Into The Light

Drums!

Elim’s love of music comes from the drums. Percussion. All sound is just the vibration of air. There’s something simple -almost natural- about beating that sound into existence on a drum.

A stick beating in time to create a resonating rhythm. Elim, was not a musician until he found the drums. In fairness, he never heard music until he heard the drums at a concert. A battle. A band battle. It was an infiltration mission that eventually went wrong. But lessons can be learned in failure.

The first band took the stage and introduced Elim to the process of music. The drums rumbled and introduced the next instrument. And then another instrument came. And then another. Vocals too. But underneath it all, keeping pace and time, were the drums.

So when his team was eventually called upon to play and compete, it felt natural to Elim to keep time for the others of his group. He grabbed a stick as a bell that seemed to fit around the neck of a nerf. Upon the bell, he kept time.

The nerf bell led to other instruments. A world of music unfolding to him. String and woodwind instruments. Horns. Electronic synthesizers. All capable of producing sounds unique. Music of different types.

Each one brought deeper understanding. Deeper connection to his own understanding of the Force. Allowed for a deeper concept of empathy and emotion. Allowed him to find his place as a member of the Coalition.

Elim packs his backpack with a single change of clothes, some snacks, and several instruments. Among them is his first instrument, a basic cowbell, which inspires his love for music. He also includes a small drum, a flute, a fiddle, and a tiny mobile keyboard. He has heard that the Cuddlesphere likes music, though he isn’t entirely sure what the Cuddlesphere is. Still, he is excited to learn.

In the vast expanse of the galaxy, where stars are born and die in the blink of a cosmic eye, two unusual celestial bodies perform an eternal dance. These are no ordinary planets but members of the enigmatic Seed Fleet: Cuddlesphere and Snugglestar, a pair of dwarf planets that defy conventional astronomy.

Cuddlesphere, the younger of the two, gleams with a soft, inviting light. Its surface is a living canvas of pastel hues—gentle blues, soothing pinks, and calming lavenders swirl together in ever-shifting patterns. Occasional puffs of glittering stardust erupt from its poles, like cosmic giggles barely contained.

Snugglestar, Cuddlesphere’s constant companion, matches its partner in both size and strength. Where Cuddlesphere is all soft hues and twinkling lights, Snugglestar radiates a warm, comforting glow. Its surface ripples with waves of golden energy, punctuated by bursts of starlight that resemble nothing so much as a celestial purr.

Together, these two Seeds waltz through the cosmic void, their gravitational embrace a delicate dance that has persisted for eons. As they twirl and spin, their atmospheres occasionally mingle, creating dazzling displays of cosmic affection. Waves of energy ripple across their surfaces, a lightshow that puts the most advanced holograms to shame.

They challenge the understanding of what it means to be alive, to be powerful, to be ancient beyond human comprehension yet youthful in cosmic terms. They invite wonder, inspire awe, and kindle a desire to unravel the secrets of the Seed Fleet and the very nature of existence itself.

Young Elim requests the use of a shuttle to venture to the twinning dwarf planets. He has no ship of his own but knows the basics of piloting. After requesting clearance from the Asipra, he heads out alone in a small shuttle towards the coordinates given by his Master Parisa. It has been some time since he ventured out on a mission alone, being used to the high-stakes missions on Klatooine.

Cleared by the Aspira, Elim plots his course. With a quick adjustment of a lever, he makes the jump to hyperspace. Pulling out his fiddle, he tunes it, intending to practice while in hyperspace.

As Elim draws near, the vastness of space seems to narrow, focusing on two celestial bodies swirling in an eternal dance. Cuddlesphere, the younger of the pair, glows with a soft, inviting light that pulses gently like a cosmic heartbeat. Its surface is a tapestry of pastel hues—soft pinks, gentle blues, and soothing lavenders that swirl and merge in mesmerizing patterns.

Snugglestar, the elder sibling, radiates a warm, golden light that embraces Cuddlesphere in a protective aura. Its surface is a canvas of deep, rich colors—amber, crimson, and burnished gold—that flow like rivers of molten starlight.

As the two celestial bodies pirouette through the cosmos, their gravitational pull on each other creates a beautiful, intricate waltz. Streams of stardust and cosmic energy flow between them, forming shimmering bridges of light that sparkle with the promise of new worlds and untold adventures.

Suddenly, a sound unlike any other fills the void—a melody so pure and sweet that it seems to make the very fabric of space-time resonate. The source is unmistakable: Cuddlesphere is singing.

A young, feminine voice emerges from the moon-seed, clear and bright as a newly formed dwarf.

As the last notes of Cuddlesphere’s verse fade, Snugglestar’s deeper, more mature tones join in harmony.

As Elim approaches, the song grows stronger and more inviting. It is as if Cuddlesphere and Snugglestar are welcoming a new friend to their cosmic ballet, eager to share the secrets and wonders they have witnessed in their eternal voyage across the galaxy.

[Verse]
Shimmer light from Cuddlesphere
Softly glows in the twilight sphere
Harpsichord in cosmic song
Echoes where the stars belong

[Verse 2]
Snugglerstar with silver hue
Dances through the nebula dew
Synthesizer whispers low
Guiding through the starry flow

[Chorus]
Cuddlesphere and Snugglerstar
Melodies from worlds afar
Angel’s choir in the night
Celestial strings take flight

[Bridge]
Beyond the static of space’s face
Electric hums in endless grace
Violin of light beams plays
Through the cosmic ocean’s waves

[Verse 3]
Orbit ’round in silent grace
Bass guitar with pulsing pace
Planets sway in lulling beat
In this twilight’s sweet retreat

[Chorus]
Cuddlesphere and Snugglerstar
Melodies from worlds afar
Angel’s choir in the night
Celestial strings take flight

Elim smiles and soaks in the singing for a few moments. He isn’t sure if the welcome is obvious or if it resonates in the Force, but he can feel it in the music. Not just hearing it, but feeling an emotional and spiritual welcome. In that moment, he understands why Parisa chose him to come here, why she chose him in general. He is meant to communicate in this way.

Elim doesn’t speak. He responds in song. With his fiddle tuned, he takes a breath and focuses on the emotions he wishes to express: gratitude for being welcomed, adoration for their song, awe, wonder, and appreciation. He also humbly requests their aid, as Parisa has sent him for the sake of a friend.

Elim feels a tremor through the ship’s controls. The vessel, a marvel of Parisa’s engineering infused with Void and Entropic technology, hums with an otherworldly energy. Dark tendrils of un-space flicker around the ship’s translucent hull, a visual testament to its ability to defy the powerful gravitational pull of the Seeds’ cosmic dance.

As they draw nearer, Elim initiates the approach sequence. It isn’t a mere transmission of data, but a complex symphony of the ship’s energy signatures, Elim’s own biorhythms, and the very essence of his intentions. This ethereal music ripples out towards Cuddlesphere, a song of greeting and purpose.

The response is immediate and breathtaking. The eternal waltz of Cuddlesphere and Snugglestar begins to slow, their movements creating cascades of stardust that shimmer in the void. Cuddlesphere’s atmosphere shifts, swirls of color coalescing into patterns that seem to beckon Elim’s ship.

A whisper brushes against Elim’s mind, not heard but felt. It resonates through the ship, through his body, through his very being. Cuddlesphere has understood. The vast consciousness of the Seed envelops Elim’s ship in a soft glow, a tangible manifestation of acknowledgment and welcome.

Elim finds himself at a crossroads. The surface of Cuddlesphere beckons, regions shifting to create inviting landing zones. Yet the option to remain in orbit is equally alluring, with Cuddlesphere generating a stable energy field that can cradle the ship in the vacuum of space.

As Elim ponders his choice, he marvels at the sensation of existing in this liminal space. The subtle shifts in gravity tug at him, while waves of energy from the slowing cosmic dance wash over the ship. Here, at the boundary of Cuddlesphere’s influence, the line between cosmic forces and personal experience blurs.

The tone of Elim’s music shifts. Torrid and turbulent, full of uncertainty and fear, but also energetic and hopeful. His intricacy increases in the shifting notes and chords. At the crossroads, he makes the choice to reach out to his friends, Fugax and Glendrya. He seeks them with the song in his heart, further thanking Cuddlesphere for the comfort and compulsion to venture farther and deeper than he could alone.

Elim smiles and soaks in the singing for a few moments. He isn’t sure if the welcome is obvious or if it resonates in the Force, but he can feel it in the music. Not just hearing it, but feeling an emotional and spiritual welcome. In that moment, he understands why Parisa chose him to come here, why she chose him in general. He is meant to communicate in this way.

Elim doesn’t speak. He responds in song. With his fiddle tuned, he takes a breath and focuses on the emotions he wishes to express: gratitude for being welcomed, adoration for their song, awe, wonder, and appreciation. He also humbly requests their aid, as Parisa has sent him for the sake of a friend.

Elim feels a tremor through the ship’s controls. The vessel, a marvel of Parisa’s engineering infused with Void and Entropic technology, hums with an otherworldly energy. Dark tendrils of un-space flicker around the ship’s translucent hull, a visual testament to its ability to defy the powerful gravitational pull of the Seeds’ cosmic dance.

As they draw nearer, Elim initiates the approach sequence. It isn’t a mere transmission of data, but a complex symphony of the ship’s energy signatures, Elim’s own biorhythms, and the very essence of his intentions. This ethereal music ripples out towards Cuddlesphere, a song of greeting and purpose.

The response is immediate and breathtaking. The eternal waltz of Cuddlesphere and Snugglestar begins to slow, their movements creating cascades of stardust that shimmer in the void. Cuddlesphere’s atmosphere shifts, swirls of color coalescing into patterns that seem to beckon Elim’s ship.

A whisper brushes against Elim’s mind, not heard but felt. It resonates through the ship, through his body, through his very being. Cuddlesphere has understood. The vast consciousness of the Seed envelops Elim’s ship in a soft glow, a tangible manifestation of acknowledgment and welcome.

Elim finds himself at a crossroads. The surface of Cuddlesphere beckons, regions shifting to create inviting landing zones. Yet the option to remain in orbit is equally alluring, with Cuddlesphere generating a stable energy field that can cradle the ship in the vacuum of space.

As Elim ponders his choice, he marvels at the sensation of existing in this liminal space. The subtle shifts in gravity tug at him, while waves of energy from the slowing cosmic dance wash over the ship. Here, at the boundary of Cuddlesphere’s influence, the line between cosmic forces and personal experience blurs.

The tone of Elim’s music shifts. Torrid and turbulent, full of uncertainty and fear, but also energetic and hopeful. His intricacy increases in the shifting notes and chords. At the crossroads, he makes the choice to reach out to his friends, Fugax and Glendrya. He seeks them with the song in his heart, further thanking Cuddlesphere for the comfort and compulsion to venture farther and deeper than he could alone.

Cuddlesphere listens, its vast consciousness attuned to every nuance of Elim’s performance. The celestial being perceives the undercurrents of uncertainty and fear that thread through the melody, feeling them as if they were ripples across its own surface. Yet, intertwined with these darker tones is a brilliant thread of hope and energy, a defiant spark of life amidst the turbulence.

As Elim’s song reaches its crescendo, his intentions become clear. The music speaks of friendship, of bonds that stretch across the vastness of space. Names seem to echo in the harmonics: Fugax and Glendrya, called out in a symphony of longing and determination.

Cuddlesphere understands. This small being, so fragile yet so complex, seeks to reach beyond himself, to connect with others of his kind across the cosmic expanse. The seed feels the gratitude in Elim’s music, the appreciation for the comfort it has provided and the potential it offers to extend his reach further than he could ever manage alone.

In response, Cuddlesphere begins to resonate. Its entire being vibrates in harmony with Elim’s song, creating a duet that spans the scale from subatomic to cosmic. The seed’s surface ripples and pulses, sending waves of what appear to be glitter streaming into space. These are not mere sparkles, but a complex array of particles charged with Cuddlesphere’s own energy and intent.

The glittering streams form intricate patterns in the void, a visual representation of Cuddlesphere’s agreement to help. They swirl around Elim’s ship in an iridescent dance, awaiting direction. The seed’s consciousness brushes against Elim’s mind once more, this time with a clear question: Where should it aim its power? Where in the vast expanse of space do Elim’s friends await?

Elim must ask for a direction from the others. He sends a message to Dennon and Parisa for help. Has Osge or Zavitry located their friends? “Please direct us. The Cuddlesphere is ready.”

“Shuttle Vespera, this is Valerian ship. Acknowledged. For future reference, please begin transmissions with your call sign, followed by ours. Correct protocol would be: ‘Valerian Control, this is Shuttle Vespera, over.'”

“Shuttle Vespera, be advised, Ozge has located and entered the void rift. Stand by for coordinates.”

“Shuttle Vespera, void rift is centered at galactic coordinates 23.45.67.89, sector ZX-12. Confidence level: 89.7% within a radius of 300,000 kilometers. Please position Cuddlesphere at the following coordinates: 23.45.67.90, sector ZX-12. Maintain position and await further instructions for moon beam activation. Do you copy? Over.”

“We copy. We head directly there.” Elim simply plugs in the coordinates, for Eri is correct. He is no pilot nor explorer. He is an artist. His song continues to accentuate their adventure, uplifting and transcending the notes of the violin toward something more ethereal.

The celestial body, Cuddlesphere, floats with grace and tranquility amidst the boundless expanse of the universe. It exudes a soft, ethereal glow in response to the enchanting melody sung by Elim, its surface shimmering in resonance. Their unique and profound connection seems to weave a delicate thread through the very fabric of space, guiding Cuddlesphere’s movements with a sense of harmony that is both beautiful and mysterious.

Elim’s song reverberates through space and time, and Cuddlesphere’s radiant luminescence intensifies, casting a mesmerizing light across its surface. With each note, the gentle gravitational pull of Cuddlesphere sends out undulating ripples that traverse the small pocket within the galaxy.

Driven by the resonance of Elim’s melody, Cuddlesphere embarks on a purposeful journey, aligning itself according to the coordinates suggested by the enchanting song. As the celestial body positions itself with unwavering determination, the cosmos seems to hold its breath, aware of the impending significance of this pivotal moment.

Their concert is done. Music, like all sound, is nothing but vibration. While the vibration of atoms will continue for eons, the vibration of song cannot carry into the utter emptiness of space. Where then can song remain? Heart and memory must serve as vessels to the song. Living things, the very opposite of that vacuum of space, act as the repositories of beauty. For beauty must be perceived to be appreciated. Elim wishes the Cuddlesphere farewell, hoping another duet might arise in the future. For now, he retains song and hope in his heart.