(no subject)

[mrissa]

What could be better for post-novel malaise than a short story?

If you answered "a short story with intelligent-but-not-sentient squid!", you win the prize. But extra credit will be given for additional answers. Especially the ones that involve dark chocolate.

But not dark chocolate-covered squid. Ew.

Comments

[timprov.livejournal.com]

You're just subverting all of the standards of the genre, aren't you? A unicorn with no laser beams, and now a squid without transgenderification.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Also not chased by the evil government. I have resigned myself to winning none of the major awards with this one.

(People who aren't sure what he's talking about: go here (http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/009360.html#009360).)

[stillnotbored.livejournal.com]

She's a perky and intelligent exobiologist with a love for dark chocolate that exceeds all the specs. He's a gruff space pilot assigned to ferry her around the universe as a condition of his parole who thinks dark chocolate is the devil's own invention.

They fight crime! And each other!

:: ducks and runs ::

[skzbrust.livejournal.com]

I'm curious how you're defining "sentient" in this context. (sorry for the serious question at such a time)

[columbina.livejournal.com]

Same question, please.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

See below.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

The short version for the purposes of lj is that the cephalids in question (they are squid-like aliens rather than actual squids) lack self-awareness/consciousness.

[barondave.livejournal.com]

What could be better for post-novel malaise than a short story?

An intense and learned mystic from Orinoco
Began all his Tarot readings with hot cocoa
  A recipe in Toltec
  Is the key to the whole deck
To divine yet avoid going loco

[shana.livejournal.com]

No, it is a dark chocolate STUFFED squid.

And now that it has eaten your dark chocolate, it must be destroyed, for it is a Menace to Civilization.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Screw civilization! It must be destroyed because it has eaten my dark chocolate uninvited!

[shana.livejournal.com]

Precisely!

'Tis merely justice for such an offense against manners!

[redbird]

Furthermore, it must be sliced, marinated, and served for dinner. I'll bring Maya Gold for dessert, since it appears you're temporarily short on dark chocolate.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Yes, the squid ate my notional dark chocolate, and I ate my actual dark chocolate from Suite 88. Very sad.

[redbird]

Would a chocolate airship help?

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Immensely.