Two Fic Tuesday for Jan 27th

Hi, hello and welcome!

I have a weird theme this week, but I think if you read both stories, you'll be able to pick it up quickly. Not only do they feel kind, but both have collective animal themes in them. I loved that I could find two stories that are both those things, but feel lovely and different in their own ways as well.

If you're feeling low this week (and there are so many reasons to) I hope these can bring a smile to your face. They certainly did for me.

Recs

A Murmuration Becoming Death - Rodrigo Culagovski - Gavagai
This made me smile so much. Everyone knows how much I enjoy collective first person, and using it like this was such a good choice. I'm also a huge fan of bird stories and this was absolutely that kind of thing. It was sweet and heartwarming by the end, and the kind of small, hopeful thing that I find is just the sort of thing I need sometimes.

Loxley Is One Thousand Bats -  Camsyn Clair - Flash Fiction Online
Oh, this was so, so sweet. It felt resonant and kind, and like something I will appreciate for a long while yet. Shapeshifter stores are close to my heart, and this one feels strangely honest. I just loved everything about it.

I wish all of you many good stories,

• Vale

PS: If you want to find me elsewhere, I'm on Bluesky at @howsweetthewords and I have a Ko-fi and Patreon where I post prompts, more personal/writing updates, microfiction, and miscellany. Tiers start at $1, but there is the occasional free post as well.