These are extremely short contest entries that I've written for http:/ 1abaratfan. proboards. com, check us out if you're having Abarat withdrawals like myself. :)

Prompt: write a short story on how Otto Houlihan's first date occurred.

Entry form

Character chosen:
Scene:
Time Frame: (general idea of when this is happening)

Otto Houlihan adjusted his collar, took another sip of firewhiskey. The barkeep sauntered over, gills wiggling and picked up his coins from the counter.

"Another empty Night, eh, Otto?"

The young man nodded. Work had been slow in the small town of Koy, and fishing had never been his dream job anyways. His father had been quite disappointed in his life goal of drinking instead of continuing the family business...but who gave a flying fish about what his father thought.

A tentacle whipped more firewhiskey into his glass. "There's a hunting expedition leaving soon, if you want to catch it."

He shrugged. He had grown into a tall, beefy guy at a young age, and had consequently spent most of his years heads above everyone else. This left him quiet, and to some, even haughty.

"Well-" The barman continued, talking and spitting into a shot glass. He really hated this guy.

Otto heard the creak of the bar door opening, and a hush fall over the raucous men. He kept his back turned, uncaring; that is, until he felt cold fingers grip his shoulder.

He turned into a fishbowl. A nightmarish worm stared back at him hungrily. "You would sit there with a dumb look on your face when your Prince stands in front of you?"

The barkeep gurgled and Otto reacted accordingly. (There might have been a slight bit of bumbling). Christopher Carrion eyed him carefully as he spoke, judging, then, "Why don't we move to a quieter place?"

Otto nodded, his confusion allowing him to be lead like a dog. "There's a restaurant just outside that I've heard has a delicious cod rendition."

. . .

He had never had the disposition for live fish, but he had to admit it was seasoned well. As he popped the eyeball into his mouth-it was quite chewy-he looked across the rickety table at the Prince of Darkness. A single candle illuminated him, his ghastly eyes wide and staring. He, of course, wasn't eating, and watched the young Efreetian with a deadly uncanniness.

They hadn't talked about anything enjoyable. Weather mostly. His job prospects.

"Not much to do in Efreet, is there?"

"Nope." Otto shook his head.

"You should come to Gorgossium. It's much more exciting. No sleepy quaint village sillyness."

"I like the idea of Midnight. When I gather enough money-"

"Nonsense, I could get you there easily."

The conversation paused as he choked on a fish rib.

"Would you like to live in my palace?"

The young man's eyes widened while Carrion continued to sit completely still. His large hands lay flat and unmoving on the table, unnervingly. Otto gulped. "Don't you think we're moving a bit too fast?"

"What? I thought this was what you wanted."

"It is, I'm flattered. I-"

"Waiting for something better to come along are you?" His Prince's expression didn't change, but the frightening lights in his collar flickered.

Otto shook his head rapidly, but Christopher looked away, beckoning the waiter over with a crooked finger. A gold coin later and they were outside, shivering in the chilly weather.

Carrion pursed his harrowing lips, "Have you decided yet? Are you with me or against me?"

"Is that an ultimatum?"

The Prince and his nightmares all blinked back simultaneously. "You'll have everything you ever wanted."

"I'm with you, of course."

Carrion pulled his cloak tighter around him. "Good to hear it." He proffered his arm, "Shall I walk you home?"

Otto lapsed into silence. At least his Prince was tall enough to look him in the eye.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow around this time."

Otto shrugged, his shoulder brushing against his master's.

"You'll make a great assassin."

So I wrote that in 30 minutes because I just wanted to submit something. o.o I guess it's humour. :/ hahaha

Otto Houlihan and Christopher Carrion (First Date? or Interview?)
Koy, Efreet
Who knows? While Boa is still alive perhaps.