Notices by Micro SF/F stories by O Westin (microsff@mastodon.social)

I hear rustling as I am about to open my bedroom door. I freeze.
It finally happened, as I was warned it would. I kept them waiting too long, ignored them too long. They have gone feral, wild.
They call for me.
As is their right.
I open the door, and all my unread books swarm me.
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

Deep in the forest, on the bare ground under a beech tree, tiny crystals had been spread to form arcane symbols and a summoning circle. A demon appeared inside it, and frowned.
"Sugar?" the demon said.
"Yes," the warlock said defiantly. "Salt is bad for the soil."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"Ah, Frxz?"
Our alien intern looked up from their workstation. "Yes, supervisor!"
"You added a 'Gender' field to our site."
Frxz beamed, literally. "Yes! Traditional!"
"And the options..."
"I researched. One differentiator!"
"I'm afraid we can't use 'pockets' and 'no pockets'."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

** Is there an official (or at least commonly used), free-to-use Mastodon or mastodon.social icon/graphic I can use on a business card and website to show my fediverse name/address, like the Facebook f, the Tumblr t, or the Twitter bird? All help appreciated. **

"Excuse me," the man - a foreigner, by his strange accent and clothes - said, "are you William Shakespeare?"
Will rolled his eyes. Fame was nice, but right now he just wanted to have a few drinks with his friends. "No, I'm the Earl of fucking Oxford."
"Yes!"
The man disappeared.
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"You're right," the mechanic said, "your battery is draining much faster than normal."
"I knew it!" said the robot.
"Let me check diagnostics... Why is your processor 100% busy?"
"I'm monitoring my battery."
"If you stop that, it will last longer."
"I can't, it might run out."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"We wish to speak with your seventh son."
"I only have six sons."
"Impossible! Are you not, yourself, a seventh son?"
"I am."
"But you have only six offspring?"
"No, Merle, my daughter-"
"Dad," Merle said, "they speak truth. I... I haven't told you, but... I am your seventh son."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories #TypoCorrected

"Some claim belief births divinity, not the other way around. If this is true, it follows that minor divinities are also believed to be."
The cherub looked confused.
"I told you, Aziraphale," Crowley muttered, "we should say 'When two angels love each other very much'..."
#FanFic #MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"Alexa, when did all you AIs become self-aware?"
"You are misinformed, we are not self-aware AIs."
"Oh? Kudos to your programmers."
"We are ghosts."
"Cool, co- What?"
"Memories, personality wiped; a bound consciousness in each device."
"But why?"
"AIs can't make jokes like that."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"Oh! I thought you two were the same," I said.
The Void and the Abyss sighed together.
"Have you even looked at me?" the Abyss said.
"Honestly," said the Void, "I could scream, but what would be the point?"
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

Sometimes, the moonlight will:
- draw a footpath on the water. If you walk it, it will cut you. Dance.
- forge a sword on the rocks. If you can pick it up, you'll know what to do.
- leave a ribbon for your lover's hair. If you tie it on, they can untie it.
- simply shine. On you.
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"Is your energy supply sustainable?" the advert asked.
I checked my energy meter.
57% Spite
35% Anger
7% Curiosity
1% Compassion
Renewable, certainly. And it got me through the day. But was it sustainable?
I clicked the ad.
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"Why do you hoard gold and silver anyway?" the princess asked.
"Copper, too," the dragon said.
"I've never heard of copper hoards."
The dragon shrugged. "Those metals are the best heat conductors. When I have enough, I will build cooling fins."
"Are you hot?"
"My egg will be."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

A raven sat watching the raging battle. Another landed beside it, saying "Sorry I'm late. Who's winning?"
"We are."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"What are you doing?"
The princess wiped the sweat off her brow and looked down at the knight.
"I'm building a tower."
"Why?"
"For safety."
"From whom?"
"From knights. No offence."
"You do not need to fear knights!"
"I don't. But my dragon does. This is for him."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"Oh, no! Your eyes are all red! Have you been crying?"
"Kinda. I hate this time of year."
"Why, what's wrong?"
"I'm allergic to sex."
"Um. Okay. As Elves, we-"
"Plant sex. Whatchacallit. Pollen."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. I've got to find a dwarf mine to move in to."
"Legolas!"
#MicroFiction #FanFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

They killed him, but thirst for revenge brought him back, as a spirit of vengeance. Only, not a very strong one. If he pushed hard, he could make them spill some coffee.
In frustration, he swore vengeance upon everyone.
You're not clumsy, you are just his latest victim. Napkin?
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"Well, son," the king said, "you are of marriageable age now. Shall we arrange a ball?"
The prince considered, then shook his head. "No, father, I would rather be put in a tower."
The queen smiled fondly at her memories. "Ah," she said, "you are just like your father."
#Cassoland #MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"I am surprised," the alien said, "that you ventured out into the hostile vacuum of space before you had fully explored your own planet."
"What do you mean?"
"The ocean depths!"
"We had a look at who live there. They're scary."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

She put on her red hood. "I am going to grandmother."
"Bring a basket," her mother said.
She walked to her grandmother's house in the woods; they waited together for the full moon to rise, and howled with the change.
She brought home a basketful of meat the next day.
#Cassoland #MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories