Word: Enfant Terrible

enfant terrible

[ahn-fahn te-ree-bluh]

noun, plural enfants terribles

[ahn-fahn te-ree-bluh] (Show IPA). French.

1. an incorrigible child, as one whose behavior is embarrassing.

2. an outrageously outspoken or bold person who says and does indiscreet or irresponsible things.

3. a person whose work, thought, or lifestyle is so unconventional or avant-garde as to appear revolutionary or shocking.

*****************

Maggie was in the supermarket.  Had she been there
before?  Well, it was not important.  She was there, 

and that was that.  Besides, she was more interested
in the small child standing in front of her.  It was an 

angelic little one, although the gender was impossible
to tell at such a young age, it did not matter.  

Maggie knew this child.  It was hers.  Her child, and
she felt a swell of pride in seeing it.

“Mommy, come on!” The child called to her.  

The child rushed away, leaving Maggie to dash to
keep up.   She found her child looking at a 

suspiciously empty aisle.  Why was it empty?
 Why wasn’t anyone attending to the issue?
 Such things were minor concerns.  Maggie
looked up at the sign above them.  Apparently,
when stocked, the entire aisle was dedicated to
candy.

“Mommy, where’s all the candy?” Her child asked.
 Maggie opened her mouth to answer, but found

 herself unable to do so.  “Mommy, why can’t I get
candy?  I want candy.”

The child continued to talk about how much it
wanted candy.  When Maggie failed to produce
the desired treats, its voice became louder.  The
child began to cry and scream and thrash around.
 Its  voice filled the store, becoming almost
deafeningly loud.

Maggie tried to comfort her child, but could only
watch in horror as it thrashed more violently and 

screamed louder.  The child seemed to tear the
very floor apart with its tantrum.  And that was 

when Maggie felt the stares.

The stares of the other shoppers.  They stood
around, unmoving, unspeaking.  There was no 

need for them to say a word.  Maggie knew what
they were thinking.  They were watching her. 

Judging her.  Criticizing her with their eyes.  They
all thought she was a bad mother.  Her inability to
quiet her child’s tantrum made her unfit for the
mantle of motherhood.  Even though the lack of
candy was not her fault, it did not matter to them.
 She was a bad mother, and that was that.

Maggie rushed into action.  She did everything she
could think of to calm her child down.  She spoke
soothing words.  She made promises.  She even
tried being stern and commanding.  Nothing
worked.  Nothing she said quieted her child.  In
fact, it screamed even louder and thrashed around
even more.  And the stares continued.  

She heard the whispers start.  Even over the
screams of her child, she could hear them.

“Terrible mother.”

“Can’t even handle one little tantrum.”

“She should never have had a child.”

“I feel embarrassed for her.”

They fell over her like a heavy cloak, wrapping her
up in the scathing reviews of her mothering skills.
 And she had no choice but to tolerate them, even
as she tried to resolve her child’s wild thrashing.
 It was no use.  The cloak of words became
heavier and heavier, making her bend with the
weight of disappointment.  It quickly became so
heavy that she crashed through the floor of the
supermarket, leaving all behind but the voices.

Maggie woke up, breathing deep and quick.  She
felt her forehead, feeling a light coating of 

cold sweat. She looked around the dark bedroom,
seeing the familiar silhouettes of the various items
around her.  She looked down at her large,
protruding stomach.

“You had better be a damn good kid.”   

*************************

So, do any first time pregnant women out there have nightmares of this general nature? I'd

imagine someone must. I mean, having a child is a big thing, and must be really nerve wracking.

Plus, with all the hormones rushing around, it must be some serious nightmare fuel.

Word: Jannock

jannock

[jan-uh k]

adjective, British, Australian Informal.

1. honest; fair; straightforward.

***********************

The man was tall and thin.  He wore a neatly pressed three-piece suit and sported a neatly trimmed 

mustache and goatee.  The only thing he was missing was a monocle and a top hat.  He stood directly 

in front of Troy and Josh like he was expecting them.

    “Hello boys.” He said.  “Fine night, isn’t it?”

    The two young men looked at each other, and then to the odd man.  

    “Uh, I guess?” Troy said.  Both of them took a few slow steps back.

    “Now, now, don’t be alarmed.  I have no ill intentions towards either of you.  No, what I want is a 

simple business transaction.”

    “What?” Josh asked.

    “I want to make a deal.”

    “What kind of deal?”

    “The simplest kind there is.  I do something, and then you do something.  Simple as that.  In more 

complicated terms, I perform a service for you two.  Anything you want, just name it and it can be done.

Then, at a time of my choosing, you perform an action in service of me.  Simple, isn’t it?”

    “I guess.” Troy said slowly.  “What kind of things can you give us?” He was very ready to refuse at 

any time, but curiosity got the better of him.

    “Anything.  Anything at all.  The sky’s the limit, really.  Whatever you can imagine, I can provide.  

You want endless wealth?  It will be done.  The love of you life?  Easy.  Power over the world?  Done.  

Anything and everything can be granted.”

    Josh and Troy looked at each other with a very different look in their eyes.  

    “Yeah, thanks for the offer, but we’ll be going now.” Troy said.

    “Ah, I see.  Of course you don’t believe me.  I don’t blame you, really.  Of course such grandiose 

claims would need evidence to back them up.  How about a freebee?  One simple request, free of 

charge.  Of course, nothing big, mind you.  Just a little sample.”

    “Okay, how about a new computer?  Top of the line.” Troy said.

    “Hm.  Pushing the limits of small, but I suppose that’s acceptable, if only just.”

    The man put his hands together.  Black and red light surrounded them, giving off an eerie glow to the

man.  The light pulsed like the beating of a heart and left his hands, hovering in the air.  The light 

swirled and shifted, forming the rough outline of a laptop.  It shrank to the appropriate size and 

dimensions.  Then it stopped.  The light vanished, leaving a high end laptop in its wake.  The computer 

slowly descended in front of Troy, hovering there until he gingerly held out his hands, at which point 

gravity took hold of the device.  The two young men looked dumbfounded at the newly created 

computer.

    “There we go, one top of the line computer, as requested.  Now, do I have your attention?”

    “Oh yeah, definitely.” Josh said.  His mind was already racing with what he wanted.

    “What...how...did...how did you?  What are you?” Troy stammered before asking the complete 

question.

    “Well, technically speaking I’m an angel.” The well dressed man said while stroking his beard.

    “An angel, huh?  That wouldn’t happen to be of the fallen variety, would it?”

    “Depends on who you ask.  Some would call me fallen, yes.  As for myself, I prefer differently 

oriented.”

    “So you are a demon then.”

    “Oh goodness no.  No I am most certainly not a demon.  Reprehensible creatures, demons.  The 

worst, really.  Don’t go associating with that lot if you want to keep your skin intact.”

“Why should we trust you?  WHy trust a fallen angel?  I mean, aren’t you guys always tricking 

us humans with bad deals?”

The man looked shocked and held his hand over his heart.  “You wound me, sir.  Such 

accusations.  I will have you know I am an honest, forthright businessman.  I will never attempt 

to trick you, nor will I bog you down with, ugh, fine print.  The terms of my deal are always 

straightforward and simple to understand.  I provide a service, you do me a favor.  Plain and 

simple.  And no, I don’t know what the favor will be.  I can tell you that it will not involve the 

separation of either of you from your souls.  I have no interest in those.  Others do though.  

They’re the ones who delight in tricking people.  Not me though.  No, it will be some sort of 

service that I require.”

Troy thought about it.  It was hard to know if the fallen angel was actually telling the truth or not.

He looked to his friend.  Josh seemed to have made up his mind already.

“Okay, fine.  But with some extra terms.”

“Of course, of course.”

“You can’t ask for anything criminal.  Like, no stealing or murdering or anything.”

The man thought about that.  “Yes, I find those limits agreeable.  Very well, one request each, for one...

legal favor from each of you.  Deal?”

Josh let out a heavy sigh.  

“Okay, deal.”     

***************************

I'm sure NOTHING will go wrong. Yup, everything will be TOTALLY fine, with everything working

out perfectly for these two. No way this will EVER come back to bit them. Nope.

Word: Moira

     

Moira

[moi-ruh]

noun, plural Moirai

[moi-rahy] (Show IPA), for 1, 2.

1. Classical Mythology.

1. the personification of fate.
2. Moirai, the Fates.

2. (often lowercase) (among ancient Greeks) a person's fate or destiny.

3. a female given name.

 ************************

The three young women stopped in front of the dark alley.  The sounds of the busy street

behind them seemed to fade as their attention rested on the old woman who had called out to

them.

She was a withered old thing wearing what looked like a modern day robe modeled after

an Ancient Greek outfit.  Her hair was white and thread-like, her skin was wrinkled and

dry, and she had a noticeable stoop to her posture.  But her eyes were keen and sharp.

“Care to hear your fate?” The old woman said to the trio of younger women.

“What, you mean like a psychic or something?” The first of the trio, Chloe said.

“No, no, not something so...bland.” The elder woman said.  “I am not hear to speak of

your future.  I speak of your fate.”

“What’s the difference?” The second woman, Anne, asked.

The old woman was about to answer but Lisa, the third member of the group, spoke first.

“The future is what will happen.  Fate is what could happen.”

“Very astute.” The elder said with a slow nod.  “Although not quite right.  Fate is the

general path of your life.  What kind of future you will have.  It says nothing of the

specifics.  That is left to you and chance.  So, how about it young ones.  Care to learn

your fate?”

“Sure, why not?” Anne said.

The old woman held out a thin hand and Anne took it.  The older closed her eyes for a

moment.

“Oh dear.  I see a grim fate indeed.  An early end, I’m afraid.”

“W-what?”

“Oh yes.  You will not live a full life.  I cannot say exactly how long your life will be, but it

will not be long.”

Anne whimpered at the grim prediction.

“Sounds like a load of bull to me.” Chloe said.

“Oh, now don’t say that.  Why not give it a try?”

Chloe mulled it over, sighed and held out her hand.  The old woman repeated her actions.

“Hm, your life will be long.  Too long, really.  I say that because it will not be happy. You will

have some good for a bit, but then it will be nearly constant suffering and pain.  Not joyful

at all.”  She looked to Lisa next.  “And you?  Do you want to know?”

Anne was more interested in why her friends were not contesting or arguing the old

woman’s predictions.  Chloe especially should be raising hell about her supposed fate.

With that curiosity, she held out her hand.

“I see a lonely life for you.  Friends, family, lovers.  I see few, or none, of these.  Your life

will pass without others in it.”

When their hands separated, Anne knew.  She knew that the old woman spoke the truth.

She had no idea why or how, but she simply could not bring herself to argue with the old

woman.    

“It’s so sad.” The elder said.  “To see such pretty young ladies with such grim fates.”

“There...there has to be something we can do.” Anne said.  “A way to change what

happens, right?”

“I’m afraid not.  While the specifics have yet to be written, your fate is sealed.  You, for

instance, might die in five years from a traffic accident, or in a month from slipping on a

patch of ice and hitting your head.  All that is certain is that you will not see old age.”

“How can you even know all that?” Lisa asked.  “I mean, it seems impossible.”

“I have my ways.”

“There’s more though, right?  You can’t just tell us all this and walk away.” Chloe said.

“Of course not.  That was never my intent.  You see, if left alone, your fates are certain.

But that is only without interference.  I have a way of changing fate.  I can give you the

means to change any aspect of your fate.”

“You do? Really?” Anne brightened up considerably from the offer.

The old woman nodded and pulled three small glass bottles from inside of her outfit.

“These will allow you to alter your fate.”

“How?” Chloe asked.  She eyed the bottle longingly.

The old woman did not answer.  She simply smiled, showing her worn teeth.  

“I want to know too.” Lisa said.  “How can you give anyone power over fate?”

“Come now, you are an intelligent young lady.  Surely you can figure it out.  Here’s a hint.

 I have two sisters.  We all work with threads of various lengths, although each of us in

different ways.  But we work with the same threads each of us.”

The old woman stopped and grinned.  Anne and Chloe did not even bother giving her

words any thought.

“That’s it?  Come on, there’s got to be more.  How can we figure anything out with just

that?” Chloe asked with a huff.

Lisa thought about it longer though.  “The Fates.” She said.  The old woman smiled wider.

 “The Greek goddesses that control that fates of man and god, in the form of threads.

One spins the threads, one measures, and the last cuts it.”

“Very good, very good.” The old woman said.  “I knew you were well read.

“Wait, so you’re saying you’re a goddess?” Anne said.  She arched an eyebrow and

crossed her arms.

“Lachesis, to be precise.” The old woman said with a slight bow.  “I am afraid my sisters

are unable to be here though.”

“Prove it then.” Chloe had her hands on her hips as she spoke.

The woman who called herself Lachesis smile.  Her eyes glowed.  All three of the young

women saw something in their minds. They saw time. Ages and lives long passed and

yet to come.  They were only fleeting glimpses, but that was enough.  

When the visions faded Chloe was breathing rapidly, Anne was on her knees, and Lisa

was drenched in a cold sweat.

“Believe me now?” Lachesis said with a confident smirk.  All three young women nodded.

 “Good.  So, how about it?  Do you want to change your fate?  Guaranteed by one of the

Fates themselves to work.” She once again held out the bottles.

Anne took it without hesitation.  Chloe and Lisa looked more skeptical.

“I don’t know.” Chloe began.  “Isn’t there something about Greeks and gifts?”

“That’s only the people, my dear.  You should never refuse a gift from a goddess though.

 That could end badly.”

Anne looked at her friends pleadingly.  “I don’t want to die before I’m 30.” She whimpered.

Chloe groaned and took the second bottle, with Lisa taking the third soon after.  The liquid

inside was cool and sweet.  The old woman smiled wide when the bottles had been

emptied.

“So, how does this work?” Lisa asked.  “How do we control our fates?”

“Why, that’s easy.  You control your fates by controlling fate itself.”

A golden light surrounded the three women.  The air swirled around them and the breath

was stolen from their lungs.  It lasted only a moment.  When it stopped, each was

holding something.  

Chloe held a spool of fine thread.  Lisa held a rod decorated with leaves in regular

intervals. Anne held a pair of old fashioned shears.

“What is this?  What’s going on?” Anne asked in a blind panic.

The only answer she got was Lachesis’ cackling laughter.  “It is done!” She cried out in

joy.  “It is finally done!  Enjoy your lives now!  You have all of time to figure things out.”

Lachesis’ already pale skin seemed to lose what little color it already had before drying

out to the point where it cracked and split.  The old woman laughed as pieces of her

body flaked away, blown away by an unfelt wind.  The trio was left unable to do anything

but watch as her body became dust and her laughter faded into nothingness.

***********************************

A bit about The Fates for those of you who are interested. Those Ancient Greeks sure knew

how to tell a story.