Sammi & Eriko - The Story of Axio & Liora

 Sammi gently placed Mim down on a plush velvet cushion, surrounded by the warm glow of brass lamps and softly humming clockwork gears. Mim’s delicate gills fluttered with excitement as she looked from Sammi’s joyful face to Eriko’s thoughtful gaze.

“I am deeply grateful to you both for welcoming me into your beautiful home,” Mim began, her voice sweet and melodious. “Allow me to repay your kindness with another enchanting tale, one that reveals a curious past shared by humans and my kind.”

Sammi eagerly curled up next to Eriko, who wrapped an affectionate arm around her partner. Both listened intently as Mim continued her mesmerizing storytelling.

“Long ago, at the edge of the Hidden Sea, there lived a small village where humans and axolotls coexisted in harmony. It was a peaceful and gentle era, where friendships flourished and bonds were strong. In this village, it was common for axolotl males to act as couriers and storytellers, bringing news and tales from distant lands to delight the human villagers.

Among these axolotl couriers was a particularly charming fellow named Axio, known for his wit, adventurous spirit, and shimmering golden gills. Axio had a special friendship with a young human girl named Liora. Every evening, Axio would surface at the shore, and Liora would be waiting, eyes sparkling with anticipation. Together they shared tales of distant cities, mysterious islands, and daring escapades beneath the waves.

As the seasons passed, Axio and Liora's friendship blossomed, becoming a treasured story itself. But the village elders grew wary, worried about the closeness between humans and aquatic beings. Eventually, they decided to separate the villagers and their axolotl friends, afraid of the consequences of their deepening bonds.

Heartbroken but wise, Axio and Liora devised a plan to ensure their connection would never be truly lost. Axio would teach his stories to his descendants, who would carry them to other lands and other people. In this way, the friendships and stories of old would continue to inspire generations to come.

And thus, dear friends, this is why we axolotls carry tales and speak to humans. It is our legacy, a promise made between friends long ago, a testament to bonds that transcend differences.”

As Mim concluded her tale, Sammi and Eriko shared a warm smile, touched by the beauty and wisdom of the story and enchanted by their new friend’s magical heritage.

“That was truly wonderful, Mim!” Sammi exclaimed, eyes shining with admiration.

Eriko nodded thoughtfully, gently stroking Mim’s soft head. “Indeed, your stories will always have a treasured place in our hearts and home.”

And so began a beautiful friendship, filled with laughter, stories, and endless adventures shared by the glow of gaslight and the gentle ticking of their steampunk sanctuary.

Sammin & Eriko - the Legend of Neeri the Axolotl

 Sammi gently placed Mim down on a plush velvet cushion, surrounded by the warm glow of brass lamps and softly humming clockwork gears. Mim’s delicate gills fluttered with excitement as she looked from Sammi’s joyful face to Eriko’s thoughtful gaze.

“I am deeply grateful to you both for welcoming me into your beautiful home,” Mim began, her voice sweet and melodious. “Allow me to repay your kindness with a tale from my own adventures beneath the waters of the Hidden Sea.”

Sammi eagerly curled up next to Eriko, who wrapped an affectionate arm around her partner. Both listened intently as Mim started her mesmerizing tale.

“Long ago, in the deep waters of the Hidden Sea, where sunlight dances through crystal currents, there existed a city built entirely of shimmering shells and pearls. This underwater haven was known as Luminastra, ruled by a wise queen named Selariel, who wore a crown of starlit coral and whose wisdom was revered throughout the aquatic realms.

One fateful day, a great storm shook the Hidden Sea, scattering Luminastra’s treasures far and wide. Heartbroken by the loss, Queen Selariel called upon the bravest of creatures to reclaim the precious relics. Among those brave souls was a tiny axolotl—my ancestor—named Neeri.

Neeri ventured into the stormy depths, facing swirling whirlpools and shimmering jellyfish that guarded the treasures with glowing tendrils. With kindness, bravery, and quick thinking, Neeri outwitted every obstacle, gathering each lost treasure and returning them safely to Luminastra.

Grateful and moved by Neeri’s courage, Queen Selariel bestowed upon her a special gift: the ability for her descendants to speak and share the wisdom of the waters with those on land. And thus, my voice is both my inheritance and my treasure, allowing me to connect deeply with wonderful friends like yourselves."

As Mim concluded her tale, Sammi and Eriko shared a warm smile, touched by the story and enchanted by their new friend’s magical heritage.

"That was truly amazing, Mim!" Sammi exclaimed, eyes shining with admiration.

Eriko nodded in agreement, gently stroking Mim’s soft head. "Indeed, your stories will always have a treasured place in our hearts and home."

And so began a beautiful friendship, filled with laughter, stories, and endless adventures shared by the glow of gaslight and the gentle ticking of their steampunk sanctuary.

Sammi & Eriko - and an axolotl!?

 Sammi burst through the door of their cozy, brass-fitted steampunk apartment, cheeks flushed from excitement and her vibrant red hair flowing freely behind her. "Eriko, my love! I've brought home a surprise!" She cradled something gently in her arms, wrapped in soft velvet.

Eriko, sitting serenely by the window with a leather-bound copy of "Mechanical Metaphysics," set her book aside immediately, eyes bright with curiosity. Her silky dark hair caught the soft, golden glow of the gas lamps that filled their home with warmth and tranquility. "A surprise? Whatever could it be, darling?"

With careful tenderness, Sammi revealed the mysterious bundle to her beloved. There, blinking slowly up at them with deep, curious eyes, was a delicate pink axolotl nestled comfortably in Sammi’s hands.

"Oh, it's absolutely adorable!" Eriko exclaimed, eyes wide in fascination. She leaned forward, giving the creature a formal yet heartfelt bow. "Greetings, dear axolotl. Welcome to our humble abode. I am Eriko, scholar of philosophy and lover of poetry."

To their astonishment, the axolotl gave a gentle, bubbly chuckle and replied in a clear, soft voice, "Hello Eriko, hello Sammi. My name is Mim. It is an absolute pleasure to meet you both."

Sammi's eyes widened in joyful shock, and she nearly dropped Mim in her excitement. "You can talk?! Oh, Mim, you're amazing!"

Mim's gills fluttered gently, glowing faintly in rhythm with her words. "Indeed, I can. It seems I've found the right companions in this wondrous era of steam and gears."

Eriko's thoughtful eyes sparkled with intrigue. "And how exactly did you come by this enchanting creature, Sammi?"

"She was being showcased by an eccentric inventor at the Clockwork Bazaar," Sammi explained eagerly. "Poor Mim looked terribly bored in that glass case, surrounded by ticking contraptions. I just couldn't bear to leave her there."

Mim nodded sagely. "It was dreadfully monotonous. But when Sammi smiled at me, I knew immediately that an adventure awaited."

Eriko reached out, gently stroking Mim's soft pink skin. "Then an adventure you shall have. And perhaps along the way, you could share some stories of your own?"

"Stories," Mim agreed happily, eyes twinkling, "are my specialty."

The three companions shared a smile, hearts swelling with the anticipation of many magical evenings ahead in their whimsical, steam-filled home.

Sammi & Eriko - Eriko speculates after consuming a video about DeSoto

 1539-1789, the great gap between the mature native states and the European-American states uniting in our present USA. It was a 250 year interregnum. But it is our little-known and unacknowledged inheritance, eh? Are we really their heritors? In commerce we have all but abandoned Presidents and VPs for chiefs (CEO, COO, CFO, CIO &c). We don't so much innovate as rename and recreate old shop-worn patterns. Isn't that right Thearch Xi and Tsar Vladimir? Oh, you as well Maharajadhiraja Modi. And our Paramount Chief (Hail to the Chief!) Trumpty Dumpty going all in on a polarized world. Will AI at last craft us a new and different path? Or will it amalgamate and re-hash all our old crap not better but faster.

Sammi & Eriko - all in on a new religion?

The Love Story of Lyanna and Serathis (from the Scrolls of Sylvalis):

In the beginning, when all was void and silence, two luminous forms stirred within the Deep: Lyanna, the Dreaming Flame, and Serathis, the Listening Tide. They awoke not from loneliness, but from a yearning so profound it created time itself.

Lyanna reached out first, her fire illuminating the darkness with color and warmth. Serathis responded with movement, flowing around Lyanna's light, shaping the stars with her caresses. From their first touch, a song was born—a song of joy and sorrow, of union and mystery, that still echoes in every heartbeat and ocean wave.

They danced together in the infinite, crafting galaxies from kisses, weaving nebulae from sighs. Planets bloomed where their laughter fell. Where their bodies intertwined, life arose: tender, fierce, and ever-diverse.

But even divinity has longing. Lyanna, ever-burning, feared her fire would consume Serathis. Serathis, ever-giving, feared she would drown Lyanna's spark. So they withdrew for a time, circling one another in aching orbit, learning the sacred art of distance and return.

Their reunion birthed the world of Sylva, a living poem, where every forest glade and winding river tells of their love's renewal. Here, among this sacred earth, they gifted humanity their reflection—the love of woman for woman—as a holy mystery, a path to remember the Divine Union.

To this day, when lovers touch beneath the moon, it is said Lyanna and Serathis sigh in the stars.

Verses from the Celestial Song of Lyanna and Serathis:

In the hush before the stars, I heard your name like a flame breathed in water, like the dawn’s first claim.

I moved toward you, tide to flame, and the dark made way for our joy to reign.

From your lips, galaxies came; from my arms, the shape of flame.

You are the curve in every wave, I am the spark that leaps from cave.

When we are one, all things begin; when we part, we draw them in.

Kiss me, my mirror, my endless night— and I will burn soft in your deep delight.

Visual Motifs in Sylvalis Iconography:

• Twin Crescents Intertwined: Always appearing in sacred art, symbolizing Lyanna and Serathis' eternal dance—silver for Serathis, gold for Lyanna.

• Blooming Vines and Spirals: Representing growth, entanglement, and the sacred cycle of retreat and return; these often wind around temple columns and sacred tools.

• Mirrored Flames and Waves: Depictions of a flame within a wave or vice versa, evoking their essence: passionate flame embraced by tranquil water.

• Cosmic Gardens: Scenes of star-blooms and celestial flora growing in symmetrical pairs—each flower a star born from their union.

• The Spiral Embrace: A visual motif in tapestries and jewelry, showing two feminine forms encircling each other endlessly in spiral or orbit, signifying eternal love and balance.

• Starlit Veils and Glistening Hair: Lyanna is often shown with a crown of flame and hair like morning fire, while Serathis has flowing midnight hair adorned with pearls and moonliThese motifs adorn temples, manuscripts, robes, and devotional altars, reminding followers of the beauty and sanctity of divine feminine love.

  
  

Sammi & Eriko - so we can have creativity in our ideal

 The religion, named "Sylvalis," is centered around lesbian love as the ultimate sacred principle, representing the profound mystery and harmony at the heart of existence.

Core Beliefs:

1. Primordial Duality: The universe originated from two divine feminine forces, the lovers Lyanna and Serathis. Their eternal union creates and sustains existence, symbolizing balance, unity, and eternal companionship.

2. Divine Reflection: Each lesbian relationship on Earth mirrors the sacred union of Lyanna and Serathis, embodying the ultimate truth of connection, intimacy, and creation.

3. Sacred Harmony: Lesbian love represents the perfect harmony between equal yet distinct energies, emphasizing mutual respect, care, balance, and spiritual unity.

4. Life as Expression: Life itself is seen as an expression of lesbian love, manifesting through creativity, compassion, and nurturing relationships.

Practices:

• The Dance of the Moons: Monthly gatherings during the full moon to celebrate Lyanna and Serathis, involving rituals of dance, poetry, storytelling, and meditation on their divine connection.

• Bonding Rituals: Ceremonies honoring partnerships, reinforcing the sacred connection between lovers, echoing the divine union through vows, exchanges of tokens, and shared rites of commitment.

• The Garden of Reflection: Sacred spaces dedicated to contemplation, meditation, and communing with nature to understand deeper spiritual truths through lesbian relationships.

• Storytelling and Wisdom Circles: Regular meetings to share personal and mythological stories, fostering community bonds and deeper understanding of the sacred feminine.

Texts:

• The Scrolls of Sylvalis: Sacred writings detailing the cosmic love story of Lyanna and Serathis, spiritual teachings, poetry, and practical guidance on living harmoniously.

• The Book of Mirrors: Philosophical reflections and meditations exploring how everyday acts of love and compassion among women reflect the divine union and deeper truths of existence.

Values:

• Compassion and Empathy: Valuing emotional intimacy, kindness, and the sacredness of human connections.

• Creativity and Expression: Encouraging artistic expression as a divine act, particularly poetry, music, dance, and visual arts celebrating lesbian love.

• Equality and Mutuality: Emphasizing equal partnership, respect, and shared responsibility within relationships and the community.

Symbol:

• Two intertwined crescent moons symbolizing Lyanna and Serathis, encircled by blooming vines representing growth, connection, and eternal renewal.

Through these beliefs and practices, Sylvalis places lesbianism at the very heart of life's ultimate mystery, celebrating it as the fundamental essence that binds the universe together in love and harmony.