Classics 08 (EP 214) - The Wish of the Demon Achtromagk

[moonowl]

I'm not particularity delicate but this story actually made me quite upset. In fact I cried. It was a good story, but it was way too close to home and the non-mythos details were way, way too familiar (cowering in bed pretending to be asleep, heart hammering, hugging your comfort animal). I guess I'm not over events that happened 30 years ago after all.

While I am usually not into warnings, one here would have steeled me a bit at least, and not given away any bits of the tale.

[nevermore_66]

L.O.V.E. it!!! there's a fun mythos story in that somewhere also.

I think you are right, sir. A story...or maybe poem cycle...

[shagin]

A great main story (love me some Eugie Foster), a snappy 100 word story, and a snickeringly good tabble.


Sandra M. Odell

[jannypie]

Very nice! This is now my favorite Lovecraftian story. (It might possibly explain my ex, too. )

"Yes, it's important that Bear feels loved. You have no idea how important."

^ all of this

This instantly became my favorite story here (well, tied with Mongoose, maybe). Love love loved it. The rest of the podcast and the reading tied it all up. The drabble killed me, also a new favorite. Thank you for this.

[jannypie]

In fact I cried.

/hug

[StalinSays]

It's nice to have one's heart warmed every now and again.

[strawman]

It's nice to have one's heart warmed every now and again.

Tis indeed. Cold heart is just too tough.

[ms.marney]

Awesome story!! I love it. Excellent reversal, the reading was excellent as well.

I'm extra biased. I have a daughter named Ellie, and she calls me Momma. I want to point her to it, but she's 10. I think if I read it to her it won't be quite as disturbing, then again maybe not. Do printed copies exist somewhere? I did a cursory search of the internets to no avail.

No matter what I'm totally checking out "Returning my sister's face".

Great Drabblecast! I love you guys.

[tbaker2500]

Welcome to the forums, Ms. Marney!
Put your feet up, stay awhile.

[Althalas]

I had a friend direct me to Drabblecast in August. He had told me the reading of the Haunter of the dark was the best audio reading he had ever heard. Being a big fan of ol Lovecraft I decided to give it a try. I didn't check my feed, and I got the Wish of the Demon Achtromgk instead.

This show single handedly made me a fan of the Drabblecast.

I loved this show on a level that is hard to describe. The story captured the raw madness of the events in a striking and powerful way. The performance of the story was masterful. the background music and the inonatations were spot on, and evoked a more meaningful and dramatic experience.

I have to give the author a ton of credit. The language in this story is perfect. The human characters speak in normal patterns, while the demons think and speak in a more Lovecraftian prose. It's a slight touch and extremely well done.

I cannot put my finger on what exactly moves me about this piece. There is no one defining moment, or sequence that stands out. The story is a journey. It has to be experienced to be appreciated.

The thing that gets me the most is in the end Achtromagk and Ellie need to trust each other, even though they cannot relate to each other.

This story, and the performance of it are a work of art.

[strawman]

{Marker for start of Classics comments. See Pondspider's suggestion.}

This story is a good tribute in memory of Eugie. all of whose stories were reliable DC hits. I have not attended Cons, so never had the pleasure to meet in person. But hers is such a magical imagination and voice... I will miss seeing her here.

[Sphinx]

I loved the xenofiction bits of this story. It was hardly a big plot point, but I appreciate the demon-POV and the descriptions of its alien senses and thoughts immensely.

Xenofiction, or the aspects thereof, is one of my favourite features of Drabblecast and I'm always extra happy when something like this comes along.

[Algernon Sydney is Dead]

Welcome aboard, Sphinx!

[strawman]

Amen to that!
Apparently, the mere mention of Lutefisk has produced a toehold in our target market, Normway. Welcome, Sphinx!

[pondspider]

Loved this story.

[Sphinx]

Cheers, you guys! ASiD, Strawman, thanks a bunch for the warm welcome

(Strawman: I cannot for the life of me recall any mention of the horror that is lutefisk, but perhaps my Nor-dar went off without my notice and brought me here unconsciously. Now, how's that for a creepy story?)

[strawman]

Re lutefisk, I had only yesterday submitted this post: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5845

I'd also like it if the next album had a Norwegian flavor so we could increase DC's Norwegian subscriber base. You can stay out all day in that long Norwegian winter.
O, did I say you? I meant Nosferatu.
Norwegians Would might make a nice cover.
Anyway, maybe a Bbardle about Lutefisk would make a good impression. Garrison Keillor says of Lutefisk "Most lutefisk is not edible by normal people. It is reminiscent of the afterbirth of a dog or the world's largest chunk of phlegm." The Sons of Norway, an organization founded to repopulate Norway following Keillor's remark, writes, " Lutefisk (dried cod treated with lye) must surely be the strangest culinary effort credited to the Norwegians, but what a treat when prepared properly!"

Is that fish crypto?
Is Bono available?

[Sphinx]

Re lutefisk, I had only yesterday submitted this post: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5845

This is turning rather off topic, but I have to say thank you; I was looking for that song/"ad" on YouTube after I heard it on DC, but couldn't find it on their channel. Wonderful stuff.

[bounceswoosh]

I just listened to this story for the first time. It's beautiful.

[SpareInch]

Teddybears are the guardians of all good souls. I still have my first one, an 18" tall elephant called Little Blue. (After an old TV show.)

40 years of hugs have worn away his plush until the only thing holding his stuffing in is hope and determination, but this is just his sort of story.

I've come across a couple of stories in the last couple of years about guardian teddybears. Is it growing into a trope? Or possibly a fully fledged mythos in its own right?

I hope so. I look forward to Guardian Teddybear anthologies, and maybe even a dedicated Guardian Teddybear Podcast.

Great story, and just the sort of demonic cuddly toy you want in your corner. If only all problems could be solved with a simple banishment to the outer realms.