Latest episode of Falling is up on the substack. Kezia goes to get help from Bertie, but who or what is he? open.substack.com/pub/lexikoni... #angels #writing #fiction #fantasy #fantasyfiction #freereads

#vss365 "I can't concentrate while you're #looming over me." "I am not looming." She slowly lifted her head, peering up at him. He was incredibly close. She swallowed. "What do you call this then?" "Taking an interest." He shrugged one shoulder. She felt her face grow red. If only.

Too many distractions. Flashing lights, rolling videos, information overload. Brain can't stay on course. Got a job, got a plan, but I keep #veering off course. So much pain, so much anger, sinking into a spiral of gloom of news and images It's a fight to get one foot in front of the other #vss365

#vss365 The wind whipped through the trees. The leaves whistled as they shook on the branches. And then, everything became still. Not even the birds made a #murmur. It was as if the whole woodland was holding its breath, waiting for something. Seven seconds of silence. Then all hell broke loose.

#sologame #ttrpg

#vss365 They stood outside, waiting for an opening. Thos looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "This was your idea you know." She swallowed hard and gripped the railing she was leaning against. The whole world felt #wonky. How had sneaking into the enemy's main building ever felt like a good plan?

#vss365 She couldn't help but look at the clock. There was no way she was going to be able to do this in time. But a #slapdash approach would probably get them in more trouble. "Can you get me into the building?" He looked at her in surprise. "If I can get on one of their machines, I can do it."

#vss365 "You can #adorn me with as many pretty compliments as you want, I can't do this any faster." Her shoulders dropped. "If I can do it at all." "It's ok, I have a plan B." She looked up him, his face unreadable. She had the distinct feeling plan B would not go well for him. She typed faster.

"There isn't a #symphony of angels to be heard Harry. Just a discordant mess of orders and silence. Sometimes I miss it but truth be told, I'm probably better off here." #vss365 Read more of the fallen angel on my substack free series below! #writingcommunity

#vss365 "How is it going?" She glared at him over the coffee."You've ruined it." "I'm just asking." He peered over her shoulder but the screen was full of nonsense. "I'm not the best person for this." "It's like you're playing a #symphony when your hands fly over that keyboard. Who could be better?"

#vss365 Elena glanced up as he walked in. "Just you?" "They're all too #spooked. Seem to think you might murder them." He wandered closer. "I won't disabuse them of that notion. Stops them from coming in every 5 minutes asking me how I'm doing." She eyed him suspiciously. "Just bringing coffee."

#vss365 "How's she doing?" Thos peered over the heads and through the window. "No idea, Declan won't go in and ask." "Neither will you." Declan huffed. "She's muttering to herself, she's fine. When she stops you have to worry." They stared at him. "It's fine, she's an #oddball but pretty much sane."

Just added a new episode to Falling, my free #fantasy #fiction series on my substack. Kezia, a former #angel, is not ready to face her past. open.substack.com/pub/lexikoni...

#vss365 "6 hours? I'll just paint a replica of the Mona Lisa while I'm at it." Kae held up his hands, "We know it will be hard..." "Hard? I'm #clueless how to use the code once I've found it. After I've cracked that, I have to rewrite it to avert utter destruction all in 6 hours?" "5 hours 55."

#vss365 "Can you figure it out?" They all stared as she started to scroll through the contents on screen. Her eyes began to swim, the code was mammoth and controlled so many things. "I, the #abstraction's going to take an age alone. I need to filter out all the other commands." "We have six hours."

A little overview of what I've been up to this year...

#vss365 She stared at the portal, slowly walking around it. "So you can #travel between realms instantly?" "And within a realm. We could pop over to Monaco if you want." Her head snapped round, the possibilities were endless. After years of being too scared to go anywhere, she could see everything.

#vss365 She surveyed the devastation around them. Her friends were beaten and without hope. Her whole life she had felt like she had #sole responsibility for fixing everything around her. Hefting a crowbar in the air, she didn't stand a chance this time, but it wouldn't stop her trying.

#vss365 As he reached across to point at the meteor, his face moved inches away. She felt like the #air had been stolen from her lungs. She knew she should look away, look up at the sky but she couldn't tear her gaze from his eyes. "See it?" He smiled. "I was too slow." "We'll catch the next one."

#vss365 She pointed up at the planet, her finger barely leaving the safety of her sleeve. "You're cold, why are sitting out here?" He finally noticed her shivering. "There should be meteors tonight." She sounded embarrassed. As she looked at him, he spotted something #shoot across the sky. "There!"

#vss365 He sat down on the wall beside her, brushing her arm, making her start. "Sorry, didn't mean to make you #jump." She gave a nervous laugh, pushing her hair behind her ear. It was shorter, he noted; it suited her. He opened his mouth to say but the words got stuck. "So where's Saturn then?"

#vss365 "What are you looking at?" He hovered beside the wall she was sitting on. He followed her gaze, staring up at the night sky. " #Saturn, I think." She shrugged. "Astronomy has never been my strong suit." "There's actually something you're not an expert in?" She kept staring upwards, "Plenty."

#vss365 To the man in the garden centre who clearly wanted a #fight, The one who didn't like the look on a female face, I hope it made you feel, if but for a second, big and clever, But with my indifference and silence, I win with grace

#vss365 It was as if everyone was holding their breath. Eyes were locked onto the horizon; the standing stones towering over all. As the sun rose over the henge on the #solstice, a wave of energy seemed to flood the gathering. #Humbled and renewed, she became more determined to fight back the dark.

#vss365 "I know everyone thinks I should show more #gratitude. I survived." She kicked at the floor. "I should focus on the positive." "But you're angry?" She looked up at him, then nodded. "Everyone has a right to exist, he tried to take that away, and they want me to be thankful it wasn't worse?"

'Do you have #regrets?' He took a deep a breath and thought hard. 'I don't think so. I made some bad decisions but at the time, I had no idea so...' He shrugged as they both stared across the water. 'You?' 'Every single day.' Her head dropped. 'No matter how hard I try. I can't outrun fear.' #vss365

#vss365 She started scribbling on the back of a leaflet she'd dug up in the back of the car. He glanced over as he drove. "You really have that photographic memory thing?" "No, I just, I can #recall things, like pictures for a short time." She stared at her own picture. "Oh dear, this is bad."

I made a free #fantasy #story #prompt bookmark! And then I wrote a story with it! Useful for when you can't get started or if you want an instant #ttrpg scenario! open.substack.com/pub/lexikoni...

#vss365 When did manners become a #boho concept? Being different a sin? Compassion is a thing of the past Empathy a curse word, Samaritan a joke. No more do we help our fellow man Instead we throw him to the ground At least that's what they'll have you think So louder in the back, manners maketh man

#vss365 Mud covered Declan almost to his waist. He glanced up to see Elena staring down at him as he dug. "You could help." "I could." She looked like she was thinking about it. She wasn't. "When I find it..." he grumbled. "Oh yes, you look like you're at the #apogee of your profession."

Anyone fancy a free #writing #prompt #fantasy bookmark I made? Just download from itch, grab a dice and you're away. Might do some other genres if people like it. #writingcommunity #fiction lexikonical.itch.io/fantasy-stor...

Not many people knew the truth about my descent, mainly because when you hear the words banished and heaven in the same sentence, you tend to think of that one particular fallen angel. Read the next episode and catch up on the free series here open.substack.com/pub/lexikoni... #fantasy #fiction

#vss365 The room was full but everyone was alone in their own bubble. The magnitude of what was to come made them retreat to their thoughts. All except two. Their hand ls entwined, he whispered to only her. "You #bewitched me so long ago. Whatever happens tomorrow, you always had my heart."

#vss365 "You busy?" He leaned round the door expectantly. "Nothing that can't wait." She closed her book. "Fancy riding shotgun with me?" Her eyebrows rose. "Everyone busy?" She laughed. "It's fine, I'll be your #consolation prize." He stayed quiet, hoping she didn't spot the others on the way out.

#vss365 "So the Knights are the #chivalrous ones are they? Like Arthur's?" Thos glowered. "The Nights are spies, they are not like your highly romanticised knights of old who, if you read the stories, have no real concept of chivalry." "I see," she bit her lip. "So what would you say chilvary is?"

#vss365 "Do you want some company?" She nodded at the paperwork he was trawling through. "It's okay." "I've got work to grade so I'm going to be here all night anyway." He paused. He looked relieved but she was probably imaging it. "You sure?" She smiled. Anything to make the evening with him #last.

#vss365 The phone rang, causing her pen to skid off the page. She took a deep breath before answering. "You're there." The voice sounded surprised. "I was just going to leave a message. I thought you were all going out?" "Everyone cancelled." "Isn't it your birthday?" "They forgot, doesn't #matter."

#vss365 "She's home, clean bill of #health. They say she's fine. No lingering physical effects." None of them were looking at him, all their eyes finding some empty corner to stare at. "Fine? She might not have any broken bones but she is not fine. Have any of you actually gone to see her?"

This is Swamptown, an isometric location map drawn by me with adventure hooks and what-not from @lexikonical.bsky.social. it's on sale at present, along with some other bits - link below! #ttrpg #tabletopgaming

#vss365 She reeled off names as they sauntered past her table. On the other end of the comms, he held his breath. It would only take one to recognise her. "You did work with them for over a year." She snorted, "I was not exactly considered #relevant. Trust me, it's like they can't even see me."

Just added the next installment to the Falling series! Kez is about to collide with the archangel and we find out why that is not going to go well for anyone! open.substack.com/pub/lexikoni... #writing #fantasy #fantasyfiction #angels #reading #amwriting #writingcommunity #freefiction

#vss365 She stared at the tasks ahead of her. Completing the last load had only made things worse. The expectations were higher and she knew there was only one was they were going to be #achievable. She glanced at the hollow reflection in the mirror; what was one more bit of soul sold to the devil?

#vss365 "How will we know if it worked?" He folded his arms and stared through the window. "I'm not a doctor. Look for some kind of #measureable difference in his responses I guess." He watched Kae leap from the bed, spin around and start dancing across the room. "That's a measurable difference."

#vss365 "She's acting a little strange lately." He stared over at her building, wishing he could see inside. "I just wondered if you had any idea why?" Declan eyebrow's shot up as he smirked. "Strange? This is Elle we're talking about, you're going to have to be more #specifc."

#vss365 "They said I should use this as an opportunity to re-evaluate my #goals." Her hand fell limply, the glass teetering in her grip. "Thirteen years I've been here." "What are you going to do?" "Take the beating and carry on. What else can I do?" He held out a hand, "I may have an idea."

#vss365 The room was pitch black. He turned to leave when spotted something out of the corner of his eye. He flicked the light on making her recoil and shield her eyes. "Why are you sitting in the dark?" "I got passed over again. My #issues," she waved an empty glass. "I think maybe I give up."

#vss365 Elena regreted opening the door. Too many voices were shouting over the noise. "What the..." Her friends were circled round something in the centre of the room. "Elle! Quick, do your thing!" Declan pointed at the ball of lightning in the room. "My thing?" "Yeah, fight magic with #science."

#vss365 "What about King Arthur?" "Do you believe every #myth you've heard?" He started checking through his bag, hoping she'd stop. "Seeing as Merlin was real, you can do magic etc, etc," she waved her hand. "Yes, at this point I think it's safer to assume there must be something to the rumours."

#vss365 "So how does it work,will you take over her place on the Council one day?" Thos sighed, "I think that's what she wants, but I don't think I'm going to #measure up. It was supposed to be my father or my brother; they would have been amazing. But to be honest, I can't think of anything worse."

#vss365 "How do you know latin? It's not an obvious #language for an engineer." "I didn't know what I wanted to do," she shrugged. "What? But you have 3 science degrees." "I nearly did history first." She looked up. "I only gave up on the rock star career at 20." He laughed, until he saw her face.