From the sketchbook. Copic sepia liner, mixed coloured pencils and acrylic ink.

Ocelot femboy in all his preferred finery. Started as an experiment in lighting iridescent cloth; thus why he has found himself wedged in between notes on TTRPG design.

I usually avoid discussion of contemporary cultural matters in relation to scifi. Part because while all scifi is a reflection of its time, I feel one should strive to avoid intentional dating. But also because I find allegory generally distasteful and uncreative - if you have something that you find so important to say that it takes precedence over your creativity, save time and just say it. But since we all approach fictional work with our own interests as reference frame, I feel it is appropriate addressing what could easily be a worldbuilding misconception.

I may have given the impression that with the abundance of floral ornaments, gossamer clothing and elaborate jewelry, regardless of the wearer's gender, the Hyperorian Aggregate is some manner of culturally enlightened paradise where anything goes and intolerance has been eliminated. That is an illusion stemming from how in contemporary culture flowers and jewelry have feminine connotations and gender nonconformity tends to be biased towards males expressing feminine traits. Separated from this reference frame and with only the context of its own culture, the Aggregate is - from the perspective of much of the popular contemporary LGBT community - a hellscape, where the minutiae of gender expression are deeply culturally ingrained and harshly enforced. The colour and cut, the weight and patterns, and the different flowers and other accessories are all strictly gendered; as distinguishable to inhabitants of the Aggregate as are a tank top and a dress to contemporary viewers. On the bright side open violence and persecution are practically unheard of - Aggregate culture does not look kindly upon wanton hatred or disgust, considering mindless impulsivity the domain of lower beasts - but the slightest crossing of gender boundaries is subject to merciless public shame and ridicule.

There are not a lot of options for people in the Aggregate who do not fit the normative gender expressions. Females gravitating towards the traditionally masculine may find an outlet as beaters, navy merchants, or another uniformed trade accessible to most estates. For feminine males the options are even fewer. Some fortunate few may find the protection as lovers of knights or nobility, who permit them to live openly under their protection. That some degree of social bisexuality is a cultural norm in the Aggregate helps somewhat.