The children of the Observatory always look forward to hearing tales of their favorite red-capped hero and all of his friends during story time. They were particularly thrilled when their mother presented them with the third book in a series that was very much beloved in their household. It was an adventure with familiar characters and new ones that they came to enjoy, shaped by fateful omens and message love.
Although the Lumas are aware that these stories were true, they do not truly understand the gravity of these events in the real world. Rosalina presents these truths to them through storybooks, condensed and sweetened versions of the actual story made for a child’s consumption. She, on the other hand, had learned these stories under more disquieting circumstances.
Frantic whispers of the stars had told her the Void, of opposing prophecies of darkness and light, and of those who would fight to determine the fate of many worlds. This news was particularly unsettling to Rosalina because people she loved dearly were involved, and yet she could only watch as they wrestled with an uncertain fate, for it was not customarily her place to intervene in the universe’s cycle of life and death.
Fortunately, the world she once feared for had skirted its apocalypse, allowing her to share a happy ending with her starlings. After finishing the eighth and final chapter of the book a glittering procession of sleepy Lumas, file out of the library and drift to their resting places, where their fanciful dreams await them.
Once she has seen everyone off, Rosalina roams the grounds in solitude, as she often does when she feels too restless to sleep. In the stretch of darkness surrounding her, there isn’t much to see aside from a smattering of distant stars shining dully and meandering asteroids. They are far removed from any star systems, so she doesn’t expect to find any signs of life– that is until she spots movement in her peripheral vision.
What she sees at that moment brings her to a pause; a lone ship adrift amid the emptiness. Coming across a traveler’s craft in remote regions is unlikely, but to happen upon a ship that she knows is an incredible coincidence. Despite never having seen it in person, she recognizes Brobot immediately. After all, it did resemble its creator, just as it was written in the book.
A slight frown settles on her face as she looks on, transfixed by this sighting. She knows that when Bleck and Timpani’s story came to its end, Luigi had not yet returned, and in his place was another who occupied his vessel. She had assumed that by this time he would have regained consciousness, however, seeing this machine leads her to believe otherwise.
Stranger or not, Rosalina felt an obligation to ascertain that this person isn’t lost or in any need of assistance. She quickly makes for the garage platform, where the ship could safely dock should they choose to approach the Observatory. She raises her wand as it emits a soft, undulating light into the darkness. It is her hope that the craft’s pilot, whoever they may be, will see her signal as a welcome, like a lighthouse guiding lost ships to shore.
