[Ember has entered the chat]
Ember: Hey! What’s up, everyone? Ember Sparks here for a live PetraChat AMA! Yeah, I’m officially in the PetraDash tournament final. Still in it to win it, baby! Kinda crazy to be so close to my dream, tbh. Anyway, let’s get this AMA rolling! Who wants to go first?
ShadowAsfr: I’ll go!
Ember: Sweet! Gimme your best shot!
ShadowAsfr: Prior to PetraDash, what was your favorite sporting event to compete in?
Ember: Oh, definitely the Olympics! I ran the 400m hurdles. I didn’t medal or even make the final, but just being there was surreal and seriously an honor. I’ve watched every Olympics (summer and winter) since I was a kid and always pictured myself out there competing. I thought I’d be a gymnast, though, and took gymnastics lessons for several years. But then I grew to 5’9” as a teenager and ended up a hurdler instead lol. Of course, my hurdling experience is helpful for the PetraDash barriers, so I can’t complain!
Ember: Next?
ManhattanKid: If you had to pick a different sport to play, which one and why?
Ember: Hmm, let’s see…
Ember: So if PetraDash wasn’t a thing and I had to pick another sport, I’d go with VaporMaze!
Ember: Uhh, actually, that hasn’t been announced yet, so maybe I shouldn’t be talking about it
ManhattanKid: C’mon, your secret is safe with us!
Ember: Ok, cool. I’m trusting you guys
Ember: So VaporMaze is gonna be played in a huge maze that fills the entire field at StoneSport Stadium. A hundred naked ladies chased by one dude with a HazeMaker!
tf-inferno: Whoa, what’s a HazeMaker?
Ember: Well, HazeMaker is the informal name. Officially, it’s a TF-7 vaporizing laser rifle. One shot with that bad boy and you’re a hazy afterglow! Zappity zap! It’s fucking badass!
Ember: Hold up, can I swear on here?
bjork42: Trust me, Ember. You can swear on PetraChat lol
Ember: Shit, that’s a relief. Kinda hard to censor myself when I get excited ngl
Ember: Umm, I just got a DM from Madi Douglas, the CEO of StoneSport. She says I’m under NDA and need to stop talking about VaporMaze. Yeah, I should probably listen to her. So I’ll just change my answer to beach volleyball. Gotta love those bikinis!
Ember: Next?
fiasco4: Have you had any previous experiences with StoneSport’s other services and products? Or if not you, anyone else you know?
Ember: Oh, yes! A family friend is super loaded and has a statue garden in his backyard. I’m talking 25 statues of StoneSport athletes!
FailedSave: Just chicks?
Ember: Nah, chicks and dudes. He’s an equal opportunity collector lol
ShadowAsfr: Niiice!
Ember: I know, right? And I love Greek mythology, so of course I pretended it was Medusa’s lair and she was lurking nearby ready to petrify me. Anyway, I couldn’t get enough of those hot stone bods! Mmmmm
Ember: Sorry, got a little distracted there. Who’s next?
bjork42: I think I know the answer now, but I’ll ask anyway
Ember: Hell yeah! That’s why I’m here
bjork42: What made you realize that you wanted to be turned into a statue forever, or at least wouldn’t mind if you were? Was there one moment of realization or was it something that kind of snuck up on you?
Ember: Yeah, I’d have to say it was spending time in that guy’s backyard. There was an empty pedestal for a while, so I’d get naked and pose with the statues every time I was over there, which was a LOT
cloudarray: Hold up. You’d just get naked in this guy’s backyard?
Ember: Well, yeah, of course. When in Rome, right?
cloudarray: Yeah, that makes sense
Ember: Absolutely! He didn’t care. He actually said I’d look amazing as a statue. That compliment is what flipped a switch in my head. I started to see my body as a work of art. It was like I was destined to be petrified. From that point on, I wanted to be either a statue or a trophy. Obviously, I’d rather be a trophy, but I’m good either way tbh
Ember: StoneSport critics talk about the evils of objectifying people, but I’m like fuck that shit! I want to be an object! Just a lifesize nude artwork and nothing more. That’s my deepest desire
Ember: This is so much fun! Hit me!
fiasco4: How did you feel when you were first selected for the StoneSport competition?
Ember: Fucking ecstatic! Just knowing my dream would become a reality was a total thrill. I’ll never forget that email. I was sunbathing at a friend’s pool when I heard my special ringtone for StoneSport messages. I practically fell off the deck chair, fumbled for my phone in my bag, and read the email. Then I started screaming, dropped my phone, and tore off my swimsuit like fucking Hulkamania before cannonballing into the pool. Such a rush to get the news!
Ember: Keep em comin guys!
ShadowAsfr: So, speaking of getting naked, how do you plan to stay focused and keep your mind on the goal after you’ve disrobed in front of 50,000 people?
Ember: Well, those 50,000 people are just the ones lucky enough to be there in person. Don’t forget the billions watching live!
Ember: I guess what I’ll say is that naked has become my natural state. I’m most comfortable in my own skin these days. It just feels right. Which is a good thing for a chick like me who’s done a dozen or more nude photoshoots! Tasteful stuff, of course lol
Ember: Hold up. Raise your hand if you have one of my nude posters
[83% of chat participants click PetraChat’s hand raise button]
Ember: Yeah, that’s what I thought lmao
tf-inferno: I have a complete collection!
Ember: Mmmwwwaaaahhh! Love ya!
tf-inferno: Oh, I love ya too. So following on from ShadowAsfr’s question, it must be difficult to concentrate during a race while your competitors are being turned to stone. How do you stay in the zone without getting aroused?
Ember: It’s hard. You might even say it’s rock hard rotfl
bjork42: Srs? That’s like a dad joke, Ember
Ember: Yeah, yeah, I couldn’t resist. Anyway, great question! Watching somebody turn to stone is the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen. Having that happen constantly all around me in competition is a huuuge turn-on and a serious distraction when I need to focus on dodging those laser pulses! I just try to tune it out as best I can, but I’m only human, right? And I’m freaking bi, so everyone is arousing! Just goes with the territory, I guess
Ember: This is a blast! More questions!
fiasco4: What does the average training look like for a StoneSport athlete? Is everyone also naked like the competition? Are people petrified in that too?
Ember: tl;dr — Grueling, yes, and no. Now for a more detailed answer…
Ember: StoneSport training is the most insane regimen I’ve ever endured. And I’m a freaking Olympian! Six months of pure hell. Yeah, we’re naked… all day, every day. Not everyone knows this, but the petrifying laser pulses only work on bare flesh. That’s why StoneSport athletes are always nude. Aaand it certainly generates some buzz and I’m sure boosts our popularity juuuust a wee bit lol
Ember: Anyway, I digress. To answer your third question, the PetraCannons have a stun mode for training. If we get hit, we’re immobilized for 30 seconds. Gives us a good taste of the real deal without the whole turning to stone thing
Ember: Aight, next!
FailedSave: If the winner was not transformed, but they got to take one of the other contestants home, do you think you’d still want to win?
Ember: Ooh, I love this question! Gimme a sec
Ember: Yeah, it’d be tempting for sure, but I’d still want to be transformed. Not like I’d lose on purpose just to become a statue, though! I’m too damn competitive for that. If I did win and had to take a rock hard rival home, I’d probably pick a muscular dude in a super dynamic pose. Very easy on the eyes lol
Ember: Another question!
cloudarray: Ember, if you are successful, anything you would like inscribed on your podium at the StoneSport Trophy Hall? A message for your millions of adoring fans? Or if you, unlikely though it is, fall short this time, anything you’d like to say to that one lucky fan who may take you home at auction?
Ember: Damn, you guys ask fucking good questions! Gotta think about this one
Ember: Yeah, the inscription on my podium would read: “To the best fans on the planet, I couldn’t have done it without you. Y’all rock!”
cloudarray: And if you get hit by a laser and turned to stone?
Ember: I’d want to tell my new owner to show me off. I’m an exhibitionist at heart and I’ve worked really fucking hard on this body! Not trying to be a narcissist or anything. I just think people need to see me naked. As many people as possible
Ember: What else, guys?
pygmalion0451: I’m mostly just interested in locker room gossip. Do you and your fellow contestants have hopes for who makes it? Deals for them? Are these even allowed or encouraged? whispers Are the games fixed?
Ember: Lol, I knew somebody was gonna ask about this. Honestly, I haven’t heard much gossip. And there’s only one locker room, so I probably would have gotten at least a whiff of any shenanigans by now
pygmalion0451: Hold up! One locker room?
Ember: Yeah, of course. We’re all naked all the time, so it’s not like anyone needs privacy. Hell, I’m naked right now lol
bjork42: Pics or it didn’t happen!
Ember: Hold my beer, I got this
[Ember has shared a photo with the chat]
Ember: See? Ya girl can’t keep her clothes on! I’ve been naked since the tournament started 3 days ago. No idea what happened to the stuff I was wearing when I arrived. Don’t know, don’t care. Didn’t pack anything either. Clothing is waaay overrated!
fiasco4: Are you currently seeing anybody?
Ember: Why do you ask? Are you available, hot stuff?
fiasco4: Umm, specifically anyone also in the competition?
Ember: Ah, I gotcha! Just messing with you buddy lol
Ember: Nah, I’m 100% in the zone for the tourney. Distractions turn people to stone around here! Gotta stay sharp. Buuuut, if I was seeing somebody, it’d probably be multiple somebodies. Like I said before, everyone around here is smokin hot! And why not, right? We’re all getting petrified anyway
Ember: Hmm, maybe I’ll be “busy” later lol
Ember: Any more questions?
tf-inferno: Yeah, PetraDash officials are having trouble lobbying the International Olympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic Committee to add the PetraDash 2000m steeplechase as an event for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. As a former Olympian, how would you convince the IOC and the USOC to make a late addition to the event schedule? And how would you convince NBC and other broadcasters to air it?
Ember: Ok, so this is way above my pay grade, but I’ll give you my two cents anyway. I mean this in the nicest way possible, but I’d tell the IOC and USOC to pull their heads out of their asses and look around. StoneSport is the future of athletics! Full stop. The ratings for this tournament are higher than the Super Bowl for fuck’s sake. And it’s not even close! StoneSport is a disruptive force that can’t be stopped, so the traditional sports execs can either get on board or get out of the fucking way
tf-inferno: And if they don’t?
Ember: Look, I get it. Change isn’t easy, but it’s inevitable. People thought sports broadcasting had reached its peak. PetraDash came along and turned that assumption on its head! So if the IOC and USOC don’t get on board, StoneSport will just have to start their own rival Olympics: the Petralympics! I have no doubt it’ll be glorious!
Ember: All right, hit me!
DustAndSpirals: What do you think will happen to “normal” sports with the continued rise of StoneSport in popularity?
Ember: Well, first of all, I love the so-called normal sports! As an athlete, I love track and field, soccer, and CrossFit. As a fan, I’m crazy about basketball and baseball. Having said that, they’ll need to evolve or slowly fade away. As I mentioned before, StoneSport is a disruptive force and it’s the other sports getting disrupted. One option they could consider is introducing transformational elements into competitions. I know StoneSport would be thrilled to help brainstorm some options for that, but it could be as simple as petrifying hoopsters who foul out or turning pitchers into statues to celebrate a perfect game. So there are ways to evolve. It’s mostly a matter of willingness and a commitment to take action
DustAndSpirals: And as a follow-up question, how can StoneSport continue long-term if they’re constantly petrifying their athletes and turning the best of them into trophies?
Ember: Ooh, this is a good one! Especially considering I’m about to become one of those petrified athletes lol. This potential issue comes down to supply and demand. As long as StoneSport has a steady pipeline of athletes willing to compete, they’ll adjust the number and scope of competitions to match the available participants. In the PetraDash World Championships, for example, they’ve petrified 12,400 competitors. Tomorrow they’ll add 97 more, plus three trophies. This tournament barely registers on the recruiting report. I don’t have exact numbers, but I heard they’ve signed more than a million athletes with 22 million more in the pipeline. It’s a global phenomenon, so the entire world is fertile ground for StoneSport recruiters. They’re taking full advantage of that, to put it mildly. So I wouldn’t worry about StoneSport’s long-term success. It’s pretty much guaranteed at this point
Ember: Ok, I’m told we have time for one more question. Who’s got one?
fiasco4: What do you have to say to anyone trying to join in this fabulous contest?
Ember: Just go for it! Fuck the naysayers and anyone who says you can’t make it. Sure, it’s highly selective. And yeah, the training will nearly break you, but you’ll get through it. And coming out the other side with an opportunity to compete on the biggest stage in the world is so worth it! I have no regrets about signing my StoneSport contract. Zero, zilch, nada
Ember: I guarantee a lot of people won’t understand why you’re doing it. Throwing your life away blah blah blah. They don’t get that it’s the highest fucking calling imaginable! The human body is the ultimate artistic masterpiece. Becoming a statue (or trophy) is my destiny. Maybe it’s yours too
Ember: Yeah, talk to a recruiter. They’re super cool people who will support you every step of the way. Besides, I need somebody to carry the torch after tomorrow
Ember: Speaking of tomorrow, I need to get some sleep. It’s a big day, to put it mildly. It was awesome chatting with you, my dudes and dudettes!
ShadowAsfr: Hell, yeah! Thanks, Ember!
ManhattanKid: Burn ‘em up, Ember!
FailedSave: Sparks will fly!
bjork42: Redheads rock!
tf-inferno: Have fun storming the castle!
cloudarray: Good luck tomorrow!
fiasco4: You’re awesome! Give ‘em hell out there!
pygmalion0451: Go for the gold, baby!
DustAndSpirals: It’s trophy time!
Ember: I love you guys. Peace out!
[Ember has left the chat]
Copyright 2025 Olivia Zoe Quinn
Photo by Aryan Dhiman on Unsplash
Story notes
When I came up with the harebrained scheme to do a character AMA and asked readers for questions, I had no idea how it’d go. Would anyone even respond? Was this a truly terrible idea?
Fortunately, I have awesome readers who not only came through with questions, but they were excellent questions! Some of the answers were already part of my StoneSport headcanon, but others really made me think.
Mad props to tfinferno, fiasco4, bjork42, FailedSave, ManhattanKid, pygmalion0451, cloudarray, ShadowAsfr, and DustAndSpirals for supplying the questions for this AMA. You guys rock!
Article Tags: Competition · Female · Nudity · Sci-Fi · Statue · Stone · StoneSport · Volunteer
