Monday, February 25, 2013

Sticky's Destiny (WoE #9 Snowfall/Secret Challenge)

Write at the Merge gave us a snowfall and a revealed secret.

I'm happy to return to Sticky's world. I stumbled across a direction I wanted to take him and his friends and this challenge was an excellent starting point. We last met Sticky and crew pulling off the perfect chocolate caper for the Seeress.

I offer the following in response: Sticky's Destiny




Sticky dragged the satchel of chocolate bells through the Well, “Seeress! I’m back!”

“I know. The Pearl showed me.” The Seeress unfolded herself from the acorn throne gracefully, extending her silvery wings to their fullest length. They showed her age in the delicate patterning of iridescence and size at mantle. In truth, Sticky knew of no one who could remember when she was a hatchling.

He straightened, remembering his sister’s warning not to slouch. “Sellamina insisted I tell you. I, well my friends and me, we ate one.”

Her almond-shaped eyes reflected light like the obsidian glass of the Pearl. “One?”

He chewed his lower lip. “Maybe two? But it’s not our fault,” he added quickly. “The metallic skin peeled off.”

Her laughter chimed in the vacant chamber. She waived him over, excited. “Sticky-tagger, your fetching skills are improving just as I hoped. You’re almost ready.”

He passed her the handle of his satchel. “Ready for what, Seeress?”

“To join the Fetchers.” She withdrew a silver bell from the sack and cradled it lovingly in her arms.

“Me? A Fetcher?” Pride swelled his heart so he thought he’d burst. A Seer’s Fetcher carried great respect and honor in the clans, and there were only ten Fetchers in the Sundial clan.

“Yes, Sticky. I believe you would make an excellent Fetcher someday.” A solemn expression drove her smile away as she returned the chocolate to the bag. “But I must warn you: Fetching is a very serious and dangerous occupation. While it is a critical function for the Well, it carries with it the burden of secrets and responsibilities. Not all Fetchings are glorious. Some tasks will be boring, tedious chores, but they must be done and done well and promptly when assigned.”

“I can do that,” he agreed eagerly. “I can keep secrets for the Well.”

“Even from,” her tone was sly, conspiring, “your sister?”

Sticky never kept a secret from his sister before. He tried once, but Sellamina shot him her withers-butterflies-look and that was that. He scratched his head. “Would I have to? Really?”

“For her safety, you might.” The Seeress looked through him and his skin crawled. “Oh, Sticky-tagger, my favorite-born of the Trin, it would bring me the greatest joy imaginable to keep you sheltered from the ills of the world. If only I could spin you another cocoon, one that could forever protect you, to shield you from your future, your destiny. That would be magic unheard of for a millennia.”

Destiny? Future? Suddenly, becoming a Fetcher was at the bottom of the list of things he wanted to do. “I don’t think I understand Seeress.”

“Your destiny was foretold to me by the Pearl. But it’s a matter for another time, when you’re ready.” Sticky wanted to ask further, but the Pearl seemed to awaken at its name. The Seeress peered into the glow. “Ah, delightful! The weather is changing again. We’ll have snow yet.”

24 comments:

  1. o.O Sticky!!!!! (I do love him.) But keep secrets from Sellamina?! I could never keep secrets from my sister...not when we were little, and still not now! Sticky's adventures remind me of Lois Lowry's writing, for some reason. Plain. Simple. Beautiful.

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    1. Thanks! No worries, Sticky can't keep secrets from his sister either. And the Pearl knows this too. I promise!

      And thank you for the comparison to Lois Lowry. I have great admiration for her work. I will treasure your kind comments.

      I hope you enjoyed your stay. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  2. So fun! The story is playful and yet her words are foreboding. A wonderful mix of sweetness and suspense. It keeps us coming back!

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad this wasn't too dark. Darkness and pixies don't go together I don't think. But Sticky is a trouble-magnet and he does have a destiny to fulfill. Hopefully, it'll be the adventure I envision!

      I hope you enjoyed your visit. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  3. I could never be a Fetcher. I just can't keep secrets from my husband. This is why his birthday presents are never a surprise!

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    1. Thanks! Most Fetchers don't have to keep secrets either, but in many ways, the Fetchers are the 007s of the pixie world. The secrets they do keep are the kind about where the stash of acorns are kept in case of a harsh winter. :)

      I hope you enjoyed your stay. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  4. Oh this was fun! Could never keep surprises but love the suspense when it's not on me :)

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    1. Thanks! I'm not a surprise kinda gal either. :)

      I hope you enjoyed your visit. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  5. Ooo! I was hoping for a Sellamina and Sticky story!

    I don't like this wedge that the Seeress is trying to drive between Sellamina and Sticky, at all. I love how I felt the crescendo of his excitement and then the fall of his uncertainty. Because Sticky feels things so clearly and deeply, I too feel them as a reader.

    Loved:...but Sellamina shot him her withers-butterflies-look and that was that.

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    1. Thanks! I love it when the prompts fit into Sticky's world. I will write about them every chance I get. Worry not, there's no wedge that can come between Sella and Sticky, Seeress or not. Some evils I'm perfectly willing to force on my main characters, but driving the pixie siblings apart isn't one of them. I promise. I'm happy you can sympathize with Sticky so readily. That means I'm doing my job in telling his story!

      I'm glad to hear you loved your visit. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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    1. Thanks! I had fun writing it. Sticky always breathes sunshine into my world.

      I hope you enjoyed your stay. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  7. Sticky is so delightful! I'm going to use the "metallic skin peeled off" excuse next time I eat more chocolate than I should!

    I just love this story!

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    1. Thanks! I might have to adopt that excuse myself. :)

      I'm happy you loved your stay. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  8. Sounds like Sticky has some heavy stuff coming his direction; I'm not sure how to feel about that! I'll be interested in seeing what that's all about...

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    1. Thanks! It's heartwarming to see so many readers rally behind Sticky, and the trouble isn't even here yet. I'm thrilled to know that you're in his cheer section!

      I hope you enjoyed your visit. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  9. Oh Sticky! I'm sure he would have loved a future of silver-wrapped chocolate and other such sweet endeavors. I worry about this Destiny he will be called to do, and the trouble he may encounter. (And good for him for being more loyal to his sister than even Fate would like.)

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    1. Thanks! Destiny can be a cruel trickster, true, but Sticky's loyalty is his greatest power. He's inspired loyalty from his sister, his friends, and his fans! I couldn't be prouder.

      I hope you enjoyed your visit. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  10. Playful and serious in the way of the best children's stories. I love Sticky and his family so much, and now a foretelling and a destiny!

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    1. Thanks! "In the way of the best" is quite the compliment! I feel that Sticky is the wonderful sort of character that Destiny should have something in store for. There's no excuse for Fates to overlook him. :)

      I hope you enjoyed your stay. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  11. Wow! Sticky has some big shoes to grow into! I hope he is up the task. I am interested to see where you take this story next.

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    1. Thanks! If anyone can, Sticky can, especially with Sella and friends at his side!

      I hope you enjoyed your visit. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  12. I just wanted to say thanks for your sweet comment about your Aunt Ponnie! She sounds like she was a wonderful woman, and I'm glad you told me about her. I hope you enjoyed your rum balls and hot chocolate too-you deserve it:)

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    1. Thanks! She was a very sweet woman who loved her children beyond measure. I was closest in age to her grandchildren, but I had a stronger connection with her. I was out of cocoa powder, so the rum balls will have to wait until I hit the market, but this week for sure!

      Thanks for stopping by!

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