Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Wednesday Briefs: A Witcher Christman

  Good morning and Happy Hump Day!  Also, Merry Christmas! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

This week, I bring you a Christmas tale in honor of the season. I hope you enjoy my Witcher Christmas! All the best to you and yours this holiday season!


A Witcher Christmas

“Tell me something. Has Geralt always been so…” Jaskier floundered for words, something he was generally not at a loss for, and finally finished his question with “crotchety?” The petulant bard kicked disconsolately at an object situated alongside the path, then yelped in dismay after discovering said object was a rather hard rock which would not yield to his misguided efforts to dislodge it.

The slim platinum blonde he’d addressed patted Roach’s cheek and briefly nuzzled the patient horse before turning back to her companion. “You’ve known him far longer than I have,” she said bluntly. “You tell me.”

“Well, yes, I know…” Jaskier waffled. “But you’re his… I mean, I’m not…”

“His child of surprise?” Ciri raised blonde brows at him. “Is that what you mean?”

“I suppose so, yes.” The bard scratched at his head, contemplating the cloudless sky with a thoughtful expression before continuing his lament. “What am I really? Other than the man who made the name Geralt of Rivia, the celebrated White Wolf, familiar to hundreds… no, I mean thousands, tens of thousands of people even,  in all the kingdoms and far across the land. Thank you very much.” This last sentence was half muttered to himself, and yet spoken loud enough to be easily heard. “I have suffered his slings and arrows, and endangered my own quite valuable life and reputation on more than one occasion in order to obtain the wondrous tales with which to regale his fascinated followers. And yet, what do I receive for my pains?” He paused dramatically, expectantly even, but was rewarded with silence for his efforts.

With an exasperated sigh, Jaskier reached for a bright red berry that grew on a clumpy bush beside the rock and plucked the fruit. He opened his mouth to prepare entry for his bounty, but the next moment, his hand had been brutally accosted and the berry had fallen to the ground. “Excuse me?” the indignant bard yowled.

“It’s poisonous,” Ciri said simply. And then added, with a knowing twinkle, “You’re welcome.”

Jaskier had to laugh, in spite of his attempts to remain glum. He really was a good-hearted fellow and generally rather happy-go-lucky. But sometimes, especially where Geralt was involved, he could be rather… sensitive. The smile turned into a slight frown.

“Doesn’t he believe in… you know… the season? As in ‘tis the season, good will on earth, and all the other sentimental dribble that makes the rounds at this particular time of year. Well, for just about everyone on earth but Geralt of Rivia, apparently. I composed a particularly well-worded and, if I do say so myself, well-sung composition proclaiming his vast prowess to the world, and what do I get in return?”

“But has he ever given you a gift at any time of the year, much less this one?” the practical Ciri pointed out.

Jaskier could hardly fault her logic, much as he would have liked to. Didn’t mean he was ready to admit to it, either.

“The Countess de Stael never hesitated,” he began but quickly realized maybe that wasn’t his best point of attack, which fact Ciri easily picked up on.

“Geralt isn’t sleeping with you,” she said. “And he also didn’t tell you to go…” She neglected to finish the sentence, for which Jaskier was grateful. He knew what the woman had said, and in just what tone those hateful words had been hurled at him. And while she had failed to wound his tender heart, his vanity had been pierced, which was just as painful, if not more. But in Geralt’s case, it was not vanity which cried out at the witcher’s seeming indifference.

“He’s had a hard life,” Ciri spoke up. “You have no idea what he had to endure to become what he is.” The look she gave him was at least somewhat sympathetic. Perhaps she could be a good influence on her guardian.

At some distant time in the future. By which time, Jaskier would most likely be dead and forgotten, except for a few lonely women whose lives he had enriched by his presence…

“I don’t ask for much,” Jaskier began on a different tack. “And I expect even less. Even so…”

“Even so, you hope.” Ciri’s voice was soft and somewhat gentle. He knew her life had gone to wrack and ruin ever since the death of her beloved grandmother, Queen Calanthe. Before that even, when her parents, Pavetta and Duny, had been lost at sea. She’d been on her own while searching for her destiny, aka Geralt. And although her experiences had toughened her, there still remained a shred of humanity. Something he often failed to find in his friend.

Was Geralt his friend, or did he simply tolerate the bard as a means to an end? The insecure bard pushed the thought away, but it insisted upon returning.

“I hope that he doesn’t just tolerate me,” he said in a rare moment of honesty which surprised even himself. He avoided the young girl’s direct gaze, instead busying himself with the brass buttons on his rather garish tunic instead. The sound of horse’s hooves mercifully brought the painful discussion to a close. Who could this be? Geralt had left on foot, and they were expecting no one else. Perhaps they should… hide?

He darted a nervous glance toward Ciri. She seemed not the slightest bit concerned. But of course, she was used to the unexpected, wasn’t she, after traveling with Geralt.

To his surprise, Geralt rode into view on a horse clearly not Roach. So not like him.

Geralt dismounted and tossed the reins at Jaskier.

“For me?” Jaskier was stunned.

“We need to make better time,” Geralt said abruptly. He mounted Roach and helped Ciri up before him. She gave Jaskier a knowing smile.

“Let’s go.” Geralt turned Roach’s head. Jaskier quickly mounted his gifted steed and followed.

“Merry Christmas, my friend,” he whispered.

And just like that, all was right with the world.

 












Monday, December 23, 2024

Book Review: One Piece, Vol 19: Rebellion by Eiichiro Oda

 

One Piece, Vol 19: Rebellion     


Author: Eiichiro Oda

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: October 7, 2008

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Action Adventure/216 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Luffy and his crew are making their way to Alabasta, slowly but surely. Since Luffy ate all the bait they need for fishing, they are using Karoo, to Vivi’s shock! When they pass through a steam cloud caused by an underwater volcano, they are surprised to find they have gained an unexpected passenger.  He’s a bit of an oddball and claims to have also eaten the devil fruit. Only when a ship draws near and takes him off do they find out he is Mr. 2 Bon Clay of Baroque Works!

They reach Alabasta at last, only to find, to their alarm, a whole lot of Baroque Works ships behind them! They anchor the ship and Luffy takes off immediately, having smelled a restaurant.  Vivi is dismayed to spot Mr 3’s ship in the harbor. Apparently he isn’t dead after all. Not only that, but Captain Smoker is there as well. Luffy finds food, but then Smoker finds him. Off Luffy goes, Smoker in hot pursuit! Another unexpected arrival turns out to be Ace, Luffy’s older brother! Brother, what?

Meanwhile, Mr. 11 has been captured by a group who calls themselves the “billions”. They see an opportunity to make a name for themselves – at 11’s expense.  As Luffy and the others reunite, Vivi sends Karoo with an important message for her father. Of course, everyone wants to know about Luffy’s brother, who apparently has also eaten the devil fruit. What are the odds? For something that is supposed to be a rarity, they seem to find a lot of people who have partaken of it. Ace invites Luffy and his friends to join Whitebeard’s pirates, but of course he declines.

They set course for Yuba. Vivi intends to reason with the leader of the rebels, intent on avoiding future bloodshed. She is determined to rid her country of Baroque Works as well.  In the meantime, those same people are meeting at their headquarters, at the Spiders Café.

Luffy and the others arrive at Erumalu the Green City – but it isn’t very green!  Vivi explains that it was once upon a time, but that rain hasn’t fallen there in three years!  She also tells them about the King’s Miracle, which provided water to Alubarna – but at a high price. It’s gonna be a long, hot, and dry trip to Yuba across the desert sands!

We’ve finally reached the crux of the Alabasta arc and things are falling into place. We have Luffy and the others who are fighting for Princess Vivi, who is fighting both Baroque Works and the rebel forces. We’re seeing the assembled Baroque Works now, in all their “glory”. They have some real characters among them, that they do. There is backstory for Vivi, which yields very interesting information, especially in light of an unexpected reveal. And let’s not forget Captain Smoker, who is hot on Luffy’s heels! Things are really happening, looking forward to the next volume!

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Saturday is Horror Day #197 - Abigail

 Abigail


A group of criminals is hired for the purposes of kidnapping. They are not told beforehand who the target is, just that they are to kidnap her and hold her while ransom demands are made and met. They don't know one another and are under strict instructions from the man who hired them, Lambert (Giancarlo Esposito) not to change the status quo in any way, including exchanging real names. To that end, he assigns them nicknames they are to use. Joey(Melissa Barrera), Frank(Dan Stevens), Rickles(William Catlett), Sammy(Kathryn Newton), Peter(Kevin Durand), and Dean(Angus Cloud) Clearly, someone likes the Rat Pack here.





 Abigail is a ballerina, and is performing to an empty theater. Afterward, she is taken home, and the 


kidnappers follow. Upon arrival at the place where the kidnapping is to occur, Sammy is dismayed to learn the target is a young girl, Abigail (Alisha Weir). But a job is a job, and she has a child of her own, so what can they do? They break into the house, acquire the target remove her to another location, where she is blindfolded and shackled to a bed. They decide that only one of them will interact with Abigail, thus lessening the chances she might recognize their voices later. Sammy volunteers for this, and makes sure she wears her mask whenever she checks on Abigail.



But strange things begin to happen, and the kidnappers find their numbers dwindling. Worse, they find themselves locked into this place with no way out. If that's not bad enough, Abigail is no ordinary child...


First, let me say that if you happened to watch the trailer, as I did, there is no need to see the movie, you've seen it all. Seriously. I believe that had I not seen that first, I would have enjoyed the movie more. But the element of surprise was irretrievably lost, so I had a good idea what was coming. I even made some surmises regarding Sammy from the beginning, which proved to be true.  There was one unexpected event at the end, but I would have known that if I had read the entire cast list at IMDB.

That being said, there is nothing about this movie that stands out. Even the child ballerina who is more than that loses interest. The acting is just okay, although I do like Kevin Durand, also the surprise visitor at the end. But ultimately it's not enough for me to say I enjoyed watching this. It misfires on some level. The info dump at the beginning was just too obvious and did come into play later. But I have to believe there was a better way to do this. So, if you've seen the trailer, stop there. You'll be better entertained. If you still want to watch, proceed at your own risk. I'll give this film 2 Stars.

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #34 (7.4)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Unwilling to postpone their travels any longer than necessary, Dracula is about to reveal something perhaps he shouldn't. See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula! Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Dracula #34 (7.4)

Avram jumped as a blue bolt of lightning flashed across the sky. Far too close for comfort, it was followed about five seconds later by the requisite thunder. This storm was practically upon them, the rain but a precursor to its fury. Avram was torn between taking Andrei and seeking shelter in order to keep him from seeing what was about to happen and witnessing that same event. While it was true he’d seen Nico display his talents many times over the years, that was a sight he never grew tired of.

The boat began to rock upon the turbulent river like a drunken sailor. Avram still clung to Dracula for balance on one side, Andrei on the other as the heavens showered cold sheets of rain upon them.

“Andrei, perhaps you should go below and make sure everything is fast,” he suggested. He was not surprised when the smuggler made no reply and made no effort to move. His attention was all for Dracula, who had shaken off Avram’s hand and sauntered toward the rail as easily if he were taking a casual stroll in the park.

Apparel oft proclaims the man, to quote the Bard.

Despite the workman’s clothes he wore, now thoroughly drenched, Nicolai cut an imposing figure, silhouetted against the angry sky. Sometimes Avram forgot just how powerful the vampire really was, since there was little need for such display in their everyday lives. But at moments such as these, Nico seemed to possess an almost visible aura, a stark contrast to the almost somnolent attitude he seemed to wear daily. As if life were too much effort for him, at least when they were at home.

Arms outstretched, he raised his hands, palms up, toward the sky. His eyes were closed, as if in concentration.

Avram’s attention was diverted to Andrei. The boatman grabbed his arm just as a gust of wind threatened to topple them both. The boat precariously rode the swell but made no effort to capsize, luckily. “What does he think he’s doing?”

Avram shook his head. He had no words for what was about to happen. Andrei would see for himself in just a moment.

Dracula’s lips were moving, his sonorous voice undulating in unintelligible waves despite the rising wind. Avram had no knowledge of what words were being spoken, or how Nico had come to learn them. He wasn’t even aware of how he had become what he was. But he knew whatever these words were, they possessed a power that emanated from Dracula himself. And he was greatly in awe of that power.

The waves slapped violently against the boat, both Avram and Andrei struggling to keep their feet. But Dracula remained unshakeable, as if anchored to the spot where he stood. He began to gesticulate with his hands, intricate gestures that appeared to be aimed at the storm itself.

Avram noticed the rain first. It began to lessen in intensity until it had entirely ceased to pour upon them. And yet, glancing toward either shore, he could see that rain continued to fall upon the land. As though sudden dispensation had been granted to the river. The very waves had calmed, and the boat no longer rocked. As if the boat had suddenly become a shelter from the storm that raged about them. Not only that, but the sail puffed out with a gentled wind that seemed to invite them to continue their journey.

Dracula turned to face them, his expression unreadable. “Time to go,” he said before he disappeared below deck. Avram wondered if he’d tired himself out with his impressive display. He turned to Andrei, whose mouth gaped open, soundless. But his eyes asked so much.

“He is special,” is all that Avram said as he helped his friend to get the boat under way once more.

 to be continued

Now see what's up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 


Saturday, December 14, 2024

Saturday is Horror Day #196 - Dark Night of the Scarecrow

 Dark Night of the Scarecrow


Bubba Ritter (Larry Drake) is a mentally changed man who wouldn't hurt a soul. He lives with his mother, and his best friend is a young girl  named Marylee (Tonya Crowe), and they spend a lot of time together. Unfortunately, in their small Southern town, four men who are the local assholes, including the postal carrier Otis Hazelrigg (Charles Durning) like to make life miserable for Bubba. They torment him and have, on more than one occasion, beaten him, simply for existing.





When Marylee is attacked by a dog, the four men blame Bubba, even though it wasn't his fault, and he 



actually saved her. They chase him down and execute him, only to learn that the girl lived and he didn't harm her. They hide their deed, and claim self-defense, and are declared blameless, to the chagrin of the prosecuting attorney. Bubba's mother is very angry, and tells them that there will be justice of another kind.




And then suddenly these four men can't stop seeing a mysterious scarecrow. And once he appears to one of the men, that man dies. What sort of curse is this? Has Bubba come back from the dead? Or was he even dead to begin with.


So maybe this film will never receive an Academy Award nomination (especially as it's from 1981), but I find a certain satisfaction in watching ignorant assholes get what is coming to them. Charles Durning is particularly loathsome as the mailman who torments poor Bubba every chance he gets. He is also cringeworthy when he tries to convince young Marylee that Bubba's death isn't his fault. If this was done today, some might even say he's a pedo, but I think he just can't handle the truth. As a side note, Larry Drake, who plays Bubba, played Benny in the TV series, LA Law, a character who was also mentally challenged. In fact, Drake became known for playing that kind of character, and people were so convinced by his performance they thought he was handicapped himself. 

I'll give this film 3 Stars.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #34(7.4)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Unwilling to postpone their travels any longer than necessary, Dracula is about to reveal something perhaps he shouldn't. See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula! Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Dracula #34 (7.4)

Avram jumped as a blue bolt of lightning flashed across the sky. Far too close for comfort, it was followed about five seconds later by the requisite thunder. This storm was practically upon them, the rain but a precursor to its fury. Avram was torn between taking Andrei and seeking shelter in order to keep him from seeing what was about to happen and witnessing that same event. While it was true he’d seen Nico display his talents many times over the years, that was a sight he never grew tired of.

The boat began to rock upon the turbulent river like a drunken sailor. Avram still clung to Dracula for balance on one side, Andrei on the other as the heavens showered cold sheets of rain upon them.

“Andrei, perhaps you should go below and make sure everything is fast,” he suggested. He was not surprised when the smuggler made no reply and made no effort to move. His attention was all for Dracula, who had shaken off Avram’s hand and sauntered toward the rail as easily if he were taking a casual stroll in the park.

Apparel oft proclaims the man, to quote the Bard.

Despite the workman’s clothes he wore, now thoroughly drenched, Nicolai cut an imposing figure, silhouetted against the angry sky. Sometimes Avram forgot just how powerful the vampire really was, since there was little need for such display in their everyday lives. But at moments such as these, Nico seemed to possess an almost visible aura, a stark contrast to the almost somnolent attitude he seemed to wear daily. As if life were too much effort for him, at least when they were at home.

Arms outstretched, he raised his hands, palms up, toward the sky. His eyes were closed, as if in concentration.

Avram’s attention was diverted to Andrei. The boatman grabbed his arm just as a gust of wind threatened to topple them both. The boat precariously rode the swell but made no effort to capsize, luckily. “What does he think he’s doing?”

Avram shook his head. He had no words for what was about to happen. Andrei would see for himself in just a moment.

Dracula’s lips were moving, his sonorous voice undulating in unintelligible waves despite the rising wind. Avram had no knowledge of what words were being spoken, or how Nico had come to learn them. He wasn’t even aware of how he had become what he was. But he knew whatever these words were, they possessed a power that emanated from Dracula himself. And he was greatly in awe of that power.

The waves slapped violently against the boat, both Avram and Andrei struggling to keep their feet. But Dracula remained unshakeable, as if anchored to the spot where he stood. He began to gesticulate with his hands, intricate gestures that appeared to be aimed at the storm itself.

Avram noticed the rain first. It began to lessen in intensity until it had entirely ceased to pour upon them. And yet, glancing toward either shore, he could see that rain continued to fall upon the land. As though sudden dispensation had been granted to the river. The very waves had calmed, and the boat no longer rocked. As if the boat had suddenly become a shelter from the storm that raged about them. Not only that, but the sail puffed out with a gentled wind that seemed to invite them to continue their journey.

Dracula turned to face them, his expression unreadable. “Time to go,” he said before he disappeared below deck. Avram wondered if he’d tired himself out with his impressive display. He turned to Andrei, whose mouth gaped open, soundless. But his eyes asked so much.

“He is special,” is all that Avram said as he helped his friend to get the boat under way once more.

 to be continued

Now see what's up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 


Sunday, December 8, 2024

Saturday is Horror Day #195 - Son

 Son


Laura (Andi Matichak) has a troubled past, one she was able to escape from... barely. She still has nightmares about that time and those people. But the one good thing she took away with her is her son David (Luke David Blumm).  Several years have passed, and David is ill. The trouble is that none of the doctors can diagnose what is wrong with him. Worse, they seem to think something is wrong with Laura. Something mental.







Laura removes David from the hospital and flees with him. But violence seems to follow them. She  meets a detective who is working the case, Paul (Emile Hirsch), and it seems they may be forming a connection. But at the end of the day, David comes first, and Laura will do whatever she must to protect him.... anything at all.


This film does start slowly, I admit, but it does pick up eventually. I think it feels a bit disjointed at times and that perhaps it could have been told in a better way. The basic premise is solid and entertaining, and the end is unexpected. Luke David Blumm was great as the unfortunate son, outshining the adults around him. The two leads are so-so. It's not a bad film, I just think it could have been better. I'll give this film 3 Stars.