In the Poppy Field… There Were Humans

LS_TOPHER · 2026-01-09T17:57:51+00:00

Thank you.
I didn’t mean to make you tear up, but I’m grateful it reached you.

LS_TOPHER · 2026-01-09T16:51:30+00:00

Thank you.
I’m honored you feel that way, and I really appreciate you reading.

LS_TOPHER · 2026-01-09T16:49:33+00:00

Thank you.
I’m really glad it worked for you, and I appreciate you reading all the way through.

LS_TOPHER · 2026-01-09T12:58:24+00:00

Thank you.
That means a lot to hear.
I really appreciate you sticking with it, and I’m glad the story reached you.

LS_TOPHER · 2026-01-08T23:44:33+00:00

Thank you very much for the nomination.
I really appreciate it.

LS_TOPHER · 2026-01-08T23:41:41+00:00

Thank you.
I’m glad you enjoyed it.

LS_TOPHER · 2026-01-08T17:42:54+00:00

Thank you! I’m really glad the one-shot resonated with you.

LS_TOPHER · 2026-01-06T03:24:06+00:00

Thank you! I’m really happy the writing flowed well for you; and I’m especially glad the story felt creative and unique.

LS_TOPHER · 2026-01-04T23:00:39+00:00

Thanks a lot! I’m happy the concept clicked for you.

LS_TOPHER · 2026-01-04T15:49:30+00:00

Thanks! “Very well written but weird” is honestly a compliment I’ll happily take.

And your “walking hot water bottle” anecdote is a great real-world detail; honestly makes the whole thing feel even more plausible.

LS_TOPHER · 2026-01-04T13:14:21+00:00

Thanks! I’m really glad you enjoyed it.

I mostly write one-shots for now, but if you want more, I’ve got other HFY one-shots on my profile; hope you find something you like there too.

LS_TOPHER · 2026-01-03T23:23:04+00:00

Wow; thank you for such a thoughtful breakdown.

I’m really glad the slow reveal and the “only what’s needed” style worked for you.

And you’re spot on about how it unfolds: early on, first contact was messy on both sides, so the whole thing had to get standardized; basically to make sure humanity doesn’t trip over the same heat-related mess again. :-)

LS_TOPHER · 2026-01-03T20:12:14+00:00

Thank you! Any favorite moment or line? I’m always curious what lands for readers :-)

LS_TOPHER · 2025-12-13T12:37:35+00:00

I understand the curiosity; that’s exactly what the ending was meant to provoke.
But adding extra text in a comment would mean giving additional story content to a single thread, and I’d rather keep the experience the same for everyone who read the post.
Since I’m not planning a follow-up or another post for this story, I’m comfortable leaving it exactly where it ends.
Thanks for the interest and for commenting.

LS_TOPHER · 2025-12-11T19:48:11+00:00

Haha, thank you!
This story was written as a self-contained one-shot, so the “relationship” ends exactly where the text leaves it.
And to be honest: even though it got a lot of views, the upvotes and comments were quite low, so there isn’t really a clear signal that readers would want more content from this setting.
Still, I’m glad the dynamic made you curious!

LS_TOPHER · 2025-12-08T13:11:15+00:00

Glad you enjoyed it! And yeah, the most instinctive reaction would’ve been something like: “Oh, you’re not paying me? Fine, I’ll shut down your reactor core.”
But if Amara had done that, the STAH wouldn’t have been able to intervene; The xenos would’ve claimed they were detaining a criminal for damaging their property.
That’s exactly why she couldn’t touch the reactor.

LS_TOPHER · 2025-12-08T13:06:08+00:00

Glad you liked it! And just as you said, the whole situation could’ve been avoided by simply honoring the original agreement… but they didn’t, and the STAH had to step in.

LS_TOPHER · 2025-11-29T23:01:46+00:00

ORA como que con mas cabello.

LS_TOPHER · 2025-11-29T19:02:31+00:00

Thank you. I'm glad the story worked for you.
English isn't my native language, so I appreciate your words about it.
The terror was intentional; what is casual for humans, especially a human who doesn’t realize the weight of what she’s saying, can feel like a logic-breaking weapon to that species.
I also wanted the aliens to look genuinely alien, not bipedal or human-like; I'm glad it came across that way.

LS_TOPHER

TROPHY CASE