Thanks to all readviewers! I'm glad the snippet resonated. Machina: I have a sort of vague idea of her as a journalist or war correspondent, although I left it mostly nebulous because I've never pinned it down. Whatever it is though, she definitely travels all over and always carries a certain spontaneity and joie de vivre.

Mostly fragments today.

Prompt: Create a story about the painting of the Dawn Treader—who painted it, how did they see the ship, does it have any other magic in it, how did Aunt Alberta get her hands on it, what happened to it after? Pick something about the painting.

"I've a few bits of your strange applewood still left, Mr. Kirke. Do you wish them returned?"

"No, no, my good man. I'm sure a master woodworker such as yourself will find some use for them."

.

"It's such a rum thing, but I was conversing with one of the newer fellows last night, and had an odd dream. I should like to commission you to paint part of it."

"Certainly, Professor Gantry, if it's within my ability."

.

"Yes, I have another canvas I desire framed. Rather unusual composition. I believe light wood would be more suitable than dark, and it must be fine, for the client is an Oxford don."

"Fine and light and unusual, eh, Miss Hesse? I know just the thing."

.

To Alberta Pevensie Scrubb, on the occasion of her wedding:

Many happy felicitations to you and your husband! You were always one of my brightest students, and I have no doubt you will bring all that keen intelligence to bear in this new endeavour.

Yet there is more to life than numbers and words. This painting has hung in my study since I commissioned it a few years ago. May it now serve for you as it has served for me, a reminder that there is wonder and adventure to be found as well.

-Jonathan Gantry

.

"Burn it."

"Alberta—"

"Burn it, Harold. He...he would never stop jawing about it, that summer Justin's children were here. None of them would. It's their fault he changed, and their fault he died, and I never want to see it again."

"Of course. But must it be destroyed? It might fetch a moderate sum on consignment."

"Pack it off to London, then. Let their sister deal with it."

.

"Arrrr!"

"My, that's an impressive wooden sword. Who are you today, Leo?"

"I'm a pirate, Daddy!"

"A pirate? Where is your ship?"

"Over the fireplace! It's a gold dragon!"

"Ah, Mummy's picture. You know, darling, I've always wondered. Where did that painting come from?"

"Oh, it was a present of sorts from my aunt many years ago. You remember that her son was killed in the same accident as my family? The picture reminded her too much of him, and she always blamed my siblings for his death, so she sent it to me."

"Yarrr! Time to walk the plank, Mr. Elephant!"

"I suppose she meant it as an insult. It did hurt very much when I first opened the package. But my siblings had always talked happily about that painting, and I could never bring myself to part with it, though goodness knows I could have used the money. Over time it became another family memento, and I could smile when I looked at it, and appreciate what it meant in several ways."

"Elephant goes splash! Give me the treasure, Mr. Teddy, or it's your turn next!"

"It seems Leo appreciates it too."

"Yes, and that's all the better. One day I'll tell him about my family and what it means to me, and perhaps one day he'll tell his children about playing pirates and what it means to him, and—oh! I've been captured!"

"You're a prisoner, Mummy! Walk the plank! No one can save you! Arrrr!"

"No one? And what am I then, chopped liver?"

"Daddy's chop liver, Daddy's chop liver!"

"You declare me unable to save a damsel in distress? We'll see about that! You better run, little pirate, because here I come!"