Storyfeather

Researchers on the verge of a medical breakthrough must investigate why their advanced surgical machine works perfectly on some patients, and not at all on others.

Genre: Science Fiction

Excerpt: Waiting. We've been waiting for thirty minutes. A nuisance, maybe, if I were out in the world on an er-rand or anticipating someone's arrival. But here, in the antechamber, poised on the threshold of themost important thing I will ever do with my life, or the grandest failure of my life, those thirty minuteshave stretched into the last thirty years of my life. It must be worse for the person on the other side of the antechamber door, the patient waiting for us to save his life.

What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Antechamber: a chamber or room that serves as a waiting room and entrance to a larger room or an apartment; anteroom. (source: dictionary.com)

Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE

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CREDITSStory: "The Antechamber" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)

Music by ANDREA BARONI (Cyberleaf)* "Evolving Cities" "Fugue For One Synthetic Heart (No Percussion)" "Ground Control" "Fugue For One Synthetic Heart" "Forest Bathing"

Music by TRG BANKS "Cigar"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Andrea Baroni is licensed from GameDev Market Music by TRG Banks is licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal License

Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Andrea Baroni at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by TRG Banks at bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Three people seen from chest up standing in front of a console with buttons made of simple geometric shapes, below a window that looks into a room or chamber. At left, a person facing forward in three-quarters profile. The person in the middle is seen from right profile, but with the head turned to the console. She has her right index finger poised over one of the controls. The person at right is seen from the back. They are wearing uniforms each in a different color. A structured hood or helmet is seen at the back of the persons at middle and right. The hazy image of an examination table surrounded by some apparatus or device is visible through the window.

A group of friends recruits one of their dads, a biology teacher, to help them identify a strange creature they discovered after a freak storm hits their town.

Genre: Science Fiction

Excerpt: Dani, Jon, Ameena and I had volunteered to help clean up the school after the flash storm hit our town a few days ago. We would get our community service requirement done for that quarter. And we would have been hanging out anyway.

"Safety first," Dani said. And we all smiled and started working.

Above the sounds of my friends rummaging through the trashed lab and chattering with each other, I kept hearing a sound repeating, a high-pitched sound like cheeping. I frowned. "Is that a bird?"

What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Velutinous: having a soft, velvety surface, as certain plants. From the Latin "velutinus," meaning "velvety" (source: dictionary.com)

The story was also inspired by an adorable little creature called the "Namaqua rain frog." When I entered the little guy's name in a search bar, some common information from the articles that came up is that the frog is found in South Africa, and possibly a few other places. It's tiny, about 5cm, or under 2 inches. Here is just one 30-second video where you can see and hear the frog's behavior when distressed, a puffed up body, and a squeaky call.

Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE

Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE

CREDITSStory: "Velutinus" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Casual Theme #1" "Dark Side" "Casual Theme #2" "Unknown Terrain" "Casual Theme #6 (Triumph)" "Freedom" "Funny Horror"

Music by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Audio Alchemist, Potion Studio)* "Humorous_Exploration (loop)" "Cue_Nature" "Exploration_Cave (loop)" "Humorous_Stealth (loop)"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Andrew Sitkov and Albert Fernandez is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket

Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Albert Fernandez and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. On a surface, standing on a folded up newspaper is a creature. The creature, in three-quarters profile facing left, has the body of a frog and frog-like eyes extending to the sides on stalks. Frog-like fore limbs wrap around a corner of the newspaper. A set of four crab legs or spider legs are visible on the left side. Two legs are visible on the right side. Six glowing translucent feathers protrude from the creature's backside. Under the legs, part of a headline is visible. The visible part reads "Freak storm hits." The dim silhouettes of four human figures surround the creature.

A wealthy capitalist steals a rare and cutting-edge piece of technology in the hopes of developing it for public use.

Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction

Excerpt: "I have plenty of possessions and plenty of currency. And if ever I were to lose any of it, I know how to acquire more. But there is one currency that I cannot make more of. And do you know what that is, Leeke?" I paused long enough for her to response with a shake of her head. "Time. I have as much, and as little, as every other person on the planet. So if I can't make or buy more time, I have to make the best use of the time I have. And what is the one thing we must do that is the most wasteful of our time? Sleeping."

What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Hypnopedia: sleep learning. The act or process of learning during sleep by listening to recordings repeatedly. (source: dictionary.com)

Follow my Fictioneering MischiefSign up to get a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more by email in the STORYFEATHER GAZETTE.

Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE

CREDITSStory: "Into Stasis" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)

Music by CHRIS LOGSDON* "Level 6" "Level 1" "Level 2" "Level 3" "Level 7"

Music by NCTRNM "Escapade" "Parade"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Chris Logsdon is licensed from GameDev Market Music by Nctrnm is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Chris Logsdon at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Nctrnm at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. The body of a man lying on his back in a chamber whose top is open. The man is seen from knees up and in left profile. His eyes are closed and his arm lays at his side. Behind him at the level of his chest is a device with a colorful kaleidoscope pattern on its back. Standing behind the device is a person, seen from chest to nose whose left arm is extended toward and obscured by the device.

On the eve of giving one of the most important speeches of his life, the greatest orator in the known worlds develops a condition that renders him speechless.

Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction

Excerpt: "Me for? For…me…only? No, not. For all."

Quin peered at the man who was her mentor, her friend, and now, her charge. It was late, and they were both tired. But she believed that she under-stood what he was trying to say, as he took in the flurry of effort that was being directed toward the sin-gular aim of helping him.

Just me? he was saying. What about everyone else?

What's the Word (that inspired the story)?This time, it was the story idea that inspired the words. I combined the Greek words "lexi" meaning "word" with "syncheo," which means "confuse" to devise the title of this story, and the name of the syndrome that afflicts "the greatest orator in the known worlds." (source: Google translate)

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Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE

CREDITSStory: "Lexinkeo" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)

Music by ANDREA BARONI (Cyberleaf)* "Evolving Cities" "Forest Bathing" "Fugue For One Synthetic Heart (No Percussion)" "March Of The Waking Lights" "Night Time (No Percussion)" "Slightly Across (No Percussion)" "The Longest Year (No Percussion)"

Music by TAO & SOUND* "Cry No More – (B) Melody Loop" "Cry No More – (A) Melody Loop" "I Never Gave Up – Intro" "I Never Gave Up –(B) Melody Loop" "I Never Gave Up –(A) Melody Loop"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Andrea Baroni and Tao & Sound is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket

Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Tao & Sound and Andrea Baroni at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Person facing forward seen from top of shoulders to bridge of nose, wearing a long sleeve tunic with sun symbols at the center of the neck. Both hands are held overlapping and over the mouth.

To save the woman they both love, two men enter a forest where magic cannot abide, and any magic that enters unravels in unexpected and dangerous ways.

Genre: Fairy Tale, Mythology, Fantasy

Excerpt: It was a time when dragonflies could flutter all the way up to the moon, when the flickering of a hummingbird's wings was faster than lightning.

It was a time when the growl of thunder signified the coming of a catastrophe, a cracking of the earth, a roiling of the seas, a shuddering of the heavens.

It was a wild time.

And into this time was born a creature that her mother called Mora.

What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Remora: Definition 2. Archaic. An obstacle, hindrance, or obstruction. (source: dictionary.com)

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Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE

CREDITSStory: "The Mora" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Witches" "Hunter's moon" "In the shadows" "Fallen leaves" "The plan" "The death of love" "Ancient gods" "Le néant with Corneline" "A place where evil lives" "Compass"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket

Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Silhouette of a hummingbird in flight seen from the right side. The sun shines behind the bird's head, illuminating the feathers with an iridescent rainbow glow. Framing the bottom and sides of the image are leafy bushes in gray shadows.

A starry-eyed youth seeks to entreat the man in the moon to stop the lunar fairies from causing terrible storms in the earthen realm.

Genre: Mythology, Fairy Tale, Fable

Excerpt: The starry-eyed youth named Carson cast his gaze at the full moon. His father had just cursed it, or rather, he had cursed those who dwelt upon it.

"A storm is coming," his father said, gazing up at the low and looming clouds. "A storm with high winds."

Yet another storm, the fourth one in as many days.

"Soon it will storm day and night," his father said. And then he raised a fist to the full bright moon and shook it.

What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Moonbroch: "This is an old word from the far north of Scotland for a hazy halo of cloud around the moon at night that was supposedly a sign of bad weather to come." (Source: Mental Floss)

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Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE

CREDITSStory: "The Moonbroch" Copyright © 2018 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Scroll of the wind walker" "The village" "Elders wisdom" "Northern dusk" "Dark fields" "Secret water" "Infinite land" "Winterheart" "Faeries" "The village near the lake" "Seasons"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket

Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At center bottom, two figures in silhouette and in profile hold their bent arms out toward each other. The figure at left has shaggy hair and is seen from shoulders up. The figure at right is taller, seen from chest up. Both their palms are held loosely up. Above their hands is a bright orb of light, surrounded by dark, which itself is surrounded by a ring of light, which encompasses the two figures. This ring of light is then surrounded by patches of darkness. Just visible above the left figure's hand is the translucent light silhouette of a moth.

A dying wizard forges a pair of enchanted rings to help himself fulfill his last wish, to speak with his baby granddaughter.

Genre: Fantasy

Excerpt: When my grandfather, the humble and ordinary wizard Caducus, first heard the whispers of the after-world summoning him, he decided to heed the call, but only after achieving his last wish.

My grandfather's trade always gave him strength, even as time drained that strength away. The race could not abide forever. One of the runners must lose. And in the race against time, time never lost.

What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Caducity: 1. Archaic. The infirmity or weakness of old age. 2. Literary. The quality of being perishable or transitory (example: the caducity of life) (source: dictionary.com)

From the Latin "Caducus" meaning: falling, fallen; hurled (like lightning); frail, perishable, transitory (source: Langenscheidt Pocket Latin Dictionary)

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Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE

CREDITSStory: "The Last Wish of Caducus the Wizard" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)

Music by TRG BANKS "Keith in 1987" "The silver bus" "After midnight" "Packed lunch" "Great Aunt Henrietta"

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Joy" "Silent walk" "Everything and more"

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Casual Theme #3" "Casual Theme #1"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Andrew Sitkov and Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market Music by TRG Banks is licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal LicenseSound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket

Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by TRG Banks at bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At left, an elderly man seen from waist up, wearing a long sleeved tunic with a piled collar and an upside down pentagon pendant. He smiles and points his left index finger at a curly-haired young toddler in left profile sitting with outstretched legs on a soft surface, a pillow or bed. The man's right hand rests on the toddler's feet. Both of the man's hands are adorned with rings. The toddler wears a ring around the neck. A butterfly is perched behind the toddler's shoulder.

A modest town at the foot of the mountain holds a contest every summer with a powerful prize. Genre: Mystery, Mythology

Excerpt: The Contest Chevelure was a time-honored competition held in a modest town in the middle of a modest country. It was a contest to see who could have the most extravagant and beautiful head of hair. Only, there was one notable detail. None of the people in the town had any hair on their heads.

What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Chevelure: a head of hair (source: dictionary.com)

Milestone Alert! I posted my 500th short story mere days before releasing this episode: "ATTACK OF THE PANTALOONS FROM THE MOON"

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Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE

CREDITSStory: "Contest Chevelure" Copyright © 2018 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Medieval Theme #5" "Lyric Voices #5" "Medieval Track #1 (looped)" "Medieval Theme #3" "Be a Hero" "Peace in My World (final theme)"

Music by BENJAMIN CARR (Scythuz)* "Crystal Caves" "Dwarven Settlement"

Music by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Audio Alchemist, Potion Studio)* "Locations Medieval Tavern Song" "Exploration Cave (loop)" "Exploration Forest of Magic" "Humorous Exploration (loop)" "Locations Court Song"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Albert Fernandez, Benjamin Carr, and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket

Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Benjamin Carr, Andrew Sitkov, and Albert Fernandez at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Center bottom third, a figure facing forward, seen from shoulders up, wearing a scarf around the neck and a fitted coat. Her head is tilted up and her left hand is extended up, index finger pointing up, and other fingers held loosely. She has no hair, but a set of spiraling horns emerging from the top of her head and extending up through the top two-thirds of the image. A second set of shorter spiraling horns extend from the back of her head. She stands beneath a starry sky. A falling star streaks across that sky from upper right to lower left, just between the span of her horns.

A researcher comes across a legendary text and is overwhelmed by the knowledge contained within.

Genre: Mystery, Mythology

Excerpt: I glanced at the clean white bandage wrapped around her left hand and a good ways down her wrist.

"It's going to be all right," I said. "I'm here to help."

The steely-eyed woman sitting across from me in the booth gave a single nod. She wasted no time on small talk and launched straight into her first question.

"The Axiom Enchiridion, ever heard of it?"

What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Palimpsest: a parchment or the like from which writing has been partially or completely erased to make room for another text. (source: dictionary.com)

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Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE

CREDITSStory: "A Handbook of Universal Truths" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Master" "Learning punch" "Genetic marker" "Men in black" "Connecting dots" "Under the mask" "Negociation" "Mindhunter" "Complexe mind"

Music by RAFAEL ARCHANGEL "Smoke"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market Music by Rafael Archangel is licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal License

Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Rafael Archangel at bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A portal that looks like an iris. The center is dark, save for one small bright spot like a star. Surrounding this center is a toroidal or donut shape. This is surrounded by circular layers of lightning sparks and ripples of different colors.

A mortal apprentice to an immortal being is tempted to steal the great powers contained within the Cosmic Hourglass to tilt the balance of the cosmos toward good.

Genre: Mythology

Excerpt: When young mortals were told the story of the Cosmic Hourglass for the first time, and taught to cherish each speck of sand, many would ask a question that their teachers foresaw (and had themselves asked).

Why sand?

The teachers would smile, for this was one of the questions they were ready to answer.

And they would answer.

A single speck of sand is so small that even the wind can lift it. But a multitude of grains together are so powerful that they can bury a city.

What's the Word (that inspired the story)?I…cheated? There was apparently no word that inspired this story. I just wanted to write a myth about cosmic powers, and hourglasses.

Follow my Fictioneering MischiefSign up to get a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more by email in the STORYFEATHER GAZETTE.

Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE

CREDITSStory: "The Cosmic Hourglass" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Dark fields" "Emblem" "Peacefull place" "Secret water" "Into wild lands" "Experiment 7" "The village near the lake" "Shadow forest" "Transfiguration" "Sancta terra"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market

Find more music by Digital Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At center, an hourglass with an equal amount of glittering sand on the top and bottom levels. Two hands hold the hourglass in place at top and bottom. The hands share the complexion of the face behind the hourglass and seen through its glass. The face looks forward. Light symmetrical lines extend over the face from the centerline out. The face's hair flares out from the side, growing more voluminous from chin to top of head.