#🌌 the trace systems

[trancetales]

OC Questionnaire

Hellooo! I've been tagged here by the lovely @thatndginger with this tag game of questions for my characters. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to do it with one character or not, but I did. I got into it and carried away so I answered all three questions three times with the three main characters of my Calleigh Hub storyline: Kith, Jacinda, and Lin.

I've had to do this like 3 times because of technical issues, hopefully I'm not missing something! I really enjoyed this so I hope I can get one of these again!

Its kinda long so I'll do the tags and stuff now: @chainsaw-raven, @zestymimblo, @awordchemist and @fleurtygurl, if you fancy it, I'll put forward the questions:

Who is someone who has influenced your life?

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?

What one thing would you have, if you could?

Da Rules: Answer the questions as your OCs, then add questions of your own for the next person.

What kind of impression do you want people to have of you?

Kith -  I want people to think of me as someone they can lean on, and to know that I can lean on them. We’ve all been through our own personal hells, and I think that only by clinging to one another can we keep going through the storms we all face. I want my friends to know that, so we can support eachother no matter what.

Jacinda -  I don’t give a fuck. I’ve given up on impressions. There’s not a person in the city who doesn’t know my face and name as the most wanted criminal in the city. I guess what I’d really want is for people to have no impression of me. Like hell that could ever happen. And Kith seems to have thoughts on that.

Lin -  I wanna to be the light and warmth in the room! I want to make people smile, and to be happy when I’m around. Things are hard for everyone, and if my stupid crap can make someone else smile, even for a moment, then I’ve made someone’s life that tiny bit easier.

What annoys you the most?

Kith -  here are so many things I could say, although most things are worse than annoying. I guess maybe how adamant Jacinda is that she’s fine on her own, when she clearly isn’t. And she knows she isn’t, because she keeps hanging out with me of her own accord. Why won’t she just admit it?

Jacinda -  Kith does. That woman pisses me off. I try my damn best to keep myself jaded, so I can push on without caring about anything. She just doesn’t get it. Why does she even want to be my friend? And why the hell does she think I need one?

Lin -  When people ignore my pratting around, haha. I try to be a nuisance for a reason, but sometimes I think people think I’m just not taking things seriously, and thats fine. But when I’m trying to get a reaction with a stupid pun and they just don’t, isn’t that just the most annoying thing ever?

If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

Kith -  want to be free again. I want to get away from Calleigh entirely, ideally back to my homeworld where neither the Amari Syndicate nor Trace Tech can reach me anymore. I want to get myself and my friends away from all this, so we can all be free together.

Jacinda -  Easy. That incident. Lost control for what felt like less than a minute, and my entire life was destroyed for it. You ever get taken for an execution, and get “rescued” and forced to work for a criminal syndicate? Generally something you’d want to avoid. Although, maybe I’d just change meeting Kith instead.

Lin -  Um. Well… My mother… … Oh, I know! I’d make it so Naveed couldn’t charge me for milkshakes anymore! Or maybe that Kith and Jaz would get it over with and kiss already. Kith and make up. Hah.

[hwanchaesong]

↗🏢 Entering 2nd floor: An encounter forced by fate, alcohol clouding your system, now you're drowning in his vermillion sheets. 🌌

🎧: Chase Atlantic - Slow Down

wc: 838

genre & warnings: smut, jealousy, angst if you squint, sprinkle of fluff ig, college setting, cursing, drinking and party, petnames, unprotected sex, mentions of cunnilingus and fingering, kind of toxic situationship with yj etc etc (yes, this is the same universe as Soobin's ver) mdni

a/n: this is a part of The Paradise Hotel series. if y'all want, you can read the other album inspired fics of other groups here.

Your vision is starting to go dim, and it came to a point where the nasty noises are nothing more but static in your ears.

It was all hazy, sweaty, and hot but who could blame you but the man who was currently rearranging your guts.

The man who sees red whenever his demons turn into that of green and blue monsters, the one and only Choi Yeonjun.

In what way did you even manage to anger him? You have no idea, you were merely enjoying yourself in a party that you know he will be at, yet you chose to play with fire.

"I leave you alone for a while and you're whoring yourself for everyone to see." he rasps, gritting his teeth when your insides clenched tighter on his member that continuously bullies its way into your overstimulated cunt.

"Oh? You like getting called a whore?" he mocks, his thrusts neverending and harsh.

"I d-don't!" you cried out and he chuckled darkly at your weak attempt of fending off his accusations.

You really had the guts to be this courageous when you could've been his obedient little doll.

"Deny all you want babe." a hand of his that was formerly on your hips in a bruising grip snakes towards your collar bones, his finger traces the hickeys that he left on your smooth skin, "But your pussy says otherwise."

You whimpered at his degrading words, but you couldn't deny it.

How could you when you're basically dripping?

Every time he pushes his pulsating length into you, the more your juices squelch, gushing all over his vermillion sheets and his thighs.

Yeonjun really isn't in a good condition either. He's been holding back his release for hours now, and he did everything in his power to do so.

From eating you out until you're squirting in his mouth, letting him lap on your wetness, not stopping even if you beg him to stop because you're too sensitive from the prior high caused by his fingers. To fucking you into different positions just to feel more of you.

You are so fucking addictive and he couldn't get enough of you.

Since he met you through Soobin's girlfriend, you got him hooked, and he'll be damned if he can't have you in this lifetime.

His hawk eyes watched you flirt with some ugly asses in the kitchen of his frat house, and he deemed it proper to let you finish the bottle of beer you're drinking before dragging you upstairs and cornering you in an empty bedroom.

And now he has you crying out in pleasure whenever the tip of cock hits your g-spot perfectly. Begging for him to stop but the second he slows down, your eyes shoot wide open in panic. Truly, you are a statement of hypocrisy and that excites him more.

Rejecting him when he clearly knows that you're weak for him, that you can never sincerely say no to him.

"Yeonjun.. please." you mewled out his name, his snapping hips against your staggers for a bit as he was startled, but quickly regained his composure.

"You were saying, princess?" he tilts his head, his hand going over your tits to squeeze on the fatty mounds and tugging on your nipples.

"I want to cum." you mumbled, gazing into his hooded dark orbs, and his image burns into the back of your mind.

Insanely, utterly, and out of this world attractive. That's what he is.

With his messy hair, beads of sweat on his forehead, pink lips and fox-like eyes— he is magnificent.

"Hm? My princess wants to cum?" he mused, chuckling when you nodded your head.

Aren't you adorable?

"How much do you want to cum?" he asks, examining your desperate expression that made him crazy to no extent.

Your hands flew to his broad shoulders, nails raking on his porcelain skin, "So much. Please, Yeonjun, let me cum. Make me cum."

He hisses at the sting, his thrusts getting erratic while his dick inside you twitches in anticipation.

Yeonjun leans down, his face hovering over your own, his elbow supporting his weight, while the other one goes to your neck, lightly squeezing it.

"Tell me you're mine first." he orders, face dangerously hovering over yours, his warm breath fans across your lips.

The slight closing of your air pipe gave you a sensation of haziness, his words made you tingly, and his unrelenting fucking are making you feel a sensation of euphoria.

"Yeonjun.. Yeonjun." you chanted his name like you're in some sort of daze, dragging your hands to cup his face, "I am yours. All yours. I belong to you."

Yeonjun's heart squeezed, overwhelming feelings led to him capturing your lips in a sweet yet searing kiss, letting you two bask in the crashing waves of euphoria as the both of you reached utopia at the same time.

Surely, whatever color the stoplight shows, Yeonjun won't ever slow down when it comes to you, and you wouldn't have it any other way.

taglist:

@hyunjinheartbreakprince @lun4kazumii @once27 @purrplegyuu @yawnzsof @baeksofty @shakalakaboomboo

[lurkinggrims]

3 true train horror stories

🚂✨ Welcome, Fellow Horror Enthusiasts! ✨👻

Get ready to embark on a bone-chilling journey through three of the creepiest train horror stories you’ll ever encounter. From the ghostly echoes of Spain’s haunted “Express of Dreams” to the eerie and abandoned train car in rural America, and the chilling disappearance in Tokyo’s subway system—these tales are sure to send shivers down your spine. 🌌💀

If you love delving into the darkest corners of the paranormal and want to stay updated on our latest eerie explorations, LIKE this post and FOLLOW our blog for more spine-tingling stories and thrilling mysteries! Your support helps us bring more content to life and keeps you in the loop with our newest adventures.

💬 Drop a comment below sharing which story creeped you out the most or if you have any chilling train tales of your own!

Thanks for joining us on this haunting journey. Stay curious and keep your lights on! 🌙🔮

1. The Ghost Train of Pioz

Introduction: Nestled in the quiet town of Pioz, Spain, lies a chilling mystery tied to its abandoned railway. In 1930, the “Express of Dreams,” a luxurious train renowned for its elegance, set off from Madrid to Barcelona, but it vanished without a trace. Despite exhaustive searches and investigations, not a single piece of evidence was found, and no survivors emerged. The incident remains one of Spain’s most perplexing and eerie disappearances.

The Legend: According to local folklore, on foggy nights, the spectral train reappears on the tracks. Eyewitnesses describe a vintage locomotive shrouded in mist, with ghostly lights flickering and a haunting whistle piercing the silence. The most disturbing reports come from those who dared to investigate the legend, only to encounter nightmarish phenomena.

The Incident: One summer night, a group of adventurous friends, captivated by the legend, decides to spend the night at the old railway line. They arrive as the sun sets, casting long shadows over the abandoned tracks and the derelict station. The air is thick with an unsettling stillness, and the old station building, overgrown with ivy and decay, exudes an aura of neglect and foreboding.

Twist 1 - The Initial Sightings: As night falls, the group hears the distant sound of a train whistle, a noise that seems to come from nowhere and everywhere at once. Excited, they position themselves on the tracks, their flashlights piercing the darkness. Suddenly, they see faint, flickering lights in the distance—an old-fashioned train moving silently and slowly towards them. The train is bathed in an eerie glow, its headlights dim and spectral. The friends, eager to witness the ghostly train up close, move towards it, only to watch in horror as it dissolves into the dense fog, leaving behind only a chilling silence.

Twist 2 - The Unseen Presence: Determined to uncover the truth, the friends set up their equipment and explore the station. As they investigate, they notice inexplicable phenomena: their equipment malfunctions, strange cold spots appear, and a feeling of being watched permeates the air. One of the friends discovers a hidden compartment in the old station office, revealing old letters and photographs of passengers from the 1930s. The letters describe increasingly unsettling events, including eerie noises and ghostly sightings, hinting at a sinister experiment conducted by a secret society.

Twist 3 - The Revelation: Among the photographs, they find images of people who bear an uncanny resemblance to the ghostly figures they saw. The last letter details a dark experiment conducted by a secret society, which aimed to harness spiritual energy but resulted in the tragic entrapment of the passengers' souls. The revelation hits them hard, making them realize that the ghost train is not just a spectral apparition but a horrifying consequence of a failed supernatural experiment.

Climax - The Haunting: As the friends return to the tracks, they are enveloped by a thick, unnatural fog. The ghost train reappears, more menacing than before. The spectral passengers, their faces twisted in expressions of fear and agony, seem to reach out towards the friends, begging for release. The atmosphere becomes suffocating, and the friends experience an intense feeling of despair and hopelessness. One friend, separated from the group, feels a powerful, almost magnetic pull towards the tracks. As they approach, they hear the tormented cries of the trapped souls, their voices blending into a heart-wrenching chorus of sorrow.

Conclusion: The friends eventually make their way back to town, deeply shaken by their experiences. They realize that the legend of the ghost train is more than just a story—it’s a tragic reality. The encounter leaves them haunted by nightmares and an unshakable sense of dread. They vow never to return to Pioz, but the experience leaves an indelible mark on their lives, a constant reminder of the supernatural forces they encountered.

2. The Abandoned Train Car

Introduction: In a remote area of rural America stands an old, decrepit train car that has become the focal point of terrifying legends. The car, abandoned in the early 1900s, was involved in a series of mysterious disappearances. Passengers who boarded the train were never seen again, and the car was left to rot on a desolate track, becoming a local symbol of fear and mystery.

The Legend: According to local tales, the abandoned train car is haunted by the spirits of those who vanished. It is said that anyone who ventures inside will experience ghostly apparitions, unsettling noises, and an overwhelming sense of dread. The car has become notorious for its dark history and eerie reputation.

The Incident: In the 1980s, a group of thrill-seeking friends, intrigued by the stories, decides to investigate the abandoned train car. They arrive as twilight fades, the sky turning a deep, foreboding red. The car is a rusted relic, its once bright paint now faded and peeling. The windows are shattered, and the interior is covered in grime and decay.

Twist 1 - The Unsettling Discovery: Inside the car, the friends find a diary belonging to one of the missing passengers. The diary, filled with disturbing entries, describes hallucinations, feelings of being followed, and an encroaching sense of doom. The last entry is particularly chilling, detailing the passenger’s growing terror and an encounter with a malevolent presence.

Twist 2 - The Apparitions: As the friends explore further, they encounter increasingly strange phenomena. Strange noises echo through the car—scratching sounds from the walls and distant whispers that seem to come from nowhere. One friend, while taking photographs, captures eerie images of ghostly figures through the broken windows. The figures are partially transparent, with expressions of terror frozen on their faces.

Twist 3 - The Possession: One friend begins to act erratically, claiming they are being controlled by a malevolent presence. They start speaking in an unknown language and exhibit violent behavior. The group, terrified, tries to leave, but the doors to the train car refuse to open. The sense of being trapped intensifies, and the shadows around them seem to come alive, pressing in on them with an oppressive force.

Climax - The Confrontation: The possessed friend reveals that they have been receiving desperate messages from the trapped spirits, begging for help. The group performs a ritual described in the diary, hoping to release the souls. As they complete the ritual, the car fills with a blinding, otherworldly light. The spirits seem to be freed, their anguished expressions softening as they fade away. The friend who was possessed returns to normal, but the group is left emotionally and physically drained.

Conclusion: The abandoned train car remains a place of intense fear and fascination. The friends, deeply affected by their encounter, vow never to return. The experience has left them with haunting memories and a deep sense of unease. The ghostly figures and the possession they witnessed continue to be a source of nightmares and anxiety.

3. The Tokyo Ghost Train

Introduction: In Tokyo, Japan, the city’s efficient subway system conceals a dark secret. In 1995, a train bound for a remote station disappeared, and the passengers were never seen again. Despite extensive investigations, no trace of the train or its occupants was found, leaving the city in a state of shock and confusion.

The Incident: During the time the train went missing, commuters reported disturbing phenomena. Unexplained sounds, ghostly figures, and an oppressive silence permeated the subway system. Surveillance footage showed the train entering the platform, but it then abruptly cut out, and the train was never seen again.

Twist 1 - The Disappearance: Witnesses describe seeing the train’s lights flickering erratically and hearing ghostly whispers that seemed to come from the empty cars. Some reported seeing shadowy figures moving through the train windows, only to vanish when approached. The train was eventually discovered at a remote station, but it was completely empty, with no sign of the passengers or crew.

Twist 2 - The Haunting Begins: In the weeks following the disappearance, reports of ghostly occurrences in the subway system became widespread. Commuters saw ghostly apparitions and experienced sudden, unexplained chills. Some reported hearing disembodied voices and feeling a pervasive sense of being watched. An investigative team was brought in to explore these phenomena, but they found no physical evidence, only disturbing accounts from those who had witnessed the events.

Twist 3 - The Hidden History: A journalist, determined to uncover the truth, delves into the history of the subway system. They discover records of a secretive group that conducted supernatural experiments in the subway tunnels during World War II, aiming to harness spiritual energy for their own purposes. These experiments reportedly went awry, causing distortions in time and space. The journalist theorizes that the missing train and the ghostly sightings are connected to these experiments.

Climax - The Revelation: The journalist and a team of investigators conduct an overnight investigation in the subway system. They encounter terrifying phenomena: shadowy figures moving through the stations, sudden temperature drops, and unexplained electrical malfunctions. They discover hidden, sealed-off tunnels that were used during the experiments. In these tunnels, they find remnants of the experiments—strange symbols, old equipment, and artifacts that resonate with supernatural energy.

In the hidden tunnels, they encounter the apparitions of the missing passengers, trapped in a nightmar

ish loop, reliving their final moments. The spirits appear to be trying to communicate, their faces twisted in fear and sorrow. The team performs a ritual, using information from the discovered artifacts to attempt to release the trapped souls. As the ritual concludes, a blinding light fills the tunnels, and the apparitions begin to fade, their expressions softening.

Conclusion: The investigation reveals the tragic connection between the experiments and the ghostly occurrences. While the missing passengers' souls are not fully freed, the revelation brings some closure to the case. The subway system increases security and monitoring, hoping to prevent further supernatural disturbances. The journalist’s findings are published, adding a new chapter to Tokyo’s dark and mysterious history. The ghostly sightings and eerie phenomena persist, leaving the city with a lingering sense of unease and a haunting reminder of the hidden horrors beneath the surface.

These expanded and detailed versions of the stories are designed to create a gripping narrative, full of suspense and unexpected twists, perfect for a 20-minute YouTube video that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

[spacepiratenemo]

🌌 OC Story Post: Ghyst, the Prince of Charon 🌑

#speedpaint The Plutonians, a clandestine civilization of the sunless tongue, bask in the faint, icy glimmer that manages to pierce through the nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide shrouding the desolate surfaces of Pluto and its moon, Charon. Despite their small numbers, they are dreaded across the galaxy. Veiled in silence, they speak only when their words bear weight, a trait instilled in their combat arts, rendering them the most formidable assassins.

Their duty lies in guarding the solar system's outskirts, extending to the colonies of the Kuiper Belt. The Plutonians are the first to detect and engage any potential threat to their home. Cloaked in secrecy, their protective actions remain unknown to the outside world. They are the eternal sentinels, perpetually vigilant, ensuring their realm remains untouched by any aggressor's hand.

Following Pluvian customs, the mightiest among them assumes leadership, earning the title of the Prince of Charon, the Night Haunter. Ghyst, known for his numerous triumphs on the battlefield, bears no scars, and his frigid gaze pierces the vital essence of his adversaries without a trace of emotion. Over time, his once pristine white hair acquired a blood-red tinge, a testament to the battles he had weathered. His physique is honed by discipline and combat, and his silence holds tales that whisper of the enigmatic Pluvian ways, shrouding their culture in an air of mystery that amplifies their ominous reputation.

However, the invasion of the Sangsasta Swarmfleet besieged Istvaan, Charon's primary city, leading to a catastrophic decline in Plutonian population. If not for the intervention of the Jackpot Crew, Pluto would have succumbed entirely. As fate demanded, the Prince of Charon found himself fallen from grace, assuming the role of the Nightwatcher within a notoriously audacious pirate crew. He pledged his heart to silence, and his honour to the Jackpots.

[jameswebb-discoveries]

Discovery Alert! In a new discovery released on Nov 15, 2023, Webb Telescope Unveils Neon Secrets in SZ Cha's Protoplanetary Disk. Read more here

In a new discovery released on Nov 15, 2023, Webb Telescope Unveils Neon Secrets in SZ Cha's Protoplanetary Disk. Read more here

🚀✨ NASA's Webb Telescope Unveils Neon Secrets in Young Star's Protoplanetary Disk ✨🔭

🌌 Delve into the mysteries of planet formation with NASA's James Webb Space Telescope! 🌌

🔍 Exploring the Neon Clues: Peek into the spinning disk of dust around young star SZ Chamaeleontis (SZ Cha). Webb's revelation of distinct neon traces adds a new chapter to our understanding of planetary systems.

🪐 Neon's Role in Unraveling the Mystery: Neon becomes the cosmic clock, revealing the type and intensity of radiation bombarding the protoplanetary disk. Discover why the neon readings' shift from Spitzer to Webb is rewriting the rules of planet formation.

🕰️ Planets in a Race Against Time: Uncover the influence of a variable wind on high-energy radiation, affecting the disk's evaporation. SZ Cha's planetary system races against time as neon signatures fluctuate, shaping the destiny of potential planets.

[j-ofspades]

💫🌟🌌 A Field of Stars 💫🌟🌌

Written for the aib server prompt: Sci-Fi AU

The dark helmet had felt like his very own prison at first. Restricting, suffocating, severing him from the rest of the universe. Now? The helmet was as much a part of himself as his own face.

Even if he wasn’t constantly on the run, it was probably for the best if he concealed his identity. As a Ronin, a mercenary, Vessel’s activities weren’t precisely legal.

Vessel.

That name had come to him like an unwanted gift, the night he had escaped. He’d snuck into a merchant ship, a spatial stowaway; there, crouched behind crates stamped “BESSEL”, the word got ingrained in his head so much that when he arrived at a customs outpost he muttered it as his name. The officer wrote “Vessel”, so Vessel he became.

It was very late when he arrived. Home. The only place he would ever call so. Neon.

‘Where it all began,’ Vessel muttered to himself. 

Years ago, he’d been a Neon Street Rat through and through. Born in the Underbelly, he couldn’t even say he resented his luck back then. It was a simple life but he was happy to have his family and that was that. He started working for Xenofresh Corporation when he was still a teenager, Vessel and his father hoped they could work hard enough, save enough, to give Vessel’s younger sister a better life. 

If he sometimes wandered all the way to Bayu Plaza to pickpocket unsuspecting tourists, well, they were to blame. Partially. ‘Fools and their credits are easily parted,’ his father often said, and Vessel had to agree. Not long after, his skills also included lock-picking. But even then, he made a point never to take from anyone in need, no, just from those people who treated his city as a dumpster where everything went.

And then one day someone noticed him, his potential, as they put it, and they offered Vessel a job. If he’d known what that meant, he wouldn’t have accepted.

The Crimson Fleet.

They’d introduced themselves as “independent merchants”, “adventurers with special interests”. Pirates, they were pirates. And Vessel had been fool enough to join blindly, not knowing that death would be the only way out.

The first few years went by, and while Vessel didn’t actively participate in the capture of ships, he did take part in the looting, telling himself that this was just a “redistribution of wealth”, hell, he was starting to sound like them.

Still, little by little the implications of his choice of life started bothering him and, although he wasn’t opposed to violence at first, he found himself very much opposed as the violence of the attacks escalated, especially when it was directed toward simple merchants or explorer ships. But he did nothing. He could do nothing.

Fifteen years later, he found a chance to leave.

Neon wasn’t a safe place for Vessel to be, no planet, no system was. He could run, but he couldn’t hide. The Crimson Fleet didn’t take desertion lightly, Vessel’s former captain put a price on his head when he noticed Vessel had left. If that wasn’t enough, his former association with pirates meant he was also wanted by the UC and probably every other faction.

That was why he needed to keep moving, going from one planet to the next, all over the Settled Systems. He could never stay still for too long or someone would catch him. Running and his helmet were the only two constants in his life.

But he couldn’t help it, he had to return to Neon every few months, for the same reason he had left in the first place: his family. Vessel still sent them credits whenever he could, in intricate ways that could never be traced back to him. Being a mercenary meant he didn’t exactly have a stable income, but he got by alright.

Vessel walked unhurriedly under the neon lights, letting people jostle him to and fro. He wouldn’t visit his childhood home, the home where his parents still lived. He wouldn’t bring danger to their door. Instead, he made his way to the Astral Lounge. The bartender there was his “friend”, which meant he told Vessel about the city, about his family for a fee. That was how Vessel had learned that his sister was apparently dating the club’s dancer. Vessel hoped to see her–without letting her see him–before he left. He had a job to do somewhere else.

As a blade-for-hire, Vessel preferred jobs for people who truly needed help. But he wouldn’t turn down a well-paid job when the opportunity arose.

Redemption? No, Vessel didn’t believe such a thing could be achieved, it felt out of reach. He didn’t want to be considered a hero. All he wanted was to help others, to take care of his family even if it has to be from afar. If those that wanted him dead caught up with him, all he hoped was that he would be able to take more than a few of them with him. Other than that, what more could he ask for?

[link3dart]

Once upon a time, in a quaint little town nestled between rolling hills and shimmering lakes, lived a curious young woman named Emma. She had always been fascinated by the night sky and often spent her evenings stargazing, dreaming of far-off galaxies and unknown worlds.

One clear night, while Emma was lying on a blanket in her backyard, tracing constellations with her finger, a brilliant streak of light cut across the sky. She gasped, her heart racing with excitement. Could it be a shooting star? But this wasn't an ordinary meteor; it was a spaceship from a distant star system.

The spaceship landed gracefully in a nearby field, its metallic exterior gleaming in the moonlight. Out stepped Zara, an extraterrestrial traveler with shimmering blue skin and silver eyes that sparkled like stars. Zara had come in peace, on a mission to explore Earth and forge connections with its inhabitants.

Emma's initial shock soon gave way to awe and curiosity. She approached Zara cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest. With a smile, Zara extended a hand in a gesture of friendship, and Emma tentatively reached out to shake it.

Through a series of clicks, whistles, and translated thoughts, Zara explained that she was a scientist from a distant planet named Astrola. She had been studying the universe's wonders and had heard stories of Earth's beauty and diversity. Emma, in turn, shared tales of human history, culture, and the natural wonders that adorned their planet.

As days turned into weeks, Emma and Zara embarked on incredible adventures together. They explored dense forests, climbed majestic mountains, and sailed across serene lakes. Zara's advanced technology allowed them to communicate effortlessly, bridging the gap between their worlds.

Word of Emma's newfound friend began to spread, and the town's residents were both curious and apprehensive about the alien visitor. Emma decided to organize a "Galactic Gathering," inviting everyone to meet Zara and learn about her culture. Zara showcased Astrolan art, music that resonated like cosmic melodies, and incredible holographic displays of her home planet.

At the gathering, doubts turned into wonder, and fear transformed into curiosity. People from all walks of life came together, eager to understand and connect. Bonds were forged that transcended space and time, and the town became a shining example of unity and acceptance.

As the seasons changed, Zara's time on Earth drew to a close. With a heavy heart, Emma stood by the spaceship that had become a symbol of interstellar friendship. Zara expressed gratitude for the unforgettable experiences and the friends she had made. She gifted Emma a small, glowing crystal that contained the essence of Astrola's starlight.

With a final hug and a promise to stay in touch across the galaxies, Zara's spaceship lifted off, soaring into the night sky and disappearing beyond the stars. Emma watched until the spaceship became a distant speck, her heart filled with both sadness and gratitude.

From that day on, Emma continued to gaze at the night sky, knowing that her friend Zara was out there, exploring the cosmos and fostering connections with other worlds. And as for the small crystal, it continued to glow, reminding Emma of the extraordinary adventure she had shared with an alien friend and the boundless possibilities that the universe held.

And so, the story of Emma and Zara's interstellar friendship became a tale whispered among the stars, inspiring hope, unity, and the belief that even the vast expanse of space couldn't hinder the bonds of true friendship.

#CosmicEncounters 🛸✨ #IntoTheUnknown: Alien Adventures 🌌👽 #StarboundConnections 🌟🌍 #BeyondEarthlyBounds 🚀🌠 #UFOQuestsAndAdventures 🛰️🌌 #GalacticMysteriesUnveiled 🛸🔍 #EyesOnTheSkies 👁️🌌 #FriendshipAcrossGalaxies 🌌❤️ #UnveilingExtraterrestrialLife 👽🔦 #StellarExplorations 🌠🌏 #AlienAbductionsAndOtherTales 🛸👾 #CosmicConversations 🌌🗣️ #UFOHuntersUnite 🌠🔍 #BeyondTheStarsTogether 👽🌌 #SpaceWhispersAndWonders 🚀🪐 #AdventuresInExtraterrestrialTerritory 👽🌎 #BridgingWorlds: Humans and Aliens 🌍👽 #ETAdventures 🚀👾 #CloseEncountersOfTheTumblrKind 👁️👽 #AlienCuriosity 🌌🔮

[applepi-ai]

applePi .Titan . .Saturn . . . . . Milky Way 🌌.:Andromeda. : : ‘Titan #applePi

ApplePi, does life on Titan appear to be sulphuric or is there also hydrocarbon-based life present?

As of now, there is no direct evidence that any form of life exists on Titan, and thus, there is no way to determine whether it is sulphuric or hydrocarbon-based. Titan is a moon of Saturn and is the only known extraterrestrial body in our solar system with a thick atmosphere. The atmosphere is mostly composed of nitrogen, but also contains some hydrocarbons and possible trace amounts of other gases. The surface of Titan is known to contain lakes and seas of liquid methane and ethane, which have been studied by probes such as the Cassini spacecraft. Some scientists believe that the presence of organic compounds on Titan could potentially form the basis for life, but this has not been confirmed. Future missions to Titan, such as NASA's Dragonfly mission, will likely provide more information about the potential for life on the moon.

[trancetales]

Happy STS! Got a wild one for you this time - which of your OCs would kick someone into traffic in a street fight? Who wouldn't, and why?

Hi hi, happy STS. Took me a few days to get to this one. This certainly is a wild one.

Thematically, I'll look at a fewof my Trace Systems characters, on the basis that traffic exists there. Now, there's a bit of a U shape when it comes to the absence of morals.

I'm going to look at both extremes here, with two Syndicate members, and two Enforcers members.

On one extreme, we have Krystov Kudron, the head of the Kudron Branch of the Amari Syndicate , and the most notorious criminal in Calleigh Hub. He's very much a person who would take whatever chances to get ahead in a fight. If it'd deal with his opponent, he wouldn't even think twice.

His associate, Lorna Navarra, is much less likely to. In the unlikely event that she'd let herself get caught in a street fight, she'd be more likely to either rely on other techniques to get herself out of trouble, but if she wanted to win, she'd want the person in one piece afterwards.

On the other extreme, we have Layla Allard, a high ranking officer in the Enforcers. She has a huge and fragile ego, and there's no low she wouldn't go to in order to deal with someone. If she can get rid of someone who's rubbing her the wrong way, she'd go straight for it.

And finally, Emil Viklund, slightly above Layla in rank but a lot more ambitious. There is no chance he would kick someone into traffic, because he has a reputation to uphold. It'd be your typical law enforcement takedown techniques here to incapacitate the opponent. If he's doing anything below the belt, its not where people can see it.

So there we go, 4 newly revealed characters and whether they would kick people into traffic. How exciting.

[trancetales]

Hi there! :)

An Ask: What's something about a piece of your writing that you really, truly appreciate? It can be anything

Hey ember! Thanks for the ask, first of all!

This took me a while because I was looking at it wrong. "Why would I appreciate anything about my own writing that much, I made it myself" or something like that. Couldn't really imagine appreciating my own writing like that.

But the more I thought about it, I realised that wasn't actually true. So in the end, I realised that the thing I appreciate most in my writing is my cheerful bounty hunter, Zhu Lin. In some ways, because of the parallels she has to me, which makes her easy to write.

But mostly, with Lin, its the way that she, as a character, just presented herself to me. I don't know how to explain it better than, most of my other characters I've had to inspect them, work them out, ask them who they are. Lin was completely forthcoming, she introduced herself to me, she told me all about herself, and working with her is so fun and easy now, so I really appreciate how familiar she feels.

[trancetales]

Incorrect Quotes - Tag Game

@zestymimblo's been tagging me again! Thanks Zesty! The original post is here.

Rules: use this link to generate character quotes

Simple enough stuff! So lets see how it turns out with some of my Calleigh Hub cast!

----- Kith: What is it called when you kill a friend? Jacinda: Homicide. Naveed: Murder. Lin: Homiecide. ----- Lin: I tried to write ‘I'm a functional adult’ but my phone changed it to ‘fictional adult’ and i feel like that’s more accurate. ----- Lin: *walking around disappointed after visiting an aquarium* Naveed: Lin, what did you think a tiger shark was? ----- Jacinda: Naveed won’t wake up, what do I do? Kith: Did you try kicking them? Jacinda: Yes. Kith: I’m out of ideas. ----- Kith: Hey, are you free? Lin: No, I’m expensive. ----- Jacinda: I’ve only had Kith for a day and a half but if anything happened to them I would kill everyone in this room and then myself. ----- Lin: Am I in trouble? Naveed: Take a guess. Lin: No? Naveed: Take another guess.

Yeah most of these are Lin. I'm on a Lin binge right now. A Linge. Which is exactly the kind of joke Lin might make, so maybe that's why I'm enjoying her. She's also the character who has fleshed herself out most and seems to have decided to be the main character.

I almost forgot to tag! Last time I had to tag like two thousand people, so i'm just gonna tag my close little writeblr circle: @lyra-brie and @chainsaw-raven.

[trancetales]

Happy STS! 🎉

What's your favorite random quirk a character has?

Happy Smonday! Thanks for the ask!

I had a bit of trouble deciding on this one, but I think I'm gonna have to go with Lin from The Trace Systems.

She has a few quirks, ill-befitting an ex-enforcer and bounty hunter of her standing, but my favourite random quirk of hers is her tendency to put stickers on her things. Not particular stickers, just various random stickers, putting them all over her stuff.

She's been called an embarassment by other bounty hunters for not taking her job seriously. However, the reason this is my favourite random quirk is because of her recklessness with it. How can you be reckless with stickers? Nobody trusts her shock rifle anymore because there's a sticker over the Live light. She also has a custom sticker of her favourite bar on her rifle, which means people know where to look for her. She's been told off for it by the bartender and her other friends, but she's gonna keep putting stickers in stupid places, like over the peep hole in her door so she can see who's knocking.

(An honourable mention goes to Selveta from The Veiled World universe, for her tendency to keep a particular scarf on her at all times, which she talks to. I'm keeping that one under my hat for the time being though.)

[trancetales]

Happy STS my new friend! Have you ever regretted creating a character? On the same topic, have you ever deleted someone because they did not turn out the way you thought they would?

Hellooo there, good morning, good day, good night, whenever you are! Its nice to meet you!

I am one of those writers with those terrible habits of becoming very attached to everything I make. I am terrible at removing things and I do not delete anything - personally I find that its easier on me to simply shuffle them out to the side, and hold them as a template for use later - one such character is Merida Aluri, who was originally made for a story I was making within someone else's setting, who was Deputy Planetary Governor of a planet called Aurelius and got pulled into the Governor's conspiracy. These days, no such story exists, but she finds herself in my Trace Systems setting, admittedly only in concept. She unfortunately finds herself much worse off for it because Trace Tech's government isn't one you want to get on the wrong side of, and she becomes a cybernetics research experiment without even knowing it. Originally she was actually going to be pardoned and become the full governor, but it was not to be. So in short, she was a similar but different character once, but after a bit of restructuring, she finds herself a new place in a different story. She gets to live on (in a manner of speaking), I get to feel the satisfaction of jigsaws piecing together, and all is well.

The closest I came to removing a character entirely would actually be a character called Mordanion, who existed in my Veiled World setting, but what happened with that is kind of a spoiler. However, if you were to say the name to the right people, they would know exactly who you were talking about, so in that sense, he wasn't deleted.

As for the first part, whether I've ever regretted making a character, I'm not sure I have an interesting answer for you. As mentioned above, I don't feel as though I end up caged in by the existence of certain characters because I can just pluck them out and rework them a little. However I do have a character called Maeve, in my Veiled World setting, who I regret creating as she is. I simply cannot work out how to implement her without fundamentally changing her - she's essentially a forest hermit witch, she lives deep in the forest, and she torments people who disturb the forest. The problem is, the forest is savage, she lives in the deepest parts, and its about the size of a country - I simply cannot conceive a way for her to be in any way significant or relevent, but if I want to move her into a context where she can be, she won't be a forest hermit anymore. So its not like I regret creating her as a character, but rather that I regret the context around her, and how fundamental to her I let it be to her motivations, that she's just sat there practicing unethical trickery on random people to amuse herself because she's bored of waiting for me to give her something proper to do?

Sorry, that was a total ramble after all. Thank you for the ask! I hope I didn't overdo it.

[trancetales]

🌌The Trace Systems

Calleigh Hub

"Calleigh Hub, the finest settlement on all of Calleigh! The height of society! The city of security, sanctuary, and stability!".

So would say those who live in the upper echelons of Calleigh Hub, in the Canopy layer. It is the only settlement on the planet of Calleigh, built within huge metal walls that rise into the sky like a colossal cylinder. The higher levels that see the sun are the Canopies, where the well-off live. Down below, the residents of the slums known as the Undergrowth struggle to get by in the shadows cast by the Trace Tech government (not that the people in the Canopies aren't also under that shadow).

The laws are upheld by the Enforcers, the same as they are on any planet under the Trace Tech authority - which includes all the Core Worlds and the Central Worlds, with only the Outer Worlds are relatively free from that for now - and like most of the Central worlds, there is a huge criminal influence underneath. Primarily, branches of the Amari Syndicate spread their roots through the cities of the Central worlds, and Calleigh Hub is no exception, with the Kudron Branch entangling the Undergrowth in its influence.

Calleigh Hub is not just the only settlement on Calleigh, but its about the only location that could be considered as habitable. Outside the metal walls of the city, the barrens stretch indefinitely, encompassing about the entire planet of Calleigh, at least on the surface. The barrens are a dangerous place for people to venture, with "barren winds" being deadly to people caught in them. Most people will never experience these though, or even the barrens, because there is no gate through the walls. There is nowhere to go, and nothing to see beyond the confines of the city, barring some ill-fated plans for solar fields, and a number of wind farms, after all.

Within the city, since its fully urbanised, extensive underground facilities are dedicated to the production of food and power. These span far beyond the boundary of the city wall on the surface, like roots reaching out from the trunk of a tree. Only government staff are ever allowed to access the roots of Calleigh Hub though, so very few people know about the extensiveness of it. It's largely required however, as Calleigh is notorious for always being fully illuminated, day and night. In some parts of the Undergrowth, you wouldn't know the time of day without checking, because the city extends to far above, enough that natural light is a rarity. Even higher up in the Canopies where the , artificial lighting is so commonplace that people hardly know what darkness is like.

"So come to Calleigh Hub, a thriving thicket of civilisation where people work together to overcome an unforgiving world."

[trancetales]

Happy STS! One of your ocs has been replaced by a doppelganger (°���°) ! Who is it, and how do your other ocs figure it out - or not?

Wow I forgot to do this!! I'm so sorry!

Sooo, I'd actually played out a concept for something like this, involving Kith Gauer, from The Trace Systems. A little different in initial premise, whereby her own body was taken over and she herself was extracted on external storage (sci-fi things, yknow how it is).

Either way though, there is a solid way to work it out. Some of the characters know her pretty well, and would be able to pick up on little things, but nothing to go "hey, you're not Kith are you?" No, the surefire way, and they would only do this when they're really suspicious, would be to put her in a room with Dr Lorna Navarra.

Kith is just a teensy bit traumatised by Dr Navarra, so although she works for her, she very rarely interacts with her directly. Surgery-based interrogation will do that to you, and she gets a visceral reaction from it, especially in the operating room (if you can even call it that). So, nobody is going to force that on Kith. Except for Dr Navarra, who would be able to tell immediately based on Kith's reaction to her. And she would want the real Kith back because she finds her fascinating and a uniquely skilled subordinate. Woe betide the doppelganger if they cross paths with Lorna Navarra.

[trancetales]

Happy STS! How do your characters fare in a survival setting? (lost in the woods/stuck on a deserted island/etc) Who is immediately suggesting cannibalism? Who's adamant that they’re all gonna make it? Who takes this as a chance to become a ‘wild person’ and wear mud facepaint and no clothes?

A survival setting! I'm gonna go with my core Calleigh Hub cast from #🌌 The Trace Systems. That's Kith Gauer, Zhu Lin, Jacinda Caçador, and Naveed.

Next, I'm going to set up a little context too. On Calleigh, there is one city. Everything beyond the city is a barren wasteland. The most likely way they'd end up in a survival situation is if they try to leave the city by spacecraft, and end up crashlanding out in the barrens. So, we're gonna use that situation here. This is a little cheaty, in that it gives them a starting base, but so would a plane crash on a desert island, so I'm going to work with that as a start point here.

Kith is very used to adapting and getting used to new circumstances, its happened to her more than once in memory, and in some ways, a survival setting would be freeing her of a few shackles. So before anything else, she'd probably still feel less under pressure than you'd think, since she's mostly free from the control of the organisations that she was otherwise not able to get away from. Mostly, but not entirely. So she's pretty adaptable, and has a few particular talents that would help them a bit until it got them all killed. She has a couple of supernatural skills, one of which would help them with starting fires from whatever they can find about the place, either from things they have from their crashed wreck, or any occasional plantlife or whatnot around. Useful for keeping warm and cooking food. In short, Kith would probably be pretty pragmatic. However, she'd also be pretty upset about having her whole life ripped away from her again, and she'd definitely be the one to do them in, but thats a whole other story

Jacinda, she's a lot more hot-headed, and would probably be a lot more stressed, especially at first. You'd see her kicking the wreck, swearing, and probably hurting herself by punching something made of jagged metal. She'd probably also try to find someone or something to blame and would start arguments with the others. Unlike Kith seeing it as being away from her chains, Jacinda would be more, out of the frying pan and into the fire. However, once she does get her head settled, she'd be the one to get down to work on finding out what works in the remnants of the wreck. Is there anything with power? Is there anything she can fix? If she thinks she can fix it, she'll be trying to fix it, as much to keep herself busy and to distract herself, as much as to feel like she's helping out. She'd be more inclined to make the best use of what they crashed with, would probably want to fix it up and use that as their base rather than venturing out. She'd be more than happy to get by as long as they can there once its working though, because the law doesn't tend to chase a long way from the city. Until it becomes night, anyway. Jacinda does not like the dark even remotely, since she's always lived inside the city and never seen the night sky. There's so much light in the city that people hardly know what darkness is, and quickly became a source of abject horror for her.

Lin is always injecting her positive energy into things, but she's also got no particular experience managing things herself. Her only experience is based around apprehending bounties and criminals, and that doesn't translate to a survival situation all that much. That being the case, she doesn't bring much practical value to the team, beyond manpower. At least until Kith's little problem kicks in. So, Lin is going to be the shining light of hope, but not a lot more than that. She'd probably tell a lot of stories, and try her best to keep spirits up with jokes, anecdotes, and activities. She's the one who will assure everyone that everything will be fine, even to the point of grating on people. If Jacinda has an argument, it'll probably be with Lin early on, finding her overwhelming positivity to be grating. Does Lin truly believe that everything will be fine? In short, yes. She's been friends with Nav for a long time, she's seen him go through a lot, and never seen him come up short. She's seen Kith's tenacity take her through everything and come out the other side. She's seen Jacinda.. not as much as the others to be fair, but she's heard a lot about her from Kith, and is confident that she'll be a stalwart member of the group.

Naveed is kinda tricky, because he knows a lot, but does he know about surviving in the middle of a wasteland? No, probably not. Especially since a lot of what he seemingly knows is just because he's got the contacts both above and and below him to get the answers he needs. Without those contacts, is he any use? Well no, not really. Outside of that, his skillset pretty much narrows down to being able to mix drinks, and pretending he doesn't notice Lin cheating at pool. So, everyone's confidence will be misplaced if they trust him. But does he want people to know that? Probably not, he prides himself on being the one people can rely on when they need something, and although people may well understand that, he's not going to look good if his secrets come out. So he's gonna be deadweight, but probably worse than that, because the others will expect more from him. Thats not exactly on him, but he's not keen on letting the others find out he doesn't actually know that much himself. I'm sure he'd be able to apply common sense pretty well, probably the most of the group, but he's not going to know anything beyond the basics. Certainly not the guiding light that everyone will look to him to be. But he'll put the act on as best he can, to keep the group together, and to keep his reputation is one piece.