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Sep 12
fiction challenge: Flowers
TheDemiDevil

Tilly, the enoki mushroom

[Written in response to the challenge, Flower, to imagine what a plant would be like as a human.] 

Tilly is an enoki mushroom. She has never been the type to keep friends for very long. She's shy and socially awkward. People often judge her because she overshares, but they don't know why she does it. When she gets close to someone, she tends to overshare out of nervous habit. She's afraid they'll leave if she doesn't commit to their friendship. But when Tilly doesn't do enough for others, they get mad and leave her. She hates herself and wonders why no one will love her. They tell her it's because she should "put herself before others," but when she takes time to work on her mental health, she's being "lazy" and unhelpful. 

I imagine Tilly as a short, pixie looking girl with fair skin and freckles. She has brown hair and white highlights that are caused by albinism but everyone thinks she dyed it and lies about it. She also has vitiligo on her legs and lower thighs, which she is self-concious of. Her family is the awkward type who never really fit in with anyone, but are still generally loved and appreciated. Tilly has never experienced romantic love for anyone since she has anxiety and is convinced no one likes her.

I made Tilly an unliked character because of the way people tend to treat mushrooms. They are seen as an infection, a fungi, a weed. But to people who like plants and have an interest in them, mushrooms can be very beautiful and special.

 
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Posted: 09.12.22
About the Author: TheDemiDevil
GK
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Discussion

Comments

  1. Sawyer Fell
    Sep 14, 2022

    I really enjoyed this excerpt and how you interpreted the challenge! Rather than doing a flower, doing a mushroom really allowed you to express yourself and creativity. i loved the imagery you put in the passage, i can see a clear image of Tilly in my mind! great work!!

    i have a vision of what i want to do but the picture is too blurry and i can never remember to clean my glasses.

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  1. TheDemiDevil
    Sep 17, 2022

    Thank you so much! I tried to design Tilly in a quirky but not cliche way.

    GK

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