With NaNoWriMo just around the corner I thought I’d reprise my Death and Chronos series, starting at the beginning. A few people have continued to ask me about my lovable Immortals, created as a series of short stories for FridayFlash. Depending on the response I get, I will write new ones as time permits.
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Time’s Faux Pas
“I’m bored.”
Chronos looked over to see if his companion heard him. Death sat in a recliner, flicking peanuts from a spoon and catching them in his eye sockets.
“Are you even listening to me?”
“I heard you. Why don’t you go visit Nyx?”
Chronos shuddered, remembering the last time he’d been in that wily woman’s clutches. The goddess of Night was not to be taken lightly. He wasn’t sure he was up to repeating that experience.
“No, I want to do something constructive. You know, help people.”
“You’ve got all the time in the world to do it.” Not getting a laugh at his little joke, Death stood up. “I have a collection to make. Let me know what you come up with. It might affect my schedule.”
Chronos nodded and scratched his beard. The longer it got the more it itched. It was all this cold, dry air—
That’s it, he thought. People complained about how long winter lasted. He could do something about that.
He paid a visit to Gaia but she wasn’t at home. Probably out fixing the latest tree blight. No matter. Chronos couldn’t see any flaw to his plan that would upset Mother Nature.
First, he sped up the earth’s orbit. Then he removed the month of February. Pleased with his solution, Chronos wasn’t prepared for the complaints that poured in.
Gaia pounded on his door, then blew in before he’d had a chance to answer it.
“You’ve disrupted the growing season.”
Chronos took a step backwards. If she started a tornado right now, he’d lose all the knickknacks off his shelves.
“I only wanted to ease the suffering that a long winter brings.”
“Did you think about the Southern Hemisphere? You shortened their summer.”
“Oh. That hadn’t occurred to me.” Before he could say more the doorbell rang. Eros stood on the doorstep, his bow pulled taut and an arrow aimed at Chronos’ head.
“You’ve removed the month of love, you blasted timepiece! How am I supposed to match people without Valentine’s Day? What will this do to the flower and chocolate industries? You bloody well better change it back before I skewer you.”
Death and War popped in together. War had his sword drawn but Death eased it aside.
“I’m afraid you’ve made a mess of things, old friend. War will have to intensify his efforts and I will no doubt be working overtime to keep up.”
“I understand.” Chronos raised his hands to forestall any more accusations. “I have changed it back.”
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and left him at once. The sudden silence gnawed at him.
“I’m bored,” he said to the empty room. Maybe he’d go visit Nyx after all.
I enjoyed this. Time’s faux pas is neglecting the sunlight difference between the northern and southern hemispheres of our world. A mistake any human or god could make. What bored Chronos –with his knickknacks on his shelves — needs more than anything is a good kick (I believe I’ve spelled the word correctly) in his ass.
Chronos has too much time on his hands, Ron.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Is that what Gods do when they are bored? Can’t take away a whole month though – the years are short enough as it is.
Chronos forgets that, Alex, being immortal.
Ah, the problems of boredom. Cool excerpt.
Thanks, Damyanti.
It’s amazing some of the trouble he gets in.
Love it! Good to see our old friends back. Poor old Chronos — he really needs to think these big decisions through a little better!
Hi Janet! Well, Chronos is a bit impulsive, you know…
Chronos needs to focus on extending the nice months — maybe add in some time around March/April and September/October, those months where most of the world, north and south, is neither too hot nor too cold (usually). I’ll bet Dionysus could get behind an extra week of spring break.
Hi Erin! Chronos excels at chaotic decisions.
Oh I want to read more….more more more..pretty please…
My guys will be so happy with your enthusiasm, Savannah!
More please!! I do hope you make them into a book! I love these guys.
The guys are applauding your comment, Maria! They’ve been telling me that for a long time.
haha. I loved this! Chronos needs to find a fun hobby, me thinks:)
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
Hi Nutschell. Poor Chronos has a hard time with hobbies, too, I’m afraid.
I’m smiling
Thanks for rerunning these stories – I just loved them. And still do!
Happy Weekend!
Wow, Carol. You’ve put up with me for that long?
I enjoyed how Chronos was most worried about the pretties on his shelf. lol You write a great story, Laura.
Thanks, Mary! Chronos is a bit out of touch – but means well.
Hi Laura – that was a great post – loved him catching peanuts in his eye-sockets … I can see that visualisation .. Chronos could do rather more things than I care to think about with his time … I’m glad we’re back to a degree of ‘normality’ whatever that is in this day and age … years ago it was routine – now perhaps Chronos has had a hand in life?! Perhaps you’d ask him!!
Great story … cheers Hilary
Thanks, Hilary! Chronos will bumble his way through time messes…as you will see in coming weeks. And Death is pretty adorable, with his peanut-popping habit.
“And Death is pretty adorable…”
Only Laura Eno, only her…”
You know me so well, Kevin.
Great flash piece. Sad to think the abuse of power due to boredom.
Thanks, Ciara! Chronos means well…
What a great piece! I’d have skewered Chronos, too. Spring and summer come far too early as it is for this winter loving babe.
Chronos makes snap decisions without thinking things through, Melissa.
It’s all very well, but can you imagine what might ensue when Chronos gets entangled with Nyx?
Actually, I imagine you can. And I look forward to the result.
Great that the boys are back in town.
And the boys are happy to be back, Kevin! Let the mayhem start!