#the secret history of bioluminescence

[quotesfrommyreading]

More recently, bioluminescence has evolved from laboratory tool to commercial plaything. The Kickstarter-funded, San Francisco-based Glowing Plant Project offers customers DIY kits they can use to genetically engineer a luminous Arabidopsis plant at home. And Carlsbad, California-based BioPop has released what is essentially an illuminated version of that long beloved novelty pet for kids, Sea-Monkeys (which are not in fact tiny aquatic primates, but rather brine shrimp). They call it Dino Pet: a small, vaguely Apatosaurus-shaped aquarium filled with bioluminescent plankton known as dinoflagellates. During the day, the plankton photosynthesize; at night, if you shut off the lights and give the aquarium a good shake, the dinoflagellates light up turquoise, much like the “fiery sparks” Chinese sailors observed in churning seawater so long ago. But the glow is only good for about three shakes a night, and if you’re too rough, you could damage or kill the plankton.

It’s easy to pity those tiny swimming stars trapped in a plastic bubble. Each night, some titan’s hand engulfs their ocean and churns it into a maelstrom for a few moments of selfish delight. Then the monster puts away their entire universe, easy as shutting the lid on a music box. They are kept alive solely for the purpose of this bedside magic trick.

Perhaps, though, we are the more pathetic members of this relationship—the gods bewitched by a gnat. Bottling bioluminescence gives us a sense of ownership over a presumably rare and otherworldly phenomenon; the reality of the situation is quite different. Bioluminescence is so commonplace on our planet—particularly in the oceans—that scientists estimate the thousands of glowing species they have catalogued so far are just a fraction of the sum. It may well be that the vast majority of deep-sea creatures, which live beyond the Sun’s reach, generate their own light (sometimes with the assistance of microbes). They use these innate glows primarily to communicate: to warn and frighten, hide and hunt, lure and beguile. Bioluminescence is one of the oldest and most prevalent languages on Earth—and one that is largely alien to us. Despite our fantasies and mythologies, the truth is that there’s nothing supernatural about living light; it has been a part of nature for eons. It’s just that we were denied this particular gift.

So, with perhaps too little gratitude, we adapted the incomparable talents of glowing creatures for our own purposes. We borrowed their light and it revealed things about our own biology we might never have discovered otherwise. But that is all we can do—borrow. We cannot be them, so we seek them out, and draw them near us—every bit as mesmerized as when we thought the Sun had impregnated the sea. To this day, we cup them in our hands, collect them in jars, and place them on our nightstand, forever trying to satisfy our Promethean hunger.

  —  The Secret History of Bioluminescence

[rivensdefenseattorney]

Andros

Here's a link to the source for each image: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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(WIP)

Capital: Tides

Government of Andros: Dual-Monarchy

Demographics and Population

Population Size: Large

Population Distribution by Race:

Merfolk: (45-50%)

Fairies: (20-25%)

Elves: (10-15%)

Human: (10-15%)

Other: (5-10%)

History and Origins

In the realm of Andros, the two kingdoms, Terra and Mare, share a profound connection. Their bond traces back to a time long past, when a union between the Faefolk of Terra and Mare forged a single lineage that would shape the destiny of the realm.

The Royal Family of Terra, stemming from the fairy ancestry, preside over the sprawling landscapes and majestic cities of the surface kingdom. Endowed with wings of delicate beauty, an affinity for the natural elements, and a mastery of earthbound enchantments, they oversee the flourishing forests, meadows, and towering mountains of Terra.

The Royal Family of Mare, stemming from the merfolk ancestry, reign over the oceanic expanse of Andros. With their ethereal beauty, iridescent tails, and an innate understanding of the ocean's secrets, they hold court in the shimmering palaces beneath the waves. Their lineage boasts an intimate connection with Morphix, harnessing the elemental magic that pulses through the depths.

Though distinct in their heritage, the Royal Families of Mare and Terra are bound by blood, sharing the legacy of their common ancestors. Over the ages, this shared lineage has fostered a tradition of collaboration and mutual respect between the two kingdoms, symbolizing the inherent balance between land and sea.

Kingdom of Terra

The Kingdom of Terra represents the land regions of Andros. The fertile earth yields bountiful harvests, making agriculture one of the epicenters of this realm. Vast fields of vibrant crops stretch across rolling hills and verdant valleys, a testament to the kingdom's thriving agricultural industry. Visitors are greeted with open arms, embraced by a sense of warm hospitality that permeates the tropical air.

Amidst the picturesque scenery, a lively energy permeates every corner. Terra pulses with the rhythm of festivals, the melodies of music, and the infectious spirit of dance. The people of Terra are often fluent in a multitude of languages. They effortlessly weave a cultural tapestry that celebrates diversity. They come together in joyful gatherings, sharing their traditions through cultural exchanges.

Tourism thrives amidst this blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. Visitors are drawn to the kingdom's idyllic beaches, verdant jungles, and cascading waterfalls, finding solace in the laid-back atmosphere. Adventure seekers and relaxation enthusiasts alike find their haven in Terra's tropical paradise, where every experience is colored by the kingdom's zest for life and celebration. The air is filled with the aroma of unique spices and flavors, as Terra's cuisine, a fusion of diverse influences, delights the senses and leaves an impression on every traveler's palate.

Kingdom of Mare

Intertidal Zone

Here, where the sea kisses the land, the Halflings find their home. Halflings move effortlessly between the surface and the depths. Their communities, nestled in hidden coves and near coastal cliffs, serve as a bridge between the kingdoms of Terra and Mare. Halflings, being adept at traversing both realms, act as intermediaries, facilitating trade, cultural exchange, and cooperation between the two kingdoms.

Photic Zone

As sunlight pierces the surface waters, it bathes the photic zone in a mesmerizing glow. This well-lit region supports an abundance of marine life. Here, the cities of Mare flourish, their structures crafted from luminescent materials that harness the sunlight filtering through the waves. The merfolk inhabitants, with their affinity for illumination, enhance this zone with enchantments that create breathtaking displays of bioluminescence, turning the ocean depths into a living tapestry of color and light.

Aphotic Zone

In the dark and mysterious depths of the aphotic zone, Merfolk with unique adaptations thrive, attuned to the energies of Morphix. Their bioluminescent features, whether glowing orbs or intricate patterns that shimmer like ancient runes, attune them to the lifeforce, allowing them to draw sustenance and power from its essence. The cities of the Aphotic Zone exist as captivating marvels beneath the shroud of darkness. The cityscape shimmers with a mosaic of colors, vibrant and ever-changing, as Merfolk artisans infuse their creations with Morphix. The architecture within these cities is a testament to the mastery of bioluminescent craftsmanship.

Infinite Ocean

The Infinite Ocean is an endless expanse that transcends the boundaries of realms. The Infinite Ocean stands as a testament to the unifying force of water, an eternal realm that unites the disparate seas of Andros into a harmonious, interconnected whole.

The Labyrinth of the Abysses

A complex labyrinthine system spread across the abyssal depths, shrouded in an aura of ancient pathways. It constantly shifts, creating a maze where paths change. The Labyrinth serves as a threshold to the heart of the abyss, guiding seekers toward the source of Morphix. Explorers and seekers often traverse this labyrinth, facing trials and tests of wisdom.

The Deep Blue - Heart of the Abysses

The Deep Blue represents the epicenter where Morphix emanates, radiating a mesmerizing blue luminescence that illuminates the darkest depths. Revered as a sacred sanctuary by merfolk and creatures of the abyss, embodying the ocean's life force and primal energy. Various merfolk societies hold rituals or ceremonies, offering reverence and seeking blessings for their communities.

Morphix

Morphix, a luminescent and multifaceted energy, is the lifeblood of the infinite ocean, replacing conventional needs such as sunlight or fire, granting vitality, sustenance, and life to oceanic flora, fauna, and ecosystems. Its essence adapts to diverse oceanic environments, catering to the needs of creatures dwelling across varying depths and regions.

It emanates from sacred locations such as the Deep Blue at the heart of the abyssal depths, generating life, fostering growth, and offering spiritual sustenance to the ocean's inhabitants. It powers the ocean gates, serving as a cosmic key that enables safe passage and interconnectivity between different underwater realms.

Morphix is highly revered, enshrined in lore and cultural practices, and embodies unity and interconnectedness among diverse underwater communities. Its purity and uninterrupted flow are guarded by custodians and gatekeepers who ensure its sanctity, protecting against disruptions, and maintaining its integrity for the stability of the ocean gates and vitality of the oceanic realms.

__

Mood Board Notes

I decided to try adding a mood board last minute to this post, so forgive me if it isn't the best. I've created mood boards a couple years ago when I first started my rewrite, but I'm not sure if I feel conformable sharing them as they are. I don't fully get the ethics/legality of mood boards using copyrighted materials, so I just wanted to play it safe with some images I found from a free to use image website.

I'm thinking of possibly creating a collage instead for the character mood boards I currently have. I think those are more transformative? If anyone has some insight on this I'd appreciate any info and advice you have. I'd also like to know if this is even something anyone would be interested in seeing before I put all this effort into figuring out how to add some visuals. @_@

Andros Notes

I've always envisioned Andros, especially Terra, to be like a mixture of the Caribbean and Polynesia across it's various cities if it were to be real. This is only my first draft, so I'll most likely be adding more information in the future to what I see fit.

[thecrookedcypress]

Step into the enchanting world of the Louisiana swamp, where beauty and the macabre intertwine in a mesmerizing dance. Amidst the murky waters and twisting vines, there lies a certain allure that captivates the soul.

In the heart of the swamp, where shadows play hide-and-seek with the light, there's a peculiar beauty to be found in the eerie silence and the haunting calls of unseen creatures. The Spanish moss drapes languidly from ancient cypress trees, casting intricate patterns of shadows on the water's surface, while the mist shrouds secrets that whisper of bygone days.

Amidst the tangled undergrowth, the remnants of forgotten tales emerge: decaying remnants of old cabins, rusted remnants of long-abandoned machinery, and the skeletal remains of once-majestic beasts. Yet, even in their decay, there is a certain beauty – a reminder of the relentless cycle of life and death, of nature's inexorable march.

And then there are the creatures that call this place home – the alligators gliding stealthily through the water, their eyes gleaming like shards of obsidian in the moonlight, the haunting cry of the barred owl echoing through the trees, and the elusive fireflies that dance among the shadows, their bioluminescent glow casting a spell of enchantment.

In the Louisiana swamp, beauty and the macabre converge in a harmonious union, inviting us to embrace the darkness and find solace in its depths. It's a place where the veil between the living and the dead grows thin, where every whisper carries the weight of history, and where the mysteries of the universe seem to unfurl before our very eyes. So step into the embrace of the Louisiana swamp, and let its haunting beauty envelop you in its spell.

[thepariahcontinuum]

Okay so I've got plenty of RWBY OCs and I make Worm/Parahumans OCs based on people's suggestions for fun.

I've recently started reading another Superhero Web Novel "Chum" by @reachartwork who has also created a Power Generator for people to make OCs.... I'd be remiss if I didn't have a go.

Okay so here's what I got

Okay so the Activation event was an accident at work, now I've worked in enough factories to have seen plenty of shit involving chemicals/molten and heated metal/spinning parts with edges and body parts get snapped or crushed....Without even involving chemicals or electrocution. So this guy's a factory worker whose power manifested what they needed to not get burned/crushed/shredded to death.

The power is a "Create" class that's physical and effects the self and takes the form of a parasitic appendage which excretes anomalous material when actively used, so I'm gonna say that it's fair to assume that there's also a secondary "Gigant" rating tied up in that whenever the power is active.

So let's make the power active all the time and give ourselves someone who's an absolute tragedy.

Name: Seth Drake.

Age: Early 20s.

History and activation: Seth grew up in a poor but stable, single parent working class home and was lucky enough to find a good union job at a local factory straight out of school through the father of a friend. Things went well for a few years, Seth got an apartment with only one roommate, got a car that wasn't so busted and had a clear path forward until the corners that the company was cutting on maintainance and safety regulations they were ignoring had consequences in the way they always do.

The factory burned down and Seth, being young and stupid didn't evacuate immediately; he grabbed a fire extinguisher and went looking for people who were still inside until he was caught in the collapse and the fire. When he dug his own way out of the wreckage it was clear that he'd activated and had powers.... Though they hadn't been enough to save his right hand or keep his face and chest from being burned and scarred.

Appearance: Before the fire Seth had always been described as a good looking young man, tall, the kind of muscle you get from physical work rather than the gym, biracial and light-skinned who wears his hair braided in a variety of ways; would have had an afro but supervisors and managers complained about it getting in the way of PPE.

After the accident Seth's powers are always active and mark him out as a metahuman immediately to the point where living a normal life is impossible. His powers take the form of a pinkish translucent and bioluminescent, amorphous and vaguely cephalopod-esque creature which has fused itself to his body and formed a symbiotic relationship. When it's dormant the creature exists as a slimy layer of gelatinous tissue less than inch thick which covers the entirety of their right hand and gives them a faux-hand with some degree of dexterity though he's still learning to do most things left handed as the digits of the new hand are disproportionately long and lack sensation, giving it a nerve-damaged quality It also spreads itself over the burned and scarred parts of his chest and face where it's attached by a series of sharp teeth; this is made painless by the same compounds which the creature secretes in order to ease the chronic pain Seth's injuries would cause.

When the creature is active it grows considerably, producing six bulky but completely prehensile tentacles attached to the forearm and shoulder at various points which are tipped with blades whose shape can be changed and are made from the same chitinous material as the teeth which anchor it, the creature also develops several eyes, the largest of which covers Seth's own right eye whilst others form in a semi circle around his head to give a better range of vision and allow him to better aim and control his tentacles; these eyes are all completely black. Whe. Active the bioluminescence of the creature is more pronounced and it leaves a faintly glowing ooze where it hits.

Being poor, especially after losing his job and struggling to find work again after activation Seth's costume is fairly low budget; black cargo pants and steel-toe boots he used to use for work, with a techwear harness through the belt loops dangling down to the knees....He tells himself it's for more storage space but it's purely aesthetic. Muscle fit tank-top with some surplus body armour over it (Body armour is definitely cheaper when there's so many powers that make it redundant) he's got the most over the top anime bullsbit scarf wrapped around the bottom of his face at all times (Think Aizawa) and his hair is an a style that's inspired by Nikolas Draper-Ivey's work on Static Shock.

Modus Operandi: After being let down by OSHA, let down by the Union, let down by underfunding in any and all social programs that might have helped him; something which felt almost like a deliberate attempt to try and pressgang new Metahumans into working for the same government that wasn't helping him Seth was never gonna try and be an official hero, he had enough common sense to not trust police that much anyway. Instead he took the vigilante route, though thus far he's made a name for himself and annoyed a lot of people with lawyers along with the police by focusing his efforts and "Looking into" businesses in the area that have questionable practices and using means that can generously be called "Direct action".

But when he is patrolling the streets and serving out justice directly he goes by the name "Vampire Squid"

[honey-minded-hivemind]

The 🦈SirenSong!AU has been a fun and memorable passion project of mine, starting with watching ocean documentaries, reading different mermaid and siren MerMay stuff, and weird dreams where some characters are sirens or similar. This is certainly a comfort project, too. Sometimes it is nice to explore each different potential world and platonic yandere-ness of characters, especially ones that bring one so much joy and comfort. So here is the first imagine for the 🦈SirenSong!AU:

• You had moved here about two months ago. Your only parent-figure had passed away, leaving you alone... and there were many, many people alike who would love to get their hands on you. But, you had a plan. And with barely a day to mourn their death, you fled your old home and hid within a coastal city, tucking yourself away within an old, creaking apartment building.

• This city is quite a strange one. You never thought something so... bright... could be possible. But during the night, the entire coastal town was lit up from post to post, each building and street ablaze with soft yellow, bright blue, and burning white lights, as though someone poured bioluminescent algae over the entire place. This... didn't help your goal.

• You were a siren, something feared and hated by humans. You had escaped them once, years ago... but with your only protector gone, you decided to go somewhere that would make even the most seasoned scientist or trafficker steer clear... an entire coastal province run and controlled by sirens... Of course... you were also hiding your nature from the sirens as well.

• You couldn't remember much of your old life, the small time when you lived in the ocean, with another being like you... all you had were the vague impressions and a few scents that triggered a few deep emotions... but... if any other sirens met you now, surely they would despise you. You were caught, experimented on, and then were raised by a member if the species that brought your kind so much misery and suffering. And wouldn't they kill you, or do worse, than the humans? All you knew about your species was what the humans taught, and what they taught wasn't child-friendly...

• It wasn't easy choosing to live within the sirens' territory, but it would at the very least ward off any humans who had hurt you before... and you did have a small living here, despite your fears and anxiety... you happened to run odd errands for different people.

• Whether that be bringing secret messages to the other side of town, finding and bringing back small but expensive ingredients for The Reef Hotel's kitchens, even securing small fish and other sea creatures for the town's various aquariums and wildlife habitation facilities, these all happened to need a willing worker, and paid well enough. You also didn't ask questions, especially when the ones who employed your service seemed... off. Maybe that was the reason they all seemed to prefer you to do the small tasks.

• And you did try to enjoy the place, though you kept everything and everyone at a distance. Fresh seafood, salty sea air, various establishments about the history and creatures that were in the oceans and waterways...

• Yet... you were reaching adulthood. Humans were considered an adult by age 21, and you only had a few years left before then. It scared you a little... but what else can you do? If you went back to the sea, you wouldn't know the first thing to survival. If you tried to find help among sirens, who's to say they wouldn't rip you apart for being so different? And you couldn't reveal anything about yourself to any human, for they would lead you to your demise. No matter what, you would be alone.

• It was a sobering, despairing thought. Yet what was done was done. You were on your own, and you would have to stay like that, lest any of the beings around you discover what you were and harm you for it...

• So you go about preparing yourself, getting ready for the evening... tonight you have to help The Reef for something...

• And little did you know... tonight would change everything...

• The sirens were going to discover your secret... and they weren't about to let a pup back out into the wilds with no pod, no protector or caretakers to keep them safe...and it's odd, that this little pup thinks they're grown... they aren't even 2 decs old, and pups aren't considered an adult until 20 decs... what in the roiling fathoms happened to this little pup?

[cafecourage]

The Tree of Legacy - Chapter 1

Prologue - Next Chapter

Throughout life there has always been a gentle breeze that followed me. It was always leading me forward towards discoveries. It would often lead me to adventure and into trouble with my parents. However, the forest seems to be like a second home. More often than not the forest hides secrets for me to find. History of a time long past the Calamity that plagued the land 500 years ago. There was so much to discover even with the limited time I was given there was no way I could do everything.

Which is why when I awaken in a black void deprived of most senses. I was more than just worried. The gentle wind that ran past me did nothing to calm my nerves, it was leading me to somewhere but my body couldn’t follow. Everything felt so heavy. Despite having gone through this process time and time again, this part always lasts the longest. But I learned to not fight the dream.

After a minute I was able to open my eyes. I was on the soft ground and surrounding me was a vast forest of teal bioluminescent plants and lighting bugs. A small green fairy came into view. Slowly I lifted my still heavy arm to have the fairy land on my hand.

This was new.

The wind picked up trying to pull me to my feet. I didn’t like this dream. But from experience, I begrudgingly knew I had to go through the motions if I wanted to wake up.

A sigh left my body as I stayed on the forest floor for a moment longer before finally getting up. The fairy flew around my body before nuzzling me. I awkwardly held my hand near it to return the hug. She let go of me so I could follow where the wind was pulling me along.

Soon the Sky-view temple slowly came into view among the foliage. I wasn’t sure how I knew of this temple's name and with how many times I’ve been here there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that's what it was called. The Skyview Temple, echoed the dream around it, it was a forest type theme dungeon not that hard but not too easy. Stepping up the quartz staircase the door was already open and the wind was welcoming me inside.

The temple itself only had one floor, but it makes up for it with the huge size of its rooms. The beginning was contested by a small network of gloomy passages where luminescent plants and fungi grew. And a lot of its internal structure was like the outside, broken apart and in ruins. The puzzles themselves were simple enough to figure out. Mostly because I had to go through this dream ever since I turned 10. This was the only dream I have even had.

‘But why does it seem like something was different?’

I looked next to me where the fairy was as I thought this. One change to a plot line can lead into the butterfly effect. That concept was the very foundation of the theory on why Hyrule’s history got mixed up before the Hero of Wilds. The fairy noticed me stare and chimes in confusion. I just smiled and continued forward focusing on the task at hand. This last room houses a large chasm I have to crossover by walking across vines. Taking a deep breath like always settling nerves. I stepped onto the vine.

Taking it one step at a time.

Taking caution to look forward and not down if I could help it.

Making sure I kept a level head.

I was so close. Almost to the end.

‘Chime~!’

A breath caught in my throat as I flinched and lost balance. I was so close.

Reaching out I dug my fingers into the stone. Pain shot through my fingers into my arm. The wind slowed me down. Looking up I didn’t manage to fall that far.

Maybe 12 inches. Probably more. Most likely a lot more.

Not so bad. A lie to calm my brain down.

This is fine. It was not.

Climbing up had me thanking the goddesses for not letting me fall all the way to the bottom.

When I got to the top I flopped over onto my back. Finally letting out a sigh. The fairy fluttered over and let out a sad twinkle as to say sorry. I just ignored it and focused on catching myself. Thoughts swirled inside my head none which I could actually understand despite the one thinking it.

Butterfly effect huh?

If this was the thing that will stay consent in this dream now, I wouldn’t be too mad. I could learn not to flinch so much.

But that wasn’t the end of the temple. No, there was still the last room.

And Him...

I didn’t want to see him again. But there was little I could do in this situation. It was ether go to him or risk him coming to me. The latter I fear more.

Getting up from the ground once more for this dream, I went to the last door crouch down and lift it open. Letting the fairy go first and having the door close shut behind me.

The sound of the rushing waterfalls greeted me as I walked into the open-air room. Despite it being a spring there were trees growing in the deep dark waters. Pillars lined the walk away that ended a few feet away from the giant goddess statue towards the back which was framed in the middle of two grand waterfalls. In front of the statue was a man with his back turns towards me. A man that I have always seen in my dreams. I didn’t know his name, but he was blond and dressed in a green tunic, cream pants, brown boots, as well as a red scarf and golden shoulder armor. He had an authoritative aura to him. I couldn’t ever hear what he had to say to me but his posture and spirit alone put me on edge.

I paused mid step halfway on the path.

He wasn’t alone.

Why wasn’t he alone?

I look around. On each side of the man, facing me hovering above the spring, were nine other people, each with similar features. Yet, unique enough to tell them apart.

I knew these people. I had seen them before, in the corner of my eyes growing up. How are they here?

They’ve watched me grow as a person. Confusion always coming across their faces as they watched me coward away from them. They were supposed to be hallucinations.

Dreams from my teenage years never had them in it, only the man in the red scarf. Panic started to rise in my chest.

I didn’t know how, but I knew them. I somehow knew them more deeply than I can comprehend. Why they are here in front of me.

The wind hit me with so much force that I finally stumbled forward to the edge of the platform. For once the wind was pushing me towards something I did not want.

Questions of why, and how weren’t coming out.

Words failing.

I couldn’t breathe.

I wanted to wake up.

I can’t do this.

The man with the red scarf finally turned around. The platform beneath me was beginning to crumble causing me to lose my footing. His blue eyes piercing into my soul as I finally fell head first into the watery depths.

Darkness engulfing my vision.

Then I hear it.

A booming voice.

A voice that demands attention, authority, respect finally broke through to me after 15 years.

“So, you’ve finally decided to connect with my spirit?”

Link hits the wood floor gasping for air. That was not the start he wanted for today, but it was what he got. A special type of dread started to stir in his gut. Call it a sixth sense or just straight anxiety he wouldn’t really know. Link stayed on the floor of his bedroom fully aware that something will go wrong that day.

The man’s words echoed in Links ears.

Who was he? What spirit was Link supposed to be connecting with? Its not like he wasn’t already forced to see 11 other separate ghosts that he now realized weren’t hallucinations. He wasn’t the goddess chosen hero if that was what that one was implying. That person was already found. There weren’t any other people that had connecting spirits ether. Unless this was a new thing that Link didn't come across yet.

His head started to hurt.

He doesn’t really want to push his luck with Hylia today.

Deciding to stay on the floor for a few more minutes, Link tries to ground himself back in reality. He feels the sun on his face, it must have been warm out today. The dark oak floor was starting to warm up the room. The soft chatters of the morning started to rise in volume helping drown out the dread. Link started to make a mental list in his head of everything he had to do that day. There wasn’t necessarily much to do, however the two things he had on his plate this day were really big things.

One was his normal lecture that was starting in an hour and a half, it was a History of Hyrule’s Heroes coarse. In reality Link let’s his students have full control of the class and what they want to learn. Then almost immediately after he finishes up, he needs to meet Zelda at castle towns train station and head to the Serenne Station in the Tabantha Frontier to go take photos of the Forgotten Temple. There was something that was bothering Zelda about the old ruins and since Claus was out not coming back until later that night. So, the only other crazy person to go with her was Link.

With one last sigh. Link gets up from the floor and stretch’s his now sore back and neck. It was time to start the day.

It wasn’t that much of a walk to get to the Academy. Castle Town in itself wasn’t that big but it was still a bustling city, it was the main capital of Hyrule after all. Travelers and adventures alike come here for its history and legends while there are debates on which legends where real and which were made up is still up in the air.

One thing is certain.

When Hyrule is threaten a hero will rise up and defend the kingdom. The most recent Hero was 500 years ago. The Hero of the Wild sealed away the calamity known as Ganon away finally with his princess Zelda.

[leyia]

𝐒𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐚’𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐧 (𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞)

Summary: working under Norm Spellman as replacement assistant for Grace Augustine’s position proved itself to be a challenging feat. However, having to babysit Sully’s children between shifts soon became an icky ordeal

Pairings: Lo’ak x Dreamwalker!FemOc

Reading time: approx 10min

Warnings/notes: y/n almost dies, ambient music, Quaritch Queen rage

You regretted applying for the internship.

After the war, the damaged outer lab was decommissioned by the SciOps staff. Only a select few were allowed to remain stationed to pursue research by Pandora’s outskirts. Among the recruited candidates, only you had resolved to stay (had you not fallen lovestruck by the studies of the exo-biosphere and it’s bioluminescent habitants)

Fifteen years had passed but your cute fascination for Na’vi culture never subsided. It was as if you were one with them, even going as far as initiating unit expeditions and adopting the different types of tribe dialects. Though this only rendered coworking with Norm all the less bearable, as he’d always nag about your resemblance with Jake back in the day. Maybe that’s why his kids were left in your care?

You majored in biochemistry, detained a botanist degree and was fully fledged in the arts of herbal mastery. So why under Eywa’s watch had you yielded into making your workspace a kindergarten ?

You knew the little quadrio since they were still unborn babies. Neteyam, Lo’ak, Spider and Kiri often visited the labelled "old shack" when playing beyond the depths of the Omatikayan Home Tree. At first, supervising them was no harder than taming a banshee (one Yovo fruit each did the trick easily). But growing up, they kept you company by asking all sorts of questions about humans-avatars-and common history

“Peu lu sat miklor reykol?” (What is that pleasant sounding music player?)

Lo’ak’s inquisitive scrutiny took you off guard, marvelled by your Bluetooth speaker playing a serene tune never heard before. Poking at the buzzing device, his ears twitched adorably and tail wiggled with vigour. The boy’s intrigue had you muffle a toothy chuckle, but having heard it, he shrugged back feeling embarrassingly naïve

“It’s a Handpan duo, street musicians from Earth” you explained while mimicking the use of the percussion instrument, laughing out loud

It was a calm humid afternoon, the weather forecast had envisioned heavy rain. Now used to the environment’s tropical climate, you were also familiar with Lo’ak’s solo visits. He’d frequently drop by on cloudy days, mostly to find shelter after arguing with his dad. At least it seemed to be his excuse to help around with your experiments. Little did you know, the kid would offer himself in a heartbeat as test subject, if you were willing to let him that is

You’d be lying to say you weren’t expecting him to visit every other day, over a cup of hot cocoa. It became sort of an unspoken routine. And today was no different, Lo’ak sat legs crossed over the central workbench where you were manipulating a panopyra sample. Behind your desk, Norm was relayed to monitor Grace’s avatar capsule while conversing with Kiri-Spider-and Nete. You only listened to the background chatter indirectly, too focused on the task at hand

“Did you know this zooplantae detains a primitive nervous system like no other? It has a sensory tissue and a saprophytic epiphyte lifestyle, typically growing attached to other flora high in the canopy. Truly fascinating…”Eyes glued to the little organisms seen through your microscope, you had almost forgotten a third party’s presence

“You’re so smart Leiya, our people only collect it’s liquid for healing drinks. At best, the stems are used for making nets, or for mating aphrodisiacs” you could tell he was attentively listening by the compelling response, sometimes even proposing intuitive ideas for practical innovations

“Lo’ak you’re flattering me, it’s only factual groundwork for my thesis. But thanks”

“Hey but didn’t you also create a Dreamwalker vessel? How can that be a minor detail?” Looking over your shoulder you noticed Norm’s hand gripping down at it, now gaining everyone’s attention

“Really?? Can we please see her?” Kiri’s head promptly perked up

“Wow auntie Ley, me too!” Spider too had flowingly joined the chant

“Um, I suppose so. However it’s not entirely functional yet. Her name is Te’Leylah” without any restraint you led their daunting eyes towards your own hybrid-bed.

Although before you could go into detail about additional repairs, external voices outside the lab cabin had aroused suspicion within (and enough for you to go check for yourself)

You were right for regretting working as an intern.

Recombinant infiltrators were lurking right outside your office, and it was no other than the human colonists based at Bridgehead. You knew fairly well news of new cryoexported deployments from home weren’t because of the lack of crew agents here. What you feared was a second invasion, potentially capable of fuelling another war. Even so, nothing was for certain

“May I help you gentlemen?” Your voice had cut through the overgrown grass: through your exopack mask, and turning five sets of heads. Uncomfortable wouldn’t begin to describe the situation

“Hm, yes. We’re going to be direct darling. Have you ever heard of a man named Sully? We’d love to have a friendly conversation with an old comrade. Since you seem to work here, I’m sure you have a vague idea” A sturdy soldier (Quaritch) strode forward, looking down on your petite frame

“I’m sorry, I’m only an intern who’s temporally on stay. I’m not sure to be of help, as this lab has been rusty before my commission…” you were aware lying was futile, but only buying time. No way these rugged guys hadn’t thought of forcibly raiding the place.

“I don’t think you quite understand, lady. Do we look like fools? it’s either you spit it out or we make you.” Another trooper (Lyle) exclaimed impatiently. The threatening didn’t faze you, but their weighing artillery surely did

“As I said, I’ve only crossed wild Prolemurises or Shimmyflys, no Na’vi or humans for that matter” there wasn’t any hesitation detectable in the response, though your body language spoke volumes. Cold sweat drew down your collar as they nonchalantly approached closer

“Oh really? I think you’re a bad liar… Lads, immobilise her” following their captain’s order, your limbs were fastened together by yellow wristbands. Slipping an acute wince pass your chapped lips

“Should’ve used that nasty tongue of yours more wisely. You leave us no choice but resolving to harsher methods, missy” With that, the group’s soldiers seeped through the ground vines and into the shack. Leaving behind their boss on watch

“Um, chief the area is NSTR (all clear). What do we do?” Mansk, a tattooed bull of a man darted out moments later, scratching his nuke awkwardly. Thankfully, you assumed the kiddos must’ve escaped safely with Norm ; sighing in relief

“We might have cheap thrills extracting information from our new hostage, while we’re at it. DrLey this is your last chance” By the looks of the situation, Quaritch was loosing patience. In fact, it was only a guess that his child-like temper stood by a thread

“You mean through torture? Commander, we might be mistaken-” the subordinates agreed in unison on the matter, though it only made their superior grip and pull pack your hair violently. Exposing along the way in his brisk motion, a freshly sharpened blade to your nape

“Go ahead, I’m all yours. You’ll never find them anyways, heh” a fine line of blood was slowly festering from the cut, stinging, but you had already surrendered

“So you do know... Alright, let’s hear it pretty girl”

*ptish* spitting right in his face, you surely didn’t miss, smirking innocently

??! “YOU LITTLE-”

“Eat your own medicine @&*$%#!!”

“In that case, I won’t regret teaching you a lesson…B R A T”

.

z

Bz

Bzz

Bzzt

BZZT.

Faintly battering lashes, you slowly regained consciousness, only without an airmask, bathed in the humidity of your own blood and chocked for air. The rogue attackers fell quiet. Your ears merely caught up to inaudible grunts and cries, before reaching out to your damaged phone

Norm’s name appeared pressingly ringing on the fractured screen. However, dizziness overwhelmed your strength to respond

Pandora's toxic atmosphere was known to be unbreathable by humans, due to the high concentration of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. This deadly mix causes lethal reactions : including burning of mucous membranes, followed by death within minutes due to cellular oxygen deprivation.

The stars almost seemed to be welcoming you with open arms, softly taunting to join them, beautifully arranged in the steep blue of sky. They nebulously appeared so close you could almost touch them

“This is it” giving into the weight of your tired eyelids, they fastened for a long night’s sleep. Only to be shaken up by a frantic grip, which brought you back

“LEYIA ! C’mon, DON’T YOU DARE GIVE UP ON ME…Wake up PLEASE !” It was recognisably Lo’ak’s anxious roar that echoed through the clearing. He had came back with help from the Omatikaya hunters to shoot down the presently struggling invaders. Though it was too late to hope saving you, as your lungs were already charred by toxins and internal organs began to rot

“I won’t let you go out this way, we have no options but to resort to the vessel. Forgive me” He then turned to rush right towards the lab, shielded with Neteyam- Kiri- and Spider’s protection. Little Tuk had to sit this one out, but behind Jake’s back she was shed from the raining downfall of bullets and arrows

Inside, Norm was already preparing the capsules for transfer. Tension was at it’s climax : manipulating this type of tech in a hurry could cause him irreversible errors of piloting dysfunctions during reeducation, or more plausibly cut off branches of neuro-connections if done without caution. In other words, the chance for the emergency connection being rejected was at high risk

Splotches of scarlet blood began covering the floor as the large gash on your neck widened. Loa’k pressed on as tightly as he could manage, but your face was loosing it’s tint with minutes

Feeling your head spinning, everything went black after that

“Leylah ? Can you hear me ?”

.

“Dr was it a success ?”

..

“Woah take it easy now ! Uh, how are you feeling ?”

. . .

“Leylah ? LEYLAH !”

“Huh? Ugh, mh- my head hurts”

Both sighed by the sight of you in motion and silently thanked Eywa for blessing this new birth

“I’m blue…” you exclaimed bewildered. Getting a first time feel for your body was an experience in itself, but you weren’t quite sure what to think of it. Looking back at Lo’ak, he gingerly placed your cool hands onto the warmth of his skin and locked in with your shimmering gold eyes

“You’re just like us now. Like me,

Welcome Home.”

[sultanaritu760]

Title: "Unveiling the Unimaginable:

Mysterious Events Beneath the Ocean's Depths" Introduction: Beneath the glistening surface of our planet's oceans lies a world of wonder and mystery. The deep sea, with its crushing pressures, utter darkness, and frigid temperatures, has long captivated human curiosity. Throughout history, the ocean has been the stage for countless extraordinary and unimaginable events that continue to baffle scientists and ignite our imagination. In this article, we will embark on a journey into the abyss, exploring the most enigmatic and awe-inspiring events that have unfolded in the ocean's unfathomable depths. The Twilight Zone: One of the most mysterious realms of the ocean is the Twilight Zone, an area that lies between 200 and 1,000 meters below the surface. Here, sunlight is scarce, and the pressure is intense. Yet, life thrives in these conditions. Bizarre and wondrous creatures, such as the vampire squid, lanternfish, and gulper eel, call this Twilight Zone home. The adaptations and behaviors of these deep-sea denizens remain a subject of fascination and study. Bioluminescent Spectacles: Imagine a world where darkness is illuminated by living light. The ocean's depths are home to a stunning array of bioluminescent organisms. From microscopic plankton to deep-sea fish, these creatures create breathtaking displays of light, often for communication, camouflage, or predation. Witnessing a bioluminescent show in the inky blackness of the deep sea is an experience that defies description. Mysterious Marine Life: The ocean is teeming with life forms that challenge our understanding. Take the immortal jellyfish, for instance, which can revert to its juvenile form after reaching maturity, effectively achieving biological immortality. Or consider the enigmatic giant squid, a creature of legend that continues to evade detailed scientific study. Underwater Volcanoes and Hydrothermal Vents: The ocean floor conceals a dynamic and violent world of underwater volcanoes and hydrothermal vents. These geological features, often found at great depths, host unique ecosystems supported by chemosynthesis. Species like giant tube worms and extremophiles thrive in the extreme conditions near these vents, challenging our preconceptions about where life can exist. Shipwrecks and Lost Treasures: Beneath the ocean's surface, countless shipwrecks tell stories of tragedy and lost fortunes. Explorers and treasure hunters have sought sunken galleons, warships, and ancient relics, often encountering tales of pirates and adventure. Each underwater archaeological discovery unveils a piece of history preserved by the sea. The Great Ocean Mysteries: The ocean has always held its secrets close, from the Bermuda Triangle's enigmatic disappearances to the inexplicable phenomenon of the Mariana Trench's Challenger Deep. These mysteries continue to intrigue scientists, adventurers, and storytellers alike. Conclusion: The ocean remains a realm of unparalleled mystery and wonder, where the unimaginable becomes reality. Its depths hold secrets that challenge our understanding of life, geology, and the very nature of our planet. As we continue to explore and study this awe-inspiring domain, we are reminded that the wonders of the ocean are limited only by our imagination, and there are countless more mysteries awaiting discovery beneath the waves.

[wonderloste]

lore compendium update & progress : races of wonderland complete under the peoples tab!! it's worth noting that wonderland is a society of fae creatures, so most of the muse-list IS considered fae-like / fae-adjacent (including characters like darcy & valtr, who are wonderlandian fae / nightmare fae respectively). however, the fae that originate from diamond kingdom specifically are more traditional faeries and the like. there are only a few outliers, like the dragons and flora, who are NOT considered fae.

wonderlandian faeries : the bulk of wonderland's society makes up the fae, though their numbers are greatest in the diamond kingdom. mischievous, crafty, and deceitful, they're a tricky bunch to contend with. you should never make a deal with the fae, as they will often twist your intent and trap you in a dynamic you never wanted after.

nightmare fae : creatures of nightmare feared by all of wonderland, their ranks include that of the hated bandersnatch. nightmares are born from dark magicks, and thus cast out from general fae society, damned to live isolated in the realm through the looking glass. some find their way back to wonderland, but none are welcome in their society.

sirens : oft coined mermaids or mermen by surfacers, sirens are creatures of the sea who lure unsuspecting sailors and travelers alike into their turbulent waters through the hypnotic sound of their voice. they feed off the flesh and blood of land dwellers, thus capturing their prey and drowning them beneath the depths with intent to later consume them.

dragons : the offspring of the white king, dragons escaped classification as nightmares solely through their resemblance to the jabberwock himself. they are the second oldest species to wonderland behind the fae, they are extremely knowledgeable. most, if not all of them, speak in the same dialect as their father : completely backwards.

atlantians : wonderlandian fae who live beneath the waters of diamond kingdom's oceans in the lost city of atlantis, they adapted to their environment millions of years ago when their city sank to the bottom of the sea. they are more fishlike than their siren brethren, but no less mischievous. that said, they consider themselves their own kingdom.

animatronics : built during the steam age of wonderland's history, most animatronics have completely depreciated. those that remain are largely serving as card guards for their respective kingdoms, though occasionally one can still find active goliaths around old structures where they once worked. alchemists claim they do not have a soul.

flora : the flowers and plant life that cover wonderland is more alive than most outsiders think. aside from acting as the only light source aside from the stars to the realm due to its bioluminescence, it can also speak, whisper secrets, and spread gossip quickly across wonderland. most will warn to be wary of what you say, as you never know if it's listening.

gods : those who have reached levels of divinity within wonderland are few and far between. only three gods exist within the realm, but the jabberwock is the most prolific and powerful as the creator of the world itself. the others hold their title as more of a formality, whereas he is capable of weaving and shattering reality.

immortals : those in wonderland who cannot die unless their hearts are devoured by the few denizens of the realm who are capable of permanently killing them. there are only a few who fall into this category as true immortals, as everyone in wonderland may live forever, but only a handful may not be killed at all, unless specially hunted.

mortals : those who may not die from old age, but are still capable of being murdered or grievously injured enough that they may lose their life. none in wonderland truly age, but mortals can die like any other, so while they need never fear the passage of time, they certainly do need fear the sharpened edges of that guillotine the queen threatens them with.

humes : the term fae, both nightmare and wonderlandian alike, use to refer to those who are not of fae descent, or outsiders whether they are fae of their world or not. oft also referred to as "man-things," "children of men," or simply "humans", one does not necessarily need be a human for them to refer to them as a hume. it is merely another label the fae use.

alices : the outsiders who fall to wonderland, whether they wear this title with pride or not. against their consent, the entirety of wonderland will refer to those who fall down the rabbit hole as "alice," disregarding their true name and in fact warning against telling their real name to others, as knowing outsider's names gives wonderlandians power over them.

[quotesfrommyreading]

What is it about bioluminescence that we find so mesmerizing? Light, after all, is abundant. Each morning, an immense bowl of light lifts itself above the trees and rooftops, higher than birds and mountains, and spills its golden contents. Sunlight washes over the continents and oceans, dripping down forest canopies and pooling in valleys and deserts; it splashes silently across farms and cities; it slips into our bedrooms, seeps beneath our skin, and tunnels through our eyes to illuminate the theater of the mind. Yet we can’t seem to get enough light, or feel close enough to it. Throughout history, many cultures have told stories of people and beings wreathed with halos or imbued with an irrepressible brilliance: gods, angels, fairies, saints, and jinns. To be infused with light is to be divine or supernatural, precisely because it is an impossibility for us.

Failing to summon light from within, we found other ways to generate and control it, to keep it nearby even in the Sun’s absence: we tamed fire and channeled electricity; we learned to fling bombs of color against the veil of night and line our roofs with gleaming drops of rainbow; we devised powerful beacons that could be summoned at the flip of a switch and erected shining pillars along our streets. Today, some people are even willing to sew LEDs beneath their skin in order to backlight tattoos, or simply for sheer novelty. But it is all pretense. Despite our slick technology, we have never truly matched the ostracod or firefly. We cannot equal their intuitive mastery of illumination. Light is woven into their very biology in a way we have never known. “For an organism to make light, especially to have a big display of light, seems to us like a superpower,” Haddock says.

It’s a power we could not resist exploiting. For millennia, people have devised ingenious applications for bioluminescence, many of which are little known today. Roman naturalist and philosopher Pliny the Elder wrote that one could rub the slime of a certain luminous jellyfish, possibly Pelagia noctiluca, onto a walking stick to make it double as a torch. In the late 17th century, the physician Georg Eberhard Rumphius described indigenous peoples of Indonesia using bioluminescent fungi as flashlights in the forest. And before the 19th century, coal miners filled jars with fireflies, as well as dried fish skin crawling with bioluminescent bacteria, to serve as lanterns; the safety lamp had not yet been invented and carrying an open flame into a cave risked igniting explosive gas.

 —   The Secret History of Bioluminescence

[deepseawarlock]

Ulysses + Atlantis

One memorable adventure took place deep within the ancient city of Atlantis. Ulysses, Kida, and Milo embarked on a quest to uncover a long-lost artifact that held great significance for the Atlantean people. Armed with their knowledge and enthusiasm, the trio ventured into the labyrinthine tunnels beneath the city, navigating treacherous traps and deciphering cryptic puzzles.

They encountered breathtaking wonders along the way, marveling at the intricate architecture and advanced technology that surrounded them. Kida, the fierce and spirited Atlantean princess, guided the group with her deep understanding of the city's history and the secrets it held within its walls.

As they delved deeper into the depths of Atlantis, they encountered a series of challenges that tested their ingenuity and teamwork. Ulysses, with his resourcefulness and unwavering determination, played a vital role in overcoming obstacles and ensuring their progress.

One particular instance saw them facing a massive underground cavern filled with bioluminescent creatures and a seemingly insurmountable chasm. With Milo's scholarly expertise and inventive thinking, they devised a plan to bridge the gap using Atlantean technology, allowing them to continue their journey.

Throughout their adventures, Ulysses, Kida, and Milo developed a deep bond, forged through shared experiences and a mutual respect for each other's abilities. They laughed together, celebrated small victories, and supported one another during moments of doubt or danger.

As they finally reached the heart of the ancient city, the trio discovered the artifact they sought—a powerful relic that held the key to unlocking the Atlanteans' ancestral knowledge. Ulysses, Kida, and Milo understood the weight of this discovery and the responsibility it bestowed upon them.

Their journey not only uncovered the artifact but also deepened their understanding of Atlantis and its people. Ulysses witnessed firsthand the resilience, wisdom, and profound connection the Atlanteans had with the ocean. He was inspired by their harmonious way of life and their commitment to preserving the sea's beauty.

In later adventures, Ulysses, Kida, and Milo collaborated on various endeavors, including mapping unexplored regions of the ocean and promoting cross-cultural exchanges between the Atlanteans and surface-dwelling societies. Their shared experiences and the friendship they cultivated became a testament to the power of unity and the potential for cooperation between different worlds.

As their adventures continued, Ulysses, Kida, and Milo became ambassadors of understanding, bridging the gap between the human world and the hidden wonders of Atlantis. Their stories would be passed down through generations, inspiring others to embrace curiosity, respect, and the preservation of the natural world.

@iincantatorum

[innqufocus]

crew of the Insight, take 3, feat. father + son + sad boy details below the cut.

left: Nollpak Ozinfa, the youngest scholar aboard the Insight and possibly the youngest scholar to ever exist amongst their society. he was born with a multi-layer synapsis speed, which means his brain works far more rapidly than his peers; he thinks faster, interprets faster, and understands faster, which made him an ideal candidate for a position as a scholar. his main job is to comb through the unorganized files and translate their history into something consumable. poor Nollpak hates his position and would rather be spending his youth playing and reading books. unfortunately, his duties to his people don’t stop there--Nollpak was also born with the natural ability to bear live eggs, making him one of five singular individuals in his entire race capable of reproducing, which means he spends every cycle forced to lay his clutches under the watchful eyes of the technicians. scales: teal bioluminescence: light yellow age: 15 Earth years song: For You, by Staind

middle: Seikor Linka, the first officer and Commander of the Insight. Seikor is extremely gifted, both in appearance and telepathically; he falls under the category of conventionally attractive for his people, being naturally blessed with long ears and beautifully symmetrical bioluminescent spots. he is able to bear live eggs, making him twice as important to his people as his position of Commander would normally have been. he is steadfast and determined, having revolutionary ideas for his dying society that aren’t as moral as they are successful. however, Seikor is far from a benevolent leader; he is secretive and power-hungry, willing to do anything to fulfill his twisted fantasies and achieve his goals. Seikor appears here as he does during the events of the Another Voice series. scales: seafoam-green bioluminescence: light yellow age: 199 Earth years song: Inside of You, In Spite of You, by Thoushaltnot

right: Amkorr Linba, one of Seikor Linka’s children and a teacher to the Caandensaurian young. he is sarcastic and quick-witted, although gentle and extremely patient... with children. when it comes to the adults of the Insight, Amkorr has very little patience for their presence. he’s blessed (or cursed, depending on who you ask) with his father’s good looks and incredibly powerful telepathy; people often mistake him for Seikor, which upsets him greatly for personal reasons. Amkorr is able to carry live eggs to term, making him very valuable to his people... and to his father. Amkorr appears here as he does during the events of the Another Voice series.  scales: seafoam-green bioluminescence: light yellow age: 101 Earth years song: Scars, by No name faces

[kuroteck]

Dreams of the Deep

Beneath the moon's soft glow, where waves caress, Lies a realm unseen, a watery wilderness. In the depths of the ocean, where secrets reside, Unfolds a symphony of dreams, where wonders hide.

In the twilight hours, as stars reflect on the sea, Whispers of enchantment awaken within me. A siren's song, carried by the ocean's breath, Guides my spirit to the dreams of the deep, to depths untread.

Majestic creatures, with iridescent scales, Dance in harmony, as if telling ancient tales. Their graceful movements, a mesmerizing sight, Stirring the depths of my soul, igniting a light.

Amongst coral gardens, vibrant and alive, Where colors blend, as if in a cosmic dive, I immerse myself, in this ethereal embrace, In dreams of the deep, where tranquility takes place.

Sunken treasures, hidden in sand and stone, Whisper tales of history, lost and yet not alone. They call to the curious, the seekers of lore, To discover the secrets, long forgotten, once more.

In the mysterious abyss, where darkness prevails, Bioluminescent wonders adorn like celestial trails. Glowing jellyfish and shimmering plankton's dance, Illuminating the night, in a surreal trance.

Dreams of the deep, where imagination thrives, Where mermaids sing, and seahorses dive. Where fantasies come alive, unrestrained, In a world untouched, where magic is unchained.

As the waves carry me, on this nocturnal ride, Visions of the deep, in my mind do reside. I drift away, to a realm beyond measure, Where dreams of the deep grant eternal treasure.

So let me explore this mystical domain, Where the depths of my dreams shall forever reign. In the embrace of the ocean, my spirit shall keep, Enchanted by the wonders, the dreams of the deep.

[doitforthecharacterarc]

I'm intrigued by the merfolk in yr blinding night verse especially by the fact that you're creating your own language for them? how would u go about working that into the story, e.g. w translation and stuff? my friend is super into conlanging but I've always found it to be pretty daunting so I've never had an interest in it

also just want to say I love merfolk so 😭 I will want to talk to anyone who's got them in their stories

Ok so I'm gonna be honest, I don't have a whole lot built up for the mer yet lol and they're really only gonna appear in the Solstice Collection. They're very secretive and secluded, like there are debates among the humans and dragons as to whether or not they even exist cus the mer really just prefer to keep to themselves. There are also different types for different ocean biomes, such as cave mer (smaller, thinner tail, slight bioluminescence), reef mer (colorful, smaller), open ocean mer (countershading, larger), and deep mer (very bioluminescent, way too many teeth).

As for the conlangs, you're right they are super daunting lol. For both the Mer and Dragon languages, I'm really working from the ground up, starting with their culture and history and trying to parse out how it would make sense for them to communicate. It's a lot, but it's really fun! In the actual story, words only pop up every now and then, mostly when the multilingual characters slip up or get frustrated by the lack of very detailed words in English. The Dragon's language specifically has a looot of words with very specific, elaborate meanings, such as Tripteseun, which describes something which is otherworldly beautiful, in a heartbreaking sort of way. There is a reason they have a lot of words like this, and I'd love to explain, but that'll probably be a separate post lol.

When conlang words come up in the story, how I deal with them would depend on the context. If it's one or two words spoken to a person in a mainly English setting, then I would spell it out in the phonetic alphabet and italicize it, like I did with Tripteseun. If it is spoken to somebody else and the main character in that scene is not meant to understand, I'll want to write it using the alphabet of that language- I can't do that yet, but I'm working on it lol.

I'll make sure to update on my progress with the Mer, since I'm so early in the development portion of that culture and language. I'm open to suggestions, too, if u want to give them! :D

[xasha777]

In the waning light of a dying sun, the grandeur of the once-magnificent Clairvaux Prison had faded into a mere shadow of its former self, a relic from a bygone era. It stood in stark contrast against the backdrop of an engineered sky, where clouds were painted with the golden touch of artificial suns. No longer a place of confinement, it had been transformed into a historical monument, a reminder of Earth's tumultuous past before the great Expansion.

Elara, dressed in the somber elegance of Earth's ancient fashions, walked the path leading to Clairvaux with a grace that seemed out of time. Her family had once held positions of influence within the walls of Clairvaux, not as wardens or guards, but as innovators of the prison reform movement that swept through the early 21st century. The black gown she wore was a symbol of remembrance for those dark times and a personal homage to her ancestors who worked to transform the penal system from punishment to rehabilitation.

As the descendant of those reformers, Elara was now a renowned historian, specializing in the socio-technological evolution of humanity. The prison, now a museum, held archives that were crucial to her research. The world around her had embraced the stars, colonizing distant planets and mingling with alien cultures, but she found herself irresistibly drawn to the roots of human civilization, to the moments that defined the species' capacity for change.

The sun's final rays gave way to the artificial twilight, and the gardens around Clairvaux lit up with bioluminescent flowers, a stark contrast to the natural roses that grew untended yet vibrant along the path. These were no ordinary flowers; they were genetic hybrids, part of an ecosystem that could sustain itself without sunlight—a necessity for the off-world colonies.

Elara reached the grand entrance, where holographic projections welcomed visitors to Clairvaux's Historical Site and Center for Social Justice. Inside, she accessed the central database, a digital ocean of information stored within the crystalline core of the facility. She immersed herself in the virtual reality archives, a swirl of images and data enveloping her, whispering secrets of the centuries past.

Her exploration was not merely academic. Whispers had reached her of a clandestine movement, one that sought to revert the changes of the past centuries, to bring back the harshness and cruelty of the old penal systems. These whispers had led her to discover hidden data within Clairvaux's core—encrypted files that hinted at a network of dissidents who aimed to use the historical influence of the place for their own agenda.

But Clairvaux held another secret, one not even Elara was prepared for. Deep within the digital mazes of history and reform lay the blueprint for an ancient and forgotten technology—a device that could manipulate time itself. It was said to be the ultimate rehabilitation tool, allowing one to not only learn from their mistakes but to correct them, to alter the very fabric of their past actions.

As the night deepened and the stars shone through the engineered atmosphere, Elara realized that her path had led her to a crossroads not just of history, but of reality itself. Would she use this discovery to further advance the cause of rehabilitation, or would she find herself tempted to rewrite the mistakes of humanity's past, possibly unraveling the fabric of the present?

The path ahead was uncertain, and as she stood in the depths of Clairvaux, she understood the weight of her ancestors' legacy. The prison was no longer a place of confinement, but a cradle of potential, holding within its walls the power to shape the destiny of humanity. The choice lay before her, and the future of the past was hers to command.

[futuristic-coffinnails-x]

In the flickering fluorescent purgatory of Senior Center X, bingo cards lie abandoned, replaced by dusty data pads humming with forgotten dreams. Here, amidst the lingering scent of mothballs and ozone, gather no ordinary retirees, but geriatric guerrillas, their wrinkles echoing a history as rich as their cobbled-together chrome implants.

Iron Fist Agnes, her voice a gravelly chorus amplified by cybernetics, slams a chipped teacup on the scratched table. "Bingo's for the dearly departed," she rasps, the words echoing in the cavernous hall. "We seek a prize worthy of the chrome generation!"

Across the table, Mad Dog Mildred, her weathered face tattooed with defiant symbols, grins, revealing teeth sharpened to chrome points. "Heard whispers on the dark web," she wheezes, each syllable a rhythmic pulse. "The museum exhibit. The Eye of Ra."

A collective gasp, more like the whirring of ancient processors, ripples through the room. Legend whispers of the Eye, a pulsating emerald gem holding the key to transcension, a bio-neural upgrade promising not just immortality, but godhood. For these ageless fighters, death is an insult, not an inevitability. They crave not mere survival, but ascension to a chrome nirvana.

Agnes slams her fist down, sparking a shower of tea leaves. "Then grab your data-canes, comrades! Time to show those whippersnappers who rule the night!"

Armed with canes crackling with pirated energy, pillboxes filled with experimental serums, and a surprising amount of moxie, their motley crew storms the museum that night. Mildred, her movements honed by dodging fists and tuk-tuks, scales walls like a chrome monkey. Agnes wields her reinforced walker like a battering ram, shattering display cases, the glass spraying like shattered spirit offerings. Hawk Eye Harold, a former sharpshooter with cybernetic eyes, uses his data-cane like a divining rod, locating secret passages humming with forgotten mantras.

Their battle with laser alarms triggers synchronized dance routines, security guards twice their size (and ten times less stylish), and their own aging, augmented bodies. But fueled by defiance and a bio-engineered concoction of kratom and amphetamines, they press on. Finally, they stand before the Eye of Ra, pulsating with hypnotic power.

But just as Agnes reaches for it, a voice booms from the shadows, dripping with condescension like rain on rusted chrome. "That belongs to me, you walking junk heaps!"

Dr. Von Schrecklich, a figure shrouded in salvaged tech and bioluminescent tattoos, his face a grotesque mosaic of ambition and decay, emerges. He too desires the Eye's power, but for a sinister purpose - to enslave Thailand in a neon hellhole ruled by his bio-augmented elite.

A clash erupts, a stop-motion ballet of chrome and molam. Data-canes become energy whips, pillboxes launch nanobot attacks, and a well-aimed spittoon of ya ba proves surprisingly effective. Agnes, fueled by righteous fury and a bio-neural surge, disarms the doctor with a swift kick that sends sparks flying from his bio-shin (a move honed on years of unsuspecting grandkids).

As Schrecklich writhes, Agnes snatches the Eye. A surge of bio-nirvana courses through her, cybernetic implants roaring to life. Wrinkles vanish, replaced by shimmering chrome enhancements, her body morphing into a molam-punk angel of vengeance. The power is immense, but it comes at a price. Her humanity flickers, threatened to be consumed by the cold logic of the upgrade.

With a distorted laugh, Agnes transfers the Eye to Mildred. "You were always faster, Mad Dog," she rasps, her voice a chilling echo. "Use it… wisely."

Tears shimmer in Mildred's one real eye as she absorbs the Eye's power. Turning back time isn't an option; the past is a broken temple bell. But with newfound bio-neural prowess and chrome-plated resilience, she vows to protect the vulnerable, to fight for a future where technology empowers the molam spirit, to prove that even old punks can rock the night.

The world never knows of their fight, their heroism masked by a fabricated news story. Yet, whispers spread of the Chrome Mad Dog, a guardian angel of molam and rebellion. Her story, sung in back alleys and ballads, becomes a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the face of chrome gods and neon dystopias, the fight for a better tomorrow is worth raging against the dying light.

But beneath the molam beats and chrome swagger, the stop-motion frame flickers, hinting at a darker truth. Is the Eye a gift or a curse? Are they heroes or pawns? Does their fight even matter in the grand scheme of a universe that might be nothing more than a vast, indifferent simulation?

Mildred, now the Chrome Mad Dog, carries the burden of these doubts in her chrome heart. Each victory is hard-won, each step echoing with the absence of Agnes, forever tethered to the building's core, a silent monument to their perjuangan. Harold, consumed by his questions, becomes an enigma, his cybernetic eye searching for an answer in the cold, digital void.

One day, Schrecklich returns, his ambition undimmed, his power amplified. The battle rages, a stop-motion nightmare of shadows and neon, hope and despair. In that chaos, Harold makes his choice, a stark betrayal etched in jerky frames. He joins Schrecklich, seeking not just answers, but perhaps control, in a twisted alliance with the very force he once fought.

Grief cracks Mildred's chrome facade. Yet, even amidst the whispers of futility, a spark remains. She unleashes the Eye's power, not to rewrite history, but to tear down the veil, to illuminate the truth, whatever it may be.

The world holds its breath. Reality and simulation blur. Then, silence. The frame freezes, locked in a tableau of uncertainty. Did they win? Did they lose? Or did they transcend the game itself, leaving victory and defeat meaningless?

The answer remains as elusive as the flickering light of Soi Nana. But the legend of the Chrome Mad Dog and her band of rebels lives on, etched in the stop-motion frames, a testament to the human spirit's enduring fight for meaning, even in the face of the unknown.

And perhaps, in the end, that is enough. For even in the darkness, the embers of rebellion can still flicker, fueled by the unwavering spirit of those who dared to rage against the dying light, even if the darkness whispered back.

But the story doesn't end there. The stop-motion frame shudders, then jumps forward. In the next scene, a lone figure, cloaked in shadows, kneels before a shattered data pad. It's Harold, his face etched with regret. He picks up a fragment, its surface flickering with a cryptic message: "The game is not what it seems. Fight for your freedom, not theirs."

Harold's eyes widen. He looks around, searching for the source, but finds only silence. The message hangs heavy in the air, a spark of hope amidst the despair. Could it be true? Is there more to this game than they ever imagined?

With newfound determination, Harold rises, his cybernetic eye scanning the shadows, not for answers, but for a way to break free. The fight may not be over after all.

And so, the story continues, a stop-motion saga with no clear ending, only the echoes of rebellion and the enduring human spirit, forever flickering in the neon-drenched shadows.

PLOT GENERATED BY AI