Human Again (but not the song from Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast')

When he came to, he was holding a feather. He was holding. With a hand! He let go and touched his face. No beak, but a nose and a mouth. Smooth skin, not soft feathers. His face grew wet in the bright sunlight, something he hadn’t been able to do for years. He lifted the rough sleeve of the shift to his face to wipe the tears away, just noticing the feathers poking out from the other unfinished sleeve.

“I’m so sorry, brother.” Aoife's voice carried over the crowd. “There wasn’t time!”

“What for?” He replied, laughing. “I’m whole again!”

This short story is a part of the illustrious Flash Fiction Friday. Read the other lovely stories, spun off the prompt: When he came to, he was holding a feather. from The Sarcastic Muse at the links below!

Brianne Dosch * Tiffany Jones * Kat!e Larson * Quinlyn Shaughnessy * Lady Violet

Cemetery Stroll

“You’ll know him when you see him,” I told my little sister as I gingerly pried one of the coffins open. “Hello?” I called in, the sound reverberating. 
“I think I’ve been dead since ‘98,” a voice called back. “It was the year the Maine sunk. Such a tragedy that one. And such a lovely boat, too.”
“He must be one of the old ones,” I said as I brought the lid down with a thud. “You can’t even smell anything."
"Hannah! Come over here!"
Encased in crystal, there he was, as pristine as the day I first met him.

This short story is a part of the illustrious Flash Fiction Friday. Read the other lovely stories, spun off the prompt: "I think I've been dead since '98." at the links below!

Brianne Dosch * Tiffany Jones * Kat!e Larson * Quinlyn Shaughnessy * Lady Violet

Running Shoes

"Careful, they're crystal."
"And you're putting that on my feet?"
She glared at me. I backpedaled. "They're the loveliest things I've seen. Ever. But do you think it's necessary?"
"Listen, honey, you'll never dance with such grace as you will tonight. Otherwise it won't just be your dress that is in ruins after midnight." Her grin no longer looked reassuring and grandmotherly. 
I twirled gingerly, my ball gown billowing. "I'm really not that graceful."
"The prince is a shoe guy. This'll snag him."
That clinched it.
"No thank you." I handed her the shoes. "I'd rather be able to walk."

This short story is a part of the illustrious Flash Fiction Friday. Read the other lovely stories, spun off the prompt: "Careful with that, it's ..." at the links below!

Brianne Dosch * Tiffany Jones * Kat!e Larson * Quinlyn Shaughnessy * Lady Violet