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Challenge #02649-G092: What Works For Some

A species that usually has mated groups of 3 or more, but never less, and upon meeting two bonded Humans and understanding there is no third is all prepared to be appropriately sympathetic for their Human’s loss of mate(s) -- Anon Guest

[AN: Reminder to all readers that Polyamory between consenting parties is a legitimate relationship option for Humans as well as alien life]

"Marriage is a sacred bond between three to five people. No more, no less." -- Xyltarxian extremist attempting to reform their resident polity to a morally righteous set of laws.

The Xylethi ship had decided to be economical when introducing a Ships' Human to their crew. The manuals all stated that Humans were pack-bonding creatures and therefore elected to hire a bonded set. They had not expected a pair.

For centuries, since the victory of a morally righteous polity group in their past, the Xylethi had held to a strict rule of marriage being a group of between three to five consenting adults. Seeing a mere couple had both the greeting Captain and the designated Companion in evident confusion.

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Challenge #02648-G091: United We...

It was played across the entire galactic alliance. On the emergency frequency on every ship it was picked up. For many it was a slight annoyance but for the humans they riled in pain an old memory of the collective mind. The med teams across the alliance didn’t know what to do since it affected the humans on the team as well. The frequency was picked up by a group of translators realizing it was an ancient language the humans spoke.

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Challenge #02647-G090: Re-inventing the Love

Love is gracious, love is kind, love is forgiving, love can turn you insane as easily it is made in a lab. -- Anon Guest

Love. Love is strange. -- Terran Folk Song, Pre-Shattering.

Too many people have attempted to define love. The problem, of course, is that there are many, many kinds. Familial, fraternal, passionate, platonic, friendly, true, unrequited... the list goes on and on. Love does many things to the mind, especially to Humans, who start out as borderline insane.

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Challenge #02646-G089: Nothing?

Vorax-Ambassador: "Alright. I'm all decked out; got my calming Medication, my Weapons, my Suit, my Everything. I'm ready for this and nothing can Stop me!"

---'laughs in 4.5 Deathworld'--- -- Anon Guest

The Vorax are not mindless eating machines. Their metabolisms just happen to be set on 'rush' and they actively need dense calories to make it through the day. Usually. The advent of calming medication to keep their rage/pillage instincts curbed had helped diplomatic relations intensely. Therefore, the new

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Challenge #02645-G088: Getting to Know You

“Try not to read my my mind, I am running five jokes in my head, that will possibly offend you and make you laugh. Another part of my head is accidentally reminiscing about college and now internally screaming. My lizard brain want food. And the rest is upholding this conversation.”

“First off, how did you block my mind scan, and secondly - lizard brain?”

“Oh a part of the human brain can be traced back to a reptilian ancestor thus it is

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Challenge #02644-G087: One Person's Spice...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RG9TMn1FJzc

Imagine Aliens need a Substance (like Salt, etc...) so Bad. -Mike666

"Limestone," said the Human with a raised eyebrow. "You guys need calcium carbonate? For reals?"

"The calcium carbonate is an essential mineral for us, yes. For reals."

The Human shrugged, "Well, we need sodium chloride in special amounts, so yeah. I'll try to see if we have the pure stuff for you." There was some significant rummaging about in the storage boxes. "Yeah. I

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Challenge #02643-G086: Fae Trade

Everyone goes somewhere when they sleep. Dreamland is the most common name, but some just think it's your unconscious figuring itself out or filing away memories. But then there are those who knows what it really is. A whole other world where your true self, the self unbound by your physical body, is able to go. In this world, if you can focus yourself enough to consciously travel it, is a shop. A funny little shop keeper knows the ones who are

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Challenge #02642-G085: The Honest Mood

Walks in

"tbqh idfk"

leaves -- Anon Guest

[AN: OP, I had to leave the link out because this is a mostly-PG exercise of mine and fetish-adjacent material is not safe for any minors who may have wandered in.]

Human Jor spoke in abbreviations. This caused some trouble for the crew she was Ship's Human for, but on the up side, she also provided a phrasebook. Simple words like "yes" or "no" became tonal grunts. Human Jor had a set of initials

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Challenge #02641-G084: A Significant Choice

I don’t really drink alcoholic beverages, mostly because I don't know what kind of drunk I am. I’m not willing to find out based off my parents, let’s just say alcohol was the reason why I was born. -- Anon Guest

"Small ale," said Lady Anthe.

"Rivenmont wine," said Wraithvine.

"I'll have a young cider," said Marvin.

Elf and Kobold alike looked to their Human compatriot. "Er," said Lady Anthe. "You remember you're of age now, yes?"

Wraithvine added,

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Challenge #02640-G083: Why is it So?

(Not related to the other "Why" but got me thinking) A young child begins the "Why Game" with another species. The parent offers them an out but they politely decline. Curiosity is an enviable trait and they will continue to answer for as long as the child asks... ...A small crowd of interested and amused people has begun to form, with some stepping in to field questions from their own specialties. A few humans encourage their children to join in as the

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Challenge #02639-G082: Slowly and Surely

I don't mean to be rude but... How/why did Havenworlders (in particular level 4 and 5 ones) develop cognizance? With no prey to hunt, predators to avoid, or environment to tame what made increased intelligence advantageous? -- Anon Guest

[AN: That's a good question. FTR Havenworld level 5 cogniscents are so far theoretical]

Picture... paradise. A perfect world for creatures to roam around and find what they need with few challenges in the way. Egocentric Deathworlders can't imagine how creatures in

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Challenge #02638-G081: Deadly Essentials

Humans aren't the only ones that don't do well when given everything. Even post scarcity every creature needs to be entertained, but what is needed to entertain becomes increasingly more elusive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m7X-1V9nOs

https://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Law%20Of%20Diminishing%20Returns -- Anon Guest

[AN: I have problems with Universe 25's design and that will emerge in the story below. The video actually covers elements of U25's issues at time mark 6:15]

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Challenge #02637-G080: The Right Tool

Logging for Records (date here) Video log shows a helmeted figure with an already darkened faceplate.

Shadow, Hunter, Last Scream, I've had a lot of nicknames over the course of my career. Most of them pretty accurate, I will admit. I am a stone cold killer and I have never failed to take down my target. But I'm not like the Pax Humanis guys, not by a long shot. My mind is as clear as a bell. I don't take pleasure in

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Challenge #02636-G079: Gone to the Dogs

A human explains to their havenworlder crewmates about how they used to compete into the internationally famous dog-sled race known as the Iditarod. And how much fun that was! :-)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IditarodTrailSledDogRace -- Anon Guest

"I think I understand the concept as a means of alternative transit," said Gorx, Havenworlder tourist. "I understand the competitive nature of Humans." It was hard not to understand that through the multitude of examples.

"So what's missing?" asked

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Challenge #02635-G078: Added Value is Free

The most sought-after beings in the Galactic Alliance are those describes as "creators" Creators of all sorts are in High demand all over. From those that create worlds with only the written word, "private and amateur" educators, that use the video sharing and promoting to spread their knowledge, to the engineers and scientists that look at a problem and imagine new and different solutions to solve them (gravity drive anyone?!?)

With Zillions of Citizens, there is always demand for content, and therefore,

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