PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
Howl left the moving castle, then strolled down the quiet sidewalk to the Ghibli Watering Hole.
Old Horatio was still behind the bar.
“Howl, it’s been an emperor’s age since I saw you! You’ll have the usual?”
“Glad to see you’re still pouring, my friend. Yes, please.”
“Where have you been all of this time? The oldtimers were sure you were gone for good.”
“I was sent to crush pernicious evil on a planet on the verge of annihilation. I crushed it real well, but oh did it leave a nasty residue on the castle!”
[99 words]
Note: my story gives a nod to Studio Ghibli’s anime film, Howl’s Moving Castle, written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Learn more about this wonderful and magical film here
Rochelle is the effervescent host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Sounds an interesting film.
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All anime films by this director from Studio Ghibli are excellent. You should check it out, Sadje.
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Oh I definitely will. I love animated movies.
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:)
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A little bit out there, but it seems cool.
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If you’re talking about the movie, yes on both.
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Nicely done.
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Dale, thank you :)
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Nothing works up a thirst like crushing pernicious evil
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:) Cheers!
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Heard of the film but never watched it – maybe time to give it a go!
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My younger son was and is into anime (he’s in his 30s now) and he led me to them. Now I love all of the Studio Ghibli ones by this director.
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I like the idea that it was cleaning the castle that took more time and effort than crushing the pernicious evil!
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In a perfect world…. Thank you for reading and commenting :)
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Howl out on one of his many jaunts – nice spin on one of my favorite movies.
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:) So glad you know the movie and like it. Have you see the other ones by this director?
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Yes. I have a few of his movies. All are good.
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Very cool.
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There’s always a bit of residue left behind when you’e out crushing pernicious evil…
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Indeed! :)
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mission accomplished. i’m sure he’d clean up the mess left behind later. :)
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:) Exactly. Thank you for reading and commenting, Plaridel.
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Well, that was just funny. Great.
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Thanks Shirley!
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Nice read
Strange
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Nice story. I now have a new addition to my must-see list!
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Thank you. Keith, I have a feeling you will love this movie. Bump it to the top of your list and let me know what you think if/when you see it.
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I’ll do just that!
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Have you read the book it’s based on by Diana Wynne Jones? I’m reading another of her books at present – good writer.
Great story and so true – whenever you attempt a task, whether cooking a nice meal or ridding a planet of evil, it always takes longer to clean up after!
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No, I haven’t read the book it is based on. Glad you enjoyed the story.
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Howl is a fascinating character. I’m going to have to check out that video :)
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Great, Linda. I hope you do. He is, and the young/old woman is also :)
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Whoa! I like this a lot, Lisa. I hope we’ll be reading more about Howl!
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You never know, Susan :)
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I’ll add this film to my watch list. Thanks for the info.
Hey …. cool story and I’ll have a cabernet, please.
Isadora 😎
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Glad you are adding it to your list. You’re welcome. Thanks. Coming right up! Cheers!
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😎
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Kinda “Who”-ish… could easily translate to a Whovian tale for sure. Great Write…. Now, where did I park that Tardis??
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For sure, Bear. The Tardis is small from the outside and vast inside. I wonder if the inside of this vast building is small?
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Could be. Could also be that it contains the entire expanse of the universe.
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:) that’s most likely
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I love the way he told the bartender where he’d been. Can’t recall ever overhearing at a pub anything remotely similar to this: “I was sent to crush pernicious evil on a planet on the verge of annihilation.”
Are you a big fan of Anime?
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The kind of bar I’m thinking of would be like the bar in the Star Wars movie, where you’re liable to hear just about anything. I’m not a big fan of anime per se, but my son used to watch a lot of it and I got to like some of them. Studio Ghibli, Cowboy Bebop, and Big O are 3 that I like. Are you a fan of anime?
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Ah, like the bar in Star Wars – of course!
No, I’m not a fan of anime, but am intrigued by its broad appeal.
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A barman who remembers what you drink is worth coming back for.
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Yes they are :)
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Such an interesting bar, and what a strenuous job to annihilate planets like that… maybe it dents yourself even more than the castle.
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There’s a verse in the Tao Te Ching (verse 74) that talks about that.
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Howl better drink a little. It is not easy to crush pernicious evil. He has a long fight ahead.
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:) I like that comment. Yes he does.
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Fabulous. Loved it.
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Thanks Laurie :)
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spooky! But its fab! Loving the trailer for the film also! Never heard of it before now!
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It’s worth a watch if you get a chance to see it.
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