Short Summary: Rafayel grapples with dependency and fear of losing himself in his love for MC, struggling to balance his creative block and intense emotional need for her, leading to moments of vulnerability and deep connection. (he used to only have inspiration in pain, but now he’s happy, so his art is affected)

TIMELINE NOTES: This is a difficult one. They are clearly more understaanding of each other, but MC is still a bit clueless about Rafayel’s stuggles. The conversation in the end shows that she’s finally starting to understand it, but I don’t know if I should place it before or after the Devotion Level… It could be the end of the Lover Level or the very beginning of their devotion, but for now I chose to place it as the first memory in the Devotion Level. It’s the first time they mix intimacy with emotional struggles and I think this would set a perfect turning point into Devotion.

"Thank you… For accepting me just as I am."

MC and Rafayel embark on an artistic journey to the desert city of Aridum. The timeline could fit either before or after Gem Affection, but due to Rafayel’s inner turmoil, it seems more appropriate to place it before.

On a terrace, Rafayel is frustrated, uninspired. MC tries to lift his spirits, and he expresses gratitude, saying, "I’ll always be grateful for how you see my work through your wild imagination." He rests his head on her shoulder, feeling unwell from the heat, but requests to watch the sunset first. Though MC worries, he reassures her that as long as he’s close to her, he’ll feel better.

Three days ago

MC visits Rafayel’s house, concerned about his creative block. He asks her to join him the next day in search of inspiration. They stay in separate rooms, but after a mix-up with their letters, MC ends up in his room. Rafayel still struggles to draw, and MC encourages him to sit by the window and enjoy the view with her.

Frustrated, Rafayel expresses doubt about why they even traveled. In a vulnerable moment, he asks, "If one day I become someone who only takes from you... would you leave me?" MC reassures him, saying, "You silly fish, I won’t leave you. My life has long been consumed by you. It’s a delightful mess now." She comforts him, saying he doesn’t take from her, and when he kisses her palm, he thanks her for accepting him as he is.

He’s burning up, his restlessness building. He kisses her fingertips, trailing up her arm and neck. "I’m not anxious, just restless," he confesses. The dry air intensifies the feelings swirling inside him, and MC’s concern only adds to his allure. "You’ve already made my life a beautiful, chaotic mess…" he murmurs before the scene fades to black, likely marking an intimate moment between them.

Two days later

They attend an exhibition in Aridum, a former ocean now a desert. They search for a sea depicted in a painting, and MC drives them in a desert off-roader. Rafayel, still unwell, becomes carsick, but they eventually find the sea. It’s a "dead" sea, yet Rafayel is thrilled to see it, hugging MC and saying, "I wanted to see this with the most important person to me. My wish came true."

Back at home, Rafayel rushes back after attending an event and immediately kisses MC in an intense, passionate moment. He later opens up, confessing that he often seeks pain for inspiration, even in love. MC gently tells him he should never burn for her.

GREAT Reaction + analysis of this memory:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4L6i-8UP0A

I kept my summary short because someone did a MUCH BETTER job at analysing this card. Here is the link to her original post: https://www.tumblr.com/mandalhoerian/771545427241844736/repost-because-tumblrs-tags-were-broken-yesterday?source=share. HER ENTIRE POST: