ext_8747 ([identity profile] pollitt.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] ds_flashfiction2003-04-26 01:41 am

(no subject)

I've wanted to write a story for the flashfiction list for a few weeks now, but wouldn't you know that real life didn't exactly give me much free time. But then, last night, when I should've been asleep, I wrote this. Thank you to Linda for the title. 405 words.



The Penguin Isn't Sorry Either
By Pollitt


~~oo~~oo~~oo~~

Of all the tasks Benton Fraser had had to perform in his lifetime - and the number was *not* a small one, at last count, it was swiftly approaching the triple digits - the one he currently faced had to be one of the most difficult.

It's not as though he'd never made a mistake in his life, or had to apologize in an attempt at reconciliation (the latter most memorably could be illustrated in a simple tale involving nuclear waste, pirates, ghost ships and buddy breathing), but this particular attempt at 'making up', as Ray called it, was a unique one in part because Fraser could not find it within himself to feel sorry.

True, he did feel sorry the rather ingenious rookery of penguins that had been released by the smugglers he and Ray had been pursuing had devoured Mrs. Neville's prize-winning hothouse flowers. And he did carry a modicum of guilt over the, well, one could call it a spectacle; he had created by falling through the tent of the Neville's daughters' flower show and coming-out cotillion.

But if he hadn't have stumbled from the mess of the tent covered in red punch with slices of pineapple clinging to his uniform and the white frosting of Betty Sue's cake making his hair a sight, then Ray might not have started laughing while carrying a penguin. And if the bark of laughter and tremors from laughter hadn't have scared the bird, it may not have squirmed out of Ray's grasp, causing him to lose his balance. And if he hadn't have lost his balance, he wouldn't have grabbed Fraser's hand, pulling them both down to the ground in fits of laughter. And there might never have been a kiss that tasted of sugar and punch that was shared in front of sixty members of Chicago's richest family's who stood in their Sunday best, staring in shock. And if the kiss had never happened, then he and Ray would not have ended up at Ray's apartment, in the shower, washing the sweat, grime and food products off of his body and learning the touch and taste of each other's bodies in the process.

So, really and truly, Fraser was *not* sorry for the events that had taken place. In fact, he felt a thanks was in order. Flowers felt the most appropriate, and perhaps Mrs. Neville would share where she'd ordered that cake.
~~oo~~oo~~oo~~

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[identity profile] bethbethbeth.livejournal.com 2003-04-26 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
Oh look: I have an appropriate icon and everything. *g*

Sweet story. Downright tasty, in fact!

-Beth

fraserspeak

[identity profile] foolme8.livejournal.com 2003-04-26 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
love the fraser voice - and so much shown with so few words (i sound like churchill) - really enjoyed this :)
ext_1175: (Default)

[identity profile] lamardeuse.livejournal.com 2003-04-26 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
What a neat, neat "first time" scenario. It's amazing how you can tell a complete story so concisely. Wonderful!

Feel the penguin love

[identity profile] stormheller.livejournal.com 2003-04-26 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
That was geat, M!

I too have been wanting to write for ds_flashfiction for weeks (well, two, anyway), but RL...

So I'm filled with admiration for those who have.
~ S.

Re: Feel the penguin love

[identity profile] stormheller.livejournal.com 2003-04-26 08:08 am (UTC)(link)
Interesting. Funny. Charming. Knowledgable. Informed. Appropriately sarcastic. Laughs at my jokes. Nope. Succint isn't on the list.

You did say you were coming to MediaWest, right?

And ZCon? It's in *Chicago*, for heaven's sake!
(I know you told me. I just forget. A lot. I'm old.)
~ Storm

[identity profile] tobyfan.livejournal.com 2003-04-26 07:19 am (UTC)(link)
De-lightful! Perfect, perfect, *perfect* Fraser voice!

Love this one

[identity profile] ajinamoto.livejournal.com 2003-04-26 08:34 am (UTC)(link)
I adore this story. I know I loved Knowledge as well (I think I commented on it, if not, whack me upside the head).

Um, what's this con in Chicago? Is it get-atable by us vehicular challenged folk who live and die by CTA (or cabs)?

ext_3579: I'm still not watching supernatural. (evidently gay)

[identity profile] the-star-fish.livejournal.com 2003-04-26 10:26 am (UTC)(link)
Mmmmm. Cake.

[/Homer Simpson voice]

Cute as several buttons, I thought, and nicely set up. And now I'm hungry ...
ext_3548: (Default)

[identity profile] shayheyred.livejournal.com 2003-04-26 11:40 am (UTC)(link)
Jeez, this cracked me up. And it's sweet, too! I love the cascading events.

SHAY

Re:

[identity profile] yeungmaisu.livejournal.com 2003-04-26 01:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Sweetie, I can picture this so vividly in my head; it's like a scene from one of those classic silent comedies by Keaton or Chaplin. And the building of one insane event after another until it reaches the point of absurdity is brilliantly handled. And a perfectly lovely smooch too. :) I hope you realize the remarkable work you did with this.

[identity profile] cesperanza.livejournal.com 2003-04-28 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I love this too! I love the title! I love the whimsy and the heat of it--a brilliantly wonderful first time story. And of course the penguins aren 't sorry either! More farce! More farce!

[identity profile] lynnmonster.livejournal.com 2003-04-29 09:06 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not sorry either, dammit!