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Challenge #04667-L283: Calculated Retreat

The humans rescue havenworlder colonists from a planet suddenly suffering a massive cooling trend after a super-volcanic incident on the other side of the planet plunged the planet into a sudden ice age. They had no problem with the sub-zero temperatures, but also no problem with the havenworlders needing tropical heat either. One of the rescuers smiled.

"I'm from Wisconsin on Earth, this is normal!" -- Anon Guest

[AN: Having never been anywhere near Wisconsin, I'm guessing this is one of those four-seasons-in-one-day places. Like Melbourne]

The good news was that the colony was far, far away from the volcanic traps. The bad news was that the ash was spreading through the atmosphere and making the planet rapidly unlivable for the reptillian Trachyleps colonists. They were hunkering in their shelters when the Emergency Response Fleet arrived.

They had to descend in gliders and set up a temporary space elevator, as air intake engines would quickly clog with the ash. They came with heaters, insulated livesuits, and modular structures to create and keep tunnels in the ash and snow. There was a lot of shoveling to create the evacuation paths, and at least one Human per habitat to keep the spirits up with warm treat food, songs, and stories. They knew what they were doing, and the Havenworlders could tell by the way that the Humans were joking and goofing around.

While they didn't waste their time on a snow/ash-ball fight, they did chuck a few at their semi-adobe tunnels. It was faster than hauling that stuff up to the higher areas.

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Challenge #04666-L282: Room to Fly

A young human who could tell the gnome Bribrid was actually a dragon asked in a soft whisper. "Could I please have two small scales? I want to make my moms necklaces for their birthdays." He showed several very small pieces of metal already shaped similar to a butterfly's body. "My mom's wife has silver wings." The other necklace was already done, this one was a small blue and yellow agate shaped like a kitten. "And my mom loves cats." -- Anon

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Challenge #04665-L281: Bloodwork Results

The vampiric Count Dragomyr learns to ask first before acting. In this case, by doing so, he saved many lives. Had he rushed in as he so often had done in the desire to care for those he loved, he'd've caused more harm than good. He was grateful this lesson was taught to him.

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04517-l133-enlightened-self-interest -- Anon Guest

It wasn't just doctors. Dragomyr encouraged libraries and education programs. For anyone willing to learn, the resources could be

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Challenge #04664-L280: Mend the Moon

They found why the moon was stuck like this. An accident, an experiment gone wrong, and the rich {censoreds} that caused it? Were more interested in arguing whose fault it was than fixing it. Fine, then everyone ELSE would fix it, and the moon would be shoved back to its proper orbit again.

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04534-l150-ameliorative-measures -- Anon Guest

There's an old saying - two can keep a secret if one of them is dead. The corollary to this

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Challenge #04663-L279: Desperate Measures

Lady Death goes by many names. The Goddess of Death, she listens to all. And when this Rogue, nearing the isle, called out her name and said At least you saw fit to let us through, she responded. "I have always watched over your kind. I am impartial, mostly. Though more of your kind deserve reward in the next life than many I have met, it seems. Allow me to be your patron, and I shall give you a boon."

To their

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Challenge #04662-L278: An Acceptable Chain

Wraithvine's cat, Lilbit, climbs into the lap of a youngling who is, sadly, very allergic to cats. When the youngster starts to have a severe reaction, the furball is quickly sent to the tower, the child's symptoms are treated, and a special band is given to the child so this doesn't happen again. It was, after all, accidental. Even the parental didn't realize it had gotten this severe. -- Lessons

Cats are magnetically attracted to people who are allergic to them. Mostly

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Challenge #04661-L277: Heart of Hope

Fennel stayed until spring, and her companions stayed with her. She concentrated on only three things. Caring for her friends, learning new ways to help others from the guardian, and not dying.

The guardian, and her friends, had to keep reminding her that she came here to heal. After all, the seed did NOT actually create "heartless". It became a new heart. Heartless was simply a term used for those that allowed the heart to grow dark like blackened weeds, instead of

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Challenge #04660-L276: Take a Cup of Kindness

Greatfather Langeven visited the estate of a wealthy family, for he did not ignore any child, no matter the family's status. But there was a carefully wrapped box on the table next to the child's bed, and a little note, written in the child's own hand, well, helped by a staff member.

"I want no gifts, for I have plenty, but I thank you for your kindness. Please give my gifts to other children, and accept this gift from me to you.

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Challenge #04659-L275: Seeking Assylum

The 'pretender prince' had, had time to settle in with his new husband and new role as the king of this land. Bringing it to a place of peace and welcoming rather than being gilded cages. Now, came the hard part. To speak to his father. To tell his father who he really was, and as for his prison? He would plead to Wraithvine to make it larger on the inside than the outside. The man, after all, was still his father.

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Challenge #04658-L274: What Lies, Beneath

A vision from Ereshkygal herself has brought Wraithvine to a region of wine, olives, and seemingly nothing wrong. The reigning duchess accepts her trans daughter as heir, the taxes aren't high, and there are no charlatans or curses running amok. Yet the Goddess has called hir here with startlingly vivid visions. What could it mean? -- Deathshead419

The visions had been very clear. This was the right realm. The architecture was a direct match. Wraithvine even stood at the exact spot that

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Challenge #04657-L273: Uninhabited

A survivor of a plane crash casts a bottle holding his message inside into the outgoing tide in the vane hope that it will be found. Unfortunately for him, it is… -- Deathshead419

Priorities.

Care for any injuries. Find clean, fresh water. Food. Shelter. Then figure out ways to get help. Arbin had patched himself up after returning to consciousness halfway up a tree. He'd thought he was dead when his seat was sucked out with him in it. He was lucky

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Challenge #04656-L272: The Angel's Share

Every distiller knows that while a spirit is maturing in the barrels, some will be taken by the angels. Yet one maker of metal barrels is convinced he put an end to this folklore and keep that booze for his clients. It would put a hitch in his plans for wealth if the Angels were real and decided to pull him into their ranks for his pique… -- Deathshead419

There's a reason why people leave bread and milk for the fairies. There's

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Challenge #04655-L271: Improper Parcel Preparation

What happens to a poor postal worker delivering a package some idiot wrote “Non-Flammable” on, even though the contents are VERY LIKELY to spontaneously burst into flames? -- Deathshead419

As far as Lyle was concerned, this parcel was plastered with overly specific denials. All hand-written over every possible space. Not flammable, they said, Definitely won't spontaneously combust. It was also laid all over with "Handle With Care" and "Fragile" stickers. One of the hand-written warnings, in worrying crayon, said, Store it in

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Challenge #04654-L270: Nibelungen Issues With Betting

Oðinn seeks the Rheingold to pay a gambling debt with Perun, but, he’ll need the wisdom of Thoth in Eagypt to pass the stupid tests to get it and he might run into Siddhartha on his way south. -- Deathshead419

[AN: How to piss off a lot of pagans speedrun ;) FWIW, I am not trying to offend. Of all these mentioned in the prompt, the Buddhists are most likely to be cool with the following]

None can truly die until the

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Challenge #04653-L269: Gold Turned to Dross

In the hilly forests of one of the more Tax-Happy Kingdoms a rogue has arisen who steals from the King’s Tax-Collectors and gives to the poor. Yet, more observant folks have noticed that this thief seems to be keeping most of the pilfered wealth. Perhaps Wraithvine (alone or with someone) can help set this would be Robin Hood straight? -- Deathshead419

The castle at the heart of Drichithia was a beautiful crown atop a small mountain, allowing those resident to see

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