nova skies

[novadrift]

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ this is a study in space, time, and the journey across

dario cardenas: twenty-six. clerk at space gamers. michael cimino fc. reverie lovelace: twenty-nine. nail tech & hairstylist at avatar editor. ashley moore fc. mateo ramirez: thirty-four. counsellor at mental health centre. taylor zakhar perez fc.

[nebulouslover]

Bo nodded his head. He had thought as much, thought that the most popular simulations would likely end up being the experiences that everyone had just willingly left behind on Earth. "I wonder if that'll do us any good," he mused. "I wonder if it'll make people feel satisfied about their decision, or if it'll make 'em regret it." Bo was speaking as if he wasn't a passenger on the starship himself; it clearly hadn't hit him, not just yet, which made sense considering that he was a last minute sign up for the voyage.

He chuckled at the other's words about not wanting to participate in the VR adventures just yet. "Yeah, I get ya. I could never drive in the first place, and the water gives me the heebie jeebies nowadays." A shudder came over him. "Oh this little thing?" Bo wasn't offended to be asked about his black eye; it was incredibly obvious, and he'd have likely done the same thing if in the other position. "This is nothing. You should see the other guy," he dismissed it with a nonchalant shrug and a mischievous smile - even while there was nothing mischievous or smile worthy about the truth. "It's why I'm not getting into any of this shit just yet, though. Worried it'll just hurt."

[novadrift]

Darío shrugged, “I’m not sure. I would keep an eye on those that seem to be repeat costumers to those things. They might be feeling homesick and need someone to lean on.” He looked back to the machines, tilting his head a it, curiously looking it over. It was fascinating to him how everyone was so eager to get off earth, to leave it all behind, off for a brand new adventure with new things to try, only for them to suck themselves right out of the experience and quickly dive right back into it. He doesn’t think he’ll ever want it, though, because he truly couldn’t get far enough from earth. “Well,” he says, mostly thinking out loud, “I would be sucked in if they started offering concert experiences. That would be neat.”

He looks back at the guys eye, softly chuckling at his response. “I can only imagine what he looks like.“ The other before him seemed nice, friendly at least, it made him wonder what could’ve caused the altercation. And he was very curious to know what the other guy looked like, though he imagined him with two black eyes. “I can only imagine what he looks like. I’m sure he deserved it.” He stepped a little closer to the other guy, studying his black eyes for a second. “It might be uncomfortable, but nothing I don’t think you can handle. You got punched in the face, right? And, hey, if you want to ever pair up I can take us on a virtual drive.” He wasn’t sure if you could duo in the VR machine but the offer was there. “Ocean might take me a second. It also gives me the heebie jeebies.” There is a brief paused before, “I’m Dario. It’s nice to meet you…um?” He gives the stranger a second to introduce himself, or not, before continuing, “If you don’t plan to join the VR experience, do you want to see what else we can get into?”

[purepinotnoir]

Closed starter for Mateo @novadrift Setting: Starlight Park

Jin had found the park mostly by accident, following a corridor he hadn’t tried yet until it opened up into something that felt familiar and new at the same time. He took a moment to take it in, the green, the simulated warmth on his face, the smell of something that wasn’t just recycled ship air… He hadn’t realised how much he’d missed this until now. Jin was many things, but an outdoorsy person he was not. However, being on a space ship might just turn him into one. 

He found a relatively quiet spot under a tree, and was sitting with his back against the bark, headphones half on, half off, and watched the light filter through the leaves of the tree  he was leaning against. That’s when he saw him, just casually sitting on a bench, in all his… perfection. It took Jin a moment to realise who he was looking at, and he almost let out the first and only gasp of his life when he realised where he had seen him before. (No, it wasn’t actually on the cover of a magazine, but the man certainly belonged on one). 

Jin blinked. Surely not… right? No. That was definitely Mateo. He could pick those lashes and lips out from a line-up anywhere. Of all the places Jin thought he’d ever run into one of his past hook-ups, a god damn space ship was definitely not one of them. The corner of Jin’s mouth pulled up despite himself, and he stood up from his spot under the tree. 

“You know, if you wanted my number you could have just asked.” Jin said as he slipped into the seat on the bench next to Mateo, casually leaning his arm on the back of it as his body was turned to face the other man. “Following me onto a space ship is a new one.” He added playfully. Definitely not unwelcome, though, he thought to himself.

[novadrift]

Mateo didn’t look up right away when Jin’s voice cut through the quiet, he kept his attention focused on his cosmo link, just letting the corner of his lips curl ever so slightly as the other's voice settled in his mind. He let them sink, like ink, into his skin and dissolve into his veins. If they hadn't been in public, Mat would have surely shoved Jin against the nearest surface for a kiss by now. He'd be a liar if he said he hadn't thought about that night repeatedly, despite telling himself it was just a really fun time. Perhaps he was imagining the other's voice, god knows he's tried to hold on to what it sounded like since he last heard it, or maybe the cosmos were playing a rather cruel prank on him.

There was only one way to find out.

He turned his head, lashes lifting, and there he was—those soft, familiar eyes, his scent clouded him, he had to remind himself of self-restraint for a split second. Despite what he felt internally, externally was an entirely differently person. “Hello, Jin,” he murmured, like he was tasting the moment, that name on his tongue, more than reacting to it. He shifted, angling himself a little more toward Jin, arm draping across the back of the bench. He wanted to touch him, if only to make sure he was real. “I mean… if I had followed you,” he says, voice lilting with quiet amusement, “I’d at least like to think I’d be more subtle about it.” A small pause, just enough for the tease to breathe. “But who knows. I’ve heard space does funny things to people. Makes them do bold, questionable, incredibly romantic things.” His gaze flickered over Jin’s face, unhurried, recommitting him to memory.

“Truth is, I just like being out here,” he admits, looking back out towards the park. “Reminds me of home a little. Fresh air—or, you know, the ship’s best attempt at it. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite spots." A faint smile tugged at his lips again. “Didn’t expect to run into you, though. But I’m not exactly complaining. Some things are worth crossing a few galaxies for.” He tilted his head slightly, returning his gaze to Jin, eyes bright with a sense of mischief. “So tell me,” Mateo hummed, nudging just a little closer without quite closing the space, “was I so bad that it made you leave earth?”

[lullabiesinorbit]

status: open @pigeonstart

location: observatory

on days that kermit isn't working, he likes to spend some of his time in the observatory. he finds a sense of peace in being able to look out into the vastness of space, like somehow, he just knows everything will be okay when he looks out there. it's a silly thought, but it provides him some comfort, leaving earth wasn't an easy choice for him.

he hadn't been able to sleep much, tossing and turning in his bed, so he decided to come here. it had to be the very early hours of the morning, but then again, time didn't really matter here. he looks into the screen displaying footage of outer space, sitting cross-legged in front of it. when he hears footsteps approaching, he turns his head in their direction. "morning. or...whatever time it is here. i didn't think anyone would be up this early. you have trouble sleeping too?"

[novadrift]

Mateo had been having a hard time adjusting to a regular sleeping schedule here. It was like having the ultimate form of jet lag, except he was almost positive it would never truly go away. When he wasn’t sitting in his room waiting for a certain someone to reach out to him, or if he wasn’t at work, Mateo told himself he would visit at least one new place every day. Today was the observatory, a place he’s been dying to get to since his first night on the ship, a place he knew would quickly become a safe haven for him. It was one thing to be on a space ship, it was another thing to get to see that view of space.

Even now, it surprised him how small he really was in the grand scheme of life. As he walked further into the room he finds himself surprised to have stumbled upon another person already there. It wasn’t too surprising, really, but he just wasn’t expecting to find someone else awake during the time it felt everyone else was sound asleep. “Hey,” he greets, voice soft and gentle, approaching the other. “Good morning, evening, whatever time of the day you wish it to be. I just hope it’s a good one so far.” He looked from the guy to the display, “I don’t think I’ll ever get the hang of proper sleep. I didn’t back on earth and it seems less likely up here, ya know?” He chuckled, softly, looking back to the other. “And you? By the way, if it’s okay, can I sit with you?”

[nebulouslover]

Open starter for @pigeonstart Located at Another World Virtual Reality Centre

Bo wasn't feeling particularly ready to to dive into any virtual reality scenarios just yet, not with the throbbing shiner consuming a great part of his face. The thought of encasing a black eye in those goggles made him wince, but even so, he had come to check out what was available. He had been an avid enjoyer of VR games back on Earth, and while he was excited about his new adventure in his real life, he thought that it was only a matter of time before he'd be going back to his old habits.

Turning to the person beside him, the only one in the vicinity not suited up for or in the middle of a virtual reality, Bo cocked his head to the side. "What d'you reckon the most popular experience in here will be by the end of the voyage? Like, the most popular reality people will be going in to?"

[novadrift]

“Believe it or not, I think it’s going to be the most earth like things. Walking around the stars is great, except there are stars all around us, but scuba diving? Driving? Now that’s…” he wagged his finger in the other guy’s direction, “that’s different. Suddenly we don’t have the luxury of getting in a car and taking off. There are no oceans out here, unlike on earth. And now, when we suddenly don’t have access to those very day things we used to, I think people will want them more. Either homesick or they will want something they can’t have.”

He lowered his hand, letting it fall back to his side, looking around again. “Personally, I’m not ready to detach myself from here just yet. Driving? I’ve had my fill. Scuba diving? The ocean terrified me more than the idea of the vastness of space.” Curiously he looks back to the other guy, tilting his head a bit sideways. “I am far too curious about what adventures I can find here, I guess. Speaking of curiosity, what happened to your eye?”

[starchildrcn]

who: brontë hart & diego cardenas ( @novadrift ) where: the grocer

Brontë smacked her gum -- probably louder than necessary -- as she waited in the long line at the grocer. All she wanted was this single box of sugary cereal, her favorite snack from back home that she would eat dry straight out of the box. Except she must have come at the worst time possible because it seemed like everyone and their mom was getting groceries today. She sighed, but then the view of the Cosmo Link on the person in front of her caught her eye. No way. "Oh my God!" She exclaimed, jutting her own arm out next to the guy's, whose purple hazard glowed just a shade or two darker than her own. "Our...tattoo link thingies! Twin!" Her frustration turned to delight immediately as she squealed.

[novadrift]

Dario was on a mission. He needed to stock up on snacks and his favorite quick fix meal. That was it. That’s all it was supposed to be, just a quick run to the grocer, but apparently half the ship had the same idea. Maybe when things settled down it won’t be so hectic trying to get a few things or maybe this was supposed to be the exact experience of a grocery store on earth. He was mid reach for a box of cereal, pausing half way, when he hears a voice that seems to be directed in his direction. “I didn’t do it!” Was the first thing to fall out of his mouth before he turned to see the familiar looking cosmo link, one that mirrored his own, being shown to him. Instantly he lights up and points to the other. “Soul twin!” He laughed, grinning from ear to ear. “This can only mean that we are either destined to be united or enemies. There can be no middle ground.” His gaze trails over to the box of cereal he was reaching for, the last sugary one on the shelf, then back to his cosmo twin. “What’s it going to be, soul twin?”

[pleiadesfm]

"How likely do you think those two will make things on board interesting?" Nodding towards a couple, how they were making out in the hot tub overlooking the stars, before smirking at her acquaintance. "First, they introduced themselves to each other. They swam together, talking, laughter between them. Then, they started fighting over in the water park because that one—" she says, pointing to the tallest of the two, "looked at the lifeguard a second too long. Now, they're kissing and making up in the hot tub, which is definitely need to be disinfected after they're done. All within the past twenty minutes. Now, my theory is that they're already a couple, and taking advantage of this adventure to start a new life and have a little fun by pretending to not know each other. I work fast, but not that fast. What do you think? Already got your eye on anyone, or simply enjoying the beginning of our voyage among the stars?"

👽𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜: burcu yilmaz & up to player ( @pigeonstart )

🧑‍🚀𝚕𝚘𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗: the acquatic centre

🪐𝚜𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: march 2043

[novadrift]

Rev’s gaze trailed towards the couple, her head tilting slightly as she watched them with quiet curiosity, a small, amused smile pulling at her lips. “That kind of up-and-down in twenty minutes? That’s either brand new or very practiced," she murmured, voice light with a hint of laughter. “I think you’re onto something, though. There’s a familiarity there of sorts. I mean, you don’t get that comfortable being that messy in public without some history, right?” Her nose scrunched faintly at the hot tub comment, "I think it's going to need some major deep cleaning after they're done. You know, we should keep them on our radar. Let's see how long things last. We'll be here a while, right? Might as well have a little unfolding story to follow.” Rev shook her head lightly at the question, her expression softening just a touch. “I guess I’m just enjoying the beginning of all this…haven’t really explored much yet.” She nodded back toward the couple, grin returning. “Clearly, I could take a few notes from them.” Her gaze drifted back, curious and warm. “What about you? Anyone catch your eye yet?”

[pleiadesfm]

"How ready are you to fuck an alien?" Their grin grew mischievous. "I'm just saying: a lot could happen in the next twenty to twenty-five years before we get there! What if these Cosmo thingamajigs are genetically mutating us, slowing our physical ages to make us live longer and look like we're ten, fifteen years younger than our biological age? What if aliens also move to Mundus Meus, causing us to co-live with them? Do you think they could be homogeneous or diverse, just like humans? What if we could procreate with them? What do you think a human-alien hybrid baby would look like? Ugly-cute or cute-cute or ugly-ugly-but-in-a-cute-way?"

👽𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜: iris clover & up to player ( @pigeonstart )

🧑‍🚀𝚕𝚘𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗: space gamers

🪐𝚜𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: march 2043

[novadrift]

“Depends. Is said alien buying me dinner first?” Mat asked, jokingly. “I get where you’re coming from, I do, but have you ever thought that maybe it’s us who are the aliens now? By that definition, yes, yes I am ready to fuck an alien. I might’ve already done that,” he admits, shrugging. Then he glanced down at his cosmo link, taking into consideration that perhaps her comment wasn’t too far off. They constantly had to have these on, right? It linked them back to the ship. He wondered why they had to have them on all the time while on the ship. Was someone seriously going to open a door to the vastness of space to go on a random walk around Saturn’s rings? He knew that was not possible, but still. “If I am being mutated into another life form then I just hope they get my nose right. Imagine they give me a huge honker or something. Would you fuck someone with a huge nose? I mean huge, like…half your face is nose. And, for the record, I think the alien babies would come out incredibly adorable. What do you think?”

[novadrift]

MATEO RAMIREZ has left everything behind in order to join the voyage to Mundus Meus. They're 34 years old, are an COUNSELLOR AT MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE on board, and are originally from HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA. You might recognise them from their glowing YELLOW & SUN shaped Cosmo Link. Their passenger file describes them as COMPASSIONATE and SELF DOUBTING, and lists them as residing in the 3RD floor residences. ⋆｡°✩ TAYLOR ZAKHAR PEREZ, PANSEXUAL, CIS MALE, HE/HIM.

ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘BASICS*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆

name: mateo ramirez age:34 pronouns & sexuality: he/him & pansexual residence: 3rd floor occupation & location: counsellor @ mental health centre family onboard: none

*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘STORY*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆

fire mention tw, death mention tw, grief tw

mateo was a newborn when he was dropped off at the orphanage by his grandparents, who were unable to care for him after his parents passed due to a tragic accident. the accident? an accidental fire that spread too rapidly engulfed the house, all because a singular tiny candle was a little too close to the curtains. both of his parents passed due to complications from the incident.

then, at the age of six, he was adopted by two young newly weds (santiago & marco) into the ramirez family. they were a warm and very open family. he grew up with a full appreciation for the things around him. people, food, art, the ocean, animals, music and perhaps the biggest obsession of all…space. when he was just nine his parents took him to visit the nasa space center and it completely changed his world. he became obsessed with the cosmos, the life other planets hold, what it meant to be here in this planet. and from a young age his parents watered that seed, enrolling him in space camp programs, watching documentaries with him, overall just watching it blossom throughout time. he also had a really good hand when it came to baking, something he picked up thanks to marco.

but behind his warm smile was still that six year old kid that lost his parents. he loved his two father’s with his whole heart, but he often longed for the warmth of his mother’s voice. he would spend many hours staring at the last picture they had together and he wondered what life would’ve been like had that candle either been moved or never lit to begin with with. something for him shifted when he met his best friend at the age of thirteen. a girl, as quiet as a mouse, who had moved from overseas. getting to know her taught him that the world needs people who don’t mind being an ear to listen to. thanks to her, he began to understand that being homesick wasn’t always for a place but it could also be applied to a person.

when he heard about the opportunity to join mm-1218, he knew this was his calling—to help people not just on earth but in the cosmos too. for the first time, the vastness of space didn’t feel like an empty ache or a distant dream; it felt like purpose, like a bridge between the family he’d lost, the one he’d gained, and the unknown waiting out there. he was one of the few who volunteered himself for this opportunity, stepping forward not out of recklessness, but out of a quiet, unshakable certainty that this mission was the truest way to honor every piece of his story. and suddenly everything began to make sense.

*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘HEADCANONS*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆

he loves to bake! the only reason he never became a baker is because he’s not a morning person 😔 but he loves to bring his culture out in the baked goods and dishes he makes if possible. on dia de los muertos (day of the dead) he makes a special bread to set up for his ofrenda. huge nerd! loves musicals, conspiracy theories, space, small random facts about whatever, horror, and other things. he WILL bust out into a musical number if you let him, please don’t be alarmed.

has a baby alien plushie that means the world to him. it’s a long story and he’s willing to tell you if you ask.

his job is everything to him. it truly means a lot to him that he can be someone people lean on for comfort, guidance, and advise.

his toxic trait is that he loves to freaking flirt. sometimes he doesn’t realize he’s doing it. but he truly has a good heart. all he wants is to be something good in the lives of those around him.

[pleiadesfm]

"Did you ever imagine this? Growing up?" Ora stocked up some records before glancing over. It was weird: going to work, as if in any other regular place... Yet if you looked out any window, there was stars. There were planets. "Y'know, when I was a kid, I had a dream where I was lying on a planet, yet there were stars and planets all around me. I was reclining back, just like I would under a tree, but there was no gravity. No spacesuit to keep me safe. Just space, and I could bounce from planet to planet if I wanted to. This feels pretty close to that. It's... surreal. Like any moment, I'll wake up in my shitty bedroom, hearing my shitty roommates throughout our shitty house, ready to tackle Toronto for the day."

👽𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜: morgan "ora" hotchner & up to player ( @pigeonstart )

🧑‍🚀𝚕𝚘𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗: turntable express

🪐𝚜𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: march 2043

[novadrift]

“Did I ever imagine living on a space station? Yeah, I definitely did. I used to jump from dresser drawers in my room, on my bed, pretending I was on the moon.” Back then the moon seemed like the ultimate destination. Funny how the universe works itself out, now the moon seemed so small in the grand scheme of things. “What does that feel like to you?” He asked, curiously, tilting his head a bit. “I mean, waking up back in the place that was once our home. Do you feel dread, excitement, or nostalgic for it already?” If you asked Dario it would be a feeling of dread, he would wake up entirely lost on what to do with life. There was no going back for him, even if they were on a journey back home, he would find some way to stay in space. “So, Toronto. Pretty neat. Did you ever travel outside of it?”

[novadrift]

DIEGO CARDENAS has left everything behind in order to join the voyage to Mundus Meus. They're 26 years old, are an CLERK AT SPACE GAMERS on board, and are originally from CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS. You might recognise them from their glowing PURPLE HAZARD shaped Cosmo Link. Their passenger file describes them as OUTGOING and SELF DESTRUCTIVE, and lists them as residing in the 4th floor residences. ⋆｡°✩ MICHAEL CIMINO, CLOSETED BISEXUAL, CIS MAN, HE/HIM.

*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘BASICS*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆

name: diego cardenas age:26 pronouns & sexuality: he/him & closeted bisexual residence: 4th floor occupation & location: clerk @ space gamers family onboard: a half-sibling that he didn’t know existed

*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘STORY*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆

diego was the youngest of the four cardena's children and the more rambunctious one. he was the one who treated rules like suggestions written in disappearing ink. he had the look of an angel, but a complete class clown in school. report cards read “exceptional potential”; detention slips read “exceptional mouth.” he didn’t care because life outside of home was worth living, that’s how he viewed it. the cardenas house was a pressure cooker on a street that forgot to pave its dreams. his dad drove a forklift by day and drowned the overtime in cheap rum by night, slamming cabinet doors like he was in a fight against them. his mom stitched uniforms in a factory that paid by the piece and prayed in whispers while the iron hissed. mostly the fighting was between his parents when he was growing up, so he found a way to tune it out. it started off with an old game boy and quickly spiraled into his escape. gaming. it was everything to him. what began as a way to drown out the noise turned into a passion. he wasn’t just playing to pass time, he was learning. memorizing patterns, exploiting glitches, mastering mechanics like they were second nature. eventually, he grew a following on his streaming channels. it was fun at first, but he quickly tired of the constant attention he was getting. it overwhelmed him and made him a bit paranoid in public. so when he was approached with an opportunity of something much bigger than anything he’d ever known, something that felt almost unreal, and all he had to do was promise to film his experience while he was up there...he didn’t hesitate. the journey on MM-1218 felt like the ultimate reset button, a new life waiting to be started. but the moment diego was onboard and they took off was the very same moment diego knew he was never going to keep up his part of the offer. he could finally be just diego, and he couldn't help but wonder, what did that mean?

[novadrift]

REVERIE LOVELACE has left everything behind in order to join the voyage to Mundus Meus. They're 29 years old, are a NAIL TECH AND HAIRSTYLIST AT AVATAR EDITOR on board, and are originally from QUEENS, NEW YORK. You might recognise them from their glowing LIGHT BLUE BUTTERFLY shaped Cosmo Link. Their passenger file describes them as HARDWORKING and RESERVED, and lists them as residing in the 5th floor residences. ⋆｡°✩ ASHLEY MOORE, PANSEXUAL, CIS WOMAN, SHE/HER.

*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘BASICS*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆

name: reverie lovelace age:29 pronouns & sexuality: she/her & pansexual residence: 5th floor occupation & location: nail tech/hairstylist & avatar editor family onboard: none

*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘STORY*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆

death mention tw, alcoholism tw

reverie lovelace grew up in a free-spirited, hippie household where love was abundant, rules were flexible, and the door was always open. her parents had a deep passion for fostering children. as a result, her childhood was a revolving door of siblings—some stayed for months, others for years, and a few only briefly—but each one left an imprint on her heart.

when she was ten, her father handed her a small viewing tube, and rev lifted it to her eye without any idea of what to expect. inside, the darkness split apart into motion and color. scarlet bled into violet the instant she breathed, emerald fractured into molten gold with the smallest turn of her wrist. nothing repeated. nothing settled. it roared quietly, like stained-glass wind chimes caught in a hurricane. it was wild, messy, overwhelming—in the way only perfect things can be. in that kaleidoscope, reverie saw the life she wanted: one of color, boldness, and constant change. a life unlike any other, and despite her age, she promised herself she'd one day get that life.

life stayed vibrant until a year later, when her father died suddenly in an accident at the construction site where he worked. her mother, devastated, drifted into alcoholism, and the once lively, communal home grew quiet and heavy. rev became the one holding everything together—managing the house, checking in on her mom, handling the small daily tasks that grief made impossible for her mom to handle. despite everything, she never let her spirit dim. and then one day, her mother sat her down to talk to her. she told her that she loved her, that she was proud of her, thanked her for everything, told her it was time for a change for the two of them, and then presented her with the opportunity that had been presented to herself when rev’s father passed.

the construction company had not only covered the cost of the funeral expenses, but due to the nature of the accident, they offered a single family member the opportunity to take part in the mm-1218 expedition. it wasn’t out of good faith, the company saw it as a ticket to send their troubles away. what rev didn’t know was that the ticket was just for her, her mother wasn’t going to ever physically leave earth, and that her trip (thanks to a pigeon) would get delayed for a possible extra 25yrs. and though she has no way to communicate with her mother, not even to see how her health is doing, rev continues to try to make this experience one for the books.