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~reptile-logic
I possess a powerful imagination and have been shaped by a great number of experiences.
Especially when I was younger, this mind has often been dissatisfied with what I felt as a mundane, human existence. I often escaped into the stories of the many books that I've read. Not surprisingly, as I absorbed these stories, and my knowledge base grew, my dreams and thoughts became more vivid and complex.
Realizing at one point in life that no amount of escapism could pull me from this human shell, I decided to experience a full life with what I had to work with. I have hunted, fished and foraged for my meals. Planted and gardened. Hiked into the wilderness and back. Ran with the wrong crowd, been beat up, shot at, and have had to flee for my life. Been to mountain tops and explored underground caverns. Have driven cars too fast and gotten away with it. Have ridden motorcycles too fast, and crashed. Joined the military and experienced the best and worst about myself and others. Fought wildfires (bush fires) for many years and reveled in the experience. Have met many interesting people and several that I would rather not have known. Have traveled throughout the United States and other parts of North America; working odd jobs as I went so I could reach the next town. I have loved others, and lost some whom I loved. I have witnessed death and been close to death myself, and love life even more for it.
Whatever one may feel about this existence, be it one of many lives or our only shot, it is in one's best interest to leave this life with a wealth of experiences.
Especially when I was younger, this mind has often been dissatisfied with what I felt as a mundane, human existence. I often escaped into the stories of the many books that I've read. Not surprisingly, as I absorbed these stories, and my knowledge base grew, my dreams and thoughts became more vivid and complex.
Realizing at one point in life that no amount of escapism could pull me from this human shell, I decided to experience a full life with what I had to work with. I have hunted, fished and foraged for my meals. Planted and gardened. Hiked into the wilderness and back. Ran with the wrong crowd, been beat up, shot at, and have had to flee for my life. Been to mountain tops and explored underground caverns. Have driven cars too fast and gotten away with it. Have ridden motorcycles too fast, and crashed. Joined the military and experienced the best and worst about myself and others. Fought wildfires (bush fires) for many years and reveled in the experience. Have met many interesting people and several that I would rather not have known. Have traveled throughout the United States and other parts of North America; working odd jobs as I went so I could reach the next town. I have loved others, and lost some whom I loved. I have witnessed death and been close to death myself, and love life even more for it.
Whatever one may feel about this existence, be it one of many lives or our only shot, it is in one's best interest to leave this life with a wealth of experiences.
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Comments Made: 89
Journals: 9
Recent Journal
Pushing through writer's block; my response to a prompt
3 months ago
Have recently joined a couple of writer groups. On one of the smaller ones of only a few dozen members, I've begun taking part in critiques and writing prompt exercises in an attempt to get my creativity unstuck. Below is my response to one of those prompts, presented by another group member. This prompt has a steam punk feel to it; a genre I've not delved into before. I wrote my response in present tense just for practice. Wrote the dialogue in a stiff, formal style to give this world an other-worldy feel. The characters' species is unspecified.
The prompt: Elara, an airship designer, discovers a forgotten automaton infused with a soul. As clockwork creatures roam the cobblestone streets of Varalla, Elara locates the enigmatic inventor, Jasper.
Write the opening scenes however you please. Some dialog would be nice. [Edit: Some dialog upgrades, with help from Helixthefallen]
From the private Journals of Master Shipwright Elara:
I never considered myself a romantic. Numbers and capacities, calculating buoyancy and volumes of gas are what engage me. Turning my visions into beautiful airships, that is what has always driven me. Boring, I know, but at least the fruit of my passions keeps me off the ground much of the time. My home and office hang up here among the clouds, my happy place in this world. The surface below, and the troubles of those bound to it, seem so trivial from three-thousand meters above.
The thing is, I find myself in love. No, not physical lust. Under our circumstances, sexual intimacy is not practical. This is true love, knowing that this person seated beside me cares for me as deeply as I do for them. I can only be truly content in my existence with my companion by my side, forever. The trouble is, my love is dying; their heart is wearing out. Our only hope is to find Jasper, a brilliant curmudgeon who hates people, especially me.
Soon, my ship will begin its descent toward Varalla. We will seek out Jasper and beg for his help if necessary.
Dropping through the dense gray cloud cover over Varalla, the airship Kelestiu slows its eight electric rotors on its final approach, directly downwind of mooring mast #17. Extended above the ship's accordion-like accessway, the docking clamp gently slides into the cone-shaped receiver of the masthead, and secures The Kelestiu with a soft *clunk*.
A crew member finishes extending the accessway, securing it to mast 17's hatchway. While the crew uses the ship's crane to lower the transport for the supply run, Elara and her companion take the mast elevator to the tarmac
They are greeted by the Portmaster. "Elara, how many years has it been? Six?"
"Nearly seven." Elara smiles at the Portmaster, then motions to her companion. "Portmaster Ianan, meet Sechangi, my partner."
Sechangi lifts their cheek plates and metallic lips into a smile. "Pleased to meet you, Portmaster."
Ianan is confused by the introduction. "Beautiful craftsmanship, and it speaks as well? Amazing."
Her face coloring in anger, Elara starts to speak, but Sechangi holds up a hand. "I am glad you appreciate my beauty. Tell me, have you seen any like me before?"
Unsure who to face to answer, Ianan looks to the ground. "I have not. Apologies if I have offended."
Sechangi smiles. "No offense taken."
Elara regains her composure. "Does Jasper still live? Do you know where he is?"
"Yes, he still lives in the old warehouse district, I believe. I cannot believe he would wish to see you; people still talk about it." Worry crosses Ianan's face. "He said he would kill you if he saw you again."
"Nevertheless, he is the one I came here to see." Elara takes Sechangi's hand and marches toward the warehouse district.
Hand in hand, they walk along the cobblestone streets of Varalla. Automatons of various manufacturers walk here and there on their assigned errands. One stops at a public winding station. The ratcheting sound makes Sechangi wince. "To be tied to the infrastructure like that. How can they take it?"
Elara turns to watch Sechangi's face. "They do not know any better, my love. They cannot care of their plight. They have not been given a heart like yours."
"Who gave me mine, and can they fix it?"
Elara gently squeezes Sechangi's metallic hand. "I do not know who built you, or who gave you your heart. Let us hope we can find some answers when we reach Jasper."
Entering the old warehouse district, they find the building belonging to Jasper. Run down and surrounded by a high barbed wire fence, the place looks inviting as a prison. Elara pulls on a bell cord; a gong rings from somewhere inside.
"I see you there, Elara!" The gruff male voice emanates from from a window, up in one corner of the building. "Give me one good reason why not to put a bullet in you!"
"Here is why!" Elara, places her hand on her companion's shoulder. "Sechangi, here, has a heart!"
The prompt: Elara, an airship designer, discovers a forgotten automaton infused with a soul. As clockwork creatures roam the cobblestone streets of Varalla, Elara locates the enigmatic inventor, Jasper.
Write the opening scenes however you please. Some dialog would be nice. [Edit: Some dialog upgrades, with help from Helixthefallen]
From the private Journals of Master Shipwright Elara:
I never considered myself a romantic. Numbers and capacities, calculating buoyancy and volumes of gas are what engage me. Turning my visions into beautiful airships, that is what has always driven me. Boring, I know, but at least the fruit of my passions keeps me off the ground much of the time. My home and office hang up here among the clouds, my happy place in this world. The surface below, and the troubles of those bound to it, seem so trivial from three-thousand meters above.
The thing is, I find myself in love. No, not physical lust. Under our circumstances, sexual intimacy is not practical. This is true love, knowing that this person seated beside me cares for me as deeply as I do for them. I can only be truly content in my existence with my companion by my side, forever. The trouble is, my love is dying; their heart is wearing out. Our only hope is to find Jasper, a brilliant curmudgeon who hates people, especially me.
Soon, my ship will begin its descent toward Varalla. We will seek out Jasper and beg for his help if necessary.
Dropping through the dense gray cloud cover over Varalla, the airship Kelestiu slows its eight electric rotors on its final approach, directly downwind of mooring mast #17. Extended above the ship's accordion-like accessway, the docking clamp gently slides into the cone-shaped receiver of the masthead, and secures The Kelestiu with a soft *clunk*.
A crew member finishes extending the accessway, securing it to mast 17's hatchway. While the crew uses the ship's crane to lower the transport for the supply run, Elara and her companion take the mast elevator to the tarmac
They are greeted by the Portmaster. "Elara, how many years has it been? Six?"
"Nearly seven." Elara smiles at the Portmaster, then motions to her companion. "Portmaster Ianan, meet Sechangi, my partner."
Sechangi lifts their cheek plates and metallic lips into a smile. "Pleased to meet you, Portmaster."
Ianan is confused by the introduction. "Beautiful craftsmanship, and it speaks as well? Amazing."
Her face coloring in anger, Elara starts to speak, but Sechangi holds up a hand. "I am glad you appreciate my beauty. Tell me, have you seen any like me before?"
Unsure who to face to answer, Ianan looks to the ground. "I have not. Apologies if I have offended."
Sechangi smiles. "No offense taken."
Elara regains her composure. "Does Jasper still live? Do you know where he is?"
"Yes, he still lives in the old warehouse district, I believe. I cannot believe he would wish to see you; people still talk about it." Worry crosses Ianan's face. "He said he would kill you if he saw you again."
"Nevertheless, he is the one I came here to see." Elara takes Sechangi's hand and marches toward the warehouse district.
Hand in hand, they walk along the cobblestone streets of Varalla. Automatons of various manufacturers walk here and there on their assigned errands. One stops at a public winding station. The ratcheting sound makes Sechangi wince. "To be tied to the infrastructure like that. How can they take it?"
Elara turns to watch Sechangi's face. "They do not know any better, my love. They cannot care of their plight. They have not been given a heart like yours."
"Who gave me mine, and can they fix it?"
Elara gently squeezes Sechangi's metallic hand. "I do not know who built you, or who gave you your heart. Let us hope we can find some answers when we reach Jasper."
Entering the old warehouse district, they find the building belonging to Jasper. Run down and surrounded by a high barbed wire fence, the place looks inviting as a prison. Elara pulls on a bell cord; a gong rings from somewhere inside.
"I see you there, Elara!" The gruff male voice emanates from from a window, up in one corner of the building. "Give me one good reason why not to put a bullet in you!"
"Here is why!" Elara, places her hand on her companion's shoulder. "Sechangi, here, has a heart!"
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Ttraco
helixthefallen
Could easily be Blue from your book.