The Delta Pearl 37 — Stalk

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, June 13, 2020 

steampunk woman green corset riverboat Pixabay
Image by Teagan R. Geneviene, sourced via Pixabay

Welcome back to the riverside, my chuckaboos.  The episodes of this serial keep getting shorter.  I’m trying hard to make progress on the novel I began in November.  I’m a research geek, and the deplorable Internet service I get from TDS is making my pace a hundred times slower.

Even though this is an extra-short segment, I managed to use one “random reader thing.”  It’s goggles from Priscilla Bettis.  What could be better for a steampunk story?

Here are links to the past few chapters: 

 33 — Chaperone

34 — Scrabble

35 — Frown

36 — Research

We join Émeraude and Eliza, who are still at the public library in Cairo, Illinois.  Without further ado…

All aboard!

The Delta Pearl

Chapter 37 — Stalk

Steampunk eye clock broken shattered Kellepics Pixabay
Kellepics at Pixabay

Haze tarnished the sun beyond the library window.  I wished Victor and Mr. Needleman would hurry to join us.  However, my searching stare found no sign of the men among the people on the street below.

My eyes swept past the broken clock while Eliza talked with Jet, the librarian.  Abruptly my gaze darted across the room to the broken clock.  Had the hour hand just ticked down a notch?

Goggles were tucked discretely behind the emerald plumes on my hat.  I moved the lenses down to magnify my view.  Then I glided toward the clock as smoothly as I could, a huntress stalking.  I stopped, having the feeling my movement was noticed.

Slowly, I moved my hand to touch the adjustment dial on the right lens of the goggles.  I was right!  A green speck moved along the clock’s broken arm.  I turned the dial to enlarge the view even more.

A clockwork scarab turned in my direction.  I felt it was looking right at me.  As it turned, I saw the carved malachite gemstone on its back.  It quickly scrabbled away, into the place where the clock’s hands were joined to the face.

The scarab had followed us from the boarded-up gallery.  I had just tried to sneak up on it, but I was afraid the clockwork scarab was the one doing the real stalking.

***

End Chapter 37

***

I love hearing from you — and hope you will leave a comment.  Everyone is welcome to leave a random “steam era” appropriate thing.  Be well, be happy, my chuckaboos.  

 

 

This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2016 and 2020 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved. 

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

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101 thoughts on “The Delta Pearl 37 — Stalk”

    1. Oh! I appreciate that feedback. I’m glad to hear that.
      Thank you kindly, David for your good thoughts. I don’t tend to wake up happy, but I usually shake that off by the time I finish my coffee. 🙂 It’s a good day. Crystal is playful and that always makes the day. Have a wonder-filled week, my chuckaboo!

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    1. Thanks so much, Diana. Sort of writing… I’m working on a timeline issue in the novel in progress. It’s basically 2 points of view, in separate locations told concurrently. I just realized they didn’t line up properly. Best to address that before I try to go further… or maybe that’s my latest means of procrastinating. LOL. I appreciate you reading and commenting, my chuckaboo!

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  9. Slow internet is the pits, especially when you’re deep into a research rabbit hole. You have my sympathies!

    What I find most interesting about this episode is that she would keep a pair of goggles hidden in the feathers of her hat. Definitely not a typical accessory!!

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    1. Sigh… slow is bad enough. But worse, it shuts down completely — several times a day — and they have the gall to tell me nothing is wrong with it…
      LOL. Yes, a typical steampunker would probably flaunt the goggles. But I’ve let the look of that element be more discrete in this story. Happy new week, my chuckaboo.

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    1. You aren’t the only one to look it up, Jill. Note to self… one never knows when something that seems familiar might be unusual to the rest of the world — so always explain. I’m going to adjust the manuscript. Like I always say, I’m just not wired right. LOL. Thanks for reading and commenting, my chuckaboo!

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  16. Mystery…intrigue…a moving clockwork scarab. What will happen next?

    Slow internet is the pits, Teagan. Hoping for better days with your research and writing. Happy Caturday from the kids and I!

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    1. Thanks Mary J. Yes, it’s so slow that it times out a lot. But It goes out completely several times a day. They have the gall to tell me nothing’s wrong… Anyhow, I’m delighted that you enjoyed this segment. Happy Caturday. Thanks for reading, my chuckaboo!

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    1. Haha. Jim Stafford could write my anthem, John. I don’t like spiders and snakes (or their cousins). I usually don’t even want insects in jewelry either — even bee pins freak me out. The lone exception is gemstone scarabs (although I’d probably pick anything else first). I remember a lady when I was about six years old who had a scarab bracelet. Each one was a different color. I was fascinated by it. Of course, at the time, I didn’t understand that scarab was a bug. It was just a certain kind of carving.
      I’m happy you enjoyed this, my chuckaboo!

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    1. Something might well burst, Adele. Remember the riverboat gets weird about any sort of border or boundary, and she is sitting at the confluence of two rivers. That can’t be good. 😉 Heartfelt thanks for reading and commenting, my chuckaboo!

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    1. I’m so happy you like that, Lavinia. It’s fun for me to imagine how they move, and what sounds it would make. Plus I get to think about how beautiful they would be with their gemstones. Happy Caturday to you and all the kitties, my chuckaboo!

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      1. How many pair do you own? The closest I have are the pair of welding glasses from the 50s that I used in Bite ‘Em onn the Old Shin Bone.

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        1. Oh, I don’t have any at all. I actually could use new glasses, but they stopped being able to make my prescription in a way that I could see with it. Same prescription, but 4 pairs of glasses later, I still had to hold them with my hand in the right place to see… Meanwhile they were holding onto my money. I gave up. Anyhow, on a steampunk documentary they had one vendor who made prescription goggles. They were hugely expensive, but such a cool thing, and lovely craftsmanship.

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          1. You need to get some of the costume googles just to have as art if nothing else. I saw some great steampunk masks with googles, but I don’t remember where now.

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  22. A silent observer? Very nice how you brought in the vanity of some women to wear glasses.;-) But women with glasses also look interesting. A sequel as short as much interesting. Thank you for sharing, Teagan. Dont hurry with the novel. After the physical lockdown, there seems to be a mental lockdown. Enjoy your weekend. Michael

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    1. Sigh… you are so right about the “mental lockdown” Michael. Adding the kitten to that story gave me a few good scenes that I wrote during the past few days. For me, I have to really *see* what is happening before I can write it. The kitten got my mental images rolling and I was also able to add to the plot.
      I’m glad you are enjoying this story, my chuckaboo!

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    1. Thanks, Brad. I thought she was pretty cool. I can’t remember what her background was in the image from which I got her. Then I turned her black outfit green. She’s not really meant to be Emeraude, but Em loves green. Thanks for visiting, my chuckaboo!

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  25. That clockwork scarab doesn’t seem to be “one of the good guys”. So someone devious has to be behind the little guy. He’s definitely stalking Emeraude, but why? And for who?

    Short episode Teagan, but crammed with even more questions!
    🐾Ginger 🐾

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  27. You packed a whole peck of pondering into your petite plot. Well done. We have whodunit, why was it dun, how was it dun, will anyone be dun in? Clockwork hugs clacking towards you, one click at a time.

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      1. I preen at being presented to your prattling poltergeist. He’s a positively predisposed practitioner of the punningly powerful putdowns. A truly spirited kindred or a truly kindredly spirit . 🙂

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  28. This is a great little chapter. I felt like I was watching that little guy. I am intrigued. I think the clockwork scarab is stalking them, but why? And how did it get to the library? And, where will it go next? Where’s Victor?

    I hope you have a wonderful weekend, Teagan.

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  33. Pingback: The Delta Pearl 37 — Stalk – Teagan’s Books | Fantasy Gift Resources: Books, Art, Music, News

  37. You make it more exciting with this short episode my lovely Teagan 😊😉Anyhow better than another pausing 😂
    Have a great WD dear friend 💖🙏
    PS; just a mentioning: You have a sentence (A green speck moved along the?) Have I missed something? 😘

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  38. I love the word goggles and now I can visualize the hat and the scarab. What next? Thanks, Teagan and good luck with your research.

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