‘Where’s that Arthur?’ He put his eye to the keyhole and felt the coolness of the metal #escutcheon against his cheek. The door flew open. ‘There he is!’ Olive flounced in. His mums friend was big and blousy and his bedroom shrunk as she enveloped him with arm and bosom. #vss365

Hi writer and reader friends. I have a question… where on BlueSky do you look for short stories (writing or reading)? Or what hashtags do you use? #shortstories #WritingCommunity #vss365

Not all that long ago, Dylan only had to care about avoiding Faction patrols, to deliver his cargo on time and intact. That all seemed so long ago now that it could have been in a different lifetime. He could only #yearn for those days and hope they would come again, but he doubted it. #vss365

Arthur dawdled in his bedroom while Mum and Auntie Minnie talked. Money problems. He #yearned to have Dad back. ‘We’ll talk about this later.’ ‘I’ve got a shilling in my purse.’ ‘You know I won’t take it.’ ‘Grace…’ Arthur coughed and dropped one of his books on the floor #vss365

'I #yearn for the crystal spires of Angel City, Pixie, for the silence of falling snow, for the sunrise reflected in a drop of dew...' 'Wow, Gabe... that's... deep. But I only asked if you wanted a brownie.' #vss365

It is hard to buckle down & truly reminisce. My mind, still. My soul, serene. Yet something stirs: Do I aspire for more within this grace I carry? What is it that I #yearn for? Deep inside, I hear the silence of pain a quiet ache to reclaim lost time. ~rev #vss365

#Yearn is a word that I don’t like So I’m going to let it burn With all the other once upon a yearns I no longer feel its dire desire My core now tangos with fire I walk like a flame My heart doesn’t break It bends at my will untamed #vss365

#VSS365 #prompt #YEARN The VSS365 word for Aug 31, '25 is YEARN - to deeply, emotionally desire something lost or unattainable. "Hobbits in Mordor yearn for the Shire." With that, I yield the floor to C. S. Voll (@stephlepht.bsky.social) who will post prompts beginning 1 Sept. at 6am GMT

“Just stand here and look through the telescope.” “Do you think we’ll see love in a #constellation?” “You don’t have to look for it when it’s standing right next to you.” “But there’s no one else standing here.” “Just look at the bloody stars.” #vss365

Looking out of the porthole on the station, Dylan mused over the situation, staring out into the black, trying to tell which #constellation he could see, but knowing that they were all different, depending in which of the Five Systems he found himself. He needed a whiskey. A bottle of it. #vss365

nova stellae bright new constellation in our dark skies we peer at her talking dust and gases nebulae while in our hearts we give her secret names wishing our future changed #ScifaikuSaturday (nova) #vss365 (constellation) #whistpr (peer)

#VSS365 #prompt #CONSTELLATION The VSS365 prompt word for Aug 30, '25 is CONSTELLATION - a group of stars forming pattern in the sky. Metaphorically, "A veritable constellation of celebrities dotted the gala." Say hello to your next host, C.S. Voll (@stephlepht.bsky.social) starting 9/1

- i loved you in ways i never spoke out loud. you left like you never heard it. i still taste your last words to me, sweet at first then bitter with afterburn. now every breath i take aches with their pungent savor. - #vss365 #poetry #read

sporadic raindrops lingering on rustic plum blossoms the gray sky is pungent pink #vss365 #pungent #Poetryin13 #rerun

I found my heart Buried deep inside your wounds Can’t seem To slice it out You like the taste Of our mixed up bitter blood Congealed inside your #Pungent stench Don’t want it back Better I roam around Heartless malignant Yesterdays ghost #vss365

After their dad slammed the window shut, Dick and Eddie turned and ran into the block. As if a #constellation of good fortune had blessed him, Arthur heaved a sigh of relief. ‘What’s your name?’ Neville was still there. He smiled. ‘Arthur.’ ‘Good name,’ said Neville. #vss365

The Comic Tales of Brennan and Riz Issue 50 (First published 20th December 2023) Part 6 of 6 Think he earned that rest. Don't forget to check out the other issues of the Comic Tales of Brennan and Riz over at my blog: tstpjm.blogspot.com #Comic #riztherogue

Peculiar Heart beats Double #bass Time’s running out For what, I don’t know But it’s ominous & it’s hurtful I can’t breathe Peculiar My skin’s raw grey Something plays a trumpet From soil above me Reaching out It’s me, the peculiar #vss365

#VSS365 #prompt #BASS The VSS365 prompt word for Aug 24, '25 is BASS - The lowest of tones, pitches, or frequencies, describing deep, low sounds. Also refers to a kind of fish. "The bass rumbled like tremors in the earth, and the dance floor crowd pulsed like a living thing."

It was certainly an #audacious plan. Sending Kevin in first to take the brunt of the level boss’ attacks, but Kevin’s character could take flame damage better than the others. The only problem came with Kevin’s unstoppable nervousness when placed in the front line. Rory had faith, though. #vss365

“Gran was #audacious,” I said in the eulogy, sharing her wildest quips. The room shifted uncomfortably. I smiled. She was still making them squirm. Then came a familiar laugh. I don’t think anyone else heard it, but it was enough to make me continue her good work… #vss365

An #audacious thought Look for the best in people And never the worst #vss365 #haiku

Dick moved closer to Arthur and Neville. The other boys followed. Arthur #audaciously pushed out his chest to brace himself for the onslaught. As he started to raise his fists, a low #bass voice called out above his head. ‘Dick, Eddie! Dinner’s ready.’ #vss365

'You promised me brownie perfection in return for my help, Gabe. Not these #malformed steaming lumps?' 'Well, if you don't want them, Pixie...' 'Not so fast. Get back in that kitchen & bake them right this time. I'll just... keep an eye on these while you're gone.' Munch. #vss365

The distress signal led Dylan to a distant moon around a #malformed planet at the very edge of the system. A ship, obviously, broken, destroyed. Little left of it or the pilot. The other ship, the Enemy ship? That interested Dylan. Except as soon as he neared it, the ship blew up. #vss365

Everyone except for the blonde boy with floppy hair were treating Arthur like he #reeked or was #malformed. But Flopsy sauntered over, smiling broadly. ‘Hi my name’s Neville. Those are my friends. The rude one’s Dick.’ At that Dick shouted. ‘What’s he doing here? He don’t live here.’ #vss365

There’s an appetite for the #mundane in these dramatic times. People want to watch the humdrum moments of life: ordinary, boring people sleeping, eating & showering. I used to hate my daily intruder. Now I can’t sleep or eat unless I can feel his eyes on me from shadows. #vss365

'What I want, Pixie is a nice, quiet, #mundane day.' 'But, Gabe-' 'No, Pixie! I do not want to be frozen by an icedrake, sizzled by a fire salamander, or chewed up and spat out by a giant slug. Do you understand?!' '...That's a no to the banshee karaoke night, then?' #vss365

Tryst with the myth, writhing in utter disdain. Chasing salvation from the #mundane, a distant mark… mere glint. Insatiable lark, before the final endgame. ~rev #vss365

Even the boring, everyday things in the game couldn’t be called #mundane. It made the place feel vibrant and alive, albeit with a starkly small population. But Rory loved to see the characters going about their lives as the adventurous players rushed about around them. It was exciting! #vss365

Magical flutes out to play Musical notes tangle tiptoed Desire fires a powerful flame Into tequila sunsets Giggling let go the #mundane Savour secret pocketed promises Lovers around the world Sway to the same silky song Electric harps rock moonbeams #vss365 #pic 🤷🏻‍♀️

she was stunned the very instant she realized that ordinary words so often #mundane so easily dismissed recover in poetry their extraordinary force since then she loves to hurl them one against another to catch the sparks leaping from their collision #vss365 #poetry #blueskypoets

Arthur ran down the stairs and across the courtyard. By N block four boys kept #vigil. Arthur stopped at a tree and leant on it. He surreptitiously eyed the group. ‘What you looking at?’ A boy said. Arthur looked up. ‘Nothing. You’re all rather #mundane.’ Someone laughed. #vss365

Seas #seethe in silence Land cries out with tears of mud We stand on sorched earth #vss365 #haiku

They were moving to a new flat, back in Southwark. Arthur was glad to be there. Maybe now Dad would come home. Mum was happy. She hadn’t #seethed about anything all day. They walked through the gate and into the courtyard. ‘Look, Mum! The stairs are on the inside!’ #vss365

Despite knowing very well that it was only a game, Rory often caught himself in bouts of emotion he really shouldn’t feel for something ostensibly not real. Smothered in #abject terror at certain situations, flooded with excitement, or to care for things that were only … things, after all. #vss365

He was #abject. The dream had fizzled and Dad was still gone. Mum was there but it was her fault. If she’d not argued with him Dad would’ve stayed. But Arthur knew to be careful in future that he didn’t say that near Mum. He didn’t like being locked in the outside loo. #vss365

We lived In #abject poverty Til Martin Came along He and His Freedom Fighters Changed the game For Dad and Mom No longer Forced domestics They got real jobs And a home Some want To take this from me But I’m Woke And not alone You won’t Catch me sleeping You jack booted goons Get boned #vss365

Snow falls so softly Gathering on your headstone #Abject misery #Haiku #vss365

'It's a misunderstanding, Gabe. Fluffykin wouldn't #pummel anyone. He just wanted a hug.' 'That was not a hug, Pixie! It was attempted murder.' 'But look at that face.' 'He's a 9 foot sasquatch, Pixie, you've put bunny ears on & given a cute name.' 'Soooooo... can I keep him?' #vss365

Jump! Hear it? Faint beneath the roar of the water #pummelling the rocks. Not an intrusive thought. A voice. Mine. I’m stuck on this bridge til I can persuade someone else to jump. Then I’ll be free & they’ll take my place. Go on. You know you want to. Jump! #vss365 #vsspic

A crimson kiss To #pummel against Is to lose the mind Look to old night Hope for sprinklings of magick In breaths of moon dust Fairies chuckle In my dreams Knowing I was doomed By the Very first …A Crimson kiss #vss365

"Bah, we'll neva live dis down, gettin #pummeled by garden gnomes," Riz moaned. "Two things. One, they were 4ft Garden Gnomes. Two, I was the one who got beaten up! You ran!" "Its our reputation dats been beaten up! Garden Gnomes! We'll neva live it down!" #vss365 #riztherogue

That evening, back home, after tea of baked beans on toast, Arthur chose two crayons pink and yellow. Taking his pad, he drew a fairy on a daisy. It was for Mum, to say sorry. Bobby saw it and teased him. You’re a #pixie, he said. Arthur #pummelled him. #vss365

“I just wish I can grow #wings and fly away from here.” “There’s so much that could go wrong: you could collide with a plane, find yourself facing dangerous weather, or get lost.” “Gee, thank you for destroying my dream.” “Merely doing my duty as your irritating friend.” #vss365

The dragon flapped its #wings and toppled several of the players’ characters, but not Kluhm. Rory had fought dragons before with his other characters and knew to anticipate such attacks. Launching spells from afar, Kluhm did not fall victim to the wily, ancient beast. Not this time. #vss365

soldier of silence wings dangle in leaden swing deep sorrows unreaped malign hours redeemed by sparks childhood exuberance takes flight #tankaThursday #soldier #vss365 #wings #tanka #poetry 🖼️ Pinterest

#vss365 #prompt #wings Just 1 more day until you have to fold away your faery wings & return to human life. But fear not, your next host @bowengreenwood is here to take you on a new adventure. Thanks for joining in, & do come visit. No pranks, I promise… 😇 XOX Pixie

Arthur sprouted #wings and flew into his dad’s arms. Dad swung him up high on his shoulders and carried him towards the Thames where he pointed out the river barges’ red sails and told tales of ocean adventures. As Arthur smelt seaweed and the salt air his dream dissolved #vss365

To share a glance We take part in A #mystical dance That throws our feet From one end of A dance hall to The next so we can See around the Bend tomorrow #vss365