Competition: Micro Fiction 6

Finished
Micro Fiction 6

Prompt: Discovering something new

We all find relaxation in different ways, these are just a few of them. Write a micro fiction, with a MAXIMUM word count based on the prompts. Prompts are meant to be open to interpretation, which means you are free to write any story you’d like as long as it ties into the prompts given.

All fictions must be 500 words or LESS.

The idea is to quickly write a short, concise story. Stories longer than 500 words are eligible for participation only. Prompts are meant to be open ended and open to interpretation. Stories submitted must be based around your character and the prompt provided.

All prompts will be available for three weeks and can be written and submitted in any order

Rules:

  • Participants must submit entries in .pdf, .doc, or .docx format, or use the submission text field (markdown capable).
  • Entries must be a maximum of 500 words. Any entries that are over 500 words will be ineligible for placement.
  • There is no minimum word requirement.
  • Your story must be centered on one of your dossier-linked characters, be it your Main, Alt, or other slotted NPCs. Additional NPCs, including ones listed on the wiki or created/invented to tell your story in this fiction, are allowed and strongly encouraged.
  • Due to the length of fictions, Clusters of Ice will not be awarded.

Grading Method: Grading will be done utilizing the official Fiction Rubric.

How the scoring works:

Participation will be key here, all participants submitting a valid comp entry will be awarded with 1 point towards the overall event placement with the top 3 placements per completion earning more. Overall event ties will be broken based on the number of competitions entered followed by the number of placements.

1st place: 4 points
2nd place: 3 points
3rd place: 2 points
Participation: 1 point

Competition Information
Parent Competition
Micro Fiction: Relaxation
Organized by
TuQ’uan Varick di Plagia
Running time
2024-08-09 until 2024-08-30 (22 days)
Target Unit
Entire DJB
Competition Type
Other
Awards
Second Level Crescents
Participants
13 subscribers, of which 6 have participated.
Results
Member
Knight Veil Arcana
File submission
Comp -Discovery.17233.pdf
Textual submission

Sixth entry. 500 words according to MS Word.

This was a fun series of prompts that really helped me establish some of my character's early life. But, man, that 500 word limit was brutal sometimes :) Thanks for the competition!

Placement
1st place
2nd place
Cymbre Kall
Member
Cymbre Kall
Submission
Cymbre Kall opted out of publishing her submission.
Placement
2nd place
Member
Sofila "Sagitta" Douve Armis
File submission
Discovered.pdf
Placement
3rd place
Member
Proconsul Diyrian "Diy" Grivna
Textual submission

“Investigative Journalism?”

Kobign Settgre echoed curiously, shifting his weight and leaning back against the fence encircling the picnic area. The ocean waves lapped against the rocks below, mildly drowning the noise of the small gathering around the fire. He pulled his gaze from Jax where he talked happily about likely some holonet social trend with Minnie, her brother cooking and his partner listening in. Taking a sip of his ale, the half-Selenian crossed his arms and tucked his drink into the crook of his elbow, looking at the Zabrack chatting with him.

Bril Teg Arga smiled, happy to explain something both interesting and close to home. “It’s a form of reporting dedicated to deeply investigating things such as serious crimes, injustices, political and corporate corruption — exposing it to the galactic public. Or at least the network Pa’ren’i works with, the Galactic News Service, reaches as far.”

“I see.” Kobign said after a slight pause.

His mind wandered in various directions, a certain appeal in revealing wrongdoing and potentially aiding in ceasing its harm on the innocents that get caught up as victims. At the same time, there was one nagging thought reminding him as it did occasionally, especially around get-togethers, that *he* fell into that category of crimes and political corruptions. A Collective Intelligence Agent, a spy, a plant…or formerly one.

*Formerly one.*

Kobign reminded himself. He exhaled slowly and relaxed the controlled tension in his jaw, adjusting his mindset with practice. It was then that he realized Bril had still been talking. He glanced back at the younger man, giving a well-placed nod and casual eye contact.

“-- total of forty-eight deaths counted. The article resulted in a sixty-million credit fine, reparations for the people, and a court order clean up mandate…” The recount faded off as Bril concluded, but the pause and the way he tilted his head was suspect.

“You seem pensive, Kob. What’s up?”

Kobign groaned internally. He slipped in his composure around the young man. He flashed a light smile and unfolded his arms, free hand going to rub his neck. “Heh, I was just thinking about the job. I don’t know, seems like something I might be interested in, investigations and pushing a stop to some of the sithspit in the galaxy. Just…got my doubts. Never went to Uni or the like, not sure how well I’d do with the whole actual journaling.”

Bril watched him for a moment, those several heartbeats where high supernatural senses combated deftly skilled deception and charm. Not a lie. He hadn’t gone to Uni, hell never finished school, just wasn’t all he was ‘*doubting*’.

But the Zabrak smiled and shrugged, “I don’t think that would stop you, not if you're set on it.” He glanced over to his Nautolan girlfriend before giving a nod, “Perhaps Pa’ren’i be down to chat with you about it if, when she visits? Anyways, I’m gonna join the others. Coming?”

Kobign considered, then nodded himself, “Perhaps, and sure.”

Placement
No placement
Member
Combat Master "Aequitas" Anderson
File submission
Relaxation 6.pdf
Placement
No placement
Member
Master Ruka Tenbriss Ya-ir
Textual submission

Metal tinkled and clattered against glass as keys were set in a pumpkin-shaped bowl on a cabinet by the door.

"Ehhhee," called the man through the bag he held by the handle in his teeth, having needed to juggle to get inside, what with only the one arm and all. "Mmif tbbeahhm."

Clattering and skidding paws reached him first, Canchi running to meet his other father. The cythraul sat handsomely at Jax's feet and waited, tail swishing. When Jax dropped one bag off his arm, the pup picked it up like he would a gear bag in combat and ran it to the kitchen. Doing so sent him past his person, the scruffy half-Selenian grinning slightly at his husband.

"What was that language, Professor?" Kobign asked as he approached, helping take another bag, particularly the one in Jax's jaws. Freed, the tall hybrid spoke.

"Grocery-ese. Very niche," he teased back, and leaned down into the kiss Kobign pulled him into by the knot of his scarf-- one of the half-Human's own.

"Welcome home."

"It's gourd to be home."

Kobign chuffed, and they went to put up the groceries. On the way they passed the remnants of maybe nearing a hundred hints of started and stopped projects in various stages: empty miniature plant pots, DIY books on shelving and woodworking, an advertisement for painting lessons and a pile of flyers for pottery glasses, jazz dance, cantina band auditions, volunteer meetings.

"What have you got there, love?" Kobign asked when Jax placed down a set of cup carriers on the counter, inhaling the smell of caf. It had to be from a new place; they Always tried a new one each week, usually ordering two plain house roasts and two lattes to test the menu and roast. Jax's nose was sensitive and exploratory of new beans, and the couple loved sharing on the pallette.

"Found a little cart in the market," Jax informed happily, hips wagging as the stump of his tail did under his clothes. "Cheers?"

"Mmm," Kobign hummed, taking the offered cup. He inhaled slowly, taking in the moment: caf, the warmth in his flesh hand, Canchi brushing his side, Jax, with the ring on his finger, taking his metal hand and kissing it, then leaning down to nuzzle his cheek.

The newness of peace.

He exhaled.

"Smells good."

Placement
No placement