Instant Story

Challenge #04489-L105: Deep Down Farming

I'm a half-human with an unusual gift. Who am I? Oh just a simple farmer. What do I raise? Cattle? Oh no, too many monsters, though I can hunt those for food, giant boars and huge deer taste good. I raise Dire Spiders. The silk ensures clothing, money, and my gift? I can understand their feelings so I know how to ensure they have a comfortable home. -- Anon Guest

People up on the surface always make the same mistake about the Everdark. One of the most popular ones is its eternal darkness. I mean, it is right there in the name. And sure, lots of the Everdark is as lightless as promised, but there's illuminating fungi, crystals, and varying permanent light spells along the safe pathways.

They are correct in that the Everdark is dangerous. The world around us was made for Dragons, so the caverns and chasms were also made for Dragons. Enrichment for them is... well. Dangerous for anything not a Dragon.

If you know what you're doing, or are with people who know what they're doing, the Everdark is easy to live in. Relatively speaking. For halfbreds like me, there's little that's easy.

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Challenge #04488-L104: Trustworthy

Lilicoon has tea with her friends Jay and Mr. Sunshine. She laughs as she recounts her time as a "skitten-sitter" and some skitties decide to sit in the laps of the three, making it more amusing, and a good afternoon.

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04259-k241-volunteered-kitten-sitter -- Anon Guest

They had been amiably chatting about everyday nonsense when the half-grown skitten invited itself into her lap. Where it immediately settled to grooming her tail floof. Lilcoon interrupted her train of thought and

Challenge #04487-L103: Quite the Collection

How long has it been? They were very slow learners to be sure, but this slow? But it was obvious, now, they WERE learning. Along the wall, other terrariums, others having to learn these lessons. Those that were well progressed got to start seeing others, those that were not? This family, it took a while, but their dedication to learn a new path, was now starting to be obviously genuine. About time though. Time to introduce them to others who were almost

Challenge #04486-L102: Living Up to the Name

They had the ability to see trouble through their dreams. The brauniin village had troubles of illness, and no humans to aid caused depression. The came to the run-down house, what was left of it, to begin repairs. But each night they left out gifts of medicine, blankets, clothing, little beds, and other gifts to help treat the ill and show kindness. -- Anon Guest

[AN: Brauniin usually choose households or mortals to help and prefer to remain unobserved. This, therefore, is

Challenge #04485-L101: What Manner of Fate?

While ze could not stay due to promises and the heavy hand of Fate, sometimes Fate decided to give a kindness and let hir stay for a time to visit the young children. They were growing healthy, strong, and were as close and as protective of each other as any family could wish. They also were learning the lessons of kindness, and how to care for others as well.

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04418-l034-the-necessity-of-wandering -- Anon Guest

Wraithvine had held the

Challenge #04484-L100: C'mon, You Know You Wanna

Humans teach some of their Galactic friends how to ride various ride-able animals. -- Anon Guest

Two bovines, three equines of varying sizes, a collection of ungulates, and a gently-swaying elephant. After that, the species available were diverse, bizarre, and generally accepted to be as dangerous as every imaginable hell. The Humans looking after the animals probably explained it all.

The saying went, If it's too big to fit in their house, the Humans will try to ride it.

This was not

Challenge #04483-L099: Inspired Desperation

The assassin tried for the apparently sleeping wizard with the cat in hir lap. The tiny gnome, a dragon in disguise, seeing the assassin's thin hand said "Ask for help instead, it'll be far less painful, and they'll help you escape your contract." -- Anon Guest

[AN: Whoop. Forgot about Bibrid. He doesn't have to be in every Wraithvine story you know]

With catlike tread, a cautious way Zeb felt. It was pitch black inside the inn when it was this close

Challenge #04482-L098: One Good Turn

Only sheer willpower allowed this young human to drag this very badly injured elf and hir gnome friend to safe shelter. Despite their own injuries and exhaustion so profound they could barely even see straight anymore, they had only one thought. They could not let these two die. It was only after applying bandages they collapsed to the floor, and blacked out. -- Anon Guest

The wall of water had come out of nowhere. Lilly was fortunate to have grabbed a log

Challenge #04481-L097: Place of Special Interest

You find them in odd places, people clustered in groups, armed with note books or 'guides to'. Focusing on what seems like nothing in particular or hovering at railway station on spots near the tarmac at airports. "Spotters", "Twitchers", eager to see or spot something rare. Planes, birds, rare engines. -- She Who Knits

There was a shelter-house at the crossroads. Generally a place for travelers to find relief from the weather. They were expected to restock the firewood and any long-term

Challenge #04480-L096: One Thing in Common

Interest groups, they need somewhere to meet, and talk and do their thing. ranging from 'Stitch and Bitch' in a friendly coffee shop, through small rooms and spots in Public Libraries even 'the equivalent of 'Car Boot meets' Some one or being who shares your interests and sometimes has stuff to swap or sell or you just prop each other up. -- She Who Knits

Humans, it is well-known, need their packs. Those packs don't need to be Human,as it is

Challenge #04479-L095: A Safe Space

Some children were playing hide and seek and one ended up in the king's private offices without permission by mistake. But the king, despite the child's fear, didn't get mad. He did suggest safer areas to play though. -- Anon Guest

Whitekeep Castle was large, labyrinthine, and full of secrets. It was also full of staff taking care of it. Some lived there, true, but their accommodations were much less impressive than the King's. The one thing they all had in common

Challenge #04478-L094: Respected Goals

They went to the gym and many there mocked them for appearing so weak. Then they showed what they were capable of. -- Anon Guest

They came to work out. To get big. To get cut. To be intimidating so that nobody messed with them. To get all the girls and impress other boys. So when one entered with a frame like a toast rack on stilts, there was some low laughter amongst the workout machines. Guy like that wouldn't last two

Challenge #04477-L093: Instructions Unclear

Each human has their own fitness level. Don't judge all by the few you have met. And remember, everything in moderation, even getting into better shape. -- Anon Guest

Humans were supposed to be unstoppable. They were meant to be relentless. Witnessing one sitting and wheezing was alarming. The mobility aids were even more alarming. The exo-frame and the cane in combination made Kar initially believe this might be a low-grav Human adjusting to Standard Gravity. They were sitting on a bench

Challenge #04476-L092: Temporary Apprentice

A human teen has been following a hellkin around town for some time now.

"Why are you following me, human? I'm not doing anything wrong!"

Um...I...um .. sorry but..I...c...can... you t... teach me to d...do magic better? P.... please?

(Yes the stutter in the post is deliberate. Not everyone talks what most people call 'normal'. Just because we stutter does not mean we're stupid.) -- Anon Guest

They called themself Reason Solo. Reason, because there had to

Challenge #04475-L091: Well Met Once More

Wraithvine was traveling and ended up in the village where ze had lost a magic contest that had been played for the fun of it. There ze found hir friend Oryn teaching students how basic, everyday, magic could be useful. For self care and self-defense, as well as around the home.

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04235-k217-clever-uses -- Anon Guest

Time can make the world strange, as some of the wiser philosophers say. Wraithvine remembered this place, and like most places, it

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Flash fiction fresh from my fingers to your mind!

Challenge #04489-L105: Deep Down Farming

Challenge #04488-L104: Trustworthy

Challenge #04487-L103: Quite the Collection

Challenge #04486-L102: Living Up to the Name

Challenge #04485-L101: What Manner of Fate?

Challenge #04484-L100: C'mon, You Know You Wanna

Challenge #04483-L099: Inspired Desperation

Challenge #04482-L098: One Good Turn

Challenge #04481-L097: Place of Special Interest

Challenge #04480-L096: One Thing in Common

Challenge #04479-L095: A Safe Space

Challenge #04478-L094: Respected Goals

Challenge #04477-L093: Instructions Unclear

Challenge #04476-L092: Temporary Apprentice

Challenge #04475-L091: Well Met Once More