If it's the 17th, that can only mean...

[in_the_blue]

Writing Challenge!

Last month I asked for feedback on the challenge guidelines themselves and got some suggestions. I liked some of what I got and didn't like some other bits of what I got and really, since I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul, I've made just one change: upped the word count to 400. The point is that this is still a short-short themed fic challenge; there are many opportunities for writing longer pieces of work and there are many opportunties for including specific phrases in challenges. So to keep this different I'm still keeping the theme; I won't dictate anything beyond that for this time around.

This month's theme is falling (in honor of autumn, in an oblique kind of way).

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

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


• Word count: 400 or less


• Main theme: Falling.


• Ratings: No restrictions.


• Duration: Challenge opens today and closes at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, September 24. A week and a day so we have two Saturdays at our disposal.

Post your short-fics as comments to this entry. Feel free to do as few or as many as you want, and if you see one you really like, be sure to leave a review or a comment.

Write, write, write. It's good for you.

Comments

[janeylou.livejournal.com]

Fugitives

A falling star blazes a bright trail before diminishing to leave vast, empty darkness.

Two men, one mature, one adolescent, watch its demise. The man inwardly likens it to his life. The boy silently wishes upon it.

‘I’ve tried,’ says the man, more to himself than conversationally, ‘To be too much to too many.’

‘I know the feeling.’

The response whirls the man round. He faces his counterpart. ‘Do you?’

‘I’ve failed all my father’s expectations. I try too hard and fall from his bloody favour each time I speak. Sometimes …’ He stops, anger and hurt evident, sentence unfinished.

‘I see.’ And he does. Although not a father himself, this is the familiar ground of his own past. He shrugs and folds his arms. His well chosen words have deserted him momentarily. His outer aspect is standoffish. Inwardly he sympathises to the point of compassion. But he’d die before show it.

‘Fall from favour,’ he repeats. ‘Let me define a fall, young Draco.’ The voice has lost its bitter edge and is now sad.

‘I had a friend and mentor. He treated me like a son. Over the years I fell in love with the concept of him as a replacement father. Yes, I can say that I loved him as a son would a father. A good father at that. In his quiet way he shaped and redeemed me. I had my second chance.’

On the horizon another star falls from its lofty height, this time unnoticed. Snape outpours, Draco listens to tales of his mother, horcruxes and unbreakable vows in astounded silence. Snape feels a weight fall from his heart and conscience. For a moment he is free of the burden he has chosen to shoulder. Uncharacteristically his eyes are wet as he faces the young man.

‘I formed the words. I watched him tumble over then drop like a stone. I felt like I was responsible for ending the last piece of redemption I could ever have.’ With that confession, he stands, drawing his wand and pointing it at his companion’s forehead.

The boy is terrified.

‘Obliviate!’ he shouts. Draco looks momentarily blank. He drops to the floor in surprise.

‘Dormus!’ he commands and the boy falls into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Sleep does not come easily for his guardian. Snape watches the sky as another falling star rushes to oblivion.

He wishes upon it.


Wordcount: 400 spot on!
Fandom: Potterverse
Characters: Draco and Snape

[in-the-blue.livejournal.com]

Wow. A completely non-sexual Snape.

Way to go, Jane! I didn't know you had it in you. That's actually a very nicely and well-written piece. Thank you for sharing it.