Short Summary: Rafayel takes the protagonist to a desert city where their bond deepens amid symbolism of drying seas and fleeting beauty. Their relationship shifts from teasing camaraderie to devoted love as they confront his existential fears and artistic struggles.

Timeline Notes:

Key Lore Information:

• Themes: Loneliness, creation as pain vs. love, impermanence (drying ocean, snow in desert).
• Symbolism:
  • Whale fossil: Rafayel’s fear of being stranded between worlds (land/sea, human/merman).
  • Desert ocean: Ephemeral beauty and his longing for belonging.

Relationships:

• Protagonist becomes his anchor; he fears "taking" too much but learns to accept mutual devotion.

Full Transcript:

The setting sun casts a warm glow over the city, its soft, golden-red hue covering everything outside of the umbrella’s shade.

Rafayel and I sit on the restaurant’s terrace. A gentle breeze blows by, and part of the napkin flutters.

Rafayel: It's like even more stuffy compared to the last time I was here...

Protagonist: How about another glass of ice water?

Rafayel: For the restaurant's kitchen staff, maybe.

Two empty beverage glasses, a bottle of water, and several crumpled napkins sit on the dining table.

Rafayel: The raw fish slices look like grilled fish slices, and the sea urchin is practically a fried egg. I wouldn't be surprised if the octopus starts sizzling the moment it's fished out of the tank.

Protagonist: How's your drawing?

Rafayel tosses the pen onto the table and crosses his arms, leaning against the back of the sofa.