The princess awoke amidst heraldry and cushions. Her red lips and flush cheeks were perfection straight out of bed. She put no hensbane in her eyes, as they were already bright.
She coughed into a handkerchief as she stood and found blood left behind. Such is the price of beauty!
(50 Words)
***
As part of my series where I showcase different prompts across WordPress, this was written for 50 Word Thursday. In addition to the photo, Kristian and Teresa gave this quote:
“Her lips were red and perfectly shaped, her cheeks blushed prettily when she spoke.”
– Neil Gaiman, Stardust.
If you’re looking for a flexible prompt, look no further than 50 word Thursday! You can do anything as long as you write in increments of 50 words.
My response was inspired by the fashion trend in the Victorian era to look like you had consumption (or tuberculosis). People would do things like dilate their pupils to look pretty, or give themselves that healthy flush that was indicative of certain stages of the infection. Consumption chic was so popular, in fact, that it actually delayed diagnosis of tuberculosis in many women who followed the trend. CRAZY.
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love this. fashion and history–one of my favorite combos!
Thanks! I love history, and recently I’ve been on a rash of early 19th century research (for no good reason, haha).
As an historian I would argue that just being alive is reason enough 😀😎
Like it. And throughout history, both women and men have harmed themselves in all kinds of way in vain attempts to *improve* upon what nature gave them. Though undoubtedly the Victorian period is the best documented.
I’m especially interested in the 1820’s and 30’s. Apparently, men wore corsets at the time in effort to make their shoulders look broader than their waists.
But the Victorians TOTALLY have the crown of “Hurt Yourself For the Sake of Appearances.” Totally.
They did go overboard, didn’t they. Though the Tudors weren’t far behind.
I haven’t studied them as much. Something to think about!
You could then try Egyptian.
Oh, no, that’d be too much!
Love the write and the backstory.
Thank you! The backstory really makes this one, in my opinion.
I didn’t know about this but I did not that many people thought that ladies with consumption looked very beautiful. We do live in a crazy world.
True! And I bet we still carry a lot of those sentiments – both fashion and political – today!
Wow. That is crazy! Fashion trends are the strangest things. Great story.
Thanks! Gotta use your historical trivia knowledge when you can!
That was a new one to me. 😀
Hi H.R.R. Gorman, I’ve just nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger’s Award if you’d like to take part! Thank you!
What does one do with the Sunshine Bloggers award? I don’t really like forwarding awards… but I love filling out surveys and answering questions!
I understand! There are questions included though. I think it’s like a game. Could give them a try in the comments if you don’t want to forward. Just for fun!
Is it in a post? I’m fine with doing posts.
Yep! You reply in a post, can check out mine and just duplicate in your way. It’s how I did mine. First time for me. Haha
Ok! Cool!
Excellent flash fiction.
Thanks!
You are welcome.
And I think today’s fashion trends are crazy!
Well, if you think about it, today’s fashion trends evolved from the old ones, so… we’re still dealing with it!
Her-story in history is an odd kettle of fish 😉
The photo reminded me of a comic I saw the other day… about first drafts that failed of writing a fairy tale.
It was a princess with a watermelon under her mattress (could have been under her legs) –
I’ve been reading some murder mysteries set in the Victorian era with an American in England.
Introducing both photography and fingerprinting as valuable tools to solve crime 🙂
Photography and fingerprinting to solve crime is an interesting thing! I have a book I’m reviewing on the blog later this year, “The Alienist,” that seems to have that in it. Excited!
The Victorian Mysteries I’ve been reading are little quick ones by Robin Paige – actually a husband and wife team. I found both at Little Free Libraries. So that’s were I’ll return them 🙂
So much said in so few words. And so very true.
History is like that! Full of crazy, true surprises!