Each Sunday, Weekend Writing Warriors offers a selection of eight-sentence excerpts from writers in multiple genres and forms. Check out the full roster here.
***
Martisset was so absorbed in studying the models for death-correspondence that she didn’t hear her father enter the room; he must have glimpsed the sigil of the Storm-Chapel before she closed the tablet, given what he said next.
“You don’t have to study everything,” he said, “because there are models for a reason. No one will expect originality under those circumstances.”
She was a little startled, that he didn’t reassure her that she’d never need it.
“Do you really think I’m going to have to take the white letter to Yasmin’s parents?”
Her father crossed arms and bowed. “If fate relents, she’ll grow out of it … but there are influences at the Academy.”
Martisset waited to hear more.
“I have no doubt you’ll pass them by without a second glance, but beware anyone who tries to convince you that you’re better by birth; I’d rather you make friends with Outer Colonies dome-folk than some of our young bloods.”
***
Martisset on the eve of departure to the Academy. From work in progress, Ship’s Heart (NaNo 2015).
E. P. Beaumont 
Great snippet! I loved the flow of the dialogue.
Sounds like foreshadowing here!
A white letter sounds ominous. I wonder what they say? Failure? Or death?
The white letter is news of death, hand-carried by the nearest kin on the scene to the bereaved parents. It’s “white” because this is the color of funeral vestments.
I suspected as much. Wow, that’s a difficult test!
Interesting foreshadowing of something here, I have no doubt. I always enjoy the behind the scenes looks at the world you’ve built here – terrific excerpt!
The phrase ‘models for death correspondence’ sets an ominous tone for the whole passage. I like that she’s studying the models, too; it shows she takes other people’s death as seriously as they deserve.