Teryl's Tales of Whim~
We happened upon some mermaids sunning themselves.
It was a sight to behold and a smell we'd never forget.
Both delicious and uninviting. Like a salmon dinner that had been left in a used gym sock.
We approached all the same and we had a pleasant, if short conversation. The fumes were too much, and we had to bid them farewell.
As we left, we heard one utter, "How can they live smelling like that?"
Feeling's mutual, fishter.
#TootFic #MicroFiction #Writing #TerylsTales #MerMay #UrbanFantasy
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
The Sorceress sat in the center of her study. The scent of honey and smoke filled it to the brim.
She stared unblinkingly at a flickering spot of fire, wax pooling around the base of the candle, binding it further to the silver holder resting on the table before her.
Once the flame extinguished itself, she leaned back with a relaxed sigh.
"Another candle, mistress?"
"No," she yawned, "I think that was enough light reading for one night."
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"We are alone in this universe."
Out of hope and desperation, I took the quote to heart.
Earth was unquestionably too full; not of the living, but of generations upon generations of spirits - I became more aware with every passing year.
I earned a pilots license - there were less spirits in the sky. So I set my eyes beyond.
My time on the ISS was hell - countless ancient, unfathomable beings had once lived and perished up here.
#TootFic #MicroFiction #Writing #TerylsTales #Paranormal #SciFi
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"Only Amazons or those who would be their sisters may enter," the sentry declared, casting a wary eye to the travelers.
Hina squeezed my hand, "Ready?"
My stomach churned," What if we can't? We... I haven't..."
I looked down at my chest and hairy arms; felt the itch of a 5 o'clock shadow.
"...started."
Hina rolled her chair forward, "YOLO!"
She passed through the magical gates, unhindered.
I sobbed joyfully as I followed.
#TootFic #MicroFiction #Writing #TerylsTales #UrbanFantasy #LGBTIQ
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
2/2
I was honest about my inexperience with babbles so they worked with me the first week. Diapers had been a unique challenge... but I like challenges!
And I mastered them all well within the training period.
Also, with my superior senses, I could practically predict when a change was about to be needed so I'd whisk the foal away before anyone else would ever have to know.
Though... I still didn't understand the rule about not sharing my cud with them.
They'd seemed to like it just fine.
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
1/2
I checked on the foals while they slept.
I paused, trying to remember the proper human term. Kids? Or was that just goats? Children! Very small human children are... babbles?
I nodded confidently; they babbled noises, hence: babbles.
I trotted out as quietly as my four hooves would let me.
And they said a centaur couldn't nanny human foals! This past month I'd proven them all wrong.
The family loved me!
Yes, I was doing a fine job.
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
Moonlight shimmered off her silver fur, even under the fluorescent lights of the Drive-Thru. Her thin, sharp horn tip tapped against the glass politely.
I slid my window open and the unicorn placed a folded bill into my hand, gazing through long gold lashes at me.
"Keep the change," she said.
"O-okay," I stammered, handing over her order.
"Oh did I say no cheese?"
"You did."
"Good!" she exclaimed and trotted off into the darkness.
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"Do you ever find yourself plagued with a face and a body that is considered attractive by current standards?"
"No, hah, the opposite in fact."
"Then what would you give to have such features?"
"Ah geez if it were financially viable I'd've made changes by now."
"What if I told you it wouldn't cost you a penny. All I ask for is a portion of your intelligence."
"Look I can barely function as is, I think I'd rather be lumpy, thanks."
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
The unicorns of glass danced on light and whinnied like fingers sliding over the lip of so many wine glasses.
When pleased they cast rainbows, delighting all lucky enough to bear witness.
If offended, they could burn a whole town with the fierceness of a sun.
Some hunters learned to capture them using helpless youths beneath the pale moons glow.
If witnessed, the unicorns would hide in the hunters' dreams - soon to be deadly nightmares.
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
The aged unicorns stood in the rain, heads tilted up to the skies, bleating soft happy songs to each other.
Most know unicorns to be creatures of forests but few know unicorns as creatures of deserts. Even many of the younger ones were unaware of this origin.
But the ancient ones recalled it all; the blistering heat, the sparse grasses beneath nimble sandy hooves, and thorny succulents... And how the heavenly rains brought frolic & foals.
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"Hi! I'd like to submit a bug report?"
"Go ahead."
"The butterflies are coming along nicely; less monarchs than anticipated, but we're troubleshooting as we speak."
"Anything else?"
"The bees are doing better, but still not where we'd like; continuing to investigate."
"Thank you for sub--"
"Uh... one more thing..."
"What?"
"We over budgeted the mosquitoes. Again."
"Ugh... I'll alert the Bird and Fish departments to compensate."
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
1/2
The hen had few desires; to grow fat on grubs and grains, to keep eggs warm and to soar through the clouds.
She excelled at the first two, but her flying efforts, though determined, were limited. Still,she managed to reach many of the highest treetops and rocky outcrops, further than the rest of the flock.
During her highest flight, she found a cliffside cave with a nest cradling two cooling eggs. Without hesitation she began to brood.
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
The princess had been locked in her tower for days.
The voice behind the door telling servants & nobles alike to Go Away was distinctly hers, but all were baffled as to why she had imprisoned herself.
Speculation flared; was she busy creating an epic tapestry? Hiding a lover? Was she kidnapped but a decoy was imitating her voice?
Indeed, it was an imposter.
The princess was adventuring, and her enchanted canary would be owed much millet.
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"I come from a kingdom with areas so slim that if you stretched your arms your fingertips breach both Eastern & Western borders. By all accounts, most denizens actually reside in the neighboring lands - some folks completely unaware of their true sovereign. Yet other areas of the kingdom are largely submerged, where floating towns defy the cursed floodwaters. I'm from one such town."
"Is that why you left?"
"No, I'm wanted for boat theft."
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"Why is this tavern called The Weeping Witch?"
"You've never heard the tale?"
"Obviously."
"It's about a young witch and how her heart was broken--"
"By a man?"
"No. She didn't get into the college she applied for so she forged her own way; started her own company only to have her revolutionary new spell stolen by her business partner. Some say her tears were so salty she made earth and creatures around her barren."
"...Hardcore."
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
I hit my local coffee spot just after the lunch rush. There's a new barista. I couldn't help commenting on her name tag. "Oh wow, Leia! Star Wars fan-parents?"
She looked so tired,I started to feel for bad asking something she's clearly heard hundreds of times.
"Yeah. I have a twin brother."
"Oh no... Leia and Luke?"
The lights of youth & joy dwindle further from her eyes.
"No. Mark."
I leave with me coffee, flashing the Vulcan salute.
She flips me off. Fair.
#MicroFiction #tootfic #smallstories
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