himself; crumbled buildings, twisted charred corpses, a few embers still flickering on building corners.

He sighed, the only survivor, again, he thought bitterly, memories of a far distant life with a deceased time lord surfacing.

Another society gone. Everything comes to an end.

Charloft Check in

captain91 — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:38:35 GMT

Written for Charloft's Monday Check-in survey

1. How often do you use charloft ?
During the 100 drabbles of summer I was either filling out prompts every day or writing drabble for it. Lately I haven’t written so much, but I often read the prompts and answer them in my head (particularly the twosday one), I just don’t often get around to writing them down.

2. How do you use charloft?
I read the prompts and other people’s answers. I think over the prompts even if I don’t answer them.

3. Do you primarily use LJ, Dreamwidth, Tumblr or some other service (which) for your journaling / character journaling?
At the moment I mainly use livejournal, but I am thinking of switching over to dreamwidth because they are a lot more helpful to people with accessibility issues. But please let charloft come with me!

4. What would make you interact more with charloft ?(pick as many as apply):
a) If it were on DW / prompts were crossposted to DW
b) If it were on facebook and/or twitter / crossposted to facebook and/or twitter
d) If I had more free time
e) If there were more prompts that applied to my characters
f) other - please explain
I have visual impairment, and well as slight motor issues that make adapting images hard. I would like it if Wednesday maybe did a double prompt. One asking the artistic ones to find or draw an image of something, but also a prompt asking us to respond to an image.
I would also like to see more incentives for people to interact with each other, and maybe a ficlet or drabble competition once a month to build relationships between members

5. Which day(s) prompts do you enjoy most? Least?
I enjoy reading people’s Monday responses the most and I tend to spend the longest thinking over this one, but I don’t often answer as I fell like I’d be rabbiting on with opinions no one cares about.
I like to answer Twosday and Thursday prompts the most. I used to enjoy doing Sunday but I gave up because hardly anybody interacts even when you reply to their own posts
I’m not a fan of the visual based prompts and I often struggle with Saturday

6. Are you primarily a writer, a roleplayer or both?
I’m a writer, but I do enjoy a little bit of role play when I get the chance

7. Do you have any prompt suggestions / suggestions for our community's future?
Just keep doing what you’re doing and make sure prompts, drabbles in particular, are suitable for characters in a time before technology

Fan fiction - Merlin - Don't ask don't tell - G

captain91 — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:21:55 GMT

Title: Don’t ask, don’t tell
Author: captain91
Fandom: Merlin (Harry Potter AU)
Characters: Arthur/Merlin
Words::456
Rating: G
Summary: Harry Potter AU. sometimes it sucks, being a squib at Hogwarts. Arthur's doing his best to keep the (lack of) magic secret, and is worried what his best friend will think if he finds out.
A/N My first entry for comment_fic and doubled up for 079: loyalty in 100_tales

Merlin leaned against the statue in the Ravenclaw common room, watching Arthur pore over his books. The blonde-haired boy, Merlin's only true friend, a companion since they started at Hogwarts five years before, had been acting differently since they returned to school this year. Constantly stressed, tired, putting a lot more work in, and granted this year was tougher, but he was one of the brightest boys in school.

Arthur looked up, spotting Merlin's gaze. "You should go to bed," he mumbled, eyes drooping. "You've got Quidditch practise in the morning, I'll be up in a bit."

Merlin bit his lip, easing his back off the cold statue. "Are you ok Arthur? You seem stressed."

"Fine."

Merlin sighed and went to bed

~*~*~*~*

Merlin left History of magic, running to catch Arthur as he left the Muggle Studies classroom a short way ahead. "Hey-ho," cheered Merlin, clapping Arthur on the back, "and to charms we go! I'll catch you up on what you missed."

"ER… Actually… I'm feeling pretty bad again, think I'll go to the nurse instead, replied Arthur, looking at everything but Merlin. It's probably something I ate."

Merlin rolled his eyes, grabbing his friend's robes before he could scamper off. "You've not been 'feeling well' for the last two charms lesson, come on, you'll feel better once you're in there, we've just been studying theory the last two lessons, today we'll be doing the practical, so you've not missed much." Merlin watched Arthur struggle for another excuse, as the truth dawned on him. "Or if you're that ill I could skip class to send a letter to your dad, I'm sure he'd want to–"

"Fine, see you in class," snapped Arthur, storming off.

Merlin signed, closing his eyes, a statue amongst the hectic flow of pupils. Arthur would die before he told Merlin the truth of this, and Merlin could never let him know he knew the truth. He'd never tell Uther, the leader of the new mugwart revolution 'to remove muggles from our schools for good' that his son had somehow lost magic. It would be a fate worse than death for his friend.

~*~*~*~*

Merlin watch Arthur, in the seat two in front of him out of spite, not his usual seat next to Merlin, as he flicked his wand angrily, nothing happening. Well, thought Merlin, Arthur wasn't the only one with a magical secret. He waited until Arthur flicked again, starting to draw attention from the class. Merlin blinked, flaring the powers only sorcerers should have, forming the flames on Arthur's desk as the class wanted.

Arthur smiled, and Merlin laughed. He'd just have to have Arthur's back until he could mix a potion to stop it. Maybe he could brew it in Myrtle's famous bathroom.

Fiction: Torchwood: Fangirls

captain91 — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 10:47:05 GMT

Title: Fangirls
Author: captain91
Characters: Jack Harkness, Owen Harper, Ianto Jones
Challenge: tw100 #259, Queues
Rating: G
Notes: I had trouble with this prompt, this silly fic came to me in a sleepless night

The SUV screeched to a halt diagonally in front of the shopping centre. Jack jumped from the vehicle, sniffing the air tensely. "Crap, he's already –" he cut off, clinging to the still open door as a crowd of screaming teenagers crashed by him, queuing haphazardly inside. "…here. His pheromones are everywhere. Watch out for uncontrollable women!"

Ianto and Owen scrambled out of the car, scanners in hand, relaying the message to Gwen and Tosh, confined to the safety of the hub's purified air. "We're going in, guide us," muttered Owen. "I knew something was off about this freaking Bieber!"

Drabble: Torchwood -- Fighting on this ice - PG for language

captain91 — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 18:45:30 GMT

Title: Fighting on this ice
Author: captain91
Characters: Toshiko Sato, Owen Harper, Ianto Jones.
Challenge: Challenge 253: Moving Mountains tw100
Rating: PG
Notes: Drabble for tw100

"Why the bloody 'ell are we traipsing through the Himalayas again? Jack's, been gone over a month now, he's left us, sent us on a wild goose chase, freezing us to death so—"

"–Shut up Owen," snapped Ianto, lifting the radar satellite higher. "Anything Tosh?"

"I had something, bit to the left Yan. There! Hold it right there," she burbled, rift tesslator beeping.

"We're 4 miles up a bloody rock, just ice and snow!" grumbled Owen, slapping the wall. Sheets of snow crashed off, revealing a door. He raised his arms, snarling sarcastically, "Open sesame…"

"Oh… oh Crap!"

My leg's coming out of the closet

captain91 — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:51:39 GMT

Hi guys,

So last night we took my yearly photos of my right leg to show the deterioration (if you don't know me from anything other than games I twisted my ankle in 2003 when I was 11 and caused a nerve damage that has since spread through my body). It was quite shocking to compare them to last year's photos and see how much has changed. I tried to pair the photos up so they could show along side each other, but I couldn't make it work (If you have the time and would like to help please pm me, I would like them for my personal medical records if nothing else).

I've never shared anything like this before, and last night when I was laying in too much pain to sleep I realised why. I was ashamed. But it's not my fault. Why should I be ashamed? I hid my disability away from public eyes for YOUR sake, not mine. And I'm fed up of doing it! I'm fed up of people saying I seem mentally fine so they doubt my disability.

If you saw a soldier who'd had their legs blown off in a bomb blast you wouldn't tell them to hid it, that is was a disgrace, because it's not their fault! And I shouldn't have to either! It took me meeting a neighbour of mine (who will remain nameless unless he wants to come forward) to realise this.

So from now on you will hear about my medical problems, not just me saying "I'm having a bad week". And if you don't like it I'll be happy to give you unfriending instructions!

This is ME. DEAL WITH IT!

I will warn for large pictures under the cut, but I won't warn for graphic images as such, although you may not want to eat anything pastry based while looking!

Inside of foot. The brown stuff is dead skin we can't remove and the last time my nails were cut were several years ago when I was under a general.

Outside of foot with left toe creeping into the picture! The nail was removed several years ago, but it was botched and has been worse than it was before ever since

Top off foot. Here you can see the nail growth

Inside of leg. This is not bigger around than my mother's forearm

Outside of leg. Muscles are severely depleted.

Top of leg. If you zoom in you can see my little toenail is curled back around and growing into my foot

Finally I would like to say I have done this because I am fed up of hiding away in a corner, but also because I know some of you out there have disabilities, and I think it's important we don't hide. I'm sorry if these images upset you, please feel free to ask any question you want. Also, if you know of a community where these may be suitable please let me know

Thank you for your time

Are Mountains made of trees? - Drabble - G

captain91 — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 18:15:38 GMT

Title: Are Mountains made of Trees?
Characters: Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones
Challenge: written for challenge 253: Moving Mountains at tw100
Rating: G
Length: Drabble
Summary: There are always repercussions
Notes: Slight spoilers for end of season 1 and start of season 2. This is my first drabble here, I hope I did it right!

"Ianto, I'm sorry!" moaned Jack as another stack of paperwork was piled on his desk. Just a small space remained in front of him, big enough for one sheet of paper. "Look, we could go out tonight, have that proper date I promised you. We could… we could… what would you like to do?"

Ianto raised an eyebrow, stalking around behind his boss. "Well, Sir, I would like to…" he let his lips brush the older man's ear, finger running around his collar. "I would like to… file this damn paperwork! You disappeared for three months, this doesn't do itself!"

Thank you, thank you, I'm done!

captain91 — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:33:46 GMT

Hi guys,

So I know most of what you've seen from me in the last 3 months have been posts with original fiction drabbles for a challenge called 100 drabbles of summer. For those of you sick of these you'll be glad to know the competition ends tomorrow

I never dreamed of getting all 100, I aimed myself at 50 but had hopes of reaching 75. as you may or may not know I've been ill to the point of only being able to get up for a few hours a day, and some days not at all, so around half way through I kind of gave up. But through the help of some fantastic friends who threw ideas, prompts and images at me as of just now I wrote my fiftieth drabble! I met my goal, which I think is pretty damn good for feeling like crawling in a whole and dying!

This also means I have written 5000 words of fiction of my own making in this time (plus almost that many probably got deleted), I got to know my characters better, I got more ideas than I could ever fit into one novel, and most importantly I proved to myself that I can still reach my goals by doing little and often, I just have to break it down into smaller stages.

I aim to keep my journal active from now on, not let it fall into a slumber again. I'm not sure what I'll do, maybe review some of the autumn shows starting back up, maybe enter the odd fan fiction competition, and maybe just rant at you!

And finally I would like to thank my wonderful friends Jennifer and Denise who dragged me over my personal finish line with hours to spare. Even when I sent them neurotic emails in the middle of the night they dealt with me and got me back on my feet.
So thank you ladies, you are true friends.

100 drabbles of summer

captain91 — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:16:53 GMT

written for 100 drabbles of summer 2012

8) sand
I kicked my feet, stretching to touch the tip of an incoming wave as I sat on the beach wall. I grinned, poking my tongue through my teeth as my dad came over with an armful of hot chips. Our special day at the beach, just me and him, he did this with all of us. Spent proper time together like families in those old Christmas stories.

He handed me a tray, we both tucked in in silence, we didn't need to say anything. Even with a heavy dosing of sand the chips filled our stomachs to match our hearts.

100 drabbles of summer

captain91 — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 20:02:28 GMT

written for 100 drabbles of summer 2012

90) Author's choice:

90) Author's choice: emaciated lizard

"Glad we got away from those freaky voodoo guys," I called to Ash. A small stream burbled nearby, and the horror of the day seemed long ago.

"Me too," muttered Ash, laying beside me, chores forgotten for now. "But we don't know how far their powers reach, we –"

"Not tonight."

He shut up, watching the sunset peacefully.

"Ow!" he yelled. "I shut up already!"

I looked over at him, feeling pinching at my back. I leapt up, grabbing him in the process. I watched, horror returning, grey skeletal hands pushing from the ground. Apparently we weren't far enough away.

91) Author's choice:

91) Author's choice: big gob

"Hey, give back my sweets," Ash laughed as he ran after Aire. Tinsel caught on her sleeve, floating out into the room in front of him. He stopped to untangle himself, before setting off again. "When I catch you I'll sit on you and make you eat the ones you hate," he called, running through the doorway. He tripped over something, landing face first on the puffy couch. Turning, he saw her, long strands hanging out of her mouth, it completely full. She threw some sweets at his feet – all the ones she didn't like!

"Happy Christmas Bro," she garbled.

Original Drabbles: 100 drabbles of summer

captain91 — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:26:32 GMT

written for 100 drabbles of summer 2012
Muse: Aire

80)
80) A mermaid lounging underwater
Falling, falling, drifting away. Angel hair floating. An angel now. Drifting deeper, movements slower. I couldn't reach her! Her eyes opened. She smiled. Air bubbles blew from her mouth. She fell into darkness, dragged away.

Hot salty tears burned my eyes. Maybe I'd wept this sea, maybe my tears drowned her. But she can't be gone.

I let air from my lungs, like she had, it burnt, fire filling my chest. How did she smile? But soon I would be with her, soon it would be ok.

Something hard snapped around my waist, dragging me into the air.

"Mummy, no!"

12) jump
I stared down the gorge, endless lines of vertical jagged rock. Clacking beaks glinted at the bottom, some other unknown menace of a creature ready to maim and eat me.

"For God's sake Aire! Jump to me! I've got you!" yelled my brother on the other side. "They're carrying a bridge, we can't waste time." I looked into his imploring eyes, looked back at the wagons streaming over the plains behind me. They'd kill me on sight – or worse. But so would the jump.

"Please Aire, our wagons are leaving without us!"

I took a step back. Closing my eyes.

89) Author's choice:
89) Author's choice: lizard offering tea

Ow!

Dark walls enclosing around us, a small hole at the top. But it wasn't small, the ant-like men above, men much bigger than us, threw us in there!

I watched Ash get to his knees, gingerly testing his hand. I pulled myself up into a sitting position. Lights came out of the rocky cave walls, lighting the area.

A shadow fell across my feet. Jesus Christ! I looked into a large beaked face – lizard? Dinosaur? In no way human!

"English drink tea to calm down?" its soft accented voice questioned as it placed a cup in front of me.

100 Drabbles of summer: Aire's POV

captain91 — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 16:39:38 GMT

written for 100 drabbles of summer 2012
Muse: Aire

49) crab
"I wasn't a wimp, honest doctor, ignore my stupid brother," I said, casting a fuzzy-eyed glare at him.

"I never thought you were, replied the doctor diplomatically, but I could see the twinkle of laughter in his eyes.

"Y'see, the beach was empty. We saw a few tiny crab shells, I picked one up to have a look. But then I felt something touch my ankle, I looked down and they were everywhere! Thousands of them, heading for the sea and climbing over my legs. I jumped back, but fell. Then I was carried up the road."

"You passed out?"

58)
58) A deck chair in a field of lavender flowers
I trampled through the field of beautiful flowers, giving off a scent not unlike Earth's lavender. My temper grew more sour. The sun shone down, warm on my back, the birds chirped. I hated ever goddamn petal.

"Why?" I yelled, spinning around to face Ash, his red hair bobbing over the top of borrowed chairs. "I was the Paki in school. I was the poor little orphan. I was the one people whispered killed her whole family. I could handle that. Why won't these 'people'," and yes, I made air quotes, "even look at me?"

Tears welled, I turned away.

63)
63) Intense sunlight coming through a palm tree's fronds
Oh, my head! I raised my hand searching my memory, Did we have a party? Must've been on hellva doozy, Don't remember anything.

Light, diffused by smoke caught my eye in the room. Beach Girl. Kidnap. Tribe. Thieves. Ash! Everything flooded back, smacking me over the head.

No guard in the room, if I'm quick…

My feet took over, launching me through the village. I stopped at the shore, lost. The sun was overhead, I moved to the shade of a tree. The beauty stole my heart. The sun here, much dimmer even at midday, was large and pale orange.

Original drabble

captain91 — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 19:19:18 GMT

written for 100 drabbles of summer 2012
Muse: Tyrant, Ashton

Disclaimer: this picture was found on this blog post by a friend. I fell in love with it and asked a friend who makes miniatures if she could ask on some forums if anybody knows where it came from. Sadly nobody came forward, so I cannot give due credit. So if you made this or know who did, please email me so I can give credit.

I decided to write for it anyway as it inspired me so much, so I hope you approve.

Full size image under the cut

88) Author's choice:

88) Author's choice: Knight bracelet picture

"Second Pike battalion to f6," boomed Tyrant. A servant moved a piece on the board before them.

"Done, M'Lord."

Tyrant looked down at his hand, adorned with a metal bracelet, a large chariot and driver standing up from it, reins leading to four rings, each with a raise horse head. He slammed his hand down onto a peak on the board, a perfect replica of one valley in the kingdom.

* * *

Ash looked up, dread settling in his stomach. A troop of Chariots moved into the biggest open gap. He couldn't get Aire to safety now. He couldn't protect her now.

Charloft: Friday: Travel advice + 1 original drabble

captain91 — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:46:13 GMT

It's summertime, and that means holiday travel for some, and "stay-cations" for others. Make a list of instructions and helpful information for would-be tourists to your town, city, or kingdom.

Mun note: Ok, I'm going to do this for Lizetus, as a guide that Master Yuigi gave to my characters when they arrived. Doing it for Cornwall, while fun, would be too easy to get wrong!

5 things to be sure to pack
Change of clothes
Handy weapon in your belt, something that can both tab and slash
Disgusting smelling cream that's the equivalent of sun cream here
Food, you can never be sure which tasty looking berries you can eat
A paper pad, there'll be lots of things you'll want to draw or record for later perusing

4 tourist traps or attractions
Calam Mountain. It has been bubbling for over 100 cycles, but it never erupts
Voodoo villages, but make sure you trick them into thinking you have magic too
Salt sea shops with world famous jewellery made from beach washings
The Forest, full of amazing reptiles that glitter even in the dark

3 places to stay (or to avoid)
Avoid the voodoo villages at night, they see humans as just another meat to spit roast
Always stay where you can see all sides around you. Never back onto a stream or forest
A stay in the beautiful underwater crystal valley will never be forgotten. You can watch the Waters people swim above you

2 of the most famous or infamous local residents
The Tyrant. That's all anybody know him as, he has been here longer than any of us but he looks still in his prime. Dark magic abounds.
Me! I'm the wise man of this village, and other wise men travel to visit me, so I must be good!

and 1 handy tip to help a traveller keep their money, their health, and their sanity
When you smile always show your teeth, most locals don't have any, it unnerves them.

For those overachievers, you may also write a drabble incorporating the theme of travel advice. If you choose to do so, it can count toward your "author's choice" drabbles for the summer drabble tally.

Written as one of my 100 drabbles of summer

"My disciples, you are now ready for your first mission," said Master Yuigi, within his protective bubble. "Your supplies are waiting outside, we found you a mammal to pull them." He didn't open his eyes, he never opened them, yet he always knew where the children were. "It is time you fixed what you broke, I am sure you will find others who will help with your mission along the way."

"but we're not ready! We don't know anything about this world!" moaned Aire, tears filling her eyes.

"If it moves befriend it, if it doesn't eat it." He smiled.

Original drabbles: Ashton and Ariella: 100 drabbles of summer 2012

captain91 — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 17:49:40 GMT

written for 100 drabbles of summer 2012
Muses: Ashton and Ariella
A series of drabbles of the pair as children before they left Earth. Set in roughly chronological order.

15) raft
Ash played on the beach, watched by his Mum and Dad. He felt so grown up, the first time they let him play by himself! He flashed a smile at everyone, showing off his first adult tooth; he was a big boy now.

He gathered the driftwood, crisp packets, empty plastic bottles littering the beach and wedged in rocks, making his seafaring raft. He'd be the youngest explorer every, and he'd find America, just like that other guy.

He laid them all out in the sand, just big enough for one foot.

"Ash, tea's ready!"

He ran home, raft forgotten.

33) charcoal
"Aire, Aire," shouted the heavy lump jumping on my bed. I pulled the covers over my head, only to have them ripped off.

"It's Christmas, come on," he shouted grabbing my arm and dragging me out of bed, rambling about his Mum letting us open our stockings early.

Presents? They got me presents? I'd only been here a couple of months. I grabbed the heavy stocking he handed me, opening it up on the floor. It was… it was… coal? My lip quivered.

He hugged me, switching the stockings. "Family joke." The stocking rolled, wrapped presents tumbled onto the floor.

61)
61) A busy beach at night, in a city, with fireworks overhead
Wow!

Fireworks streamed into the sky, bursting into bright lights with loud bangs. I clung onto mum with one hand, pointing with the other.

My first night down at the summer beach, it was amazing, nothing like the beach that haunted my dreams, the beach that took them… No! I won't think about that, I told myself sternly. I was safe here.

Someone bumped into me, the smell of a barbecue rolling off him as he walked off.

"I'm hungry," I murmured to our quiet group.

Mum lead up down to a beach fire, food being barbecued all around. Perfect.

35) salt
I looked over at Ash. Our Mum, or as he'd say 'his', wasn't well so we were making her favourite cake.

He'd been mean lately, calling me 'adopted sister'… which I am, but he's just my bro to me. I'm only here to make mum feel better, not for him.

"We need the sugar now."

I looked at the glass jars side by side: salt, sugar. Anyone could make the mistake, right? I grabbed a teaspoon and dipped it in. "Have a spoonful, no one's looking."

He opened his mouth, I tipped it in… we'd need a new cake mix!

17) sink
I watched the water in the sink, panic rising with the water. Why wouldn't it go down? I poked my finger in, some water splashing over the side. The plug was out.

"Dad? Dad!" I yelled, poking my head out the door, water ready to overflow. "Dad!"

"He's out," replied a lazy voice from the next room. My brother.

"Then give me a hand you great lump." The first drops hit the floor. He skulked in, water splashing over the sides as he worked.

"Ew!" He pulled out a large hairball, "This yours?" He threw the soggy matt at me.

29) dandelion
I stretched out, the shadow of the large oak dappling over my clothes. The long grass tickled my ears, cool and refreshing and it moved in the gentle breeze.

Everything was perfect. Quiet and peaceful, my own little spot. A nice break from the heat of the sun and traipsing around falling down castles – this year's holiday trip.

I picked a dandelion, completely gone to seed. They say if you make a wish…

I blew, watching the seeds float upwards, travelling to new parts, seeing the world.

A darker shadow fell over me. "Hey Sis," it whispered. My wish worked.

34) smoothie
The droning woke me. What the hell was that?

I staggered out of bed, squinting against the morning light – ok, late morning, I may have overslept a bit – put on my dressing gown and followed the irritation to the kitchen.

Ash stood there, perkily tossing handfuls of something into the blender, before turning it on. "Morning Sis," he shouted over the whine.

I moved closer, wiping my sleepy eyes. "What the hell is that?" I asked as he poured thick gloop into a glass. "You making concrete!"

He laughed, holding the glass out to me. "Protein smoothie, I'm getting pumped!"

Charloft: Thursday: original drabble: Adversity

captain91 — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 19:54:58 GMT

86) Author's choice: Adversity
doubled up as one of my 100 drabbles of summer
Muse: Ariella

"It's not fair," I grumbled into my salad of wilted leaves. I looked over at Amarthara, her long black ringlets falling over her face. She looked through them at me.

"It just is the way it is here," she replied, all philosophical and zen-like. "We are not considered equal citizens, but the elders tell of times when it was far worse for women."

I sighed, why did they roll over and take it so easily? "Women make up over half the population, why should we be shackled? We can do everything a man can. We could fight unseen by them!"

original drabbles

captain91 — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 21:07:43 GMT

written for 100 drabbles of summer 2012
Muses: Ashton and Ariella

78)
78) A green beverage (mojito? Limeade?) at the beach
I lifted the glass up to the light, surveying it. It was a glass for all intents and purposes, the sides were rounded, but it was see through, and filled with a pretty green liquid.

"Aire, don't!" cautioned my brother, licking his lips unconsciously. "Who knows what they put in that… thing!"

"But… I'm thirsty, and it looks like limeade." My lip quivered. "It's the first drink they've given us in days, they think we're Gods, why would it harm us?" I put the glass back down, struggling to stop staring at the refreshing green glinting in the evening light.

38) arts and crafts
I'm not arty. I don't know the last time I picked up a paintbrush or pencil, unless it was a punishment. Yet here I sit, in one of the little grass huts I'm beginning to think are characteristic of this place, with a pile of grasses in front of me.

Several women tittering around me, casting sidelong glances, as they weave intricate mats.

"Get on with it girl, pull your weight," muttered one as I stared at a reed.

"We fed you and gave you a bed for the night, time to put some effort in. your sort-of brother is."

69)
69) A tent set up in a forest, by a stream
I stretched out, my feet dangling off the stream bank into the cool water. I tilted my head back, watching Ash unharness the mules and move the wagon under our rudimentary tarpaulin, doubling as a tent.

"It hasn't rained in three months we've been here," I called to him, "why do you think it will tonight?"

He sighed, shrugging, as he came to join me. "It probably won't, but doesn't hurt to be prepared. Things have been going far too smoothly lately, something has to give."

"But not today," I replied. "It's just like our camping trips back home, relax."

73)
73) A rusted truck sitting in a desert
Broken,
Deserted truck sitting in the sand.

Taken,
Me from my home land.

Mistaken,
People give no trust while we give everything to help.

Godforsaken,
As we battle this on our own, an impossible, endless task.

Undertaken,
This task for which I don't know why.

Unspoken,
Regrets of yesterday and tomorrow's sorrow.

Woken,
From the night sounds of my new world.

Quicken,
My heart as nightmares slowly receed.

Blacken,
My mood as memories return.

Heartbroken,
As he pulls away from me yet more.

Broken,
My heart, forever in his hands.

Broken,
My soul, forever at his mercy.

Broken,
Broken,
Broken.

Charloft: original drabble: Exertion

captain91 — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 18:47:31 GMT

85) Author's choice: Exertion
Counted as one of my 100 drabbles of summer
Muse: Ashton

I glared down at the large, thorny plant. It sat there, thick vines protecting that one single flower I needed. The thorns were red, reflecting deeply scored lines in my arms.

I wiped my forehead from the exertion, I'd been at this for over an hour. I couldn't reach through the vines, I couldn't cut them off, I was stumped. But I had to have that flower; the key ingredient to the antidote.

First I had to get the flower home though. Time to dig the whole thing up and deal with thorns later.

Back breaking work, here I come!