suuper-duper rough starter sketch for Drelias's mesmer Let me know if you like it or if you'd like something else
B&W with red as only color on rose and red portions of clothes.
haha now I see the post you were talking about in the other thread! I decided not to go with mine because I wasn't liking how I was drawing the lips. Yours look fine so far though
Hehe, no worries Drelias I'm a slow-poke anyway XD
Here's a story update for those of you still following the Wintersday story! I'm posting Chapter 6 even though I was planning on releasing the last 4 chapters as just one ginormous part 2. I just finished this draft so apologies in advance for typos! I'll probably release the next two chapters in the final finished version. I'm also planning on fleshing out the first part (chapters 1-4) a bit more so it's not so dependent on the Halloween story and can stand on its own
Here's the info about previous parts:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thistle Xandra
Here's the Halloween story (makes the wintersday story more fun if you read it first).
WARNING: Part 1 is supposed to be light-hearted and fun. Part 2 takes a drastic turn, and if you don't like the idea of people being hurt or any kind of gore, then just pretend part 1 ended with "the end" instead of "to be continued." If you read my WiPs in the Wintersday workshop thread, I mentioned that when I saw the ending in my head, it made me hysterically start crying. So... warning has been given If you tend to care about story characters and you care about mine, you're in for a rough ride in part 2...
IF YOU HAVEN'T READ PART 1, DON'T READ THIS SNEAK PEEK YET!!
SERIOUSLY! DON'T DO IT!
YOU'LL TOTALLY RUIN PART 1! OK, that was the last warning :P
Chapter 5: A Memory to be Forgotten
11 years earlier…
Nix had the feeling she was being watched, which frankly, wasn’t unusual. She opened her eyes to see silvery-blue eyes in a smiling face barely a hand’s width away.
“Happy Wintersday!” her sister Bix sang. “What’s my present?”
Nix laughed and pushed herself up into sitting position. Using the palms of her hands, she rubbed the sleepiness away from her eyes. Bix also moved into sitting position next to her on Nix’s sleeping mat. The room was tiny with a mirror, mat, and chest taking up the majority of the space. The light filtering in through a small window to her right told her dawn was just arriving. “You know presents come in the evening, Bixxy.”
Bix crossed her arms as she explained, “I know that. That’s why I said ‘what’ instead of ‘where.’”
“In that case, you get to wait,” Nix informed her, sticking her tongue out like a little child.
Bix let out an exaggerated sigh as she gave Nix the hairbrush in her hand. She recited all the things she hoped she would get that Wintersday while Nix listened and brushed her sister’s red hair. “Maybe, one day I can get blond hair for Wintersday,” she said as a sad afterthought. Bix inherited her red hair from some ancestor far in their family tree since everyone else in their immediate family had blonde or brown hair. “Then mommy will stop saying how awful it is.”
Nix briefly paused before continuing brushing. Aunt Margaret, Bix’s mother, was a hateful woman and had it not been for Bix, Nix would have wished her father hadn’t married her. For six years, it had just been Nix and her father, Damien. He had always been distant, but she hadn’t known that was strange growing up as a young child. It was only after she saw how other fathers treated their children that she realized something was very wrong. When she was older, she learned he blamed her for the death of her mother. Had it not been for Nix, her mother, Nece, would not have died in childbirth.
When Aunt Margaret came into their lives, Nix had been eager to have a mother, but then she realized was it was really like to be truly hated. Damien had loved Nece with all his heart, and even though she was no longer alive, he couldn’t stop loving her. There was barely room left in his heart for his new bride. Nix, who looked like she was growing into the mirror image of her mother, was a perfect substitute for Aunt Margaret to vent her anger and frustration. When Aunt Margaret became pregnant, Nix lived in fear and misery. After being hated by so many, she feared the addition of a yet another person who would hate her.
Instead, Nix finally knew what it was like to be loved and what if felt like to love a person with utmost devotion. From the moment Bix, or Beatrice as Aunt Margaret insisted on calling her, set her eyes on Nix, Nix became the most important person in Bix’s world. While this cemented Aunt Margaret’s hatred of her, Nix didn’t care, because no matter what her stepmother said or did to her, she would always have Bix to bring happiness to her bleak world. While Aunt Margaret made her feel ashamed of who she was and what her body looked like, she would never let Aunt Margaret do the same to Bix.
“Awful?” she asked in a thoughtful voice. “In that case, ‘awful’ must mean something really wonderful, so I’d have to say your hair is awful, too.”
Bix giggled. “I think you’re awful!”
“But you’re even more awful!” Nix countered, dropping the brush and tickling her little sister. Her heart lifted at the sound of Bix’s sweet laughter.
When their laughter subsided, Bix lifted her hand up and gently touched a part of the tattoo on Nix’s scalp. Bix missed the way Nix’s hair turned golden in the sun. “Don’t you miss your hair?”
Nix absentmindedly reached up to touch strands that were no longer there. Like most Monks, Nix considered tattoos sacred. A few days ago, she had gone through a ritual dedicating herself to Dwayna, the patron goddess of healing Monks. It had been one of the rare moments that her father had looked at her with pride, and receiving the scalp tattoo had been worth every painful moment. She was proud of the tattoo, the sign that said she was devoted to her Goddess. Dwayna and Bix were the only two beings in her life that she loved with fierce devotion, and she knew their love for her was unconditional.
“No,” Bix answered truthfully as she picked up the brush she no longer used for herself. “Besides, I have your hair to love.”
Bix bit her lip, her eyes wide as she asked hesitantly, “Did it hurt? Mommy says I’ll have to get a tattoo someday, too.”
Nix put the brush down and hugged her sister. “No,” she lied. “It didn’t hurt at all. And don’t worry, one day you’ll be a very strong Monk who can’t wait to devote her life to Dwayna.”
“As strong as you?”
“Much stronger!” Nix said with a nod.
Bix cuddle against Nix, closing her eyes as she listened to Nix’s steady heartbeat. She sighed, “I wonder what she’s like. I wish I could see how Lion’s Arch is decorated for her.”
“It’s beautiful,” Nix told her, remembering the few times she had gone. The memories were fading, but she tried to recall them as best as she could. Bix had never gone to a Wintersday celebration in Lion’s Arch before. Once Bix was born, Aunt Margaret refused to allow Bix to go, fearing the huge crowds. Since Bix wasn’t allowed to go, Nix also refused to go. “Colorful lights are everywhere, and it’s like a dream that you don’t want to wake up from.”
“I wish we could go,” Bix said wistfully.
“I wish you could see it.”
Bix pulled away, her brows pulled together as a sudden idea came to her mind. “Can you take me? Mommy’s not home so she wouldn’t know, right?”
“Oh, Bix,” Nix began slowly. Aunt Margaret had been unexpectedly called away yesterday and wasn’t expected to return until well after the sun reached its peak in the sky. Father had been called away for a mission and wouldn’t be back for another few days. If she and Bix left at that moment, they could walk the distance to Lion’s Arch, see the decorations, and return before Aunt Margaret came home. Because of the distance, they wouldn’t be able to spend that much time in the celebration, but Bix could still see what it was like.
Bix’s face fell when Nix didn’t answer right away. Seeing her sister’s disappointed face twisted Nix’s heart. She smiled and nodded. “OK, let’s do it! It’ll be our little secret, OK?
Nix saw the flash of a bright smile as Bix flung herself forward into a huge hug that made Nix fall backwards with laughter. She would show Bix the celebration, and her father and Aunt Margaret would never know.
* * *
It was everything that Bix had hoped for. The great port city of Lion’s Arch had been transformed into a winter wonderland and laughter was heard in all parts of the city. People of all ages and different professions were around to enjoy the day and pay tribute to Dwayna and Grenth. Merchants peddled souvenirs as they tried to shout over the boisterous activity from visitors.
People from as far as Kourna and Cantha had come to also share the celebration with the denizens of Kryta. Both sisters marveled at the site of so many heroes in one location. Intent in participating in the celebration, even the fiercest of heroes carried weapons specially made from candy canes and gingerbread.
Even though they were having fun, Nix paid special attention to the sun’s location in the blue, cloudless sky. Finally, even though she wanted to stay, Nix said with a frown, “We’ve better start heading back.”
“OK,” Bix agreed slowly, knowing full well that they would be in huge trouble if her mother found out that they went to the Lion’s Arch Wintersday celebration. And, to make matters worse, they had gone by themselves. With a forlorn expression, she tried to soak up everything in one glance, so she would remember everything. Her eyes settled on the merchants and the trinkets they were selling, and she let out a sigh.
Seeing where her eyes were focused, Nix told her apologetically, “We can’t, Bix. If we do, Aunt Margaret could find out we were here.”
Bix took a deep breath and let it out loudly. She paused for a moment and bent down to pick up a small rock. She lifted the small rock with pride. “Tada! I now have a souvenir.”
Nix laughed. “Want me to hold it for you?” she asked with her hand out. Bix dropped the rock in Nix’s open palm. They held hands while Nix slipped the rock in her pocket.
* * *
They had walked most of the distance home, and Nix was sure they would make it home before Aunt Margaret. Bix had talked most of the way while Nix was silent. She couldn’t explain it, but she had an odd feeling that was making her uneasy. She tried to hide it so that Bix wouldn’t notice, but her sister was more observant than she gave her credit for.
“Nixxy, what’s wrong?” she asked. “Are you scared that we’ll be in trouble?”
“No,” she said quietly, her gaze drifting to the side. They were trees all around them as they traveled on the well-worn path. “I’m…” she started, even though she wasn’t sure how to finish her sentence. She couldn’t explain the odd feeling that she was having. It almost felt like…they were being followed.
“I don’t care if we do get in trouble,” Bix said in grumpy defiance although Nix was sure her sister was just putting on a brave face. “I-“
A loud crack stopped Bix from finishing her sentence. Looking to the side, Nix saw a tree coming down. She had barely enough time to push Bix out of the way. She tried to jump back, but not before a small branch knocked her off her feet. Had the branch been thicker, Nix could have been killed. She shook her head to clear it and quickly jumped to her feet. “Bix? Are you OK?” She called out as she tried to climb over the tree’s large trunk.
Her heart froze at the sound of Bix’s scream. “Bix!” Nix called out again in a voice of pure panic. She found hidden strength and pulled herself up and over the trunk, her body pumped full of adrenaline as her eyes searched for her little sister. Her mouth gaped as she circled around, her hands wildly pushing branches around as desperation crept into her soul. “Where are you?”
“Nix!” Nix whirled around at the sound of the voice. It was coming from further down the path, and it sounded like she was moving away from her. Not wasting a moment, she bolted down the path, as fast as she could. She untied the cloak’s tie at her throat, fearing it would slow her down. It fluttered behind her as she pumped her arms and urged her legs to move faster than ever before. The trees thinned out, and finally, Nix saw her sister.
The site made her blood run cold.
A large minion carried Bix over a misshapen shoulder as it ran awkwardly on the path. Bones and flesh were visible under a broken layer of gangrenous flesh. She could see Bix’s horrified face as her she reached out with her two small arms, begging her big sister to save her.
Nix didn’t understand why a minion would try to kidnap Bix. All she knew was that she had to get her back, and she wouldn’t stop until she did.
She just didn’t know how…
She had no weapons and no fighting ability. She had been trained to heal others and herself while staying in the background. She was never meant to fight. Now, she had to find a way to save her sister, because she couldn’t even imagine failing.
When she first started her training, she had been given a choice to follow Dwayna and receive healing and divine favor training or follow Balthazar and learn the skills of smiting and protection spells. Knowing that she would continue her family’s tradition of healing and divine favor under Dwayna’s watch, she had never cared to learn about smiting and protection spells.
Until now.
She only knew the very basics of smiting and protection, and right now, her weakness was the only tool she had to save Bix. Luckily, the minion wasn’t as fast or as driven as her. When it was in throwing range, Nix called out, “Bix cover your head and be ready!” Not one to argue, Bix pulled her arms tight over her head and stopped struggling. She had complete faith that Nix would save her.
Nix called a ball of weak holy light, knowing it was the best she could do. Minions, being undead, would at least take double-damage from her weak holy damage. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. With a shout, she threw the ball. She let out a cry of frustration as the minion simple moved to the side, and the ball of light exploded in the ground, sending dust and rocks into the air. She threw another one, but the minion easily moved out of the way.
There were no longer any trees around them as they strayed from the path. The land to the right opened up into a rocky valley while the left ascended up a steep hill. She knew exactly where they were and knew there was probably only one chance she had of saving Bix. It was risky, but she wasn’t strong enough to defeat a minion by herself, and leaving to go get help meant she might not be able to find Bix again.
“Bix! Remember the light trick I taught you?” she called out, desperately hoping she did. She was relieved when she saw Bix’s slight nod even though the little girl’s eyes were filled with terror.
“When I say so, do it, OK?” she called out. They were nearing a sharp bend. Her heart raced, because what she was planning on doing was foolish and dangerous. It was a desperate plan born from the knowledge that even as stupid as her plan was, it was the only chance Bix had. When the minion was about to turn, Nix called out, “NOW! On its back!”
Not wasting a moment, Nix threw another ball of light while Bix put her hands on the minion’s back and let her hands glow with holy light. With a savage cry of pain, the minion ducked, momentarily leaving Bix airborne. Nix’s ball of holy power bit into the ground that the minion was using to turn around the corner. The weakened ground crumbled as the minion’s momentum caused it to continue into the open air.
Nix saw it all in slow motion as she continued running towards her sister. Bix was momentarily in the air, fear etched in her face as her hands desperately reached out for Nix. To Nix’s relief, the minion had changed Bix’s momentum when it had pushed her away from its back. While the minion would fall into the valley to its destruction, Bix would land safely on the ground where Nix could make sure she was OK.
That’s what should have happened.
Instead, at the last moment, the soulless creature reached out, its misshapen claws grasping Bix’s cape. The cloth tore, but not before changing her momentum once more.
“NO!” Nix called out, as her soul shattered at the site of Bix falling into the valley. As Bix fell from her view, Nix propelled herself forward, sliding on her belly to the very edge of the slope. Dust flew in her face and clouded her vision as rocks bit through her clothes into her flesh. Her hands were spread as she reached with outstretched arms. She felt Bix’s fingertips brush against her own.
Then, all she was grasping was air.
Chapter 6: An Unbreakable Bond, Broken…
To be continued…
and here's chapter 6
Chapter 6: An Unbreakable Bond, Broken…
Nix scrambled to the edge, watching in horror as Bix tumbled down the rocky slope. She called forth one of the few protection spells she knew and threw a ball of light towards her sister, knowing that the protective spell was weak. It wouldn’t heal the damage already done, and it wouldn’t completely stop all damage, but Protective Spirit would reduce any further potential injuries. She cast the spell on herself and went sliding after Bix in a controlled, yet reckless move.
She had to cast the spell a few more times on Bix and herself during the slide down. Each time, she had felt the spell fade, allowing sharpened rocks to pierce her skin, thirsty for blood. The minion had completely fallen apart by the time it hit the bottom of the rocky valley. Pieces of flesh and bone were scattered around, but her focus was on the young child in the middle.
Nix didn’t even realize that the reason she couldn’t breathe was because she was sobbing so hard. She ran to her sister and knelt in the remains of the minion that were mixed with the blood of an innocent. Her hands were trembling as she called forth light, willing her very essence to leave her body to make Bix better.
“Please help me, Dwayna,” she whimpered as the healing light surrounded Bix. Her sister’s heartbeat was weak, and her breathing was barely visible. As Nix healed with her holy abilities, she could fully see the extent of Bix’s injuries. Every bone was broken, and her organs were nearly liquefied by the fall. If it hadn’t been for her protection spell, she would have shared the same final fate as the minion.
And, Nix would never have been able to accept Bix’s death. Her sister couldn’t die. She wouldn’t allow it, because unlike those that went through Ascension, Bix’s soul wouldn’t allow resurrection. She was too young. Bix’s death would mean forever, and Nix could never live in a world like that.
“Please, Bixxy,” she whispered. “Don’t die.”
Nix concentrated and put her heart and soul in her healing, but she could barely heal the massive damage done to her sister’s body. It was all that she could do to keep her sister’s heart beating and lungs breathing. Her sister’s eyes were open, and she could see the pain in them as she begged wordlessly to make her better.
“Dwayna!” Nix shouted to the sky. “Help me!” She brought her head down, sobbing as the healing light continued while Bix’s injuries barely healed. Her vision wavered as her eyes pooled with unshed tears, and all she could see was red under her hands. With a savage cry that ravaged her throat, she screamed one final time, “DWAYNA!”
She sobbed in defeat, whispering, “Why won’t you help us?”
Bix gurgled a sound that stole Nix’s attention. The damage was just too much for a novice monk like her. She needed Aunt Margaret to completely heal Bix. Gathering courage, she quickly tore a small piece of cloth from her tattered sleeve and reached into her pocket. She wrapped the rock that was the souvenir from their Wintersday trip and then quickly cast Protective Spirit and Healing Breeze to maintain Bix’s condition. She wasn’t strong enough to completely heal her, but she would keep her alive. Gently, she put the covered rock in Bix’s palm and closed the fingers around it.
“Hold on to this, OK?” she told her as she lifted her sister in her arms. Her voice was calm, completely opposite to the roaring storm within herself. “I have to take you home so Aunt Margaret can make you all better. It’s going to be hard, but I want you to concentrate on that rock, and think about Lion’s Arch.”
It would be a detour to get them out of the valley, but Nix could do it. There wasn’t any other option. She walked carefully, making sure not to jostle Bix too much while going as fast as she could.
With tears streaming down her face and her heart racing, she talked the entire way in a gentle voice, “Remember that shield that was made of Gingerbread? That was my favorite...”
Physically and emotionally, she was barely strong enough to do it.
* * *
It was evening by the time Nix brought her wounded sister home. Dark clouds had gathered in the sky, blocking the tiring sun. Aunt Margaret had still not arrived home. Nix crossed the threshold into their house, the silence beating down on her, despair threatening to consume her. She brought Bix to her small sleeping mat and put her down, wincing at her sister’s weak cry. The rock was still held tightly in her right hand even though she was unconscious.
Nix gently stroked a lock of Bix’s hair as she gave her sister her healing energy. She heard the front door open and quickly stood, running to get help. Aunt Margaret was calmly removing her cloak when she froze at the sight of Nix covered in blood.
“Bix is hurt really bad, and I can’t repair all the damage,” she wept as her body shook.
“What?” Aunt Margaret whispered, her voice shaky as she paled. “How?”
“We were on our way back from Lion’s Arch when a minion tried to take her.”
Fury replaced concern as Aunt Margaret lunged at her. Her short blonde hair whipped around her face, and honey-brown eyes flashed with unsuppressed rage as she slapped Nix with enough force to send her flying into a table. The table broke, and glass trinkets shattered around Nix’s prone body. “You almost killed her! You worthless creature!”
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, not bothering to get up as her body trembled. She barely heard Aunt Margaret’s voice as she the older woman entered Bix’s room.
“It’s OK, baby, you’re alright now. I’ll make you all better.”
Nix knew that Aunt Margaret was powerful enough to heal Bix, and she had never been more grateful for the woman. She stood on wobbly legs and made it to the washroom. She picked up a small towel and slowly washed away Bix’s blood off her body. Her vision wavered with unshed tears and she began scrubbing frantically, suddenly desperate to get Bix’s blood off.
She scrubbed harder and harder, even when all of Bix’s blood was gone, and the fresh blood being washed off was her own.
* * *
Aunt Margaret wouldn’t let Nix see Bix for days after the incident. However, Nix could hear the screams as nightmares took hold of Bix as she relived the accident. Nix stayed in her room in self-imposed exile, barely eating, barely living… only listening.
“Nix,” Aunt Margaret said as she stood at her doorway. Her father had just returned that day, but Nix hadn’t seen him yet. He stood at the doorway next to Aunt Margaret. He was a handsome man with eyes as green as spring leaves. A tattoo matching her own was inked into his scalp, indicating his devotion to Dwayna.
“We’re sending you away, Nix,” he told her. “It’s for the best.” Nix bobbed her head wordlessly as he walked off, leaving Aunt Margaret alone in the doorway.
The older woman entered the room and put out her hand. Nix looked up to see a glass vial. “Give this to Bix, and make her drink it.”
Nix stood and tentatively took the vial. It looked like normal water to her. “What is it?”
“A memory expunger. She’ll go to sleep, and when she wakes up, she’ll forget all the memories associated with the person who gave it to her.”
Nix looked up in horror. “You want me to make her forget me?” She shook her head wildly, “No!”
Aunt Margaret’s face was emotionless. “It’ll make her forget what happened to her, because you were there. She’ll be free from nightmares. It’ll be like it never happened, Nix.”
Nix’s fingers slowly wrapped around the vial, and she again nodded her head, her throat closed with emotion.
Aunt Margaret turned and left before hesitating at the door. She turned around and said softly, “You’re poison, Nix. I hope you never come back.” Then, she closed the door behind her.
Nix stood frozen like a statue, her stepmother’s words ringing in her ears. Slowly, as if walking through water, she moved to her mirror and looked at the girl reflected. The girl was turning into a cowardly and weak woman. Her eyes were scared and sad, her face puffy and red from her tears. She wore a long-sleeved tunic and long pants that were baggy to hide the ever-apparent beauty that yearned to be free. For so long, she had vowed to stay in the background and appease those around her. Her entire life revolved around Bix and trying to make her family love her.
Her scalp burned where Dwayna’s tattoo forever marked her. Rage bubbled within her at the sight of the intricate markings. She picked up her brush and slammed into the mirror, barely wincing as shards of raining glass cut into her hand. She never wanted to see the tattoo ever again, even if it meant never cutting her hair.
She felt so tired as she left her room and entered Bix’s.
“Nix!” the little girl cried as she jumped from her sleeping mat for a tight hug. “Where have you been?”
Nix held her close, going down to one knee to do so. “I wasn’t allowed to visit you.” She smiled weakly as she said, “but I’m here now.”
“What’s that?” Bix asked as Nix brought the vial up.
“It’ll make your nightmares go away, Bix. You want that, right?” Nix asked as she took the top off the vial.
Tears welled in the little girls eyes. “Yes.”
Nix gave her the vile, “Then drink this, and you won’t have to worry about those nightmares ever again.”
When Bix drank the medicine, Nix picked her up and carried her to her mat, holding her like she used to when she was a toddler. “I’ll have to go away for a little bit,” Nix said slowly as she breathed in her little sister’s scent, her face against fiery hair.
“Why?”
“It’s for the best,” she echoed.
“Can I go with you?”
“No, you have to stay here.”
“What if you forget me?”
Nix held her a little tighter. “I could never forget you, Bix.”
The little girl struggled out of her hug, and Nix let her. She reached into a small box by her mat and took out the souvenir she had picked up from Lion’s Arch. “Take this, OK?”
Nix took the rock and held it to her heart, nodding, unable to speak as Bix crawled into her arms again. Moments later, Nix could tell from Bix’s steady breathing that she was asleep. She closed her eyes and whispered, “We’ll make new memories, you and I. They won’t be able to keep me away forever.”
She opened her eyes, which glittered with fury. “When I come back, I’ll be strong… stronger than anyone else, and I’ll protect you. I’ll make sure nothing bad will ever happen to you again.”
Her jaw tightened before she whispered. “And I’ll be bad. I’ll be so bad that they won’t have a choice but to send me back. I’ll cause so much trouble that Damien and Margaret won’t be able to keep me away.”
Her nostrils flared as she willed herself to calm. “I won’t be gone for long.”
Margaret appeared at the doorway like a phantom. Her eyes narrowed on the two girls until Nix carefully put Bix down without waking her. Margaret went to Bix as Nix left, closing the door behind her. She hesitated before leaving.
“Beatrice, darling. Wake up,” she heard Margaret say.
“Mommy?” Bix’s voice was groggy. “You know my name is Bix.”
Nix held her breath while Margaret didn’t say anything for several moments. Finally the older woman asked carefully. “Why do you go by that?”
Several more moments passed before Bix said in a panicky voice, “I don’t know!”
Nix quickly brought a hand to her mouth to stifle a cry. She touched the door lightly with her left hand.
I’ll be back for you, Bix.
* * *
“No matter what I did… no matter how hard I tried to come home…” Nix shook her head and laughed bitterly as her voice trailed off. “I hadn’t realized how much Damien and Margaret truly hated me.”
“You’re wrong,” Bix said, her head spinning from what she had just been told. “Father loved you and blamed the fact that you were acting out as his failing. He tried to keep you in school, because he loved you.”
“Love?” Nix said, doubt in her voice. “If he loved me, he wouldn’t have let her poison you against me. By the time I finally came back, you thought the same of me as everyone else. We were supposed to make new memories. I just never thought they would be bad.”
Bix wanted to argue, but it was true. She had always thought that Nix was the reason for her parents’ unhappiness. When she first met Nix, she hadn’t been interested in knowing her at all.
“I should have never have come back,” Nix whispered, her arms wrapped tightly around her mid-section. “I should have stayed forgotten.”
Bix reached forward and touched her shoulder, making Nix flinch. “But you weren’t forgotten.”
Nix threw her head back in a short laugh as she said sarcastically, “Everyone missed me.”
“I did,” Bix confessed. “I just didn’t know it was you that I was missing.”
Nix gave her a sideway glance to say without words that she didn’t believe her at all.
Bix wiped a tear away as she said with wonder, “I always felt there was a shadow back when I was younger, a protective shadow who watched over me. When I think back on those days, I always felt there should have been someone there, someone who made me really happy.” Nix turned, watching the emotions play on Bix’s face. “It was you, Nix. All this time, it was you.”
Nix nodded, a sad smile on her face. “It was me. You remembered me.” She clutched her rock pendant as she repeated softly with her eyes closed. “You remembered me.”
Bix’s gaze narrowed on the rock. She pointed at it. “That’s the rock! That’s what I’m holding in my nightmares!”
Green eyes focused on her in horror. “The nightmares? They came back?”
Bix nodded. “Always around Wintersday although I never knew why. Until now.”
Nix paled. “I’m so sorry, Bix. It was all my fault. I should have told you everything when I came back.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I was so afraid that you would hate me if you ever found out what I put you through,” she confessed. “But then I had nothing left to lose.”
“Oh Nix. I could never hate you. I didn’t mean what I said at all.”
Nix smiled weakly. “You were pretty convincing earlier.”
“Well,” Bix said slowly. “I was an idiot and didn’t realize who you were.”
“You’re not an idiot,” Nix said loyally.
Bix frowned as she asked carefully, “Why did you try to steal Akan? Why did you try to steal any boy I was interested in?”
Her sister sighed and looked away. “You weren’t interested in me at all, Bix. I didn’t know how to protect you when you wouldn’t even get to know me.” She looked back at Bix, her eyes sad. “But I could protect you against a broken heart.”
“A broken heart?” Bix asked incredulously.
“They all turned to me in a heartbeat, Bix. They would have all hurt you eventually. They weren’t worthy of you.”
“You did that… to protect me?” Bix was stunned. “But Akan didn’t. Why still go after him?”
Nix’s face turned angry. “They will all break your heart eventually, Bix. He’s no different. Men will hurt you, and they’re just not worth it.”
“You’re wrong Nix.”
“Trust me on this,” Nix said with a raised eyebrow. “I’ve had men flock to me all my life, and all they do is break your heart unless you do it first!”
Bix was silent for a moment, taking a second to organize her thoughts. “I don’t need another protector in my life, Nix,” she started, speeding up when she saw the stricken look on Nix’s face. “But I can never have enough friends. I’d like to tell you about Akan as a friend would a friend.”
Nix scoffed lightly.
“Or, I could tell you about him like a sister would a sister.”
Nix’s sat unmoving as Bix’s words registered. She said slowly, “I’d love to hear about him.” Her eyes flashed angrily, and her voice took on a sharp edge as she continued, “but if he hurts you, I will make him regret it.”
Bix nodded and laughed softly, “That sounds fair.”
Nix laughed, too, and Bix realized it was probably the first time she had ever seen Nix truly happy. Her hands moved gracefully, calling a light healing spell that removed any evidence that they had been crying. She put her cheek on a closed fist, propping her arm on her knee as she looked at Bix. “OK, tell me about him.”
“Well, he’s stubborn,” she began slowly. “and persistent.” She chuckled softly as she thought of the past year. “He’s reckless… and he makes me smile…”
* * *
Bix wasn’t sure how long they had been sitting in the field. It was nearing evening, and everyone had gone inside. Even the twins and Ki had left to go inside after making sure Bix was OK. The sisters had spent the time laughing and sharing each other’s lives. Bix had listened eagerly as Nix had recalled the happy memories of when Bix was little.
When Bix had asked how Nix had traveled to Shing Jea, Bix had pulled out a small snow globe. Inside was a miniature Lion’s Arch decorated in Wintersday decorations. “This is what got me here.”
“A snow globe got you here?” Bix asked with a raised eyebrow as Nix chuckled.
The hooded man had given it to Nix as a gift – a show of good faith. When she had twisted the base, it had transported her to Shing Jea Monastery. He had told her it was made from an Asuran teleportation artifact. She had asked him why he would give her such a powerful gift.
“I know what it’s like to lose something you want very badly,” he had told her as he offered the snow globe in his pale white hand.
“You’re giving me a powerful gift just because we both have lost something?” she asked with suspicion.
“It’s only my wish to help others during Wintersday. All I want to do is bring Wintersday cheer to all,” he had told her. Nix took the snow globe, because she knew Bix would love it.
“I’ll take it,” she told the man. “Thank you. But know that I will not hesitate to destroy you if this is a trick,” she glared at him.
“I have no doubt that you would try.”
Nix held the snow globe out on her palm so that Bix would take it. They were sitting side by side, and she put her arm around Bix to bring her closer while she inspected it. “It did. It’s special, and it’s my gift to you.”
Bix looked up with surprise. “For me? I love it.”
“Take it then,” Nix laughed, her arm tight around her. If you twist the base, it’ll teleport you back to Shing Jea Monastery.
“It’s stuck,” Bix said as she tried to twist it.
Nix frowned. “Try the other way.”
Bix twisted it the other way and hear a loud snap. The world spun around them. Bix felt suffocated as she was suspended in air, wind whipping around her violently as she struggled to breath. Finally, the roaring wind quieted in her ears, and her feet found a rocky surface. She gasped as she struggled to maintain her balance. Nix’s loud cry drew her attention.
“Nix!” she shouted, running to her sister. She was on her side on the ground, her body limp and unmoving. She barely registered that they were no longer in Shing Jea Monastery. Instead, they were in a barely lit cave, a rocky tomb if they didn’t find a way out. Kneeling by her sister’s side, she rolled Nix onto her back. She had a small puncture wound on her belly that was making her skin slowly turn putrid and green as the disease spread. Bix fought a wave of nausea as she whispered, “Oh, Grenth.”
“Grenth isn’t allowed here,” said an amused and confident voice. Bix whipped her head around and saw a hooded man sitting on a rocky imitation of a throne. Countless flickering candles burned throughout the large cavern, and Bix could see that she and Nix were in a passage leading to the horrific room. Dozens of minions stood by the walls, shadows dancing behind them to some macabre song. The creature on the throne stood, and he waved his hand in a sweeping gesture. “Welcome home, Bix. Ignore that waste of a creature there.”
Bix shielded Nix’s body with her own, her mind racing for ideas. She could hear Nix’s soft moan, but she didn’t dare look. She needed to keep the man occupied until Nix woke up and could figure out what to do. “She’s my sister!”
A dark chuckle echoed through the room as the minions cried loudly. He corrected her. “These are your brothers and sisters, Bix.”
Her lips tightened as her eyes flickered back and forth across the minions. Her heart was racing, and even she could see the irony that she was a necromancer who was afraid of minions. Do something, Nix!
The man continued. “If it wasn’t for that creature you protect there, you would have been home long ago.” The minions around him growled, punctuating the feelings of the hooded being. “Your mother was vigilant about keeping you away from me except for when that creature brought you to Lion’s Arch.”
He paused while the creatures howled. With his voice laced with annoyance, he said succinctly, “Your mother is such a bitch.”
Bix’s hands were trembling as she lowered herself further across Nix. She didn’t understand. Was this monster saying he was the one responsible for her near death?
“Of course,” he said, walking to a minion. He put a hand on its decaying face and gently slapped it. “Minions are such fools, and you almost died. If I wasn’t under Grenth’s thumb, I would never use such mindless creatures.” The minion cooed, showing genuine affection for the master who loathed it. “I should have a real army under Dhuum.” He turned and walked towards the middle of the room. “And now, with you, I’ll have it.”
Bix gasped. Dhuum was the previous God of the Dead before Grenth had defeated him and took his place. Powerful beyond belief, even Grenth could not destroy Dhuum. The deposed God rested in a prison, biding its time before he could rise once more and claim his throne. Unlike Grenth, Dhuum believed souls were his. To him, resurrection stole from him, and he never allowed resurrection or minions to be summoned. This man, whoever he was, was trying to betray her own patron God.
“Who are you?” she asked angrily, furious because of his treachery against all she loved.
The creature laughed, “I’m sure you can figure it out.” He pulled back his hood and bowed, and for a brief moment, Bix’s heart skipped a beat as she recognized true horror. The man’s face was ashen white, as if his skin had never been touched by the sun. The whites of his eyes were blood red, just like the thin lips curled back in a twisted smile. However, what made her blood run cold was the vibrant red of his long hair, and the same silver-blue eyes that she saw in the mirror every day.
Haven't had much time to draw with RL being hectic, but here's a pic I've been working on for Raven's workshop This is a major revamp of the initial sketch I did of Rika, one of the stars in my novellas
Very nice and pose was well executed. You know when I saw that ref pic, I really liked it but can't think of a way to use it for some reason. I love how the hair and her belt have matching colors. Good way to balance it out
Thanks I feel like there needs to be more in the background, but I haven't figured out what yet D: BTW, I was looking at this on a different computer and her hair looked way different (much brighter and no blue). First time I noticed a huge color difference on any of my pieces
Definitely a brave pose. I have sooo much trouble with foreshortening like that, but you did it beautifully. The textures, once again, are very well done. I looove the multicolored belt to go with the hair - looks very nice against the tan clothing.
Nice, I like the idea for the pose. Were you done with drawing the figure? There's a few parts of the anatomy that could use a bit of fixing, but I'm not sure if you're too far in to fix it?
lol Verene, one of my college suitemates dyed her hair all different shades for fun I tried putting in a blonde streak in my hair with some of her leftover bleach, but it didn't work very well {grumble asian hair}...
thanks, drelias I decided to change the belt colors from the actual armor since they clashed with her hair D:
ooh, good call, Death! I'll update that!
Thanks, Charlie. I've got the figure layers merged (separate from background and lightning ball), but if it's something simple, I can probably use a liquid distortion to play around the edges a bit. What did you have in mind?
thanks Pery Multicolored hair is super fun to color XD Hmm... are there any classes that have face piercings? I can't think of any offhand D: I think WoW gave the option on BEs...
Thanks, Charlie. I've got the figure layers merged (separate from background and lightning ball), but if it's something simple, I can probably use a liquid distortion to play around the edges a bit. What did you have in mind?
It's mainly the area around the left arm meets the socket and foreshortening used. Now that I look at it, it would be kind of a pain to fix it :\
ah, thanks for pointing it out, charlie! I'll take another look at the ref pic and see if I can make that better.
Thanks, Magik! I'll do that when I darken the whites of her eyes as Death suggested I actually like the way you paint lips way better :O I'm excited for your vid so I can see how you do it :P
I haven't had time to work on any major art projects (hopefully soon!) so I just wanted to show off some of my learning attempts in making animated gifs
I started with this one, my entry for the GWGuru Icon contest:
where I learned the basics of how to make an animated gif using Photoshop Elements.
I then wanted to get a little more creative with this one:
but then I learned a huge lesson that gifs only use 255 colors so in this gif, many of my blended hearts in the back became sad
My 3rd try is actually my favorite one since it's off Inuyasha, my fave anime. In this one, I learned to start off only using web colors so I'm automatically only using 255 colors.
This is my 4th and latest try, which is of Drelias's mesmer. I goofed up on here and blended when I shouldn't have around some points which got me out of the 255 color range so there are some spots where I wish there weren't in the gif
Since these are pretty easy and fast to do and I'm now on an animated gif kick, I'll probably make one of Cassia and Ran next (seperate!) unless either of you (Pery and Raven) mind
Oh, I'm still planning on doing the other B/W pics, but right now I really like these short projects that I can spend 5-10 mins on during work breaks
Jan 25, 2011, 08:18 AM // 08:18
I have sooo much trouble with foreshortening like that, but you did it beautifully. The textures, once again, are very well done. I looove the multicolored belt to go with the hair - looks very nice against the tan clothing. 
Linear Mode
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