~~~~~~~~~~I’m doing NaNoWriMo, so see y’all in December! Good luck if you’re writing. 🙂 ~~~~~~~~~
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 Lang, is a spark (fire), signed a contract with Brenton to provide him a child (NOT married/permanently paired), moves in with him–4 months after she moved in, they go to a family dinner, where Rekka is talking to Acacia, Brenton’s 2 1/2 year old daughter, and has demonstrated her marvel, creating sparks to light candles.
(Relevant info: most children demonstrate powers around the age of two, Acacia hasn’t. Phoenix, Brenton’s older sister, has a child with no powers. Yulia is Brenton’s mom. Mitali is Rekka’s sister.)
“Want pretty!” Acacia grabbed at the spark, nearly toppling off her chair.
“Sorry, you can’t have my pretty,” Rekka said, realizing she’d made a mistake when Acacia repeated her demand, louder. She saw Yulia shoot Phoenix a meaningful stare, and then a head tip, and Phoenix leaned back in her seat, reaching around Mitali for her niece.
Rekka cupped her hands around the fire, flaring it brighter so it glowed through her fingers, “But you have one in you, too, Acacia. Why don’t you close your eyes, and picture the pretty little light?”
“My dear, that isn’t a good…” Brenton said, standing, his face set.
“Pretty!” Acacia squealed with glee, as in her cupped hands hovered a point of light, weak and flickering in and out, but still there.
Phoenix dropped her hand, and glared at Brenton, before swiveling to face forward, and paying determined attention to her food.
* * *
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.
That’s such a believable depiction of a child that age. It can be hard to get young child characters just right.
Thanks! I was nervous about her, but I’m glad you feel she’s real. 😀
Always delightful, Caitlin.
Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
Oh, I don’t think they’re happy Rekka was the one to show her how to harness her powers. Great snippet!
Brenton was more worried about Acacia, in his defense–there have been several unsuccessful attempts to coax a marvel out of her already.
Phoenix has other motivations, though!
Uh-oh, I think Rekka has just caused some trouble! Love all the undercurrents at the table.
Yes, she has! Thanks! 🙂
Oh dear, a family faux pas! The beginning of the end?
This is a mixed bag of attitudes, for sure. Acacia likes Rekka, at least. 😉
I agree––Rekka’s in trouble haha. Good luck with NaNoWriMo!
Just a bit. 😉
Thanks!
Interesting development and I agree the child character sounds just about right for the age! Enjoyed the snippet…
Thanks!
Uh-oh. Wouldn’t have expected that reaction. Hope she can make it through this.
Little kids can be grabby. But no one was hurt!
Interesting dynamics. I thought having powers was desirable, but the family doesn’t seem happy about it.
Having powers is desirable. Brenton didn’t want her to upset Acacia further–and Phoenix is feeling a bit green with envy.
Who is Acacia’s mother? (I love the way Rekka encouraged her to find the spark inside her.)
Acacia’s mom isn’t present.
And thanks!
While I like Rekka’s gentleness in teaching Acacia, but given the way the kid is acting, it could lead to problems. And we’ll miss you next month.
Every kid has some temper tantrums now and then. And yes, a developing marvel can be a bit dangerous.
I’ll miss you guys, too, but I need the minutes for NaNo!
Sounds just like a child’s behavior. Good luck with NaNo.
Glad you think so! And thanks! 🙂
Good luck with NaNo. Family dynamics can be so interesting and difficult.
Family IS interesting and difficult, you are so right!
And thanks! 🙂