On the threshold to her mother's house, Rebekah swatted at the dragonspies, four-winged magical creatures relaying a constant feed into the ether. Clearing as many of them as possible from around her, she pushed the door open, getting her armload of groceries in the door, and let the door slam behind her.
Her mother's disembodied voice -- recorded incantations -- murmured in the foyer, igniting a flash of St. Elmo's lightning, jolts tickling Rebekah's skin. Even though the tickling sensation died, the musty smell only got worse. The house needed a good airing.
"Rebekah, that you? You better not have let any of those bloody spies in my house."
"Mom." She placed the groceries on the floor so she could hang her shawl. "Dragonspies won't live through your door trap."
Mother emerged from her workroom, fists on her hips, a dusting of fairy dust giving her black locks a gray cast. She approached. Her eyes narrowed. Between thumb and forefinger she grabbed a dragonspy out of Rebekah's hair. The magic had fled from the creature leaving a dry corpse that turned to dust between her fingers.
"My supplies?"
"Yes, mother." Rebekah hefted the bag of groceries and rolled her eyes. "I'm too old to be running all your errands. You need to get out."
"I'm not letting those bloody spies know anything about me. Besides. Did you see what they captured about you. Come here." Mother led the way back to her workroom. A magepaper sprawled over the top of her worktable. The back of Rebekah's head showed in a full-page spread, her lips puckered as she leaned forward towards a boy. "Who is it that?"
"Mother, he's just a friend." She placed the groceries on a bench. "If you didn't subscribe to those rags, there'd be fewer of your hated dragonspies out there."
Interesting piece. It seems like it could be part of something larger.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'd been reading an article in the New Yorker on drones used for spying and wanted to think about the repercussions. The underlying big idea still interests me and I think I have more to say. We'll see.
DeleteThis had me smiling all the way through. Magic combines with the modern privacy-invasion fetish, and presto! Dragonspies!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I agree with Rebekah, Mom should get out more.
Mom's putting her fingers in her hears and muttering lalalala. ;)
DeleteCertainly could be larger, but I liked that you kept to an almost casual exchange that has the petty undertones of parental squabbling.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to capture a keyhole on the world and characters. I'm glad it worked for you!
DeleteThis felt like just the beginning of a fantasy piece - I liked the idea of exploring privacy in the guise of a dragonspy - write more write more! ^_^
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement!
DeleteReally loved the magitech mash-up feel to this world. I know it's been done before (see elements of final fantasy etc), but I think there's definite mileage to be had in a modern or futuristic world where magic is the power source rather than electricity.
ReplyDeleteWhy would a world steeped in accessible power be permanently stuck in the middle ages?
Great little story. =)
Exactly. Magical worlds are going to become mature and I find that intriguing.
DeleteGreat story! Something about Rebekah's casual attitude of acceptance to them made it al the more sinister. I'm with mum!
ReplyDeleteNext time in town, ring me and I'll drop some groceries off for you ;)
DeleteThe domestic repercussions of magic and technology are often forgotten! Entertaining piece.
ReplyDeleteThank-you.
DeleteA very nice mix of fantasy and reality. I wonder if PETA pickets the Rag's offices for going through so many dragonspies...
ReplyDeleteI'm sure PETMA has all kinds of fun. Especially, if they can get their hands on ethical mana.
DeleteLiked the mixing of fantasy and familial squabbling. Some things never change.
ReplyDeleteAdam B @revhappiness
Rebakah wouldn't know what to do if Mom didn't give her a hard time ;)
DeleteOh I do like the sound of these Dragonspies, they could lead to all kinds of interesting story-lines. With the amount of CCTV cameras we have in England, it almost feels as though they are here already too.
ReplyDeleteThe US is currently looking at changing federal laws related to drones which is what triggered this story. I imagine CCTV at least in cities must be similar.
DeleteBrilliant story! I think this is possibly one of my favourites you've done.
ReplyDeleteThank-you.
DeleteDragonspies! DId this story come from the play on words, or elsewhere? Either way, very fun.
ReplyDeleteIt came from an article on drones, and I was looking for a way to make this fantastical and liked the play on words.
DeleteI think I read that article too and immediately began to plot a story as well but you've taken this into an entirely interesting direction -- loved the whole undertone around the media hypes and privacy concerns etc - excellent how you set it all in this one short encounter - very nice!
ReplyDeleteYes, media hype, and even the way some people get used to it and others don't see it as that big of a deal while others don't understand it at all.
DeleteHi there Aidan -- very good story. Magic felt real, liked the little details (St. Elmo's lightening, etc.) and the concept of dragonspies was great. Then, of course, there was the fact that her mother was an avid reader. Ah, the irony. Curiously, I caught an interesting article about tabloid journalism just yesterday, that went right along with this. Less dragons, though :) St.
ReplyDelete