Storyfeather

We think we know their story. The asteroid. The extinction. But one person believes that the dinosaurs may have left more than their bones behind.

Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery

Excerpt: They saw it coming.

And at first they were helpless. Despite how far they'd come in their hundred-million-plus years of existence, they were helpless to stop the asteroid that was headed right for them. So they didn't stop it.

But they didn't stay helpless either.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode?Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

This story admittedly was an exception to this year's theme of revisiting previous stories. However, there is a story with a similar enough premise: a mystery surrounding a prehistoric era, and the possibility that something from that era could have survived to the modern age of humans. That Season 4 story is "Age Upon Age of Frozen Sleep."

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

CREDITSStory: "Note from a Triceratops" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Abstract Vision #3" by ANDREW SITKOV (Intro) "Fugue For One Synthetic Heart (No Percussion)" by ANDREA BARONI (Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

TAO & SOUND* "80s Synth Ambient 01 C" "80s Synth Ambient 02 E"

ANDREA BARONI (Cyberleaf Studio)* "Fugue For One Synthetic Heart (No Percussion)" "Evolving Cities" "Ground Control" "The Longest Year (No Percussion)"

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Abstract Vision #3" "Abstract Vision #4"

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

Music by Tao & Sound, Andrea Baroni, and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Andrea Baroni, Andrew Sitkov, and Tao & Sound at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. The fossil of a triceratops, seen head on from a three-quarters profile, facing left, is either etched in a sandy stone slab, or is standing in front of the slab. The slab is faintly etched with scratches and fern leaf stems. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along edge of slab at bottom left. The rectangular image is made square with a top and bottom border that display the darkened edges of the main image.

A young woman becomes increasingly convinced that the radio receiver in her bargain headphones is picking up an alien transmission.

Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction

Excerpt: And I, as always, am Glormynx. As you know, this week, I'm interviewing citizens at all levels of society—soldiers, politicians, bakers, mongrel-walkers, scientists, and of course, poets. And I'm asking what they think about the planned invasion of Earth.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

This week I am revisiting an idea and a story title. The idea is mysterious voices coming from headphones. The story title and the episode that inspired this one is "The Lady in My Headphones."

But fun fact, I make (very) offhand references to events or characters from the following episodes: "The Piecemeal Cake" and "Humans: A Blorgnathian Delicacy?"

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

CREDITSStory: "The Alien in my Headphones" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Space Discoveries" by ANDREW SITKOV (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Another World" "Abstract Vision #6" "Stars Talk" "Abstract Vision #7" "Dark Side" "Abstract Vision #1" "Abstract Vision #9" "Space Discoveries" "A Long Way" "Freedom"

*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 is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Overview of a wooden desktop. Clockwise from top right corner, most of a cup filled with a brown liquid. A cell phone displaying a checklist with a few items checked off. A hand with a bracelet visible, holding a pen perched over a folded-over notebook. A crumpled sticky note. A pair of over-ear headphones. A cylindrical container filled with colored pencils. A partial view of a pair of glasses folded up. A folded-over notebook with notes written on the top half lying over a document affixed with a binder clip holding a note where the sentences are partially visible under the headphones. Some of the readable words include, "Glormynx" and "Sunday," and a note that reads "check manual for chip (can Joe help?). Watermark of "Storyfeather" along outside edge of notebook. Rectangular image made square with top and bottom borders that display blurred grayscale portions of the main image.

A woman observes an unnatural change in her sister linked to a chunk of amber that her sister stumbles upon and begins to study.

Genre: Mystery

Excerpt: I heard her climbing up to check on the source of the clatter, just as I had. And when I heard Marta enter the room and scream, half of me wanted to turn around and comfort her.

The other half of me wanted to keep locking gazes with the specter that was floating outside the attic window..

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

This story revisits the Year One story entitled "Nocturnal," in which a couple of agents who typically investigate unusual cases centered around science, must partner with the division of their agency that investigates the supernatural and paranormal. I aimed to the write the "origin story" of that division that investigates the paranormal, and found my aim shifting to focus on one strange incident that might eventually inspire the creation of that division.

If you'd like to listen to another story of women from a past era who find themselves contending with supernatural metamorphosis, I recommend "The Galvanic Ghost."

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

CREDITSStory: "A Specter in Amber" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Evidence" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Whispers" "At night" "Blood and bones" "Unsolved" "Inspector" "Evidence" "Witches"

*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 and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A young woman wearing late nineteenth-century dress sits just left of center before an alcove with three windows bearing ornate snowflake patterns on the top pane. She is looking down at a book in which she is writing. A candle burns at the bottom left. A ghostly hand presses against the bottom right pane. The rectangular image is made square with top and bottom borders. The bottom border is shards of light reflecting yellow and blue shades from the main drawing. The top border is a blurred version of the window tops. Watermark of "Storyfeather" vertically along panel between center and right window.

Two friends uncover the truth behind the mysterious industrial accident that shuttered an organ preservation factory and cast its owner into ruin.

Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction

Excerpt: Jordan then glanced around the room, the basement room that was part of the secret underground laboratory beneath the abandoned factory that was once owned by Sabrina's mother, Alectrona Fabron, the famed pioneer of organ preservation technology. It seemed Alectrona had figured out how to preserve more than just organs.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on. This week's story is connected to the Year Five story entitled "The Strange Chamber," in which two friends visit a long-abandoned organ factory that's become a local urban legend. But there's also a side character who first appears in the Season One episode called "Ignotus" and then in a later episode called "Nocturnal." (There's also a passing mention of a fictional television show from an episode called "The Last Honest Vampire.")

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

CREDITSStory: "The Dark Organ Factory" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Abstract Vision #4" by ANDREW SITKOV (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Abstract Vision #6" "Abstract Vision #3" "Scary Theme #1" "Abstract Vision #2" "Abstract Vision #7" "Abstract Vision #9" "Abstract Vision #1" "Abstract Vision #4"

Music by FICUS PROSOUND* "The Escape Room Full Version" "Investigations Full Version" "No Way Out Full Version"

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

Music by Ficus Prosound and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Ficus Prosound and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing of the front facade of a dilapidated brick factory building flanked by dry bushes. Some windows are boarded up. A marquee at the top faintly reads, "Fabronical." The rectangular image is made square with a top and bottom border that displays blurred sections of the main image with a vertical blinds type pattern overlaying. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along bottom center.

A woman with unique blood and a man with an uncanny sense of smell are targeted by a shadowy corporation seeking to shut down all research into synthetic blood.

Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction

Excerpt: Too much blood. Too much blood is dripping. He'll smell it. He'll find me.

Once again, she stopped for a moment and leaned against a wall under the flashing red bulbs and the piercing alarm. She inhaled and drew the blood back into her body through the poorly sealed gash that arced over her shoulder. A dozen rivulets trickled up her bare arm.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

In an earlier story, I wrote about the invention of a synthetic blood substitute called "Modern Blood," through the eyes of a patient who desperately needs it. This new story takes place several decades later and explores a couple of potential consequences of the invention. I also revisit a character from another story, who fits right in with the topic, a man with a supernatural sense of smell, from an episode called "Bloodhound Brody."

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

CREDITSStory: "Unstable Blood" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "No Way Out Full Version" by FICUS PROSOUND (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by FICUS PROSOUND* "Investigations Full Version" "Following Clues Full Version" "No Way Out Full Version" "The Escape Room Full Version" "The Jigsaw Full Version"

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Connected" "Cyber" "MDK" "Under the mask" "Doubts" "Complexe mind" "Master" "Men in black"

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

Music by Ficus Prosound, Nicholas Jeudy, and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy, Ficus Prosound, and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At center, figure seen from chin to mid-thigh, wearing a top with no sleeves, a shirt or blazer tied around the waist, and a watch around the left wrist. The ends of the figure's short hair dangle just below the chin. The right hand grips the left at the elbow. The left arm dangles. Rivulets of blood trickle from a wound on the left shoulder. They trickle down the arm, but also float across the body and out from the arm, condensing into larger blobs. Behind the figure is a glowing background with spatters bursting out from the center. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along figure's right hip.

A locked door, surrounded by scandal and rumor, stands in the middle of an office. No one ever goes in or comes out.

Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction

Excerpt: Every day on my way to my desk, I passed by a door with the words "PERMANENT DAMAGE" written on it.

No one ever went in or came out—not that I'd seen anyway, and I'd been working at the firm for about a year. I asked people about the door, and the sign. They said there used to be another firm occupying our floor and the two below it. That door supposedly led to a defunct elevator that shuttled executives between the floors, leading directly into what used to be their fancy offices. Or it led to a laboratory space. Or some sort of obstacle course? The rumors abounded.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

What if there was no such thing as permanent damage? This question occurred to me at random, as thoughts sometimes do, but it seemed an interesting start to a story. I imagined the words "Permanent Damage" written on a door. What does it mean? What's behind the door? Is it dangerous? Is it wondrous? Is it nothing but a plaster wall?

This story is inspired by the Season 4 episode, "My Homunculus Is Malfunctioning."

Special Note: Next week's episode is a sequel and spoils the previous episode, "Modern Blood." (In case this is something you'd like to know.)

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

CREDITSStory: "What Is Permanent Damage?" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Monochromatic stain" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro) "Abstract Vision #6" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Learning punch" "As it happenned (seamless)" "Cold case" "Unclassified" "Them droids" "Dark web" "Monochromatic stain" "Room 13" "Forensic" "DNA" "Profiler"

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music) Abstract Vision #6 Abstract Vision #9 Abstract Vision #3 Abstract Vision #1

*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 and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Front view of the top two-thirds of a closed door. A hazy glowing light emanates from bottom left across the face of the door. Scattered bits of redacted text appear over and around the door. The visible words are as follows: Science…in its current state. Project Manager. Project No. Existent…charge and…key…fakery. The first letters of "project" and "existent" are cut off. Watermark of "Storyfeather" on door at left middle.

An inventor of a memory management device realizes his invention is showing him a memory he hasn't experienced, a dangerous memory.

Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction

Excerpt: "Memories are unreliable…"

Max paused, hesitated actually. He'd rehearsed aloud what he was going to say so many times— despite not needing to remember the words— that he'd fooled himself into believing it all sounded reasonable. But now, he was about to say the words out loud to another person, the most critical person he could possibly tell his truth to..

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode?

Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

This story is inspired by the Season 4 episode, "My Homunculus Is Malfunctioning."

I am again revisiting a theme or idea rather than the specifics of a previous story. Inventions, even when they do what they are invented and expected to do, sometimes have unintended effects. Some of those effects may be minor. Some major. The stakes get even higher when that invention is meant to directly affect the human body. And trickier when the part of the human body they affect is the mind.

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

CREDITSStory: "My Every Existing Memory" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Men in black" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Trojan horse" "In search for" "Prisma" "The deal" "Connecting dots" "Doubts" "Negociation" "Forensic" "Genetic marker" "Reloaded" "Master" "Mindhunter" "Comatose" "Men in black" "Under the mask"

*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 and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Composite image. Left bottom, a young man seen from his left side, from the shoulders up, with his eyes closed, and his hand in his hair. Faint words are visible in his hair. The word "Forward," and below it, in reverse, the word "Backward." He is in grayscale, while the rest of the image is in color. Behind and to his right is the façade of a diner seen from an angle. An "Open" sign hangs from the closed door. Four windows are visible. A sign above the door and windows reads "Singing Star." Above the sign is a marquee with a huge five-pointed cartoon star hung in the center. The star has closed eyes with long lashes and an open mouth painted with lipstick. Beside the star are lines hung with musical notation symbols, flanked by more stars. Behind and to the left of the diner is a sign seen at an angle. The sign reads "Dr. V. Varma, Applied Transdimensional Theory, 8-9 PM, Auditorium." To the sign's left is a set of two theater chairs. A backpack lies under the leftmost chair. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along the young man's arm. The rectangular image is made square with top and bottom borders depicting blurred, grayscale portions of the main image.

Wil Winsome is a magician-for-hire, whose newest case may involved excising a possessing spirit from a beloved and fragile grandmother.

Genre: Fairy Tale, Horror

Excerpt: What I got from my mother was her hands.

I am the only one among my brothers and sisters who can do real magic. It took study and struggle, true. I'm only half-fairy after all. I am also the only one because my brothers and sisters chose other paths. Paths less littered with singed parchment, bearing symbols written in the faded sepia of dried blood. Paths less meandering into the mouths of bat-filled caverns. Paths less soaked in potions made of dogs' breath and widows' tears.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on. This week's story is connected to the Year One story entitled "The Dolls," in which the character of Wil Winsome first appears, as a child, with four siblings, and an evil stepmother.

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

CREDITSStory: "The Wandering Winsome" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Trust Me" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro) "Unsolved" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Devasted" "The forest" "Unsolved" "Northern dusk" "Ashes" "Orbs" "Horns" "Trust me" "Blood and bones" "The ritual" "Creatures of the night"

*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 and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing of composite image. On the right is a young woman seen from the back and the waist up, wearing a dark red coat and a satchel across her body, slung over her left shoulder. Her hair is tied in a braid that wreaths her head. Her right hand holds up a button, which sparkles with some magic. On the left, positioned behind the woman is a vaguely humanoid shadow holding up a hand with mangled fingers. In the middle foreground, not to scale, is the translucent image of a hound standing and facing out. The hound has three pairs of eyes and a curled segmented tail. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along right upper arm. The rectangular image is made square with a border at top and bottom with a vertical ripple pattern in colors that match the main image.

When Lucinda's dream of studying magic is dashed, she finds another chance in a grand royal contest that she's been forbidden to enter.

Genre: Fairy Tale

Excerpt: "Every spell I try turns to ashes. It was not my intention to teach myself. I merely have no other choice."

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

This story joins the several others where I write my version of a classic fairy tale. Lucinda has a couple of stepsisters, and a godmother shows up to help her get into an event. Hmm…whatever could this be?

I've written other "alternate version" fairy tales. Here are a few: "The Green Magic Bean" based on "Jack and the Beanstalk" "The Crimson Hood" based on "Little Red Riding Hood" "The Dreaming Queen" based on "Sleeping Beauty"

And last week's episode: "Why Beauty Sought the Beast" (I'm certain you can figure out which fairy tale inspired this one)

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

CREDITSStory: "Lucinda of the Ashes" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Medieval Theme 5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by BENJAMIN CARR (Scythuz)* "Mystical Forest" "Dwarven Settlement" "Mausoleum" "Mines" "Labyrinth" "Crystal Caves" "Necropolis"

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Medieval Theme 2" "Ice and Fire (peaceful part)" "Medieval Theme 1" "Medieval Theme 3" "Medieval Theme 5" "Adventure Track #1 (looped)" "Adventure Track #2 (looped)" "Medieval Track #1" "Lyric Voices #5"

Music by Lee Rosevere "Early Morning Song Finch Duet"

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

Music by Benjamin Carr and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Music by Lee Rosevere is licensed under CC BY 4.0 Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Benjamin Carr and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more music by Lee Rosevere at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.com Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Two hands seen from above, as if they were the viewer's hands, covered in ash. The left hand at bottom left is holding a glass container, like a beaker with a funnel top. The right hand at top right holds a glass rod. The index finger is held away from the rod. A drop of liquid hangs from the end of the glass rod, right above the opening of the beaker. A small figure with dragonfly wings hovers over the left hand. The beaker contains a vaporous liquid. A bright cloudy swirl begins at center behind the hands and darkens as it moves outward to the edges of the image. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along back of hand at upper right.

To be a beauty is both a burden and a boon.

Genre: Fairy Tale

Excerpt: Imelda's beauty—while it may not have impressed in a city or even a large town—was quite surpassing in their little village. Surpassing enough to catch the eye of those with greater means. The girl wished to be learned. She wished to explore.

Perhaps her beauty could make it so could do what she dreamed of doing.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode?Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

I've written other "alternate version" fairy tales. Here are a few:

"The Green Magic Bean" based on "Jack and the Beanstalk"

"The Crimson Hood" based on "Little Red Riding Hood"

"The Dreaming Queen" based on "Sleeping Beauty"

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

CREDITSStory: "Why Beauty Sought the Beast" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Lonely day" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Evidence" "Inspector" "A band in the inn" "Lonely day" "Whispers" "Ashes" "Killer escape" "The edge of nightmare" "Unsolved" "On the way" "A story untold" "Underworld" "Stay (seamless)"

*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 and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital image of a collage with four panels in two rows, close-ups of parts of a face. Top left panel, a person's sneering mouth with the canine teeth extended slightly. Top right panel, a person's left eye wide open as if in surprise. Bottom left panel, a repeat of the top right panel image, except now the eye is a different color, red and gold, the iris is vertically elongated, and the skin around the eye has sprouted small hairs. Bottom right panel, a growling mouth with long canines and a hairy face. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along edge of face at top right.