Penstrokes

let me tell you how much I love extroberta



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  1. Summary

    All elements in the universe were created from the big bang, in the heart of stars. Thus, we are all made of stardust.

    A collection of character studies.

    Words:
    871
    Works:
    1

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  1. Public Bookmark *

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    When the burger factory was first commissioned, I was promised it would be for therapeutic cloning only. Muscle tissue for meburgers; organs if I needed them; but no experimenting with brain tissue. And absolutely no reproductive cloning – that is, making a whole other me. My provisions were ratified by the Eridian legislative body over a decade ago, and it's the reason I gave up my stem cells willingly – well, that, and I missed meat. A lot.

    I mean, I miss hugs too, but not so badly I would condemn another human to live his entire life inside this dome with me. Don't get me wrong, I like Erid; I'm happy here. But to never know Earth, to only have yours truly for human company… that's a pretty raw deal. I couldn't conscience bringing a new life into the wrong world – and neither could my Eridian hosts.

    Or so I thought.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    8,048
    Chapters:
    3/3
    Comments:
    144
    Kudos:
    608
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    24 Jun 2026

  2. Public Bookmark *

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    Ryland steps on a dinosaur figurine. Somehow this leads to a complex discussion on planetary cultures.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    2,220
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    68
    Kudos:
    880
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    116
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    24 Jun 2026

  3. Public Bookmark 95

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    Grace takes a few hours to stargaze with what he has. Rocky tries to tag along.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    2,469
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    36
    Kudos:
    657
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    95
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    24 Jun 2026

  4. Public Bookmark 17

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    The lives of the crew of the Long Shot are statistically ridiculous. They've travelled over sixteen light-years to answer a three-decade-old distress call from a dying planet. They expected to find any number of things upon arrival at 40 Eridani, but being greeted by a human voice certainly wasn't on the list.

    Dr Ryland Grace says they're welcome. He says the problem has already been solved, and everything's fine, and so, in fact, is Earth. But all they know about Ryland Grace is that he left on a suicide mission ten years before they launched. They're not so sure they should be taking a dead man at face value.

    OR: The Eridians have learned to safely host a human, despite every barrier of language and instinct. Now they just need to do it with seven more. At least, this time, they have Grace's help, right?

    (This fic is part of a series but can stand alone.)

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    4,799
    Chapters:
    2/?
    Comments:
    28
    Kudos:
    93
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    17
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    24 Jun 2026

  5. Public Bookmark *

    Summary

    I lived with this hunger long before the Hail Mary. This is nothing new. I’m fine.

    Right up until Rocky asks another question.

    “When last time you touch other human person skin, question?”

    Oh. Oh no. “When I… a few days after I first woke up here.”

    Rocky starts to relax for a split second, but then tightens when something occurs to him.

    “Grace crewmates dead when you wake up. You said this, statement. You not even know your own name, remember nothing, see dead bodies, confirm?”

    I nod, because if I open my mouth I will gag.

    “When last time Grace touch ALIVE human person, question.”

    I swallow thickly. I don’t answer aloud because I know Rocky can hear the hitch in my breath. My stomach churns with fresh bile. He senses my vital signs tick over into stress patterns and goes very, very still again.

    “Grace. When last time, question.”

    I clench my jaw so hard my temples ache, and beg him with my eyes to just stop.

    “Grace. Please say not when… when Evil Stratt humans put you to sleep.”

    I can taste grass.

    ---

    AKA: Grace starves for more than just food on the journey to Erid.

    Words:
    67,068
    Works:
    3
    Bookmarks:
    446

    23 Jun 2026