This 8-10 sentence blog hop is hosted by The Weekend Writing Warriors. (Click the link for the list of participants, or rules if you want to join!)
This is a WIP, NaNoWriMo 2016, currently called River, Tree, Mountain. It’s science fiction, set on a colony planet, six generations in–with 10% of the population born “marvels,” who have special abilities like dowsing, healing, or creating fire. The protagonist, Rekka, is a spark (fire), signed a contract with Brenton to provide him a child (NOT married/permanently paired), moves in with him, and more than a year later, is outside painting when L, the pink haired man, offers to listen to her problems over a meal, asks if any of her other companions look as good, and Rekka says it’s a tie.
Rekka’s stomach rumbled audibly.
Flashing her a crooked grin, L neatly lifted her box from her hand, and said, “Follow me, I know a great place nearby.”
Obediently, Rekka followed.
“Actually, ” he reached back with his free hand, capturing her wrist in a light grip, his big hands callused but neatly manicured, “it’s better to keep you where I can see you, troublemaker.”
“Troublemaker? Hmm, tempting,” Rekka said.
They walked for a little while, L keeping his gentle hold on her wrist, using it to lead her through a turn, and down a flight of stairs.
“Tempting?” he repeated, as they headed down a tree-lined path, lightly littered with fallen leaves.
“Tempting to prove you right.”
“Most people would take that as a challenge to prove me wrong,” L said.
* * *
Life on the colony planet of Kaibou was going uneventfully until the second generation of colonists was born on the planet, at some, at a young age, began showing various psychic abilities. When those people, called marvels, grew up, many of them formed companies, building compounds to live in and raise their children. Due to population diversity issues, many colonists have children using genetic bank material, or choose a succession of partners. Now on the seventh generation, marvels are born both within and without company walls, and all must work together to use their gifts and make a living on a still wild land. Some of these outsider marvels sign contracts with company marvels, agreeing to give them a child raised within the company, in return for a permanent home in the company compound, a stipend, and other concessions.
LOL. I’m not at all sure she knows what she’s saying when she’s around him.
I’ve always thought people get at least a little stupid around other people they’re attracted to! 😀
He seems to have an interesting effect on her!
I believe his effect is hormonal in nature. 😉
I love their playful dialogue! Great snippet! 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
Ooh I love the ‘subscript’ in this dialogue. This gets more and more intriguing!
When you’re getting to know someone, and flirting with them, the words take on all sorts of shade of meaning. 😀
They’re flirting is great!
Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
I love how this guy does all these unexpected things, sure keeps the interest level UP. Great snippet and I’m totally baffled inagoodway as to where this is all going 🙂 .Definitely have to keep reading!
L is a bit impulsive at times, for sure! 🙂
Thanks!
I miss Brenton. I know he got all anxious and secretive, but before that he looked so good for Rekka. You can’t blame her for flirting with L, but I’m dying to know what’s up with Brenton.
Brenton was/is good for Rekka, you’re right, but I never thought of him as a permanent romantic partner. Since you miss him, I’ll try to fit in a snippet with him soon!
I wonder why he called her a troublemaker. I like her reaction though. Being a devious writer, I’m starting to get suspicious of him. Can’t help it- curse of the trade!
Well, she did so some staring the last time she was behind him. 😉
It’s the job of the writer to make twisty plots, and the job of the reader to figure them out! 😀
Curiouser and curiouser. What’s he up to? Why? Looking forward to reading more.
Real life involves a lot of trying to figure out what people are up to. Too bad we can’t have a narrator tell us.
Glad to hear you’re enjoying!
I liked that tempted to prove you right line. Nice excerpt.
Thanks. He might be right about Rekka being a troublemaker. 😉
What a fun, flirty scene, Caitlin! To prove him right, indeed!
Sometimes, you just have to be a little difficult. 😀