Let me teach you how to navigate your way to defeat!

This is a photobash under the hood, that then got painted and "rendered." Not well, but, yeah, "rendered." It is based on a late 13th century illustration by an unknown artist that depicts St. Michael defeating the Devil.

The Book of Enoch isn't considered canon, but it's got all the fun stuff people like about Christianity like angels and mystic visions. You know, the GOOD stuff!

I don't think Simon is a Christian of any stripe that would count as one today. But bits and pieces of old religions endure in new ones. For example, the halo was originally used in depictions of sun gods like Apollo. When Christianity developed, artists needed a shorthand way to show divinity quickly and effectively to a largely illiterate population that would have been very familiar with the idea of gods and goddesses running around interacting with mortals, and also with how those gods and goddesses were traditionally depicted in religious art. Ta-daa! Just like that, the halo becomes Christian iconography, and the world just keeps on turning.

Clearly there are almost vestigial remnants of Christianity on Eden in the world of Iron Lung. The name of the space station alone carries a lot of weight. But, no, my goal in making this little piece wasn't to try and push some idea that Simon would have worshipped a Christian god or that he would believe in angels.

I promise, I just think of Simon as a dragon slayer, so it was either Michael or George, and Michael won the coin toss. :D

Darling Simon gets a halo here, but it looks to be made of uranium and a porthole made with Filament Station glass. Whoops.

For more about the Book of Enoch and for a the illustration I used to create my little Saint Simon, have a look below the cut!

I had a really profound experience today.

I was just casually listening to a podcast on ancient anthropology because it autoplayed while I was doing housework, and it got into the nitty-gritty of how humans spent their time for most of the hundreds of thousands of years we've existed.

During the day, we would spend 15–20 hours a week on essential processes needed to sustain life. We would chat to each other about practical things: food, water, logistics, etc. Even during leisure time.

But at night, around the fire, the conversation shifted. This fireside conversation is now considered to be the cradle of human culture and the strongest creator of human bonds.

And it was mostly storytelling.

So like. I’ve never really understood my compulsion to tell stories or, for me, how essential it is that those stories then lead to conversation and connection. I always considered it a bit of an embarrassing insecurity, really, craving interaction from something I wrote.

And just hearing that one thing, on this one podcast, made me realise how bullshit that is. Stories are, since the beginning of our species, designed to form and strengthen connection. It’s human nature for me to want connection from them. We have 150,000 years of evolution to thank for that.

There’s a reason your local fanfic writer wants you to comment on their fic: because that’s part of the reason they’re writing it—for connection with their readers. Because human nature dictates storytelling is for connection.

Fan of opposites attract? How about lots of tease? Have I got the book for you!

Set in Sydney, Australia and between two 40-something-year-old women, Unaccounted For is about control, concealment, and learning who to trust.

These two women are comfortable with their sexualities & no one in their lives is homophobic—they are deeply damaged in other ways! 🌈😌

Kindle link here | Other ebook links here | Paperback link here

We figured out the harness! Eden wasn't a death cult at all. :D

"Concussion counter (ding!)."

"Hey gurl!" every time Elli appeared.

"More layers?! Why does he have so many layers?!" "He's from Colorado! That's his emotional support hoodie!"

"So there I was, tits covered in barbeque sauce..."

"Chat, is it okay if your metal rover is growing meat?"

(sex cult techno music playing)

Also in this issue: Blood Daiquiris, Fad or Fab? Our Editor Dives into the Debate.

Totally going to make a cover for Consolidation Monthly Magazine eventually. So far, all I have is this rough sketch of Simon, but just you wait. Just you wait...

Ideas for Article Headline that are Featured Inside:

Blood Oceans: Vacation Retreats to Die For

Eden Fashion Week Dazzles Despite Record-Low Attendance

Did You Join a Death Cult? Take this Quiz to Find Out!

Fall Decorating Ideas with Extremely Limited Resources

The Lost Art of Botany: What Even Is That?

Stargazing is Out! Ghostlight Gazing is the Hottest Dating Trend!

Dress for the Quiet Rapture without Spending an Arm and a Leg!

The Hunkiest Welders in the C.O.I. Bare it All for Charity

Filament Station: Honoring Our Fallen Heroes

Do YOU Have What it Takes to Be a Consolidation Captain?

LINK 👉 Chapter 15 - path 👈

The green checkmark!! It's complete!!

Thanks so much for reading!!!!!

Far beneath the cut is a spoiler image (hosting here so I can put it at the end of the ch on AO3).