Imps of the Perverse

"Summer at the Keep" writing contest
Locked
User avatar
RemiIronstaff
MagiStream Donor
Member of The Dark Brotherhood
CreaturesTrade
Posts: 1429
Joined: March 26th, 2010, 11:40:43 am
Location: Chair of Theriomorphology, HieroZoology Department, Unseen University.
Contact:

Imps of the Perverse

Post by RemiIronstaff »

(...where detection, deduction, and badinage pursue the REAL origins of the Rose Imps)

Em swatted crossly at the Farirs buzzing her wispy grey locks as she picked Imps off her roses.
"I thought these bloody things were supposed to be a HELP in the garden - all summer long, all they seem to do is hang around the roses and defend these infernal little pests...these OTHER infernal little pests."
I stretched lazily, sipped at my cool drink, and relit my pipe.
"Why do the Rose Imps bother you so much? Far as I can tell, they don't harm the plants..."
"They're a nuisance! They get in the way when I try to prune, and just forget trying to cut any flowers when they're around - the Farirs, too, for that matter. Why are they so obsessed with roses? I've never noticed them paying this much attention to anything else growing here."
"Hm. Remember that song that was making the rounds a summer or two ago, just before the Imps appeared?"
"Badger's ditty? More or less - it's been a while. Something about Farirs and roses, I recall that much - some kind of overblown romantic allegory."
"I'm wondering now how allegorical it really was - '...despite their herbal natures - and I will warrant this - between the Rose and Farir each blossom passed a kiss' - what if MORE than a kiss got passed?"
"Augh! Leave the singing to TwoTrees, YOU are no bard. Do you really think they could have hybridized somehow?"
"I'm no botanist...but around here anything is possible. We've had quite a bit of cross-species breeding going on lately, no reason it couldn't have happened spontaneously. Wonder if Belmos knows something about this?"
"If he does, he's not telling - man plays his information like he does his poker hand."
"You can bet on that..." (and dodged a flung trowel) "...still, it's an interesting puzzle. I wonder if there COULD be something strange going on here."

My curiosity piqued, I began to observe the Imps - and the Farirs - more closely. Sure enough, the Farirs did indeed appear to nurture and cosset the juvenile Imps, and displayed an unnaturally intense interest in the fully opened rose blooms, often disappearing into them completely for minutes at a time, during which the blossoms jiggled in a violent and fascinating manner. A wide grin spread across my face.
"Why, you sly little devils! Been getting busy with folks' roses, have you?"
"What are you on about now, Ironstaff?"
"Just watch them for a minute, Em, instead of chasing them..."

Auntie Em sat back on her bony heels and scowled at the roses. Suddenly her jaw dropped and she fell over backwards...an image I will not soon forget - much as I might wish to.
"Well I'll be - you filthy little beasts!"
"Oh, for pity's sake, Em, since when are you such a prude? They're just having a bit of summer fun...and we got a new species out of it to boot. They do provide a lot of useful help around the garden, I'd say they've earned a little - er, extracurricular activity."
Raising my glass, I toasted the industrious creatures.
"After all - quid pro quo...what could be 'farir' than that?"

(519 words - 532 with subtitle)
Last edited by RemiIronstaff on August 21st, 2014, 9:32:18 am, edited 2 times in total.
Please help! MUST BE "FED" FROM LINK TO COUNT - thanks! PM me for a treat for being helpful! (my handle over there is "singingbadger", if you're looking for me)
Spoiler
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
User avatar
RemiIronstaff
MagiStream Donor
Member of The Dark Brotherhood
CreaturesTrade
Posts: 1429
Joined: March 26th, 2010, 11:40:43 am
Location: Chair of Theriomorphology, HieroZoology Department, Unseen University.
Contact:

Re: Imps of the Perverse

Post by RemiIronstaff »

(for general reference, not part of entry. originally written/published a few years back shortly before the Rose Imp Quest was introduced - Tea Room copy lost in crash)

The Farir and the Rose

Within a Magi's garden, a lovely Rose held sway :
T'was Questing time - to cooler climes her keeper made his way.
The aphid, slug, and beetle all dined on her with glee,
And damage done by blazing sun did wound her grievously.

A humble woodland Farir was blown into her arms -
His tender heart was torn apart by sun and insects' harms.
He named himself her champion - a noble soul, and true -
He put to flight each parasite, and nourished her with dew.

The Rose from Summer's torpor awakened to discover
The Farir there, providing care : her savior, and her lover.
Her Farir's gentle tending preserved the Rose from doom -
And so, in love and gratitude, she gifted him with bloom.

Each bud the Farir cherished could last for but a day...
So she, as each one perished, another sent his way.
Despite their herbal natures - and I will warrant this -
Between the Rose and Farir, each blossom passed a kiss.

Through drought and sunlight burning, she throve til Summer's close -
Through all the seasons turning, the Farir loved the Rose.
Please help! MUST BE "FED" FROM LINK TO COUNT - thanks! PM me for a treat for being helpful! (my handle over there is "singingbadger", if you're looking for me)
Spoiler
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Locked

Return to “August 2014 Monthly Contest”