John Randolph Skinner IV
Stories (6/0)
Hiding in the Light
When I got to my house, Charlotte was sitting on the front porch waiting for me. As I got out of my truck she walked up to the railing. “About time you got back Uncle Dante.” I shook my head and laughed. “What brings you out here Pika-cute?” She stuck her tongue out at me. “Thank you for waiting until there was no one else around to bring up that nickname.” She held up an insulated bag. “I brought ice cream. I figured you'd forget.” I shrugged and grinned. “You're probably right. Come on in and I'll get us some spoons.”
By John Randolph Skinner IV3 years ago in Futurism
Hiding in the Light
If you were to go looking for a group of radical Magicians trying to upset the Community, Mountain Home Arkansas would be the last place you would think to look. About ten years ago a few of the more intelligent Restorationists in the area realized that made it the best place to set up shop. They were careful not to draw attention to themselves or to reveal the secret. And so for the most part the Clave just let them be. That is not to say there was nobody watching their actions just in case. Any group that was interested in upsetting the apple-cart would always be under some sort of scrutiny. And there were enough of the nervous types on the council that were certain total ruin was just around the corner, that they made sure to keep an eye on folks that so far had never caused any real trouble.
By John Randolph Skinner IV3 years ago in Futurism
Hiding in the Light
We managed to reach my truck without incident. He stopped and looked as if he were about to object to getting in. “Our first stop is roughly twenty miles from here. If you'd rather walk.” Whatever he had been about to say he wisely kept to himself. Pulling out of the parking lot I filled him in. “With the lack of information in the file trying to figure out where to look is going to be somewhat difficult.” He didn't look convinced, waving his had towards the scenery outside he asked. “How many places could he go to around here? I shot him a stern look.
By John Randolph Skinner IV3 years ago in Futurism
Rural Fantasy
The first thing to understand is that there are four types of magic. Mundanes will talk about Black, White, Stage and other sorts of magic, but they really don't know the truth. In the real Magical Community there are four types. Weavers, those that can shape magical energies into spell are what most Mundanes think of when they think of magic. Shifters can, well, shift their bodies into other forms or otherwise change their own bodies. Shapers can change other things in various ways. And finally there are the Psi's, people with psionic abilities such as telepathy, telekinesis and such.
By John Randolph Skinner IV3 years ago in Futurism
Colonial Journal
Day one; The thing they don't tell you about colonization is that it isn't really that exciting. With the rules against chartering a planet that has a native sentient race, there is no conflict with hostile natives. Granted that means no chartered company can wind up exploiting less developed races, which is a good thing in itself. But making the journey out to a new, unexplored world in order to build a life for yourself and your family winds up meaning a lot of hard work. Which the company tells you about up front of course.
By John Randolph Skinner IV3 years ago in Futurism
Border Watch
Thomas had no idea why he was still out in the cold. The larger moon shining on the snow covered field illuminated no approaching enemy. Not that anyone in their right mind would be out marching in weather like this. Cold winds blew drifts of snow around, and occasional flurries still fell over the borderlands. Skirmishes were a summertime activity anyway. Winters were for sitting around a fire telling stories about attacks and counter attacks. Not for trudging through snow drifts in order to cross a nearly frozen river.
By John Randolph Skinner IV3 years ago in Futurism