If it's the 17th, that can only mean a WRITING CHALLENGE!

[in_the_blue]

Third month in a row. Ready, set, get out those pens and/or fingers to the keyboard...

Here's this month's loosely-defined DRABBLE challenge and the guidelines.

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Rules (remember, they're more like guidelines):

• Fandom: any, so long as it's one you know well.


• Word count: 300 or less


• Main theme: the concept of empty or emptiness.


• Ratings: No restrictions.


• Duration: Challenge opens today and closes at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, June 25. Just for fun.

Post your drabbles as comments to this entry. And yes, please comment on other peoples' work. Feedback is a reader's gift to a writer.

On your mark, get set... go.

Comments

Whew, not late!

[enelya-oronar.livejournal.com]

Title: A deal with a demon
Fandom: Miyazaki in general
Character: Howl & Calcifer
Word Count: 369 :o(
Author’s Note: No beta. (At least not yet.) I have only seen the movie. I got the book last week but have not read it. So this might/might not be canon,,,I don’t know. For all I know this scene might be explained in the book. But it hit me the moment I read this challenge.


“Powerful is an understatement. Join me and I’ll do amazing things for you.” Calicifer taunted Howl with his demonic sorcery. “Give me something of you and together we’ll be more powerful than Madam Suliman”

“What d’you mean, give me something of you?” a very young Howl nervously inquired.

“My power comes from the person that shares a part of himselves with me. The more valuable the item, the stronger we will become.” The demon smiled. Howl was a very powerful wizard and Calcifer knew if he could just get Howl’s heart…

Howl looked down at his fingers, then hands. His eyes traveled his body for a source of power then slowly came into focus on Calcifer. Howl had an idea.

“My eyes? They’re very powerful.” Howl questioned.

“Well, yes, your eyes are powerful. But if I have them, how will you see? Maybe something a little bit closer to your chest.” Calcifer prodded him.

Howl looked down at his chest. “My heart? Can I give you my heart?”

“Yyyyeeessss. That’s a good choice. If you give me your heart our combined powers will be extraordinary.” Calcifer was pleased.

Howl’s expression changed slightly; fear crept into his face. “ How’ll I live without my heart? How do I know you won’t leave me?”

“Young one, I’ve done this for hundred’s of years. You’ll be more alive once the exchange is completed. And as for me leaving…I can’t! While I hold a piece of you, we will be bound. If either of us is permanently separated from the other we’ll both die.” Calcifer watched the inner debate rage across Howl’s face. He knew from experience now was the time to wait and not push; Howl was almost ready to commit.

“Ok, what do I have to do?” Howl listened carefully to the instructions

He pulled his heart from his chest and passed it to Calicifer. The fire demon gobbled it down and immediately blazed full with power while Howl collapsed onto the ground.

Empty. Howl felt dreadfully empty for less than a second. Then he felt the warmth of more power than he could have ever imagined and he would not feel again for many, many years.

Re: Whew, not late!

[sff-corgi.livejournal.com]

From what I've heard, the book and movie are fraternal twins. ^_^ What's in the movie might not be in the book at all.

Nicely described, though, since in the movie we just see it from Sofi/Sophie's PoV - and so quickly.

Re: Whew, not late!

[enelya-oronar.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I have since read the book - major plot difference. In the movie the underlying story is the same, a few characters are combined but the basic idea is there. BUT there is a major plot in the movie that is not in the film. But I really enjoyed but.

The movie was art. Just beautiful!