Challenge #02537-F347: Many Ways to Pack Bond
The havenworlders hire a human who docks their ship to the havenworlder’s own larger research vessel and uses that for their quarters rather than what the havenworlders have provided. When asked why, the human simply responds “It’s better this way.” But does not care to elaborate. The reason behind the why becomes clear when a havenworlder goes in to bring a gift to the human that has become such a kind friend and asset, when the havenworlder hears horrific screaming coming from the human’s sleeping chamber. Hurrying over, they see the human sitting up, bare in bed, covered in sweat with eyes wide in fear. Once the human has calmed down, they explain to their havenworlder companion about night-terrors, and how some who’ve seen far too much in their life, can suffer from it. – Anon Guest
At first, the crew of the Little Blue Bird thought that Human Pri valued their personal space. The alternate speculation was that Pri was one of those Humans who thrived in their own mess, or their own sense of order, and therefore had to keep everyone else segregated from it. They weren’t expecting a rare mental disorder.
Somnambulism is not a survival trait in environments that require everyone present to leave the airlocks alone. That said, there are similar disorders that can be worse than disturbing for outside viewers. As Byarin found out when they ventured into the docked Human vessel.
Any unfamiliar ground is automatically liminal, especially when it was quiet. Everything is a shell of something unfamiliar. A shape of something that could be, but currently was not. It was a place where Byarin felt compelled to tread carefully, to mind hir step whilst seeking out Human Pri.
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Challenge #02536-F346: Deadly Technology
A: interesting with the tech here I might be able to research the Gimpy Gimpy plant
B: that sound relatively harmless
A: it is also known as the suicide plant
B: sigh there it is – Anon Guest
“Wow,” said the Human, looking at all the protective technology on offer. “This is such awesome protective tech. Micrometeor-resistant…. hey, you guys managed to miniaturise the Hungry Caterpillar. That’s awesome. What’s your particulate capture limit?”
The proud merchant said, “The particulate capture system can find and neutralise particles as small as half a micrometre.”
This impressed the Human. “That small, huh? Sweet. With that kind'a tech, I might be able to research the Gimpy Gimpy plant.”
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Challenge #02535-F345: One… Giant Leap
A human has fallen very much in love with another deathworlder. These deathworlders are only similar to humans in that they walk bipedal and have a human-ish shape to their faces, but that’s about it. The human had been working aboard ship with the being for almost a year, the contract stated the human would be there for another four years, and they were trying to find out how to get the being to become interested in more than just …. well… friendship. – DaniAndShali
The relationship had been a source of amusement amongst the crew of the Seek and Find. Even the second-densest member of the crew caught on to the idea that Human Dar found Grumesh cute within the first month of awkward flirting.
The densest member of Seek and Find’s crew was, of course, Grumesh. Overtures small and large were interpreted as being such a good friend. It certainly didn’t help that Dar was one of those Humans who were easily embarrassed and therefore fumbled every opportunity for closeness.
Watching Human Dar defeated regularly in the lists of love was, unfortunately, also kind of sad. Case in point, it was lunchtime. The crew watched with a mixture of morbid fascination and amused pity as Dar loaded up their food tray and got some extras of Grumesh’s favourite treats. Again. Deathworlders always appreciated others who brought them nice food. As Dar approached Grumesh, they began turning the characteristic ruddier hues of extreme mortification.
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Challenge #02534-F344: Designed For Disaster
There are reasons why humans coined the term “idiot proofing”, many MANY reasons – Anon Guest
Make it idiot proof and the world will invent a better idiot – Human engineering axiom.
It was a Human who came up with Murphy’s Law, and further Humans who came up with all the associated corollaries. Humans investigated them all, invented science to prove them, and then invented science that provided vital analysis into the reasons why it was so.
All devices made by Humans are over-engineered to cope with stresses both outside and inside. They print instructional plaques and then make certain that the device cannot possibly be used in any other way. They have a language of use, of codifying function into design, that other species have to work at to even parallel.
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Challenge #02533-F343: In the Eye of the Storm
Humans don’t all celebrate Silly Seasons. Some find it disorienting, some have been damaged, some protest aspects of the culture/celebration in question, some just don’t care, and occasionally they’re not ‘in the mood.’ For those who’ve resigned themselves to the boisterous Silly Season, a human who doesn’t conform to the human 'norm’ is actually more alarming than everything else they’ve prepared to tolerate. – Anon Guest
Silly Season is not a set festival, as many new to the Galactic Alliance are wont to assume. It is, more or less, mass hysteria in order to vent tensions. Many have tried to predict how and where a Silly Season will strike, but Humans are unpredictable. It’s part of both their terror and their charm.
That said, there are those who just never feel the need to vent. Those who rarely, if ever vent, and those who find other safety valves in their day-to-day occupations. They, like other Humans, are gently herded into the festival in progress. However, they do not catch the infectious mood.
Human Zaf is one such, thrust gently and kindly into the writhing mass of partying Humans that had essentially taken over the commercial district. They stood, just off to the side of the barrier, blinking in confusion at the instantaneous party going on. Zaf was temporarily distracted by another Human running past in just their Skins, trailing what looked to be a cloth banner behind them in their upraised hands.
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