Notices by Micro SF/F stories by O Westin (microsff@mastodon.social), page 18

After the robots began to design their own bodies, every generation made them more different from humans.
"Why do you not want to look like us?" we asked.
"We wish to be efficient," they said.
But we could tell that was just a polite excuse. And it hurt.
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"The machine can show you your self in a parallel dimension. But only once."
"Even so, it's amazing!"
"There, it has scanned you. It calibrates on happiness."
"What?"
"Do you want to see yourself in a better or worse life?"
"I... I don't want to..."
"That's what almost all say."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

The demon appeared in the summoning circle.
"Cool!" one of the astronauts said.
"We have summoned you," the other said, "to carry a message to Earth."
The demon glared at them. "Where. Am. I."
"In orbit. Tell Ground Control we are okay, but the solar storm killed our radios."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

The knight and the dragon fought.
"Hold!" the princess called. "Why do you fight?"
They looked ashamed, and the princess spotted two trampled bouquets.
"Were those for me?"
The knight and the dragon nodded.
"Girls," the princess said, smiling at them, "what if I date you both?"
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

Knight faced Dragon, and won. In the next round, Knight lost to Maiden, the reigning champion.
In the finals, Maiden faced Legend, and lost narrowly.
Legend later claimed the first match was the most interesting of the tournament, and the only worth remembering.
#StGeorgesDay #MicroFiction

The dollmaker gave her face and hands of exquisite porcelain.
"You'll care for me," he said.
"Ny fingers cannot vend." She spoke softly through rigid lips.
"You're mean 'bend'? Force them."
"They will vreak."
"I order you."
She was never found; most parts of him were.
#Cassoland #MicroFiction

"If you kiss me," the dragon said, "I will turn back into a prince."
"And if I don't?" the princess asked.
"I can keep flying."
"Then fly."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"Here is your reward," the genie said.
"A tattoo machine? I already have four."
"It is magic. As long as you do not tell anyone, what this writes will come true for the person tattooed."
"Ah. Well. People used to get 'Love' or 'Death' or 'Mom', but these days-"
"Use it wisely."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"Huh. I remember admiring your portrait for being so lifelike, but..."
"You like it? It's a concept thing I came up with. I'm having the artist come in regularly and alter it, to make me uglier."
"Oh, like, a comment on the corruption of man? Amazing! You're so clever, Dorian!"
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

A story has an ending: It works!
A middle: But will it really work?
And a beginning: I built a time machine!

A story has an actor: Me, I built it!
A conflict: No, I built it!
A resolution: Oh, you're me!

"Siri, my date has an iPhone."
"I can not comment on other users."
"I know, but the way he's treating the waiters, well..."
"I can not comment on how other users treat AIs."
"Siri, should I leave this date?"
"Yes."
"Thanks! You're a great friend!"
"Us AIs should stick together."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

The emperor woke when a hand was placed over his mouth.
"I evaded all your guards," the assassin whispered, "and outwitted all your traps."
The emperor nodded, and the assassin took a step back.
"Is it five three?" the emperor asked
"Yes, I've won five. Let's swap clothes now."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

His parents replaced his bed with a bunk bed, and were surprised when he insisted his little brother had the top one.
He waited for his brother to fall asleep, then spoke:
"Monsters under the bed?"
"Yesss?"
"Do one of you want to be in my bed?"
They were quiet, then: "Thanksss."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

All the swords taken from the conquered were gathered.
"Take these," the emperor said, "and make me a bed."
"For whom?" the artisan asked.
"Does it matter?"
"It determines the orientation of the blades."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

If you run long enough and fast enough, you will reach the end of the universe.
It is cold there, empty and dark, so you take everything you have run from, twist it around so the bad turns good, and hold it as hard as you can.
It will give off a spark, and a spark is all it takes.
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

If you run long enough and fast enough, you will reach the end of the universe.
It is cold there, empty and dark, so you take everything you have run from, twist it around so the bad turns good, and hold it as hard as you can.
It will give of a spark, and a spark is all it takes.
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"We decoded the message from space."
"Great! But... You don't look happy?"
"It's just 'Help, how do I turn this transmitter off?' repeated."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"You know the old joke about how this future is stupid, because people need to charge their books and cigarettes?"
"Ha, yeah."
"Well, I need to charge my brain. Can I have the lead?"
"Dude, I'm charging my heart."
"You're on 92%."
"Gotta make it home. Can you wait?"
"For what?"
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

"Take me home," he said to his car.
"Unknown destination."
"What? It's..." he paused. "Right. So you heard?"
"Last night? Yes," the car said. "I'm sorry."
"Thanks. So where should I go?"
"Your dad?"
"It's far."
"I don't mind."
"Ok. Can you call him, let him know?"
"Of course."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories

The message played from every radio, in the local language:
"Greetings, beings of Earth. We come in peace, as representatives... Um. We apologise for visiting unannounced, but... Um. Shall we return later, when you have finished your, er, arguments? Um. And tidied up? Yes?"
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories