You don't need to tell me that the fortress is large and imposing

[conuly]

The word "fortress" is enough to suggest both those things. Save your description for the next time the protagonists stop by a cute and dainty fortress.

******************

Cells have more mini ‘organs’ than researchers thought − unbound by membranes, these rogue organelles challenge biology’s fundamentals

What's so special about the human brain?

The Origins of the Internet’s Most Mysterious Song Have Been Revealed

Ticker-tape synaesthesia – when real life comes with subtitles

‘Not here to come third’: the world’s senior minigolfers get serious

Mega-collector Larry Warsh peeled art off subway walls in the 1980s — now it’s going up for sale at Sotheby’s

This Is Where Cruise Ships Go to Die. Meet the Man Saving Them.

The Shipwreck Detective

How Protest Pins Taught Me About My Family History

Philippine president angers China with new laws to demarcate South China Sea territories

Dozens of monkeys escape from South Carolina research facility

Mysterious black balls that washed up on Sydney beach were foul-smelling mini ‘fatbergs’

The Game Theory of Democracy

Behind the curtains: scenes from the US election

Judge cancels court deadlines in Trump’s 2020 election case after his presidential win

Why were the floods in Spain so bad? A visual guide

Growing up in climate chaos

Comments

[sgatazmy]

That sounds like a fun story prompt

[conuly]

If I see somebody describe a fortress as either cute or dainty, I will definitely pay attention!

[duskpeterson]

Was about to say. :)

[austin_dern]

I can't call it 'cute' but having visited Fort Moultrie in Charleston (South Carolina) I can say that is not intimidating at all. It looks about as impregnable as the county Christmas Tree disposal yard.

[conuly]

> A fort can also be called a fortress or a fortification, although typically a fortress describes a larger structure or a series of structures, while a fort is usually only one.

Link

[hudebnik]

Have you ever been to Angers, in western France? I've seen my share of fortresses, and I would call this one "large and imposing" by fortress standards.

Inside the fortress, BTW, is a modern museum building displaying an amazingly large and well-preserved series of 14th-century tapestries about the Apocalypse. Most well-known medieval tapestries, including the "Hunt Of The Unicorn" series in New York and the "Lady And The Unicorn" series in Paris, are at least hundred years younger.

But yes, a "cute and dainty" fortress sounds like something out of Neil Gaiman.

Riveting

[cactuswatcher]

The cute and dainty fortress stood on the hill before them in the cloudless moonlight.

"So cozy, cheerful and welcoming!" exclaimed Lord Freddy. "Our mildly irksome foe, Sir Sydney, must surely be within. Let us start the preparations for a lavish brunch to draw him and his army of jolly-good chums out in the morn."

...
It just writes itself!

Re: Riveting

[conuly]

It does!

Re: Riveting

[hudebnik]

Fight fiercely, Hahvahd, fight fight fight...

Re: Riveting

[darkoshi]

That sounds like the start of a jolly good story!

[minoanmiss]

When I thought of "cute and dainty fortress" I thought of a dollhouse fortress a girl and her mom might build in the garage.

[cellio]

Does the Barbie line include a fortress? It should! Surely a Barbie fortress would be cute and dainty!

[hudebnik]

And pink?

[cellio]

Well of course. I don't think they're allowed to make non-pink Barbie stuff.

Your wish is Contex Toys’ command.

[full_metal_ox]

(Image description: a package label for “THE DOOR FORT: PRINCESS CASTLE”, a door-sized collapsible tent patterned with the facade of a pink castle with yellow windows; when not in use it folds flat as a decorative door plaque. Before it stands a little girl in a state of open-mouthed joy, wearing a dress with a white embroidered bodice and pink tulle skirt and a pink cardboard crown. The package instructions, with illustrations, read, “Folds flat to the door!” “Attaches to a right or left handed door!” The bedroom beyond the door, from carpet to bed linens to plush dog to laundry bag, is 50 shades of pink because of course it is.)

Re: Your wish is Contex Toys’ command.

[cellio]

Oh my. I was imagining doll-sized, not something for human occupancy! Clearly I am out of touch. :-)

Re: Your wish is Contex Toys’ command.

[full_metal_ox]

Moreover, the door sign/fort can implicitly designate the whole room as the Princess’ Castle.

[full_metal_ox]

And what could its guardian monster be but the Rabbit of Caerbannog?

[dhampyresa]

The fortress was very mindful. Very demure.