Other Weekly Drabbles #21-24
9/7/2011: Wednesday The Oddest Scent
Prompt: 1. Go to Etsy
2. Find a random item that makes you say "what the buggery bollocks is this?" My choice: ODDITORIA Solid Scent – Leather and Tobacco (link is defunct so no point in adding it)
3. Post a link
4. Use it as the prompt for a bit of writing – use your imagination here. Perhaps someone gave this item to you as a gift. Perhaps you got it for somebody else as a gift. Perhaps you were bequeathed it in your Great-Aunt Sally's will. Perhaps you found it under a floorboard in your new house. Write whatever comes to mind about this item.
5. Other people can click on your link and use it as inspiration for their own writing.
6. You can click on other peoples' links and do likewise.
7. Profit!
Time Period: Anytime in "Secundus"
Notes: Original notes say it all: I had to go WTF – because leather I can understand, but tobacco? Never thought that was particularly nice-smelling. . . Though in the comments to that entry, someone told me that raw tobacco actually smells pretty good. Who knew?
“What the – goodness, who would want to smell like that?”
“Like what?” Marty said, coming over to see.
Victor held up the tin. “Leather and tobacco,” he said. “It’s scent, I assume for a man. I confess I have very little experience with cologne, but I’ve never found tobacco to be a pleasant smell.”
“I guess the people marketing it think it’ll appeal to the ‘manly men,’” Marty said, deepening his voice on the last two words. “‘Cause leather and smoking makes you a real man, you know.”
“I don’t know about leather. But from watching Mayhew, smoking merely makes you someone who coughs far too much for his own good.”
2/28/2012: Twosday Not My Style
Prompt:Write a drabble or short centered around a pair of ____. My choice: cufflinks
Time Period: Pre-"Secundus" – probably about a year before
Notes: Again, original author's notes just about cover it: Idea very vaguely inspired by this CB fanfic, The Cravat Pin – at least, the memory of that fic is what inspired me to pick cufflinks. I've never gotten the impression Victor's the type to wear any sort of jewelry, even fancy cufflinks, all that often – he just doesn't seem the type, you know? Stuff like that looks out of place on him, in my view. So of course Nell would make him wear it. XD
“Victor! We’re going to be late!”
“I’m sorry, Mother! Just a moment more!” Victor continued rummaging through his jewelry box. “Where could they be – aha!”
He pulled out the pair of cufflinks he’d been searching for. His mother had given them to him for his birthday two years ago, along with a matching tie stickpin. Victor privately thought they looked rather silly – large gold plates with inset diamonds forming a V – but he knew his mother would want him to wear them for the opera. He fastened them into his cuffs, then took a look at them in the mirror. When they were on –
They still looked silly. In fact, they looked sillier, especially with the pin. Victor sighed and shook his head. When was his mother going to learn he wasn’t really the jewelry-wearing type?
“Victor!”
“Coming!” Well, it was just for a night, to make his mother happy. He could bear it. And besides, she was sure to be wearing something even more ostentatious – and ridiculous.
5/23/2012: Friday Poetical Instructions
Prompt: 1. Read "Instructions" by Neil Gaiman.
2. Using the poem as your literary model, write a list of instructions for yourself.
3. The instructions can be for something as mundane as riding the subway, or as complex as negotiating proper etiquette for a guest a vampire ball. The important thing is that the task is something that is uniquely associated with surviving and thriving in your world.
4. Share your instructions with the rest of us, so that we may know how best to conduct ourselves when we interact in your world.
Time Period: Post-"Secundus," likely
Notes: Cripes, I'd forgotten they made us write poetry once. I've never been great on that stage – proper rhythm eludes me much of the time, and it just doesn't interest me as much as prose. Fortunately free verse is fairly easy, and I think this came out pretty well. (And of course Gaiman's poem is always worth a read.)
For Secundus
When you first arrive, you may think it looks like London.
It’s not.
It’s a lot more dangerous, but a lot more wondrous.
(And cleaner, too.
Comes of Mad Scientists wanting fresh air.)
Try and walk with confidence in the streets,
the nasty people of this city like to prey on those who look weak.
Feel free to look around,
there’s a lot to see.
But never forget where you’re going
it’s very easy to get lost.
Then again, getting lost just might be your goal
because there’s a lot to see.
Give a little something to the Fabricated begging down Dreary Lane,
they’ve had a hard life
and it’s even harder when you’ve been stitched together.
Don’t eat any of Mr. Dibbler’s sausages.
(I know you will anyway, so at least eat them
in a place where you know there’s a public loo.)
But make sure to visit the candy shop!
You haven’t lived until you’ve tried Wonka chocolate!
And speaking of things you need to see,
near the heart of the city, there’s a huge park that takes up several blocks
with a fence all around it.
Go up to the gate – it’ll be open,
have a chat with the flowers,
and follow the path. There might be
a Cat around willing to give you directions
or at least a riddle to mull over. And if
you’re very lucky, a Hare with fresh-baked sweets for you to try.
(Trust me, you’ll want the squimberry tart if he has it.)
Stay on the path if it’s your first time – it’s very easy to get lost.
But make sure to take in everything you can. Go slow.
The most beautiful place in the world has to be savored.
Not too far away is a shop with a bright sign,
“Mad Hatter Haberdashery.” Go in and get a hat made.
The man who runs it may look a little strange
but trust me, he’s the best at what he does.
And the girl who runs the counter – be kind to her.
You want her on your good side.
Trust me on this.
And then, not too far away from that, is Dr. E. L. Brown’s 24-Hour Scientific Services.
Feel free to stop in and browse the parts.
We’re always happy to have new customers.
And maybe you can tell me what you think of the city,
and if this free verse helped you any.
(Because I’m not very sure of my poetry skills –
I think I’d do better just drawing you a map.)
8/22/2012: Wednesday Evil Clown Link!
Prompt:Test your luck with today's challenge. Without clicking on either link beforehand, choose one at random. Then, use the chosen link as the setting for a drabble or ficlet.
Victor selected Option A: http://s3.amazonaws.com/imgly_production/4331998/large.jpg
Time Period: Anytime during "Secundus"
Notes: Once more, original notes say it all: He chose – poorly. Seriously, creepy picture at that link! But it made for a funny fic.
“. . .I don’t like it here.”
“Me either,” Marty said, shivering as he looked at the pictures seemingly staring down at them. “I mean – yeah. Who likes clowns this much?”
“Perhaps this man previously worked in a circus?” Doc suggested, although it was obvious he was a little unnerved himself. “We can’t let it get to us. We have a job to do here.”
“I wouldn’t be so – uncomfortable if they were happy, smiling clowns,” Victor said as they edged their way down the hallway. “Why do they all have to look so – upset?”
“Just keep moving, we’re almost at the door. . .”
Said door suddenly opened, making them all freeze in their tracks. Beyond it was an Automaton, vaguely human-shaped, with a porcelain clown’s head. The mouth was frozen in a wide smile, but the way the eyes were painted gave it a distinct air of malevolence. “The master welcomes you,” it droned, lifting a hand as a laugh track started up from nowhere.
“. . .Oh screw this,” Doc said, leading the charge out of the house.
Prompt: 1. Go to Etsy
2. Find a random item that makes you say "what the buggery bollocks is this?" My choice: ODDITORIA Solid Scent – Leather and Tobacco (link is defunct so no point in adding it)
3. Post a link
4. Use it as the prompt for a bit of writing – use your imagination here. Perhaps someone gave this item to you as a gift. Perhaps you got it for somebody else as a gift. Perhaps you were bequeathed it in your Great-Aunt Sally's will. Perhaps you found it under a floorboard in your new house. Write whatever comes to mind about this item.
5. Other people can click on your link and use it as inspiration for their own writing.
6. You can click on other peoples' links and do likewise.
7. Profit!
Time Period: Anytime in "Secundus"
Notes: Original notes say it all: I had to go WTF – because leather I can understand, but tobacco? Never thought that was particularly nice-smelling. . . Though in the comments to that entry, someone told me that raw tobacco actually smells pretty good. Who knew?
“What the – goodness, who would want to smell like that?”
“Like what?” Marty said, coming over to see.
Victor held up the tin. “Leather and tobacco,” he said. “It’s scent, I assume for a man. I confess I have very little experience with cologne, but I’ve never found tobacco to be a pleasant smell.”
“I guess the people marketing it think it’ll appeal to the ‘manly men,’” Marty said, deepening his voice on the last two words. “‘Cause leather and smoking makes you a real man, you know.”
“I don’t know about leather. But from watching Mayhew, smoking merely makes you someone who coughs far too much for his own good.”
2/28/2012: Twosday Not My Style
Prompt:Write a drabble or short centered around a pair of ____. My choice: cufflinks
Time Period: Pre-"Secundus" – probably about a year before
Notes: Again, original author's notes just about cover it: Idea very vaguely inspired by this CB fanfic, The Cravat Pin – at least, the memory of that fic is what inspired me to pick cufflinks. I've never gotten the impression Victor's the type to wear any sort of jewelry, even fancy cufflinks, all that often – he just doesn't seem the type, you know? Stuff like that looks out of place on him, in my view. So of course Nell would make him wear it. XD
“Victor! We’re going to be late!”
“I’m sorry, Mother! Just a moment more!” Victor continued rummaging through his jewelry box. “Where could they be – aha!”
He pulled out the pair of cufflinks he’d been searching for. His mother had given them to him for his birthday two years ago, along with a matching tie stickpin. Victor privately thought they looked rather silly – large gold plates with inset diamonds forming a V – but he knew his mother would want him to wear them for the opera. He fastened them into his cuffs, then took a look at them in the mirror. When they were on –
They still looked silly. In fact, they looked sillier, especially with the pin. Victor sighed and shook his head. When was his mother going to learn he wasn’t really the jewelry-wearing type?
“Victor!”
“Coming!” Well, it was just for a night, to make his mother happy. He could bear it. And besides, she was sure to be wearing something even more ostentatious – and ridiculous.
5/23/2012: Friday Poetical Instructions
Prompt: 1. Read "Instructions" by Neil Gaiman.
2. Using the poem as your literary model, write a list of instructions for yourself.
3. The instructions can be for something as mundane as riding the subway, or as complex as negotiating proper etiquette for a guest a vampire ball. The important thing is that the task is something that is uniquely associated with surviving and thriving in your world.
4. Share your instructions with the rest of us, so that we may know how best to conduct ourselves when we interact in your world.
Time Period: Post-"Secundus," likely
Notes: Cripes, I'd forgotten they made us write poetry once. I've never been great on that stage – proper rhythm eludes me much of the time, and it just doesn't interest me as much as prose. Fortunately free verse is fairly easy, and I think this came out pretty well. (And of course Gaiman's poem is always worth a read.)
For Secundus
When you first arrive, you may think it looks like London.
It’s not.
It’s a lot more dangerous, but a lot more wondrous.
(And cleaner, too.
Comes of Mad Scientists wanting fresh air.)
Try and walk with confidence in the streets,
the nasty people of this city like to prey on those who look weak.
Feel free to look around,
there’s a lot to see.
But never forget where you’re going
it’s very easy to get lost.
Then again, getting lost just might be your goal
because there’s a lot to see.
Give a little something to the Fabricated begging down Dreary Lane,
they’ve had a hard life
and it’s even harder when you’ve been stitched together.
Don’t eat any of Mr. Dibbler’s sausages.
(I know you will anyway, so at least eat them
in a place where you know there’s a public loo.)
But make sure to visit the candy shop!
You haven’t lived until you’ve tried Wonka chocolate!
And speaking of things you need to see,
near the heart of the city, there’s a huge park that takes up several blocks
with a fence all around it.
Go up to the gate – it’ll be open,
have a chat with the flowers,
and follow the path. There might be
a Cat around willing to give you directions
or at least a riddle to mull over. And if
you’re very lucky, a Hare with fresh-baked sweets for you to try.
(Trust me, you’ll want the squimberry tart if he has it.)
Stay on the path if it’s your first time – it’s very easy to get lost.
But make sure to take in everything you can. Go slow.
The most beautiful place in the world has to be savored.
Not too far away is a shop with a bright sign,
“Mad Hatter Haberdashery.” Go in and get a hat made.
The man who runs it may look a little strange
but trust me, he’s the best at what he does.
And the girl who runs the counter – be kind to her.
You want her on your good side.
Trust me on this.
And then, not too far away from that, is Dr. E. L. Brown’s 24-Hour Scientific Services.
Feel free to stop in and browse the parts.
We’re always happy to have new customers.
And maybe you can tell me what you think of the city,
and if this free verse helped you any.
(Because I’m not very sure of my poetry skills –
I think I’d do better just drawing you a map.)
8/22/2012: Wednesday Evil Clown Link!
Prompt:Test your luck with today's challenge. Without clicking on either link beforehand, choose one at random. Then, use the chosen link as the setting for a drabble or ficlet.
Victor selected Option A: http://s3.amazonaws.com/imgly_production/4331998/large.jpg
Time Period: Anytime during "Secundus"
Notes: Once more, original notes say it all: He chose – poorly. Seriously, creepy picture at that link! But it made for a funny fic.
“. . .I don’t like it here.”
“Me either,” Marty said, shivering as he looked at the pictures seemingly staring down at them. “I mean – yeah. Who likes clowns this much?”
“Perhaps this man previously worked in a circus?” Doc suggested, although it was obvious he was a little unnerved himself. “We can’t let it get to us. We have a job to do here.”
“I wouldn’t be so – uncomfortable if they were happy, smiling clowns,” Victor said as they edged their way down the hallway. “Why do they all have to look so – upset?”
“Just keep moving, we’re almost at the door. . .”
Said door suddenly opened, making them all freeze in their tracks. Beyond it was an Automaton, vaguely human-shaped, with a porcelain clown’s head. The mouth was frozen in a wide smile, but the way the eyes were painted gave it a distinct air of malevolence. “The master welcomes you,” it droned, lifting a hand as a laugh track started up from nowhere.
“. . .Oh screw this,” Doc said, leading the charge out of the house.