raahims

[raahims]

milagodfrey:

Mila waved their hand, dismissing the correction. Instead, they nodded quickly, glad they were still there. Most people would have called them crazy by now, or gone on about the science of what they knew to be true, not listening to Mila at all. Holding the fabric with one arm, they held up a finger like a professor as they said, “That’s the question! That’s the big question. Are they telling us the secrets of the world - or are they just saying hello? What do you think?��

they were exhibiting more excitement than he did in the classroom, probably. he could take a few tips— not that he was boring. he thought of himself as quite engaging, actually . . . the kids never complained, at least. but mila’s enthusiasm was unmistakeable, as if they ,themselves, were responsible for the shades of blue and green. “probably just hello, yeah? i don’t know. if i was sharing secrets, i’d use more purple. what do you think?”

[raahims]

frcnciscos:

francisco smiled, a smile that grew from one that just tugged at the corners to a semi-grin the longer he looked at amir. however, it wasn’t because he was looking at him, but more because he caught onto the thinking that went into his words, so he wanted to encourage him – to not think like that. he reached out to take his hand, swinging a bit as he spoke. “well, you have to keep them engaged and excited about numbers and grammar, don’t you?” it didn’t come as a surprise when he realized that he hadn’t cut his day short to visit his boyfriend in a long time. maybe he needed to fix that or at least, make up for it. “but no, it’s over. i’m off. we can go somewhere – sadly, nowhere new, but somewhere. i smell like dirt, though. and i feel like dating on earth would’ve been a lot easier, huh?” 

amir’s smile mirrored francisco’s, eradicating all physical evidence of baseless nervousness. sometimes all it took— when he found himself in something hazy like a bubble, too constricting and unfamiliar to allow himself to be himself, self-doubt a fume sinking into his pores, complicating the task of speaking to someone so familiar— was a smile or the squeeze of a hand. it was parts encouraging, but mostly a reminder— capable of shaking him out of the state that’d been a staple to his personalty since he could remember.  it was something he was grateful for, so he squeezed back in thanks. “yeah, probably. you’d still smell like dirt though. but maybe we should try it. can just go now, jump and see where we land. hear it’s mostly water though and we’ve never swam in our lives.” it was probably a poor joke, however . . . because of the entire floating thing. another squeeze, this time an apology. “or we can just leave agro,” he spoke, lips pressing at the center of francisco’s palm— another apology. “out of agro, stay on the ark. we can just talk about anything that isn’t related to plants or numbers under 100.”

[raahims]

milagodfrey:

“Sky lights?” Mila said, furrowing their brows. Somehow the jab at their position didn’t sting like it was meant to. They looked away to point at the ceiling as they said, “Those are sky lights. That’s the kind of stuff you learn about in Factory.” Moving their hand to point back at the dancing blues and greens, they added, “Those are aliens communicating with us, okay?”

“i think those are skylights. compound word, not two.” he spoke quietly, more of a murmur than anything because they probably didn’t care— but it was more of a reflex, the correction, than anything else. following their eyes once again, he nodded. he had no immediate tasks, he could humor them for just a little. “about what?”

[raahims]

drfelixholmes:

“That would have been pathetic. Glad I saved you from that.” Felix replied with a laugh. He nodded and ate as his friend talked about the kids. He wasn’t surprised that they got off topic so easily. “We’re actually getting exposed to loads of solar radiation. And regular radiation. But, that’s a different type of sun damage than what they were thinking of, I guess.” He grinned. He liked coming into his class and having the kids think of him as some sort of superhero doctor. It wasn’t true, of course, but Felix wasn’t about to stop them. “Glad they think that I alone can protect them from the sun.”

his thinking over the new information was made vocal by a single hum. it was a little disappointing for the kids. but then again, he couldn’t exactly enter the room with a single hand clap to grab everyone’s attention, followed by the announcement that ‘hey, actually, you probably could have a chance to visit dr. felix if you’re unlucky.’ so what they didn’t know . .  . “thought this thing was impermeable and indestructible. little too much trust in it, huh?” he mumbled rhetorically. “not protect them,” amir interjected quickly, smile indicative of his playfulness. “take care of them after the damage is done. don’t let your head get too big.”

[raahims]

ofaugvst:

“there isn’t much i’d wish to discuss with you, but thanks for the offer. conversations with you are probably the last thing i want to endure right now, and i’m sort of dying just speaking to you at the moment. why don’t you make this easier for both of us and move? you should know this is my seat. i sit here everyday. haven’t you noticed, or are you too lost in that huge head of yours.” august snapped at him, gripping onto the tray in his hand tighter. he wasn’t about to lose this battle, not with amir.

“alright, august.” he rose, tray in hand, and rounded the table. he could move. he wasn’t a pest, but neither was he someone to cower at a few hostile words . . . well at least not from august. especially since he had no clue why he was always at the opposite end of them. so, he settled himself into a seat on the opposite side of the table. “another resolution: we can sit silently. but you did sort of already start an entire conversation, so you can continue. are you dying? you can visit felix, probably.”

[raahims]

maybe if the ark weren’t so cramped, littered with people at nearly every inch, the sudden whisper, which came with no preamble, would’ve plucked a reaction out of amir. but it was normal, always being around at least one other person, always aboard the ship and never not breathing recycled oxygen. that normality afforded him the opportunity to keep his gaze forward and not respond, dodging all accusations of being rude. he could play it off, ‘sorry didn’t hear you.’ but one look at the garments in their hands and he couldn’t ignore his curiosity. “learn a lot about sky lights in factory?” 

The halls were crowded, and Mila was making their way through them, old fabric in their hands as they weaved between people. They didn’t think about the fact that hours ago, these clothes had been worn by people still alive. That they’d been stripped of their clothes before being floated, and now they were expected to re-create the clothes for new, very living people. But Mila had a knack for forgetting those kinds of things. But they couldn’t help but be distracted as they passed by the large window on the way to factory station. Though the fake ‘day’ lights were on, outside the sky was dark and full of stars, with the aurora borealis dancing over the earth, and all Mila could do was stop in the middle of that crowded hallway and look up. “I know why it does that,” they whispered.

[raahims]

ycras:

“well, the only thing i’ve ever received was a trip to the sky box, so this is like a diamond ring compared to that.” yara’s features played with a theatrical expression, her lips pursing into a frown. “hey, argo has some pretty great stuff, don’t shit on my station.” playfulness pulled her lips into a smile, brows quirking as she continued to play with the leaf. of course francisco didn’t talk to amir about raven—did he talk to him aout anything? grief spread from yara’s heart like a sickness, a huff escaping her lips as she began to roll her eyes. “he talks to me about her all the time.” yara answered, eyes full of confusion. for once, she was telling the complete truth—no twist on words, no picking and choosing what to talk about. it was real. “your boyfriend’s annoying. always takes things that belonged to raven, never wanting to share. i mean, really, that’s the only thing we have in common. her.” she shrugged, averting her gaze back to amir. “i care about him i guess, but he doesn’t know when to share. anyway, maybe you guys should talk about that? you seem way more invested than him….”

the last thing she probably wanted was a look of pity, but it was almost automatic— the press of his lips and uplift of his cheeks in some weird, apologetic smile. if there was anyone willing to cap for any of yara’s misdoings, it was amir. some people were just presented with fewer options in life and— well, he didn’t know great detail of why she’d been condemned to the sky box, but he was sure the council was in the wrong. especially if she presented herself as a safe space for raven-centered conversation for francisco. it meant she was a good person. and it was something amir himself couldn’t offer, so it was understandable that she heard . . . all that amir never did concerning raven. “well, i just didn’t know her that well. at all, really. it’s a sensitive thing for him,” he shrugged easily. “oh. i didn’t know, about him hogging it all, i guess? i’d ask but  i don’t think i can really do that. not my place, or whatever.” and then there was a moment of hesitation because maybe he should talk with francisco about raven? it’d only come up once within their two years, but it seemed normal. normal to want to push such an unfortunate event to the back of your mind. so he was okay with it, as long as francisco was. “he’s invested,” he replied just a little delayed, brows furrowed. “like i said, just a touchy subject i guess.”

[raahims]

“uh, no?” his tone and wandering eyes told otherwise, but he wasn’t, really. he’d entered the dining hall, grabbed his share, found a seat, finished a good amount of it— all while 100% present too. he was meant to be here, he was pretty sure. “i know my way around. twenty-four years in the same place gets you some sense of direction, i’d think. the physical kind.” amir’s eyes now found august’s and all he could read was disinterest, but that didn’t stop him. “unless you’re saying . . . lost in life? i don’t know. you wanna talk it through with me? then pull up a seat, august.”

most of august’s days had a consistent routine, typically involving a trip to breakfast in the dining hall, and sit in his usual normal seat an empty table, then check in with his parents if they were around. he’d then disappear off to work for hours on end and usually forget to take a break in between to eat. by the time he was done, he’d make a quick stop to the hall, and grab whatever food was available, sitting in the same spot as the morning. this night, though, august was about to sit down with his tray (that held a small amount of food) when he noticed a figure sat in his usual spot, which caused him to stand at the table, a blank stare at the person. “are you lost?”

[raahims]

ycras:

a gentle smile found its way onto her lips against her inclination, giggles spilling from her mouth as her eyes widened, jaw slightly unhinged as she outstretched her hand, grabbing the leaf from amir hastily. “no one’s ever given me anything before. i mean, besides hand-me-downs, but i don’t think that really counts.” a blissful sigh escaped yara’s lips as she twirled the leaf by its stem, swaying from side to side. no one bothered paying yara any mind—she’d never been anyone’s first priority. not even her dad, who she’d loved dearly. it was as though amir lived to please her. it was quite refreshing, in a twisted way. "come sit with me,” she spoke, the request abrupt but soft nonetheless. yara reclined in her seat, shoving her feet atop the metal table, desperately clutching onto the leaf as she eyed him. “guess francisco doesn’t get somethin’ this special, huh? doesn’t matter anyway. he’s always got his head in the clouds, going on and on about raven.” yara blew out a sigh in tandem to rolling her shoulders. “i’ll keep it forever. if i ever get floated, i’ll make sure to put this baby in my pocket so it’ll always be with me.” yara never understood amir and francisco anyway. it was like they were standing at complete opposite ends of the scale. amir seemed way more invested than the other, it was a bit unnerving. “what can i do to pay you back? maybe i should get you something.” yara tilted her head, feigning uncertainty. “don’t think i have anything worth while. a stinky old sweater that i haven’t worn since i was twelve?”

thinking of yara as a puppeteer was no far stretch. it was a dynamic talent, out-performing all of those who somehow made a living from the strange hobby years before. he couldn’t recall a time he’d told her ‘no.’ and now, it was like there were literal strings attached to him somewhere, tugging the corners of his lips so that his smile almost immediately mirrored her own. and then they were tugging at his legs, pulling him forward until he was sitting. “oh no. it’s just a leaf,” he laughed, shoulders rising in a quick shrug. “i was hoping it was funny. you know, like, ‘look. my boyfriend works in agro, so i’ve got some good stuff’ and then . . . just a leaf.” he clearly had to work on his jokes. or his gift giving. maybe he’d try to go for something better the next time. “he doesn’t talk about raven, i don’t think. well, yeah, he doesn’t,” he finished with a nod, because there was no uncertainty in his words. “he doesn’t like to.”

[raahims]

drfelixholmes:

“Are you joking? Course I want to be around you.” Felix assured him with a grin. Even though they were both living busy lives on completely different stations, the two remained best friends. “How’re your kids? Do they know that Earth used to have birds yet? And that they can fly?” It was a bit of an inside joke. On an Earth quiz in elementary school they had both gotten all the questions about birds wrong. Neither of them had any clue what the hell a seagull was or what it could do. “Because you know. That’s important stuff. They won’t be able to do anything with their lives if they don’t know what a goddamn seagull is.” 

“cool. second option, after leaving, was to start crying.” he once again settled in, making himself as comfortable as leaning against metal would allow. “it works for the kids, who still know nothing about birds. no seagulls— or the grey ones that everyone hates. somehow we got on the sun and it making everything bright. and hot too, which turned into sun damage. but we don’t have to worry about that, so it was off topic. but before i could calm everyone down and get them focused again, someone made sure to make it a point that if we did have to worry about the sun . . . dr. felix is here.”

[raahims]

the thought of yara as a dosage was a subconscious one. a subconscious one he didn’t enjoy and was quick to berate himself for, because it was a little dehumanizing, really. she was the cacophony of angry traffic, described by his parents, personified. clearly confident in a way that amir could only pretend to be. but she was nothing that had to be rationed, careful with because of its potential to harm you if indulged too heftily. but he still found himself doing just that, being so very selective with his time dedicated to yara and yara only. he needed time for himself but when he didn’t want that, yara was not only a good distraction but also someone whose company he genuinely enjoyed. and that’s why he set out to find her now, bearing a gift. “perks of having a boyfriend who works in agro,” he greeted, smirk playing at his lips as he raised the one hand that was not empty. “a fallen leaf. for you.” 

@ycras

[raahims]

amir had a pretty good grasp on the idea of the ark being a working colony— words from his parents. each person dependent on another, jobs big and small all serving an important person to upkeep this strange new way of living (although it was all he’d ever known). time for leisure was cut nearly in half, supplies as well— he’d heard it all. but he still thought time off was important, helpful and necessary. helpful and necessary for all, and maybe especially amira who appeared to be in some tense state of distress. “i can’t tell if you’re kidding,” he pondered aloud. “but it’s just the ac. you can’t do much damage, really, right? i don’t wanna aid in that, if you can though. my bad.”

The ark was getting cold almost every second, especially in the mecha station. It was her job to fix broken devices, it was her job to fix the ac that was running cold air through the vents.She grabbed the ranch that was sitting on a red bucket along with other tools, She took a few steps onto the latter that was in front of her but before she could fix the ac, She heard footsteps coming towards the girl.“You know its bad to disturb a mechanic at work..What do you want?”

[raahims]

frcnciscos:

it was a rather rough greeting, stemming mostly from being caught off guard than anything else, but he quickly reversed gears and smiled broadly at his boyfriend and his own conversation with the plants. instances like these were the ones that made francisco feel so guilty about the times he didn’t feel so loving towards amir. “no longer in need? don’t encourage them to relocate me, but fine – i’ll leave them alone. something else’s got my attention now, anyway,” he said, soft grin still stretching his lips as he extended his hand to pull him up, beckoning to him for an embrace. “so, what brings this great surprise visit?” 

“my day’s finished. maybe yours is too?” his words were punctuated with a shrug, because it was an easy enough request . . . if you could even call it that. until he thought about how his job of going over things, that he’d repeat and build on until the end of the week, with children was probably a little less important to tending to the ship’s food and medicinal supply. it was a little selfish, wasn’t it? “probably not. i was a little bored, i guess. lesson plans for seven year olds aren’t that time consuming.” he had a grand talent of finding himself in a stammering mess, no matter how comfortable he was with the other person. 

[raahims]

really, he was only aware of the commotion now that it was brought to his attention. hyperaware, actually. he wasn’t too sure what happened, but if the whispers and snickers and looks of shock and worry were any tell, something happened. that and the ring of his ears, the sort of buzz that seems like a rude trick from the brain rather than any real vibration. a buzz that seems like a warning, a tap on the shoulder, ‘hey you didn’t even notice all the commotion until it ended. pay attention.’ it always left him a little dazed, eyes wide and mouth agape, as if he was plopped into the current surrounding by some unknown being. and that was the expression he faced adri with— confusion. “i don’t know.” but his stammering was probably very unconvincing, so it was followed with attempt number two (although, still unconvincing). “yeah, i really don’t know. bad person to ask.” 

Peace and quiet. Whilst the other guards looked perfectly content with the quiet evening in the dining hall ━ Adriana was tapping her foot and fiddling with a loose thread on her uniform. Boredom was setting in, but it was still another hour until she could end her shift. She was silently begging for some action, a chance to jump away from the wall she had positioned herself at. 

Distraction came suddenly, and she nearly let out a sigh of relief before she ran over to the commotion. It had been even better than she’d hoped for ━ a brawl, starting to turn physical ━ she could barely contain the smile on her face. As soon as she’d managed to break the battling parties apart and they were safely in the hold of her fellow guards, she turned her eyes towards the bystanders.

“Did anyone see what happened?” She looked around, an inviting, almost alluring expression on her face. “Any intel would be much appreciated.”

[raahims]

“no reason,” he replied with a shrug as he settled beside the other. and there was no reason, besides a want for company— whether that was silently or with small talk, either option was fine. until he thought over the unusual formal greeting, brows furrowing and back straightening. he was now a bit more present, eyes focused in on felix’s profile. “unless there needs to be a reason. you want me to go?” it was a roundabout way of asking if he was alright (because although they’d known each other for practically all of their twenty-four years, amir still found himself hesitating just a bit when it came to things like opening a space for venting. he never wanted to overstep). “i guess i didn’t think about you maybe not wanting to be around anyone,” he laughed, if you could even call the chopped sound that.

The dining hall was too filled for Felix to bother hunting down a seat. He spilled into the hallway outside it. He sat next to a large window that currently had a decent view of the moon. Unlike in the crammed dining hall, here he felt like he could breathe. The view wasn’t too bad either. Dinner with a view. He started eating, but he didn’t get too far into it before his meal was interrupted. Apparently someone else also wasn’t interested in eating in the packed dining hall, or all alone in their room. “No, the seat’s not taken. You can sit there, if you want. Or did you want something else?”

[raahims]

frcnciscos:

bent at the knee, francisco hovered above a tray of seedlings with a watering can in hand. “so, your root system is going to suck up all this water, the roots are like your mouth, and you’re going to get what you need, do some photosynthesizing, and then it’s going to transpire out of you, like you’re urinating.” the conversation wasn’t loud, but it was loud enough for anyone less than five feet away to understand that it was a conversation with the plants. he stood when he was done watering them, brushing his palms on his jeans. “oh, fuck,” a murmur under his breath before he cleared his throat, “hey – didn’t expect you to drop by today… didn’t expect anyone.”

“do i greet them too?” he was only half joking, eyes shifting back and forth between francisco’s and the plants, which had yet to respond. it seemed polite, though. and he was a fairly polite person. “hey. good luck . . . urinating and photosynthesizing. i taught my kids that word not too long ago.” he was squatting now, an easy grin playing at his lips (because if he were stuck between serious and not-so-serious before, well, he was definitely on the furthest opposite side from the former now). “so i know all about it. you’ve got it down to an art— just a few seconds. so i think you’re good and no longer need the supervision of your keeper.”

[raahims]

obviously he didn’t enjoy being run into. it’s not like he found himself kneeled, hands over head, every saturday with a line of kids ready to run full speed into his back. it was no weird talent or hobby, or any other thing he could think of in the stilted moment before facing the girl. but while it wasn’t something he enjoyed, he wasn’t necessarily pleased with it and he had trouble expressing that. so his face was stuck at something between an encouraging smile, in hopes of letting her know that it was okay, and a grimace because . . . ouch. “no, i’m fine,” he spoke in a tone he could only hope was reassuring (although contradicting of his jerky movement, a hand reaching for the already saved books, because he realized just a moment too late that maybe he could help with the fallen items). “you alright? i mean it was only my back and maybe your face, so.”

Celeste rustled down the hall, a stack of books in hand like always. Today she looked slightly more disheveled than usual. Her hair wasn’t brushed, a ripped page from what seemed to be notes was stuck to the bottom of her boot, and you could practically see the fatigue in her eyes. She weaved through the crowd as if she was late for something, though she never really was. With the speed she was going and the books in her hand weighing down her petite frame, she managed to run directly into the back of someone, dropping everything. “Shit.” She mumbled, almost inaudibly, reaching down to pick up her things before bothering to apologize. “I’m so sorry.” She laughed breathlessly, “I –You aren’t hurt are you? I didn’t sleep much last night. No rest for the wicked.” She paused, “I’m not very wicked, so I suppose that didn’t make sense, but you get what I mean, right? No hard feelings?”