Monday, March 11, 2013

Podgy-Warble (WoE #11 Bubble & City Hall Challenge)

Reporting from Write at the Merge week 11, we are provided two pictures for our inspiration. One is of the New Town Hall in Hanover, Germany with the lights on the facade for a charming display of evening colors. The other is of the perfect bubble suspended over a Norwegian valley at sunrise.

I was so captivated by the picture of the bubble that I didn't even think about the Town Hall. I found the picture simply breathtaking, the sort of picture I which I could take but never will because I won't ever have the right camera or software. Not to mention, I'm still a five-year-old around bubbles.

I was at Disney's California Adventure once when a cast member was using one of those bubble guns in the Hollywood section. "Look, fairy farts!" I exclaimed.

The cast member doubled-over, giggling incessantly with snorts and squeaks. I pronounced myself a winner.

That story shared, I believe you will see that I absolutely had to return to Sticky's world for this prompt. Sticky just learned of his destiny, but he's conflicted about what that means, and now all his friends are involved.

I offer the following in response: Introducing Podgy-Warble




“I don’t see what the problem is,” Pocker scratched his head as they gathered seeds in the farmer's meadow, “why is being a Fetcher a bad thing?”

Sellamina shot Pocker her withers-butterflies look and Sticky cringed instinctively. “Secrets are secrets, Pocker!” she hissed.

“Yeah but it’s not like he’d be lying or anything.” Pocker said in defense. “We keep secrets from all kinds of things, like other clans, humans, even squirrels.”

“Those secrets are different.” Sella gestured emphatically. “Those secrets are about protection.

“Can we think about maybe heading back?” Sticky interrupted, pointing eastward. “The sun’s coming up.”

Sellamina continued as if she hadn’t heard him, her voice pitching in passion and her wings darkening with her mood. Lily appeared openly confused by the argument. “What do I think?” she whispered.

Sticky shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve never seen Sellamina and Pocker this at odds before.”

Topple materialized in the toadstool beside them. “You know what I don’t understand, is why the Seeress chose you as the new Fetcher to begin with. You can’t Fetch without us. Not to mention your camyflaging skills are sorely lacking.”

Sticky made a face, insulted, “They are not! I’m just not obsessed with looking like a toadstool.”

Lily groaned, “You two aren’t going to start fighting, are you?”

He didn’t feel like apologizing, but Lily made a point. The rising sun meant they would all be exposed soon. Inhaling slowly, he grumbled, “Sorry, Topple, you’re right.”

The fight between Sellamina and Pocker grew steadily louder, another threat that would need resolved for their protection. The sun would coax the balinogs from their dens for warmth and the amphibians would not resist a potential snack of pixies. Then Topple would never let them hear the end of it, his I-told-you-sos haunting them for the whole of the season.

Sticky turned away in frustration and was instantly taken in by an unfamiliar sight. A perfect sphere, full of the swirling colors of dawn clouds, drifted in mid-air. He flew into the eye of the argument to get their attention. “Stop, what’s that!”

The quintet watched the sphere float, awestruck. “Must we bring it back to the Seeress?” Lily-fathri whispered, her wings quivering like she was about to explode. “Or can I keep it? I want to pet it and name it Podgy-warble.”

The sphere did a curious thing then: it audibly popped, disappearing.

Sticky tasted soap on the breeze. “No!” Lily screamed, frantic tears pooling in her almond eyes, “Podgy-warble’s dead!”

Pocker flew to her, wrapping protective arms around her. “Shh, it’s okay Sweet-pea,” he whispered, but Sticky could tell Pocker didn’t have a clue if it would ever be okay again. Podgy-warble was gone and there was nothing left for them to plant in reverence. Lily shook and sobbed until they all had tears.

Sellamina pointed a shaky finger over grass, “Stars, look!”

An army of Podgy-warbles floated above them, each a perfect sphere of swirling color. Lily wiped her eyes and cooed.

16 comments:

  1. I just absolutely love Podgy-warble! And I cant wait to hear moreof Sticky's adventures

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    1. Thanks! I think all bubbles need names that silly.

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

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  2. I was thrilled to discover that the bubble was called Podgy-warble and grieved by sweet Lilly. I remember vividly my little boy crying as the bubbles popped and my speedy backpedalling about whether blow bubbles was a good idea! :) Very fun!

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    1. Thanks! It's actually what I wanted to do when I saw the picture. A perfect sphere, with two reflections of a perfect sunrise...even though it's forever preserved in that photo, it must've popped. Something that beautiful destroyed. The more tender side of me wanted to cry too. And sweet Lily hasn't had much of an opportunity to shine so far, so there you have it!

      Innocence is treasured in our young, especially in how they handle new experiences. The beauty is you can never truly predict how they'll react. The sweet, sometimes bittersweet surprises of life.

      I'm happy you had a fun time. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  3. Podgy-warbles are very fun! I think I have more fun with them than the pixies. I love this story and it makes me smile to read these little snippets!


    One small item: "The fight between Sellamina and Pocker grew steadily louder, another threat that would need resolved for their protection." Did you leave a couple of words out by accident?

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    1. Thanks! I know right? A whole army of Podgy-warbles sounds like crazy fun to me too.

      As for the critique, you're right that the sentence seems ill-prepped. I promise to take care of that before I submit this for publication. Thanks for keeping me honest!

      I'm pleased you enjoy these scenes. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  4. Every time you use these characters they're so cute. So charming.

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    1. Thanks! They're fun to write.

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

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  5. One of the things I always enjoy about your writing: immediate conflict.

    “I don’t see what the problem is,” Pocker scratched his head as they gathered seeds in the farmer's meadow, “why is being a Fetcher a bad thing?”

    I know already that the heart of this short tale will revolve around Fetchers and what being a Fetcher means.

    Some concrit...There are a lot of characters here! The quick introductions can make it card to follow. i.e.: “Sellamina shot Pocker her withers-butterflies look and Sticky cringed instinctively. “Secrets are secrets, Pocker!” she hissed.”

    Who hissed? Sellamina or Sticky?

    great details throughout : “her wings darkening with her mood” !

    Love the ways the bubble interrupt the fight - what a great use of perspective!

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    1. Thanks! With only 500 words for real estate, I try to keep the pace moving and the plot focused. (As it was I had to cut this scene down 300 words. Oops)

      You make an excellent point about dialogue tags. It was something I didn't catch with my edit. Thanks for keeping me honest!

      I'm pleased you enjoyed your visit. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  6. Podgy-warble completely delights me. And I admit, I laughed at "Podgy-warble's dead!" even though I know that's mean.

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    1. Thanks! I'll take laughter no matter how mean. :)

      I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  7. I am so glad there are more Podgy-warbles to make Lily happy. And though this tale is full of fun and whimsy, you're building a great foundation for the conflict of the story: secrets and protection, Fetching and cooperation. I like it.

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    1. Thanks! It's my goal to keep that element of whimsy throughout (it wouldn't be a pixie story otherwise right?) even though there are some serious things coming down the pipeline. There has to be something to challenge them otherwise they won't grow as characters. :)

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

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  8. So cute, but like others have pointed out, full of portent. And Lily's dismay over Podgy-warble is so sweet.

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    1. Thanks! I'll take sweet and full of portent. I'm pleased I was able to deliver the scene as it played out in my thoughts.

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

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