Beginning with an Image: Princess in Her Garden
Yesterday, Midjourney announced a new way of getting consistency across images: Omni-Reference. Omnireference is an option when you use an image as part of a prompt.
All of the following were set at the default Omni Strength of 100. I began with a Midjourney image: Princess in Her Garden. Then I used one image after another as a prompt for both Midjourney and ChatGPT 4.5 to write a story using the image. Below are the prompts, images, and story.
Prompt
Starting Image: Princess in her garden
Chapter One: Biodome Alpha Gardener
Prompts
Image: Previous Image as Omni-Reference and Gardener in Mars colony biodome
Story: Image and Write a short story about a day in the life of a gardener in Mars Colony Biodome Alpha.
Early morning on Mars glowed softly through the translucent dome, washing Biodome Alpha in delicate amber hues. Inside, amidst a lush tapestry of emerald and ruby leaves, Eliana moved gracefully, her fingers brushing lovingly against each plant she passed. As head gardener, she knew each leaf, stem, and root as intimately as an old friend.
The air was humid and fragrant, carrying the subtle scent of herbs and blossoms thriving under her meticulous care. Wearing a simple yet charming outfit suited for the warmth and gentle dampness, Eliana felt a deep satisfaction in cultivating life where none had thrived before. Her day began at the vertical hydroponic gardens, where clusters of spinach and kale grew abundantly. She whispered encouragement to tender seedlings, checked nutrient levels, and adjusted the LED lights that mimicked the sun she had never truly seen, yet dreamt of often. After midday, she strolled along rows of strawberries and tomatoes, tasting the ripe sweetness warmed by artificial sunlight, savoring a brief, earthly delight. She paused occasionally to sketch in her notebook, recording observations and whimsical thoughts, snippets of poetry inspired by her green sanctuary amidst the red dust outside.
Late afternoon was dedicated to her favorite place—a small grove of lemon trees nestled within a corner of the dome. Here, Eliana closed her eyes, inhaling deeply the citrusy freshness, transported momentarily to a memory of Earth she only knew from stories and holograms. She tended each tree gently, harvesting fruits, her heart swelling with gratitude.
As the Martian evening cast deep shadows across Biodome Alpha, Eliana ended her day among the flowers—lavenders, roses, and delicate orchids thriving improbably far from their ancestral home. She gathered a small bouquet, a tiny reminder of Earth's distant beauty, to place by her bedside. That night, beneath the crystal-clear dome revealing the vast, starry heavens, Eliana fell asleep dreaming of future gardens, richer blossoms, and the day when Mars itself might bloom beneath an open sky.
The next day, something unexpected happened. An urgent message flashed across her communication bracelet, alerting her to unusual readings from the environmental control systems. Hastily making her way to the control hub, Eliana's heart raced as she examined the data. Oxygen levels were fluctuating dangerously, and the automated water recycling system showed signs of a critical malfunction.
Eliana immediately called for assistance, but she knew every moment counted. Without hesitation, she moved swiftly through the biodome, manually checking backups and engaging emergency protocols. The familiar sanctuary suddenly felt fragile and vulnerable. Hours passed in tense concentration as she worked alongside her team, repairing and stabilizing the delicate systems that kept their fragile ecosystem thriving. Finally, the crisis passed, leaving Eliana drained yet deeply relieved.
That evening, sitting among her beloved plants, she felt an even stronger appreciation for the fragile beauty of life she nurtured each day. Resolute, she reaffirmed her promise to safeguard this small green haven amid the endless Martian wilderness.
Chapter Two: Touch of Assurance
Prompts
Image: Previous Image as Omni-Reference and Mars biodome gardener discovers a leak in the outer hull, working with tools to repair
Story: Image and Create a second chapter that details how Eliana verified repairs in the hull breach.
The early Martian dawn found Biodome Alpha wrapped in an eerie stillness, shadows lingering longer than usual beneath its curved, transparent dome. Eliana awoke restless, thoughts of yesterday’s sudden hull breach still vivid in her mind. The fear of losing everything she had nurtured was more intense than she'd admitted to anyone.
She slipped into a simple gown, donned her practical boots, and swiftly tied back her hair, determined to verify the overnight repairs herself. Every step she took along the metal walkway echoed softly, as if even the dome held its breath, awaiting assurance.
Approaching the corridor of hydroponic modules, her heart quickened as she examined the reinforced seals. The repair team had left precise indicators—small, illuminated sensors, glowing a reassuring green. Yet, Eliana knew better than to rely solely on automated confirmations. She ran her fingertips across the repaired seams, feeling for inconsistencies, her experienced hands alert for any imperfection. The metal felt cool and smooth, bearing no trace of the previous day's damage.
She moved deliberately, gazing into each porthole, scrutinizing plants that had endured an unsettling night. Tender basil, lush lettuces, and vibrant kale—every leaf seemed to mirror her own resilience. She paused, placing a comforting hand against the glass, silently promising them safety.
A gentle beep drew her attention to the control panel displaying atmospheric conditions. Oxygen levels stable. Pressure normalized. Humidity optimal. Each metric reassured her, yet her instincts urged further caution. She accessed the interface, carefully checking logs from the automated repair drones. The records displayed clear, methodical procedures and verified seal integrity. Eliana exhaled a long-held breath, tension easing from her shoulders.
Sunrise deepened outside the dome, bathing her small Eden in rich, coppery light. Eliana lingered a moment, eyes closed, savoring the gentle warmth radiating through the clear dome. Her gratitude was profound—both for the precision of technology that safeguarded life here and the indefatigable human spirit that had refused defeat.
Taking up her watering can, she began her morning rounds anew, her movements graceful and tender, each action reaffirming the harmony she maintained between the delicate greens within and the stark crimson terrain beyond. Her whispered encouragement to seedlings carried renewed meaning today, colored by the profound fragility and strength of her Martian garden.
As Biodome Alpha fully awakened to another bright Martian day, Eliana's confidence returned fully, fortified by the trials she'd faced. Here, amid the tenuous beauty of life sustained against impossible odds, she felt more deeply than ever the profound poetry of existence—fragile yet resilient, always reaching toward the light.
Chapter Three: Harvesting Lemons
Prompts
Image: Previous Image as Omni-Reference and Harvesting lemons in the biodome on Mars
Story: Image and Write Chapter Three: Harvesting Lemons
The following morning dawned gently over Biodome Alpha, casting soft ribbons of golden warmth across lush gardens and spiraling vines. Eliana moved through the quiet corridors toward her beloved citrus grove, anticipation quickening her step. Today was harvest day for the lemons, a moment of pure joy she always cherished deeply.
The lemon trees, compact yet vibrant, awaited her arrival. Bright fruits glowed softly, clustered densely beneath lush, leafy canopies. Eliana paused, breathing deeply the tangy scent permeating the air, an aroma reminiscent of faraway Earth. It was as if each lemon contained a precious memory, encapsulated in golden zest.
With practiced ease, she selected each fruit carefully, her fingertips sensing ripeness through the supple texture of their peels. Each lemon was placed tenderly into woven baskets, handcrafted from fibers grown here within the biodome. Her mind drifted as she worked, remembering the initial uncertainty of cultivating these trees—now thriving against all odds, their bounty offering proof that life could flourish beautifully even in Mars's stark, red embrace.
Occasionally, she paused to savor the sights and scents, sketching quick impressions into her notebook—brief poetic verses celebrating the graceful curves of hanging fruit, leaves shimmering under artificial sunlight, or the quiet triumph of growth amid relentless adversity. By midday, baskets brimmed with bright lemons, filling her heart with accomplishment. She selected one lemon, perfect in shape and vibrant in color, and sliced into it gently. The sharp, fresh aroma flooded her senses, invigorating her spirit and reminding her of life's simplest, most profound pleasures.
Later, standing before a window that framed the Martian landscape—vast expanses of iron-red soil beneath endless skies—Eliana felt an undeniable satisfaction. Her harvest wasn't merely food; it was hope, cultivated patiently and passionately within the fragile confines of the biodome.
That evening, beneath stars that seemed especially bright against Mars's darkened sky, Eliana brewed fragrant tea with slices of fresh lemon, a taste exquisite and bittersweet. With every sip, gratitude welled within her for this rare, delicate beauty she nurtured, so improbably and yet so perfectly, millions of miles from home.
Fragrant Memories: Lemon Tea on Mars
Prompts
Image: Previous Image as Omni-Reference and Sipping lemon tea looking out at the Martian landscape
Story: Image and Write a poem about Eliana enjoying lemon tea as she looks out over the Martian landscape; tell the story of Earth's fragrant memories.
By dome’s curved glass she softly rests,
Holding warmth in porcelain grace,
A golden liquid softly dressed
In fragrance from a distant place.
She lifts the cup with tender care,
Breathes in deeply, memories bloom—
Earth's lemon groves perfume the air,
Fading distance, closing gloom.
Beyond, Mars whispers crimson songs,
Silent dunes beneath cold skies,
Yet here, within, her heart belongs
To fragrant Earth and softest sighs.
Each sip unlocks ancestral tales,
Citrus sweetness, verdant trees;
Wind through leaves, earthbound trails—
A garden's hum, the hum of bees.
And though the red sands stretch austere,
Her soul drinks deep of leafy dreams,
A single taste brings home so near—
Sunlit orchards, glowing streams.
In her heart, two worlds entwine,
Mars’s quiet, Earth’s embrace,
Bittersweet, the lemon’s sign—
Life grows beauty any place.
Cup now empty, spirit full,
She smiles gently, calm and free,
Knowing love’s most potent pull
Flows within her lemon tea.
Chapter Four: Sweetness Shared
Prompts
Image: Previous Image as Omni-Reference and Making lemonade in the Mars Colony kitchen
Story: Image and Write Chapter Four: Making Lemonade for the Mars Colony Crew
As Martian daylight filled Biodome Alpha with gentle warmth, Eliana stepped into the colony kitchen, her eyes sparkling with purpose. Today was special—not only because the lemon harvest had been abundant, but because it marked the monthly crew gathering, an event she always cherished.
She gathered her fresh lemons, glowing cheerfully in a basket, their vibrant color brightening the utilitarian space. With practiced skill, she sliced each fruit, savoring the fragrant burst of citrus released into the air. The aroma carried whispers of sunshine and gentle breezes from a distant planet she'd only ever imagined, yet knew intimately through each tender slice.
Water filtered from Mars' deep aquifers filled glass jars, lined carefully along the countertop. As she squeezed the lemons, the tart juice mingled with Martian sweetness—honey harvested from the biodome's own thriving hives. Stirring thoughtfully, she tasted the blend, adjusting carefully, seeking perfect harmony between sweetness and tang.
Soon, the kitchen became a gallery of liquid gold, jars filled with bright lemonade arranged neatly, their vibrant slices of lemon suspended delicately within. The sight made her smile with quiet pride; here was not just refreshment but a tangible gift of comfort and joy. As the crew began to arrive—scientists, engineers, and explorers weary from their daily tasks—faces lit up at the unexpected treat. The familiar citrus scent filled the air, softening expressions and evoking laughter. They gathered around the jars, voices mingling warmly, hands reaching gratefully toward Eliana’s offering.
She watched quietly, her heart full, as the colony residents sipped and sighed in appreciation, conversation flowing easily, tensions melting away in the shared sweetness. Each glass was a quiet celebration, each smile a reminder of connection, unity, and the precious beauty found in the simplest of gifts.
Later, as evening draped gentle shadows across Biodome Alpha, Eliana lingered by a window overlooking Mars' silent landscape, holding the last jar of lemonade. With a grateful sip, she felt once again how deeply intertwined their lives had become—rooted together in resilience, bound forever by shared sweetness, hope, and the delicate art of nurturing life in the most extraordinary circumstances.
Chapter Five: New Life Blossoms
Prompts
Image: Previous Image as Omni-Reference and Learning the happy news that a baby is on the way, soon to be a mother.
Story: Image and Write Chapter Five: Eliana Learns a Baby is on the Way (how she is on course to give birth to the first baby born on Mars)
Morning sunlight poured gently through the biodome, spilling warmth across Eliana's small living quarters. She stood quietly, heart fluttering, eyes fixed on the medical console displaying the delicate, life-changing words: "Pregnancy Confirmed."
She placed a hand gently upon her abdomen, awe and disbelief mingling warmly within her. This tiny spark of life, growing softly inside her, was not only a personal miracle—it would be the first human child born on Mars.
Sinking into a chair by her window, surrounded by leafy plants flourishing under her attentive care, Eliana's thoughts drifted to the profound implications of this news. Her child would know Mars as home, its red landscape as natural as the gardens she had nurtured so carefully. Every plant she'd ever coaxed to life, every blossom, every vibrant lemon—each felt suddenly symbolic, tied intimately to the new life blossoming within her.
Throughout the morning, Biodome Alpha hummed around her as usual, but everything now seemed infused with deeper meaning. As she moved through the gardens, tending seedlings and adjusting water flows, her fingers lingered thoughtfully upon leaves and stems, imagining sharing these quiet wonders someday with her child.
At noon, she revisited the medical center for official confirmation. The physician’s joyful congratulations made the moment profoundly real. The entire colony, she learned, had already heard the happy news, and cheers echoed warmly from friends and coworkers gathered nearby.
Returning home, her heart overflowed with emotion. She journaled quietly, capturing her excitement and fears, her hopes and dreams for this remarkable new chapter of life. Her thoughts turned poetic, envisioning how Mars itself seemed ready, fertile, waiting patiently for a human child’s first breath beneath its skies.
As evening settled gently over the dome, she sat amid her lush garden, wrapped in serene peace. Her dreams tonight would be sweet, filled with visions of tiny footsteps wandering through verdant paths, little fingers exploring leaves and petals, laughter mingling with the gentle hum of life sustained lovingly against the endless Martian expanse.
In Eliana's heart, a new dream had taken root, tender and profound, nurtured lovingly within her—the first true Martian, a child whose life would blossom alongside the gardens she had so tenderly grown.
Chapter Six:Lesson Across Worlds
Prompts
Image: Previous Image as Omni-Reference and Teaching school on Mars.
Story: Image and Write Chapter Six: Elaina Records a Lesson for Her Students Back on Earth
Afternoon sunlight bathed the colony classroom, illuminating vibrant murals and colorful diagrams illustrating the planets of the solar system. Eliana stood confidently before a camera, her familiar bright smile greeting students back on Earth who eagerly awaited her recorded lessons from Mars.
"Hello, class!" she began warmly, eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Today, we’ll talk about growth—about life blossoming against incredible odds."
Behind her, the chalkboard displayed diagrams of biodome structures, handwritten notes about plant biology, and sketches depicting Mars’s orbit around the Sun. She stepped closer, gesturing gently, effortlessly bridging the millions of miles between her classroom on Mars and her eager learners back home.
"Here in Biodome Alpha, we grow plants carefully—each seed, every leaf, nurtured by patience and determination," Eliana continued, her voice steady and engaging. "Did you know we recently harvested fresh lemons, here, so far from Earth? These lemons are special, students. They grew because we believed in possibility, cared deeply, and adapted our techniques to Mars’s unique challenges."
Pausing briefly, she placed her hands gently upon her abdomen, eyes softening as she shared a personal revelation: "Speaking of new life, I have wonderful news. Soon, the first human born on Mars will arrive. This child, my child, will know Mars as home, experiencing firsthand how life and love can flourish anywhere—even on a world that once seemed impossible for life."
Her tone shifted slightly, becoming reflective and gentle. "Remember, growth isn't only about plants or lemons. It’s about us, too—our courage, our curiosity, and our willingness to dream. You, my dear students, are seeds too, full of potential, capable of thriving wherever life takes you."
She moved gracefully across the room, touching the illustrated planets lightly with her fingertips. "From Mars, Earth looks small yet luminous—a distant blue planet filled with hope and life. Cherish it, students, but never fear venturing outward. Growth means exploring, planting your dreams in new soils, just as we've done here."
Finishing her lesson, she looked directly into the camera, her gaze filled with encouragement. "So today, think about your dreams. What seeds will you plant? How far will your growth take you?"
With a warm smile and a gentle wave, she concluded: "Until our next lesson, keep dreaming boldly. From Mars, with love."
As the recording ended, Eliana sat quietly by the window, her heart swelling with pride. She had planted seeds today—not just on Mars, but in the hearts of students millions of miles away, nurturing future growth that knew no boundaries.
Chapter Seven: Tropical Dreaming
Prompts
Image: Previous Image as Omni-Reference and Relaxing in the Holodeck, tropical beach dreams
Story: Image and Write Chapter Seven: Resting in the Holodeck - tropical dreaming
Eliana stepped softly into the holodeck, the familiar hum of machinery greeting her ears as the simulation initialized. Moments later, the sterile confines of Biodome Alpha faded gently away, replaced by the soothing rustle of palm trees, golden sands, and the gentle murmur of ocean waves caressing a distant shore.
She sank gratefully onto a bed draped with vibrant linens, their tropical patterns echoing the lush beauty around her. Dressed comfortably in her favorite constellation-printed dress, she closed her eyes, breathing deeply. Immediately, salty air and delicate floral fragrances filled her senses, carrying away her worries and fatigue, leaving only tranquil ease.
Above, a simulated blue sky stretched endlessly, dotted by the occasional drifting cloud, white as purest cotton. The sun's warmth bathed her skin, easing tensions she hadn’t fully realized she'd carried. Each gentle wave lapping nearby whispered softly, as though Earth itself were singing to her through space and time.
Resting, she let her mind drift freely, journeying across oceans she had never truly known yet longed to explore—tropical islands she’d glimpsed only in dreams and images sent from distant Earth. She imagined her feet sinking into sun-warmed sand, gentle breezes brushing past her cheek, carrying whispers of distant, verdant jungles.
In this peaceful place, her thoughts turned lovingly to the child growing within her. Here, in this gentle simulation, she imagined sharing Earth's wonders—teaching her child about seashells and starlight, waves and wind, warm sand and cool waters. Her heart swelled, envisioning memories they would create together in this artificial paradise, moments to soothe the inevitable longing for Earth's distant shores.
For now, in this cherished moment, Mars faded entirely into quiet repose, replaced by the serene beauty of a tropical afternoon. Wrapped in warmth and gentle breezes, Eliana drifted into sleep, dreaming sweetly beneath an imagined sun—Mars’s first mother, carried gently by waves of peaceful anticipation, awaiting the blossoming of new life amid the stars.
Epilogue: Blossoms of Legacy
Prompts
Image: Earlier Image as Omni-Reference and A hundred years later on Mars, a statue dedicated to the first gardener on Mars, depicting her solving a technical problem with the first Biodome.
Story: Earlier Image and Write an Epilogue: three generations later, Elaina's great great grandchild ponders a statue dedicated to Elaina, first gardener and first mother on Mars.
Sunlight filtered softly through the clear dome of Mars Colony's oldest garden, illuminating a bronze statue nestled thoughtfully among thriving greenery. The polished figure depicted a gentle woman, reaching tenderly toward a young seedling, her expression serene and purposeful—Eliana, the first gardener and first mother on Mars. Nearby, a young woman knelt quietly, eyes fixed upon the memorial. Her name was Mira, great-great-granddaughter of the woman immortalized before her. She had grown up hearing tales of Eliana—stories told like poetry, filled with courage, love, and determination. Yet, only recently had she fully grasped the significance of those legends.
Mira studied the statue carefully, tracing with her gaze each graceful line sculpted in bronze. She marveled at the depiction of Eliana's hands—gentle, nurturing, poised to cultivate life. Those hands had not merely grown plants; they had sown hope, dreams, and future generations, including Mira herself.
"What were your thoughts," Mira whispered softly, as if the statue might answer, "when you first held Mars’s soil? Did you know your garden would stretch far beyond your lifetime?"
The silence offered peaceful contemplation, and Mira smiled gently, her heart swelling with quiet pride. She realized that Eliana's legacy wasn’t simply gardens or even the remarkable accomplishment of being Mars's first mother—it was hope itself, thriving quietly within each new generation.
Standing slowly, Mira took one last look at the bronze figure, feeling deeply connected to the woman whose courage allowed her life to unfold beneath Mars’s expansive skies. She whispered a final promise, her voice as soft and earnest as Eliana’s first seedlings planted so long ago: "I'll continue your work—growing dreams, nurturing hope. Your garden, our garden, will always blossom."
And as Mira turned to leave, the statue seemed to glow gently in the fading sunlight, an eternal reminder that even in the most distant places, the most improbable soils, life and love could flourish beautifully, guided always by the tender hands and resilient spirit of a gardener.