@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

"We'll not take any more of your time," Jimmy said, standing.
"Hurry back, Darling. Don't make me wait so long this time!"
He hugged the Duchess and stepped back.
Coral started to follow him, when the Duchess cleared her throat.
"I hope you find what you're looking for, mon fillette." (6/6) #wss366

The two men with automatic weapons were still there, in the shadows, observing. Coral closed her mouth and waited.
"Here, Darling!" the Duchess said when she returned. She handed Jimmy a small piece of paper. He studied it, nodded, and put it in his pocket. (5/6) #wss366

They sat in silence for a moment, then the Duchess spoke again.
"One moment, Darling. Let me check something."
She got up and left them in the courtyard.
Jimmy sipped his sangria and smiled at Coral. Coral started to open her mouth, when Jimmy gestured discretely. (4/6) #wss366

"Someone must be paying him," Jimmy said. "Who does he work for?"
"His type will work for anyone If the money's right."
"But you've not heard anything?"
"No, Darling," she said, shaking her head. "I vouchsafe I'd not hide it from you, no matter how much I despise that woman." (3/6) #wss366

"These three are small fries," she said. "Muscle."
She put the other one down between them.
"This one is the brains. He's young and well connected. But I have no idea why he'd be after an old lady." She glanced over at Coral and winked. "Apologies to your terrible mother." (2/6) #wss366

"Coral's mother has been abducted by pros," Jimmy said. "We think these four men have something to do with it."
Jimmy pulled out the dossiers and pushed them across the table. The Duchess picked them up and studied them carefully one after another. She set three aside. (1/6) #wss366

"There's something on my face? Where?" #DogsOfMastodon

The other night, I submitted a manuscript to an anthology and the next day saw I'd gotten an email that started, "Thank you for your submission […]"

I was like, "Rejected already!?"

But then I opened the email and it continued, "I wanted to let you know your story has been received."

Aw!

Blue Jeans Band featuring Magic Slim, recorded in São Paulo. Just a damned good blues… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4sbJQHkwcs

"Three helicopter gunships came and shot all of the enemy forces. By the time we got outside, there was no one left." She laughed merrily, as Jimmy covered his face in mock shame.
Colette returned with Coral's water. She took a cautious sip.
"And now to work," the Duchess pronounced. (5/5) #wss366

The Duchess let out a girlish giggle. "There we were! Trapped in a burning building! Surrounded by the enemy! As your father reloaded his pistol, he growled, 'We may not survive, but at least we'll go out in a #blaze of glory!'"
"What happened?" Coral asked, intrigued in spite of herself. (4/5) #wss366

"Just water for me," Coral said.
After she poured for the others, Colette went to fetch some water.
"Before we get to the tedious reason that brought you here," the Duchess said, "may I tell your fillete how we met?"
"Oh, no," Jimmy groaned. "Not that story again!" (3/5) #wss366

"Oui, Madame," she said. She offered to pour for Coral.
"What is it?" Coral asked.
"Sangria, mademoiselle," she said.
"Sangria?" Coral said, looking at Jimmy uncertainly.
"It's wine mixed with fresh fruit juice," Jimmy said.
"We add a little Cointreau too," the Duchess said. (2/5) #wss366

A small table was set with three glasses and a pitcher. A circumspect young woman stood to the side with her hands clasped behind her back. Jimmy held a chair for the Duchess, then he and Coral sat.
"S'il vous plait, Colette," the Duchess said. (1/5) #wss366

I will be attending the @SFWA Nebula Awards Conference June 3-7, 2026 and participate in an author signing event June 5 from 8-10pm. I will bring my fancy fountain pen and try not to squirt ink all over anyone brave enough to come talk with me. https://nebulas.sfwa.org/nebula-conference/

RE: https://mstdn.social/@grickle/116613402405445333

It's not easy being green…

She led them down a long hallway that seemed dim after the outdoors light, but then opened up into colonnade along a glorious shady courtyard with a fountain. Flowering vines with showy blossoms created a riot of #color that surrounded the entire space. Coral turned around in wonder. (2/2) #wss366

The Duchess guided them into a grand entrance hall between striped pillars, decorated with enormous statues and carved stone archways. Their footsteps echoed in the shadowy, cavernous space. The two men with automatic weapons shadowed them. (1/2) #wss366

A bench along the route we walk Tanuki-chan is infested with carpenter bees. There are a dozen or more of the big, charismatic, shiny bees hovering and diving at one another. They're currently expanding their galleries and you see little piles of sawdust everywhere. I love watching them, but we always worry Tanuki will try to catch the spicy sky beans.

Someone thinks something might need to be barked at. #DogsOfMastodon