i'm always thinking about Solanum and the Hatchling "growing up together" despite being separated by time. the way the Hatchling grows up enamoured by Nomai language and culture and they are able to understand it through tracking Solanum as she grows up and learns the language and culture herself. the way they're both caught in a state of undeath on the cusp of adulthood. and despite the barriers of time and language, Solanum is at the campfire along with all the other astronauts that the Hatchling has known for their entire life.
i've long headcanoned that the Hatchling plays a cello (because of the cello part in 14.3 Billion Years and Morning on the soundtrack), though the instrument i've drawn them with here is designed after a bowed mountain dulcimer. it's more their size!
also, the pen i drew Solanum with in the first piece is mostly because i wanted to draw her in that pose, although having thought about it, it makes sense that kids would be given a more kid-sized version of the staff technology in a way that makes them practice their writing (rather than the keyboard on the staff's tablet) so i stand by it. also also, Solanum's warmer clothes and thicker fur on Brittle Hollow are because of the colder climate!
IDs (copied from alt) below the cut
1: A digital drawing of the Hatchling and Solanum from Outer Wilds as children in the Sunless City of Ember Twin. Solanum is on the right and slightly in front, writing on the floor while lying on her belly. The Hatchling is crouched on the left, smiling in wonder and reaching out to touch the Nomai words on the floor. Overlaid text in swirly handwriting reads: "We do not have much connection, you and I."
2: A digital drawing of the Hatchling and Solanum as adolescents at school in the Hanging City of Brittle Hollow. They are both sitting at desks in the classroom. The Hatchling is tinkering with their Nomai translator, but leaning over to Solanum to look at what she's doing. Solanum is writing on her tablet with her third eye looking towards the front of the classroom. Overlaid text reads: "Still, this encounter feels special."
3: A digital drawing of the Hatchling and Solanum on the Quantum Moon at the sixth location. They are both wearing their spacesuits outside the tower shrine, and the Hatchling has a map of the solar system out. Solanum is pointing to something on the map. Overlaid text reads: "I hope you won't mind"
4: A digital drawing of the Hatchling and Solanum at the campfire in the Eye of the Universe, without their spacesuits. They are leaning into each others' shoulders and smiling as they play their instruments. The Hatchling is playing a bowed mountain dulcimer with accents that look like Nomai writing. Solanum is playing her staff's tablet like a MIDI grid. Overlaid text reads: "if I think of you a friend."
