the floating asexual island story

((notes: // at the beginning of a paragraph means i added a break for readability - the entire final chapter was originally one long paragraph.)

Ambassador
by SnailWrites
Summary

Additional Tags: Asexual Character, homoromantic character, Bisexual Character, Agender Character, Trans Character, Ace Spectrum, gay and lesbian characters, you get the idea all the orientations and genders, Distopian Future

In this world there are borders. The heterosexuals live within their wall. The lesbians live on their island. The gays in their country, the bisexuals in their tribes, and the pansexuals on their mountains. Everyone has a place. Everyone except Hazel. She is one of the only recorded asexuals to be misdiagnosed in centuries. The asexuals are said to be extinct, it's not even certain what happens to the babies during sorting. Now with the heterosexuals threatening war, she may be the world's only hope of contacting these mysterious warriors, if they still exist.

Floating Islands

Chapter Notes

Based on this post about a dystopian future http://slackmistress.tumblr.com/post/133732698712/jewlesthemagnificent- nikkidactyl-lectorel.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The asexual nation is shrouded in mystery, and some even doubt they still exist. It has been said that long ago two asexuals lifted their islands into the sky to get away from the petty squabbling of the allosexuals. They were supposed to have been a fearsome threat against humanity, able to disregard sex and instead focus on their plan for human eradication. They were said to be god’s punishment for humanity’s sins, a biological dead end. Now they are just a fairy tale, told to keep children in line in the Heterosexual continent. The people of Lesbos whisper of finding these warriors and creating an alliance, but no one thinks they will find the mysterious peoples, until now…

Asexuals first separated from the allosexuals when two asexuals became fed up with the violence and hatred aimed towards them from even those outside the ignorant heterosexuals. Their child was killed in a particularly violent demonstration against asexuals. These two gathered up their people and lifted several massive islands into the sky and set them floating out to sea. To this day no one knows how they did it, and it only adds to the mystery surrounding their mythology.

The people of the asexual floating islands are actually quite peaceful, having been removed from conflicts on the surface for centuries. They heavily emphasize art, philosophy and academics in their culture and are often physically fit due to the nature of their environment. The floating island have many smaller floating boulders and rough surfaces that sit sometimes rather far apart. The asexuals must navigate the islands by controling gliders that can fly when the wind is still and ride large blue birds. These birds are called azure albatrosses, and come in every hue from powder blue to indigo. They were bred by asexuals long ago to be the perfect flying mount. The birds are used for long distance transportation, like adventurous trips to mountain ranges to collect snow, as well as emergency rescue when a child falls into the ocean. Children must be taught to swim at a young age in case they fall, though it rarely happens.

Asexuals are often brightly garbed in flowing silk tunics and fitted pants. The unusual situation forces them to wear and utilize almost nothing but silk fabric. The underside of the floating islands and various caves within them are home to the luminescent glow worm, which creates silk cocoons. These cocoons are harvested and made into silk, which is then used for practically everything. The silks are usually brightly dyed using natural pigments found around the islands. Blue is made from ground feathers albatiers collect while grooming their birds. Yellow comes from the small yellow flowers that grow on empty floating boulders. Red is made from the ground scales of the fireball fish, a red flying fish that lives off of the bugs attracted to the floating gardens tethered to the floating islands with silk cords. Purple is used less often because it is made from dead glow worms. It is considered bad luck to kill living glow worms. The most common color is actually gold. The glow worm’s natural predator, a carnivorous snail, creates a gold pigment when crushed. Children are often sent to play ichor, a game where they try to collect the most snails to bring home. Sometimes the snails never make it home, and instead several children covered in gold from head to toe are made to take a bath.

//After about 17 people generally stop cutting their hair. Long hair is considered the norm as it can be woven with colorful ribbons and small trinkets like shells and fish scales and feathers. Small decorative pockets are also woven into their hair to hold small trinkets and tools with the reassurance that they will not be dropped. Hair, strangely enough, is never dyed. Shoes are not worn. instead a cleated sole is tightly wrapped onto the foot, similar spiked gloves are worn in this manner as well to make rock climbing and finding footing easier. Earrings have a cultural significance. Every time someone reaches a new stage of their life they are given another piercing in their ears. These are usually made from hollow shell tubes or thick fish scales which create delicate chimes in the breeze. The sound of several asexuals flying atop albatrosses is supposed to be magical. Tattoos can be found on almost every person. Some do not like the pain and do not receive any. The tattoos range from pictures to patterns to words, and are most often done in gold because of the pigment’s abundance and it’s nontoxic properties.

Silk is used in the construction of personal gliders and kites as well. The frame is crafted from ocean reeds grown in large gardens floating on top of the sea, and tethered by silk cords. These reeds are specifically grown for their use in frame making and for creating crawlers. The gliders hold a special significance. They are first granted as gifts to those who reach age 10. These training gliders are later replaced at about 17 when children must craft their own gliders using what they have learned from tutors at the library. first a strong wooden staff is obtained from the surface by an albatier, then the child must create a reed frame capable of motion and durable. Silk will later be dyed to fit their liking and stretched across the frame. These gliders are incredibly work intensive and often take a year to perfect. The rule is they must fly by themselves when there is no wind to carry them. Kites are often grandiose and impressive. Massive frames are covered in detailed silk paintings and steered with mastery. Some are even large enough for children to ride on. The kite festival is a much anticipated event. Kite flying competitions are held to show off tricks and unusual designs, the sun is blocked out by the sheer amount of colorful kites soaring in the sky.

Even more important is the crawler festival. This happens once a year, when balloons are sent to the floating islands carrying babies and small children in baskets. The more skilled albatiers gather the baskets and collect the dozens of children. Once there are no more balloons to be found, the festivities can begin. The new asexuals are given names and their first earring, and they are welcomed into the community. Often there are notes and trinkets tucked inside the baskets, The notes may have strange names in them like Susan and Greg, and the trinkets are made of metals and glass beads. Glass is rare as sand is not melted down, but kept on the edges of the largest island.

//Once the new asexuals are made comfortable in the nursery the crawlers are all released. Crawlers are intricate moving sculptures made from reeds and thick reed fibers. They are painted gold and sent over the edge of the islands in a massive wave. They are meant to be a gift for the earth, for the surface that gifted them to these islands. They represent the accomplishments of the asexuals, and become more complex with each passing year. The reeds are hollow so these sculptures float until they reach land and can start crawling. They are powered by wind, and propel and crawl across land until they are stopped. It is customary to eat sweet cakes made from nuts grown on the floating gardens. they are decorated with a paste made from eggs and dyed with berries collected from the surface. After this everyone retires early as little sleep will be had for the next few months as the baby asexuals require plenty of attention.

Relationships are loosely defined in the asexual culture and nuclear families are a foreign concept. The community takes care of children as a collective, even those born on the islands.

Food sources are primarily fish and eggs harvested from their own domestic birds and fished from the ocean. Some birds are trained to dive for fish, a silk ribbon tied around their necks to prevent them from eating fish whole. They learn to return to their trainer with the fish so that they will be fed a smaller, easier to swallow piece. A few asexuals fish without birds, sinking baited lures deep into the waters. They are often less successful, but instead find a myriad of wondrous creatures. It is cause for excitement when they fish up a squid or octopus, as black is the hardest dye to come by and is reserved for the garments of leaders and for special occasions. The black dye is also used in the creation of the nation’s flag, a revered symbol of peace and betterment. Fruits and vegetables are grown in gardens that are flown by small hot air balloons powered by fish oil and tethered to the islands with silk ropes. Sometimes plants and animals are gathered from the surface, but only for special occasions. smaller birds are raised to produce eggs and later be eaten. These are usually very decorative birds that have bright plumage and odd feathers. They were bred this way to make them easy to find, and as a source of decorative feathers.

The library itself is a massive work of art. It is carved into a sphere and covered in intricate designs, images and patterns. Inside is just as incredible, the ceiling depicting a likeness of Ace, the great dragon. The great dragon is said to be the guardian spirit of the floating islands. The winds that are blown from his wings are always favorable, and when he roars it frightens storms into submission. The library houses billions of writings in the database. Book spheres can be borrowed from the library for personal study as well. They contain virtual books, holographic images and diagrams, and even sounds like music and videos. The library is a place of learning. Here tutors that spend their lives studying academic subjects share their knowledge with others. The library encourages the sharing of ideas and creation. Holotables are often cluttered with diagrams and notes taken and given by passers by.

The leader of their society is called Mother Veeraj. The terms mother and father have very different meanings after centuries of translations. Mother means one who cares for, and father means one who protects. Mother Veeraj always accompanies Father Gopal, because his sight failed him recently. He still has not learned to navigate without assistance. His faithful albatross makes sure he does not fall from the islands when Mother Veeraj is Busy. Father Gopal says he lost his sight from looking up at Mother Veeraj and being blinded by the sun too many times. They just roll their eyes and tell Father Gopal its because he’s old. Then he replies, but not as old as you, Mother. Mother Veeraj and Father Gopal have known each other for a long time. They are currently the oldest aesxuals on the floating islands. They both wear many rib bones around their necks.

//When an asexual dies, their chest is opened to release their spirit, and friends and loved ones each take a small piece of rib bone to fashion into a bead as a memento. The rib bones are worn on necklaces to keep a piece of the departed’s soul close to our own. large fans are used to scatter scavenging birds while the ceremony is performed. The body is then burned to ashes and poured into a basket, the very same baskets in which asexuals arrive.The hot air balloon is released, and the winds of the great dragon send their ashes away.

The asexual islands have not seen an outsider in centuries. They have little to no knowledge of the outside world, and doubt even the tales of waterfalls on the surface that fall downwards into the ground rather than up into the sky like those on the floating islands. Then one day, a stranger came in a basket just like those used to send new asexuals to the islands. She had short, bright red hair and wore a black shirt. Her jacket was red with black perpendicular stripes, she said it was called flannel. Her pants were made of rough material and her shoes were oddly shaped and didn’t help her climb on the rocks at all. She kept slipping when she walked. She asked to be taken to see our leader, so she is talking with Mother Veeraj and Father Gopal right now. She must be an important leader where she lives to wear so much black. Father Gopal told us that we could ask the outsider questions about the surface after she has a good night’s rest first. Why did she come here after all this time, and what does she want?

Chapter End Notes

The plot is very flexible and will change as I go since I don't have the whole story down yet. The rating may change if the story gets more violent later on. If anybody wants to make guesses as to what will happen next or add what they would like to see you are more than welcome to do so. I need more ideas for the other nations. Also, if anybody wants to become a character in the story I have plenty of openings!

Isle of Lesbos

Chapter Notes

The story actually starts a little bit here. Every other chapter should be world building until i get through all the nations.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The Isle of Lesbos houses some of the most fearsome warriors the world has ever seen. While they are not inherently more violent or quick to anger than other nations, they are fiercely patriotic and protective of their own. The island is more of its own continent simply because of the huge land mass. To the center right of the island lays an old volcano, one that has long since spent its life hurdling fire and ash into the skies. It’s only fitting that Hestia’s temple was built on its summit. The old volcano has been turned into not only the center of government activity but also an incredible record of the island’s history and beauty. The Parthenon like building that rests at the summit was designed with the six main patron goddesses of the Isle of Lesbos in mind. Hestia, the goddess of the hearth, national pride, the home, master of volcanoes and patron protector of the nation, is the main goddess of Lesbos. Athena represents wisdom, maturity, cleverness, wit, ingenuity, medicine, creativity and invention. She is commonly depicted in colleges and schools as she is often the students’ last hope. She is favored by medical centers as well because it is by knowledge that people are saved, and frustratingly by the lack thereof that people are often lost. Artemis is the patron goddess of girls, war, and the hunt. She is much beloved by children, as she is the voice of the young girls who do not know what to do or say. She is their comfort and protector, the subject of fairy tales and the hero that chases away the monsters under the bed.

//The Hunters of Artemis is an organization that many girls join while young. They endeavor to better themselves and learn new skills. The uniform is a silver jacket with a pair of stag antlers splayed across the back. The jacket is filled up with badges that signify the child’s accomplishments. The organization also teaches survival tactics, weaponry skills and self-defense. It is for this reason that the best archers are always children.

//Persephone is the goddess of growth, harvest, fertility, seasons, life and death. She is supposed to be the first and the last face you will see in this life. Rather than fear death the lesbians choose to embrace it as an old friend. It is because of Persephone that graveyards are so lively. Gravestones are made of colored, transparent stone and glass which make rainbows when the sun shines. The dead are seen as loved ones to be celebrated. Once a year on what may have once been called Dia de Los Muertos everyone gathers in graveyards and brings plenty of food. The festivities begin early and often last for days. There is food, dance, song and memories retold. Tears are shed, both happy and sad, and those that have passed are remembered. Flowers are planted on graves to honor the dead and to call upon Persephone to take care of loved ones that have passed away. Funerals oftentimes look like a miniature garden, though they do not hold the same morbidity as funerals outside of Lesbos.

//Aphrodite is, of course, the goddess of love, but she also rules the sea and stands as a reminder that all love is valid. She encourages familial and platonic love as much as romantic, and always gives her blessing to newlyweds. As her domain is the ocean when her people leave the island’s shores she ensures they travel safely, and is always the first to welcome visitors and new arrivals. When new lesbians are sent to the island via monorail she oversees their passage and safely hands them over to Artemis to watch over as they grow.

//Circe is the last goddess, patron goddess of witchcraft, magic and mayhem. When there is calamity the first thing to do is appease Circe. She, for all her faults, is a symbol of power and refusal to give up one’s own identity. When disaster strikes, sometimes she is called upon in rage to go after the criminal or cause. For this reason she is also considered the goddess of fairness and justice, an eye for an eye if you will. The Medean Court handles all trials under the wild eye of Circe. She is carved into the ceiling of every courtroom so that her ever watchful gaze will never let the guilty go unpunished or the innocent be blamed.

Various government branches are spread throughout the re-purposed lava chambers that stretch far under Hestia’s temple. The rooms themselves were hardly changed. The naturally occurring gemstones and caverns were instead carved into rooms, hallways and chambers. There are goddesses, flowers, stories, animals, histories, tall tales and beautiful creatures carved into every surface, detailed gemstone carvings peeking from every corner. It is said to be the most enchanting place in the world, and few would disagree. The deepest cavern houses the Sapphian Council chambers where the greatest powers in the nation settle issues of life and death and war and peace. Since there are no windows in these chambers, lights are hidden in the gemstones and glitter on every wall. Guided tours are available on weekends, and it certainly sweeps foreign dignitaries off their feet.

The nation has a strange pattern of separation by districts. There are six districts for six goddesses. The center of the continent, Cleïs, is a rough circle that houses the young lesbians as well as all places of learning. To the right of Cleïs is Mt. Hestia. The mountain and Cleïs are surrounded by two rings. The middle ring is made up of two sections, one that wraps under the Capitol and Cleïs, and the other above. The district to the south is called Hyacinthos, the only district whose name cannot be directly related to the Poetess Sappho. It was named such because it has the largest gender diverse population on the island. It was traditionally a place for trans men and other nonbinary individuals who grew up in Lesbos to live, but this diversity attracted foreigners who were not cis homoromantic lesbians. Today the island is much more diverse since its open border policy was established to promote friendship between the lesbians and the other nations. This is also where some of the greatest minds in the island’s history have gathered in the past.

//An open invitation to all medical practitioners and people of medical knowledge was sent out years ago in a desperate attempt to combat the STD epidemic. The plague was so long ago that many have forgotten its devastation. There are rumors that the diseases still exist in Straightlandia, despite the Red Cross’ attempts to send vaccines and medications to combat the disease into the country when the cure was discovered. Most help was turned away by the heterosexuals and little contact is had with them even today. It is not clear whether or not the rumors are true, but all children that are deported out of Straightlandia are given vaccines by the lesbians that collect them before they are sent off to their respective countries.

//Mt. Hestia, the center of official and government affairs, is called the Capitol. The upper section of the middle ring is called Anactoria, after the district’s patron goddess Aphrodite. This section is much smaller, as Hyacinthos takes up most of the middle ring, wrapping slightly around the east of the Capitol and the west of Cleïs, This district is made up, mostly, of the elders of the island. Elders are revered for their life experiences and wisdom. Many of them have taken up studies at the local colleges since they now have the leisure time to do so. They are much beloved by the children, and can look forward to daily visits from the little lesbians. The Hunters of Artemis are often led by several of the elders, usually called huntresses. The young lesbians are dubbed scouts at a young age and can work their way up to warrior, and later on in life return as an advisor and leader under the title huntress. Since the Island itself is relatively new, the elders always have incredible stories about what the world was like in their youth, and tales of what goes on over the walls of Straightlandia. Some are former council members and still keep a tight lip about what goes on behind closed doors. Some have traveled far and wide and can tell the strangest tales about mountain dwelling nomads that fought like the dickens and tamed giant deer. Some even had stories about the construction of the underwater monorail, and how a kraken got stuck inside the tube and wiggled its way up the unfinished monorail and onto the island itself.

One woman in particular is especially interesting. She’s been a bit off ever since they found her floating on a boat made of silk and plant material, all matted together. Nobody knows where she came from, and when she speaks she hardly ever makes sense. But once a year, when the ominous wind walkers come out of the ocean and run across the land, she almost seems like she has half a mind again. She tells the most wonderful tales of flying people and giant birds. She whispers to the frightened children that have gathered together to hide from the wind walkers and listen to her tales about how she spoke to a dragon and lived in a flying library. She’s quite a sight, wizened and as small as a child, waving her arms around and talking about magic worms. She becomes very sad after the wind walkers leave again, and her wrinkled little body seems to shrivel back into itself until next year. She never gave a name when she was found, and no one has been able to coax one from her. The children call her Mother Anactoria, because she rose out of the sea foam just like Aphrodite. It makes her smile sometimes when she gets called that, so the children make sure to do so often.

The outer ring of the island is rather thin and is made up of a left and a right half. The left, called Phaon is the Butch district, and Leucas is the Femme. While this separation of people may seem odd at first it actually came about through a propaganda mandate decided upon by the council. Since spy ships from Straightlandia have taken to patrolling the waters around the Isle of Lesbos, it was decided that playing to the heteronormative stereotypes was the best method of appearing weak and nonthreatening to the Straightlandians. Lesbians choose to live in these districts to play into stereotypes they best fit, by choice of course. Those that wish to live in a more blended culture simply live in the much larger and more populated middle ring. Stores, media and advertising match the outer districts and make it very easy to shop in those areas.

A monorail, called the Iris, constantly runs across the island, and makes for easy travel into other districts. Like its namesake Iris, goddess of travel, swiftness and postal delivery, the monorail is the fastest in the world. It even travels under and over water to the mainland and even has one track over the water to Straightlandia. The rail car that travels to Straightlandia is painted in the colors of the lesbian flag, while the rest are decorated in beautiful depictions of the goddess Iris in all her glory. On every monorail, the second car to the last is always reserved for emergencies and can only be opened when a medical personnel with the required ID scans their card. The last car is reserved for postal services, and the first for the on board mechanics and security. If you ask them very nicely you may get to ride in the front or the back cars.

The island is overrun by an invasive species of vine. The plant is so resilient that most have given up attempting to clear or prevent its growth. It grows over buildings and can be seen curling up and over the roof of Hestia’s temple. Every few years one of the many surrounding active volcanoes erupts, spewing clouds of ash across the continent. Everyone dons respirator masks of many colors and styles and carries on until the ash settles. The ash blocks out the sun and kills all plant life. The vines, finally bested, turn gold and crumble only to come back in full force the next year. The ash is often collected and exported to other countries for profit. The resulting ash is washed away eventually, but the residents do their best to help it along by hosing down practically everything. Water usage is always at record highs during these times, called Hestia’s cleansing. It certainly looks that way as the city is uncovered from beneath the blanketing vines and washed clean after the rain.

In light of recent monorail “accidents” that had killed every single passenger aboard the cars at the time, it is only natural that they would respond in kind. The lesbians were the first to send bisexual and pansexual spies into heteronormative territory, as they were rightly suspicious of unmarked subs found near the agreed borders. These spies have slowly been uncovering information about the corrupt governing system oppressing the people of Straightlandia and continually feeding them aggressive warmongering propaganda. The Sapphian Council has already decided to declare war. They are currently assuring alliances with other nations to ensure they will have enough power to fight back against the militant heterosexuals. But even if the Rainbow alliance with Hashihon is finalized, it may not be enough.

Commander in Chief Hea-Jung slammed her fists on the table and shouted, “Damn it all! What else do you want me to do?”

There were many murmurs and searching eyes, but no one spoke. What else could they do?

“I can’t just pull a miracle out of the sky, I need options!”

A throat cleared, and everyone stilled, “If I may address the council?”

“You may, Major General Kamala of the Sa'ka Forces.”

Major General Kamala nodded to the High Councilwoman and stood, “Commander in Chief Hea- Jung, you said that you could not pull a miracle out of the sky, did you not?”

“I did,” she jutted her chin out, “And are you suggesting that you can?”

Major General Kamala turned to address the council, ignoring Commander in Chief Hea-Jung’s glare, “What I am suggesting is that we make contact with the asexuals.”

A collective murmur filled the cavernous chamber, but Commander in Chief Hea-Jung could be heard over them all, “I swear to Circe, Kamala!”

The noise died when the High Councilwoman lifted her hand for silence, “How do you propose we accomplish this, Major General Kamala?”

She beckoned a young girl forward. “Introduce yourself.”

The girl stepped up and relayed in a militaristic fashion, “Private Hazel of the Sa'ka Forces.”

The corner of Major General Kamala’s mouth twitched, “State your orientation.”

“Homoromantic asexual.”

A collective gasp went up from those gathered.

“An asexual, here?”

“It’s possible. There have been rare cases before.”

“You know the machines make mistakes.”

“I don’t believe it.”

“I thought they just disposed of them.”

“Silence!” The High Councilwoman’s voice roared through the chamber, and the watching eyes of Circe, carved into the ruby studded ceiling, flickered in the light. Quiet fell again over the chamber.

“We do not appreciate secrets here, Major General. Kindly inform us as to why you did not think this worth sharing much sooner.”

“Private Hazel realized her orientation only recently, and I deemed it important that she be given enough time to confirm it for herself before I approached the council with this information. I would also like too kindly remind the council that they are not privy to all information regarding foreign ambassadors and visitors. My own country comes-”

“Understood,” interrupted the High Councilwoman. “You may continue with your proposal.”

They stared at each other for a long pause; brown eyes battling green, until Major General Kamala looked away.

“I propose,” Major General Kamala addressed the council, “that Private Hazel be sent out in search of the asexuals in order to act as an ambassador for our collective countries and ask these warriors to side with us.”

“They are supposed to be creatures of destruction! Mayhem! How are we to reason with people that will see the end of humanity, if they even exist?”

“As always, Commander in Chief Hea-Jung, you say the sweetest little nothings.”

“Go fuck a dick,” growled Commander in Chief Hea-Jung.

“That’s hardly as insulting as it should be, seeing as I already do,” Major General Kamala smiled sweetly.

They continued to bicker as the rest of the council discussed the new information brought to their attention.

Private Hazel would not flinch or look away, even while being scrutinized by the some of the most powerful people in the world. She had survived hell week, and damn it, she could stare the High Councilwoman of the Isle of Lesbos in the eye and not flinch. The High Councilwoman’s gaze happened to fall on her just then and she found herself lowering her gaze fractionally. Damn. Hell week had frayed her nerves less than this.

Hazel focused back on the council as they seemed to have stopped talking. The High Councilwoman demanded the attention of everyone in the room, simply with a look. She was the only person Hazel had ever known that could silence her superior with just a glance. She looked just as majestic as the goddess carved into the ceiling of the chamber. The eyes of the carving unnerved her, and she pointedly did not meet its gaze either.

“How do you mean to reach the asexuals?” Another member of the council added. “There is too much electrical interference over the oceans to justify attempting to fly any sort of aircraft.”

“The solution is quite simple. How are the asexual babies sent to their people?” asked Major General Kamala.

“Balloons, they use fucking balloons. What is your point?”

“That was a rhetorical question, Commander in Chief Hea-Jung, but yes I say we send Private Hazel in a giant balloon. The familiarity of the method may make them more sympathetic, and as all other forms of transportation are less likely to work under the given conditions, a balloon is our best bet.”

“Private Hazel?”

“Yes, High Councilwoman,” she replied, determinedly not thinking about the eyes now boring into her.

“What do you think?”

Hazel froze; she honestly hadn’t been expecting anyone to ask her opinion on the matter, only whether or not she could get the job done. “I think... I think that I am the most qualified person for this job, and that I would be happy to serve my country and our countries’ alliance in a furthered effort to bring about an end to this war.”

The High Councilwoman smiled, “No, child. What do you think?”

Hazel did not respond. She stood, and everyone waited. She swallowed the dryness in her mouth and began again, “I think I can find other people out there that are like me, and when I do I can tell them that they don’t have to hide anymore.”

“Hide?”

“Yes, High Councilwoman. I can think of no reason for an entire nation to disappear unless they were tired of... unless they were given a reason to leave.”

“Very insightful. Supplies and transportation will be ready within a week. Private Hazel, I suggest you visit the campuses in Cleïs to prepare yourself for negotiation and refresh yourself on the languages that the asexuals will most likely be using. Are there any objections?” The Grand Councilwoman ignored a comment from her commander in chief and ended the session.

Hazel’s superior clapped her on the shoulder, “Good job.”

Chapter End Notes

Yay, the main character showed up! I'm still working on my writing, so if you see any mistakes or something that reads weird, feel free to tell me. Also since I'm going to be basing a lot of the characters and cultures on ones from around the world, please please please tell me if I mess something up or do something rude or wrong. Same goes for the characters. If I do something wrong with genders and orientations please tell me so I can fix it. That being said, I need ideas for the gay country. It's going to be possibly French/Japanese based. My tumblr is snail-writes-shit if you want to talk or send me ideas or complaints or something. Thanks for reading!

Calypso the island of plenty

Chapter Notes

I completely forgot to talk about Calypso, which is basically like Dubai but even cooler and off the coast of the Isle of Lesbos. So, have a half chapter while I work on chapter 4.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Calypso is a magical island born into the lap pf luxury not too many years ago. The manmade island rests off of the Isle of Lesbos’ Southeastern shore. The land mass is shaped like a lotus flower and accounts for more than 60% of Lesbos’ GDI, as the island is the world’s most luxurious and expensive resort in the world.

//The reefs around the island took several years to build up from scratch after they were discovered to have been destroyed during the initial mass sorting. Today they are still recovering from the destruction, but have since bloomed into a colorful paradise for reef dwellers. Several protected species have been found in the reef and were sent into a breeding program in the World Marine and Wildlife Center. The center houses fascinating and endangered animals and aquatic life from around the globe. The state of the art Aquarium is burrowed into the southern side of the island. Here guests can stroll around the coral reef in a system of glass tubes under the island or stay inside the building and visit some of the more exotic species, like narwhals and sea dragons. The jellyfish wall is especially popular. The tank takes up an entire wall standing over thirty feet high and forty feet wide. The tank is dark, as is the rest of the hall with deep sea creatures, and gently lights illuminate hundreds of jellyfish. This particular species of jelly fish has evolved without stingers and is absolutely harmless, so occasionally some are placed in a special tank in the interactive sea life room. In this room, made up of several separated large tanks, guests can swim with all manner of creatures, from dolphins to stinger less jellyfish.

//The building continues on upward until it reaches sea-level. Here the building becomes a terrarium, an open jungle of sorts for creatures that walk on two and four legs. Guided tours around the exhibit are available and the more dangerous and larger animals can be seen roaming around in their own habitats. Just above the terrarium is the genetic research lab where experiments on animal cloning and genetic mutations take place. Odd little creatures have been evolved here, like the golden monkey bat. Small golden tamarins were bred to create what resembles retractable pouches like that of flying squirrels. Scientists are now trying for extra limbs so as to later facilitate the development of the extra arms into a set of bat like wings. Some species have even been rediscovered. The dodo was brought back into existence, only to fall flat on a rock and concuss itself to death. Scientists claimed it did not even taste as good as chicken, so the dodo was not recreated again. In the upper floors of the building is the aviary. The aviary has large holes in the walls and all manner of leafy giants to house the massive bird collection. Everything from penguins to parakeets can be found here. The natural bird species was actually chosen to be birds of paradise. The resident Pidgeon and other common pests are actively exterminated in favor of the more beautiful alternative. Colorful birds and chattering parrots are as common on the streets as the cooing dove is in Hestia’s temple.

//Calypso houses the world’s finest collection of historic artifacts and art galleries. The only two remaining Vann Gough paintings are found here, as well as Leonardo di Vinci’s most memorable painting, “Medusa Shield.” The interconnected art galleries travel from era to era, past the Greek and Roman works, through Arabic sand painting and Chinese jade carving, and into the more modern and better recorded eras. The modern art hall picks up in Impressionism and goes through several periods including Art Noveau, Cubism, Dada, Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, Graffiti, Deconstructivism, Digital Art, Dada Net, Greek Revival, Kawaiism, and even Panwool Matting. The history museums are sadly lacking as many fragile artifacts and materials were destroyed in the initial sorting.

//The world’s largest casino, the Lotus Hotel and Casino, offers everything from penny slot machines to billion dollar gambles. The building is outfitted with state of the art arcade games for people of all ages as well as a partly-indoor-partly-outdoor amusement and water park. Virtual reality games allow the player to do anything from live alternate lives to walk on the moon. The state of the art laser tag arena is used in the biennial Olympics. The various arenas for the Olympic sports can be seen all over Calypso. Some of the wintertime arenas are used as ski hills and resorts while not in use for the Olympics. Calypso is proud to host the event each year as it means an even higher tourism income than usual. Many spectators have to stay in Lesbos and take the Isis over to Calypso for the games.

//Every night the island lights up with fireworks and brilliant lights to music. The fireworks are projected as a hologram by the massive biodome that covers Calypso. Speakers around the island help the magic come alive. It is also because of the biodome that the sky stays clear and the air sweet even during Hestia’s cleansing. Not even the might of nature can break though Calypso’s serene aura.

//The restaurants and hotels are the finest money can buy. Master Chefs from around the world compete in yearly tournaments to break into and stay in the food industry in Calypso. Five star hotels must work tirelessly to provide service better than the best. And the result is incredible. Everywhere you look is beauty and majesty. Every piece of technology is ten years ahead of the rest of the world, and every comfort that can be imagined can be found in Calypso.

Chapter End Notes

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