How about an impromptu challenge?

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Since today is celebrated as GROUNDHOG DAY, how about writing a drabble, a poem, or a brief story related to the day and what Illya and Napoleon have to deal with...

No word limit, just something spontaneous! Serious or fun, your choice and of course keep it gen.

According to Wikipedia:

"Groundhog Day is a popular tradition celebrated in Canada and the United States on February 2. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees a shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks, and if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early. While the tradition remains popular in modern times, studies have found no consistent correlation between a groundhog seeing its shadow or not and the subsequent arrival time of spring-like weather.^[2]

The weather lore was brought from German-speaking areas where the badger is the forecasting animal. This appears to be an enhanced version of the lore that clear weather on the Christian Holy Day of Candalmas forebodes a prolonged winter.

So go to it writers!

Writer's and Reader's CHOICE!!!

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

WRITER'S AND READER'S CHOICE gives you, the writers and readers of MFU fanfiction, the opportunity to post your personal recs, be it your own stories or those of your favorite authors.

Find your faves from way back when and revive them here, or rec a more recently written story. Post a link to those stories here.

Since it's GROUNDHOG DAY! How about recc-ing your favorite GH stories?
Just remember, section7mfu is a gen site. And please use the tag:
'writers and readers choice' Thank you! We're looking forward to reading your stories!

"Superstitious mumbo jumbo" for the Groundhog Day Impromptu Challenge

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

It had snowed in the wee hours of the morning while Solo and Kuryakin were on stakeout.  They were unfortunately out in the open, behind tree cover of course, observing a THRUSH satrapy for activity.

So far there was none.

( Read more... )

Writer's Choice: Groundhog Day

[alynwa.livejournal.com]

Click on the image to go to AO3.

Writer's choice: Exit pursued by a bear

[hypatia-66.livejournal.com]

Illya and Napoleon escape into dangerous territory and have to hide up a tree.

(Nothing to do with Groundhog Day, sorry)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/12983820

Illya and Napoleon

Dancing In The Dark for Writer's Choice

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

It turns out my computer problems are not quite over. The new/refurbished Mac that I received wouldn't hold a charge so I'm returning it and will be sent another one to replace it.  In the meantime, my outdated Safari seems to be having an issue with LJ, and it won't let me insert a link in the normal way.  Sorry.

This story was written for a QuoteMe Challenge in 2015.  I enjoyed writing it, and reading it again I'm pleased with it.  I hope you enjoy it.
Dancing In The Dark  https://section7mfu.livejournal.com/336528.html

Writer's choice: Februum

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

We stand here on perpetual Candlemas,
Called by the ancients, Imbolc,
The point at which the Great Wheel turns.
Halfway between darkness and light,
The bitterness of winter and the promise of spring.

We dwell in liminality,
Plying our tradecraft in the in-between,
On the threshold between worlds;
One foot in the mundane,
One hand grasping the coat hook.

Funeral bells toll in the distance,
Each chime counting down the days
Until a companion’s death.
We close our ears against them,
Oblivious to their warning song.

Stiff winds blow, harsh and fierce,
So we seek out the maidens
Of St. Bridget’s Eve
With their warm houses and warmer beds
And corn dollies of hope.

But we have none to share
For the Bride we serve
Is not of hearth, but forge,
Purifying with flash
And blood and steel.

It is a time to light torches
Light bonfires, light fuses.
Freed from restraining bonds,
We scurry up from the depths like groundhogs
And watch for our shadows in the conflagration light.

One day, there will be no shadows,
No bells, no winds. But not today.
The shadows rear up, dark and threatening.
Winter persists.
We bundle against the cold, duck our heads, and move on.

Good or Bad? - Writer's Choice

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

I don't have a Groundhog Day story, as I know very little about it (other than it involves a rodent predicting the weather)

Instead, I offer you a short piece (564 words) about the inner workings of our favourite Russian.

Click the pic to go to AO3.