Morgue<\/p>
'I don't get it,' Fred interrupted *can* you, or *can't* you be killed?<\/p>
'Killing me *is* possible, but that requires using a specific thing which I'm positive no one has.'<\/p>
'How can you be so sure?'<\/p>
'Because it's one of a kind and right now it's in a dressing drawer in my flat, and because anyone trying to lay their hands on it without my leave would need to be insanely skilled at magic, lest they get a free ticket to the nearest morgue.'<\/p>
#AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","generator":{"id":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-11:notice-source:ActivityPub","objectType":"application","status_net":{"source_code":"ActivityPub"}},"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117076289159869843","object":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117076289159869843","objectType":"note","content":" Morgue<\/p> 'I don't get it,' Fred interrupted *can* you, or *can't* you be killed?<\/p> 'Killing me *is* possible, but that requires using a specific thing which I'm positive no one has.'<\/p> 'How can you be so sure?'<\/p> 'Because it's one of a kind and right now it's in a dressing drawer in my flat, and because anyone trying to lay their hands on it without my leave would need to be insanely skilled at magic, lest they get a free ticket to the nearest morgue.'<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117076289159869843","status_net":{"notice_id":null},"inReplyTo":{"objectType":"note","id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117070626848868337","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117070626848868337"},"tags":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"aughost2026"},{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"microfiction"}]},"to":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activitystrea.ms\/schema\/1.0\/collection","id":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/collection\/public"}],"status_net":{"conversation":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-01:objectType=thread:nonce=f6f6e54921550e6e","notice_info":{"local_id":"13020275","source":"ActivityPub"}},"published":"2026-08-11T10:01:45+00:00","provider":{"objectType":"service","displayName":"GNU social JP","url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/"},"verb":"post","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117076289159869843"},{"actor":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","status_net":{"avatarLinks":[{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-48-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":48,"height":48},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-24-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":24,"height":24}],"profile_info":{"local_id":"10218"}},"image":{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},"objectType":"person","summary":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud","portablecontacts_net":{"preferredUsername":"aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","note":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8"}},"content":" Arrested<\/p> So I told them about my friend's soul's scream and my \"impending death\".<\/p> 'The *Malleus* and the *Formicarium* only say how to repel a Succubus,' said Saint-Germain, 'but I've been told the *Fortalitium* lists ways to kill one. Well, \"to have one arrested\", but that would *mean* \"to kill\".'<\/p> 'Didn't know that about the third one. *Ways*, you say? Hmm. I was aware of only one way to kill me, and I am pretty sure no one can use it against me.'<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","generator":{"id":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-11:notice-source:ActivityPub","objectType":"application","status_net":{"source_code":"ActivityPub"}},"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117070626848868337","object":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117070626848868337","objectType":"note","content":" Arrested<\/p> So I told them about my friend's soul's scream and my \"impending death\".<\/p> 'The *Malleus* and the *Formicarium* only say how to repel a Succubus,' said Saint-Germain, 'but I've been told the *Fortalitium* lists ways to kill one. Well, \"to have one arrested\", but that would *mean* \"to kill\".'<\/p> 'Didn't know that about the third one. *Ways*, you say? Hmm. I was aware of only one way to kill me, and I am pretty sure no one can use it against me.'<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117070626848868337","status_net":{"notice_id":null},"inReplyTo":{"objectType":"note","id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117064964538615593","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117064964538615593"},"tags":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"aughost2026"},{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"microfiction"}]},"to":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activitystrea.ms\/schema\/1.0\/collection","id":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/collection\/public"}],"status_net":{"conversation":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-01:objectType=thread:nonce=f6f6e54921550e6e","notice_info":{"local_id":"13014830","source":"ActivityPub"}},"published":"2026-08-10T10:00:26+00:00","provider":{"objectType":"service","displayName":"GNU social JP","url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/"},"verb":"post","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117070626848868337"},{"actor":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","status_net":{"avatarLinks":[{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-48-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":48,"height":48},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-24-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":24,"height":24}],"profile_info":{"local_id":"10218"}},"image":{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},"objectType":"person","summary":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud","portablecontacts_net":{"preferredUsername":"aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","note":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8"}},"content":" Payback<\/p> Should death do us part, as it were, I owed Fred a talk about us.<\/p> And anyway, the Thorne payback dead end didn't leave me much else to do.<\/p> If found Fred at his place, with his \"spiritual guide\", who introduced himself as Saint-Germain. Either this guy was several hundred years old and very well preserved, or that was an assumed name.<\/p> Before I could even suggest a private talk, Fred told me Saint-Germain knew all about us.<\/p> ... Ah.<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","generator":{"id":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-11:notice-source:ActivityPub","objectType":"application","status_net":{"source_code":"ActivityPub"}},"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117064964538615593","object":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117064964538615593","objectType":"note","content":" Payback<\/p> Should death do us part, as it were, I owed Fred a talk about us.<\/p> And anyway, the Thorne payback dead end didn't leave me much else to do.<\/p> If found Fred at his place, with his \"spiritual guide\", who introduced himself as Saint-Germain. Either this guy was several hundred years old and very well preserved, or that was an assumed name.<\/p> Before I could even suggest a private talk, Fred told me Saint-Germain knew all about us.<\/p> ... Ah.<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117064964538615593","status_net":{"notice_id":null},"inReplyTo":{"objectType":"note","id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117059302231132208","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117059302231132208"},"tags":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"aughost2026"},{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"microfiction"}]},"to":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activitystrea.ms\/schema\/1.0\/collection","id":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/collection\/public"}],"status_net":{"conversation":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-01:objectType=thread:nonce=f6f6e54921550e6e","notice_info":{"local_id":"13010629","source":"ActivityPub"}},"published":"2026-08-09T10:00:24+00:00","provider":{"objectType":"service","displayName":"GNU social JP","url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/"},"verb":"post","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117064964538615593"},{"actor":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","status_net":{"avatarLinks":[{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-48-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":48,"height":48},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-24-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":24,"height":24}],"profile_info":{"local_id":"10218"}},"image":{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},"objectType":"person","summary":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud","portablecontacts_net":{"preferredUsername":"aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","note":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8"}},"content":" Dishonest<\/p> Although... I make it sound like I've got nothing to do with Fred's current sorry state, and that's dishonest.<\/p> To bring his soul back, I had to make it succumb to my succubus self. I promised him I wouldn't, er, do my part. I also told him we'd talk about it later.<\/p> But I never did. I left him with the dangling prospect of me potentially snatching his soul from his trembling fingers, so to speak.<\/p> That probably didn't help.<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","generator":{"id":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-11:notice-source:ActivityPub","objectType":"application","status_net":{"source_code":"ActivityPub"}},"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117059302231132208","object":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117059302231132208","objectType":"note","content":" Dishonest<\/p> Although... I make it sound like I've got nothing to do with Fred's current sorry state, and that's dishonest.<\/p> To bring his soul back, I had to make it succumb to my succubus self. I promised him I wouldn't, er, do my part. I also told him we'd talk about it later.<\/p> But I never did. I left him with the dangling prospect of me potentially snatching his soul from his trembling fingers, so to speak.<\/p> That probably didn't help.<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117059302231132208","status_net":{"notice_id":null},"inReplyTo":{"objectType":"note","id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117053639938917257","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117053639938917257"},"tags":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"aughost2026"},{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"microfiction"}]},"to":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activitystrea.ms\/schema\/1.0\/collection","id":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/collection\/public"}],"status_net":{"conversation":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-01:objectType=thread:nonce=f6f6e54921550e6e","notice_info":{"local_id":"13006256","source":"ActivityPub"}},"published":"2026-08-08T10:00:03+00:00","provider":{"objectType":"service","displayName":"GNU social JP","url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/"},"verb":"post","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117059302231132208"},{"actor":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","status_net":{"avatarLinks":[{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-48-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":48,"height":48},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-24-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":24,"height":24}],"profile_info":{"local_id":"10218"}},"image":{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},"objectType":"person","summary":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud","portablecontacts_net":{"preferredUsername":"aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","note":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8"}},"content":" Burnout<\/p> Thorne seemed to have weathered the loss of his soul.<\/p> At least he was in better shape than Fred, who had tried to cope with loss *then* recovery of his soul by throwing himself into work, and ended up with a burnout, and last I knew, was finding confort with some sort of guru.<\/p> Still, it was probably best if I went and checked with him. After all, if I was in danger, maybe he was, too.<\/p> ... or he wasn't and I was going to draw danger to him.<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","generator":{"id":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-11:notice-source:ActivityPub","objectType":"application","status_net":{"source_code":"ActivityPub"}},"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117053639938917257","object":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117053639938917257","objectType":"note","content":" Burnout<\/p> Thorne seemed to have weathered the loss of his soul.<\/p> At least he was in better shape than Fred, who had tried to cope with loss *then* recovery of his soul by throwing himself into work, and ended up with a burnout, and last I knew, was finding confort with some sort of guru.<\/p> Still, it was probably best if I went and checked with him. After all, if I was in danger, maybe he was, too.<\/p> ... or he wasn't and I was going to draw danger to him.<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117053639938917257","status_net":{"notice_id":null},"inReplyTo":{"objectType":"note","id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117047977617582474","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117047977617582474"},"tags":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"aughost2026"},{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"microfiction"}]},"to":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activitystrea.ms\/schema\/1.0\/collection","id":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/collection\/public"}],"status_net":{"conversation":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-01:objectType=thread:nonce=f6f6e54921550e6e","notice_info":{"local_id":"13001883","source":"ActivityPub"}},"published":"2026-08-07T10:00:03+00:00","provider":{"objectType":"service","displayName":"GNU social JP","url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/"},"verb":"post","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117053639938917257"},{"actor":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","status_net":{"avatarLinks":[{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-48-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":48,"height":48},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-24-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":24,"height":24}],"profile_info":{"local_id":"10218"}},"image":{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},"objectType":"person","summary":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud","portablecontacts_net":{"preferredUsername":"aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","note":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8"}},"content":" Selfless<\/p> The butler let me in without even a word and led me to the study where Thorne was at his desk reading some papers.<\/p> 'I'm just passing by. Are you scheming to get back at me?'<\/p> He looked up.<\/p> 'Still to the point, I see. No, I am not. After I lost my soul, I soon lost all personal motive. My\u2026 selfless\u2026 self\u2026 has no interest in payback any more, nor in anything about me, really. I still manage the estate only so that its employees remain paid.'<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","generator":{"id":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-11:notice-source:ActivityPub","objectType":"application","status_net":{"source_code":"ActivityPub"}},"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117047977617582474","object":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117047977617582474","objectType":"note","content":" Selfless<\/p> The butler let me in without even a word and led me to the study where Thorne was at his desk reading some papers.<\/p> 'I'm just passing by. Are you scheming to get back at me?'<\/p> He looked up.<\/p> 'Still to the point, I see. No, I am not. After I lost my soul, I soon lost all personal motive. My\u2026 selfless\u2026 self\u2026 has no interest in payback any more, nor in anything about me, really. I still manage the estate only so that its employees remain paid.'<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117047977617582474","status_net":{"notice_id":null},"inReplyTo":{"objectType":"note","id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117042315309280421","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117042315309280421"},"tags":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"aughost2026"},{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"microfiction"}]},"to":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activitystrea.ms\/schema\/1.0\/collection","id":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/collection\/public"}],"status_net":{"conversation":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-01:objectType=thread:nonce=f6f6e54921550e6e","notice_info":{"local_id":"12997701","source":"ActivityPub"}},"published":"2026-08-06T10:00:03+00:00","provider":{"objectType":"service","displayName":"GNU social JP","url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/"},"verb":"post","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117047977617582474"},{"actor":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","status_net":{"avatarLinks":[{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-48-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":48,"height":48},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-24-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":24,"height":24}],"profile_info":{"local_id":"10218"}},"image":{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},"objectType":"person","summary":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud","portablecontacts_net":{"preferredUsername":"aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","note":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8"}},"content":" Haunt<\/p> As all I could do was wait, I went home, where a ghost was circling my flat's living room. I recognized Thorne's soul.<\/p> 'You're supposed to suffer in Hell, not haunt me.'<\/p> 'I was released with an answer for you.'<\/p> 'Makes sense. So, what did my friend's soul see?'<\/p> 'Impending death for you.'<\/p> 'Can't say I'm surprised. Is your former host up to something?'<\/p> 'I don't know.'<\/p> 'How about we go visit him?'<\/p> 'I am not allowed to.'<\/p> Oh well.<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","generator":{"id":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-11:notice-source:ActivityPub","objectType":"application","status_net":{"source_code":"ActivityPub"}},"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117042315309280421","object":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117042315309280421","objectType":"note","content":" Haunt<\/p> As all I could do was wait, I went home, where a ghost was circling my flat's living room. I recognized Thorne's soul.<\/p> 'You're supposed to suffer in Hell, not haunt me.'<\/p> 'I was released with an answer for you.'<\/p> 'Makes sense. So, what did my friend's soul see?'<\/p> 'Impending death for you.'<\/p> 'Can't say I'm surprised. Is your former host up to something?'<\/p> 'I don't know.'<\/p> 'How about we go visit him?'<\/p> 'I am not allowed to.'<\/p> Oh well.<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117042315309280421","status_net":{"notice_id":null},"inReplyTo":{"objectType":"note","id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117036652987941122","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117036652987941122"},"tags":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"aughost2026"},{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"microfiction"}]},"to":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activitystrea.ms\/schema\/1.0\/collection","id":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/collection\/public"}],"status_net":{"conversation":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-01:objectType=thread:nonce=f6f6e54921550e6e","notice_info":{"local_id":"12993489","source":"ActivityPub"}},"published":"2026-08-05T10:00:27+00:00","provider":{"objectType":"service","displayName":"GNU social JP","url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/"},"verb":"post","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117042315309280421"},{"actor":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","status_net":{"avatarLinks":[{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-48-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":48,"height":48},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-24-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":24,"height":24}],"profile_info":{"local_id":"10218"}},"image":{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},"objectType":"person","summary":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud","portablecontacts_net":{"preferredUsername":"aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","note":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8"}},"content":" Selfish<\/p> I can't believe it! He made me promise to take Lilith \u2014 Mother \u2014 with me on the mortal plane for one whole week!<\/p> The worst part is, it's not even selfish. He did it for her, not himself. He'd do anything for her.<\/p> But hey, he's sent a request Upward on my behalf, so there's that. He even agreed to ask them to send their answer directly back down to me, so that I won't need another round trip Down. How they'll do is anyone's guess, he said.<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","generator":{"id":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-11:notice-source:ActivityPub","objectType":"application","status_net":{"source_code":"ActivityPub"}},"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117036652987941122","object":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117036652987941122","objectType":"note","content":" Selfish<\/p> I can't believe it! He made me promise to take Lilith \u2014 Mother \u2014 with me on the mortal plane for one whole week!<\/p> The worst part is, it's not even selfish. He did it for her, not himself. He'd do anything for her.<\/p> But hey, he's sent a request Upward on my behalf, so there's that. He even agreed to ask them to send their answer directly back down to me, so that I won't need another round trip Down. How they'll do is anyone's guess, he said.<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117036652987941122","status_net":{"notice_id":null},"inReplyTo":{"objectType":"note","id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117030990683815362","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117030990683815362"},"tags":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"aughost2026"},{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"microfiction"}]},"to":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activitystrea.ms\/schema\/1.0\/collection","id":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/collection\/public"}],"status_net":{"conversation":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-01:objectType=thread:nonce=f6f6e54921550e6e","notice_info":{"local_id":"12989323","source":"ActivityPub"}},"published":"2026-08-04T10:00:02+00:00","provider":{"objectType":"service","displayName":"GNU social JP","url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/"},"verb":"post","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117036652987941122"},{"actor":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","status_net":{"avatarLinks":[{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-48-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":48,"height":48},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-24-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":24,"height":24}],"profile_info":{"local_id":"10218"}},"image":{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},"objectType":"person","summary":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud","portablecontacts_net":{"preferredUsername":"aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","note":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8"}},"content":" Inherit<\/p> Departing souls usually don't scream. I should go Up There and ask this one what caused it to freak out like this.<\/p> Except I did inherit Mother's permanent Heaven ban (which I hate because I don't think she or I did anything wrong).<\/p> On the other hand, Father can talk to the Creator, or try to, at least.<\/p> I guess I'll have to pay him a visit and ask him to intercede.<\/p> That ugly bastard will *gloat*.<\/p> Yeah, we're a happy family.<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","generator":{"id":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-11:notice-source:ActivityPub","objectType":"application","status_net":{"source_code":"ActivityPub"}},"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117030990683815362","object":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117030990683815362","objectType":"note","content":" Inherit<\/p> Departing souls usually don't scream. I should go Up There and ask this one what caused it to freak out like this.<\/p> Except I did inherit Mother's permanent Heaven ban (which I hate because I don't think she or I did anything wrong).<\/p> On the other hand, Father can talk to the Creator, or try to, at least.<\/p> I guess I'll have to pay him a visit and ask him to intercede.<\/p> That ugly bastard will *gloat*.<\/p> Yeah, we're a happy family.<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117030990683815362","status_net":{"notice_id":null},"inReplyTo":{"objectType":"note","id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117025568301841185","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117025568301841185"},"tags":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"aughost2026"},{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"microfiction"}]},"to":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activitystrea.ms\/schema\/1.0\/collection","id":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/collection\/public"}],"status_net":{"conversation":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-01:objectType=thread:nonce=f6f6e54921550e6e","notice_info":{"local_id":"12984967","source":"ActivityPub"}},"published":"2026-08-03T10:00:03+00:00","provider":{"objectType":"service","displayName":"GNU social JP","url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/"},"verb":"post","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117030990683815362"},{"actor":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","status_net":{"avatarLinks":[{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-48-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":48,"height":48},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-24-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":24,"height":24}],"profile_info":{"local_id":"10218"}},"image":{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},"objectType":"person","summary":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud","portablecontacts_net":{"preferredUsername":"aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","note":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8"}},"content":" Vigil<\/p> I was attending the death vigil of a family friend. I mean I've know his family for generations. I've even\u2026 known\u2026 some of his ancestors. Not him, though. Just didn't happen.<\/p> When his soul left his body, it looked at me. Then *screamed*. Then flew Up.<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","generator":{"id":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-11:notice-source:ActivityPub","objectType":"application","status_net":{"source_code":"ActivityPub"}},"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117025568301841185","object":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117025568301841185","objectType":"note","content":" Vigil<\/p> I was attending the death vigil of a family friend. I mean I've know his family for generations. I've even\u2026 known\u2026 some of his ancestors. Not him, though. Just didn't happen.<\/p> When his soul left his body, it looked at me. Then *screamed*. Then flew Up.<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117025568301841185","status_net":{"notice_id":null},"inReplyTo":{"objectType":"note","id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117019666054429961","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117019666054429961"},"tags":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"aughost2026"},{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"microfiction"}]},"to":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activitystrea.ms\/schema\/1.0\/collection","id":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/collection\/public"}],"status_net":{"conversation":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-01:objectType=thread:nonce=f6f6e54921550e6e","notice_info":{"local_id":"12981170","source":"ActivityPub"}},"published":"2026-08-02T11:01:03+00:00","provider":{"objectType":"service","displayName":"GNU social JP","url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/"},"verb":"post","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117025568301841185"},{"actor":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","status_net":{"avatarLinks":[{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-48-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":48,"height":48},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-24-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":24,"height":24}],"profile_info":{"local_id":"10218"}},"image":{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},"objectType":"person","summary":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud","portablecontacts_net":{"preferredUsername":"aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","note":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8"}},"content":" AWOL<\/p> Hi! I'm Lisa (pronounced \"lissa\"), sole daughter of Lilith and Satan, thus part succubus, part demon. Afraid this shows in my fashion sense. Deal with it.<\/p> I live in the mortal plane, I can go Down There, and ascend to the ethereal plane, but not Up There.<\/p> Last year, Fred's soul went AWOL and I had to go to Hell and back *twice* to heal him. That was a breeze\u2026<\/p> \u2026 Also: in all probability, I'll be killed within the hour.<\/p> Welcome in my world!<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2025<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","generator":{"id":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-11:notice-source:ActivityPub","objectType":"application","status_net":{"source_code":"ActivityPub"}},"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117019666054429961","object":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117019666054429961","objectType":"note","content":" AWOL<\/p> Hi! I'm Lisa (pronounced \"lissa\"), sole daughter of Lilith and Satan, thus part succubus, part demon. Afraid this shows in my fashion sense. Deal with it.<\/p> I live in the mortal plane, I can go Down There, and ascend to the ethereal plane, but not Up There.<\/p> Last year, Fred's soul went AWOL and I had to go to Hell and back *twice* to heal him. That was a breeze\u2026<\/p> \u2026 Also: in all probability, I'll be killed within the hour.<\/p> Welcome in my world!<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2025<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117019666054429961","status_net":{"notice_id":null},"inReplyTo":{"objectType":"note","id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117018840317516874","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117018840317516874"},"tags":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"aughost2025"},{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"microfiction"}]},"to":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activitystrea.ms\/schema\/1.0\/collection","id":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/collection\/public"}],"status_net":{"conversation":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-01:objectType=thread:nonce=f6f6e54921550e6e","notice_info":{"local_id":"12977404","source":"ActivityPub"}},"published":"2026-08-01T10:00:36+00:00","provider":{"objectType":"service","displayName":"GNU social JP","url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/"},"verb":"post","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117019666054429961"},{"actor":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","status_net":{"avatarLinks":[{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-48-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":48,"height":48},{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-24-20220915140748.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":24,"height":24}],"profile_info":{"local_id":"10218"}},"image":{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/avatar\/10218-96-20220915140727.gif","rel":"avatar","type":"image\/gif","width":96,"height":96},"objectType":"person","summary":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud","portablecontacts_net":{"preferredUsername":"aaribaud","displayName":"Albert ARIBAUD \u270e","note":"Amateur doodler\/writer.French -- hence the frog.Disciple of Lu Tze, Seeker of Perplexity -- hence the Look of the Frog.The horns and halo are due to Good Omens. Go see it.Also: grandmaster of \uc544\uc7ac \uac1c\uadf8"}},"content":" (foreword)<\/p> In 2025 I took part in #AuGHOST<\/a> by writing a short story in daily installment, which you can read here starting at https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/114952924076250551<\/a> or as a whole on my website at https:\/\/albert.aribaud.net\/en\/writing\/deal-with-the-devil\/<\/a>.<\/p> My #AuGHOST2026<\/a> story is a (loose) followup on that previous story.<\/p> So if you want to avoid spoilers, do go read the 2025 one first!<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","generator":{"id":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-11:notice-source:ActivityPub","objectType":"application","status_net":{"source_code":"ActivityPub"}},"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117018840317516874","object":{"id":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/users\/aaribaud\/statuses\/117018840317516874","objectType":"note","content":" (foreword)<\/p> In 2025 I took part in #AuGHOST<\/a> by writing a short story in daily installment, which you can read here starting at https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/114952924076250551<\/a> or as a whole on my website at https:\/\/albert.aribaud.net\/en\/writing\/deal-with-the-devil\/<\/a>.<\/p> My #AuGHOST2026<\/a> story is a (loose) followup on that previous story.<\/p> So if you want to avoid spoilers, do go read the 2025 one first!<\/p> #AuGHOST<\/a> #AuGHOST2026<\/a> #MicroFiction<\/a><\/p>","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117018840317516874","status_net":{"notice_id":null},"tags":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"aughost"},{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"aughost2026"},{"objectType":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/object\/hashtag","displayName":"microfiction"}]},"to":[{"objectType":"http:\/\/activitystrea.ms\/schema\/1.0\/collection","id":"http:\/\/activityschema.org\/collection\/public"}],"status_net":{"conversation":"tag:gnusocial.jp,2026-08-01:objectType=thread:nonce=f6f6e54921550e6e","notice_info":{"local_id":"12976857","source":"ActivityPub"}},"published":"2026-08-01T06:30:03+00:00","provider":{"objectType":"service","displayName":"GNU social JP","url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/"},"verb":"post","url":"https:\/\/mastodon.art\/@aaribaud\/117018840317516874"}],"links":[{"url":"https:\/\/gnusocial.jp\/conversation\/6591535","rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html"}]}