#bravewrite #scifisat

A kinetic, violent symphony of gunfire stirred me from my sleep. In the street, warring ruffians were engaged in some of that old-fashioned territorial pissing. I hit the deck and prayed for a calm and serenity that seemed nigh impossible. #bravewrite

A boundary was dutifully pushed only after the invitation was extended. Passion was palpable, to say the least. What she craved, I possessed, and vice versa. Out of necessity and indefatigable desire, we indulged each other. #firewords280

It proved difficult to decipher whether his words were unserious and merely in jest, or profoundly serious and worthy of reflection. He offered his pronouncements darkly at all times; his delivery perplexed us. #vss365

"What's that in your hand?" "Cure for what ails you. One part Stoli, one part green creme de menthe, n' a splash of cream." "Y'know, three grand in credit card debt is what ails me. Who'm I to turn down a drink though?" #bravewrite

"We're on the cusp. Of greatness? Maybe. Of more vicious ennui? Perhaps. Or more of the same? Could be. Might as well venture into the thing n' find out. See you on the other side." #bravewrite

"Whatever the dream is, make it manifest. What's age but a number? What's time but a percept? Maneuver as if the ship has yet to sail, because in truth, it has yet to arrive at port." #vss365

I maneuvered with an overriding, omnidrectional sense of anger. I was pissed at anybody and everybody, for deeds past and present, large and small. Nobody was wise to this, however, for I was an exceptional deceiver. #bravewrite

Holiday Communique 2025. Just a few words, is all. stephencurrence.com/f/holiday-co...

"Survived a hailstorm, a flat, n' an incorrigible pair of deputies, all to retrieve that treasured herringbone necklace of hers. Let it be known: there are few greater signs of my devotion to her n' nary a greater indicator of the degree to which I'm loyal." #vss365

The opening act of the talent show was an unassuming beanpole that evinced nothing resembling suaveness . . . . . . and then he opened his mouth. His baritone provoked awe and chills. A star was born. The show might as well have shut down right then and there. #bravewrite

At a foe, I hurled a spiteful line. A vituperative left him devastated. He didn't know I could shoot venom. But: lesson learned, and the folly was rarely repeated. #bravewrite

The holiday may end, but the cheer, I hope, lasts without end. #bravewrite

"The meal's good. Nice cut of beef n' blend of spices." "It's got zing, I'll give it that." "Got what now?" "Zing. Kapow. Bang. Flavor." "You could've said 'flavor' from the jump." "Yeah, but I like my onomatopoeias." #vss365

"Are you doing what you truly wish you were doing? Life marches on regardless. Past the lollygagging n' lamentations, stuff will unfold. Blink n' you'll miss it." #bravewrite

"Ask him just how deep his determination and indefatigable will truly are, and he'll give you one line that says it all: 'I'm ready n' rarin' to fight 'til Hell freezes over, n' then I'll continue to fight on the ice!'" #vss365

The world, it seemed, conspired to separate us. Health and other dramas of inconsiderate urgency made themselves known loudly. But 7 AM, Christmas Day, the sun rose as we assembled in front of the tree, joyful and unbowed. As priceless and precious as a gift can be. #bravewrite

I was at war with myself: passions versus obligations, desires versus demands, the grinder of my routine versus the adventure of my dream vocation. I made a series of safe, bloodless decisions for as long as I could. And then, I pursued my destiny. #bravewrite

"We call salient n' sacred that which is picayune n' minute. Part n' parcel with our ongoing infatuation with nonsense. Unconditional love, gratitude, probity, humility . . . these are wise investments." #vss365

At one point in the sojourn, we took a detour. This wasn't the wisest course of action, but we figured our hamlet wasn't particularly foreboding. Thus, we spent an hour-and-a-half navigating through a frigid, submontane and otherwise bland stretch of the backwoods. #bravewrite

He collects yearns and desires the way some collect bottlecaps. Those yearns and desires are buried within; there's never been a demonstrable effort to bring them into fruition. Why live that way? Late in his life, he'll surely regret the lack of boldness." #vss365

"I have no recall of last night." "Well, I do. Spoiler alert: you were a hilarious disaster." "Shit. How bad?" "You spoke gibberish in at least three known dialects." "How? What spell was I under?" "No spells. Just generous tastes of overproof rum." #vss365

A husband and wife did the town for a night, Danced, drank, and ate, 'twas all a delight, But then, without warning, The husband's side-piece, most alluring, Came and started a two-fisted fight #bravewrite

"Took an axe to a mighty evergreen. The most perfect Douglas fir. Cut it down just before the flurry became a deluge. Now comes the fun of dressing it up and making it photo-ready." #bravewrite

There he stood, before the judge, delivering his required allocution. It was part of the plea agreement into which he entered with little hesitancy. He described, in a lengthy dispassionate monotone, the crime and his involvement in it. The lack of remorse stood out. #vss365

Exotic candles and aromatic oils will skillfully deployed. The evening augured passion and bliss. If only for a brief and solemn interlude would it last, she and I would definitely make the most of it. #bravewrite

Loneliness and lonesomeness congealed into something ungodly, and I resided at the apogee of that miasmic concoction. I hated my station, and wanted out with all deliberate speed. #vss365

I had pissed away a good percentage of the patience and goodwill that took great pains to accumulate. I would experience the fullness of Dany's wrath. Her petite stature belied a wrath to rival anything found in the Book of Revelation. #bravewrite

"I'm neither afterthought nor consolation prize. My works prove that out. Try me n' you will catch on." #vss365

"Two-hundred eleven rejections n' counting. Yet he still calls her." "Crazy character, that one." "Well, He's something of a shameless romantic." "Doncha mean 'hopeless' romantic?" "Nah. He has hope. 'Bout the size of a grain of rice, but it's there." #bravewrite

Infatuation and delectation acted in concert. The end result proved an augury: a unnerving means to an inglorious end. #vss365

"Alpha . . . bravo . . . charlie . . . Delta . . ." In times of intense duress, the ritual was to repeat the phonetic alphabet, forward and backward. "Zulu . . . yankee . . . x-ray . . . whiskey . . ." In time, the ritual worked, and calm washed over me. #bravewrite

She professed to be the scion of some Far East potentate, two generations removed. A tremendous lie, but she sold it with aplomb. Were I not a history major, I would've unquestionably bought her royal bonafides wholesale. #bravewrite

"I've had this mysterious near-metallic taste in my mouth since last night. Blood pressure's slightly up. Hands on the clammy side." "Virus going around?" "Nah, just means I'm in love. My date from last night has me feelin' something." #vss365

When I was of preschool age, they spoke of the oversized monstrosity made of shark, lizard, and pirahna parts that showed up to torment those who meddled in their older sibs' personal affairs. And so went the earliest, scariest pique of my nascent imagination. #vssdaily

He's carried burdens. And grievances. And unspoken, weighty fables. And schoolboy torches for femmes above his pay-grade. And comrades through heavy fire. And notably: one blessed paramour across the threshold. And not even once have his faculties failed him. #bravewrite

He was viewed as a milksop, reticent in matters of risk. But he saw himself as an analytical sort, weighing the risks of one action against the rewards of another. Safety generally superceded adventure. He found fun and adventure on his own terms, by his own means. #vss365

"I am exhausted and the same judgment that the world will have for me is a reflection of how the world works. " #vss365 #randompredictivetext

The clockpuncher wearies easily n' without ceremony. I am a member of this coterie. The body speaks to the trials. The mind processes them. And the soul -- the designated incubator of the fraction of purity that remains in me -- maneuvers unbowed. #bravewrite

"In the absence of caffeine, sleep, amour, or all three, you'll find me quite the monstrous character: an irritable beast, easily provoked to peevish impulses when tested." #firewords280

A bright light and a jolting, dissonant screech from a cockerel stirred me from slumber. Both were machine-based and timed for specific deployment. That I was able to respond to both as if each was genuine showed adaptability to my remastered cochleae. #vss365

His departure was imminent. He had scant few breaths left in him. But before his exit, he drew me close and offered one last chestnut that has stuck with me: "Better to be majesty to one who's in the midst of travesty, than the opposite." And then he was gone. #bravewrite

I was regaled with stories of civil disobedience and protest of decades past. Walk-outs, sit-ins, human chains, and other angry dramas unfurled in the name of justice. How'd my folks go from that to rigid, non-controversial establishment automatons, I wondered. #bravewrite

My life: Highs and lows, all told (And just like yours.) Most measurable in what I've carried, to include: Pains. Grudges. Torches for elusive lasses. Debt. Regrets. Myself, with dignity. #vss365

The history of past inhabitants made for quite a stirring presentation. All were moved. Many a sympathetic cry was had. In the end, there was a resolve to make sure the history of the indigenous peoples would be broadcast far and wide. #bravewrite

He stood a shade under six-one and bore a sinewy frame. Three deployments endowed him with tactics, adroitness, and an unshakable bent towards regimentation. He was a conduit through which a specific, calculated menace flowed. #vss365

"A paltry miracle proved a welcome blessing. My faith in man never returned, true, but for a moment, there was a blessed easing of tension, and I entertained the idea that long-lasting bliss could manifest." #firewords280

"Curse someone for what they're not, or embrace someone for what they are. Those were the options presented. Seems to me the best course is to embrace someone in both cases, n' remove cursing from the repertoire." #vss365

Yance ran with the Fleet Street Syndicate. At the peak of the syndicate's influence, the membership was a fifty deep. They were heavy into larceny, extortion, numbers, and dope. Yance could fill several books with the vivid litany of the syndicate's criminality. #bravewrite

I smelled bacon -- hickory smoked, no less -- from a quarter mile away. Upon further olfactory investigation, eggs -- sunny side up -- were also on the menu. The return of my keen macrosmatic ability was also the first sign that I'd recovered from widgeon pox. #vssdaily