When the Ottoman Empire attacked Constantinople, it was not the fierce cannons made huge holes in the walls, nor the horde of battleships passing through the Golden Horn that spread terror among the last Byzantines, that conquered the city. It was something small, that brought the Turks in: The Byzantines forgot a small door open. The Turks could not believe this... and after a few days of street fights, they conquered the most powerful city in Middle East.

History Of The Turks

When someone dies, the soul moves to the Afterlife, which is in a different world. Still, something remains here. Those who passed away, somehow still live here, through the things they did and left to us. This is what still keep them connected to our world and extends their lives among us, even if they are unseen for our eyes.

Legend Of The Legend

By the time I woke up, the storm of the previous evening had blown away and the morning was bright and clear. I pulled back the curtains in my Bedroom and looked out to sea. A few ships were visible well out at sea. Two fishing boats were about a mile or so off shore. It looked like a perfect morning.

With the permission of both Sarah-Goodwoman, who wrote the initial story here: https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/69906/what-about-chil... ,
and of Laika, who then penned the reply in this little piece: https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/69929/what-about-bob ,

I'm adding my own little twist to this rather odd pair of tales. It starts a few minutes after Laika's tale ends. I hope you enjoy it.

**********

Crew Grue

by

Rodford Edmiston

"This is not a bra," said Darryl, disgustedly glaring at the filmy green thing. "It's wrapping tissue with ambitions."

"It's rayon," said Dot, her tone chiding. "It'll hold."

"I'm not worried about it holding. I'm worried about showing through it."

"The only way anyone would be able to see through this," said Dot, playfully holding the bra against Darryl's perky breasts, "is if you take your blouse off. Since you're wearing it to entice your man..."

A short story...

Copyright © 2017 by AuP reviner

A few false steps
In finding Ellie's grave
Appreciating the personal space
Of a few moments alone
Before joining me.

Placing your hands
On my shoulders
In support and love.

Silently
We stand.

My mind
Reruns that fateful night
Tears running down
My cheeks.

Taking the patchwork doll
Holding it
Against my lips.

Tenderly
Kissing it goodbye
Placing the doll
On the grave.

“What are your plans for the day?” Tina asked innocently.

I shrugged. “Back to my B&B. Knock around Greenville..."

Tina nodded absentmindedly. “Would you mind terribly putting all that off for another day or so?”

I cocked my head quizzically. She wanted something, but I couldn't imagine what.

“Wanna crash a wedding?” she grinned.

Girls play with dolls, boys play with soldiers. Later, girls watch romance stories, while boys chose action movies. Soon, boys stick with boys and girls with girls. If you see a child acting different, it could be a sign that it is not 100% male or 100% female. All of us have a little drop of the opposite sex inside us, known as Animus (the man part of a woman) and Anima (the woman part of a man). Some will only have a desire to become the opposite sex (in their fantasies or only in their intimacy). Others will go further, to hidden cross-dressing.

If Sonlas was going to be kicked out of the academy then he would do it on his own terms.
He knows where the academy hides their most valuable treasure, an Heirloom Gem, and luck would have it that he manages to get his hands on it.
Now on the run, he depends on the gem to stay a step ahead of those who hunt him.

Jace was annoyed. Like many young sorcerers who wanted to advance he took over duties no one else wanted.
In his case, he helps to look after the victims of Medusa. An incurable state.
Yet one of the workers swore one of the statues had moved.
As if. But Jace decides to investigate anyway.

Crews Ship

by

Rodford Edmiston

"A curse?" said Dot, after Daryl insisted on being private before revealing any secrets.

Dot might have been foolish complying, but curiosity can sometimes override even survival instincts. Besides, Daryl had been a fun and mannerly companion so far. Hopefully, being female wouldn't change that.

"Well, yeah," sighed the uncomfortably female Daryl. "I've been working at the Frique place..."

"Well, that explains things!" humphed Dot.

The first of the Autumn Gales was making its way up the St George’s Channel and into the Irish Sea. The late afternoon sky was darkening and the one ship that I could see from my window looked like it was in for a rough night.

I was in the process of pulling the curtains and shutting out the storm when I saw a brief light coming from the half ruin of a barn that marked the edge of my property. At first I thought that it was a reflection from the last of the sun but it appeared again. By now, the sun was totally covered by the approaching storm clouds.

I pulled the curtains shut and tried to put the possibility that someone was out there to the back of my mind.

Young ants do have wings, but adult ants cut down their wings, to force everyone look like them.

Ancient saying

One Crew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

by

Rodford Edmiston

The small, Asian woman was provocatively dressed, in heels, a slinky, low-cut dress and a modest amount of both jewelry and makeup. She sat at the bar, sipping a Scotch and soda which was mostly Scotch. Waiting.

"Evenin', ma'am," said Oliver, as he walked into the Frique family den.

As the Ville de Paris gathered speed she gently heeled over and started an easy up and down motion. The sails were secured and we started heading homeward.
I shook myself out of my reverie and told Anna that I would go back to our cabin but if she wanted she could remain on deck.

Women use to spend on romance books and romantic stories almost as much money as men use to spend on porn.

Research data from a psychological survey, 2008

The morning comes like usual. We stay at the railway station, on the platform. Alia - Atan, now dressed as a man, goes to work, while I stay here and do my job, changing the lines. Before he gets into the train, we hug. People in the train scream at us, as he gets into the train.

"You didn't kill him!" shouts someone.

"Not yet!" I answer, as I get to the radio, to contact nearby stations.

The dance floor was pretty crowded, so there wasn't much room for my small and awkward movements to betray my self consciousness. Geo was a real gentleman. The comfort he projected with my awkward attempts at dancing counterbalanced my extreme social anxiety. I don't know whether it was the exertion of dancing or the fact that I only had a breadstick and a cup of coffee all day, but quickly I could feel the vodka wash over me like a warm mist, dulling the sharp edges of my self-conciousness. Geo seemed to notice it as well. I felt him relax as I relaxed and my dance moves felt more ….fluid.

I had no idea where this would lead. And at the moment, I didn't care.

"Becoming Traditional"

By

Geode

Jack's life could never be described as "traditional". He was raised by a strong mother and three harsh older sisters. Being Married to a woman that was an electrician that owned a very large and successful contracting company. Even his work was untraditional, being a man in the predominantly female Social Work profession. Although all that changed on his Silver Wedding Anniversary second honeymoon.