Sunset Stories

Sometimes I get ideas for very short stories and dialogues, and I wanted to share them. Feel free to make your own stories inspired by mine, and please share them with me!

[sunset-stories]

character idea:

Someone who has HORRIBLE luck, but is skilled and intelligent.

If they leave anything up to chance or the whims of fate, it will go wrong.

However, they are a very smart person, and so they simply have to figure out the best solution.

For example;

if they guess the answer to a test, they will garunteed get it wrong. However, if they solve the problem the whole way through, they'll get it right.

or they may be a blacksmith, and make wonderful weapons using calculations, materials that are the best, and their skill. But if they take a guess on anything, they'll always get it wrong.

[sunset-stories]

Character idea;

Someone gets curious about how they'll die, and goes to an Oracle or Seer. The best one they can find.

The seer tells them of a prophetic vision of a hyper specific, tragic or glorious death. Can't tell when exactly it will happen, but is certain it will.

Instead of getting paranoid and ultimately leading themself to the hyper specific demise, this character gets confident. They know for a fact they will not die until this event comes true, so doesn't that mean they can do anything?

... Well. Anything that doesn't involve the specific elements of the prophecy, at least.

Buried alive in a collapsed mineshaft? Alright, time to go mountain climbing and bungee jumping!

Dies horribly in a house fire? Well, time to go exploring abandoned buildings and deep sea diving!

Drowns in a shipwreck? Okay, time to become a firefighter and go into the burning rooms no one else dares to!

Mauled by a wolf? Time to start owning incredibly venomous snakes!

There's a guarantee that they won't die, after all, even if they do get injured. You can't change fate, so use it to your advantage!

[sunset-stories]

"What's your name, Ancient One?"

"Hm... I fear it's in a language long forgotten by your kind."

"So?"

"It... loses its significance if you do not truly understand it."

"Oh... Well then. May I give you a new one?"

"... I would appreciate it, young child."

[sunset-stories]

Everyone in the quiet town knew that the sweet old lady that always hobbled her way through the marketplace and paid for fruit with centuries-old coins was a dragon.

She's been a sweet old lady who makes pies longer than the townsfolk have been alive; in fact, she's the one that often tells stories to the children of every generation and teaches them secrets of long-fallen nations.

They knew she was the magnificent and noble beast that ruled the skies of their kingdom, one that is feared everywhere else except for their town.

Sometimes, travelers ask why they do not feel terror when she flies overhead. Why they do not avoid her, nor dread the very sight of her. Why they welcome her with open arms, in fact.

Every time, the townsfolk simply chuckle. They say with clear amusement that they do not fear her simply because she shows them kindness. There is no reason to fear her.

To that, the travelers ask why she does not burn them down, eat their livestock and steal their riches.

This often gets a full laugh from the townsfolk, and they say; the townsfolk have always shown her kindness– she does not hate them simply because she has no reason to.

[sunset-stories]

"... It's been millennia since your kind has followed me. Why do you give me your devotion, young child?"

"Well... You seemed lonely. Everyone deserves a friend, I think."

"Hm. Is that so? ... You truly are a fascinating one."

[sunset-stories]

"What... what is this, young child?"

"It's a Christmas Present! Humans give them to those they care about."

"...Why a... decorated box?"

"Because, it's pretty! Open it!"

"... Oh. Thank you, little one. I will treasure this."