#sneeper

This is tricky to answer since Runaway to the Stars doesn’t have a huuuge focus on alien psychology, my process for designing the aliens had them wind up more as exaggerated ends of human behavior than something I’d consider truly out there. This is a story conceit, because I wanted to write about friendships between humans and aliens and the greater the gaps there are in psychology, the less room there is for emotional connection and understanding.

That being said, the big Thing for humans in RttS is that they’re the bio-horror aliens. Their strong self-image fuels a penchant for self-modification that goes well beyond function, altering themselves and others often just for aesthetic purposes. Tying into this is their “cute reflex,” where animals and organisms very unlike humans can make them feel parental and protective. This is a kind of anthropomorphism, and the projection of human self-identity onto other organisms means they get swept up into the bio-mod frenzy too-- hence the existence of designer GMO pets and GMHs with animal characteristics.

The other aliens don’t really do this. Avians also have strong self image, but their stunted medical technology and delicate physiology means that their self expression is usually limited to clothing. They have a minor “cute reflex” too, but avian pets are usually more bred as aesthetic house fixtures than beloved surrogate children. It’s all tropical fish tanks and slow pretty reptiles, less shelter-rescue mutt dogs.

Bug ferrets don’t do self identity, they do group identity! They also have strong parental instincts, but their “cute reflex” doesn’t extend past their own species. They’re not big anthropomorphisizers-- when ferrets make fursonas, it's more like a catgirl than a bipedal cat, if that makes any sense.

Centaurs don’t have a strong cute reflex even for their own babies. Larva and very young imago are basically non-persons until they begin to talk, and historically most of the litters would die before getting there. They are more likely to see non-centaur animals as food resources than fellows.They’re also less likely to assert their individuality through appearance; preferring action, jobs, clan roles, and deeds as expression.

Most of my comics, standalone and serial, are currently on my Patreon. There are some scattered ones on tumblr here (from as far back as high school. Yikes!) but currently the majority of my original content is worldbuilding posts. I did also briefly start a webcomic for an older story concept before realizing the project was too sprawling, labor-intensive, and in need of major rewrites for me to feel comfortable continuing at the moment.