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Challenge #03922-J270: Sole Area of Genius

"How often do we have to go through this? I love you, you silly furball, but do NOT try sniff at my cactus! I don't HAVE any shelves higher and I'm tired of pulling thorns from your nose!" -- Anon Guest

Some cats, every cat person knows, reserve their brain cells for specific purposes. When it comes to that specific area of expertise, they're absolute little fluffy geniuses. For everything else... their brains may well be made of sawdust.

Case in point, a Ginger tabby named Barnabus. Affectionately known as "short bus" to his human, Jamie, for reasons that quickly become obvious the longer you get to know the little fluffy maniac. This is a cat who startles when said human turns on the light at night because he's surprised by his sudden shadow.

This is a cat who loses his food bowl when he kicks his mess mat over the top of it. A cat who can literally get lost in a paper bag. His singular genius, however, is in finding ways to smell Jamie's cactus. Which, as smarter minds know, is a very bad idea.

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Challenge #03921-J269: Optimal Performance Issues

The human had trouble staying on task. They were constantly distracted or would set their work aside "just a moment," and end up having to be reminded, albeit gently, of the work they still had to do.

(ADHD is more common than people think.) -- Anon Guest

[AN: I don't have ADHD, but I do a remarkable impersonation thereof. I am willing to be wrong about this and therefore welcome any input with ADHD people who know the experience better than I]

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Challenge #03919-J267: Good News, Bad News

One month later, we learned what has happened with the badly injured hand of the foolish, mainly due to the inexperience of youth, kobold friend of Wraithvine's.

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-03850-j198-this-is-not-a-place-of-honour#@internutter/re-bkf-rxwxja -- The New Guy

It had been a very rough month, with a great deal of Restoration spells expended on one Kobold hand. They were lucky they found a Cleric of the Dawn Lord in the area. Nothing like followers of a god of rebirth and redemption

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Challenge #03919-J267: Almost Everything Proof

A person invents a new livesuit that is damn near like a miniature shuttle. The prototypes were being shipped for full testing when an unexpected obstacle hits the old clunker of a ship with very few working lifepods. Good thing that the 15 prototypes were there, and actually worked. -- Anon Guest

Livesuits, as the name might suggest, are suits that help the wearer live. Most are made for emergencies and it's generally a good idea to have one on or otherwise

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Challenge #03918-J266: How to Join Pax Humanis

She went to the CRC and asked, of all things, to join Pax Humanis. She did not want therapy, though she knew she needed it. She wanted to kill ones like the ones that had done her harm, so that others would not suffer the way she had. -- Anon Guest

Lots of people think that joining Pax Humanis gains one a license to kill. Rene was one of those people. Once they were free from their Deregger homeworld, and free from

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Challenge #03917-J265: Five Ends of Them Are Pointy

Wutu's transport was attacked. Deceptive, Dessie, now well grown, was laying near its owner purring. But the pirates learned quickly, that the cat had learned to guard its owner against hostiles, and be gentle toward friendlies. They'd live, but would definitely need quite a lot of medical care.

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-03433-i145-congratulations-on-your-new-cat -- Anon Guest

Of all the incontrovertible laws that governed the universe, there was one that Humans insisted be upheld. Once a cat is on your lap, you

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Challenge #03916-J264: Dramatic Deception

A knomira used to getting their way sits in a store and screams like a banshee when the customer they were screaming at and accused of lying when they denied being an employee pushed them away when the knomira grabbed an arm. The knomira let themselves fall to the ground scream like they'd been attacked, but proof was shown and the knomira would have to face the consequences for their actions. -- Anon Guest

The problem with multiple people using the same

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Challenge #03915-J263: Two Kind Hands

They HATED the damn teufs with a passion!

They were shocked when they awakened in a medic tent, bandaged heavily after thinking they had died during that rock-fall, surrounded by teuf medics who'd worked hard to save them and their entire band from dying of the injuries.

Note -- Yes I know that's a derogatory term used by those who hate hellkin. It's how the person views the individuals, sadly. -- Fighting Fit

They should be dead. The avalanche had crashed down

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Challenge #03914-J262: Lots of Fries With That

Several Thranityr invite a near-army of human chefs and their assistants to their homeworlds. They have only one request, teach us how to make foods that will fill a belly fast and help us feel full for a longer period of time. The entire species are surprised at how excited the humans are for the experience. -- Anon Guest

Thranityr were possibly the most infamous Deathworlders known to the Galactic Alliance. Until Humanity introduced them to Unsuitable Food, they were most well-known

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Challenge #03913-J261: The Function of Finance

"You could be making eons!!"

"Why would I? I make enough already, and the elderly are safe, and end their days, here, in peace."

"These are resorts trillionaires would pay through the nose for!"

"So?"

"You're letting plebians and leeches use it!"

"They're living, cognisant, beings."

"I just don't get it!"

"You're a Deregger CEO, you never have."

"Okay then Smart Guy, teach me how you're rich but doing this??"

"Alright, no problem."

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-03618-i330-take-your-ease -- Anon Guest

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Challenge #03912-J260: Games That Neophytes Play

A giggling toddler swipes Wraithvine's hat when it was set on the ground. They run around camp trying to wear it and, well, be a typical silly, happy, toddler. -- Anon Guest

Certain happenstances are universal. If you have a less-than ordinary accessory and put it down, the nearest toddler is going to steal it for laughs. Cane? A toddler is going to take it and run away laughing. Cloak? The toddler is going to become the campsite blanket monster. Funny hat?

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Challenge #03911-J259: An Interesting Question

A curious merchant asks Wraithvine and friends as they have joined the merchant caravan to the next town. "I know elves float and meditate instead of actual sleep as we know it, but what of elven infants, do they do the same?" -- Anon Guest

"That is a question I do not often face," said Wraithvine. "Most ask if the world is truly flat for us or whether we can actually drink wine and survive. Ignorant things. So thank you for a

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Challenge #03910-J258: An Essential Education

An elderly king learned the retired ruler, Kormwind, Kosh to his friends, was visiting visiting his kingdom. He asked that Kosh be respectfully invited to the palace to give advice to his daughter, who was about to be elevated to queen, and was quite nervous. -- Anon Guest

There was very little indigo left in the old Hellkin's braided locks, any more. He wore no crown, but bore a heavily-varnished Favour next to his house sigil like a prize medal. His lady

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Challenge #03909-J257: Found Family Speedrun

Five youngsters are found by a massive dragon when they wander into the dragon's cave searching for food. They are adopted by the dragon, for they no family save for each other, and people learn what happens when you deliberately abuse a dragon's family. -- Anon Guest

"But it smelled like baking," said a small voice, echoing in Hardscale's lair.

"It smelled like heat," corrected a second voice. "And farts. I told you it wasn't real cooking."

A third little voice sighed.

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Challenge #03908-J256: One Last Hurrah

For the sake of that poor child.

The guards talk to a good friend who has handled lost spirits like this child before. They find the family, and, with the mall's permission, and a lot of wheedling, have a party started so when the spirit shows again, the family can say their goodbyes, and the child can have the last thing they were promised so they can move on.

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-03849-j197-liminal-encounters -- Anon Guest

They knew about "the

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