Fleurie

Completion

An author once challenged me for posting a comment to one of her stories that I had not finished reading, from which I had bailed out early. I remarked that, were I to wait for completion before writing my own life’s story, it would have to be after I had crossed over to the other side…in which case, I would need to employ a “ghost” writer. Having just read The Old Alhambra and A Gift for Alex, I am sure I know who I would like that ghost writer to be.

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An Eft in Her Bra

An Eft

in Her Bra

by Fleurie

This tale concerns three witches, or weird sisters if you prefer. Although one of them isn't really a witch, nor a sister if it comes to that. You could, I suppose, always include Mildred in their number. She is most definitely is a witch and a female too, although as she doesn't actually appear, it's a moot point as to whether she qualifies.

So .... This tale concerns an indeterminate number of witches ....

The title? Well, a bra falls into the category of female apparel. An undergarment to be more precise, which is designed to support the breasts against the malign influence of gravity whilst also restricting undue lateral movement. Additionally it has connotations of a sexually enticing nature which .....

Oh the eft! Well an eft is .... a sort of .... Well Adrian is an eft. Not originally of course. Any more than Alaister was originally a cat. Although he's dead now. A blessing in disguise really. He never was the same after that tragic encounter with the zeppelin. Don't worry your pretty little heads about those two though, they are only peripheral to the tale. Old history.

The plot? Nothing to worry about there either as I have kept it to the barest minimum. Slavish adherence to an obtrusive plot has quite ruined so many good stories don't you think? Having a plot only leads to disappointment, disagreement, dissension, and disillusionment amongst readers, and is quite taxing for the writer to boot. It's a pitfall I have been at pains to avoid here.

Why not read it for yourself? But only if you have nothing else to do. No errands to run, empires to build, souffles to prepare, deadlines to fulfill, dreams to dream. I don't want to be accused later of leading you unaware down paths of idleness and sloth in pursuit of foolish trivia.

I said I never would but ....

Over four years ago I walked away from this place for reasons which by now have lost their relevance. Since then I haven't written a word. Which is probably a relief to many. Until last Thursday when I had an idea and was foolish enough to start to write it down.

And I found some of the old enjoyment. So in the hope that someone else may enjoy the reading of it, here it is.

Comments and even criticism will, as always, be warmly appreciated.

Oh and hello again to old friends.

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The Devil and Mr. Abercrombie

A quiet drink by the river on a sunny September afternoon. What could be more pleasant?

A casual conversation with a stranger who claims an old family connection What could be more innocent, more natural? And if Simon didn't believe in the Devil he is hardly alone in that.

But it was a pity really because if he had believed he might have been just that little bit more careful ...

End of Story.

The general indifference to Chapter 2 of 'The Van ...' has been quite deafening. I have therefore decided to discontinue it. At least as a TG/TV tale. I still think there is mileage in the idea and am toying with rewriting and perhaps posting in on Fictioneer in due course. I enjoy writing and, if other commitments permit, that is perhaps the way forward for me.

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The Van That Changed the World. Chapter 2 'The Door Opens'

WARNING - THIS TALE IS UNFINISHED

This is a sort of Science Fiction tale. If you include Time Travel in that genre that is. Not that anyone actually travels through time in the story. Dear me no. Nevertheless it is the closest I can get to an accurate description. It's really about a young boy. And what he finds in the forest one day. And how it changed his life.

And your's too in a way. And mine. All our lives I suppose. In due time.

In this second chapter Ugmor'n3 and Er experience a stout Cortez moment. The fears that mingle with their wild surmise are forgotten as they gaze upon their new horizons. Until the awareness of a greater and more immediate threat strikes.

You haven't met Er yet but even my Muse approves of her. Indeed claims she was his idea. Complete codswallop!.

Guilty conscience

I have left unfinished and unloved for far too long 'The Van that Changed the World.'

This has played on my conscience as I hate the idea of leaving anything unfinished. I haven't much of a conscience in truth but it does seem to let down those who have read the first chapter. Such a waste of their time! Everytime I see someone else has been lured into reading it I have a pang of guilt.

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Hit or Miss?

This is an old topic but it was brought back to mind today. I once wrote something called 'The Deception of Choice' which was posted in 17 episodes plus an Epilogue. I was pleased to see that today Episode 1 achieved 6,000 hits. Not all of the 6.000 read it of course but arrived at it either by curiosity, mischance, or poor typing skills. I even went there myself several times. Nearly 4,000 have to date dropped in on the Epilogue yet only 2,000 hit on Episode 17, whereas over 4,500 landed on the shores of Episode 14.

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All is revealed!

Those readers possessed of a specially sensitive and caring nature may have passed sleepless nights a couple of months ago as they agonised over the problems I was experiencing whilst trying to insert pictures and fancy text into the teaser of "An Eft in Her Bra."

Such exceptional souls may recall that Bobbie offered to compile an idiot's guide for those, such as myself, to whom computers and all associated with them are shrouded in a malignant mist.

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An Eft in Her Bra

 
     This tale concerns three witches, or weird sisters if you prefer. Although one of them isn't really a witch, nor a sister if it comes to that. You could, I suppose, always include Mildred in their number. She most definitely is a witch and a female too, although as she doesn't actually appear, it's a moot point as to whether she does in all fairness count.

     The title? Well, a bra falls into the category of female apparel. An undergarment, the function of which is to support the .... Oh an eft! Well an eft is a .... a sort of .... Well Adrian is an eft. Not originally of course. Any more than Alaister was originally a cat. Although he's dead now, and sadly missed, poor thing. A blessing in disguise really. He never was the same after that tragic encounter with the Zeppelin. No need to worry your pretty little head about those two though. Old history and only peripheral to the tale at best.

     No, our story really begins when ....

 

Hallowe'en Treat ... What the World's Press say

An Elf in Her Bra has been in Hatbox for about a year and is now eligible for release to the general public.

During the last twelve months I have been inundated with many requests regarding my future intentions for it. Many are those who many have implored, begged, indeed offered financial incentives, in a vain attempt to influence me.

In spite of all such, and ignoring all threats, I have decided to indeed release it in the Public Domain here at Hallowe'en. So there!

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The Van that Changed the World. Chapter 1 'In the Very Beginning'


WARNING - THIS TALE IS UNFINISHED

This is a sort of Science Fiction tale. If you include Time Travel in that genre that is. Not that anyone actually travels through time in the story. Dear me no. Nevertheless it is the closest I can get to an accurate description. It's really about a young boy. And what he finds in the forest one day. And how it changed his life.

And your's too in a way. And mine. All our lives I suppose. In due time.

The FT and Miss Vera

On the first page of this weekend's magazine in the Financial Times is an article on Miss Vera's who runs 'a finishing school for cross-dressers'.

It's all getting so very main stream. The Financial Times! Who'd have thought it. Must be all those bankers with fat purses and time on their hands.

It can be read on http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/31bf8aa2-8938-11dd-8371-0000779fd1...

Hugs,

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The Old Alhambra -6-

The Old Alhambra

This tale is complete in Six Chapters posted at approximately weekly intervals

This, the sixth and last chapter, is entitled

~ As Through a Glass Darkly ~

Readers should be aware that this is primarily a Ghost Story.

The TV/TG element is crucial to the plot but occupies a comparatively minor part of the text.

Those wishing to absorb a little of the ambience prior to reading should visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW4ThXetHkI&NR=1 and hear Helen Shapiro sing the last verse and refrain of the song that runs like a thread throughout the tale.

Yellow the Leaves of the Rowan

Yellow the Leaves of the Rowan

~ A Love Story ~

AUTUMN is over the long leaves that love us,
And over the mice in the barley sheaves;
Yellow the leaves of the rowan above us,
And yellow the wet wild-strawberry leaves.

The hour of the waning of love has beset us,
And weary and worn are our sad souls now;
Let us part, ere the season of passion forget us,
With a kiss and a tear on thy drooping brow.

The Falling of the Leaves ~ W. B. Yeats.

The Old Alhambra -5-

The Old Alhambra

This tale is complete in Six Chapters which will be posted at approximately weekly intervals

This, the fifth chapter, is entitled

~ Blood Will Out ~

Readers should be aware that this is primarily a Ghost Story.

The TV/TG element is crucial to the plot but occupies a comparatively minor part of the text.

Those wishing to absorb a little of the ambience prior to reading should visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW4ThXetHkI&NR=1 and hear Helen Shapiro sing the last verse and refrain of the song that runs like a thread throughout the tale.

The Old Alhambra -4-

The Old Alhambra

This tale is complete in Six Chapters which will be posted at approximately weekly intervals

This, the fourth chapter, is entitled

~ The Gift of Remembrance ~

Readers should be aware that this is primarily a Ghost Story.

The TV/TG element is crucial to the plot but occupies a comparatively minor part of the text.

Those wishing to absorb a little of the ambience prior to reading should visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW4ThXetHkI&NR=1 and hear Helen Shapiro sing the last verse and refrain of the song that runs like a thread throughout the tale.

The Old Alhambra -3-

The Old Alhambra

This tale is complete in Six Chapters which will be posted at approximately weekly intervals

This, the third chapter, is entitled

Faces in the Mirror.

Readers should be aware that this is primarily a Ghost Story.

The TV/TG element is crucial to the plot but occupies a comparatively minor part of the text.

Those wishing to absorb a little of the ambience prior to reading should visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW4ThXetHkI&NR=1 and hear Helen Shapiro sing the last verse and refrain of the song that runs like a thread throughout the tale.

The Old Alhambra -2-

The Old Alhambra

This tale is complete in Six Chapters which will be posted at approximately weekly intervals

This, the second chapter, is entitled

The Murder of Beatrice d'Auray.

Readers should be aware that this is primarily a Ghost Story.

The TV/TG element is crucial to the plot but occupies a comparatively minor part of the text.

Those wishing to absorb a little of the ambience prior to reading should visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW4ThXetHkI&NR=1 and hear Helen Shapiro sing the last verse and refrain of the song that runs like a thread throughout the tale.

The Old Alhambra -1-

The Old Alhambra

This tale is complete in Six Chapters which will be posted at approximately weekly intervals

This, the first chapter, is entitled

The Quiet Woman.

Readers should be aware that this is primarily a Ghost Story.

The TV/TG element is crucial to the plot but occupies a comparatively minor part of the text.

Those wishing to absorb a little of the ambience prior to reading should visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW4ThXetHkI&NR=1 and listen to Helen Shapiro sing the last verse and refrain of the song that runs like a thread throughout the tale.

Sex I.D.

It may have been there for months. Everyone else probably knows about it, commented upon it even, but I have just noticed another male/female brain test on the BBC website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sex/add_user.shtml

According to the blurb -

'Some researchers say that men can have 'women's brains' and that women can think more like men.

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The Deception of Choice. The Epilogue

A night at the opera for Grace and Helen and Francesca. And, as is appropriate, and traditional, and altogether in keeping with the reverence for the eternal verities that has so marked the telling of this tale, the end is signalled when the fat lady sings..

Not that anyone would ever call that epitome of svelte elegance, Grace de Messembry, fat! Even if she were surely no-one would dare? No I speak metaphorically only of course..

So no more secrets as we, you and I dear reader, eavesdrop from our privileged position in the back of the Royal Box at Covent Garden on the three guiding lights of the Venumar Foundation. The plain unvarnished, well relatively so, truth that no-one except you and I ........... .

But hush .... Listen .... Look .... The auditorium is stilled in expectancy. The baton raised, twice tapped, raised again. Poised .... Ssshhhhh ....

The Deception of Choice. Part 17, comprising Chapter 46

Wherein those concerned, or merely mildly curious, about David's fate may find some answers. That elusive 'Why?' being finally cornered. As well as revelations concerning impending global disasters. There is a walk in 'wild untrodden ways' as well as train, car and boat journeys.

No Plymouth gin although a thirst is slaked by beck-chilled ale. There is a poem by Anne but Grace de Messembry is untypically silent.

The Deception of Choice. Part 16, comprising Chapters 44 & 45.

Wherein can be discovered questions on the identity of a wren and doubts as to its integrity. The varied delights of a formal ball including pink gins as a tool of the unscrupulous. Do not trust them gentle reader! Men, not the gins naturally! Blood and broken bones in the moonlight, anguish both emotional and physical. Plans awry, a stowaway, and Grace de Messembry bids farewell to someone of no account. Or does she?

Quite unusually action packed. I feel quite faint and must lie down. Sal volatile anyone?

>

The Deception of Choice. Part 13. Comprising chapters 38 & 39.

Synopsis:

David's travails continue in Helgarren's pleasant pastures. Anne and Emma try to help as does Dr. Tabatha in her dispassionate way. Grace de Messembry drops by to say hello .... and perhaps rather more although one can never be quite sure. And then there is the wretched question of boyfriends.....

The Deception of Choice. Part 12. Comprising Chapters 36 & 37.

Synopsis:

A continuing BigCloset TopShelf story. Another day in the life of our hero. Or heroine as The Venumar Foundation would wish him to be known. Anne unburdens herself and David finds confirmation of a sort. Together they try to form a hypothesis. But alas unsuccessfully. Unless....
Otherwise Life pursues the even tenor of its ways. Anyone for tennis?

The Deception of Choice. Part 11. Chapters 33, 34, & 35.

Synopsis:

David arrives at the Finishing Centre. So much more freedom there. If he can just hold true to his resolve, all will surely be well. Or will it? Life is never quite so straightforward. Particularly not for David. And freedom is anyhow only relative. "Stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage;"

The Deception of Choice. Part 10. Comprising Chapters 31 & 32

Synopsis:

And is it true? The light at the end of the tunnel grows brighter. David's time at the Holding Wing seems to be numbered and pastures greener by far beckon. But greener for whom, even supposing that he gets to feel them under his feet? In the meantime though hope is alive again. In David's breast at least. And talking of breasts.....

The Deception of Choice. Part 9, comprising Chapters 27, 28, 29 & 30

Synopsis:

David's ascent, or descent, depending on one's point of view, into femininity continues with a cruel inevitability. But then a distant flicker of hope, of light at the end of the tunnel. Or will it turn out to be an approaching train? And Coralie returns, but alas no longer the girl you may remember. Oh, and some of the 'why' is revealed unto David. Not that he finds it reassuring.

Wonderfully wacky way with words

This is from Everybody's Scrapbook of Curious Facts, compiled by one Don Lemon and published well over 100 years ago. The author is unknown and the story line alas is not beyond criticism although it could be read as an early manifestation of feminism!

I came across it in a newspaper article by a Robert Richardson many years ago. He remarked that it may lack Maupassant's humanity and Maugham's style, but it is a story in a class of its own.

I think it is quite remarkable and should be known to a wider audience. Judge for yourself. I was reminded of it on reading the alliteration in Jezzi's sparkling 'Bimbo Bread'

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The Deception of Choice. Part 8. Chapters 25 & 26.

Synopsis:

After the attempted knifing, Grace de Messembry visits David in the Venumar Foundation's Hospital Research Facility, but does her gratitude lie deeper than her words? And what does she know about the knife? Emma has some rather exciting news, and some bad too. Coralie is seemingly broken just as the inscrutable branches apparently are. Otherwise nothing much happens. Nothing good from David's point of view anyway.

The Deception of Choice -Part 7- Chapters 18-24

Synopsis:

David's odyssey continues, slowly, seemingly irrevocably, as he dances to the dictates of Grace de Messembry and the Venumar Foundation.

Increasingly desperate, he searches to escape but the arrival of a new 'recruit' complicates the issue, whilst the riddle of the broken branches remains as impenetrable as ever.

The Deception of Choice -Part 6-

The Deception of Choice

by Fleurie 

Part 6

Chapter 15.

David rejoined the waiting group of girls. He saw their faces expectant, anxious for his news.

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The Deception of Choice -Part 3-

Some light is cast onto the general background, but not enough to provide real illumination. And, alas, none appears at the end of the tunnel for David.

Indeed it is generally a rather dark episode; with nothing in it to provide comfort for those who enjoy a happy ending. Although I suppose such depends on your point of view and where your sympathies lie. With the Foundation or with David?

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The Deception of Choice -Part 2-

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"Girls must strive to develop a personality that could best be characterised as ladylike."

The Deception of Choice

Part 2


by Fleurie

These are Chapters 3, 4 and 5. David's life might be thought by those more concerned with physical rather than mental deprivation to have taken a more promising turn. Perhaps so but David is less than convinced; indeed in his mind the confusion mounts. As indeed it does in the author's.

Apologies if it still seems slow. Maybe after all it is wrong to blame David for it. Other factors could be at work.

The Deception of Choice -Part 1-

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Sometimes, life is a game of charades and no one knows the solution to the puzzle...

The Deception of Choice

by Fleurie

These chapters concern an enforced selection, random or otherwise, and its consequences. About hope against sad inevitability. About futility in the face of nameless authority. Neither the author nor the main character know yet how it will end. Doubtless all in tears though. Life usually does.

It is dreadfully slow but possibly may get better. So much depends on David.

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