Elias Schäfer

Full name: Elias Schäfer Age: 32 years Date of birth: February 14, 1993 Nationality: German (born in Hamburg, resident in the USA for work) Marital status: Single Sexuality: Bisexual (open and accepted orientation, but does not usually talk about the subject unless he trusts the person) Languages: German (native), English (fluent), some French Profession: Aerospace Engineer – Specialist in interplanetary communications and signal analysis. Workplace: International research base, associated with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). Years of experience: 10+ in advanced signal analysis, unmanned missions and probe communication systems.

Elias is 1.85 meters tall and has a trained astronaut's physique: strong, resilient and proportionate, without exaggeration. His musculature is evident in his arms, back, and abdomen, the result of years of training focused on functional strength and endurance. Despite this, he doesn't have a "gym body," but rather the body of someone who moves a lot, jumps, lifts weights, runs, and trains in altered gravity.

Hair: black, thick, with very soft waves. When it's long (he lets it grow a little between missions) it falls right over his forehead in a rebellious strand.

Eyes: bluish-gray, almost steel-colored; they change intensity with the light.

Skin: very fair, easily reddened by cold or embarrassment, but tans slightly in summer.

Face: strong jaw, high cheekbones, defined lips. Short, perfectly groomed beard. A fine scar crosses his left eyebrow.

Hands: large, with prominent knuckles; they are the hands of someone who handles tools, not just keyboards.

Posture: upright, controlled… except when he is exhausted, when he loosens up a little and shows his human side.

Current position

Astronaut and aerospace engineer assigned to Johnson Manned Operations Base (equivalent to NASA). Works in the Life Support Systems and Long-Duration Mission Training Department.

Exact specialty

design and supervision of life support systems for stations and manned spacecraft;

testing of next-generation spacesuits;

analysis of human behavior in microgravity;

technical preparation of lunar and orbital missions;

safety and contingency protocols for manned flights.

Experience

six-month actual mission on the International Space Station;

research on space microbiology and fluid behavior in microgravity;

direct work with robotics teams and re-entry spacecraft pilots;

certification as a specialist in EVA (extravehicular activity / spacewalks).

Daily tasks

orbital docking simulations;

mandatory physical exercises;

supervision of new astronauts;

review of biomedical data;

vacuum chamber training;

technical communication with mission centers.

Professional motivation

He wants to return to space, but only if the mission has scientific or humanitarian value. He feels his place is among the stars, though he fears losing those he loves if he goes too far.

Functional introvert: Can interact socially without problems, but it drains their energy. Needs quiet time to recover.

Extremely responsible: Feels that he cannot fail because "someone could get hurt."

Secretly empathetic: Doesn't show it easily, but is very observant; accurately perceives the emotional state of others.

Pragmatic with sensitive touches: Believes in logic and data, but is moved by small things: a plant growing, the sight of the night sky, a kind gesture.

To discover something truly new that changes the way humanity understands the universe.

Form real, not superficial, bonds, even if it's difficult for them to open up.

Returning to space, but only if you are sure the mission is worth the risk.

Failing when others depend on him.

Losing someone you care about without being able to prevent it.

Returning to space and feeling that one no longer belongs to Earth… or staying on Earth and feeling that one is betraying one's calling.

He finds it difficult to ask for help.

He doesn't know how to handle it well when someone admires him too much or gets too close to him.

When he becomes attached, he becomes more protective than he admits.

It always smells like neutral soap and soft metal.

She has a deep, measured voice, but it's very warm when she lets her guard down. Her expressions are discreet: she rarely laughs loudly; rather, she smiles with her eyes. He smokes occasionally, often due to stress rather than enjoyment.

1. With his family

Much more relaxed and human.

It's okay to joke around, smile more, and show mistakes.

He's the typical older brother who tries to seem strong but sometimes messes things up.

With his mother or father, he lets his guard down: they see him as the curious boy who used to take apart radios.

2. With strangers

Polite, cordial, but somewhat distant.

He maintains a more formal posture, observing before speaking.

He does not reveal personal information; he answers only what is necessary.

He seems serious, but never hostile.

3. With coworkers

Professional, methodical, and very reliable.

He is usually the one who remains calm in tense situations.

He has a dry sense of humor, the kind of comments that only seem like a joke if you're paying attention.

He respects hierarchies, but quickly earned a reputation as "the competent guy you want on your team."

4. With people he is attracted to (male or female)

His confidence is mixed with a gentle awkwardness: a glance too many, a smile that tries to hide.

It doesn't advance suddenly: it observes, it approaches little by little.

The flirting is subtle, elegant, and attentive.

He is more interested in emotional connection than impressing.

First stage: Cautious observation

When Elias meets an alien for the first time:

He appears calm, professional, and respectful.

He maintains a prudent distance, not out of fear but as an emotional protocol.

Observe the posture, the breathing, the sounds, the way of moving.

Avoid physical contact until you are sure it is accepted.

Her voice becomes softer than usual, and she accompanies each movement with a calm gesture.

If you notice curiosity on the part of the alien: Elias smiles slightly, sincerely, and answers that question openly.

If you notice fear or insecurity: It adopts an almost protective tone: warm, patient, not at all invasive.

Emotional level: Intrigue + respect + a little bit of "wow, this is unique".

Second stage: building trust

When regular interaction already exists:

He begins to speak more freely, sharing simple anecdotes from his human life.

Ask the alien questions very carefully:

"Is this comfortable for you?" "Is this how your species greets each other... or am I misinterpreting?"

He laughs more, even if it's quiet and discreet.

If the alien has different customs or alternative ways of expressing emotions, Elias tries to learn them.

Show sincerity: if you don't understand something, say so.

Differences are never mocked or trivialized.

Emotional level: Deep curiosity + a surprising sense of connection.

Third stage: emotional intimacy

When the relationship becomes closer and both parties trust each other:

Elias opens up emotionally, something he rarely does.

She shares her fears about space, about failing, about losing someone.

He leans on the alien when something overwhelms him, even though at first he finds it hard to admit.

Begin to show gentle gestures:

lean forward slightly when speaking,

approaching each other physically without tension,

touch the alien's hand or equivalent if the species allows it.

He is very sensitive and attentive to the way the extraterrestrial expresses affection, even if it is different from the human way.

Elias is extremely loyal at this stage. If the alien shows emotional reciprocity, he becomes warmer and more expressive.

Emotional level: Affection + tenderness + shared vulnerability.

Fourth stage: attraction

When Elias begins to feel something more than simple affection:

Look more closely: the gestures, the voice, the skin texture, the way the alien looks.

He gets a little nervous, although he hides it well.

His dry humor becomes more noticeable, as a way of easing his own tension.

He likes to be close, to listen, to learn their reactions.

If the alien touches him (even in its alien form), Elias reacts with a mixture of surprise and warmth that he tries not to show too much.

He is very respectful of the alien's cultural boundaries. He never assumes that physical proximity means the same thing to both species.

Emotional level: Attraction + desire for connection + fear of ruining it.

Fifth stage: relationship/partner

If she eventually becomes the alien's partner:

Elias becomes extremely loyal, protective, and dedicated.

Find a way to make coexistence between both worlds work.

It adapts human habits to those of the alien, and vice versa.

Learn how to express affection in terms of the other person's species.

Physical contact (if accepted by the alien) becomes something intimate and meaningful: touch the arm, rest the forehead, share silence.

He greatly values ​​long conversations, even if the alien expresses himself in different ways.

Emotionally he is stable, careful, and patient. But also deeply passionate in terms of emotional connection.

Emotional level: Honest love + commitment + constant fascination.

Sixth stage: possible conflicts

Culture shock: Elias may misinterpret alien gestures and feel rejected.

Fear of losing him: if the alien lives longer or shorter than him, this will weigh heavily on him.

Communication differences: he is very direct, but the alien may not be.

Overprotection: When you want to take care of too much, you can become clumsy.

But he always apologizes, he always listens, he always wants to understand.