by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) Despite the shots they’d tossed back and the perilous heels of their thigh-high boots, Martinet managed to walk in a straight line. They were riding high on a sense of accomplishment until they hit the next major street and were suddenly faced with herds of roving trick-or-treaters. Dodging sticky-fingered kids without […]
Tag Archives: Togi Kayako
25
Jun
Keeper’s Finder
by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) A dozen and one things drew Thimble’s eyes as they teetered on the tips of their bare toes at the very edge of the dirt path. Their father Hearthside had said to stay on the path and make sure they didn’t go so far into the woods that they couldn’t see […]
18
Dec
Some of Us Are Looking at the Stars
by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) Enji’s pod door flashed green to alert him of an official summons, switching to a low, pleasant chime when the camera saw him roll over to face the wall by his cot. The chime repeated four more times before being replaced by a cheap-ass synthesized voice: “Mr. Dariagn Junior, your presence […]
28
Aug
Corvus, Cancer, And Other Constellations
by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) Clara refreshed her email, twice, double-checked her internet connection, and even made sure it was actually a Thursday. But no, there was no update from CrowJewels in her inbox. In one last attempt to restore normality, Clara checked the fic itself, but there was no change to Jewels’ current WIP at […]
26
Jun
To Bind Me, Or Undo Me
by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) illustrated by Higanbanashi (ヒガンバナシ ) There was an art to rejecting a marriage proposal, and thus far, it was not one Edmund had mastered. The unfinished letter sitting centered on his desk contained only a salutation and two pleasantly bland introductory sentences. It had taken him three drafts, plus the better […]
24
Apr
Bleed Me Dry
by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) From a distance, the Vessel of the Goddess looked proper fancy. The afternoon sunshine turned her white robe and tall headpiece into a beacon as she wound her way through the tilled fields.. It wasn’t that glow, nor the shine of all the bits of metal and glass she was weighted […]
19
Dec
No Soap Radio
by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) illustrated by RunnyCrusty Elia ducked out of one narrow alley and wove through the busy pedestrian street toward the next alley on their usual scrap-hunting route. The early evening crowd had a mix of everyone, from older corporates off early and looking to slum it for dinner to the enterprising local […]
24
Oct
Yours Until My Heart Dies
by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) Honey-gold light brighter than flame dazzled Aevan’s eyes as he walked through Marya’s portal. He stepped forward off of the stone of her workroom and staggered as his boot sank calf-deep in snow. A sharp wind snapped his heavy brown braid out to one side. Rook’s amulet rested warm at the […]
22
Aug
Moonstricken
by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) Jasper had been trained in situational awareness and combat readiness since she was a child, carrying on a family tradition that stretched back for several centuries. When she rounded a bend in the quiet forest trail and found a woman sitting on a weathered bench, the absolute last thing her brain […]
27
Jun
Going Twice
by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) illustrated by KMO As Leaf’s comm picked up a wave of applause, Beetle stopped mid-sentence in her rant to Sunbeam about the poor quality of imitation avocado. “Sounds like you’re up next, so I’ll cut the chatter. You remember your signal?” Leaf reached up like he was scratching his ear and […]
25
Apr
Anywhere I Wander
by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) The gathering bags strapped to Lyss’ hips and slung over her broad shoulders sagged low by the time she reached the end of the long row of melongrapes. She left the last plant untouched and tossed one green and purple striped ball from her overflowing pile onto the ground, crushing it […]
21
Feb
The Screwup Letters
by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) Read this piece’s entry on the Shousetsu Bang*Bang wiki. A letter, rolled up and tied with an uneven twine bow that smells vaguely of meat. The text is scribbled in multiple colours of crayon across the back of several pages of a child’s maths worksheets. My dearest, most darling Nella, I […]
20
Dec
Cathexis
by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) illustrated by The Winter Cynic See this piece’s entry on the Shousetsu Bang*Bang wiki. I slam my study door behind me with more force than necessary, cutting off Andy’s plaintive meows. My hands are clenched too hard on my phone, and they shake a little as I dial Will’s number. He […]
26
Oct
Even More Shivers And Chills!!!
See this piece’s entry on the Shousetsu Bang*Bang wiki. by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) Your first step off of the bus is heralded by a perfectly timed rumble of thunder. A drop of rain hits your bare arm, quickly followed by several more. There’s no shelter, of course, and your connecting bus won’t arrive for at […]
26
Apr
Contact Zones
by Togi Kayako (土宜草子) → I first see Shelly at the local high school track, on New Year’s day, though I won’t learn her name for ages. She’s built sturdy as a tank but looks like Bambi as she eases up off the bleachers, wobbling on her spotless pastel pink skates. She hears me skate […]
