Hi folks,
Do you identify as a gay, bi, or queer man? Do you live in the greater New York City area? Are you within the ages of 18-25? You may be eligible to participate in a paid research study on healthy relationships for up to $220. Learn more and see if you are eligible at: www.tinyurl.com/sgmhlab

Hi folks,
Do you identify as a gay, bi, or queer man? Do you live in the greater New York City area? Are you within the ages of 18-25? You may be eligible to participate in a paid research study on healthy relationships for up to $220. Learn more and see if you are eligible at: www.tinyurl.com/sgmhlab

Hi folks,
Do you identify as a gay, bi, or queer man? Do you live in the greater New York City area? Are you within the ages of 18-25? You may be eligible to participate in a paid research study on healthy relationships for up to $220. Learn more and see if you are eligible at: www.tinyurl.com/sgmhlab

Hello everyone! I'm a master's student in psychology and I'm collecting anonymous data for my thesis which is a research study aiming to investigate the psychological impact of discrimination, including Sexual Orientation Discrimination and Gender Discrimination.

I would be really grateful if you could participate by filling in my survey! Thank you very much in advance! :)

This is the link to my survey for everyone who wants to help:

https://forms.gle/r6JSmgrrGBU9V91t7

Hi folks,
Do you identify as a gay, bi, or queer man? Do you live in the greater New York City area? Are you within the ages of 18-25? You may be eligible to participate in a paid research study on healthy relationships for up to $220. Learn more and see if you are eligible at: www.tinyurl.com/sgmhlab

Hi all,

I am a gay, white, cisgender male (just so you can see where I'm coming from with this query).

I'm writing a scene where a male-identifying character disguises themselves as a woman in order to accomplish a specific task. Would you advise hiring a sensitivity reader to ensure that this scene is sensitive to transgender persons? Or, is it offensive to even suggest this scene would have anything to do with the trans experience since he identifies as male and this is merely disguising himself as someone else? I want to do what's best/right.

Thanks in advance!

Hi, my name is Freja Ki Gray and I’m a trans author from Ontario. I write subversive queer Horror Fantasy. My first book, Demon of Want was published by Perception Press in 2020. I released a short story called Sorrow for the Lost Lenore in a trans sci-fi collection called Rumble and Grow. My latest novel, Neon Acid Switchblade, explores the trans woman monster trope from a different angle. It’s from the perspective of three men who kill a trans woman named Eliza Stafford, and she comes back as a multidimensional horror to exact revenge. My books can be searched by title on Amazon.

Hello!

I'm writing a story that follows Henry, a trans gay man just turned 30. I'm trans myself (pre-op and T though), and wanted to include this experience, taking a lot of inspiration from mine. This book is not about transness at the front - it's a fantasy, where some people have powers which are very suppressed, leading them to hide their true selves - can be taken as a metaphor for transness, but also other LGBTQ experiences. It generally deals with self-hatred and self-acceptance, as Henry has been told to hide his powers and hates himself at the beginning of the book since most of society is afraid of him and would rather will him out of existence or somehow 'cure' the powers (curing part is only mentioned once and takes heavy inspiration from my experiences with transphobia). I don't want open transphobia or homophobia to play a HUGE role in the book, as his self-hatred mostly comes from the magical powers part. I want positive representation of a trans man already living as his true gender, I don't want the fact that he is trans to have a big effect on the story, as it's just a thing that's there, much like his sexuality. Transphobia and homophobia are definitely mentioned, as his parents threw him out when he was 20 and wanted to pursue transition (his parents come to accept him in the end), and also his love interest comes from a religious, quite conservative but otherwise loving family (he is religious himself but leaves an organized faith) who also maybe accept him in the end (haven't decided completely on that). I want these trans/homophobic experiences to be important but not debilitating, to show that trans and gay people can be happy and find acceptance outside of their families (and sometimes in their families when they didn't expect it). They're just subplots though, as the main focus of the story is somewhere else.

His trans journey is mentioned in some parts of the book, but isn't a focal point - for ex. someone finds an old photo of him, also that his parents didn't support him, his top surgery scars when he goes to the shower. But I had a dilemma of whether or not to include testosterone shots or gel or other forms of it. I feel like it wouldn't add anything and would shift the focus too much to him being trans, but at the same time am afraid that not including this takes away from the authentic experience of a trans persons life. What do you think? Open to thoughts about anything I've written here :)

So I've received so many great advice and tips from great folks here. Like honestly! Some of the best, professional, and most generous comments and responses from fellow writers willing to help out other struggling writers ... and well ... their inherent and true struggles. Like I am AMAZED how generous people are with their energy, their wisdom, their insight ... THEIR EDUCATION ... and their thoughtfulness. Thank you! i read and interpreted all the comments and wasn't even expecting i would get any sort of meaningful sort of feedback ... in this very crass and random social media world we live in ... but i did ... and i am so thankful!

SUCH THAT ...

I am compelled to reach out ... launch out another 'anchor into the ocean' ... to ultimate search for solidified wisdom, from others that is ...

So my very blunt questions are:

- Is gay erotica sellable on amazon? The penises and the assholes and the dicks. Raw porn on written paper. Or electronic, that is.

- Is it worth it to write? And I'm talking about writing pages and pages and page on ...

- Is it a complete turn off for certain audiences? Like they will NOT BUY IT. No ifs and or buts. Because they are not the sluts like i am.

- Even if I write it with a lot of backstory and emotion? Is it still not literary quality? That it will be never literary quality ...

- And ... if it might not be the most important question that is dear to my heart ... if it is the only genre that I am talented at ... since i am not gifted at anything else in terms of writing ... even if it doesnt succeed market-wise ... should i still write it??? trying commercially??? with no commercial success whatsoever???

Amateur writer here. Needing to learn. But also a little limited in what I can do since I am amateur ... and sometimes UNWILLING to change due to my own stubborn, limited capacities ... of what I can create, creatively ...

In my writing. I cannot create very beautiful and poignant sentences ... WITHOUT having to use caps, italics ... excessive periods and unnecessary stops. And underlines. For dramatic effect.

Does this subtract from my writing? Make it more basic-emotion? Cheesy?

Also. With almost no literature backgroud. I cannot also create scenes that are not pop-culture oriented. Talking with a pop culture 'sound'. Like a mainstream ... 'dumb' ... not literary-worthy ... sounding-sound. Not that it's meant for the 'common people'. But that it is basically dumb. Coming from a dumb ME.

I can't count on myself as a writer. I know my books won't sell on any literary-worthy grounds on any market. But my ideas are pretty damn good. And I believe in them.

I just wanna know. Are my caps. Italics. And excessive periods annoying to readers???

Otherwise I will find a way to change my style ...

Hello all! The F(r)iction Fall Contests are open for submission until November 1! We accept all genres and offer prizes of $1,000 for the short story contest and $300 for the poetry and flash fiction contests. Our guest judges are Ken Liu for short stories, Brian Evenson for flash fiction, and Faylita Hicks for poetry! Winners will be announced March 18, 2023. Entry fee depends on genre. More info here: https://frictionlit.org/contests/.

For full Submission Guidelines, please read the information on our Submittable page carefully (https://frictioncontests.submittable.com/submit). And please visit our formatting guidelines page to properly format your work for submission.

An insider tip for you all: We seek work that actively pushes boundaries, that forces us to question traditions and tastes. If your work takes risks, we want to read it. We like strong narratives that make us feel something and stories we haven’t seen before. To get an idea of the kind of work we look for, please check out this page from our editors detailing what we look for in our submissions.

We also strongly recommend checking out a past issue of F(r)iction before submitting to our contests to get an idea of our general publishing aesthetic. We have several pieces available online, but there’s nothing like holding a glossy, full-color issue in your hands. You can check out all of our issues in our shop.

For those that are interested in buying my book. It is on sale for only 99 cents, right now. For promotional purposes.

At: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD6DFJDP

A New Sight To See! Or. Ishta. Out Of His Normal Form ...

When Eagle flew up. He found Ishta seated on Lonely Rock. Like it was clock-work. 'Perfect-timing'! Or was it???

... Ishta looked a little bit fancier than usual. He wasn't in just a loin cloth. And practically, totally nekid, as usual. This time. This second time Eagle and Ishta met. Ishta had some intricate, ink-paintings on his body. On the places of his body where there weren't already tattoos. Was wearing A WHOLE LOT OF BEADED JEWELLERY, HEAVILY STRUNG AROUND HIS NECK. And some other stringed, lacy, weird-hanging shit. Bones. Rocks. Hoops of bracelets ... encircled around his wrists. Anchoring his hands, like in chains. Ornamental chains, albeit.

- On top of his head. A full-on, Indian head-piece ... with plumy feathers attached to the crown. Like a peacock's tail was fire-working from Ishta's fucking head.

- Below the loin cloth. Were feathered, ankle-bracelets. Equal with vertical-plumes for decoration. The ankle-bracelets were made of some sort of clunky wood. Clasped and formed together. To become some sort of ankle-shackle. Although they were adorned with glued-on seashells of lake-molluscs.

- Summer is the season of celebration, alright!!!

- Ishta squatted on Lonely Rock. In his pageantry-costume-of-royal-marriages. In complete misery ...

******

Eagle gave out an Eagle's Cry to alert to his attention. And The 'Boy'. Immediately looked up to the skies. To spot Eagle. And Eagle flew down. To be with him.

Eagle landed, and said: Hey! Hey! Long time no see!

(Ishta was sitting crossed-legged. And Eagle immediately hopped into the boy's lap. The 'boy' placed his hands around Eagle lovingly. And the two reconnected again ...

Ishta immediately said: ... Why didn't you come see me during the whole winter???

(Eagle was IMMEDIATELY caught-back. There was some coldness to Ishta).

But Eagle laughed it off. Nervously: ... Well it was winter, my boy! I didn't think you'd be perched out here in the cold on this cliff ...

Ishta: Well I came here once in a while during the winter. To get away from it all. You know? It's weird. For some reason. The snow doesn't accumulate on this rock (Lonely Rock, that is). On this cliff. On the top of this mountain. Of course - I never ventured all the way up here during a snowstorm. To see what happens when the snow actually comes down on the rock. And whether it melts instantly, or not. But I would come here. In THE SHEER DEAD OF WINTER. And there would be no snow. It was practically Springtime up here! Warm even! And then oddly. Down at the very base of the rock. When the rock-ledge starts. There would be some snowfall.

Eagle: I guess this Rock-On-Top-Of-A-Mountain ... is magical then!

Ishta: ... But Eagle ... I DEARLY HOPED you'd come see me. When I was up here. But of course. I know it's hard to fly up here to this altitude. Especially when it's cold or snowing. But I also came here later on when it was Spring. And still then. I never saw you. You never flew up to visit me ...

(Eagle didn't respond immediately. And sunk his head down. His beak pointed down to the rock.

Eagle came to terms with his oversight. That he got largely distracted. By the preoccupations of his own life. On The Farm.

And Eagle let Ishta read his sorry mind, full of guilt ...).

******

Ishta: It's OK Eagle. I know you're saying sorry to me in your mind. You don't have to say sorry. It's not your obligation to fly-up here and come see me. I just wished you would have continued our friendship. As you promised. With me. More steadily. It's been months! And I kind of needed you. But my problems are my problems. You don't really need to feel guilty. Or be sorry ...

Eagle: No! Your problems ARE my problems! The last time we talked, and became friends. I did tell you. If you ever wanted to talk. I was there for you. Did you reach out to me telepathically??? Send-me some mind, airwaves ... from atop the mountain??? All the way to wherever I was ...

Ishta interrupted: ... I did. Never got a mind-response from you, though ...

Eagle: I'm so sorry. Truly.

Ishta: It's OK, Eagle! You're here now. That's all that matters.

******

(Eagle was sitting in Ishta's lap. And suddenly. Ishta just hugged Eagle in his arms. Like Eagle was a little, stuffed, teddy bear. Eagle had never been hugged by another Human, that way. And he felt all of Ishta's sadness. In just one hug.

Also! All of a sudden. Ishta squarely picked up Eagle. Just like that! Using two hands on either side of Eagle. And turned him around like a puppet-doll! So Eagle could face Ishta directly. Since Eagle's back, before, was kinda to Ishta. Another FIRST for Eagle! To be manhandled like that. No other human had literally picked up Eagle like that! And it was kinda fun!

... And Eagle liked the fact that it was Ishta who did that. Meant that Ishta - TRULY considered Eagle his friend. But the two of them already had a kindred bond. Both Immortal. Ishta. With an 'almost' God status. Son of a Powerful Shaman of Immense Magic ...).

Facing. The Truth Of Today. No! Just Discovering It. Last Minute!

While Eagle was facing all of Ishta's ENORMOUS NECK JEWELLERY. Eagle had to say ...

Eagle: Well YOU look kind of fancy today!!!

Ishta: Well. It's what they put me in today. Eagle??? ...

Eagle: Yes???

(... And as Ishta and Eagle communicated telepathically. Ishta would ramble-on. With more simple and pure sadness. And the desperation of his telepathic sentiments. Grew and grew. Till they ROARED in Eagle's mind. Since by telepathy. We not only hear each other's thoughts. But we can hear them FIRST HAND. Beyond the interpreted words. And hear them spoken from the deepness of the heart and soul ... of those pronouncing it ...).

Ishta: ... So just hear me out, K???

Eagle: I'm all Eagle-Ears. Although I got none ...

Ishta: I must tell you. During the dead of this last winter. I saw a light glowing in the field over there. That large. LARGE FIELD. That meets with the bottom of This Mountain. Where the forest starts. And extends out to where The Pioneer Town is supposed to exist. Which I can't even see from here. During the winter. I saw some faint light coming from the field. Like there's some kinda, small 'settlement', down there. And in the night. Sometimes. Very indistinctly. I saw there was a small fire there. And I see. Just very delicately. Some smoke coming out of somewhere. Is it a house???

(Eagle so knew where Ishta was going with this ...).

Eagle: It is, actually.

Ishta: And Last Fall. When we first met. I noticed when you flew away. You didn't fly away into the mountains or the forest. You swooped downwards. And flew down to the field. To where all those animals are. That live on the field. Those are not wild animals, right??? They seem always to stay in one place ...

Eagle: Nope. They are not. Those are farm animals.

Ishta: I've never been there. There is a human life down there, right? And that's where you stay?

(Eagle SO knew where Ishta was going with this ... and felt even more undeniable guilt for his oversight ...).

Eagle: It is, my boy.

Ishta: ... And how many humans live there???

Eagle: Just one.

Ishta: ... AND DO YOU LIVE THERE EAGLE???

Eagle said in a soft. Telepathic voice. To respond: ... I do ...

And here it was about to come!

******

Angry Ishta(!): ... So why didn't you come visit me during these past months???!!! If I KNEW that you lived there. I would have trotted myself down this motherfucker of a mountain. All by myself. If necessary. And would have found a way to find you on that 'settlement'. Or whatever you call it. Sure! That's like miles and miles away from home. My tribe. It would take me even 2 days just to get down there. This colossal. TALL-ASS-MUTHERFUCKA of a mountain! But I would do it! To be with you, Eagle! To meet with you again! Yet you can fly up here so fast, yourself. You're an Eagle. But you never came to visit me these past, several months ...

- Eagle breathed in deep breath. Metaphorically. As a bird. And then. Sighed-out. An equally. Deep-one.

- And Eagle trembled for the first time in the embrace of a Human's arms. Ishta's ...

And Eagle explained slowly. And with patience to Ishta: It's weird. I'm supposed to protect your tribe. But also not interfere in the course of your Absolute History. I'm not supposed to actually reveal myself to your tribe. Only The Elders. And The Shamans. When they need my help.

... When your tribe leaders refer to Spirit Animals looking after your race. Like we are their SOURCES OF GOD! It's actually. Only metaphoric! It's only supposed to be - ONLY ... an illusion. I might pass on real powers to Your Elders. And they pass-on this influence to your very own tribe members. Through storytelling. And creative magic! But your tribe. Is not even supposed to see a PURE EAGLE GOD IN IT'S FORM. Just like how I am sitting in your lap right now - all 'domesticated'. The God's I 'work' for ... don't even permit that ...

Ishta: Then why are you here in my lap, right now? You're a bird. And yet we can talk with each other ... mind-reading ...

Eagle stressed: ... Because we became friends!

******

(Eagle was looking up at Ishta. And Ishta was holding Eagle like a teddy bear in both his hands. Cherishing Eagle. Like Eagle was a truth-teller of a Teddy Ruxpin. A real, talking teddy bear. Not a mute plushie. Right in the loving clasp of Ishta's, young-man-arms).

Eagle continued: ... That has more so to do with your inherent magic given to you by Your Dad. You can hear me telepathically. And so me you. I saw you Last Autumn. And you looked so lonely. I broke the rules to fly down to come see you, that day, long ago. But you're The Immortal Son. Of your Immortal Dad. You were special! And you just asked me for a listening ear, that day. Talking your long story about GAY SEX. And your curiosity. I could give you that! And that doesn't take magic! Just to be A Good Listener ...

Ishta said unexpectedly: A good listener, you were, Eagle! I don't disagree. So why did you come back to see me now???

(Eagle didn't respond).

So Ishta reiterated: So ... if it's not alright to present yourself to me. Because I am not a Shaman. But I am 'special' enough for you to come present yourself to me ... OUT OF THE BLUE. Why!!! After all these months. Have you returned to visit me???

(Ishta was NOT quite angry with Eagle. Since he continued to hold Eagle in both his hands. In his lap. Stroking. And petting Eagle's feathers. As if Eagle was a prize-doll, held in Ishta's embrace. Stroking Eagle's plumes along the sides of his wings. Then. The top of Eagle's head. Which made Eagle PPPUUURRR ...).

Eagle: As I said. I fancy you as my friend. I got distracted for a bit, though. But I never forgot about you ...

Ishta: ... AND CLEARLY. I never forgot about you as well ...

Making Connections Of The Utmost Honesty. Making Up For Lost-Friendship-Time.

Eagle: Ishta? You knew before me and you met, officially? You knew it was me, right? That Strange Eagle In The Night. That flew down to your Mystical Blackberry Bushes. And asked you for them. I never said, since. But I couldn't have THANKED YOU ENOUGH - for giving me those Magical Blackberries, btw! They saved two sweet lives. Did you think I was some strange, exotic bird ... from out of the nocturnal nowhere ... who came to you asking for them? When I did? Begging for them?

To Eagle's relief ...

Ishta: ... Of course I put two-and-two together!!! I knew it was you, Eagle!!! And I knew it was the same Eagle who flew down to me on Lonely Rock. To meet me the first time. Officially!!! We didn't talk about it. But I knew it was you. Desperate Eagle of The Night. In Emergency-Mode. I read your mind when I actually first encountered you. Unofficially. You were panicked in your frantic brain!!! But I knew This Eagle. Who had come for my blackberries. Would return again! And now you're my friend!

Eagle: ... It's like we were meant to be friends! You helped me with the blackberries. I swooped down. Later on. To listen to your personal stories ...

Ishta: ... But be honest ... who did you save with The Magic Of My Blackberries? A human?

Eagle: No. A Fox and a Lynx, actually. Animal friends of mine ...

Ishta: Oh. Oh! You make friends with animals too?

Eagle: I guess I do now. They are my first, real, animal friends.

Ishta: Am I also your first real human friend?

Eagle: You are!

(Actually. 2nd. Farmer was the first. But Ishta was the first, TELEPATHIC human. Whom Eagle truly made a friendship with).

(Ishta thought Eagle meant this Fox and Lynx were just generic animal pals he had saved from something. Maybe they were sick or injured. But they weren't actually Eagle's true, talking friends, though. Since animals can't talk. Maybe Eagle took them in his refuge, as some sort of loveable pets ...).

******

But Ishta spontaneously said: Well. Maybe I can meet them one day?

(Eagle didn't reply.

And Ishta took his silence as a 'no').

Ishta: ... And The Fox and The Lynx? They can't come up this mountain?

Eagle: Oh that's way too far for them to climb. Lynx maybe. Not Fox.

Ishta: And I can never go down there? To see them. To see you. And them. On The Farm where all of you live. With all those other farm animals?

(Eagle didn't reply.

And there was such a long ... telepathic silence ... between them too. It got awkward.

And then finally. Eagle spoke ...).

And Eagle spoke feebly: I don't think you are allowed to. You know the tribe doesn't allow you guys to leave The Mountain. And also Aboriginal Peoples. And White People's. Don't mix too well. If I allowed you go to come down to The Farm. Not only would I be disappointing your dad. But your entire race as well.

(So there it was.

Eagle's answer was a definite 'no'.

And now it was Ishta's turn to not reply. And just let silence of sadness explains his emotions).

******

After a long. LONG. Silence. Something horrible was brewing inside of Ishta.

And Ishta got the courage to speak again:

Ishta: ... So that ONE human that lives there. Is he a man?

Eagle: He is.

Ishta: So he is a white man?

Eagle: Yes.

(Eagle remarked that that had sparked some interest in Ishta!).

Ishta: Is he nice?

Eagle: He is! He takes care of all the farm animals. He also cultivates the fields. AND GROWS LOTS OF THINGS. And most of all. He takes care of me. Fox. And The Lynx. Basically. He is what The Pioneer People call: A Farmer. He mass-cultivates and mass-harvests things from the land. And sells them to The White People in The Village. To eat and survive. Just how your tribe does as well. But in your tribe. It is more so like a group effort. More so carried out by women. And you don't make any profit off of it. Unlike how Farmer does ...

Ishta: Wow! One man can do all of that! That's magic.

Eagle: It kinda of is! But he is just working with Mother Nature's natural processes. And hopefully. Good weather, haha. You! On the other hand, Ishta. Actually can work real magic with plants, fruits and veggies ...

(And then Eagle had the slip-of-the-tongue. And an Oopsie-Mouth-Poopy-Of-The-Beak. And accidentally said ...).

Eagle: ... You and him would actually get along. Since you both like to grow things.

(This. Again. Sparked Ishta's interest. Which Eagle did not want to spark).

******

Ishta pressed for more: How old is this man?

Eagle: I think around 47-48.

(This again! Sparked Ishta's interest!).

And from interest. Returned the sadness.

And Ishta telepathically mumbled to himself: But I am not allowed to go down there to meet him. As you said. Eagle ...

Eagle begged Ishta(!): Please don't think about it. PLEASE. As an Eagle God. It would be my WORST DUTY to ever introduce a Brown Boy to a White Man.

Ishta: But you said he was nice!!!

Eagle: ... Any interactions between your race of peoples. And theirs. Is supposed to happen organically. I can only just watch. It's the rules!

Ishta: As I said. I would trot and haul myself single-handedly down this mountain. But if I am not welcome there. There's no point, then, I guess!

Eagle: That's why you shouldn't even think about it! And I beg you not to! And plus! The Farmer is not just going to let this pure, Indian Stranger ... just walk onto his land. AND PLUS! This Farmer is a STRAIGHT MAN. There's no point really. To visit This Farm. Let me come and visit you instead!

(Then more of that - which was brewing inside of Ishta. That horribleness. Continued to brew. And boil ...).

And Ishta said with a stern voice: ... I. Have come. Out. Onto this cliff. Countless times! Always sad. Always Lonely. On Lonely Rock. To watch that cabin. Or whatever house-building ... down in the open fields there. To see if there was smoke coming out of the chimney. Sign of life. Human of course. Since only Humans can make fire. Or in the night. To see if there was a light on. Definitely sign of life. It provided me with a sense of hope ...

Eagle said softly: ... I understand ...

Ishta: What bugged me the most. To be truthful with you Eagle. If you allow me. Was during the day. I see a large bird. Flying from time to time. Over The Farm. Then flying down to land on different places on the land. On The Farm. After that. I couldn't really see anything. But of course. I knew that large bird. Circling in the air. Over The Farm. Was. Indeed. YOU. I KNEW YOU WERE LIVING ON THAT FARM! And you never cared to visit me this winter? To tell me about your adventures down there? The new friends you made? Including a Farmer. Seems like you can make friends with both animals. AND HUMANS. And as I. A human. Am forbidden to.

******

Ishta appeared as if was on the near verge of breaking down. Eyes. Beginning to glisten.

Ishta again. Said sternly to Eagle: Eagle. Tell me? Why? Can't? I? Have? Your? Life?

(And then. Suddenly Eagle started to panic! That same kind of sheer and frantic panic like he did when he had to find some Magical Blackberries to save some souls from imminently dying!

Since. Right now. Ishta suddenly had the look on his face. That today was his last day to live. All throughout their conversation. Up until now. Ishta had hid all his TRUE EMOTIONS.

How Ishta did this telepathically? Put up a shield? Eagle did not know ...

How one can withhold such important information? Eagle could not even imagine the strength that that would take!

All this talk about Eagle and Ishta. Being new-found friends. Pledging friendship to each other, like that. When truly. This was only the 2nd time Eagle visiting Ishta. They actually weren't so much of friends at all!

And to make it worse. Eagle had forgotten to ask Ishta something REALLY IMPORTANT. And seemingly. Sadly, actually. Ishta might have not felt all that chummy with Eagle. Trusted Eagle. To reveal the MOST IMPORTANT thing on Ishta's mind to Eagle, today. That was flooding his heart. Brewing in his body and spirit. Since Eagle had actually ignored Ishta. All winter. All Spring ...).

Eagle: OMG! OMG-OMG-OMG!!! You didn't marry the other female tribe lady, did you??? Did you yet???!!!

Floodgates Opened. Dams Bursting. Crashing Of The Niagara. You Name It. The Yangzhe. Overflowing And Becoming An Ocean.

(And with that. Ishta cried his eyes out. Tears so moist and warm. They were acid rain on his face. The pot was finally boiling over. And his soul was dripping out of his eyes).

Ishta: ... The marriage is in a couple of hours. This is why I am dressed like this ...

(Ishta's tear's were just so heavy).

Ishta demanded of Eagle. DESPERATELY: So what's it going to be, Eagle? Can I go down there?

Eagle: Oh Ishta! I'm so sorry! I forgot about your marriage! FOR GOD'S SAKE! It's TODAY? And you didn't tell me all this time we were talking?

Ishta: ... And you didn't visit me for months, Eagle. But answer my question. Can I go down there or not? To the Farm ...

Eagle: To do what? No. Like. I am asking you sincerely. And honestly. What do you want to do on The Farm?

Ishta: Duh? Hide!!!

Eagle: Does your tribe know where you are right now?

Ishta: No they do not. They got me dressed-up. And then I told them I was nervous. And needed some alone time in my magical, private vegetable patch. In my own space in the forest. And I never went back to rejoin the other tribe members waiting for me.

Eagle: And is your plan to hide forever on The Farm? That's not going to work! The Farmer will find you. And he WON'T WANT YOU THERE. HE IS A TOTAL LONER.

******

(And then Eagle had another slipsie. Of the beakie ...).

Eagle: He is just like you, actually! You're a loner just like him! I've never seen a Farmer invite another friend to His Farm.

Ishta: I'm not technically a loner. I just feel more alienated. And isolated. Because of my likings to other men. And as you can see! Today. I have the 'blessedness' to be wed to a woman ...

(Eagle was perplexed. And had an 'under'-thought. Yes. It was true. BOTH Ishta. And Farmer. Had experienced loneliness in different ways. But both. Were. ARE. Very lonely ...).

Eagle tried to find an alternative, optimistically: Why don't you just flee yourself into the forest woods, on the mountain somewhere? It's a huge mountain, you know? I am sure you can find a good hiding spot!

Ishta: My tribe has got skilfully trained wild boars can still sniff me out and locate me. Their probably on the search for me. RIGHT NOW. They just have not might realized, I am all the way up high on Lonely Rock. But those boars and whatever search party. Will EVENTUALLY make it up here. And the only way I can hide, anymore. Is to simply jump off this cliff.

Eagle: I hope you are joking, Ishta ...

Ishta: You don't understand, Eagle. I need to go someplace FARTHER. And truly hide.

Eagle pleaded: I'm your friend! And I know marrying the older tribe woman ... is NOT AN OPTION. So let's me and you. Just wait it out here. On this rock. By then. The marriage will definitely be cancelled. Since you basically didn't show up. And then once all is settled. You can return back to your people. I'm pretty sure it will be a rough encounter. But they can't NOT welcome you back. You ARE ... The Son Of The LEAD Shaman, there ...

Ishta said. With true clarity and honesty: ... I am in low doubt of that ...

Eagle: I can't hide you on The Farm of The Farmer. I can't do it!!! Why can't you hide by yourself???

Ishta sarcastically said: ... Because I wanted to do so. With a friend. And some true friend you are, Eagle ...

(And with that. Ishta got up. Stood-up fully. And moved closer to the edge of the cliff).

******

Eagle: WAIT!

(And Eagle flew-up. And flapped rapidly it's wings. Like a hummingbird, almost. In order to stay 'levitated'. In mid-air. In front of Ishta. To block his way ...).

Eagle: Wait Ishta!!! Hug me!!!

Ishta: How? Your wings are moving so fucking fast. I can't catch you like that ...

(Eagle slowed down the furious, rapidity of his flapping. And when Eagle was just about to fall back down to the ground from mid-flight. Ishta snatched his Eagle's Body in his arms. And held him tight).

Eagle: ... I would cry for you if I could. But my Eagle's eyes can't produce that sort of Sadness-Liquid. I can just cry for you. Telepathically. In my mind.

Ishta said poetically: I think you flew up here, Eagle. In the nick of time. For some reason. Even if you didn't know it. But you're timing was beautifully perfect, you know, Eagle?

(Eagle knew that was true. And Eagle knew what to do).

Eagle: I really don't want to change the destiny of The Aboriginal People's.

Ishta pleaded: ... BUT AS AN EAGLE GOD. PLEASE CHANGE MY DESTINY. NOT THEIRS. PLEASE BRING ME TO THE FARM. I'll start walking. Anytime you say so ...

(Eagle knew what he had to do. Since this was what a true friend. Would do).

Leaving Everything Behind. Because It Was The Right Thing To Do.

... And with that. Ishta astonishingly threw off his head piece!!! Threw it off. Like a drag queen, in the heat of the moment of her performance, would unceremoniously snatch-off her wig ... whip it off her scalp ... and slam it to the floor!!! Then Ishta un-heaped all his heavy, decorated necklaces ... weighing him down on his neck and shoulders! And removed all his other jewellery and other bracelets. Till he was just down to his loin cloth!

Eagle knew that Ishta was DEAD SERIOUS. About escaping. Right. Now ...

And 'interestingly enough'. Although his heavy jewellery rested on the rock in careless heaps. For some reason. The slightest gust of gentle wind. Over Lonely Rock. Blew Ishta's feathery headpiece. Right off the edge of the cliff. To wherever below. That official marriage. Ornamental headpiece. Had committed it's own form of suicide.

******

Eagle said a prayer up to The Gods In Heaven. To tell them to please accept the decision that Eagle was about to make.

But truly. Eagle wasn't even going to wait for a response from them. He was going to break the rules! Whether The Gods. Approved! Or didn't!

Eagle flew out of Ishta's hug-embrace. And landed back on the ground. And looked up at Ishta. VERY NERVOUS.

Ishta: No! I can carry you in my arms, Eagle! As we go down the mountain, together ...

Eagle: You won't be doing that today, Son! At human-ground-speeds. That could take up to 2-3 days. Especially going down those especially treacherous, steep slopes of The Mountain. Dangerous!

Ishta: I've done it before! I'm capable! I've done it in 1 day! There's a special route I found myself, that I've taken! It's pretty efficient. And safe!

Eagle: What if they send the wild boards, sniffing for you? As we go down ...

Ishta: ... That is true ...

Eagle: Listen, Ishta. I'm not allowed you to show you my Human Form in daylight. It's against the rules. But at this point. I've gone so far with you in our friendship. The fact that I'm bringing you to The Farm. At all! Anyways! It won't matter that you see me like this. The rules are already broken. Just promise you won't be scared, at how I look???

(This was what was making Eagle. VERY NERVOUS).

Ishta was intrinsically-intrigued: Human Form ... ???

Eagle: Yes! There's no point to walk down this whole friggin' mountain. With me in your arms. You doing all the leg-work. When I'm the one ... who has wings to fly ...

Ishta: ... As a Human ...???

Eagle: Yes. As a friend. I am bringing you to The Farm. To temporarily escape your fate today. I'll hide you in the barn I stay in. I don't sleep in Farmer's House in the night, you know? And then. We'll both decide. Together. As friends. What to do next! And I ask for you in return. AS MY FRIEND. The most important thing ever. That I need from you as a friend ...

(Now Eagle was making Ishta. To be the one. To panic ...).

Eagle: ... JUST. DON'T. BE. SCARED. By how I look when I am in my 'other' form ...

(Ishta. Literally. Telepathically. Could tell Eagle was quivering the feathers of his soul. In this moment).

Last Words From Ishta. And Eagle's Last Words. Before The Final Take-Off. And This Time. Visible, Daylight Transformation ...

Ishta: ... Hey! Right now. I can sense you are so nervous! Please, PLEASE don't be nervous! We are friends. And I don't judge. I'm not the hottest-looking Aboriginal either! I don't even know if anybody else on The Planet. Especially a man. Even finds me attractive. You can't be THAT UGLY, Eagle, LOL! ... when you're a human. And I get it! You're A God! You can transform into anything.

Eagle: Nope. Just this form. This Human Form. And it ain't pretty. Trust me!

(Ishta chuckled at Eagle's joke. After all those tears that brew inside the depths of his soul. Boiled out of his eyes. And now had dried. Ishta was finally having some hope. Some definitive hope. And Ishta really didn't care what Eagle would transform into. If Eagle was going to help Ishta get down that mountain, safely. And quickly).

******

It was one of the rare. Forbidden times. That Eagle transformed. Directly. In broad daylight.

Eagle was more afraid of his appearance. Than even The Judgement Of The Gods.

Eagle warned: Here it goes! Brace yourself, Ishta!

And Eagle went from being a 2 and a half foot-tall bird. To being a 6'3 tall human. A totally black one. Muscled in physique. Naked. But all covered in feathers.

Once human. Eagle looked with his neon-yellow eyes. At Ishta. Trembling in Eagle's eye-sockets. Searching in Ishta's stare back at him. From Ishta's eyes. Ishta's reaction. Which were also quivering like Eagle's. Eagle desperately tried to search for fear in Ishta's eyes. And saw Ishta's eyes. Taking it all in. All of Eagle's hugeness. All of Eagle's carpeted-body, of a million, black, miniature feathers. The gigantic proportions of the wings that were miraculously attached to the back of Eagle's back. Eagle's dinosaur-sized feet. And those huge toenail-claws.

Ishta: Oh. My. Fucking. God.

(Eagle sunk his head. ‘Dead’. Down. Unable to handle Ishta's gaze upon him any longer. Ishta's eyes were darting all around Eagle's entire body. Taking every inch of Eagle in. For the good. Or for the very bad ...).

Ishta: No. No, Eagle! I didn't mean it like that!

(Ishta INSTANTLY ran up to Eagle. And hugged him. Hugged him like a true friend! Hugged him strong! Hugged him hard! With all of Ishta's heart.

If being gay was who Ishta was. Being THIS. Was who Eagle was).

Ishta: YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL EAGLE! You know? You're like a beautiful black bear! Standing up. Like I've seen bears do in the wild. With tiny furry feathers instead!

Eagle: Really?

Ishta: YES REALLY! Just check yourself out!

(Eagle chuckled a bit. Relieved).

Ishta: Your just by far not fat-tummied like a bear. You're ... MUSCULAR AS SHIT! Shit! You're huger than my dad!

(Eagle chuckled even more. His prior-trepidation now going out the window ...).

Ishta: And I totally get it. I. LITERALLY. TOTALLY. GET IT! Now ... THIS! Is the way The Gods Above. Made you! You are literally. The combination-hybrid of a man. And an Eagle. Complete with those stunning wings. YOU. ALL OF YOU. IS STUNNING!

(Eagle now fully laughed. By the flattery).

Ishta: ... Ground-stopping. Earth-shaking. Stunningness!

******

(You know? It wasn't so much that Ishta was turned on by Eagle. Their relationship was never really like that, LOL! Ishta literally thought that Eagle was now the most beautiful ... mystical ... mythological ... creature he had ever seen! And Ishta had never seen none. Nada! In his whole life. If Ishta ever believed in The Gods High Above. Which he actually didn't. Since Ishta was very sceptical of His Father's teachings. 'Magical Exaggerations' - as Ishta considered them. Ishta believed that if The Gods did create something so beautiful for Ishta to see on This Planet Earth. Human-Eagle. Would be it ...).

Ishta: Let me hug you again, Eagle! Let me let you know how I find you so beautiful! It's a gift to show yourself like this to me! Now we can be real human friends. And I don't need to talk to a mere bird anymore, LOL.

Eagle chuckled: I am not offended by that comment ...

Ishta: ... And now I get your drift! It's with THOSE HUGE WINGS OF YOURS. That's how you will fly me down to The Farm! I literally thought that as an Eagle. You small, Power-Bird. Would have the amazing strength to fly all my weight down to the bottom of the mountain. I dunno how, exactly. I had an impression you would clutch the top of my head with your talons or something. And fly me down like dangling, hot air balloon. You. Being the balloon. Me. Being whatever weight dangling from your claws. As my hair detaches and rips from my scalp, LOL. But in THIS STRONGER HUMAN FORM OF YOURS. Now I get it! How do we do it??? Do I latch onto your back???

(Ishta was truly happy. And Eagle surely sensed it in that moment. Just didn’t quite comprehend the fact that Ishta, beforehand, TRULY thought that Eagle was going to ‘lower’ Ishta down the mountain by his hair, LOL! Anyways. Ishta was finaly happy now. And Eagle also got the gist of it!

- Ishta wasn't like Fox or Lynx. Animals. With their unique understandings of things. With animal-based psychology.

- Ishta was a human. And for Ishta. Seeing another human. Albeit with pterodactyl-sized wings as an integral part of Eagle's spine formation. Was the best way Ishta could form a friendship with somebody. To Ishta. Eagle. In Human Form. Was a real human. Especially with Eagle's piercing, yellow-neon eyes. That finally read emotion - as real, human eyes. As they communicated telepathically.

- Able to mind read. Without saying a sole word. But looking at each other's eyes. SEEING. The emotion conveyed. Behind those words).

******

Eagle: No Ishta! For our first fly. I'm gonna carry you in my arms. Don't try my back, today. You could lose grip of my feathers. And fall off. And die!!! I've actually never done this before. Never with another human in my arms. So logistically. If you bundle yourself tight. Make yourself be smallest as can be. I can scoop you in my arms. And carry-fly ... you down ...

Ishta: You're MUSCULAR arms, that is! But how?

Eagle: As I said. You have to curl up into a tiny human, ball. I will hold you tight in my arms. And fly you down to the ground.

(Ishta. Had on some lonely days. Thought about walking over the last point of the ridge of Lonely Rock. Today. He was going to fly down! According to Eagle-Man. And still live ...

And since Ishta was on an adrenaline-high right now. Willing to do whatever. For his new beginning. In a different part of Canada. Not very far away. But different. Ishta immediately crouched down to the ground. And tucked himself into a head-tucked-into-tucked-needs position ...).

Eagle: Ready Ishta?

Ishta: I'm ready. Take me away!

The Descent.

(Ishta had already had his head tucked into his kneecaps. Bracing himself. Eagle could tell Ishta's eyes were closed. IMMENSELY-TIGHT. Because Ishta was actually ... afraid).

Eagle pleaded: Hey! Listen buddy! I won't drop you. Even though this is the first time I've transported another human being. But I'm skilled ...

Ishta with his eyes still closed: I'm the tiniest human-ball I can be, right now. I will be alright in your arms. Trust me ...

Eagle said truthfully: Open your eyes. Just one last time. Look around. And tell me truthfully. You don't want to come back to This Mountain at all, do you???

(Ishta reopened his eyes. Full of both fear. And excitement. Of the never-possible in Ishta's life. His last. And final. Escape. From the life he never. And didn't want. Ever ...).

Ishta said with a firm. Yet scared: No. I don't. Bring me to my new home. My new home with you, Eagle. And your farm friends. The Lynx. And The Fox ... The Farmer ...

Eagle: You're not too scared right??? I won't drop you! I said!

Ishta: I know. From now on. I trust you. And that I know you will never ‘drop me’ as a friend ...

(And with that. Out of all The Rules Of The Gods that Eagle could have broken.

It was this one that was considered the ‘worst one’.

- Even beyond. The possible ‘threat’ of making a Brown Man and a White Man have potential, and possible contact.

- Even beyond Eagle helping Ishta temporarily escape his arranged-marriage. Even forcing it to be cancelled. And causing a little bit of Inner-Village Turmoil.

Eagle already knew. Helping Ishta fly down from the mountain. WAS essentially Ishta’s way to NEVER GO BACK HOME. Ever.

And both Eagle. AND CERTAINLY ISHTA. Knew it).

******

Eagle held Ishta's tight-ball-formation. Squarely in his powerful arms. ANCHORED WITHIN EAGLE'S TOUGH BICEPS. As Ishta kept his eyes tightly shut. His heart starting to pound within.

- But the descent was so effortless. So downwardly that smooth-swift. It was a mere, 10-second parachute-fall.

- Ishta had often had dreams. That he was free-falling off the ridge of a cliff. When he finally decided to walk off it's edge. And how his heart. Would be without gravity. And would meld with his brain. From his chest. Up through his neck.

- Eagle descended down. Like a rushing, downward-elevator-car. Plunging downwards to Eagle and Ishta's death. Only to use his magnificent, parachute-wings. And their magnificent wing-span. And flawless force. To slow-down. To the touchdown ...

- Ishta's heart did race. As he fell from miles from the sky. To a newer, ground-level, place. But when the blow of hitting the ground. Hard. Became a gentle slow-down. Until Eagle's big feet. Met with the ground.

- Safely in Eagle's strong arms. Eagle let Ishta uncurl out of a ball. And Ishta. Opened his eyes. To a new beginning ...

Ishta opened his eyes. And saw a suddenly saw a beautiful farm he was on. Ground level.

Ishta had NOT SEEN the miles of forest-cover on a high mountain, he and Eagle had just passed over. Their magnificent slopes. That Eagle had crossed. Downwards in flight. In mere seconds. Ishta simply. Opened. Wokened. His eyes. To green pastures of the beyond. The PrairieLands. Sprouting crops made by The Farmer. Countless. Different varieties of farm animals. All around. Moo'ing. Oinking. Cuckling far away. In the chicken dens and coops. To Ishta. They were just like gentle. Not ferocious sounds. Like the sounds of everyday peacefulness. Yet FULL OF GENEROUS FARM LIFE. GENTLE FARM ANIMAL LIFE. In abundance. Like Mother Nature had allowed so many species in their own similar kind. To be artificially replicated without flaw. And Ishta found himself being laid on to some dry sand by Eagle.. Dusty. Right in front of two, grand, swinging barn doors. As tall as the huge barn itself. Floor-to-ceiling. This was not simple tee-pee or Indian Hut. This giant barn. Looked like a WOODEN CASTLE to Ishta ...

(This work has all 18+ characters. And is NSFW).

Ishta's Third Day. No More Barn-Hiding!

Eagle: Ishta? You look sad ...

Ishta: No. I'm not. Was just curious where The Farmer was heading today ...

Eagle: But you know what this means???

Ishta was all curious: What?!!!

Eagle: Me and you. We finally get to explore! Explore This Farm Property! C'mon!

Ishta found a way to wrap that towel that Eagle brought him around his waist and his private regions. Cock and asshole. In a way that was well-fastened. And resembled a toga. Eagle was quite impressed with what Ishta did! Ishta found an extricate way to tuck it. And secure it. So it wouldn't fall off. Like the way people in India where DIY underwear out of any sort of light cloth fabric.

Ishta still wore his beloved, flannel shirt of Farmer, though. And asked Eagle ...

Ishta: Are these buttons? The buttons go through the holes, right?

Eagle: Yes they are! Do you want to button-up?

Ishta: Let me try!

Ishta thought the buttons were pretty nifty! And had fun putting each one of them through!

Eagle: No Ishta - you have to align them. You're lopsided now ...

(Ishta laughed. And started again. Doing them correctly).

... You know? As much fun as Ishta had doing-up buttons. Of Farmer's flannel shirt. Imagine how much fun Ishta would have. When one day. Farmer would allow Ishta. To take off Farmer's own shirt. Off of Farmer's own chest. Button. By Button. Like a good lover would. That Ishta would be ...

******

Now that the coast was clear. With Eagle perched on Ishta's shoulder. They started to explore.

- They didn't wander too far. Just over to the garden patch. Where Ishta saw lots of different plant, fruit, and veggie-varieties growing. And got excited! Just that some of them were starting to wither. Ishta could tell, of course. One day. Ishta might be able to help rectify that situation!

- And Eagle also quickly showed Ishta the pigpen. With all the snorting pigs. Ishta smiled at the sight. He thought they looked like boars. But a more 'tamed' version. Less vicious-like. More innocent. Unaware of their surroundings. 'Ignorant', maybe. But ever so cute!

And then. Of course. Eagle took Ishta up to Farmer's House. To see what was going on with Fox and Lynx. ‘Trapped’ in there, LOL. Pets. As house ‘hostages’.

They went up the front door. And Ishta immediately panicked.

Ishta: Wait!!!

Eagle: What's the matter my son?

Ishta: You're not taking me inside, right? Then I'll really be an intruder. I'll feel even more perverted invading Farmer's house, without him knowing.

Eagle: We don't have to go inside. If you don't feel comfortable. But I need to get Lynx and Fox out of there. So they can be with us today!!! Ishta ... turn that knob. Tell me if it opens or not?

(It didn't).

Eagle: Oh shit. Farmer locked it.

(Lynx was a trained, and skilled circus animal. And actually could open the door herself, from within. With her nifty claws and paws. But not! If the door was officially locked! And on top of that. Neither Ishta or Eagle could peer into the house. To see where Lynx and Fox were. Farmer had the window curtains of the front door drawn-shut!).

But low and behold. Lynx and Fox were already there on the other side of the door! Inside! Sensing that Eagle and Ishta were there on the other side! Outside!

******

From the outside. Eagle and Ishta saw the doorknob being turned from the inside. Lynx was trying to wrestle with that knob. To get the door open. But couldn't. It was obviously locked.

And then suddenly. The window curtains of the front door start to wave a bit. And suddenly parted! And through them. Fox's tiny head peeped through! Sticking his nose right up to the window pane. And his eyes were bewildered-like! Frantic! Trembling in their sockets! And going delusional, LOL. Like Fox was like: 'How do we get out of here???!'.

Apparently. Fox had leapt up on Lynx's back. To get to the height of the door window. And rustle those window drapes open. To see Eagle and Ishta on the other side.

Eagle spoke telepathically to Fox: You and Lynx. Go to the bedroom window. I got another plan!

An Unusual Observation. That Ishta Might Not Be The Only Pervert On This Farm.

When all 4 of them met at Farmer's window of his bedroom. Ishta saw something unusual.

Right outside of Farmer's window. On the porch. One that wrapped all the way around the perimeter of Farmer's entire house. Was a body-length mirror. It was nailed onto one of the wooden beams, outside. That supported the roof over the porch. A roof over the porch was handy. So you could be out on the porch. Even during rain.

Now ...

Ishta was not oblivious to basic architecture. Even though this Farmhouse was MUCH different than the teepees's. And basic, wooden-log huts ... that he was more used to living in. On The Mountain. Ishta understood what a doorknob was. A mechanism to keep a door shut. He understood what a window was. Something clear. To look outside of. But still a protective element that blocked wind and other elements.

A real mirror, though! Ishta had never seen one! Although Ishta had created a version of one. With magic before. And understood the concept.

This mirror. Was obviously manufactured. And gave one's reflection. Without the employ of magic. Which Ishta was very curious about!

Ishta had already seen how he looked before. Knew what his reflection was.

And he was not so much caught off guard by seeing himself in this manufactured mirror. Anchored onto the wooden post. Than seeing himself wearing Farmer's plaid shirt. All nicely and neatly buttoned up.

(Ishta was a bit moved, actually. He had never seen himself where Pioneer Clothes before. And he just couldn't stop looking at himself).

Eagle remarked: There you go, Ishta! Isn't it nice to be CLOTHED, outside. Not naked! You look quite dashing in Farmer's shirt!

(Sure. It was oversized for Ishta. But Ishta smiled at his own reflection. And more so the soft, flannel shirt ... he was wearing).

******

Then. Ishta noticed something weird. Outside of the house. Underneath the bedroom windowsill. Where the side of the house. Met the surface of the porch. Sitting there. A metal bucket! Just placed under the window. Ishta was very curious why it was there! And what was in it! And bent down to look inside.

There was some dried substance in the depths. Some of it was yellow-ish, in colour. It looked as if it had been some sort of liquid-y goo. At one point in it's state. Or syrup. At one point. But now had dried into some sort of wax-paste. Dried-gunk. Ishta bent down to smell. Oh God! It reeked! It was definitely some sort of funky-gunky. Coating the bottom of that pail. Ishta even dared to put one brave finger in there. To scrape a bit of that cakey-wax - up in his finger tip. He realized that there probably was an inch-layer of whatever that dried shit was ... that lined all stanky the bottom of the bucket!

Ishta was perplexed: What the heck is this Eagle?!

Eagle said honestly: I truly don't know, Ishta. Farmer has always had that bucket placed there. Right under his window. Outside. But all I know. Is. That Farmer sometimes uses this mirror outdoors. To do his shaving and trimming. He does it outside. And just let's his hairs drop to the porch. And then he sweeps his shavings away with a broom. I've never seen him use the bucket though. To hold water or anything. To rinse off after shaving. He just uses a wet towel for that ...

Ishta: We have animal wax in our tribe too. Is this bucket some sort of giant candle Farmer is making? Normally. In our culture. We refine the animal oils and waxes down. Scent them with flower petal-extracts. The wax shouldn't look this dry and clumpy. And rotten-smelling either!

(Ishta pointed his finger up to Eagle's beak. With that little bit of wax he had scooped up into one fingertip).

Eagle: I can't smell, Ishta. I have a beak. But what you've got on your fingertip doesn't look that appetizing, anyways! So get it away from me. Put it back in the pail. And were not by the bedroom window for that purpose anyways! Focus Ishta!

(Ishta just slapped his fingertip in the air. To fling-off that little piece of dried, flour-dough-whatever-nasty it was. Flicking onto the ground below the porch).

But then Ishta noticed that unlike how a carefully-made candle would be made. Animal wax being heated-up. And then poured gingerly into some sort of container. There were sporadic and messy drops of that SAME, yellow, cake wax. As covered the bottom of the pail. Lining the sides of the bucket, AS WELL! And also dripped and splatted on the ground. In the areas surrounding the bucket.

JUST. WEIRD.

Was this sort of some messy, outdoor ... poopy bin???

And then! Ishta noticed there was one drop of the yellow wax. Obviously from a long time ago. That had been flicked onto the mirror itself. And had run down. And dried. But it did indeed. Had that same, funky sort of yellow colouration, to it too...

Anyways. All in all. Ishta thought it was very unusual to have a mirror set-up. On the outside of your window.

Who would need to look at their reflection? Outside of their bedroom window?

But as Eagle said. Farmer shaved out there using the mirror.

******

Eagle: Ishta! Focus! Stop inspecting that pail. And stop examining that little piece of dried gunk dripping off Farmer's mirror. It's nothing. Maybe this is Farmer's midnight piss-pail. In the night. He's too lazy to go out the front door. And actually go out of the house to piss. So he pisses right out of his bedroom window. Into the pail, outside. Better than peeing into a bowl in your house. And leaving it overnight to stench up the whole place! So it was a bad decision for you to scrap up Farmer's dried pee ...

Eagle then pecked gently on the window pane of Farmer's bedroom window. And the curtains parted there too! This time with both Fox's and Lynx's cute heads poking through. In tandem. And their noses pressed up against the window ... 'saying': 'How do we get out of here?! We want to be outside with you and Ishta!'.

Eagle spoke to Fox telepathically. And then Fox spoke to Lynx. Telepathically. Since Fox was closer to Lynx's head.

Eagle had instructed Fox to tell Lynx to use her paws and twist open the latches of the window.

And once done. With no struggle from Lynx's nimble paw-claws. Eagle told Ishta simply to slide open the window.

And like that. Fox and Lynx. Both lept-out to outdoor 'safety'.

Fox and Lynx. Both saying in their heads and minds: Ishta! Ishta! You saved us! You saved us!

And Ishta giggled. And hugged both of them in his arms. Glad to be reacquainted with his newly made friends.

Hey y'all! I just launched a project I"ve been passionate about for a long time but have been too nervous to start. It's a collection of personal essays chronicling my hookup experiences and the things I've learned about myself from them. If you have any interest in essay, queer memoir, or just cringy sex stories, subscribe to my (free) substack!

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My name is Kate. About a year ago my wife, Kim and I decided to take a road trip across the United States. She had inherited twenty thousand dollars from her grandfather’s passing. We had just finished college and talked about using the money to buy a house. But neither one of us had ever lived anywhere outside of Seattle. So, we decided to take a road trip. See the country, gain some life experience and maybe figure out what we wanted to do with our lives together.

My grandmother agreed to look after our dog, Max while we were on the road. On the day we left we were dropping him off at her house and she seemed weird. My grandmother immigrated here from Ireland with her parents when she was a child. She was raised to be superstitious and I had always thought she was a little strange. But on this day she was a little over the top.

My grandmother hugged us both and told us to be careful. “There are things out there. Things that you have never seen in the city. Things that live in the shadows and…”

I cut her off. “Grandma, I love you. But we’re going to be late. We don’t have time for fairy tales.” My Grandmother looked as if she were going to say something but stopped herself. She just nodded and hugged us both again.

I left feeling like she had been trying to tell me something important. I know now what my grandmother was trying to tell us. People have been immigrating to the United States for centuries. And with them, they bring their culture, their beliefs, their folktales and sometimes… They bring other things.

By the time we had hit the road, it was about 9:00 am. A couple of hours later than we had planned but that was fine. We didn’t have much of a plan as far as where and when to stop. But we had asked all of our friends for their advice and we had quite a long list. We stopped at Leavenworth first. It was a quaint little german style village nestled in the mountains. We had pretzels and bratwurst for lunch and spent some time browsing the shops.

In one of the shops, Kim and I spent a good half hour trying on novelty hats and taking selfies together. The clerk asked us if we were going to buy something or just spend all day trying on his merchandise. He was a little rude and I began to say something but Kim showed me her phone. It was 4:00 pm. “We really should hit the road or we’ll be stuck here.”

I removed the big top hat and handed it to the clerk and we left. “What’s next on the list?” I asked Kim as we headed back to the freeway.

She finished posting the pictures of us on Facebook and then pulled up the list on her phone. “Greg said we need to hit Winthrop.” She told me. She pulled up directions on her phone. It’s a little less than three hours north. “Okay,” I said.

Pulling into Winthrop was like stepping out of a time machine. The main road was lined with old wooden buildings with wood plank sidewalks. It looked exactly like the set of an old western. We parked just off the main road and walked back to look at the shops.

The wood sidewalk creaked under our feet as we walked from shop to shop. We spent hours browsing. Looking at western clothes and art in the stores. As well as several souvenir stores. Finally, we decided to get dinner. It was about 8:00 pm now and the sun was starting to set. Given the western theme of the town, barbeque was an easy choice. We ordered a sampler that had a little bit of almost everything on the menu.

“Let’s sit outside.” I proposed. It was a nice, warm summer evening and I wanted to sit outside and people watch. We took our food and sat near the street.

Four men rode in on horses. They were wearing cowboy hats and chaps. If there hadn’t been dozens of tourists wearing modern clothes, I would have sworn we were back on the frontier two hundred years ago.

The men stopped at the general store next to the restaurant. As they tied up their horses I looked over to see Kim taking pictures of them on her phone. One of the men noticed this and tipped his hat at her.

“Howdy.” He said. He patted his horse on the back and began to walk toward us. “That sure is a big dog,” Kim said with a smirk. He smiled and leaned against the log fence that surrounded the patio of the restaurant. “You like horses?” The cowboy asked Kim. “If you’re not already, you two should come to the rodeo tonight. It’s right up the road.” The cowboy pointed down the street.

Kim and I both followed his gaze to the end of the street where we saw an arena.

“Jim!” we heard a man yell and turned back to see another cowboy at the front door of the General Store. “Jim, you coming or what?” The man asked.

Jim gave us another smile and tipped his hat again. Then he walked back to his friends.

“We should go to the rodeo,” Kim said beaming with excitement. “Yeah, you’re right.” I knew that neither one of us had ever seen a rodeo and probably never would again. It was a good opportunity for a rare experience. And that is exactly what this trip was about.

The sun was setting over the trees at the end of Main street, casting a series of shadows that sprawled down the street toward us like fingers. By the time Kim and I reached the hotel, it was dark. The hotel, like the rest of the town, had a rustic, wild west facade. There were four lamps on the front that were made to look like oil lamps.

The large door creaked loudly as I opened it. This place even sounded old. We checked in and were informed that we were in luck. There was one room available because someone didn’t show up.

We went up to the room. Kim said she needed to shower before we went out and asked if I would walk back and get the car. I obliged and began to head out. The walk back was like walking through a completely different city. I could see about a couple of hundred yards shear from me there were a few lights on the main street. And through the woods, I could see some lights and hear some commotion at the rodeo. But where I was walking there was nothing. Even the moonlight had been blocked by the treetops overhead.

I had a very unsettling feeling for some reason. I had always had this sixth sense. Like a lizard brain feeling that something wasn’t quite right. My parents thought I was paranoid or just had an overactive imagination. But my grandmother had always told me it was a gift. She said that I was just like her.

Whatever it was that I was feeling, I was feeling very uneasy. Like there was darkness near me. I looked around but didn’t see anyone. I suddenly felt very cold. It had been too warm all day to even think about wearing a jacket. I had even considered leaving my hoodie in the car. I was glad I hadn’t. I zipped up my hoody, though it did little to fight off the cold. I could even see my breath in the small amount of moonlight that fought through the trees.

As I walked I began to hear footsteps behind me. I turned and didn’t see anyone behind me. I began to walk faster. The footsteps began to quicken behind me. I heard leaves crunch under the steps. I turned again. And I saw movement. Not behind me but off to the side. I could barely make out the shape of a large creature running through the woods. It was less than a hundred feet behind me and gaining quickly.

I began to run. The steps grew louder. They grew closer. My heartbeat against my ribs and my lungs began to burn with each inhale of cold air. I could hear the creature come out of the woods and hit the street. And then sounds began to sound vaguely familiar. I turned to see what was chasing me. It was a huge black horse. The rider crouched low on the horse and kicked his spurs into its side mercilessly.

I turned forward again. I put every ounce of strength I had into escape and my legs began to ache with the effort. I could hear the footsteps right behind me. I knew that any second now the rider would run me down.

I waited for the impact, but to my surprise, the horseman rode past me. I watched in horror as he stopped thirty feet ahead of me and sat up then pulled back on the reins. The horse reared back and its front legs kicked angrily at the sky. The horse let out a sinister neigh and the horseman lifted a bearded ax into the air.

But that isn’t what made my blood run cold. It was what the horseman held in his other hand that chilled me to the bone. He lowered the ax and raised his other hand to reveal ahead. He held it by the scalp and even in the dim light I could see it wore an unnatural, inhuman smile that seemed to spread from ear to ear, revealing chipped, yellow and black teeth. And where the eyes should be were dark, empty orbs… Not empty exactly. There was something evil in those dark, soulless sockets.

I couldn’t see, as much as I could feel that it was looking at me. And then it said something. Something that meant nothing to me at the moment. “Jim Frederickson.”

I stood there panting for a moment. I considered running but I wouldn’t make it to the hotel if the horseman chased me. And I was closer to my car than the hotel, but I would have to make it past the horse. He was standing right in the middle of the intersection between the General Store and the restaurant we had eaten at earlier.

And then, the horseman seemed to relax his posture. He lowered the head and slowly turned his horse toward the woods and began walking in. This may not sound any crazier than what I have already seen. But they just seemed to fade away. They didn't disappear into the woods but seemed to vanish into thin air before they even got into the woods.

I waited for a second to make sure I was in the clear and to process what I had just seen. And then I rushed to my car. I ran all the way. As soon as I was inside, I locked the doors. And I sat there for several minutes catching my breath. I had begun to warm up as soon as the horseman vanished but I was still trembling. I turned the heater on.

Once I was calmed down I began to calm myself down. I started driving back to the hotel and was rehearsing what I would tell Kim when I saw her. I knew she would think I was crazy. And honestly, I had just about convinced myself that I had imagined the whole thing. Until I turned onto the main street and saw the telltale red and blue lights of the police car. It was parked on the shoulder of the road. Right next to the spot where the horseman had stopped.

Maybe someone else saw what I saw. I thought to myself. I slowed down and stopped so I could ask what was happening. A police officer was placing orange cones on the street. Behind him, I could see a body on the street.

I got out and asked him what was happening. He informed me that there had been an accident. I saw a man on the phone next to the body. He seemed to be crying and having a very difficult phone call. I recognized the man on the phone it was a cowboy from earlier. Not the one we had been talking to but his friend.

The officer had walked away to put up more cones. I took the opportunity to get closer and see who it was. The man was lying face down. His neck was bent at an odd angle that left his head laying on his shoulder. And his cowboy hat was a few feet away.

The other man was off the phone now and seemed to be collecting himself. “What happened?” I asked him. He sniffled and took a deep breath to steady his voice. “Jim and I were riding over to the rodeo. Something spooked the horses. Damn things bucked us both off. I got lucky and landed on my back. By the time I got up and dusted myself off the horses were gone. And Jim.” He paused. “Jim landed on his head. Broke his neck.”

I felt that chill again. “Jim? What was his last name?” The man gave me an odd look. As if he wondered why I cared. I saw him look over my shoulder and I glanced back to see the officer coming our way. “Frederickson.” He said.

I wanted to tell him what I saw. It’s better that I didn’t get a chance to. The officer interrupted me. “Did you get ahold of your wife?” He asked the cowboy.

“Yeah. She has the trailer parked around the corner. And she is getting word to Jim’s parents.” The cowboy answered.

“Ma’am. You shouldn’t be here. We have paramedics on the way and animal control to help round up the horses. I’d appreciate it if you could get your car off the road. We’re going to need space to get an ambulance in here as well as keep traffic moving.” The officer mansplained to me.

I gave the cowboy one last look and offered my condolences. Then I was on my way back to the hotel.

Kim could tell something was wrong as soon as I walked in. She always seemed to know what I was feeling.

“What’s wrong baby?” She asked. She hugged me and sat me down on the bed. “What happened?” She asked.

I exhaled deeply. “I thought they were just fairy tales,” I told her.

“What?” She asked. She had a puzzled look on her face. And rubbed my shoulder sympathetically. “What was just fairy tales?”

“When I was a little girl my grandmother told me fairy tales from the old country. Stories she grew up within Ireland. One of them was the Dullahan. And I saw him tonight.” I cried out.

“What are you talking about? What is the Dullahan?” Kima asked me. She looked much more concerned now.

“The story goes centuries ago a soldier rode into battle. He lost his head in battle and came back as the Dullahan. He doesn’t exactly kill people as much as he comes to take them when it is their time.” I proceeded to tell her exactly what I had seen tonight. The horseman. The fact that he had called Jim’s name and then Jim died in the same spot.

I waited for a response from her. She stared at me for a minute and as the seconds of silence ticked by I began to wonder if she thought I was making it up or if I was just crazy.

Then she picked up my hand and held it. “Tell me more about these fairy tales.” She said.

Accursed Gold by T. A. Onkọwe

But where is hope now?

1935, LA

Ashley's knees slammed into concrete as he fell onto the factory floor, briefly knocking the wind out of him. Before he could scramble to his feet, the cold barrel of a shotgun pressed his forehead. Ashley looked down the barrel of the gun and up at the deathly pale pinstripe-suited mobster.

"I'll ask you one more time before I blow your brains out." The mobster snarled. "Where did you get the gold?"

"I told you. It's a family heirloom. You can have it! Just let me-"

Ashley was cut off by the barrel of the shotgun smacking into his face with a sickening crunch, drawing out a shrill shriek as he clutched his broken nose.

"Don't lie to me." The mobster tipped Ashley's head up with the muzzle of the now bloody shotgun, flashing a sinister, sharp-toothed grin. "I know your kind; You'd have sold off that gold for scraps or booze years ago. You got that recently. How?"

Staring down the barrel of the gun, his short life flashing before his eyes, Ashley couldn't lie. "I-I made it."

"Unlicensed Alchemy? From a kid?"

Ashley flinched as the vampire lifted the shotgun, readying another strike. "No- no- I... I made it with my- my... powers." Ashley choked out between bloody coughs.

"Demonstrate."

"I need a rock, or something, to transmute."

The mobster kicked Ashley a pebble, which he quickly picked up and clutched in his hand, desperately trying to concentrate for long enough for his magic to work. Gradually, the rock heated up and slowly transmuted to a shining gold bauble. Ashley held it up, hands shaking.

"Well, it appears you'll have some use after all," He grabbed Ashley's wrist and yanked him to his feet, ignoring the golden pebble which clattered to the floor. "The Don'll be very pleased."

"The Don?"

"The Dragon." The words made Ashley's blood run ice cold as he spoke. He hoisted him up. "Let's go."

...

Ashley bolted upright in bed, sweat pouring down his face. His hand reached for the knife under his satin pillow, gripping the ornate gold hilt tightly. His other hand dug into his sheets, ripping a hole into the material as it slowly turned into dense, unpolished iron. He stood up hastily, brandishing the knife in front of him in his dimly lit room. After a minute, there was no movement in his room, and Ashley calmed down, the adrenaline draining out of him as quickly as it came.

With the adrenaline gone, his hand slowly returned to flesh and bone with a painful pop he was fully used to, and he tucked the knife away under his pillow. He was still a little rattled though rattled but alone. He wondered what he'd look like to the intruder if he wasn't alone; All 5'5" of him, waving a knife around in his boxers, his hair wild frizzy, and untamed.

That was the third time this week he had similar dreams, which was deeply annoying since the last thing he wanted to do was dwell on the past. Thankfully, he'd woken just in time for work, which provided a very nice distraction.

Ashley had rented out the apartment next to his and turned it into his workshop. It was just as spacious as his flat. A now dormant furnace stood in its center, and transparent shelves full of useful material and oddities Ashley had picked up over the years lined the walls. Ashley fed the furnace fuel and switched on the pilot light. As the crucible in the center of the furnace slowly heated up, he pulled a cup of coarse, dull copper powder from a shelf. Ashley poured the powder into the now red hot crucible and watched it quickly melt. He pulled the crucible out with tongs and poured the molten copper into his palm.

All Ashley felt in his hand was heat, not pain, just a dull warmth, like his hand was on the surface of slightly too hot bathwater. The metal cooled into a semi-solid form until it bent and twisted like clay in his hand. Ashley bent the metal dough into a rosette, cradling it until the liquid-cooled to its solid state.

By the end of the workday, Ashley had all but forgotten his nightmare. He'd thrown himself into his work and was very proud of his output. Three complete pieces: three necklaces, three pairs of earrings, five rings, and a bracelet. Of course, the self-congratulations were dampened slightly by the fact that his jewelry was all made of scrap metal, loose wires, pipe cleaners, and pebbles.

That was an easy fix. One by one, Ashley lifted each item and cradled it in his palms, relaxing his concentration and letting his magic flow through his hands into his fingers. The scraps slowly transmuted into precious metals, gold, silver, platinum, or precious gems.

The long night is spent,

Ethan grimaced as he slunk out of the taxi, which sped off as soon as he pressed cash into the driver's hand. His stomach was wracked with stinging hunger pains, which had grown too strong and too frequent to ignore, so he was out to hunt for something to 'eat'.

Today, Elysium, a mid-sized hipster bar in Brooklyn, was his hunting ground for tonight. He had an in with one of the bouncers, who sneaked him past the wrap-around line. Ethan quickly disappeared in and out of the crowd and approached the bar, ordering a gin and tonic as he scanned the club. Elysium seemed to be full of mages and Vampires, with the odd fairy or confused human, who would probably be Ethan's or someone else's dinner by the end of the night. The bar was a little bit away from the dance floor, so the music wasn't blaring, giving Ethan space to collect his thoughts.

The club was over-saturated with non-humans, which meant finding a meal would be... difficult.

"Ugh," Ethan groaned as he tossed back his drink, dropped enough cash to pay, and got up. He was about to cut his losses and find a different bar when he heard someone speak to him.

"Leaving already?" Ethan looked back at the bar, then about a foot down to a mass of black curls and the biggest pair of eyes he'd ever seen staring up at him, golden brown and bright even in the dim light of the club.

Ethan paused, scanning them (him? her?) for a second, before leaning back against the bar with a sly grin once he caught their scent. Human.

"I was, but I could be convinced to stay." Ethan joked as he took his seat again.

"Would a drink be convincing enough?" They asked, brushing a massive black curl away from their freckled face. It quickly fell back in place.

"It's definitely a start."

"Great," They flagged down the bartender, who seemed to already know them, and ordered another gin and toxic for Ethan and a colorful drink for themself. Then they turned to Ethan and smiled brightly, showing a dimple in their left cheek. "My name's Ashley. You?"

Ashley? Ethan was hoping their name would give some kind of hint about their gender, but he'd figure it out another way. None of their clothes, a simple pair of blue jeans, a pair of boots, and a floral shirt, were heavily gendered. They had a jagged twisted gold and silver piercing in one ear, mostly hidden by hair, but everyone has piercings now.

He could just ask, but that would be no fun.

"Ethan."

"Well, Ethan what're you looking for tonight?"

❤...🎺

This Portion is mildly NSFW

< >

!Ethan never did get around to asking Ashley what gender they were, so he found out the old fashion way: pressed up against him in a taxi with a hand down Ashley's pants.!<

!Ashley squeaked as Ethan wrapped his hand around him. "You're so impatient," Ashley moaned into Ethan's neck with hasty, shuddering breaths.!<

!Ethan was very, very glad the window between them and the front was completely tinted. "Can you blame me? Look at you." He said, pulling back to gaze at Ashley again. !<

!Ethan had unbuttoned Ashley's shirt, exposing his chest. Just like Ethan suspected, his freckles, which covered his face and shoulders, ran down his chest and, presumably, under his boxers. His round, swollen lips were slightly parted but morphed into a smile at Ethan's words. !<

!"Flattery will get you everywhere.  Let me," Ashley reached for Ethan's belt, but he grabbed his hand.!<

!"We're almost at my place. I just wanted to touch you." Thankfully, Ethan's apartment was only ten minutes from the bar, so they didn't need to wait too long.!<

!Ashley grumbled but pulled back.!<

!"Now, who's the impatient one?" Ethan teased. Ashley's response was quickly swallowed up as Ethan pulled him forward for another kiss, tightened his grip slid his palm down against Ashley's dick. !<

...

Ethan watched Ashley struggle to stay awake in his thoroughly rumpled sheets. He was adorable like this, hair even more of a mess, eyes half-lidded from exhaustion and honey brown skin flushed. Ethan wished he could leave him like this, but the hunger pangs in his stomach were becoming more and more intense.

Ethan pulled Ashley closer, which prompted Ashley to grumble.

"Again? Maybe in the morning. I'm still sore," He said, as Ethan kissed his neck, tracing the hickeys he'd given him. Despite his words, he leaned into Ethan's touch. "Impatient and greedy. I..."

Ashley's words trailed off as Ethan began to drink from him, not his blood but his memories.

Ethan fed on bad unpleasant memories, on trauma, which usually tasted as bitter or sour as expected. They were also typically tough to draw out because people are terrible at letting go of memories, even the bad ones.

None of that seemed to apply to Ashley, whose memories tasted sweet in spite of their contents and seemed unconsciously eager to give them up. It made it tempting to drink a little deeper, a little longer, but before Ethan could properly consider that, the sharp and ice-cold touch of a blade against his neck broke his trance.

Just finished John Irvine's novel, " just one person" a complex story of transgender, coming out boys, and a mix of intrigue and fantasy. He wrote 'Cider House Rules' also. I loved the book and looking for others who can relate to how grand this novel explores the diversity of sexuality. I"m inspired and am writing daily because of his influence.

I am writing something and I need advance readers. I am bi, the main characters are both bi but one is male one is female. I will be getting to some same sex/group stuff later. Does anybody know of a good place to find advance readers who like erotica? I particularly need to know if there’s too many sex scenes or the prose is too purple.

Hi everybody!

​

I'm currently writing a sci-fi/fantasy novel that includes characters from the LGBTQ+ community. My issue comes in with my (regrettably) limited experience with this wonderful community and I'm worried about misrepresenting or stereotyping. I apologize in advance if this comes off as ignorant or hurtful in any way, I'm new to the writing world and haven't posted much on Reddit so this is all out of my comfort zone for me.

For a bit of background, there are two main characters, one of them is implied to be a bisexual woman but it doesn't really play into the story at all, and the other is a straight male but is very family-focused and doesn't delve into relationships at all (Maybe asexual?). I want to point out that there is no intention for these characters to be love interests for each other and their relationship is strictly platonic.

The story itself doesn't focus on romance or sex at all, aside from one character who is an AI and develops feelings for one of the main characters but it gets cut short because of some major plot stuff I'm not going to get into here.

I want my world to feel more natural and alive and this involves including people from all walks of life and I want to make sure everyone is represented in a fair and positive way. So my question to everyone is, what kind of representation would you want to see, how can I go about properly representing these characters, and how can I include these types of characters without it feeling uninformed or ignorant?

Sorry again if this post comes off as strange or negative, I'm (Ironically for a writer) having a hard time explaining my dilemma.

Thank you again for all your help!

As both fellow writers and also fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community, what are some things you would like to see more often in media with LGBTQ+ representation? I've asked a few of my friends and they've given me examples such as more bi-guy representation, and a storyline that does not necessarily center around them being LGBTQ+, but rather accepting it as the norm and focusing on an actual plot. I just thought it might help to have a few more opinions, and who better to help than you all?