September 2021 Writing Prompts

[iam_senpai]

August was a super heavy super busy month for a lot of us but bow howdy I was not ready to realize it was already gone! September is here. The end of summer, the turn toward the holiday-heavy year end approaches. Let's see summer out with some new prompts to fire the imagination and get folks back into writing shape.

And As always--

Disclaimer: I never close old writing prompts from previous months. People can and should be encouraged to post on old month's prompts and I highly encourage players to track these posts to catch stragglers or new people writing on old prompts.

Now. With that out of the way, onto this month's prompts.

September's Writing Prompts

1. What’s a taste or smell that will always remind your character of their childhood?

2. One last hurrah before the weather turns.

3. “Do you know how far I had to travel to get these?”

4. A sudden upheaval.

5. “So... now what?”



Bonus image prompt:

Comments

So, now what?

[itmeanstruth]

The past few months had been quite the blur.

When Isamu was home, he buried himself in books. When he wasn’t, he was at the University lab conducting research on xenobiotics and neurotransmitter systems, examining and cataloging various neurotoxic effects. He presented his graduate thesis, with Minoru hiding out in the hallway just to congratulate him when he obviously passed. He received his degree, with family coming not only from across the country but across the world. He now had his pick of doctoral programs at multiple prestigious universities.

Which meant, he now had quite the decision to make.

For Minoru, aside from a few celebrations and getting the cops called on him for parkour-related trespassing again, it was mostly business as usual. The most intense thing he’d done was let his supervisor know that he was probably going to be putting in his notice during the summer, depending on when Isamu picked his doctoral program. His team was going to be disappointed, but where his brother went, he planned to follow. That wasn’t up for negotiation.

But it still came as a bit of a shock when, instead of the standard University brochure, Isamu showed Minoru a pamphlet for something called the Institute for Research and Interdimensional Studies.

“Nexus… uh, Nexus… is that in Canada?”

“Well, it is technically international.” Isamu clarified. “Though, using that word might be a gross understatement.”

“Uh, come again?”

By the time Minoru could wrap his head around Interdimensional - and if his brother wasn’t explaining it in excruciating detail, he would have sworn this was some kind of movie plot - Isamu’s mind was made up. The opportunities were endless. The chance to collaborate with scientists from other planets, other galaxies, even other universes. The freedom to define his own research and pursue any number of fantastic topics. So many things to learn. A traditional Ph.D. program seemed so constrained, so dull in comparison. But…

“I would still need to apply for a research grant, and likely set up residency within the Nexus in order to do so. There is no guarantee. However, should I be approved and accepted, the contributions I will be able to make in the name of science will be nothing short of extraordinary. I cannot even fathom the possibilities! It’s just…”

“What? It sounds like that’s definitely where you want to go.”

“Well, yes. And that’s it exactly.” Isamu sighed a little. “So… well… now what?”

Minoru slid over and pulled his brother into a one-sided hug. “We tell Mama and Papa where you’ve chosen to study and then start packing, of course.”

“This is not simply moving to another state.”

“Bro, I don’t care how fancy the science is, we’re still gonna need boxes.”

“No, Actually, yes, I do still need boxes. Quite a significant number of them to cover the books I have accumulated these past six years.” He nodded, then shook his head. “What I mean is, Minoru, you… you intend to come with me?”

“Of course!”

Isamu stared for a moment. The response was both surprising and entirely predictable.

“I said I’d go with you, wherever you went, didn’t I? So what if it’s in another dimension. The’ve got to have at least one hospital I can apply for a job at, right? You apply for your grant, I’ll get a job and we’ll take care of each other just like we always do.”

“You are certain?”

“Just like we always will.” He emphasized, squeezing Isamu tightly. “…but you’re driving the moving truck. I hate those things.”

“All right, all right. That sounds more than fair.” He laughed, and Minoru returned the smile.

“Look out, Nexus. Here we come!”