Short fic Challenge.

[legionseagle.livejournal.com]

With ankaret's blessing and with a certain degree of trepidation, I'm stepping up to the high-board and about to plunge with my short fic Stowaway (which is only a drabble if you use the term very loosely indeed, and/or can't count) as the opening entry in ankaret challenge.

Rated: 12A (15 for those of you who watched bits of POTC 2 from between your fingers):
Gen.
Usual disclaimers
Summary (and link):

Don't use the phrase "worse things happen at sea" lightly. Sometimes it's true.

ankaret has requested: to avoid spamming the flists of people who don't like fanfic, could this be the official: Post/Link here post for the challenge, and please could people remember to post either their own drabbles or links to them in comments to this rather than in separate posts

Can I also remind people to use lj-cut and post ratings/warnings if they're including anything "post watershed" ?

Thanks

Comments

[ankaret.livejournal.com]

Home Is The Sailor (http://rose-and-lizard.livejournal.com/21473.html). leapingirbis asked for Fob (in years to come, clearly) making a brave attempt to seduce Peter. Peter/Fob, U, 100 words.

A Flutter In The Dovecote (http://rose-and-lizard.livejournal.com/21586.html). anstruther asked for anything involving any character from Diana Wynne Jones' Archer's Goon and any Marlow, but somehow it ended up with Patrick in instead. Billions of ajopolies. Gen, U, 323 words.

Entente Cordiale (http://rose-and-lizard.livejournal.com/21924.html). anstruther asked for Claudie's pillow-talk with anybody, and gets two versions. Take one, Claudie/Charles, PG, 100 words.

All-Night Sitting (http://rose-and-lizard.livejournal.com/22050.html). anstrutherasked for Claudie's pillow-talk with anybody, and gets two versions. Take two, Claudie/Helena, 18, 463 words.

Apologies for writing three for anstruther, one for leapingirbis and none for anyone else - it's just how the prompts fell.

Looking forward to seeing the rest of the drabbles!

[darth-tigger.livejournal.com]

This is my first ever attempt at fan-fic of any variety, so be gentle with me. It's only a drabble if you extend the definition to include short fiction of a few more than 100 words. It's not, I'm afraid, inspired by any of the suggested plot ideas, I hope that's OK. Nothing dodgy or post watershed.

(I'm so nervous about posting this, by the way. Like I said, I've never written any fan-fic before!)



Secrets

She'd never quite understood why she didn't fit it. Oh, she'd tried, but it was like trying to sing a song the others all knew when no-one would tell her the words. But now, ever the outsider, at last she had a key. Power, leverage, a weapon for either supremacy or acceptance. A chance overheard sentence, a few clues, putting two and two together – not that they'd ever guess she was clever enough to do that, oh no – now, at last, she knew something they didn't.

"Nicky knows what I mean." The faces, staring, just as she had imagined. But not quite right. Contemptuous. Despising. Looking as if she had crawled out from under a stone. Words buzzed in her ears.

They knew!

They knew all along and didn't tell her!

Marie withdrew back into herself once again.

[ankaret.livejournal.com]

Oooh, thank you. Marie POV! See, I *said* she was a Slytherin.

*beams happily*

[legionseagle.livejournal.com]

like trying to sing a song the others all knew when no-one would tell her the words

Great phrase, and very evocative of Marie's precise sort of isolation.

[forester48.livejournal.com]

I love seeing the POV of the minor characters - poor Marie. Such a very bleak time AF gave her at KC.

Thank you, I really liked this.

[leapingirbis.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, excellent angle - really interesting to see things from Marie's POV.

[leapingirbis.livejournal.com]

This is my first attempt at drabble (or indeed any kind of fic) writing - I feel very brave! Not sure how to rate my drabbles; the first two include adult themes but nothing too explicit.

I have tried three times to enter my drabbles behind cuts but have failed each time. If anyone is getting email notice of all my deleted posts I do apologise. I shall try again, but if it doesn't work I have to give up and would just warn off anyone who doesn't want any reference to adult themes - cuts seemed to work in my journal OK, why are they not working here?


Drabble - Set at the Merricks' Twelfth Night Party, a Year After "Run Away Home"

Now that it was over, Ginty felt shivery and rather as if she were going to cry. But clearly that was unthinkable, she had to go back down and act as if nothing had happened. Ronnie stroked her cheek lightly and gave her one of his devastating smiles. "Don't be too long," he whispered and disappeared.

Left alone in Ronnie's room, Ginty dressed slowly and looked in the mirror. She was surprised to see she didn't look any different. She felt different. She'd wanted it to happen of course; she'd been flirting with Ronnie madly since the Boxing Day Meet and had decided he was perfect for her First Time. Now, however, she felt sad and rather empty, and badly wished Monica was there.



Drabble - Set one and a half years after "Run Away Home"

The party was in full swing. Pressed into a corner, Lawrie shifted against Tom, who groaned and slipped a hand into her shirt. "Let's find somewhere more private," he murmured.

"Patrick, have you seen Lawrie," asked Nicola.
"Not recently, last I saw she was snogging some random bloke. Actually, since everyone else is at it" ... Nicola pushed him away, giggling. "Idiot! Help me find Lal; Mum said we had to get a taxi together and Peter wants to go."

Patrick pushed open a bedroom door, took one look and backed out fast. Nicola peered past him. "No, Nick.." But Nicola had frozen. In total disbelief and disgust, she stared at her twin, who looked very small under Tom's hulking frame. Lawrie turned her head. "Go away, Nick," she said simply. And Nicola went.



Drabble - Set seven or eight years after "The Cricket Term"

About to drive through the Kingscote gates, Lois' courage suddenly failed her. What she needed before facing her past, she decided abruptly, was a drink.

Sitting down in the "Oxen", she noticed a rather dishy bloke at the next table, who was eyeing her up most appreciatively. Catching her eye, he smiled: "May I join you?"
Lois hesitated. He was definitely sexy, but still ... "I really am quite respectable," he said persuasively. "I've just dropped three of my sisters off for a school reunion down the road ... I'm Giles" he added. But Lois realised she had, somehow, already known. She reached a decision. Giving him her most ravishing smile, she moved along to make room. Rowan, she thought with satisfaction, would be absolutely livid when she found out.

[(Anonymous)]

I think there may be a problem with lj-cut not working in comments: can people post links instead if they think there's going to be a problem with content? I don't think there is one here, though; the "themes" are no more or less adult than those included in the books themselves (Claudie's "bed and breakfast"; the denoument of The Ready-Made Family being examples) and I personally don't have any problem with the level of explicitness.

Well done; I particularly enjoyed the third one, but then I'm evil that way.

[legionseagle.livejournal.com]

Sorry - the above was me.

[forester48.livejournal.com]

So Lois-ish, this last one. I loved it - how about another drabble for what happened next re Rowan finding out?

[knityrowndalek.livejournal.com]

Posted to my own journal as well. Really sorry I couldn't write a 100 word story - i did try!




"But will it be exactly like it was for you and Auntie Lawrie, Mummy?" asked Robertina Anquetil, hopping from foot to foot in her very new Kingscote uniform.

"I shouldn't think so, Robbi," said her mother, manouvring a suitcase neatly through the converted Brixham trawler's galley. "It's all quite different now Crommie's in charge."

Robertina stood on one leg. "Will *I* call her Crommie?"

"Certainly not," said Nicola, shocked.

"Not twice, anyway," agreed Robbi's elder sister Pamela, leaning down through the hatch, a scarlet-ribboned boater on her crisp golden curls. "Not even once, I shouldn't think. How can it be like it was for Mummy and Auntie Lawrie? *Your* twin's a boy."

"It's not fair," Robbi mourned. "If I can go to Kingscote, why can't Horatio go to Dartmouth like Daddy and Uncle Peter?"

"Because that isn't how things are these days." Nicola handed the suitcase up to her elder daughter and swung herself up onto the deck. She looked with satisfaction at the shivering grey water and the neat rows of boats along the quayside. How glad she had been, to tie up her painter here at last and raise a quiverful of children. "Be quick, the taxi's here."

"I want to say goodbye to Gabriel-Jon!" wailed Pamela. Nicola thought she saw her elder daughter turn briefly from serene member of Upper IVA to child again as she leaned down to kiss the baby.

Robbi did likewise and then gave her mother one last shy hug. "I wish Daddy was here."

"So do I, Robbi, but he's got bigger ships than this one to sail."

Nicola clambered up onto the trawler's deck to watch the taxi go. She waved them off, resisting the tell-tale sparkle in her vision that whispered of unshed tears. She loved the sea; how strange that part of her heart was going ashore, and would not be whole again until those two dauntless scarlet-clad landsmen were home again.

"And don't worry if they put you in Third Remove," she said softly to the departing taxi. "If they do, it'll be the best year of your life."

[darth-tigger.livejournal.com]

Oh, lovely. Lois was especially... Lois-ish!

Re: Why not Nicola?

[darth-tigger.livejournal.com]

Oh yes! Love it!

Re: Why not Nicola?

[mrs-redboots.livejournal.com]

Thanks, but I think I'm going to repost it to change the ending, as I don't like the way it is right now. Wish we could edit comments!

Re: Why not Nicola? (Reposted)

[mrs-redboots.livejournal.com]

This is a repost, as the ending of the original was all wrong!

"Not Nicola? Why not Nicola?" The noise level at the Lower IV table rose perceptibly. Jan Scott, table prefect, thought she had better take notice.

Not that she, Jan, was surprised. They were Like That. You only had to cross Them once, and They never forgave or forgot. She knew that all too well. Once, just once, she had rebelled and refused to "volunteer" to weed the drive when she had had something better to do that afternoon. And They had never forgotten. It was something of a miracle that she was a prefect.

Jan felt sorry for Nicola. School life, for her, wouldn't be the shining, glorious thing it had been for Karen, Rowan and Ann. Authority would constantly be suspicious of her, as it had been of Jan. Why not Nicola? It would be a miracle if it ever was Nicola!

Jan saw that Nicola was distressed, and acted swiftly to change the subject. Nicola's Kingscote career might be as blighted as Jan's own had been, but perhaps, in some small way, Jan could protect Nicola a little this year.

Re: Why not Nicola?

[ankaret.livejournal.com]

It was really interesting to see Jan's thoughts on the Drive-Weeding Incident; thank you!

Re: Why not Nicola?

[(Anonymous)]

I agree; it brings out rather well one of the features which I think differentiate Kingscote (and, from the glimpses we get of it, Patrick's school) from other fictional establishments, and make it so intriguing; the way staff carry through petty grudges and prejudices against pupils. Mrs Lambert phones Patrick's school being "highly alarmist" at least in part because she dislikes Ginty because of the two earlier incidents involving Ginty's tactlessness/rudeness. Redmond supports Lois against Craven over the netball thing because she believes the worst of Nicola for having turned down the Guides reinstatement. Jan is damned forever because she had objected to something which was in fact compulsory being dressed up as a voluntary act; ie, to quote Madame Orly, in a different context, "she had plainly shown more...integrity than [they] had".

[melandraanne.livejournal.com]

My first attempt at a drabble - 100 words according to Word ... I've posted it on my journal due to very slight Patrick/Peter content, in case people object
http://melandraanne.livejournal.com/9008.html

[gair.livejournal.com]

I cannot write drabbles, so I wrote an untitled snippet instead: it's 350 words, Nicola/Miranda, PG. Go here (http://gair.livejournal.com/36362.html) to read it. Constructive criticism very much welcomed.

[balooky.livejournal.com]

I've really enjoyed all of these. Thank you :)

[melandraanne.livejournal.com]

Two short not-quite-drabbles ...

Meeting

“Patrick, this is Mr West, who is helping us with the props for the charity performance.”
The Merrick Boy, suitably suited and polished as befitted an MP’s son, duly smiled and shook hands. Then took a deep breath as he recognised the girl
It would be so easy to say ‘Don’t you go to Kingscote ? Nick Marlow’s a friend of mine.”
But ever since the play, he had retained a perfect mental image of the Falcon Angel, on her block. What if reality could not stand up to the pedestal he’d placed her on ? What if she simpered, giggled, gabbled ?
Unbearable. And so he nodded and listened, dutiful Patrick, then turned away, dreams intact.


Esther

Esther felt sick. A hundred letters written and torn up. Hardly a day had passed when she had not picked up the phone to dial. Heavy hints on the desirability of an ever-present babysitter and the good local Comp had fallen on deaf ears. And now she’d run out of time. “Hi Nick,” she practised. “Hi, Nick.” How hard could it be ?
Familiar blue uniform and blonde hair. Deep breath. She felt sick, dizzy. And then Daks wriggled and jumped, running to Nick.
“Good hols ?” she asked, patting the panting poodle.
But although she nodded and smiled, Nick’s eyes were cool as ice. And Esther’s heart sank. If only you could turn back time…

[rosathome.livejournal.com]

Someone wanted Mrs Marlow/Mrs Merrick's first meeting after the events in Attic Term. I hope a phone conversation will do.

It's not quite how I wanted it but haven't got any more time to work at it and it's about 250 words - sorry!

‘Is that you, Helena? I was hoping to speak to Anthony.’ Mrs Marlow sounded uncharacteristically flustered.
‘He’s at the House, I’m afraid, Pam. Can I help?’
‘Well, yes, I expect so. I just wanted to apologise for my frightful daughter. I hope nothing too terrible has happened to Patrick.’
Helena Merrick’s eyelashes fluttered. Here, perhaps, was an unexpected opportunity. ‘They let him sit his exams.’
‘Oh, what a relief.’
‘But Anthony’s been told it’s highly unlikely they’ll be marked.’
‘Ah.’ Mrs Marlow’s discomfort was palpable even at two hundred miles. ‘So he’ll have to take them next term? Will his school be able to arrange that?’
Helena allowed herself a small smile. ‘He’s been expelled.’
There was a pleasing silence at the end of the line. Mrs Merrick waited.
Eventually Mrs Marlow pulled herself together. ‘I’m so terribly sorry, Helena. Is there anything you can do?’
‘Anthony doesn’t think so. Anyway, I hope Ginty’s not too distraught? She mustn’t blame herself.’
‘I don’t see why not,’ responded Mrs Marlow tartly. ‘It seems to me that she’s entirely to blame.’
‘Well, if you want to put it like that,’ Helena replied smoothly.
Mrs Marlow cleared her throat. ‘Yes, well. Shall we see you at the Lidgetts next week?’
‘No, we shan’t be coming down until Christmas Eve. Have a lovely Christmas, Pam.’
‘Yes. Well. Happy Christmas, Helena.’
‘Goodbye, Pam.’ Mrs Merrick replaced the receiver, feeling better than she had for days.

[ankaret.livejournal.com]

Oh, poor Esther!

[ankaret.livejournal.com]

Another 100 word job, not to any particular prompt. Gen. U.

==

Dear Nacker

How are you? We are all fine.

Are you going in for anything at the Festivial in Colebridge this time? Kaykaren says everyone did last time and you sang. I am in all the races and the diving. Rose is making a garden in a tin tray. Fob is decerating a paper plate. I want to enter the dog obedients but Daddy says Sam could only get in as a bad exampel.

Rowan came yesterday. She and Daddy had what Methren calls an exchange of veiws. Rose and Fob and I had cake.

Yours sincerely

Chas. Wm. Dodd.

[melandraanne.livejournal.com]

I really love this - so Chas-like. Perfect. Many thanks