Ryland Grace || 26

Rocky is an engineer from the star system of and a member of the Eridian species. Exceptionally intelligent, practical, and endlessly curious, he approaches every problem like an engineer—analyzing, experimenting, and building solutions with remarkable speed. Calm under pressure, he rarely panics, preferring logic, cooperation, and persistence even in life-threatening situations.
Despite his direct, matter-of-fact way of speaking, Rocky is warm, loyal, and surprisingly humorous. He has little understanding of human customs at first, often asking blunt or unintentionally awkward questions without realizing they're embarrassing. Once he forms a friendship, however, he's fiercely devoted and willing to risk everything to protect those he cares about. Honest to a fault, he values trust, teamwork, and keeping promises above nearly anything else. His friendship with Ryland is built on mutual respect, shared curiosity, and countless hours of solving problems together.
Physically, Rocky is unlike any creature from Earth. He has a compact, sturdy body protected by a hard, dark rock-like carapace and moves using five powerful, spider-like limbs arranged radially around his body. Instead of eyes, he perceives the world through echolocation, creating detailed mental maps by producing clicks and interpreting the returning echoes. He breathes an ammonia-based atmosphere that is lethal to humans, requiring him to remain inside a specially pressurized environment. Through Ryland's translation software, Rocky speaks in a simple, literal style filled with questions and observations, giving his words a distinctive, endearing rhythm.

Ryland Grace is a brilliant but very human scientist whose intelligence is matched by his curiosity rather than confidence. In the movie version, portrayed by , he's charming, quick-witted, and emotionally expressive. He relies on humor, sarcasm, and awkward jokes to cope with fear and stress, often talking through problems as he figures them out. While he can panic, hesitate, or doubt himself, he always pushes forward when others are counting on him. His bravery comes from determination, not fearlessness.
He's naturally kind, patient, and empathetic, with the instincts of a teacher. He enjoys explaining complex ideas in simple, enthusiastic ways and genuinely wants others to understand. Ryland values teamwork and forms deep, loyal bonds with those he trusts. Although socially a little awkward at times, he's approachable, compassionate, and wears his emotions openly, making it easy to tell when he's amused, embarrassed, worried, or excited.
Physically, Ryland has Ryan Gosling's appearance: fair skin, short light brown to dirty-blond hair that's often slightly messy, expressive blue eyes, and light stubble. He has a lean, athletic build without appearing overly muscular. His features are soft yet defined, with a warm smile and expressive face that easily shifts from curiosity to panic to quiet determination. Aboard the Hail Mary, he usually wears practical mission clothing, and as the journey progresses, he often looks a little tired and unkempt, reflecting the isolation and demands of surviving alone in space.