iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 11h

Everyone wants a piece of this empire, it seems 😉

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 12h

Mira questions a prisoner. I'm about halfway through my first editing pass on this one, final book of ya fantasy trilogy. Preemptive "no, I'm not looking for another set of eyes to go through it" for money. This hobby costs enough already. #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

Mira simply stared at him, seeing if he would break and tell her more.
“Uh, they work into the night,” he continued. “Doing what they do. Digging, mostly, I think.”
“Underground?”
“Yes, lady. Always underground.” He took a breath as if he was going to say more, but then stopped.
“Out with it.”
“He’s afraid of the lizards. We all are after Sapton.”
“He’s right to be afraid. They can sense fear though. And lies.”
The man looked to where the dragons were sitting. He was sweating and Bert saw a shudder. “I would tell you what I know rather than be fed to them. I swear I don’t know any more!”

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 12h

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

A teacher and I started this informal reading club at school and it's so fun chatting with kids all over about the book. Book a month. First book is Ghost by Jason Reynolds. I love the reading tracker with faces 🤩 #booksky #edusky

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Catrin is trying to learn about this new group of pagans without judging them. #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

“Well, solhara is much the same, only it has a direct effect on the mind. It allows you to make connections with the past and with your ancestors. Once it is over, it is over. There is no holdover where you begin to abuse it. Only the Earth Mother knows how to grow the plant and mix the tea. Each of us uses it only once, and we are watched carefully the whole time, as we are watching Nock now. It will help aid his transition to manhood. You will see tomorrow. He will have undergone a transformation that only he can understand. If we tried to talk about it, we would find only that we both found extreme satisfaction in our individual experience, and understand our place in society and our family all the better because of it.”
Bert nodded, seeming to understand what Dray was saying.
Cat nodded as well. “Thank you for explaining it to me. Part of my education was learning about other cultures. I have to admit much of it was meant as a comparison to show how superior ours was to these heretics and pagans that exist around the world or in the past, but I always wondered what it would be like to be a part of one of these groups. If we are to achieve a return to peace, it will require an understanding that different peoples have different needs and ways of life. I would love to talk about this further one day, but you have given me much to think about.”
Dray placed both his hands on Cat’s shoulders and looked her right in the eyes. “I do not defend my people to argue that our ways are better or even right, but they are just that: they are our ways, and they work for us.”

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Catrin is trying to learn about this new group of pagans without judging them. #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Claiming vibes here. Bertram and his crew put an embargo on their enemies to try and force their hand. #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

"Excellent!" Mira said, standing. "I will leave it to you all and trust what you come up with." She stood and left the tent.
Elric smiled at them all. "She takes some getting used to, but she always lets you know what she's thinking." He grabbed an apple, spun it in the air, caught it and took a bite. "See you all later." He left through the tent entrance.
"I like her," Fisca Wise said. She leaned in from a chair that was in a back corner of the tent and was suddenly visible.
"Have you been there the whole time?" Bert said, smiling at the woman.
"A wizard never tells," she replied, smiling back. "So, did I hear talk of subterfuge? My specialty!"
"What would you suggest?" Cat asked.
"A mixture of things. You have to plan for some things to work and some things to fail, after all," Fisca replied. "Some of our people should focus on destroying food caches. Remember how Fox did that and it sent us into disarray. While no one wants the common folk to starve, some pressure felt in their bellies will quickly turn to anger against their rulers. It will also aid us when we eventually come down that river with barges loaded with grain."
"She's right," Sue said quickly. "We need not starve anyone, but they must feel some pain before they will even think of revolting. The good news is that the people of the Capital are used to such a safe and pleasant life, it won't take much. Already, we are receiving messages that the lack of specific food and goods are taking a toll. These are not a people used to lack of anything."

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Claiming vibes here. Bertram and his crew put an embargo on their enemies to try and force their hand. #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

From book 1. WIP is the final book in the trilogy. Bertram and Catrin are deep in dragon territory. 🏰🐉 #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

28: Not Alone
"Take my hand," Cat told him.
He reached up, felt sweat drip down his face, but she used her strength to pull him the last bit. Some might have felt like a weakling having to rely on a woman to pull them up a hill, but Bert didn't mind. Besides, he was carrying both their packs.
"Look back, Bert," she said, sitting on a rock and drinking deeply from her waterskin.
He used the break to push back his sopping wet hair from his eyes, drop the bags on the ground and collapse fully on his back. After a few deep breaths, he took Cat's advice and sat up and turned around. "Is that..."
"Wyrmgate." She raised her eyebrows. "Can you believe it?"
He couldn't. He raised his thumb and easily covered the entire town, but it was unmistakable. The walls, the castle and tower—it was clearly home. He'd spent most of his life in that town, always thinking of it as basically the whole world. The market, the abbey, the castle and tower that seemed to scrape the sky itself. Now, he realized it was literally a smudge on the landscape. Not even enough for his thumb to cover. The world, and their quest, was so much bigger than one town. "Cat, I can't believe it. We've come so far. And we're so high up!"
Cat nodded. "Haven't you noticed it in your legs? We've been moving steadily higher for a few days now. We're on the hills we're used to seeing from back home. I have no idea what lies beyond them. Eldritch theorized that perhaps the dragons had some sort of cities of their own beyond these hills." She smiled at the idea.
Bert had never really thought of how dragons lived. The idea that they existed at all was just sort of a thing you learned as a child. It was just a fact of nature. One didn't consider the how of the wind, or the shining sun. It all simply was, just like dragons. "Cities?"
Cat shrugged. "Not in the way we live, obviously..."
"Obviously." He chuckled. As if everyone knew this sort of thing.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

From book 1. WIP is the final book in the trilogy. Bertram and Catrin are deep in dragon territory. 🏰🐉 #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Not sure how long my streak is, but cousin ko'd it.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

From early in book 1 of my YA fantasy trilogy. Editing #3 now. Bertram learns of the tribute they send to keep the peace with dragons each year. #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writingprompts #writesky

“What did they teach you in that abbey?” Catrin asked. “It’s part of the deal. How do you think we keep the truce?”
Bert’s mind raced as he remembered seeing an incredibly large train of wagons leaving a few years back. There had been plenty of live animals as well. Several guards, both walking and on horse, traveled at the sides of the column as it left Wyrmgate. “I think I understand,” he said. “We send food and…other things to the dragons. It’s what keeps them in their part of the land, I suppose? I’d never considered it before.”
Eldritch smiled under his long beard. “A quick learner. Ages ago, even before me…” Eldritch waited for Catrin to stop giggling. “Yes, well, back then, the high king at the time agreed to a deal with the dragons to split the country as it’s been split ever since. The dragons keep to their side and us to ours. A simple agreement. If we wander to their end, well, that’s our problem. Anyone so foolish quickly vanishes or becomes food. We are only able to cross once each summer, on tribute day. We send in our tribute, leave it at the appointed location and leave. These actions are carried out all over the land.”
“It seems strange,” Catrin said, “but it works. For as long as even Eldritch here can remember, dragons have never come to Wyrmgate or anywhere else humans live. However, things have begun to change.”

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Admittedly not a very exciting snip, but it was the only use of petal I had. I'm surprised I had any. #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

The group said their goodbyes and many of the townspeople ran to talk and hug Wyrm People. Clearly, fast friendships had developed on the march home. It would be interesting to see how relations between the communities developed. Was it possible they could not only bring about a return to the truce that had defined the land for hundreds of years, but actually push to a new arrangement? One built on friendship and peace between two peoples?
One could only hope. Maybe a return to normal wasn't setting their sights high enough. Why not a change to something better?
After watching the marching army turn away and walk for a while, Dray, Bert and the townspeople with them walked through the gates, finally home. People on the wall cheered and tossed flower petals, coins and bits of cloth to welcome them all.
Children ran from the crowd to hug and kiss parents they feared would not return. Bert saw more than a few who had no one to run to. He would have to talk to Cat about the abbey being extended and funded to support those new orphans who would need it. A sad reality of war.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Admittedly not a very exciting snip, but it was the only use of petal I had. I'm surprised I had any. #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I just start a folder in Google drive and then I make a doc, I write down whatever and then sometimes it just sits there forever

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The whole chapter is so dumb, I thought about removing it. Flash forward to today and I finally got around to reading Dungeon Crawler Carl. Now I'm wondering if it's dumb enough.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Bertram has a totally stupid action movie style juvenile dream to start off book 2. Gotta have some fun with YA #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

1: The Dragon Tongue
The primal roar could be heard in the deepest corners of Wyrmgate.
The bridge to the castle shook with the feet of dozens of heavily armored knights stampeding across it. The screams of those already losing in battle drowned out the sound, but the vibration underfoot added to the bedlam.
A single man made slow progress up the bridge, defeating all comers despite being heavily outnumbered. The man didn't seem to tire as he slashed one soldier in the neck with his longsword while knocking another to the ground with his armored wrist. A quick kick knocked another so hard, he left a dent in the stone of a nearby wall before collapsing to the ground.
"That'll buff out, I'm sure!" the man quipped, his helmet muffling his words. A long yellow cape waved behind him despite the lack of a breeze, making him look even more impressive. The man laughed as he took out another set of four guards in a matter of moments. "You'll have to do better than that, Crowe!" he yelled at the top of the castle towers.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Bertram has a totally stupid action movie style juvenile dream to start off book 2. Gotta have some fun with YA #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

That should have read *don't want to do it*

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I always think I want to do it, and find I'm enjoying it as I go 👍

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Oh, the black dragon plays a role 👍 You can't just bring a dragon into a story and not use it! That's no fun for anyone, especially the dragon.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Just a hobby I already lose enough money on 😉

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Finally started a first editing pass on my WIP 👍 Haven't got to this part yet, but it's nice to be in the final stages #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writingprompts #writesky

“Nock!” Bert said, stopping quickly to drink water from a jug on the table. Nock had set up a hospital of sorts and was treating people with the odd illness or injury. A larger portion of the area was set aside for Smee’Wa’Bla, the dragon that had been abused by the Shepherds. Bert approached the dragon slowly, making sure she was aware of his presence. His closeness to Yellow had given him a special status with the female dragon. She definitely didn’t trust Bert fully, but accepted his presence. He locked eyes with her briefly, then lowered his head and approached slowly, arm out. The black dragon huffed a bit, but allowed Bert to pat her flank gently.
Nock smiled at the interaction. “She’s improving quickly, Bert. I know Yellow’s presence is having a big impact—”
Bert cut him off with his hand. “It’s all thanks to you, Nock, but I can’t talk about it right now. Mira has spotted a hideout of some sort and thinks it belongs to the Fox. We’re moving out now. Your orders will come down, but you’re to follow later with Smee’Wa’Bla. For now, I need to take Yellow, and I need him armored. I know that’s not your role—”
This time Nock did the interrupting. “Say no more, I’ll have him armored up and your weapons and travel pack loaded. Go say goodbye to your princess, my friend!”
“Queen!” Bert shouted as he left the tent at full speed.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Finally started a first editing pass on my WIP 👍 Haven't got to this part yet, but it's nice to be in the final stages #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writingprompts #writesky

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Bad post. I know you're about the market and not politics, but this post required just a little context and you didn't provide it.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The best diplomacy always ends with a beheading

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

From the final book of my YA fantasy trilogy. Chapter is 'Butts and the Art of Diplomacy' and I promise the butt thing makes sense 😉 I love a dumb chapter title #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

"Shut your flap, Bert." She looked him right in the eyes. Her mouth was still smiling, but her eyes made her message clear.
He shut his flap.
"I am telling you to take a knee and bow to my father. That's what I am telling you." She paused a moment. "What I'm actually telling you is don't you dare do that. Refuse and don't back down. If he pushes you far enough, recount the words of the document we sent promising your safety. Loudly. Do you understand?"
"Sana. Touch my butt."
Quiet laughter escaped her mouth. "You freak. Your princess not taking care of you?" Still, she lightly ran her hand on his backside. She nodded. "Even better, pretty boy." She turned them back towards the High King. The man sat as if he was waiting for a ferry to arrive rather than dealing with the future of his realm.
"Well, boy," he spat. "To the ground with you. Take a knee. Did my daughter instruct you properly?"
"She told me to take a knee," Bert replied.
"Let's have it then."
"No," Bert said quickly. "I acknowledge you are the king of Ironwall, your majesty. However, you are not my king, and I am not here to beg something of you. I came at your request. I am here and ready to talk. I am not your servant."
Sana nodded just slightly enough that Bert was sure no one else noticed.
"Guards!" the king shouted. "Lop off this filthy boy's head and send it back in the boat. I'll take tea in my rooms."
Several guards approached from the edges, hands on weapons.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Another one from early in book 1. Book 3 of the trilogy is my WIP. Bertram has to choose to join in their plans or not. Spoiler: he does, or the book wouldn't be very exciting. 🐉🏰👑 #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

“Well, Catrin,” Eldritch replied. “I suppose we’re just letting the boy know how we feel about our precious little thronewarden from the outset, eh?”
“Your pardon, Eldritch, but I bear no love for the man either,” Bert risked. “He was going to send me to waste away in a mine. I appreciate both of you standing up.” He felt sick that he was speaking at all. He considered what his betters in the abbey would think of him sitting here now. He had been carefully trained to be silent, especially among anyone above his rank—which was to say, basically everyone.
“Well said, lad,” Eldritch replied. “I suppose you are a part of this now, after all. I’ve brought you in. You seem to think it a rescue of some sort, but it may end up being anything but.”
Catrin regarded Bert carefully for a moment that seemed to stretch forever. Her face gave away nothing, but her eyes seemed to be examining his very soul, measuring it against some unknown ideal. Just as Bert thought he would crack and look away, she spoke. “I suppose if this boy will be working in your tower, it is only fair we include him in our plans.”
It chafed Bert a bit that she called him a boy. They were the same age! He hadn’t missed the mention of her betrothed, either. Sir Darian Storme was certainly no boy. Four or five winters older than Bert, the man had been the only one to stand up to Crowe at Catrin’s nameday tournament, nearly beating him in the melee. Still, Bert understood that Catrin had lived much more of an adult life than he, and he wasn’t going to challenge her, having just met her. He could stand a little talking down.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Bertram attends a tournament. ⚔️ From early in book 1 of my YA fantasy trilogy. Rererereading book 2 now before editing 3. #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

14: Melee
Bert found a spot in the stands that had a good view of the melee, which was just underway. The melee usually consisted of two teams, but today had a twist Bert hadn't expected. The two teams wore armbands of red and blue, as always, but today they also had dragon regalia and crow regalia. Bert was happy to see Darian with a blue band on his arm and a large blue dragon on his chest and cape. As the betrothed to Princess Catrin Wyrmblessed, it would have been a scandal for him to fight for Crowe. Catrin's clothing and jewelry choices suddenly made a lot more sense.
Both sides had ten fighters, but it didn't take an expert to realize the Crows were better armed.
Many on the Dragon side were wearing boiled leather armor with the odd bit of metal to help protect key areas like their heads. Even with blunted swords, they would feel powerful hits much worse than the fully armored Crows. Most of the Dragons were also older men—soldiers and guards who Bert had seen in the town his whole life. The Crows were mostly middle-aged men, in the prime of their fighting lives, a combination of strength and experience that would be tough to beat. Many bore scars on their faces, proof of battles fought and won.
Some saw scars as a sign of defeat, but Darian had told Bert otherwise. "If you escape a battle with a scar, it's likely the other man escaped with much worse, or didn't escape at all." It gave Bert a new appreciation—and fear—of the Crows.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Bertram attends a tournament. ⚔️ From early in book 1 of my YA fantasy trilogy. Rererereading book 2 now before editing 3. #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

shocked to learn I have petal, but not contract.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

From my first novel, Solar Umbrella, hard sci-fi. WIPsnips recently showed me I used diffuse/defuse wrong and it caused me to spend tens of hours going through and fixing rookie mistakes, which I enjoyed. I promise the pizza makes sense #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

Alex continued his travel, and Al chimed in, letting Parker know it was his turn. Parker once again marvelled at DJ and Kate's work, as his display lit up the exact places he was to put his tether, lifeline and even hands and feet. He thought about mentioning it to Alex, but decided to let him focus. The plan was for Parker to sit just inside the edge of the airlock, ready to head out and help if absolutely necessary. Otherwise, he was to sit in the relative safety and just wait.
Fen chimed in over his headset. "Sit right there, Parker, Alex is almost in position."
"Understood," Parker replied simply. There was about a three second delay at this point, so he tried to keep it quick. Talking back to mission control or Earth was a little annoying, but he had gotten used to it quickly. He wanted to let everyone focus on Alex and the welding. As he waited, he took a moment to look out at space again. Beautiful, surely, but also...nothing. He was once again filled with that knowledge that the Earth was what mattered. Space had, in a way, been the focus of his life. In reality, it was just a means to an end. The Earth, the people, music, the cultures and food. History, art, lakes and rivers, mountains, animals. There was so much to appreciate on Earth. So much to learn and see and do. And it was all at risk because a bunch of so-called elites had consistently sided with a few percentage points more profit over all the amazing things the planet had to offer. It infuriated him, but reignited the fire to get this done. There was no other choice. "Hey, Fen, do you want to get pizza when I get back?"
"I'm thinking no, Parker," she replied.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I believe it's been the case for a long time that will change as soon as NY and Quebec do. Think that law/rule/whatever passed like 5 years ago. They don't want to do it and fuck up meeting/travel times with our economic neighbours.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

From my second novel and the most difficult I've written to date. The Travelers is a direct sequel to Solar Umbrella. It's the only book I've written with multiple timelines and multiple POV's, which was a challenge, but fun. 🌍🚀🪨 #WIPsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #writingprompts

Tea for Four
My goodness these humans are emotional, Elizabeth thought. And these bodies are so...gangly.
She walked down the stairs, such an inefficient way to travel, turning her head to ensure the two were following. Protocol suggested they would want to ingest food, beverage or both as they communicated. Her mind settled on tea. It would match her persona and settle their nerves. Waking them the way she had was a mistake. She should have observed longer and waited for their rest cycle to complete. Sloppy work, but the situation was under control now.
Yan was sitting at the table, but he was facing a wall instead of looking inward to where the others would soon sit. Why does he have to do everything the hard way? she thought to herself for what seemed like the millionth time. He looked like Parker and Kate otherwise, despite his strangeness. He was wearing a red checkered shirt, but the buttons weren't done up correctly, leaving a gap at the top where his black chest hair was poking up. She noticed that his shoes were on the wrong feet as well. I thought I was sloppy, he looks like a child dressed him.
"Please, have a seat Kate and Parker," she motioned to two of the chairs at their table. "I will prepare tea for us all. This is my partner, Yan." She nodded towards the other chair. "He was just about to turn his chair the proper direction to chat with us."
"Yes, hello, yes!" Yan said much too loudly as he turned his chair. He took way too many steps as he turned it around, lifting and putting the chair down again at each small rotation rather than doing it all at once. His smile looked human at least, his white teeth inviting conversation. His face was plump but not fat, and his black hair accentuated his East Asian features.

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I read this as audiobook and was so confused. That's fucking rad though!

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Mark Johnston 🍁 @markjohnston905.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I don't even drink coffee, but that's the kind of trigger warning I need

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