Sleep Paralysis
Waking became worse than dreaming
of guilt and endless rooms
familiar and upside down
bottomless pits on the ceiling
falling upwards
to breathe but not move
words like mercury in the throat
dispel panic through fluttering eyelids
know there is no sense in fighting
a prison of the mind
as limbs stiffen hard
at the sight
perched on the bed
with angel wings
borne of kerosene
headlights for teeth
gnashing at the stillness
beneath tight sheets
A cherry pit soul
screams freedom
The second moon of HKC 2901 d is a rainy and rocky one, dreary in climate but abundant in ores and other natural resources. The locals tend to keep to themselves—many have never stepped foot off the moon, let alone traveled to intra-system planets—and they are exceedingly polite but distant toward strangers. Theirs is predominantly a blue-collar community: most are employed in the processes of extracting, refining, and exporting the raw materials of the moon.
Despite this, they hold close-knit ties within their communities. Children, a rare sight, are safeguarded by every member regardless of blood relations. When one falls ill, others shoulder a share of the work and ensure that they do not go cold or hungry. The heart of each town lives in the hearth, where food is shared in communal meals when the day’s work is done.
The strength of their collective identity might also be owed in part to one unique aspect: due to high concentrations of atmospheric ammonia, every human must wear a breathing apparatus when outside of hermetically-sealed facilities. Over the generations, such apparatus have developed meaning in some cultures as both a symbol of practical protection and spiritual kinship. Some are passed down in families, marked by a lineage of workers. To wear their mask is to also belong to the collective, one of an anonymous whole. Among more religious sects, they have also acquired a meaning of modesty, and believers rarely take their masks off in the presence of others. Tourists tend to exaggerate this meaning to wild misinterpretations; planet-hoppers are especially guilty of this, envisioning romanticized lives of simple labor in exotic small towns. The more gauche souvenir shops found on HKC 2901 d tout overly-decorated and often non-functional masks, advertising sacred or magical effects.
– from System HKC 2901: A Primer, First Edition
Our protagonist reacts to an emergency situation…
we are rotting but instead let's say we are aging like fine wine because the expense of time is what makes us expensive and the cost of suffering can’t ripe faster than insufferable expectations and if we want a delectable cheese it’s desperation to bear the fruits of indefinite rotting that we continue to do so - sappy
Hi everyone! Welcome to the first post in my blog: A Side of Sketching! Each Monday, I will share a page or two from my current sketchbook, along with some explanation as to what inspired the sketches or where I was while I created them. I love exploring new places and experiencing new things, so many of my sketches will revolve around that. As a college student, I also take inspiration from campus events and the more mundane aspects of student life. So, whether it be trying a new restaurant, going to a hockey game, or having a late-night study session in the dorms, my sketches will provide a glimpse into my life as a college student!
A little bit about me: I’m currently a freshman at the University of Michigan! I have been creating art since I was young, and have experimented with many different mediums. Usually, I tend to gravitate towards acrylic painting and pencil sketching. When I’m not studying or making art, I enjoy hiking, yoga, listening to music, going to sporting events, and having spontaneous adventures around campus! : )
For this first post, I wanted to create a page that sums up a highlight of my school year so far, and I felt that a page inspired by Saturday football games in the Big House was the best way to do that! I’m not a huge football fan, but I love the atmosphere on campus on game days- from the student section chants to the marching band performances and head-to-toe maize and blue outfits. I made this page while in the car on a road trip, so it is fairly simple. Still, I’m happy with how it turned out!
Cormorant-class seagliders are a type of medium-sized aircraft meant for fast powered flight over medium- to long-distances. They are often used as escort and reconnaissance vehicles by the Kaua Merchant Navy on the waterworld of HKC 2901 c. They have both single- and twin-seat variants, feature two pylons per wing, and a modest internal bay on its underside that can be outfitted with various equipment suites or light armaments.
