NaNo2015: Word of the Day 1-6
Nov. 6th, 2015 03:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meltintall3Merriam Webster word of the day: microburst
The radio crackled with static, letting those listening know that the spotter could see the far side of the storm. "We've got... incoming..." warned the tower.
Esther poured coffee from the metal pot on the warming burner into a mug and tried to look interested. Her friend was about to take off on the greatest adventure of her life and the outbound flight was delayed while they waited out a freak storm in the echoing metal box of one of the hangers. When the rain hit they wouldn't be able to hear themselves think."Hope they get down okay," said the pilot. "This sort of storm, we could get a microburst."
"You remember when one hit Charlie, down at the Augustine?" said one of his crewmembers. "Charlie could fly an old shoe, but we were picking up pieces for weeks."
"Okay, maybe I am glad you haven't left yet," said Esther.
Julie's soft laugh was tinged with nervousness. "Me too," she agreed.
Nov. 2 wordcount: 2,531
Merriam Webster word of the day: ruddy
The guards waved her through the High Gate and she turned left into the old cement edifice dating from the foundation of Lutherburg. It showed its origins. Long ago someone had put pavers down in the ruddy earth to mark the path and protect their shoes. Now, even the pavers were lower than the lawn. Inside, the air conditioners didn't work anymore but because the building was low to the ground and didn't have very many windows it stayed cool enough even in the height of summer. The cement floors were cracked and rough, but there was still a satisfactory clack, clack, clack as Esther marched down to her office.
Nov. 3 wordcount: 5,088
Merriam Webster word of the day: confidant
There was a letter from Julie: all about her new rooms and new acquaintances ("But none are you, dear Esther. I am lonely without my confidant. I have so many things I would like to say and no one to listen. Is it the same for you?") Reading over the itinerary Julie provided of her days, Esther was certain there had to be someone listening when Julie talked. There were dinners and a concert and walks in a park. She brought out her stationary and wrote a reply, but there was nothing new or interesting to confide in return. She touched briefly on Barnabas, promising to describe him in more detail when she'd had a better chance to observe the newcomer.
Nov. 4 wordcount: 5,158
Merriam Webster word of the day: trepid
With the resurgence of dissidents in the countryside, courier work was not for the trepid. Couriers crossed long stretches of open and lonely landscape, criss-crossing between the smaller towns where planes rarely landed and delivering mail and news and sometimes a single traveler. They were required to be self-reliant, should they have mechanical trouble, and hardy, should their bike have failed beyond repair. Most adopted an attitude of brusque no-nonsense.
Our heroine. A picture is worth a thousand words, right?
Nov. 5 wordcount: 7,508
Merriam Webster word of the day: williwaw
A shout came from the direction of the West Gate, and Esther had a confused impression of a powerful bike coasting to a stop from amid a rapidly gathering crowd. People were shouting; the courier on the bike was shouting; and Barnabas strode into the middle of the williwaw. "What's going on here?"
Barnabas' presence had a calming effect, settling the crowd and allowing Esther a better view. The courier wore leathers and a helmet, and there was something leaning up against the rider's shoulder. It looked something like a scarecrow. More couriers came out the back of the building and the returning courier dismounted. Barnabas stepped forward to catch the body.
"He needs medical attention, fast," said the courier. "I found him about ten miles out."
Nov. 6 wordcount: 7,702
Merriam Webster word of the day: lucullan
A butler escorted them into a spacious room with windows stretching to the tall ceiling. It was all glass and steel and white: the floor polished and shining. Esther moved carefully, all too easily imagining herself tripping and falling flat on her face. Barnabas bit his lip, the only outward sign of nervousness. ...Esther wondered why, if they were in these lucullan surroundings of light and air that she found herself imagining navigating atop a cracking lava flow, with liquid magma beneath a charred surface. But then, Barnabas' predecessor had been fond of such fairy tales wherein Apollyon masqueraded as an angel of light.
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Date: 2015-11-02 12:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-11-02 01:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-11-02 01:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-11-03 02:44 am (UTC)*cough* Anywhoo! Esther works in a bit of a dungeon then? Poor thing indeed!
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Date: 2015-11-04 03:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-11-04 04:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-11-05 04:25 am (UTC)Day 4! Couriers sound like very strong and interesting people who lead quite exciting lives. ;))
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Date: 2015-11-08 05:08 am (UTC)Nov 5: Oooh, who's wounded? It's not Saul/Paul, is it?
Nov 6: Verrrrry interesting. I'm not quite sure what's going on but it seems rather exciting. ;))
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Date: 2015-11-08 09:45 pm (UTC)Nov. 5: Yes, it is.
Nov. 6: I'm not entirely sure either... haven't actually reached that point in the story yet...
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Date: 2015-11-09 02:36 am (UTC)Nov 6: Oh well. You'll figure it out when you get there then. ;))