Flash Fiction Friday 3-16-12: "Our Place Always Smelt of Roses"

(Source image: "Forbidden Embrace" by Igor Vasiliadis)

"It's hopeless, then?"

"Oh, I wouldn't say that. The Chancellor may have forbidden it, but as long as we're careful to not reveal anything in public, we should be all right."

"I don't know. I love you, but I don't want to get popped into one of Creedy's black bags, either."

Valerie smiled. "Then we'll just have to be sure we do all of our loving here at home, where we're safe from prying eyes."

They sank down on the bed, clothes already falling free, and met in a tender, bruising embrace. Superheated skin met silken skin; fingers explored, caressed; tongues twined and danced. They molded together, melting and merging, casting caution and fear to the wind.

Forbidden or not, there was just no way they could deny this intensity, this connection.

This love.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of not more than 160 words. Additionally, I provided a key word I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...hopeless..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track: 

The title of the picture determined where I went with this one. "Forbidden Embrace" gave me an idea, and then I took inspiration from elsewhere. Readers of Alan Moore and David Lloyd's seminal graphic novel "V for Vendetta", or for that matter viewers of the Wachowski Brothers' excellent film adaptation, will no doubt recognize where I got Valerie and her lover. If you haven't read the graphic novel or seen the movie, do so. Both are well worth taking in; although the story's crackdown on lesbians and gays is only a small part of the greater picture, I think it says a lot that when we start taking away rights from gays and lesbians and telling them they aren't free to love who they choose, it's only a short couple of steps from there to a totalitarian regime where no one is safe and nothing is allowed without the consent of the government. Fuck that.

If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.



Please note: This will be the last FFF challenge (and probably the last post) from me for some time until probably mid- or possibly late April. I have some personal issues to deal with as well as severe crunch time at my workplace and can't devote any spare time to larking about as I might wish. Thanks for your understanding.


-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday 12-31-10: "Spell of the White Witch"

(Image source: femjoy.com , model unknown)

"Turkish Delight is for little boys," the Witch purred. "Wouldn't you rather have...a man's reward?"

Edmund's heart beat faster as the Witch unfastened her robe and let it fall to the snow. Stretching, she lay full length. Her body shone, pale and bright. Winter's kiss left no trace upon her.

Edmund's blood burned. He knelt behind the Witch, now very aware of the pressing heat at his groin, dimly understanding that pleasures beyond his dreams could be his for the taking.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 66-86 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...winter's kiss..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track: 

I've been rereading C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia series recently. This picture inspired me to write the only piece of "fan-fiction" I've ever created. When I saw this woman lying nude in the snow, with that fur coat and hat, all I could think about was the White Witch from the first book in the series. In the story, Edmund betrays his companions to the Witch for some Turkish Delight. Me, I'd much rather have the Witch herself. The idea of entwining with a beauty like this, steaming it up in the snow...oh yes, what a delight that would be. She looks a lot more tasty than any conjured confectionery.

Please note that there is no participants list this week as I am traveling for personal and business reasons. I hope you enjoyed this week's pic and challenge. Check back here on Monday for the next challenge, and if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way. 

-- PB