Writing Sample: "Delayed Arrival" |
Genre: Steampunk
Character: Anna Stroud (not published on the site)
Character: Anna Stroud (not published on the site)
High over Silchester’s Senate council chamber to the northwest, an airship sped through the not-so-open sky, forcing other vehicles to make way. It was slender in design, a delicate wood and metal body suspended below a large, colorfully striped balloon. The combination of its light weight and an advanced series of propellers afforded it great speed in the sky - and the pilot seemed to be maximizing these benefits to the greatest possible velocity toward Silchester.
Holding her hat in place with one hand, Senator Anna Katarine Stroud stood at the bow of the ship. The wind whipped in her face, threatening to undo the morning’s hard efforts to tame her hair into submission as she called back to the airship’s pilot. “Don’t spare the turbines, Andrei!”
Behind her, a woman dressed elegantly in brown and white stood in the middle of the ship, clasping the shoulders of two young children before her. The youths wore bright smiles on their faces, despite the sour look on their mother’s face. “Do you really think that’s wise, Ms. Stroud? I only hoped to see your mechanic’s new design. Surely any business can wait for a gentle landing...” She glanced starboard, no doubt imagining the city sprawling out below them and perhaps what it would be like to tumble from the sky onto its unforgiving architecture. Her knuckles turned white as she grasped her children’s shoulders.
Anna turned to face the other woman with an encouraging smile. “I would not excite your concern, Mrs. Fitzsimmons, but it cannot be helped. We completely lost track of time as we took your delightful children on the tour of the city. The Senate will be in session,” she glanced down at a pocket watch in her hand, her eyes briefly widening, “Oh, dear! In minutes! I fear I must do something rash and beg your forgiveness.”
Andrei Voros was a tall, slender man with long fingers and a formidable handlebar mustache. A cap contained most of his shaggy brown hair as he worked a series of levers near the center of the ship, all the while keeping his grey eyes on the sky around them and the platforms ahead. A few quick steps brought Anna to his side, at which point she whispered something in his ear. He nodded to his employer, although skepticism flashed across his face under those well-kempt whiskers.
Anna moved to her guest and laid a hand on Mrs. Fitzsimmons’ shoulder, speaking calmly as she buttoned her jacket. “I assure you: Andrei is the best pilot in Silchester. You could not be in more capable hands.” Meanwhile, Andrei had maneuvered the ship toward a landing dock. The children squealed with delight as the ship narrowly avoided another, larger dirigible. The other pilot yelled a series of suggestions to Andrei involving fornication. Andrei waved back with a smile.
Anna held up her red skirts and stepped to the side of the ship. When only six inches remained between the ship and the dock, she jumped off and started running, waving to the Fitzsimons. “I hope you will come to Saturday’s gala! We shall recount this story over tea!” she cried, and then set to her task.
Being one of the only women in the Senate placed her in the spotlight. Being the only woman of color among the esteemed body increased the scrutiny. Hence she ordinarily insisted on being early for every meeting. Today - of all days - the Fitzsimmons had been promised a ride in Andrei’s newest toy. Try as she might, she couldn’t bring herself to disappoint the children. How they had adored the speed! (Truth be told, Anna had enjoyed it, too.) But now she would be late, on a day when there were serious rumors to research. Cursing her commitment to social obligations, she bounded up the steps, muttering heartfelt but likely unnoticed apologies as people cleared a path for her.
Reaching the senate building, she slowed her steps and smoothed out her skirts. Once inside, the quiet of the halls amplified her concern. “Hell’s bells,” she whispered before hurrying once more toward the Senate floor. The session had begun.
Holding her hat in place with one hand, Senator Anna Katarine Stroud stood at the bow of the ship. The wind whipped in her face, threatening to undo the morning’s hard efforts to tame her hair into submission as she called back to the airship’s pilot. “Don’t spare the turbines, Andrei!”
Behind her, a woman dressed elegantly in brown and white stood in the middle of the ship, clasping the shoulders of two young children before her. The youths wore bright smiles on their faces, despite the sour look on their mother’s face. “Do you really think that’s wise, Ms. Stroud? I only hoped to see your mechanic’s new design. Surely any business can wait for a gentle landing...” She glanced starboard, no doubt imagining the city sprawling out below them and perhaps what it would be like to tumble from the sky onto its unforgiving architecture. Her knuckles turned white as she grasped her children’s shoulders.
Anna turned to face the other woman with an encouraging smile. “I would not excite your concern, Mrs. Fitzsimmons, but it cannot be helped. We completely lost track of time as we took your delightful children on the tour of the city. The Senate will be in session,” she glanced down at a pocket watch in her hand, her eyes briefly widening, “Oh, dear! In minutes! I fear I must do something rash and beg your forgiveness.”
Andrei Voros was a tall, slender man with long fingers and a formidable handlebar mustache. A cap contained most of his shaggy brown hair as he worked a series of levers near the center of the ship, all the while keeping his grey eyes on the sky around them and the platforms ahead. A few quick steps brought Anna to his side, at which point she whispered something in his ear. He nodded to his employer, although skepticism flashed across his face under those well-kempt whiskers.
Anna moved to her guest and laid a hand on Mrs. Fitzsimmons’ shoulder, speaking calmly as she buttoned her jacket. “I assure you: Andrei is the best pilot in Silchester. You could not be in more capable hands.” Meanwhile, Andrei had maneuvered the ship toward a landing dock. The children squealed with delight as the ship narrowly avoided another, larger dirigible. The other pilot yelled a series of suggestions to Andrei involving fornication. Andrei waved back with a smile.
Anna held up her red skirts and stepped to the side of the ship. When only six inches remained between the ship and the dock, she jumped off and started running, waving to the Fitzsimons. “I hope you will come to Saturday’s gala! We shall recount this story over tea!” she cried, and then set to her task.
Being one of the only women in the Senate placed her in the spotlight. Being the only woman of color among the esteemed body increased the scrutiny. Hence she ordinarily insisted on being early for every meeting. Today - of all days - the Fitzsimmons had been promised a ride in Andrei’s newest toy. Try as she might, she couldn’t bring herself to disappoint the children. How they had adored the speed! (Truth be told, Anna had enjoyed it, too.) But now she would be late, on a day when there were serious rumors to research. Cursing her commitment to social obligations, she bounded up the steps, muttering heartfelt but likely unnoticed apologies as people cleared a path for her.
Reaching the senate building, she slowed her steps and smoothed out her skirts. Once inside, the quiet of the halls amplified her concern. “Hell’s bells,” she whispered before hurrying once more toward the Senate floor. The session had begun.