#peace and love on planet rain world!!!!

[stonecoastweather]

we're going to break the cycle. gives lue a cozy little pillow to sit on. peace and love on planet rain world

sleepytime!

[dailyscug]

[aliettali]

@csidepooltide the sleeperrrr

[attex]

hunter baby if you even fuckign care ...

[taniushka12]

rainbow :')

[mothwingedmyths]

OH MY GOD

OH MY GOD

YES YES YESSSSS WE DID IT WE DID IT!!!!!!!

[xenomorphicdna]

Oh yes absolutely

They were capable of love and happiness and absolutely did indulge in the simple pleasures of life- how could you not

The kids made drawings of their Iterators?? GUYS THIS IS SO CUTE WTF

And do you think there were days where the school kids got to speak to their iterator? Do you think they would wave and talk to the overseers??

Do you think the Iterators birthdays were celebrated?

Do you think the kids sometimes would dress up and play pretend to be iterators ??

And you know I hate how ancients being cruel to their Iterators is so common,, "we have parental obligations" clearly SOME of them saw the iterators as their children, clearly they had to have cared.

There's so many interesting dynamics you could do why does it end up as cold hearted hatred so commonly

Look at some of the goodies in the tags too

sick of the bits of the rw community who are like “oh moon was probably a prick before she collapsed, she’s only nice because she suffered” or “oh the ancients were all terrible people and lived miserable lives because they wanted to ascend” like. where’s your joy where’s your whimsy. what’s stopping you from thinking up a happy little scenario. do you have to make this story as hopeless and grim as possible. why must you see the night and refuse to light a fire. hope persisting in tragedy is all the more beautiful open your eyes man

[cupidlovesastro]

𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 #𝟏𝟓 (𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐞 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧)

earth sun, moon, venus, or dominant people can have a love for nature as a whole, the animals, the plants, the sky, etc

water sun, moon venus, or dominant people have an attraction to lakes, rivers, oceans, ponds, rain, etc. they may even have a love for sea animals

fire sun, moon, venus, or dominant’s love the sun, summer time, drier weather, lava, campfires, etc

air sun, moon, venus, or dominant’s love the air, the sky, clouds, the stars, space, birds, butterflies, moths, etc

sagittarius in big 6 or stellium individuals are very free spirited and love being adventurous. they are very open minded and try to hear all perspectives

aquarius in big 6 or stellium people have a need for freedom and independence. they don’t like being tied down or held back

inner planets in the 6th house or 6h stelliums can have a love for animals and living creatures in general

uranus in the 1h means you are openly rebellious and go against the societal stereotypes. you question the rules and push boundaries while also being humanitarians

taurus in 2h can shows that you value the physical things in life. taurus is also an earth sign, meaning you enjoy the feelings of grass, the sound of the water, the smell of flower, etc

venus in 2h means that you value music, love, peace, and harmony

venus in 11h can show that you enjoy being around groups of people who share a love for the desire of peace, love, and music

uranus in 9h means that you go against the culture, the worlds views, and beliefs

aquarius moons/ uranus aspecting moon people find comfort through the rebellion and change

aquarius mars/ uranus aspecting mars people have a deep passion for change, especially when it comes to betterment of society. they are willing to take the risk if it means creating a difference

𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤

8h stellium- lots of sexual activity happening, people feeling deeply connected, dark things happening

8h sun- one of the thing that woodstock is notoriously known for at its core, is the amount of people engaging in sexual activities

uranus is 9h- going against social norms, the law, religions, the american culture at that time

mars in 11h- groups of people being aggressive, sexual, violent. also passion about their hopes, dreams, wishes, and the future

neptune in 11h- idealizing the idea of people being all together and groups of people being delusional and easily impressionable

pluto in 8h- lots of karmic energy, people wanting sexual power fama conjunct eros- famous for sexual activity

jupiter conjunct uranus- large amounts of rebellion, lots of unpredictable behavior/events, growth through change

mercury sextile venus- communicating love, peace, and harmony instead of war

makemake conjunct sun- woodstock was made to make a change to the idea of war and violence and was known as an attempt to protect the environment and idea of peace

vesta conjunct venus- love, music, harmony, was what kept people going during woodstock. they were devoted to their beliefs of peace

fama conjunct venus- famous for being about music, love, peace, harmony, etc

makemake opposite karma- although wood stock was an attempt to restore and maintain peace. it took a turn for the worse and lead to many horrible incidents

[splatashahowlett]

outcasts

logan howlett x reader

you've always been on your own wavelength. always on another planet; in your own little world. you couldn't help it, what you could create in your head was far more interesting than whatever people around you could say or do.

your favorite hobby was to try and find poetry in everything you could see: a willow tree? Do you mean the reincarnation of zeus's nurse? the same one ophelia died under when she realized hamlet could never give her the love she needed?

seeing life this way was way more fun, and if being made fun of was the price to pay to keep your internal peace intact then it was worth it. kids weren't really kind or comprehensive toward your unique mindset. now that you were a grown-up; nothing really changed. you were still enjoying what life gave you with your own approach and people still made fun of you.

except for one person: logan.

which was quite paradoxical because he was known for his judgmental stares and mocking scoffs. he never grew any soft spot for anybody and then you came around, and he fell down the rabbit hole quicker than ever. he was completely mesmerized by you and threatened anybody who dared to even think about mocking your... behavior. at first, you didn't even notice him but you started enjoying his presence more and more. and you finally joined him in the love spiral he was a prisoner of.

logan was standing on the school's porch, cigar in his mouth, watching the students run inside as the rain came pouring down.

the storm was near.

but you didn't care; you stayed still.

"come inside," he called over his shoulder. "get outta the rain." logan called out.

you stayed silent, not even paying attention to him. you were looking at the sky.

"you're gettin' soaked." he grunted. everybody else could have heard a flicker of annoyance in his voice but you knew it was concern and care.

logan glared at you, the annoyance on his face growing. he knew you could be stubborn, which he loved about you, but he didn't want you to catch a cold.

"stop bein' so damn stubborn and get yer ass inside." he growled, his voice commanding but still gentle.

you finally turned around and acknowledged his presence. "I like the rain" you simply answered.

logan frowned, his brow furrowing. he didn't like the fact that you were willingly getting drenched in the downpour.

"you're gonna catch a cold." he grumbled, the gruffness in his voice masked his worry.

"I'll heal"

logan couldn't help but smile softly; he fell harder for you each day. "come with me" you added

the wolverine sighed, his annoyance faded slightly at your request. he can never say no to you, despite his gruff demeanor.

"fine. but we ain't gonna be out here long." he grumbled, stubbing out his cigar on the porch before walking over to you.

he walked down the steps and stopped beside you, his broad frame blocked part of the rain. his arms folded over his chest, and his yellow eyes surveyed the storm.

"I thought you'd be inside, dry and warm." he commented; knowing you liked to stay under the covers, safe from the harsh reality of a world against mutants.

"Isn't it soothing? standing under the rain. knowing you cannot escape it; feeling like it washes you clean?" you said, still in your own bubble.

"guess I hadn't thought of it like that." he admits gruffly. he listens to your words, actually pausing to consider what you say. his eyes roam over your face, studying your expression as you speak. his thoughts wander, remembering how he found your ability to detach from reality strangely comforting. It made you seem almost ethereal.

"you're different from anyone I've ever met before." he spoke up, his deep voice barely above a whisper, almost lost in the howling of the wind.

"you're different from anyone I've ever met before" you said back, looking at him lovingly. he smiled, a rare sight if anybody asked him but something quite common if they asked you. he was still struggling to get used to the softer side of himself that you seemed to bring out, even after all this time.

the storm was raging around you but seemed to fade into the background as he looked into your eyes.

his heart quickened, the gruff exterior faltering as he held your gaze.

"thank you for not making fun of me"

his expression softened even further, his rough exterior crumbling even more. He knew that you've been ridiculed for who you are, and he hated that.

"of course, I won't make fun of ya." he replied "I like you the way you are."

you wrap your hands around his middle; burying your face in his chest.

caught off guard by your unexpected embrace, it took logan a moment to reciprocate. hesitantly, he wraped his arms around you, holding you against him.

he could feel your head resting on his chest, his heart rate increased as he realized how intimate this moment was. the rain continued to fall around you, each drop adding to the surreal atmosphere of the moment. It created a strange sense of intimacy, the cool water running over your bodies while you held each other. he tightened his arms around you, pulling you closer to him.

"could you stay with me?" you pleaded

he hesitated for a moment, not because he didn't want to, but because he wasn't used to being asked to stay.

"Yeah." He said gruffly, his voice betraying a hint of vulnerability. "I'll stay."

"no, I mean, forever." you raised your head, looking at him. "I don't think I can live without you anymore" you confessed.

logan's heart thunders in his chest, the unexpected declaration taking him completely by surprise. his eyes widened slightly, revealing the depth of his emotions.

"forever...?" he repeated, his voice soft and almost unsure. he never thought you would ask that, but hearing those words from you, it ignited something deep within him. he looked down at you, his hand moving to gently cup your cheek.

you slowly nodded. "now that I know what it's like to be loved by you and to love you in return I don't think I can manage not to"

your words hit logan like a ton of bricks. he's never heard anyone say something so raw and heartfelt, and it hit him right in the chest. he went speechless, his heart hammered in his chest. but then, his expression softened, and he pulled you even closer against him.

"I feel the same way, darlin'," he muttered. "can't imagine not havin' you in my life anymore."

and you just smiled, because in your world, words weren't required to translate a soul. and logan wanted more than anything to be part of it, so he stayed silent and held you tightly against him, his fingers gently tracing small patterns on your back. the storm continued to rage around the both of you, but it felt right: being in his arms felt right.

logan honestly had no idea if what you just said meant that you two were an official thing but he couldn't bring himself to care over such a foolish detail. as long as he could hold you as much as he wanted, he was a happy man.

[astrolovecosmos]

Taurus is known as the peaceful bull and being an earth sign is associated with many spring-like attributes or metaphors. Taurus is the forest, wildness, Gaia, wildflowers, roaming and content cattle, sturdy like a rock or tree, grounding, and compared to the beauty of nature. Below I expand more about the sign and its relationship to spring.

Despite being a fixed sign Taurus has qualities of growth, typically slower growth based on careful decisions. They embody stability and perseverance. Their routine, predictable, and dependable nature echoes what it takes to be the "managing, passive, or continual" energy of spring.

Spring is a sensory-rich season, marked by the sights, sounds, and smells of new life. Taurus individuals, ruled by Venus, the planet of beauty and pleasure, are deeply attuned to their senses. They appreciate the sensual delights of spring, such as the vibrant colors of blooming flowers, the sound of birdsong, and the scent of fresh rain.

Spring can be a busy time for many, but the nice weather and freshness can inspire relaxation and artistic pursuits which the indulgent and creative Taurus loves. Taurus individuals feel a deep connection to the earth and its rhythms, finding solace and stability in natural surroundings. The natural world helps recharge their energies.

Taurus is a sign that avoids conflict, tries to keep things calm and realistic, is warm, appealing, and welcoming. Much like spring's reputation for nurturing life, gentleness, and tranquilness, Taurus expresses themselves through an earthy lens.

Spring is a time to embrace warmth, light, color, and beauty. Taurus individuals appreciate life's simple pleasures and loves good food, drink, and company, many enjoying outdoor gatherings, picnics, or leisurely strolls in nature.

[rockatanskette]

Semi-related to my post on how human conservation practices, but I have a cold today, and it's got me thinking about biological altruism—the biological imperative to put other creatures ahead of yourself, to benefit the group.

When talking about possible interactions with other species, we talk a lot about humans being crazy and thrill-seeking and impossible to kill. Never use a warning shot as an incentive to keep humans out of a fight; it'll just make them angry. And that's true. But a valid criticism I've seen in the "Earth is a death world" community is that according to our understanding of evolution, every planet must be some form of death world. Competition fosters evolution—the wolf with sharper claws survives when its litter mates die. You can't reach space travel without some casualties along the way.

But the dog survives because it makes friends with the strange ape carrying a sharp stick. And the strange ape survives because it befriends the wolf. Underneath the death world is an inextricable and undeniable layer of the bond world; the love world; the world, together.

I imagine some worlds are not death worlds. They're peaceful and tranquil. I suspect there are worlds far more deadly than Earth, where the skies rain diamonds, harder than any substance we know with the species to match. And I imagine that they are united in their confusion at the duality of humankind.

Today is a great example: I have a cold, and I want someone to take care of me, but the people who would are immunocompromised, also sick, or live 8 hours away, respectfully. I also want no one within the walls of my apartment or I will eat them. I feel gross, I feel tired, and I don't want a single human being anywhere near me, even if they did bring soup.

In my constant scrolling through my phone today, I decided to look up why the hell I feel so bad—why everyone feels so bad when they're ill. And the answer surprised me. I always thought it was because your immune system is active, so it's using a lot of your energy. That is part of it. Another part is that your brain and body are communicating across the blood-brain barrier to fight the infection, which is rare and energetically expensive.

But that doesn't explain everything, and according to more current research, it could also be what's called the Eyam Hypothesis: that we feel so gross, so we instinctively isolate from other people. We're too tired to deal with others, and so we don't infect them. Misanthropy for the good of the species. Of course, it can also backfire: one of the criticisms of the Eyam Hypothesis is that humans also instinctively care for each other. If my brother has a headache, I drive to the store for Advil.

Personally, I think it's a little bit of both: biological altruism. Either way, the majority live on. The first thought I had this morning when I woke up wasn't "I feel gross" it was "there's no way I'm going to work today." And while that might not be everyone's first thought, you don't even have to be a particularly altruistic person to not want to leave your home or your bed when you're sick. It's inborn.

And so when the human named Ismail comes down with a case of the interstellar common cold, his alien friend Dyos grows very concerned. Ismail is usually intensely social, almost off-puttingly so. Some crew members joke about how his quarters are for sleeping and prayer only; if he's home alone? You should be worried. But when Dyos demands an answer to the severity of Ismail's malady, the other humans just nod knowingly.

"Nah, he's okay, the medics already cleared him. It's not a severe infection."

"But there are so many...fluids. And his body has changed color."

There is a moment of confusion there until they remember that Dyos's species can see in the infrared color spectrum.

"Nah, that's just a low-grade fever. It should break in the next couple days."

"But he doesn’t want to play chess today," Dyos insists.

"Ohhhh," says human Claudia, finally understanding. "No, that's normal. Humans don't like being around other people when they're sick, it's supposed to be one of the major evolutionary advantages. Protect your community from your illness and the genes live on."

"So we're just going to leave him alone?" Dyos is troubled by this. He can go for weeks without speaking to another life form, but he has seen Ismail grow despondent when unable to participate in social gathering.

"Oh, no," human Claudia says, laughing. "We're going to employ one of the other most longstanding human evolutionary advantages."

There are many to choose from and Dyos settles on, "middle age?"

"Sort of," human Claudia opens up a small shipping container and holds up a brown paper bag tied with a colorful ribbon. It glows brightly in Dyos's vision, almost as brightly as human Claudia's smile. "His nanni's hot soup, express delivery."

[aquaticmercy]

Comfortable and Easy

Summary : You are the only person Bucky could ever spend a domestic evening with.

Pairing : Bucky Barnes x tall!reader (she/her) 

Warnings/tags : lots of fluff! 

Requested by : @sapphirebarnes

Word count : 1.1k

Note : I wrote this with a reader taller than Bucky in mind, but it isn’t the central theme of the story. I love the idea of Bucky being loved with no strings attached, and he definitely deserves it. Enjoy!

Requests are open!

○ buy me a ko-fi ○

The sky was clearing after a long spell of rain outside the Brooklyn apartment you and Bucky shared, the one you had moved in nearly almost a year ago now. The rhythmic pattern of the last raindrops against the windows were composing a peaceful soundtrack to your night in. You had spent most of the afternoon tangled together on the couch, watching the world turn. The concrete jungle outside felt like a distant and dangerous world, but being here with Bucky always felt like being wrapped up in a soft, fluffy blanket that would protect you from all incoming threats to humanity.

You stretched your legs, placing your calves on Bucky’s thigh comfortably as he sat with a book resting in his lap. The sweet smell of rain mixed with the musk of his aftershave filled the room, and you couldn't help but smile at how peaceful, how domestic, he seemed. With his line of work, you only really really got to experience the domestic side of Bucky in between long stretches of mission, when there was enough time for him to settle into home life.

“Buck?” you called softly, your voice settling like a wave in the comfortable silence of the echoey room.

“Hmm?” he tilted his head to glance at you, putting down the copy of I, Robot he was reading.

“Do you ever just stop and think about how small we are?” you asked.

Bucky furrowed his brow, the corners of his lips twitching in confused smiles. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, in the grand scheme of things. The universe... all of it,” you said, your gaze fixed on a bright star in a distant galaxy, wondering if Thor, or if that silly little raccoon boy that stole your boyfriend’s arm was on a planet orbiting it. “We’re just tiny specks of dust in the galaxy. It’s so silly that we even worry about anything at all.”

He was quiet for a moment, taking in your words. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, glancing at you, amused. “You’re taller than me, and you’re sitting here talking about how small we are.”

You giggled, nudging him lightly with your feet. “I guess I’m not used to the feeling.”

There was a soft chuckle from Bucky as he leaned back into the couch, pulling you close so your body was against his, the warmth of his body radiating against yours. “Maybe we don’t always have to be the big ones,” he murmured, his voice soft but teasing. “Maybe it’s okay to let the universe win this time.”

Part of him was serious, like he needed to not matter for the second. Being who he is, with the influence he has and the pressure weighing on his shoulders, maybe he needed to feel small, to keep his sanity. To keep him grounded.

Lucky for him, conversations like this do. You keep him grounded.

You laughed quietly. “Alright, alright,” you said, placing a quick kiss on his jawline. “I’ll stop getting all existential on you.”

“I kinda like it,” he admitted with a grin.

The silence returned, comfortable and easy. 

Later, as you both moved around the kitchen to cook dinner, you once again saw a part of Bucky that nobody else would rarely, if ever, see. He was light-footed around the room, humming an old 1940’s song that he had played on the speaker. 

You didn't know the words, and you didn't need to. Watching Bucky mutter the words were sweet enough.

You couldn’t resist sneaking small kisses on Bucky’s forehead. It was something you did often, especially when you were both in the kitchen together. The slight difference in your height made it easy for you to press your lips against his temple, so much that it had become second nature. 

You caught the subtle twitch of his lips each time your lips touched his skin, pretending not to notice, but his fond smile was betraying his clueless act.

These moments—when things were simple and easy and fluid—was when you saw the real Bucky. The one who allowed himself to let go of his guard, to be kissed, teased, and loved so freely, without restraint.

Laughter swelled in the air, comfortable and easy. 

After dinner, the two of you settled back on the couch, this time with the glow of the TV illuminating the dark living room, the only other source of light a yellow, calming lamp in the corner of the room. Bucky’s head rested on your lap, eyes half-closed as your fingers absently threaded through his thick dark locks.

“This feel okay?” you asked softly, glancing down at him. You knew for a fact he didn’t mind showing affection—he even adored it from time to time—you always liked to check in, just to be sure. To show that whatever thoughts swirled in his head mattered.

“More than okay,” Bucky replied with a sleepy smile.

You continued to gently stroke his hair, amazed at how a man with such complexity was drowning in the simple intimacy of it all. These moments made you cherish the quiet spaces between the chaos of his work life, of the world around you. The world was always moving too fast, too loud, and too overwhelming— but when it was just the two of you, things slowed down to a manageable pace.

Bucky opened one eye, glancing up at you. “You know, this is the one time I get to feel small,” he mentioned. 

“Oh?” You raised an eyebrow, lines of amusement painted on your face by his rare admittance. “How does it feel?”

“Kind of nice, actually.” He said with a soft chuckle. 

You couldn’t help but grin as you leaned down to plant a kiss on his forehead. “Good.”

He caught your hand in his between his metal and human ones, pressing a soft kiss to your palm. 

You knew that, for Bucky, it wasn’t easy to let his guard down—to let someone close enough to make him feel vulnerable. But with you, he didn’t have to be the Winter Soldier, he didn't have to be the man struggling to piece his life back together in the modern world. He could just be plain old Bucky.

It was a small moment, but it carried so much weight. For Bucky, being small wasn’t about feeling weak. It was about letting go of the damn near impossible standards he had set for himself. It was about realising that he didn’t have to carry the world alone. You had seen him at his worst, at his most guarded, but you’ve also seen him vulnerable, content, and quietly allowing himself to be cared for and loved. 

“I love you,” he mumbled, eyes closed as he began to drift off.

You smiled softly. “I love you too, James.”

The warmth of love found its way to Bucky’s chest, comfortable and easy. 

-end

[exactlycleverpirate]

(Over) Analyzing the Love and Deepspace Theme Song

“Some long for longevity

Before fading to dust

Some long for eternal sleep

And eulogy chanted by stars

Into that serenity

Their lost time forever buried

She rambled a thousand times

And million miles

Searching for her light

Free from the rule of death

Now seem so dull

Time goes by but memories rewind

Here she prays again

Back when things began

Where to go

Where they meet and grow old

Where no rivers would flow

No woods would grow

No life would never be ceased

Or somewhere they could start again

Where they would never be the same

Where rains everyday

Fain they would stay

Some forsake longevity

Then fading to dust

Some fall for eternal sleep

Their eulogies turn into gleaming stars

Will they meet in stars again

Or gone with the wind”

Spoilers under the cut.

Some long for longevity

Before fading to dust

I think this line could be a reference to the people of Philos, especially the ones on Earth. The Backtrackers are trying to find a way to prolong Philos and their lives with it. When Xavier cuts down the man in the alley, he dissolves into dust. The planet is dying and has no oceans. The whole planet is described as being dustier than Earth was. The imagery during the video for these lines is of the galaxy. 

The Wanderers also fade to dust when they are cut down. In fact, the first scene we see of Xavier in the game is him cutting down Wanderers and them dispersing into light.

Additionally, there are people on Earth who are trying to achieve immortality, particularly those who are using Lemurian blood to prolong their lives. Meanwhile, in Fragrant Dream, Rafayel dissolves into sea foam to save MC. (But this could be a bit of a stretch.)

Some long for eternal sleep

And eulogy chanted by stars

Eternal sleep is a common theme throughout this game. Zanye falls into eternal sleep in his myth. Rafayel will also fall into eternal sleep in his myth if something doesn't change. Meanwhile, Xavier is suspiciously tired all the time. 

Particularly telling is that these lines coincide with a silhouette of Xavier in the video, as well as a starry expanse. The implication seems to be that Xavier is longing for that eternal sleep. Which wouldn't be terribly surprising. He has been living and fighting and losing the person he loves over and over for a very long time.

A eulogy is something written or spoken to remember those who have died. In this case, the stars themselves are the ones speaking the memories. It makes me think of old mythology where great heroes and demi-gods would be immortalized in constellations when they died.

I think this segment is also connected to Wanderers, and Xavier's story is particularly tied to Wanderers. I think it is very possible that whatever humanity remains in the Wanderers wants to be at rest, finally. I think there is likely relief when Xavier (and Zayne in his 3rd Anecdote), set them free to finally rest in peace.

Into that serenity

Their lost time forever buried

Here, the video shows us a silhouette of Zayne, and behind him is Mt. Eternal. At the end of his myth, Zayne has slipped into the serenity of eternal sleep, buried under a snowy blizzard. Additionally, at the end of the Main Story chapter 8, we see Zayne interacting with something buried under ice.

Even before this, in Zayne's Myth, they lose time again and again as their memories are erased, and they are reset. Additionally, there is some time weirdness going on between Doctor Zayne and Dawnbreaker Zayne. 

She rambled a thousand times

And million miles

Searching for her light

The video shows planet Earth rotating and a sun rising over the horizon. This is clearly about MC, traveling worlds and times, resurrecting again and again, searching for her love(s), her freedom, her memories. Particularly poignant is Queen MC at the end of Xavier’s Myth, thinking about how her star is gone.

Free from the rule of death

Now seem so dull

Time goes by but memories rewind

This section is paired with Rafayel's silhouette in the video. It is hard to make out the background, but I think it is an underwater city, presumably Lemuria. Lemurians are naturally eternal/immortal. As far as we have seen so far, they are the only people in the game who come by this naturally (unless this is a result of that ancient Lemurian technology, but either way, immortality is literally in their blood).

Rafayel may die, but the implication through his content seems to be that when he does die, he will merge into the waters of the ocean and one day be reincarnated. He is free from the rule of death, but over and over in his stories and behavior, we see that he is bored. Life has become dull (particularly without MC). He talks of death as a blessing for Lemurians in Whalefall Lament.

Something that is an important reoccurring theme throughout Rafayel's content is memories. MC has forgotten him, which he is very frustrated about. In Fragrant Dream, she has forgotten him as well, and restoring her memories and humanity costs Rafayel his life. In his myth, Rafayel tries to erase her memories to protect her, but she remembers anyway, and tells him she is not someone who easily forgets (which seems a little ironic, given how much she has forgotten across times and tales). 

Rafayel also seems to have the potential to have the oldest memories with her. Where Xavier’s memories are primarily in the future, I think it likely that many of Rafayel's are in the past (though not the myth). If I were to have each man represent an aspect of time, I would say Xavier is future, Zayne is present, and Rafayel is past. And I think we see that connection here with memories rewinding.

I will add that MC has lost memories of all 3 men throughout her various stories, though I would argue that current day MC has primarily lost memories of Rafayel, as she only met Zayne after the Chronorift Catastrophe, and most of her story with Xavier is set in the future, but present day MC has only just met him (aside from a brief encounter during the Chronorift Catastrophe).

Here she prays again

Back when things began

The video at this part once more shows a galaxy/starry expanse. 

I'm inclined to say this is also connected to Rafayel's story, though I'm not sure. There are two different gods we see mentioned in Love and Deepspace, the God of the Sea (Rafayel) and Astra. Though this could refer to praying at the shrines and things of that nature just in general, praying for luck, well being, help, etc. 

But I do think it is interesting that in Rafayel’s myth, there is a suggestion that she is/was a follower/devotee/worshiper of the Sea God. Adding to that my thoughts that Rafayel has the oldest connection, and the “back when things began” is a good fit too. However, Xavier’s Anecdote 3 can also be seen as a beginning, particularly of the time-loop they seem to be trapped in now.

Where to go

On this line, the video flashes through the locations of each of the myths. First the city in the Golden Sands of Rafayel's myth, then the castle in Philos where Xavier is, and finally the Tower of Thorns where Zayne is trapped.

Where they meet and grow old

Where no rivers would flow

Here, we again see Rafayel in the video. Of my experience going through the content, Rafayel is the most blatant and consistent about wanting to spend his life with MC, and even refers to her as his bride in the myth. Thus we have connected with him the longing to grow old with MC. To have her beside him throughout his life. Indeed, I think he gave her his heart because he knew otherwise they would one day be separated by her truly dying, and he wanted to make her immortal like himself, so she could live on with him, over the course of their lives.

Rivers flowing is a plain reference to the city in the Golden Sands that is the source for 64 rivers, yet the land has no ocean. All water, at least in that area, flows from the city, which happens to be where MC is essentially imprisoned in order to protect the immortality of the people of Philos. The people of Philos, at least in the Golden Sands, hoard the water, MC, and immortality, all of which they have essentially stolen from Rafayel.

No woods would grow

No life would never be ceased

Here we go to Zayne. Honestly, I would have expected “no woods would grow” to be connected to Xavier and Starfall Forest. And while that may be a part of it, the video seems to make a direct link to the thorns in the Tower of Thorns instead.

“No life would never be ceased” is particularly interesting for Zayne. It works well as a connecting theme between Doctor Zayne, Dawnbreaker Zayne, and Myth Zayne. 

Doctor Zayne is haunted by every patient he loses, keeping a tally of them to remember. He is particularly haunted by the death of William on Mt. Eternal. And he is frantically researching to find a way to prevent MC’s life from ceasing as well. Additionally, Zayne has an underlying anxiety of protecting MC from himself, and he seems to be a ticking time bomb with whatever is going on with his Evol.

Dawnbreaker Zayne ends life after life rather than allowing these people to devolve into monsters. However, he longs for Doctor Zayne's life, where he could save others instead of simply putting them out of their misery.

Meanwhile, Myth Zayne has watched MC die again and again and again, failing to save her each time, until he finally breaks the loop, sacrificing his life for hers.

Or somewhere they could start again

Where they would never be the same

Here we come to Xavier. He and MC fell in love when they were young (comparatively), but it quickly ended in tragedy. When he is reunited with her in his myth, it looks at first like they might have a chance of being together this time. But then he learns the truth behind Philos, Wanderers, and MC’s connection to it all, and all his focus and energy goes into saving her, rather than their relationship. Indeed, even in Anecdote 3, Xavier sacrifices his precious remaining time with her in a desperate bid to find a way to save her life. 

This appears to be true in the Main Story as well. Rather than prioritizing a relationship with you, he is trying to find a way to save you, both current you and the Queen he left behind on Philos. If only there were a way to break from this cycle. To start from the beginning, without the fighting, heartache, and loss, and just be together. Where he didn't have to say goodbye to her in a desperate bid to keep her alive.

Where rains everyday

Fain they would stay

This takes us back to Rafayel. Rafayel loves the rain, forgoing umbrellas to enjoy being soaked. And deserts, such as the Golden Sands, desperately need rain. So where is a place where the rains would be glad to stay? Where water is abundant, life giving, and free, rather than hoarded, trapped, and closely guarded? Somewhere the Lemurians can live freely without being hunted or enslaved? Where MC is not trapped in a fancy cage to be used as a battery for a whole planet?

“Fain they would stay” also goes back to Zayne in the video. Where is somewhere that he and MC can stay together, where he doesn't feel the need to pull away to keep her safe? Where they aren't pulled apart by divine or cosmic forces?

Following this is an instrumental section where we see the Deepspace Tunnel, then Mt. Eternal (Zayne), the coast of Hat Island (Rafayel), and Tracback II (Xavier).

Some forsake longevity

Then fading to dust

Some fall for eternal sleep

Their eulogies turn into gleaming stars

During this segment, there is a galaxy in the background that slowly grows into the distinct shape of an eye. (Such as the eye MC sees outside her window, the eyes of the drones around the city, the red eyes of the raven in the forest, the eye of Astra given to Zayne so he could see through time.)

And now we come full circle. We started with those wanting longevity rather than becoming dust, but here we come to those willing to give up their longevity to fade to dust. Similarly, we started with those longing for eternal sleep and eulogies in the stars, and here we have those who fall into that eternal sleep, and their eulogies are in fact etched into the stars.

I think all of this is an indication of how all three of these men, Rafayel, Zayne, and Xavier, are willing to give to their lives, their longevity, their immortality, for MC. And their heroic sacrifices are of the sort that are etched into the very stars, like those mythological heroes of ancient times.

Will they meet in stars again

Or gone with the wind

We see Xavier interacting with what appears to be a wrecked Traceback II or similar machinery. We see Zayne at Mt. Eternal under an aurora, either freezing or excavating something (a protocore?) buried in the ice there. And we see Rafayel working on his painting that seems to depict a mermaid tale in an underwater city, then he vanishes, leaving the painting covered in a bloody red.

These are the final scenes for these characters at the end of chapter 8.

Meeting in the stars seems particularly connected to Xavier, as he has a consistent star theme throughout his stories. Connecting to the earlier idea of constellations and mythological heroes, there are a number of versions of loved ones who could not meet/reunite on Earth, but were able to find each other as stars (i.e. Gemini, Vega and Altair, Andromeda and Perseus (less tragic), and some others too, I think.)

What I find particularly interesting is the reference to the wind. In the prologue of the Main Story, the voice on the radio tells us the winds are at 5 km/hr. In the epilogue of Chapter 8, the radio voice says the winds are at 7 k/m. In both the epilogue and the song, the mention of wind coincides with wind blowing through Rafayel's house as he works on his painting and then vanishes. Gone with the wind. Leaving a bloody sea behind.

Give me your thoughts, corrections, additions, what-have-you in the comments or PM me!

[ruruumin]

as the world caves in

₊˚ ᗢ thief! alhaitham x partner in crime! gn! reader.

⤷ in your final moments, he cherishes what he has left (tw; blood/reincarnation)

alhaitham is a rational soul. he would never jump into things so willy-nilly. so haphazardly. everything he does in his day is meticulously planned out. from the clothes he wears in the morning to his usual coffee order, it’s all thoughtfully deliberate and followed through. he doesn’t like specific smells or noises. he hates it when people approach him without a reason. and most of all, he despises when things don’t go as planned.

despite all of this, he is lying on the ground, holding your hand tightly as the two of you stare up at the beautifully decorated ceiling. in a dog-eat-dog planet, he has set aside his rationality in search of a better world. one where you could live happily together. without burdens or fears, he could love you with nothing else. he could build you that cottage you so dreamed of. live together with you in peace, kissing the side of your head when he comes home from a regular job.

the chandelier lights look like glowing stars, you say, breathing heavily as you squeeze the side of your stomach. blood oozes from your gunshot wound. it coats every fiber of your clothes, seeping into the cracks of your thumbprint. your head is ringing. was it the sound of raining bullets, or was exhaustion finally catching up to you? 

they do, don’t they? alhaitham was in no better shape. his leg is crushed underneath a fallen boulder. he could hardly feel his muscles at this point. and while you tried with your best efforts to move it off of him, the wound buried in your body contracted with pain. there wasn’t much to do. time was ticking. if you weren’t going to die here, you would surely perish behind cold bars. 

this singular moment might be the only peace you’ll get. so you laid down beside him, even when he protested, to admire the bright lights above. this was enough. you want to stay with him. and he can’t say anything about it. he would have done the same thing too.

squeezing his hand tighter, you tell him this might be the last time you see each other. he choked up a laugh, masking the sob he almost slipped. this really was it. you’re both going to die here. he wishes he could have done more for you. if he was just a little smarter, things wouldn’t have come down to this. but if he were to say that out loud, you’d only laugh, telling him that he is the smartest man you know. 

and yet he’s a fool when he's with you. he should have been more careful. with you bleeding out by his side, and him slowly succumbing to his injuries, he wants to cry. i’m sorry, i should have been more careful. 

slowly turning your body over, you face him. your hand reaches out to caress his cheek. he winces a little, having been punched rather hard by a guard. a bruise was already beginning to form on the surface of his skin. you did everything right. 

did i?

you did. you give him a comforting smile. i’ve had the best three years of my life with you. and i’m happy that i’m still with you right now. i can’t imagine a more perfect person to be with, alhaitham.

he tries to lighten the mood. he forces laughs with his jaw still tightening up in worry. you’re in love with a criminal. he thinks your mother might be disappointed to hear you’ve fallen in love with such a horrible man. 

a rather handsome one, that is. you pinch his fingers, to which he finally turns to look you in the eye. the color turquoise engulfs you, captivating you with ease. the raining debris was nothing more than white noise in the presence of his love.

i’m not a very rich man. 

who said you needed to be? 

he has a disappointed expression. a moment of silence happens for his thoughts. if i was, i could have given you the life i promised. you could live in peace, away from these people. with me, i hope. 

are you saying our little hideaway place isn’t good enough? you must have some high standards.

it is a dingy old building i found next to the port. you can’t seriously believe this is the best i could give you, right? he knows it's futile to bait you into saying the words he wants. you love him more than he could ever comprehend. he just wants to hear it again, and again. he wants to hear more coming out of your mouth.

your giggle breaks him out of his stupor. of course not. but everything we’ve been through, the freedom we had… isn’t that perfect? you close your eyes for a moment. do you still believe in reincarnation, habibi?

only because you do. 

then, you open your eyes, a determined and hopeful look washing over you, i hope can meet again. we can move into our perfect house. with kaveh, of course. it can be us three in the same house. we can have our kitchen. no more fighting rats for food.

his hand raises itself to cover the top half of his face. he laughs, this time, for real. you still want him? he’s a cat for god’s sake, can animals reincarnate? what if he turns into some kind of bird? i won’t pick him up if hes a dirty stray again.

kaveh was a stray, orange-gold cat you found on your early adventures. you remember it quite well, despite a bullet wound in your side and a raging headache. it was after your third bank robbery that you came across this muddy, brown box. having been abandoned by his previous owners, alhaitham was hesitant to adopt him. but seeing how happy he made you feel, and how much kaveh warmed up the hideout, he couldn’t deny you this.

don’t be like that. even if he is a bird, we’ll still love him. you skid your way closer to him, now shoulder to shoulder. and, despite everything we’ve been through, i’ll always love you. so i hope we’ll see each other again. if that happens, i’ll make sure to do more for you.

you’ve already given me enough. if anything, i should be the one saying that. 

wrapping his only good arm around you, he leans downwards, breathing in the scent of your hair. it's covered in dirt and char, but the familiar smell of your shampoo reminds him of home. the building rumbles once and twice before everything comes crashing down. the chandelier coming off of its last chains and breaking. shard of glass glittered for its final time, as you and him sucked in your last breath.

…

“for archon's sake, if you’re going to leave your clothes around, at least keep them in the comfort of your room! i cannot believe how often i have to clean up after you!” kaveh threw his hands up, “you–you’re nothing more but a fungus!”

“fungi are quite intelligent. thanks for the compliment.” 

“w-well, fungi also grow next to dirty toilets!” 

opening the door, you walk in with a bag of groceries. immediately, alhaitham leaves kaveh in the living room, standing up from the couch to approach you. he grabs most of the bags, ignoring the way his blond senior raises his voice in annoyance. however, it doesn’t take him long to drop the argument, seeing that you purchased a new bottle of wine. 

he approaches the two of you carefully like a cat, eyes lingering on the bottle as you giggle, rolling your eyes at his enthusiasm. 

“i’m home.”

“welcome home.” 

[zarithial]

YIPPEEEEEEEE

@zarithial Does this satisfy you

[rainandandy]

Mercy

Pairings: Rain Carradine X Fem!Reader

Warnings: Mentions of violence

Word Count:894

The days on Jackson’s Star were long and laden with mist and moisture, the smog a perpetual shroud that dimmed the sun to a distant, faded myth. The fields where you, Rain, and her synthetic brother Andy worked were muddy and strewn with scraps ejected from Jackson's Rings, each piece a remnant of the cosmos that had somehow found its way to the surface of your dreary world.

Life here was hard, but it was life nonetheless, and you found solace in the fresh air—a rare commodity in the cramped quarters of the mining sectors. Rain was the one bright spot in the relentless drudgery, her laughter echoing over the fields, blending with the sound of raindrops hitting the broad leaves of the bio-crops. Andy, ever the source of amusement, kept spirits high with his endless supply of dad jokes, even though his stutter sometimes made the punchlines land with a delay.

One damp morning, as you pulled weeds from the soil, Rain shared stories her father had told her of distant planets, her voice wistful. "He used to talk about Elysium’s oceans that sparkled under three suns, almost like they were made of liquid diamonds," she mused, her eyes distant with dreams.

You smiled, wiping the mud from your hands onto your pants. "When we save enough hours, we’ll go there, Rain. Just you and me... and Andy," you promised, though the dream felt as distant as the stars themselves.

"And I’ll have a horse," Andy piped up, pausing his work to chime in. "And be a cowboy. No more directives, just freedom."

"And a garden," Rain added, turning to you with a soft smile. "A real one, with earth and not this fabricated sludge. Maybe a dog or two."

You nodded, your heart swelling with the shared dream. "And peace," you added. "A life where we wake up with no alarms, no officers, no quotas... just us."

This vision sustained you, a beacon through the monotony. But dreams on Jackson’s Star were fragile things, easily shattered.

The incident happened on a day like any other, under a sky that couldn't decide if it wanted to storm or relent. Andy was scavenging through the piles of scrap metal when a jagged piece lodged into his side. His systems sparked erratically, and his voice glitched as he called out, "Rain, I—I need—"

The field officer, a man named Burke who made no secret of his disdain for synthetics, saw the incident not as an accident but as an opportunity. His approach was swift and brutal. "Useless piece of junk!" he spat, kicking at Andy, who was already down.

"No!" Rain screamed, rushing to shield Andy with her own body.

Driven by a mix of fear for Andy’s well-being and fury at Burke’s cruelty, you intervened, stepping between Andy and the officer. "Stop! He's hurt, but he’s not harming anyone!"

Burke’s response was immediate and violent. His fists were heavy and his hatred palpable as he turned his aggression towards you. Rain’s pleas for him to stop were drowned out by the sound of the plummeting rain and your own grunts and screams of pain.

After what felt like an eternity, Burke stepped back, sneering. "Consider this a warning," he growled, his gaze sweeping from you to Rain and then to the malfunctioning Andy. "Don't step out of line."

By the time he’d left, you were bruised and shaken, Rain and a malfunctioning Andy helping you back to your quarters. Rain’s hands were gentle as she cleaned your wounds, her eyes stormy with unshed tears. "I'm sorry," she murmured, her touch delicate on your bruised skin.

"It’s not your fault," you managed to say, though anger simmered within you, hot and fierce.

That night, Rain didn’t leave your side, her presence a silent vow of protection and care. Despite the pain, you felt a profound sense of love for her, a bond forged and repeatedly tested in the fires of hardship.

The next morning, however, brought fresh challenges. As you limped back to the fields, hoping to avoid further trouble, the officer awaited with a grim expression. "Due to your interference, you've been reassigned," he declared, his voice devoid of sympathy. "Effective immediately, you will report to the mines."

The news hit like a physical blow. The mines were a death sentence, a place where disease and accidents claimed lives with merciless frequency. Rain's face went pale, her lips parting in a silent gasp of horror.

"No, you can’t do this!" Rain argued vehemently. "We’ll take it to the council. We’ll appeal!"

But the officer’s decision was final, backed by the cold authority of Weyland-Yutani. As you turned to face Rain, your heart sank. Going to the mines might mean never seeing her or Andy again, never realizing those simple dreams of a peaceful life together.

"I’ll find a way back to you," you promised, the words thick with emotion. "Wait for me."

Rain nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks as she pulled you into a desperate embrace. "Always," she whispered. "I’ll wait forever if I have to."

As you were escorted away, the look in Rain's eyes—a mix of fierce determination and heartbreaking sadness—was the last image you carried with you into the depths of the mines. It was a promise, a beacon of hope that no amount of darkness could completely extinguish.