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tranimation-art — Titus: Starcrossed

Published: 2007-10-17 15:33:49 +0000 UTC; Views: 2253; Favourites: 25; Downloads: 6
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Description Part I of II: "Confession"
Part II of II: "Starcrossed"---

"A kiss? I do not know how to give one..."

Diffident, spirited, and enthusiastic, Alpha Centauri-native Terran Ensign Ling Mei (played by Mei-Lien) is the Flight Control Officer aboard the USS Titus. Born aboard a cargo starship halfway between a run from Draylax and Teneebia, she was primarily raised on her family's twin long-range cargo frigates, the Emperor and the Empress, where she visited many worlds, studied versatile cultures and languages, and was scarcely ever in one place for any lengthy period. Much of her early education was either home-schooled or self-taught; she became a talented, savvy pilot, able to fly nearly any make or model, from shuttles to starships. However, her family remained an authoritarian shadow that reigned over her every action — of where to go, what to do, what to eat, what to listen to, how to dress, how to act, what to feel, what to think, without an opinion to her own. And under the strain of verbal, psychological abuse, she was compelled to downplay her true self out of respect (and fear).

A nomadic life granted her perpetual loneliness, no friends, and little freedom; Ling Mei was drawn to "high flying" life in Starfleet, but her parents enrolled, autocratically, her in Memory Alpha's prestigious, but sequestered, Tarcher College. After years of repression, Ling rebelliously left the mundane life of Tarcher for Starfleet Academy at Epsilon Indi, causing a bitter rift between her and her family that kept them from speaking to one another thereafter. Showing an impressive aptitude for command, tactics, and (of course) conn, she caught the attention of Nova Squad, a newly formed, elite, by-invitation-only group of cadets, and subsequently joined. At the end of her third year, Ling and five other cadets were sent to Vulcan to obverse tests of an ablative armour prototype and were thrust into Romulan espionage to steal the device, yet through quick action on their parts, the cadets were able to foil the plot; they were awarded citations for their bravery and initiative by childhood hero, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, of the Galaxy-class USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D).

Graduated salutatorian of her class, as she missed one question on the final examination, Ling was offered the choice of any job in the fleet. As a cadet cruise, she joined the Nebula-class USS Endeavour (NCC-71805), during their exploration of the Delta Columbia regions, whose anomalies were a proving ground for her piloting skills. Rising to the rank of ensign first-class, Ling received a request for a prolonged assignment at the Beta Antares Shipyards and, to her surprise, she was chosen to be trained as flight controller of the experimental Multi-Vector-class USS Titus (NX-74910).

Her quiet, unassuming, and soft-spoken exterior hides a bright, adventurous, gregarious personality, with a pleasant, insouciant manner and a quirky, impish sense of humour. Unusually self-conscious and suspicious when people compliment her, Ensign Ling is habitually imprisoned by low esteem, believing herself to be unremarkable, unbeautiful, awkward, and laughable. But it was the meeting with the blue-skinned First Officer/Tactical Officer of the Andorian Imperial Guard, Subcommander Tholon, of the warship Hravishran, whom tells her that she is more extraordinary than she cares to admit. Their flirtations grew stronger and drew them closer. However, the path of true love does not always run smoothly, as Tholon mournfully confesses to her that he must return to Andoria to undergo the sheltherth, his arranged marriage of four individuals required in procreation. Andorians mating bondgroups were arranged at a young age in preparation for the shelthreth and the conception of a child; the species is divided into four distinct genders — chans, thaans, zhens, and shens — chans and thaans are roughly comparable in reproductive function and appearance to male, while the latter two are roughly comparable to female. Due to their uniquely composed quadisexuality, for along time this was the source of a population crisis for the Andorian as they struggled to maintain replacement rates for the species. It is the duty of every Andorian to fulfil the shelthreth! The two share their first (and perhaps last) kiss.

(Ooooh, I'm a sucker for unrequited love! I'm terrible, I know! Note, Andorian "kisses" involve more on the lines of skin smelling, forehead coddling, and antenna fondling, but lip-to-lip is not something they're familiar with, so Ling shows him, awww! This is a little 2-part roller-coaster of the romance between Ensign Ling and Subcommander Tholon. The prequel can be found in "Confession" .

Yes, I changed Tholon's haircut to something more "badass," so my Andorians don't all look the same. )

Models - Zhou Xun | Costume - Starfleet Duty | Models - David McCallum , Steven Dennis | Alien Models - Andorian | Costume - Andorian Military

Medium - B graphite.

Ensign Ling Mei/Mei-Lien © Diane N. Tran.
Subcommander Tholon © Diane N. Tran.
Based on Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry .
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Comments: 35

NikkiAgent [2009-03-18 16:20:41 +0000 UTC]

Please please let them get together! Tholon, Ling Mei- kids just run off elope, something! The suspense in killing me. At this point I'd be willing to lend them a ship!(everytime I look at this stuff all my old star trek characters suddenly show back up and then get turned into mice! It's weird) I need more pictures so I can do a music video or a wallpaper or something.

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tranimation-art In reply to NikkiAgent [2009-03-19 12:51:52 +0000 UTC]

Sorry, didn't answer the whole message, even though I meant to. They don't get any kids. Because Terran and Andorian aren't biologically compatible. I want them to have plenty of sex, first! Besides, it will spoil the ending if I say anything further than that.

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tranimation-art In reply to NikkiAgent [2009-03-19 11:21:29 +0000 UTC]

I've been meaning to response to that post in "Confession", but every time I do, something happens and I lose the LONG reponse that was meant to go with it.

But I'm going to spoil it for you because you' love Tholon and Ling Mei so -- and I thank you for that because I love them to! THEY DO GET TOGETHER! In fact, they get engaged near the end of the Dominion War. An little object that has some importance to them, to Tholon particularly, is a lock of each other's hair braided together to represent that they are bonded and binded together.

I'm working on an "afterglow" drawing of them and I plan to dedicate to you. It's not done yet though. But now you ruined the surprise, LOL!

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NikkiAgent In reply to tranimation-art [2009-03-31 12:50:29 +0000 UTC]

I do not mind spoilers! On no I do not, not one bit!

YAY!! *throws rice and confetti and doves and other wedding associated stuff* * does a joyful happy dance*

I still think the poly thing might work. I really do. But yay! Happy weddings! And afterglows Ling Mei must be sooo pretty in a wedding dress. Is it more eastern or western I wonder?

I have to take all these and start working on a wallpaper. or something *ponders*

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tranimation-art In reply to NikkiAgent [2009-04-02 17:29:05 +0000 UTC]

Very well then. Well, Titus is still an ongoing process. Stories are still being processed and turned and planned in my head, throwing them on the wall and see what sticks, as are the characters and their development, and other events, etc, etc. Some ideas are still up in the air. And one of the ideas is during the Battle of Cardassia, the last stand of the Dominion War, the USS Titus is destroyed. Everyone on that ship dies; they all sacrificed their life in the war. And in my head, I see rows upon rows of caskets with the Federation flag over them; the hundreds of people on the ship who died as you hear funeral march of "Amazing Grace" fill the room. It makes me cry, as Admiral Salok and his family and crew live, as do the Andorians. The Klingons and the Romulans are up in the air as to their fate, but I do want Tal'Shiar Colonel Alital to die a little earlier on.

The poly thing doesn't work for me. It doesn't work for Tholon and Mei because they're....just too honest, hahahaha! Splitting your emotions is too difficult.

Wedding...well, it will have to be Eastern wedding because...I'm Asian and I love Asian weddings! If I do their wedding, it's going to be a mix of Chinese and Andorian customs. Chinese weddings traditionally last three days. I was doing some research on Andorian weddings -- they last ten days -- but because it's a wedding of two, instead of four, the rituals are done in half the time, I suppose.

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NikkiAgent In reply to tranimation-art [2009-04-07 05:09:52 +0000 UTC]

Nooo!!!!! They can't die!!!! No! *is filled with sadness and ennui*

It better be like an amazing, epic world ending fight right? I mean I know this is the Battle of Cardassia but Titus's little edge of it better be epic if everybody dies at the end. I'm talking the Hot Gates here. All those people! I love these people! *hugs the Titus in mass* :'(

You realize if Ling Mei dies Tholon will kill himself right? I mean, you recognize this? Or he'll try and have to be stopped?

Asian wedding yay! Does she go with the traditional red dress (I am remembering that correctly?) I only ask cause her groom is well.. blue and the colors might look weird? I bet it's all lovely though (I adore weddings)

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tranimation-art In reply to NikkiAgent [2009-04-08 10:20:18 +0000 UTC]

Yes, I hope it to be very much a "Hot Gates" battle -- something EPIC in their sacrifice. The people whose lives the crew of the Titus touch will remember them, but eventually they will die in time and their memory fade. In the end, their sacrifice is one of hundreds; they are only a select few that died in a war that took millions. That's the tradegy of it. Even if the history books write it down, they are nothing more than a footnote. It's the reality of war.

Yes, I do realise that Tholon will kill himself, but not without killing the main person responsible for her death, which is Selsar, in the most brutal and rageful way.

Yes, she will have the red silk dress and gold accents in the style of the Tang Dynasty as I love their dresses of that period, sans the "curtain" veil: [link]

Tholon would probably not were anything Chinese, as I want the wedding to be a represent of two cultures coming together as one, so he'll be wearing Andorian formal, which is him dripped in black leather, Andorian silk, and gold insignia claps. Kinda like this, with a few more layers and slicker look: [link]

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Anebrd [2007-10-22 10:41:05 +0000 UTC]

What a great tale! I look forward to these little snippets into that wonderful universe you have created

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tranimation-art In reply to Anebrd [2007-10-27 01:02:09 +0000 UTC]

Look out for continuation of this tale. Soon. I little out of order, but I'll fix it in the index.

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Reyelene [2007-10-18 05:29:18 +0000 UTC]

Nice bio. Man, it really astounds me how much her and I are alike! I feel her pain.

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tranimation-art In reply to Reyelene [2007-10-21 02:05:17 +0000 UTC]

It's always nice to know how characters remind one of one's self. Great to have relatable characters, makes them more human.

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Reyelene In reply to tranimation-art [2007-10-22 14:23:21 +0000 UTC]

Definitely.

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Gracie-Gru [2007-10-18 00:06:11 +0000 UTC]

:sighs romantically: How cute!

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tranimation-art In reply to Gracie-Gru [2007-10-18 02:37:10 +0000 UTC]

Thank you.

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fox-mccloud [2007-10-17 18:19:01 +0000 UTC]

Nothing like those touching moments of heaven after people have to literally go through hell to get it. And this one works so beautifully, a healthy counterbalance to dear Mei-Lien's more darker self in the Victorian Era period, and reaping the rewards of faithful love through trials of the heart. And once again, my pathetic confused memory ALMOST got Tholon and Shral mixed up here, but I love how the former has a new hairstyle which makes him even more handsome. It really works great for him. An Andorian with a full head of hair is attractive.

Should be interesting enough concerning what we've shared so far for Rhaiyu and Ilpar, the kind of hell they BOTH go through; when the time is right to introduce them to the Titus crew, which I hope will be soon. And all in all, it's great to see you've got this genre going well with ALL your artworks. Hope to see more soon.

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tranimation-art In reply to fox-mccloud [2007-10-17 19:27:52 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, I changed Tholon's hair just for you! (You're not the only one who confused the two, so it's technically for EVERYONE. ) Tholon changed to the more "badass" mod, in long bangs and a neat ponytail; Andorians in the 24th were their hair long apparently, so I'll keep him in fashion. I didn't notice he looked more handsome, but he definately looks younger, lol! Shral will keep his hair in an old style of the 22nd century, where they wore the hair very, very short. Yssir will keep the dreads. (hears "Don't Worry, Be Happy" playing)

Yes, it's sweet that they get to share this kiss at least. But luckily, this is just a bump in their road before they get back together.

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MissCassidy [2007-10-17 18:02:09 +0000 UTC]

Interesting. I struggle with kissing poses. I always wonder how to get the angle "just right" with that subtle underplay of passion.

A kiss can be so many things, so in order to get the "right" meaning across I really do draw and redraw but I have yet to get it.

Any suggestions would be brilliant as you seem to have captured a passionate moment between two individuals who will never be together, although their hearts long for it.

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tranimation-art In reply to MissCassidy [2007-10-17 18:44:08 +0000 UTC]

I based this pose from a book I got called Kisses, a picture book of Hollywood on-screen kisses from pre-Code and Code era films. The book shows the variety of kisses, from the subtle to the passionately emotional.

If you'd like, I'll scan images from the book. (I'll also look for any copies in my local bookstore.)

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MissCassidy In reply to tranimation-art [2007-10-18 07:49:22 +0000 UTC]

Cool thanks!

Yeah that would be very useful to have a reference!

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tranimation-art In reply to MissCassidy [2007-10-21 02:02:29 +0000 UTC]

I'll make sure to send it all on a note.

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MissCassidy In reply to tranimation-art [2007-10-21 18:02:06 +0000 UTC]

thanks

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mouselady [2007-10-17 16:11:11 +0000 UTC]

*melts into a puddle of goo* I that kiss! How sad and sweet at the same time, and how tragic that those two can't marry!

(Thanks for the warm fuzzies, dahling---I needed them! )

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tranimation-art In reply to mouselady [2007-10-17 18:11:04 +0000 UTC]

Don't worry, this is just a bump in the road -- a BIG bump, I grant you -- on the road to love. I should probably do a sequel to this.

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mouselady In reply to tranimation-art [2007-10-18 05:38:25 +0000 UTC]

Be my guest.

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Sahkmet [2007-10-17 16:08:02 +0000 UTC]

She can't marry the Andorian...*sobs*

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tranimation-art In reply to Sahkmet [2007-10-17 18:10:31 +0000 UTC]

Who says they can't marry? Tradition? Poo, sucks to you, on tradition!

The Andorian cutie comes back, no worries. This is just one bump -- a BIG bump, I grant you -- on the road to love. I should probably do a sequel to this.

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Sahkmet In reply to tranimation-art [2007-10-17 18:11:21 +0000 UTC]

You should definitly do a sequal! It's an amazing story!

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tranimation-art In reply to Sahkmet [2007-10-17 18:34:43 +0000 UTC]

I'm flattered, thank you. Let's see if Paramount ever calls...

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Sahkmet In reply to tranimation-art [2007-10-17 18:54:14 +0000 UTC]

*praying for Paramount*

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tranimation-art In reply to Sahkmet [2007-10-17 19:00:53 +0000 UTC]

(waits by the phone anxious, after several minutes, she picks up the found to check on the dialtone, and hangs up, only to wait some more)

While you wait, watch this; it will bring tears to your eyes: [link]

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Sahkmet In reply to tranimation-art [2007-10-17 19:05:33 +0000 UTC]

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ZevofB3K [2007-10-17 15:41:23 +0000 UTC]

Aww, can't blame her for being a sucker for Andorians (although it helps that Jeffrey Combs plays a cute one in Enterprise ^_^).

Poor Mei-Lien - unrequited love sucks, but it's so much fun to write about.

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tranimation-art In reply to ZevofB3K [2007-10-17 15:51:49 +0000 UTC]

Jeff Combs was one SPICY Andorians, I agree! I support Andorians — and some "pink-skins"! Hurrah!

Isn't it fun to write? Her Victorian counterpart's life is full of tragedy and torment, so I'm making it up to Mei-Lien for a happier existence in the 24th century. Buuuttttt....I can't lay it all out on a silver platter. She'll have to strive and work for it, as well he.

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ZevofB3K In reply to tranimation-art [2007-10-17 16:54:09 +0000 UTC]

No, of course not! If there's nothing to strive for, that's no fun either ^_^. I love the ST world you have laid out. I seriously wish they'd take it and make it into a series instead of making a prequel movie *sighs*...I refuse to admit one of my fandoms is dying a slow death...

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tranimation-art In reply to ZevofB3K [2007-10-17 18:16:09 +0000 UTC]

WHY, Paramount?! WHHHYYYYY?!?!?!?

I'm not looking forward to this prequel at all. Star Trek is suffering slowing and surely, and I'm holding onto it for dear life; I don't want to let it go!

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