(Editor's exercise/game) Guess the genre, time period, and plot based on writing style and content of a story's first few paragraphs/800 words.

I'll join!

Stephen awoke suddenly. He heard three raps, followed by a muffled voice. He struggled, trying to get untangled. Damned covers. He glanced at the grandfather clock. Four in the morning. What an ungodly hour. He threw his covers to the side and slowly stood up.

He went to the living room, watching the glazed outlines of the furniture come into focus. Three raps again, followed by a muffled voice once more. Stephen unlocked the front door, slowly creaked it open. “What do you wa-waaaant,” he yawned. He rubbed his eyes, not seeing the person at the door.

“To see you with a shirt on, preferably.”

Stephen chuckled. “And lose the chance to flaunt this around?” His nephew came in, yawning as well. “Three years, already?” He closed the door behind him, locking and relocking it.

“So it seems.” Kellin said, looking around. “Where do I sleep?”

“The room to the left,” Stephen replied, walking into the kitchen. He heard a thud (most likely his nephew’s satchel). “Want something to drink?”

“Not right now,” Kellin said, shutting the left bedroom’s door. “You lied about the stairs.”

“Well, there goes the surprise.”

Kellin turned serious. “I want to know why you made me come here.”

Stephen smiled. “Right to it, I see. This will take longer than just a cup of coffee to explain.”

Kellin sat down on the living room’s center couch. “I have time,” he said, crossing his legs.

Stephen sat in his chair adjacent to Kellin, blowing the steam off of his cup. “Ah, but do you have patience?” Stephen took a warm sip of coffee.

“It depends on how long you decide to fuck around.” Kellin said, grinning.

“If that’s the case, you can leave right now.” Stephen laughed. “How’s Clark?”

“He’s still a grumpy asshole.”

“As expected,” Stephen said, followed by another sip. “It’ll make this a lot easier.” He set his cup on the stained glass table in front of them. “Where would you like to begin?”

Kellin shifted, putting both feet on the floor. He leaned in, not breaking eye contact. “What do you know about the Ravens?”

/r/fantasywriters Thread