gifAge of Consent for the OtacaiansFor most Otacaians the age of consent for all matters (intimacy, voting etc.) is 15-17 years old. You are considered an adult at 15 in the Opar-Han Confederacy, Rumaeri Union, Jithran Senate, Dinak Assembly. The rest of the countries have it at 16, with the exception of the Pharae Order, Enalla Congress and Bannarai Republic who have it at 17. I know that for many of you reading this you may think that is WAY too young, they're still children, and some of my Human characters in Otacaia will be inclined to agree with you. But it is important to remember the Otacaians are aliens from another planet and as such their beliefs would be different from Humans in this regard. To you (and to the Human characters in Otacaia for that matter) a 15-year-old is considered a child incapable of consenting to matters of intimacy, voting, etc., but to the Opar-Han, Jithrans, Akryans, a 15-year-old is considered a full adult by their traditions, cultures, and laws, and they are granted these privileges at this age.The Syblot and The Crugg, An Otacaian Children's StoryThe Syblot and The Crugg is a widely known tale throughout Otacaia. Despite the animosity and distrust the Otacaians have toward one another, they all know this legend. Each version of the tale is different depending on which Otacaian race you ask but the plot is more or less the same: Long ago, in a lush jungle (or forest) a male Syblot named Jama, known for his kindness and wisdom, lived with his wife, Lika and their 11 eleven children. In this same jungle lived a female Crugg named Iza, she who established herself as queen of the jungle through sheer might and used her position to ridicule and intimidate the other animals. One day, Iza came across Jama and his family and insulted the family of Syblots, calling them weak and feeble creatures and demanded they show deference to her. Jama stood up to Iza, defending his family and berated her for her insulting manner. Amused that a little furball would dare stand up to her, Iza remarked that due to her size she could easily defeat him in any game. Jama stated that although he wasn't big or strong as Iza, he would accept her challenge and if he won, she would leave him and his family alone. Iza agreed, roaring with laughter. Jama's wife Lika decided that the first challenge would be a race, which Iza almost won due to her speed. Confident that she would win against the slow Jama, she decided to bathe in a pond not too far from the finish line, while Iza was distracted, Jama won the race. The next challenge was a series of riddles and questions which Iza asked and her husband, Jama and Iza had to solve. Jama, having exceptional life experience and intelligence, won the game. For the final challenge, Iza and Jama were to defeat Arnzar, a Haar-Jazz. he was an absolute monster known to kill anyone and anything in his path. Iza challenged Arnzar directly, ignoring the cautions of Jama. Arnzar easily defeated Iza, injuring her and attempted to eat her. Jama called Arnzar away from Iza, luring him into the jungle. Jama knew the hidden advantages of the jungle, he taunted Arnzar into a blind rage before leading him into the entrance of a deep underground cavern, covered by foliage, where he fell and died. Jama had won the third and final game. Humiliated at losing these games to, and being rescued by a mere Syblot, she cursed his kind, saying that their descendants would be mortal enemies. Jama, not wanting to hold a grudge, tried to reason with Iza, but she refused to listen, and returned to her royal den. According to legend, from that day on, Syblots and Cruggs were mortal enemies throughout the planet. The Crugg is the main predator of the Syblot and have been known to eat them and their eggs. But the Syblots have used their underestimated intelligence to develop countermeasures to defend themselves against Cruggs by attacking in groups.Otacaia Childhood AU - Reunion Writing ExerciseRussell felt the need to run, he needed to get as far away from Ash, from Chaat, from Zia, from everyone as possible. It felt so wrong, seeing Ash again after all these years, all this time. Russell didn't know Ash anymore. Ash lived seven years without him, he wasn't that small little orange elf boy he knew anymore. For all Russell knew, Ash was only friends with him out of pity, he was just a childhood friend he lost touch with and bumped into, he wasn't his true friend anymore. Too much time had passed. They were both different people. Not wanting to make a spectacle, Russell walked quickly out of the mall food court. He couldn't stay there anymore. He started to pick up his pace, not daring to look behind him. "Russell? Wait! Russell!" Ash called, from a distance, he could hear footsteps running towards him, Russell began to run, knowing Ash was behind him. He reached the automatic doors of the mall, trying to keep calm, he ran towards his car. But at that moment, he felt a warm hand gentle, but firmly grab his arm from behind him. He came to a complete stop, almost falling backwards as he did so. He didn't need to turn around. He knew who it was. "Russell..." Ash's calm voice said softly, trying to catch his breath, "Man, you run fast..." Let go. Please... But his gentle grip on his arm didn't loosen, "What's wrong?" Ash asked, "Tell me what's wrong?" “This…” Russell managed to blurt out. Ash circled slowly in front of Russell, for just a second, Russell saw Ash’s face filled with nervousness, before he averted his eyes, and began to stare at the concrete. “What?” Ash asked, a tinge of nervousness in his voice, “I just need to get away from here, away from you…” Russell replied, trying his best to remain calm. “Why do you want to get away from me?” Ash asked, “Because…I hate you right now…” not daring to move his eyes, not daring to look his former friend in the face. “W…What!? Ash asked with a sudden burst of sadness and fear, “What did I do!?” You left me…you FORGOT about me… Russell wanted to scream those words at Ash's face, but he knew that would be too cruel. Ash left him, even if it wasn’t his choice, it was both the government of Earth and Otacaia that maid that decision for Ash and his family. But still, Ash still left him. He left him to the wolves as a child. How dare this orange alien come back into his life again? He had never felt so insulted, before Zia came back into his life, before he had the courage to cut ties with his mother, to stand up to his uncle, he had been alone again. “Nothing…” Russell sighed, "You didn't do anything to me. Ash I am happy to see you again, I really am, and I shouldn't be mad at you for anything. You have been nothing but a good friend to me, and apparently to many others, you're doing a lot of good things for both our planets. When you...left me..." Russell took a deep breath and moved his eyes towards Ash's shocked face. "Everything just went to hell for me all over again." Ash's shocked expression melted into sadness. "The kids at school...your uncle...they...started hurting you when I left, didn't they?" Ash asked somberly, Russell could only nod at the question. Russell really did not want to continue this conversation, he just wanted to get into his car and drive as far away as possible. He motioned for his car, he only got a few steps before Ash put his hands on Russell's shoulders, preventing Russell from moving past him, forcing him to look at Ash's face. Just his touch, looking at his face sent Russell's heart into great pain. "Russell. Please listen!" Ash begged, but Russell really didn't want to, "Please." he asked again. "I had no idea you felt this way...I had no idea you were even mad at me..." Ash gave him a weak smile, "I am sorry that I left you, I didn't want to, you know that, but we're here together again. I...I want to fix everything! I want to make up for that! Please...Russell?" "I thought you had forgotten about me, Ash...you have always been so popular, with everyone..." Russell rubbed his fingers together, trying to keep his train of thought. "I could never forget you!" Ash said, "You were, and still are, my special friend! No one could even come close to that!" For a moment, Russell could hear his voice from seven years ago. That child's voice, that child's innocence, that child's determination. "I do not know what happened to you these past seven years, but as your friend, I...I want to make it right! I want to fix it! I want to continue being your friend Russell Firkins, please!" Russell could now see that determination in Ash's beautiful amethyst purple eyes, the same as when they were in school. It had only been a moment of silence, but it seemed to stretch forever. Until, Russell let out a snicker, which escalated into a giggle, and then a series of soft laughter, startling the orange skinned alien. "After all this time, you haven't changed one bit..." Russell said, catching his breath as his laughter subsided. Ash could only smile, "Of course! I am Ash Artanya! Always have been! Always will be!" Russell returned the smile, "Yes, I can see that..." and he took a deep breath. "Alright...I still want to be friends with you too...and...I think we can make this right." Ash's eyes brightened with joy and his smile grew bigger, he bounced with excitement and gave Russell a sudden hug, taking the Human man aback. "Oh, Russell! I promise you won't regret this! And this time, I won't leave you!" I hope you can keep that promise this time, Ash...