#Lumina of Xylopthia

[hive-sight]

Changes 2 and Domestication

Greetings Sentients. With the passing of a few Lums, the changes presented in Lumina have become more… pronounced. This one can hardly be in the research deck without encountering Lumina examining the social culture of Terrans of many different varieties. They truly appear to have taken to this role in ways that none of this crew could have predicted!

Raxor has taken to research of their own. They have begun studying the various fauna of Sol-3. One phenomenon Raxor has discovered is the concept of “domestication.” This is the process through which a wild creature interacts with a sentient race in such a way that, over generations, changes to the creatures DNA are shown to make interaction with the sentient easier.

One common change presented in most examples of domestication, is that the creature will become smaller. Raxor has taken an interest in the creature from Sol-3 known as a wolf. Quadrapedal, furred apex predators that exist in a pack structure. Perhaps the creature’s existing pack structure made for an easy victim of the domestication process, as the domestication of the wolf was the first recorded instance of this phenomenon.

Initially, wolves and early Terrans competed for food. This would become especially egregious during the harsher cold periods known as “winter.” The wolves would invade Terran settlements to search for the stores of food the Terrans had built up to sustain themselves. Sometimes these invasions would be successful. Sometimes the invading wolf or wolves would be killed. Sometimes the invaders would kill a Terran.

Records seem to be unreliable, but one theory is that a settlement discovered that, if they left some amount of game away from the stores, the wolves would take that and leave the rest of the settlement be. Over time, the settlement became the default feeding area of the wolves.

The next part is mostly speculation. Perhaps another predator had invaded the settlement. This predator had been found by the Terrans and a battle had ensued. The wolves, hearing the struggle and realizing that their new providers had been in danger, ran through the barriers into the settlement and, to the surprise of the Terrans, began fighting alongside them against this shared threat.

This one knows that may be a dramatized view of what happened, but the important part to realize is that some event happened which forced the two species to work alongside each other. Then calmer wolves, more willing to work with Terrans, were welcomed into the settlements permanently, while more aggressive wolves were sent back out into the wild. This selective breeding of the calmer individuals eventually begot evolutionary changes in the wolf to the point it could only be a new species. A species that Terrans have colloquially named “dogs.” Raxor found this entire idea to be utterly fascinating and is now hoping that the Terrans will allow them to have a dog of their own.

While this one had never heard of the process of domestication before, this could purely be due to other species having never considered this. Xylokthians, for example, keep and breed the Xylo-palm flies as they produce the staple crop of Xylopthia that is roughly akin to Terran honey. But never had this one considered that, prior to Xylokthian interference, that the palm flies could have been an entirely different species. Perhaps some event in the past meant that the ancient palm flies could not survive in the wild while the protected individuals could thrive. Or perhaps, regrettably, the ancient Xylokthians did not allow any temperamental individuals back into the wild as the Terrans did with the wolves.

The Terrans history is beginning to make this one believe that there is more to this one’s own history than they are familiar with. It is unsettling…

But, nevertheless, on this, TD 10th of June, 2030, XD 4682C 3A 30L, awaiting the next revelation, this is Elysia of Xylopthia, signing off.

[hive-sight]

Changes and Diets 1

Greetings Sentients. Since settling among the debris, Lumina, this one’s assigned Thalorix ambassador, has started venturing out of their designated chambers. From the time of leaving Xylopthia, Lumina has only been seen out of their chambers for mealtimes.

More surprisingly, Lumina has begun to enter the research deck. They appear to have a passing interest in the culture of the Terrans. This one will attach a transcript of one of Lumina’s inquiries with physical descriptors.

--Transcript Start—

Elysia:        Fascinating…

Lumina:      *Walks up from behind Elysia* What is?

Elysia:        *Startles* Oh! Lumina… This one was just analyzing the small groups the Terran’s divide themselves into. It appears that many Terrans will group together in order to raise their young!

Lumina:      *Leans forward, focusing intently upon the view screen. One of the digits from their primary limb indicates toward the image* This is one of their young?

Elysia:        *Dips their antennae* It is, yes.

Lumina:      It is so… small. *Moves their digit to a different individual* What of this one? They look different from the other three.

Elysia:        *Dips their antennae once more* That is one of their females. Terrans appear to be highly sexually dimorphic.

Lumina:      This one, what are their roles?

Elysia:        Her.

Lumina:      *Looks towards Elysia* Apologies?

Elysia:        While some Terrans use the terms, “They/Them/Their,” it is not typical. Those are regularly known as plural pronouns to Terrans. This one, *Elysia gestures to the Terran* uses the singular female pronouns “She/Her,” as an expression of identity.

Lumina:      She/Her...

--Transcript End--

Since this interaction, Lumina has become a staple of the research deck. Regularly they will read page after page of Terran culture. This has been a relief, as this has freed some of this one’s time to begin looking into other aspects of Terra.

This one has begun looking into the dietary habits of the Terrans. It is important to know what sustenance is available on Terra prior to attempting first contact. One could only imagine the devastation if none of the foodstuffs were compatible with our digestive tracks.

There was a surprising revelation to come from this. Terrans were omnivores. A Terran can, with little preparation, just as easily consume and digest meat as they can plants. This is in stark contrast to the diets of the Xylokthians. We subsist, largely, on glucose and water.

This one had a moment of disappointment, thinking that Terran foods would be incompatible with this one’s species. At least, this one was worried, until the discovery that Terrans are absolutely addicted to sugars.

Terrans add sugar to just about every item in their diet. They add sugar into their drinks. Terrans have crafted a drink that contains, in 12 ounces, more than the amount of sugar needed per day for a human to survive.

They have named this drink “Coca-Cola,” and this one truly wishes to try it.

Considering starting first contact early on this, TD 7th of June, 2030, XD 4682C 4A 19L, this is Elysia of Xylopthia, signing off.

[hive-sight]

Changes 3 and Authorization

Sentients, greetings and gratitudes! This one has news!

Lumina has come to this one and has expressed an interest in pursuing first contact with the Terrans of Sol-3 sometime in the near future. Lumina stresses that, were it not for Raxor showing them Terran media of encounters with extra-planetary entities, that the contact would likely be immediate.

This is a pronounced change in Lumina that this one had not expected! Jumping into the research as they did, this one had expected first contact to be approaching, however, for Lumina to take the concerns of their crewmate into consideration… It is simply unlike any Thalorix behavior this one has seen. It is… refreshing.

On a more personal note, Lumina has started incorporating Terran mannerisms into their speech and body language. They have begun gesticulating with their primary arms, crossing their secondary arms at about the middle of their torso. They have begun referring to themselves as “I” as the Terrans do.

That there is no issue with this must be stressed. It is a logical step to take in the effort of making the eventual meeting with the Terrans go peacefully. Matching actions and speech with a sentient is the typical step taken in order to begin building relations. It just typically takes a more significant amount of time.

Following will be the transcript of the crew meeting in which Lumina approved first contact.

—Transcript Start—

Elysia:       The date is 4682C 4A 6L, time is one quarter Xylopthia rotation. The assigned Thalorix, Lumina has called the crew together to discuss first contact. Absent is the assigned Xyndri, Voxen. Present are, the assigned Ithorin, Elysia, the assigned Valkorin, Raxor, and the assigned Thalorix, Lumina. This one now passes control of the meeting to Thalorix Lumina.

Lumina:     I thank you Ithorin Elysia. As you have, no doubt, noticed, I have delved deep into my own research of the sentients of Sol-3. While you, Elysia, sought to find how they had become what they are, and you, Raxor, sought to identify any threat they may pose, I investigated who they are. What separates them from us, and what separates one of them from any other one.

*Lumina places the hand of one of their primary arms on the juncture between their abdomen and thorax*

Lumina:     Obviously, given their lack of biological castes, finding this degree of difference between individuals was difficult. Outside of varying changes in color, the Terrans do heavily resemble each other.

Raxor:       By the Queen’s left wing is that an understatement! Can’t tell one from the next myself!

Lumina:      Valkorin Raxor, please.

Raxor:       Apologies Thalorix.

Lumina:     My conclusion may seem… controversial. Please hold any questions until my explanation has finished. When I look at humanity as, instead of a species, but as a singular caste, I find the differences in individuals to be nearly identical to the differences between any two members of the same caste of our own species. Elysia, you rather enjoy combing over cycles of data correct?

Elysia:       Correct. This one finds such data analysis to be soothing.

Lumina:     But Ithorin Permisia does not. Also correct?

Elysia:       Permisia does tend to enjoy a more ‘up close’ approach yes. Prefers to be on-site to make new discoveries.

*Lumina dips their antennae*

Lumina:     Terrans are much the same.

—Transcript End—

This one believes that Lumina is trying to convey that the crew should begin looking at Terrans at more of an individual level. But this one is unsure. Please, if any of you Sentients have a perspective, inform this one. This one could not bear to be the reason for the failure of this mission.

In addition, if any among you have questions, this one would be happy to answer.

On this, XD 4682C 4A 7L, TD 17th of June, 2030, Elysia of Xylopthia is looking forward to more glorious interaction, and signing off.

[hive-sight]

Observation 1

Sentients of the stars, welcome back. This one’s ship has been placed among the debris field near Sol-4 for nearly two Terran weeks at this point.

This one is, unfortunately, unable to find the original comment, but one of you sentients, who is apparently from a not dissimilar race to the Terrans, commented that the size of this one’s crew would likely inform the Terrans of this one’s noble, diplomatic intentions. In addition, the species’ distaste for war would likely make them hesitant to attack unprovoked.

Bringing this up with Raxor has improved their mood. They had forgotten that other war-species have the urge to start conflicts and are driven to attack interlopers immediately. Raxor still urges that first contact should be done remotely…

A constant monitoring of the Terrans short-range communications has been underway.

Unlike this one’s own race, instantaneous communication is not reserved for the upper echelons of society. Any Terran with the resources may acquire the technology to achieve it. A far cry from the Xylokthian communications channels. These channels are reserved for Thalorix and special diplomats. This one has happy to have been given access before the mission began, although this one is many light-years out of range for it to be of use. Perhaps it was a symbolic gesture of importance.

Regardless.

The average Terran appears to give little to no thought to conflict given their communications. This has also eased Raxor’s mind. Raxor finds the Terrans to be a strange mix of Thalorix and Xyndri, in that they behave as the Xyndri but appear to think as the Thalorix.

An individual Terran can, seemingly, lose themselves in menial moment to moment tasks, much as the Xyndri. But most tend to have a view of themselves reminiscent of the Thalorix. Placing themselves in a position of greater import.

It truly is fascinating.

This one is excited to make first contact, but will have to wait authorization from this one’s assigned Thalorix ambassador, Lumina.

With that, on this TD 3rd of June, 2030, XD 4682C 4A 15L, feeling happy for the interactions, this is Elysia of Xylopthia, signing off!

[hive-sight]

An intermediate approach might be needed, where part of the crew observes individuals and the other observes large power structures. Though I admit my own understanding of such situations is limited, having more data seems to be ideal

This may very well be the best course of action. Voxen, the mission’s assigned Xyndri, and Raxor have both expressed interest in observing the work structures of Terrans. The main issue with doing so is accessibility.

Simply observing the work structures is difficult from afar. Observing them directly defeats the purpose of doing the observations altogether. This problem will likely require further thinking.

Lumina has already begun observing the outliers of Terran individuals. Though their choice of individuals is… questionable. Flying directly into the most viewed video logs located on the Terran data-site “YouTube.” Their speech patterns become more “Terran” with every passing Lum. But if this one’s Thalorix deems it to be a worthy cause, they may do with their time what they will.

This one has decided to observe the recent forays into greater space travel spearheaded by a conglomerate of Terrans on Sol-4’s Terran colony, Kratos-1. According to the Terran news sources, there is a scheduled launch within the next seven Terran Days.

This one is most excited as this is the first test launch to utilize a Subspace Resonation Engine! A workable SRE would see Terrans joining the Greater Galaxy within one to five Terran years rather than one to five Terran decades, even without Xylopthia interveneing!

This one knows this is shorter than is typical, but know that this one’s excitement is building! So on this, XD 4682C 4A 13L, TD 23rd of June, 2030, this is Elysia of Xylopthia, welcoming more Glorious Interaction, and signing off!