by Iwatani Meiko (岩谷 明衣子) It was only a few months ago that Lavinia had picked up an apprentice, and then, not entirely by choice. She had built her Seclusium to be deliberately forbidding (a black obsidian spire), remote (atop a mountain range), and difficult to ascend (full of traps). She had been secure here […]
Author Archives: ssbb-admin
26
Apr
So How Did
by Phun Saa (พรรษา) Probably, Sean would reflect later on, after it had turned into a whole thing, if he hadn’t whiffed so badly the very first time then he wouldn’t have had to compensate and it never would’ve become a thing at all. Maybe. He knew at least some of his faults, and he […]
26
Apr
Shore Leave
by Kimyō Tabibito (奇妙 旅人) and Tobias Stout illustrated by beili Lieutenant Treng is about to prove correct several stereotypes about soldiers, which are as follows: One: It’s frowned upon to sleep with fellow grunts on a starship, so by the time leave rolls around they’re absolutely desperate for anything besides their own hand. Two: […]
26
Apr
Activity Report
by Hyakunichisou 13 (百日草 十三) “You’re in a good mood today,” Lew said from his couch, as Russell hummed at the kitchen pass-through counter, bopping in place a little as he stirred his coffee. “Yeah, I guess I am.” Russell rinsed his spoon and set it in the drainboard. “I went out last night. It […]
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 […]
26
Apr
Cultural Contact
by juou no zan (女王のザン) With a newly freed-up schedule, Osett decided he might as well track down General Ordoni. He dropped his paperwork off in his office and made his way to the courtyard where Ordoni and some of the other generals sparred and sometimes ate. He was in luck; Ordoni was there. Growing […]
26
Apr
With Thee In Spirit
by Iron Eater When Clark got into the urban exploration hobby, he’d expected to be the only thing haunting the condemned manor house out past the edge of town. Worst case scenario, he figured, was that he’d have to evade squatters or some weirdos making meth, and his cautious daytime sweeps with a drone-mounted camera […]
29
Feb
Glory in your own Ecstasies
by Kimyō Tabibito (奇妙 旅人) and Tobias Stout All Tamish temples, no matter how humble, have at least one room resplendent with lush places to sit, devotional art to contemplate, scripture and holy poetry to meditate upon, and an altar to each of the Four Gods. These altars are scattered with candles and incense […]
29
Feb
The Payoff
by Himawari (ヒマワリ) Construct type: Suraksha (Unit name: Suraksha) Individual log 2623-05-12-00-24-51:27 I was inventorying my drone kits when Meethi took me aside in the shipnet with what it tagged as important updates on crew relations. I made some sort of face, because I was tired of social interactions after two-and-a-half weeks of herding […]
29
Feb
Polyeleos
by Shirozubon Saruko illustrated by Iron Eater Ilya was shaken awake by a rough hand, and blinked up at a candle’s glow in the dark. It lit the sharp planes of Brother Yuri’s strong, square face, now wide-eyed and drum-tight with fear and alarm. “Brother Ilya, please help us,” Yuri said as soon as he […]
29
Feb
All parts there made one prisoner
by Sparklebeard Colin was in the middle of straightening up his living quarters for the third time, nervously placing and re-placing the throw pillows on his small sofa, when his tablet chimed to signal an incoming call. He nearly dropped the tablet in his haste to grab it from the table, and took a […]
29
Feb
From the Cold
by shukyou (主教) “The prisoner has confessed, Your Majesty, and the sentence has been declared,” said Grand Advisor Maspa with all the smug self-righteousness of a man watching the jaws of a well-laid trap sink deeper into a prey animal’s leg. Daraya bit the inside of his cheek to bleeding to keep from snapping […]
23
Dec
His heart must be ash where his body lies burned
by shukyou (主教) See this piece’s entry on the Shousetsu Bang*Bang wiki. Now Marron Fletcher clutched his hunting rifle in his left hand, pointing toward the edges of his estate with his right. “That’s where it was seen?” he asked. The young boy nodded, looking pale as a well-laundered sheet. Marron supposed the pack of […]
22
Dec
Xenolith Cache
written and illustrated by Iron Eater See this piece’s entry on the Shousetsu Bang*Bang wiki. Riaag wasn’t certain what sort of person you’d have to be to try and restrain a potentially dangerous stranger with shitty, half-rotten rope, but that was certainly the sort of person who was overseeing his escort. Having ripped a great […]
