Arli the Dragon's Beauty School Application by ReallyRosa, literature
Literature
Arli the Dragon's Beauty School Application
Dear Head of the Fairy Beauty School, My name is Arli, and I am a dragon. I am writing this application with great enthusiasm and a burning desire to become a part of your esteemed beauty school, despite being well aware that it primarily admits fairies. As a dragon, I understand that I am different from the typical candidates you receive, but I believe my unique perspective and passion for beauty can contribute to a more inclusive and diverse learning environment. Throughout history, dragons have often been portrayed as fierce and powerful creatures, feared by many. But beneath my scales and fiery breath, beats a heart that longs to explore the artistry and magic of beauty. I have spent countless hours observing fairies and other magical beings, admiring their elegance, creativity, and ability to enhance the world around them. I wish to learn from the best and hone my skills, not only for my personal growth but also to challenge the stereotypes associated with dragons. I am deeply
In flight fate Walking down the airplane aisle, Abigail Farley was feeling beautiful in the favorite blue-flowered dress she'd worn to work that day. She tried to maneuver her carry-on bag to avoid hitting the people already seated. The smug ones in first class with their extra inches and anticipation of complimentary alcoholic beverages. And the parents holding squirming, squealing children who had boarded early - she hoped that she would not be seated near any of them. Them the loud youths, laughing, flirting and cracking jokes, hanging over the seats to talk to their buddies. University kids going home, she guessed. Was it already ten years since she'd been one in a crowd like that? It felt like yesterday. Then she arrived at 14A - a window seat. Settling in and putting her crime novella in the seat pocket, she watched those still boarding and wondered who'd stop at the seat next to hers. Then she saw a younger man. He was still several rows away with sandy-colored hair
Palace of Nations, Geneva. 25 September 1965. It had been a slog. There was no doubt about that. But after almost a month of swearing, recrimination and idle threats, the people sat around the table had finally hashed out an agreement on the future of the world. Geneva had been Denis Healy’s idea. The failure of the peace talks in San Francisco the previous year resulted in the British PM making the suggestion that a neutral site and change in negotiators might see the rump Soviet government agree to make compromises that went beyond the late Alexander Shelepin’s threats and demands. Sure enough, progress had been made. While the formal re-establishment of the UN would still be some time away, there was at least a blueprint for how to go forward. An official cease-fire and non-aggression treaty had been signed by the UK, USA and USSR on behalf of themselves and allied countries, but that was not the main issue. The summit had resulted in an assurance from the Americans and the
The Girl Who Heard Colors by SnowyZoe97, literature
Literature
The Girl Who Heard Colors
Christy never thought of herself as a normal girl, even though she had normal interests, a normal appearance, and lived with a normal family. What was completely different about her was that she could see colors whenever she read or heard sounds. For example, when she heard a bell, she saw silver, and when a dog barked, she saw red. This was because Christy had synesthesia, which meant her senses were completely mixed up. Christy believed that her synesthesia was something that made her completely different than anyone else she knew. While normal people saw colors, heard sounds, or tasted flavors, synesthetes like Christy experienced something so much more. Christy’s world was filled with a brightness that came from all directions. But it didn’t stop at seeing colors whenever she heard sounds. She also heard sounds when she saw certain shapes, saw light coming from people who walked by, felt music like it was a beating heart, and saw temperatures. It had always been like this. She
No Pants 2 Rather to her surprise at first, Amy soon found herself enjoying wearing dresses or skirts all the time, much like women worldwide did with few exceptions until less than a century ago. Early on, I would occasionally see her gaze wistfully at the pants she had hung in her side of the bedroom closet; until she packed them away after a few weeks and hung more dresses and skirts in their place. Though we usually put in some overtime each week, life was hardly 'all work and no play' for us, or our coworkers. Wazuis are great outdoor enthusiasts, at all times of the year, and have a better than average reputation internationally both for producing world-class athletes, and for maintaining a generally high level of physical fitness. Amy's and my favorite activities have been cross country skiing, hiking, and bicycling. While Yoba most years gets relatively little snow due to its seacoast location and its latitude, it offers abundant opportunities for walking and
No Pants 1 Amy and I first met during our freshman year of college; while we were seeking degrees in different fields of study, we also had some common classes, and from the start crossed paths fairly frequently when not in class. We became friends early on, but it took some time for our relationship to blossom further, as neither us us then sought to push the envelope. Eventually though, we became convinced we were indeed meant for each other, and, long story short, we were married shortly after graduating with the degrees we had been working toward all along. We were more fortunate than many recent graduates, in that we were being actively recruited by multiple perspective employers. After some early indecision, we decided to move to the Minneapolis - St Paul metro area, despite the area's reputation for formidable winters. It helped that we were recruited by different departments of the same company, which greatly simplified our commute, as we could share our ride, except
The Woman in Chrome Many diverse world have become members of the republic, and in the course of my Navy career, I have noticed that they, as diverse as they are, are impressively consistent in a number of things. For one, they tend to shun war, but also recognize the possibility they might not always have a choice, and thus a strong Navy is the best defense against potential threats from elsewhere in the known, and unknown galaxy. Another requisite is to embrace and accept diversity. While the populations of some member worlds are truly homogeneous, to the point of monotony, others are remarkably diverse. A few, notably Camir, have even employed genetic engineering to modify 'standard' humans into various chimera, and not merely for reasons of vanity. On that world for example, underwater work is performed almost exclusively by Mers, and more than a few ranchers are centaurs. Their driders (human/spider hybrids) are without peer as bridge builders, and though their
Living The Life (of a Miniaturized Mermaid) by uglygosling, literature
Literature
Living The Life (of a Miniaturized Mermaid)
Living the Life (Of a Miniaturized Mermaid) Neither Tiffany nor Noreen, or anyone else for that matter, had ever thought things would come to how they were now. Noreen had originally transformed her younger sister into a tiny mermaid as a way of accommodating her in her rather small apartment, after Tiffany had lost her job and then her own apartment, and her aquarium seemed the best option readily available. Now, in addition to her own work assignments, Tiffany was also fulfilling another unexpected role, as a mother hen of sorts to a pod of five more miniaturized mermaids. Noreen had likewise come to embrace a role she had never before envisioned herself fulfilling. Working in conjunction with her sister's new employer, she had moved into a new home of her own, which included an aquarium over ten times larger than the one in her old abode, and built from the start to house miniaturized mermaids as well as more 'typical' marine life; each tiny mermaid having her choice of
Temporary Accommodations by uglygosling, literature
Literature
Temporary Accommodations
Tiffany had good ideas for making a living after graduating college, but also a penchant for bad timing. Having majored in financial services, she joined a realty firm on the other coast. The hours could be long, but with the promise of lucrative paychecks in the future she soon got herself a nice apartment, only a few miles from where her older sister Noreen lived in her own apartment. While small, it was well arranged and so seemed larger than it really was. Unfortunately, the 'housing bubble' burst less than a year after Tiffany had landed her new job, and as she had not yet saved up much money and had difficulty finding new employment for which she was qualified, she was forced to give up her apartment. She was able to temporarily move in with her sister, and even while still unemployed was able to help earn her keep by driving her sister to work after Noreen's car broke down, and getting a part time job at a nearby supermarket. The arrangement worked well, but it soon
The Mask Of Silence "Ma'am, are you truly ready to be fitted with your mask?" the masking technician asked Sharon Davis. Sharon did not speak in response, instead she merely nodded her head, and smiled for emphasis It was actually very much in character for her to so respond; all her life she had a reputation for reticence comparable to 'Silent Cal' Calvin Coolidge. Most all her friends were accustomed to that particular mannerism of hers, as was her husband, who himself could be both quite voluble, and quiet by turns. Though they only met while in college, he soon proved adept at sensing what was on her mind, just by looking at her eyes, let alone the most subtle body language she might give off as well. Several of their women neighbors wore masks of the type Sharon had decided to be fitted with as well. Some wore them for relatively short periods of time, a few weeks before having them removed once more, while a couple had been wearing theirs since before Sharon and her