Flash Fiction Month Stories List!

 Flash Fiction Month is happening, and I have been working on catching up to it. You can read my flash fictions for free on my Deviant Art gallery. Views help boost me in the algorithm, if I understand things correctly. I will update this list to link to where you can read the flash fictions written for this month.

Flash Fiction Month 2021

1. The Idols: Obsession, or safety? https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM2021-1-The-Idols-884398326
2. Rainbringer: When the rain runs dry, what happens when there is less to bring? https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM2021-2-Rainbringer-884402495
3. I Want Flames: Aging does not mean growing up. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-3-I-Want-Flames-885840121
4. Wind and Stream: Experience the connection of a tree between her suitors. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-4-Wind-and-Stream-885848421
5. I Just Want A Bed: No, really. I just want a bed! https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-5-I-Just-Want-a-Bed-886131751
6. Sloth: Be careful what you program. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-6-Sloth-886138477
7. Within Her Mirror: Snow White from the Magic Mirror's perspective. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-7-Within-Her-Mirror-886218522
8. A) The Fae Bride: A Fairy bride and what a chance encounter means for her future groom. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-8-The-Fae-Bride-886230385
   B) They: Wander with a spirit that had never walked as human. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-8b-They-886338858
9. Cloud In The Storm: The Cloud Maiden always wanders far, and sometimes she comes when called. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-9-Cloud-in-the-Storm-886233369
10. Starstone City: Adventurers, a love triangle, and personality clashes. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-10-Starstone-City-886247909
11. Providence: A half selkie shipwrecked encounters a full selkie family. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-11-Providence-886241301
12. The Taste of People: A forest spirit speaks his mind https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-12-The-Taste-of-People-886149220
13. You'll Be Mine: Loving? Obsessive? You get to make up your own mind about this Fae and his letter. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-13-You-ll-Be-Mine-886146025
14. The Cloud Maiden's Shrine Origin: The Cloud Maiden chooses a home, and a priest to serve her. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-14-The-Cloud-Maiden-s-Shrine-Origin-886141083
15. Wishing Cookies: Just a little bit of baking. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM2021-15-Wishing-Cookies-886040849
16. An Unusual Day In The Life of Sir Seb (or Sir Sebastion): When a villain is bad at being bad and it's the castle dragon that needs rescuing Sir Sebastion gets to clean up the mess. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM2021-16-An-Unusual-Day-in-the-Life-of-Sir-Seb-885959154
17. Temptations: In which I mock blouse ripper romance and shed a little light on certain aspects of the Temple of Mara that aren't so fun. Or is it just angst? https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-17-Temptations-886054881
18. Who Summoned Me To Punch A Fish?: Teenagers, elder gods possessing tentacles, and wannabe gangs. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-18-Who-Summoned-Me-to-Punch-a-Fish-886057619
19. Dragon And Hawk Reunite: A long flash forward for Ryu Take and BlowingWind Mountainchild from my Dragon Shaman books. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-19-Dragon-and-Hawk-Reunite-886209592
20. Untethering The Dragon: When a spirit incarnates as a human but needs their powers there is always some sort of price. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-20-Untethering-The-Dragon-886335217
21. The Cloud Dance: Your typical unruly princess, and the typical falling for a guard. The Cloud Maiden has plans for them https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-21-The-Cloud-Dance-886350253
22. Smell The Flowers: A delivery driver who goes the extra mile is forced to take a break, but also is given a gift for his care. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-22-Smell-the-Flowers-886442209
23. The Master Tome: We touch in with Kirsty Makay, a selkie from the "Selkies' Skins" series and her finding of the "Pearls of Sea and Stone" in its book form. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-23-The-Master-Tome-886531789
24. In progress
25. In progress
26. In progress
27. In progress
28. In progress
29. In progress
30. In progress
31. In progress

Look for places to find me via my Linktree! https://www.linktr.ee/Amehana

Flash Fiction Fridays episodes 17 and 18

Much has happened that delayed the usual releases. After mama Cat's death I then experienced the death of a spirit/soul sister AND THEN the death of a beloved aunt. I intend to get one of the interviews recorded sometime tonight or tomorrow in preparation for Sunday.

Flash Fiction Fridays episode #17: Connection

Audio Only Podcast: http://www.podcasts.com/mythical-minstrelsy-flash-fiction-fridays-and-ames-bookshelf-1a06920c4/episode/Flash-Fiction-Fridays-17-Connection-by-Teresa-Garcia-18c2

Flash Fiction Fridays episode #18: Loyalty

Audio Only Podcast: http://www.podcasts.com/mythical-minstrelsy-flash-fiction-fridays-and-ames-bookshelf-1a06920c4/episode/Flash-Fiction-Fridays-18-Loyalty-and-poems-473c

If you'd like your short fiction featured, especially if it is myth or folklore related, please email me at ladyrainstardragon@hotmail.com or thgstardragonpublishing@gmail.com. I am also open to working your own recordings of your readings into the podcast should you choose.

Flash Fiction #14: Kagayaku's Decision (sword spirit fiction)

Podcast Audio: http://www.podcasts.com/mythical-minstrelsy-flash-fiction-fridays-and-ames-bookshelf-1a06920c4/episode/Flash-Fiction-Fridays-14-Kagayakus-Decision-sword-spirit-story-8781


Kagayaku’s Decision

The fire guard kept watch, but mortal eyes saw none of the minor kami gathered in the room with their soldiers, nor the influence of the major kami, butsu, and bosatsu the forces regularly prayed to. The incense kept time with a steady creep and rising wisp.

She watched him sleep, just as every other sword in the room watched his or her own master sleep. The males as usual outnumbered the women. It did not matter though. Swords were not normally capable of reproducing on their own, nor at all. The humans truly did not reproduce on their own either, just as they did help was required although of a different type.

He was childless and wifeless, unlike most of those sleeping men sprawled orderly around them. Breaths and heartbeats were for the lord of the clan and for their families. His beat only for his master, half hollow instead of the full ones of the others. The murmurs had already started several years ago, after she had been awarded him, as to if there would be anyone to inherit her. More bothersome though was how colder and more distant he became with each passing year. Soon he would not be the young man she had known with such promise.

She sat straighter where she knelt in seiza beside the head of her warrior and her physical body. Her job was to protect him. Thinking of what he could become made her heart hurt. They had faced too many of those together. He could not become one of the hollow ones who only fought for rice and who tasted so bitter on her sharp tongue. Kagayaku steeled herself, her lips pressing together. The other sword spirits of the room turned their eyes to her, sensing the change in the flow of ki.

“After this coming battle I have work that must be done. Who may I ask to instruct me in what men seek of their women?” Her own eyes turned determinedly toward several belonging to those most known to visit the geisha of the floating world, locking with them. Among there kind none bowed to the others, save to he that dwelled in the shrine of the Sun’s Child and still sang of the taste of Orochi’s blood and the vanquishing thereof.

Each reddened, their lips played several emotions.

“Why, Kagayaku? Do you intend to bear him a son to in turn carry you for our lord yourself? That may be easier than hunting him a wife. Do you not know the sort that he himself looks toward?” Jari, sword of the youngest out of the targeted quintet chuckled.

“He looks to none so, I have indeed watched. He does not even look to other men so. If I can find him one, so be it. If I must show myself to him, so be it.” Kagayaku smoothed imaginary wrinkles in her lap, her displeasure giving a cold ring to her song.

“I do not think you can be demure enough, younger sister.” At length Mashite, he that was quickest to smooth words sighed. “The women my master sees all act subservient and haughty at once. And far more flirtatious. It would be a shame to model yourself after such peacock, or to find him such. No, he needs someone that will tend him as loyally as you do, that will not flinch to treat him should his armor fail.”

His armor’s spirit scowled and made a rude gesture beneath where crossed arms hid his fingers. “I only move as swift as he, no swifter.” His eyes slid over Kagayaku and he scowled more.

“She must be willing to put up with long nights of loneliness, and drunkenness.” Other swords began voicing their opinions and advice, not all of it delicate and often far coarser.

A few hours before dawn all had decided to try to find someone and to let the others know, then to somehow arrange introductions. They quieted as the ningen began to stir and go about their preparations. Today there would be either death, or life, for each of them. Perhaps some of their own also would be sent to the shadow lands to walk the wind scoured and mist shrouded beaches, or to the lands over which Lady Izanami now ruled, unable to send the dead back home since her once-husband’s betrayal of her modesty and mysteries.

Her ningen’s fingers caressed her hilt, and she drew a deep breath. Kagayaku’s bearer would not be one of the fallen, if she had her way. Beneath his touch she sang.


Bosatsu = Bodhisattva, a buddha who waits for all to Awaken before leaving The Wheel

Butsu = A buddha that has gone on but turns to give deliverance and guidance to show the Way.

Jari = grit

Kagayaku = luminous

Ki = energy. Known as chi in China

Kami = spirit, deity, god/dess

Mashite = not to mention, let alone

Ningen = human

This was intended to be a short story, but may unfurl into a novella through later flashes to the characters. It is born out of a long ago talk that planted the seed for a samurai that unknowing and reluctantly falls in love with his sword. It also somewhat draws on the reluctant king story seed although the ningen will never rise to king nor emperor.


Full Podcast content
www.FlashFictionFridays.com

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Flash Fiction Only Pods

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Other places and ways to support

Want to visit me, see some of my other works, or support me? Find me at:

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Flash Fiction Fridays #12: Parting, This is Nisa (Latest Revision), and The Seer

Video link: https://youtu.be/i5nrAlS3zZU


Audio podcast: http://www.podcasts.com/mythical-minstrelsy-flash-fiction-fridays-and-ames-bookshelf-1a06920c4/episode/Flash-Fiction-Fridays-12-Parting-This-is-Nisa-latest-revision-and-The-Seer-89d9


Thanks go to Oscelot Haalan for getting the audio podcast to behave and upload.


#Singularity #AlternateWorlds #Dimensionality

This Friday I present three flash fictions. Two of them are by a guest, one Aria Wolfram or Lacy Musketeer. The third is my own.

Parting by Aria Wolfram: Nisean lore has always hinged around what disaster befell the original inhabitants of the country in the universe I first entered Nisa from, and long been tied into alternate realities and timelines. In this tale we learn one version of how Ar'ia first enters one of several concurrent versions of Nisa wherein anthro versions of Raikou and Horin rule Ibexia (and adopt her in adulthood) and what that entry looked like from the point of view of her father when she enters the singularity. Or perhaps it could be said the spirits of those who would take physical incarnation to later be the duo. There are alternate theories one could spin from this as well.

This is Nisa by Aria Wolfram: I also recommend listening to the original version of the tale as recorded for the MLP world version that she wrote, as recorded by Illya Leonov. She agreed to let me record and share her tale providing that I utilize the version for the currently enacted timeline wherein the denizens tend toward anthro and less toward the MLP based version Nisa was originally held to based on the universe rp was at the time done within (back when it interacted with Roanoak before the Changeling massacre and later the Canterlot bombing when that timeline was communally abandoned and "stored").

For posterity, Illya Leonov's recording of the first version: http://www.soundcloud.com/illya-leonov

You can visit Nisa and Ibexia as well as several other parcels owned and maintained by the Dreaming Twilight in the Second Life sim of Ontario.

The Seer by Teresa Garcia: A Seer of indeterminate age attempts to share what is most dear and wondrous with you. But what is your reaction to her world?

Financial assistance

Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/Amehana

Ko-fi: http://www.ko-fi.com/amehana

Paypal: http://paypal.me/thgstardragon

Other places and ways to support

Want to visit me, see some of my other works, or support me? Find me at:

THG StarDragon Publishing, Mythical Minstrelsy & Arashiryuu Productions Discord: https://discord.gg/hvswe2A

DeviantArt: http://amehanarainstardrago.deviantart.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Garcia/e/B009Q938VE

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/TeresaGarcia

Storenvy: http://thgstardragon.storenvy.com Check now and then for new things, some I can't list just yet.

Publishing Website: http://www.thgstardragon.com

Publishing Blog: http://www.thgstardragonpublishingblog.com

Commissions Info: https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/journal/Commissioning-Information-566657935

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/Amehana

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Mythical Minstrelsy volume 2 print edition now available

It has been a very busy several days (several months). In addition to The Ian's Realm Saga part 1 going live on Dianne Gardner's Gumroad store I came to the computer to the notice that the print edition of Mythical Minstrelsy, volume 2 has gone live and available for sale on Amazon, to join the kindle edition. I see that they have not yet been linked, but I expect that to be done sometime soon by the system.

The price is a bit higher than I would like, but it is due to the fact that color print costs a bit more, and there are indeed color images, although the divider images are grey scale.

I am particularly pleased with the cover. It printed darker than expected (always hard to tell how dark something will print) but it suits the mood of the Second Life photography shoot that I did to obtain the images to work with for the cover.

The print edition of volume three is still in production. I am going through the manuscript compiled into the .doc from Scrivener to ensure that it has all of the high dpi images inserted. Ebooks tend to use a lower dpi than what is suitable for print due to file size issues.

Mythical Minstrelsy volume 2 Print Edition Live

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1095439057

Flash Fiction Fridays #9: Playfulness (A Selkies' Skins short story reading)

What if a man that courts and marries a selkie never takes her skin away but instead lets her wear or leave it as she pleases? What happens if he decides the skin needs company as much as he does? What could go wrong... or right?



"Playfulness" by Teresa Garcia (myself) centers around what life at Seal Point is like for David Valnarius after he and Kirsty Makay graduate from school and begin their lives together. The story of how Kirsty gains her skin is being told by the "Selkies' Skins" series of books. Book two is currently an ongoing project.



A fan sent me a copy of a Ballad about the Mari Lwyd to read. I have not had the chance to sit down with it, but it is in my two read and to record list. As it is not my own writing I'll need time to write up at least some discussion points for it.



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Want to visit me, see some of my other works, or support me? Find me at:

Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/Amehana

Ko-fi: http://www.ko-fi.com/amehana

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Commissions Info: https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/journal/Commissioning-Information-566657935

https://www.instagram.com/amehanaarashi/



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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vLsYYcHOkDdasTFvqe9Ph

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/teresa-garcia-34



Want to send me something to read on here or to review? Have a particular request?



Need to send something the old-fashioned way? Maybe you've got a hard copy of a book you want reviewed, or a copy of some of your own work for me to look over? Perhaps you have some of your work you'd like me to record?



THG StarDragon Publishing

Attn: Teresa Garcia

PO Box 249

McCloud, CA 96057

USA



Email necessary?  Send me a note at ladyrainstardragon@hotmail.com but bear in mind that I have been having problems with it eating things sometimes from even verified senders.

Flash Fiction Fridays #8: Playfulness (written) and Wikatcha (reading)

The below flash fiction is set in the Selkies’ Skins universe sometime after Kirsty and David have graduated, married, and started their life together. I have left it intentionally unclear as to exactly how long after graduation. It is long enough for a house in the once again village of Seal Point to be finished near the home Kirsty grew up in.

Playfulness

David rummaged in the impeccably clean pantry looking for his tinned fish. Kirsty was at the office doing whatever her father had called her in for. Her skin was another matter. She had left it to keep him company since she expected a boring day of paperwork and meetings. Said skin was very enthusiastic about staying home, causing mischief, and preventing him from being too sucked into his own pursuits.

Kirstyskin never liked hanging on a peg pretending to be a cloak, at least not since she’d gained enough strength to move around on her own. He may, or may not, have contributed to this. It was so hard not to spoil such a cute skin, especially when it so exuberantly communicated things Kirsty herself tried to be more adult and circumspect about. He still couldn’t understand why anyone in their right mind would hide a skin from the corresponding selkie, wife or not. Marsali’s husband had deprived himself and her of a great deal, in his opinion.

“Ork! Ork!” The skin attempted to whisper. The barking did not translate well into a whisper at all. She hauled up on her tail and clapped her flippers at him excitedly. Her front gaped open to reveal her smooth suede inside. Sparkling blue eyes glinted at him.

“I’m looking dear, I’m looking.” He sighed to himself. “I knew I shouldn’t have said the magic word…”

“Feesh! Feeeesh! Feeeeeeeesh?” The skin flopped down and rolled over and over around the kitchen behind him. How and what she filled herself with whenever she’d do this he had no clue. Kirstyskin did not exactly hold still long enough for him to ever satisfy his curiosity about that.

“Yes dear. I’m looking for our feesh.” David’s lips lifted in a smile that released his chuckle. “I will make sure you are fat and shiny when the rest of you comes home.”

“Feeeeeesh…” The rambunctious skin calmed herself and plopped a head on his foot, nibbling at his ankle through his socks.

“I’m not a fish, silly selkie skin.” His rummaging finally yielded fruit.

“Are. Wolffish.” She rumbled at him.

“Bad pun.” He grinned as he looked down at the very self satisfied smirk on the skin’s face. Kirstyskin blew an impish raspberry at him.

One can of little anchovies was still hidden. Unfortunately now she knew the hiding spot. It was just a matter of time before she’d sneak up there in the middle of the night with a chair. He’d have to consult Imp later for ideas on where he could hide Emergency Fish so he’d be more likely to have spares. David’s musing as he made his way to the corner he preferred to flop with her in was interrupted by a flying streak of white.

Said streak humped along the floor at top speed from the kitchen to the living room barking gleefully around her mouthful.

“I thought we were sharing!”

Laughter floated back to him and thumping started up the steps. His own laughter joined hers as he started running after her.




This story will be available to listen to next week on my Patreon, Youtube, and Soundcloud.
It was originally posted on my Patreon where it can be read for free there as well. https://www.patreon.com/posts/flash-fiction-26345888

Today's recorded flash fiction is the one posted last week. I read for you my retelling of the tale of Wikatcha.

Are you interested in having your work featured? Thinking about having your story read in the Youtube programs? Send a note. Guests are welcome.

Mythical Minstrelsy Volume Three available now on Smashwords

Mythical Minstrelsy Volume Three by Teresa Garcia is now available on Smashwords. This collection of fantasy #Art #Poetry and #ShortStories spans the year of August 2017 to August 2018. http://ow.ly/rlsQ30ousjY Volumes Two and Three are to port to Amazon as well after conversion.

For the curious the cover art incorporates Second Life Photography done in the Nisa parcel (part of the Dreaming Twilight group) in the sim of Ontario by myself (Teresa Garcia) via Amehana Ishtari/Arashi. The figure is "Maria Lightwatch" as represented on my main account. The singing stones have since been relocated to one of the other parcels controlled by the group. Each of the Dreaming Twilight parcels represents another country and/or world in the Dreaming Twilight universe/multiverse/world. Visitors are welcome and encouraged. One can expect to find either Maria or her lute featuring in cover art for this series of anthologies.

Flash Friday, the tales of Kolowisi and Wakitcha

It is Flash Fiction Friday! Today's flash fiction more closely fits as a typical short story.

Today's flash fiction reading "Water Bride, or How Kolowisi gained his bride"

This was originally posted in writing on Teresa Garcia's Patreon and can also be found in her DeviantArt gallery. This and other tales and poems like it will be gathered into the fourth volume of the Mythical Minstrelsy anthology series. The end of volume four and beginning of volume five is in August.
You can read it free here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/longer-flash-25944807

This week's written flash fiction

For this Friday's written piece I have "Wikatcha," a fanciful retelling of legend surrounded a water dwelling cat from Creek mythology. It is told rather much differently than how they tell the legend as it is my own version.
You can read it free here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/flash-flood-of-26160423