Happy Art Monday!
Started at the end of last year, this piece underwent several reworkings and additions until completion due to delays during the holiday season. Originally intended for posting before the year's end, circumstances led to its completion a few days later, marking the new year with another addition to my Andromeda Six fanart collection.
'Close your eyes' portrays a pivotal moment in the relationship between the main character, Jiro, and Vexx from the game Andromeda Six. The two Kitalphan men, Jiro and Vexx were a couple before the treacherous coup shook their bond. Despite the turmoil, Jiro eventually realized Vexx was a victim as much as he was, and their love rekindled amidst the trials faced aboard the Andromeda Six.
While Nat' embodied boldness and Rina exuded emotional depth, Jiro stands as the most gentle and tender of my OCs so far. His tendency to avoid problems in hopes of their disappearance contrasts the harsh reality that he faces.
This artwork captures a crucial scene where the main character is falling, and Vexx rushes to catch him before impending danger. Much like the identifying details in previous drawings (the dog tags of Damon and the tattoos of Bash), Vexx's presence is hinted at through a glimpse of his sleeve.
Inspired by the song "Close your eyes" by Digital Daggers, the title encapsulates the essence of the scene, hinting at a moment of trust, protection, and the deep emotional connection shared between Jiro and Vexx amid life-threatening circumstances.
The heartfelt lyrics resonate with the emotional connection shared between the two men, echoing the theme of resilience and solidarity during turbulent times. The imagery portrays a gripping moment where danger looms, yet their unwavering support for each other shines through, depicting a bond strengthened by adversity.
The profound emotions conveyed in the song's lyrics parallel the essence of this artwork, illustrating not only the depth of their connection but also their determination to overcome challenges together. As the song suggests, it echoes the sentiment that despite the chaos surrounding them, their united strength and trust will guide them through the storm.
(Personal notes: As much as I love those hands, I'm not that fond of the background. I'll probably remake it when I'll have some time and I understand how to do what I want.)
Software used: Clip Studio Paint.
"Close your eyes" by Digital Daggers. (On Youtube)
And now I'm gonna take a few minutes to thanks the people who liked, wrote a comment, followed me or rebloged my art since the end of last year.
So here is a huge shout out and thanks to:
@broken-little-bhaal-babe, @valkblue, @p0et-is-my-persona, @who-is-riley, @messydiabolical, @rungalwaysheretolisten, @justabadartistlmao, @rasaltav, @ohsotragical, @feydstan, @rachellaurengray, @dramionefeltson, @storyknitter, @kitschycritter, @notrandomatall, @cityofseraphim, @kad-dala, @h3av3nndh3ll, @nony-pandemia, @phans-aesthetic-adventures, @greenberrytea, @princess-paige-place-of-fun, @umbrellaseason, @hathorik, @blackblooms, @chlorhexidini and @mxsunnybop.
Each time I saw I had reached one of you, it had brightened my day, so once again, thank you all.
(Unfortunately there was some people I couldn't tag because tumblr didn't let me, so if you are one of them and you see my post, know it is not intentional and thank you.)
I'll try do this more often, it will be easier next time ^^
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For the Sake of Kindness
Fandom: Andromeda Six
Pairing: Vexx Serif/f!Traveler, f!Traveler & Noa Peg'asi
Rating: Teen
Summary: Befriending the youngest Peg'asi was easier than Vexx Serif had expected. Sade was a lonely girl who wanted nothing more than a friend. Unfortunately for him, he was in need of a friend as well.
Words: 2219
Additional Tags: Human Traveler, Implied/Referenced Drug Addiction, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Disfunctional Family, Pre-Canon, Acts of Kindness
Read on AO3
The neon lights of Silta Vie reflected off of puddles as they walked through the crowded streets, dodging pedestrians and guards, Vexx trying to keep his charge from being spotted despite her disguise. Even without the fancy dresses or jewelry of the royal stylists, there was no mistaking Sade as a Peg’asi, those honey-green eyes every bit King Fenris while the rest of her was the spitting image of Queen Lucrezia… minus the coldness the Solar Queen seemed to wield as a weapon. There wasn’t much to be done for her wild curls and even the hat that Vexx had stuck on her head did little to tame them.
He glanced to his left as they ducked beneath one of the low overhangs of a cafe. Her face was turned up towards the lights, a dazzling smile on her pretty lips, eyes wide with the wonder of a young woman who’d never seen anything so awe-inspiring in her entire life.
It’d been almost too easy to gain her friendship. A lonely princess who had no friends, and no one who paid her much attention minus the Crown Princess, but those moments were rare. Nerissa Peg’asi was busy as the heir to the throne, being stuck in a battle of wits against her father’s expectations and her mother’s demands.
But Sade, no matter how much the royal family mistreated her, was somehow kind beneath it all. And it was in moments like this that Vexx was aware of how sheltered she truly was.
“Beautiful night, isn’t it?” He asked, having to stop himself from tacking on the royal title at the end. While in the city, Sade wasn’t a princess and as much of an exhausting time it was to try to keep her from being caught, they always had fun, their nights ending with their stomachs hurting from laughing too much.
Vexx hadn’t laughed like that since before.
Sade turned those eyes on him, her smile warming him despite the night’s chill. “It’s amazing. You grew up here?”
Vexx rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ignore the warning that tickled his mind. Don’t get invested. “In a different part of the Silver District, but for most of my childhood, I ran these streets.”
Sade sighed wistfully, glancing at the colors and bustle of the people around them, fingers toying with the edge of the too large jacket he’d found for her. “There is so much life here.”
There had been so much life here once, but rule of the Golden King had destroyed that as surely as he’d destroyed so many other things. Gritting his teeth, he forced a light hearted smile on his face, reaching out to brush one of her stray curls behind her ear, enjoying how warm her skin felt against his fingertips in the cool night.
He couldn’t tell if she was blushing in the darkness, but with how her eyes burned when she met his gaze, Vexx knew he had her hooked. His fingers trailed along her jaw before moving down her neck, touch disappearing almost as quickly as it’d appeared. Her eyes fluttered closed and he was struck by how pretty this woman was. She was the most beautiful flower in a garden overrun with vipers.
There was a fire within her that longed to burn, to be set free and to ravage everything around her.
It would be so easy to lean in, to brush his lips against hers, take in the scent of jasmine that clung to her even hours after she left her blooms. Her lips parted, breath warming his skin, the wine she’d drank only twenty minutes before leaving a heady smell of fruit behind. He shifted closer, his chest pressing up against her, his hand gliding across her shoulder and down her arm, only to linger at her hand.
“Lieutenant?” She said, breathless as her eyes opened, watching him with a desire that he was all too willing to explore.
“Yes, Your Highness?” He whispered, low enough that none would hear him but her. It wouldn’t take much to kiss her senseless and lose themselves among the crowd.
Maybe they could stay lost.
Someone shoved into Vexx roughly, nearly knocking him into Sade. He reached out to grab her by the shoulders, keeping the momentum from sending them both to the ground. It didn’t, however, save their assailant. The man tripped over his own feet, hitting the pavement ungracefully. He groaned, but didn’t move, his arms splayed at an uncomfortable angle, his cheek pressed against wet ground.
“What the f-”
Sade gasped, moving to aid the man, kneeling beside him and shifting some of his dark hair out of his face. It was only when Vexx noticed the strong cheekbones and a nose that looked too much like Sade’s that he realized he was looking at one of her brothers. One of the Solar Queen’s sons, to be exact.
“Noa?” She shook him to no avail. His eyes didn’t even flutter open. “Dammit.”
Vexx reached down to pull her to her feet, forcing her around so her gaze met his. “We need to get out of here. Before someone figures out who you are.”
“We need to get him to his apartment.” Sade said instead, shrugging out of his grip before trying to lift her brother from the wet and dirty ground. It was pathetic to watch as the prince slipped from her hands, landing in a puddle, getting water all over his sister in the process.
With a sigh, Vexx reached down to lift the practically comatose man from the ground, wrapping an arm around his waist, slinging one of the prince’s arms over his shoulders. Once he was positive he wouldn’t drop him, Vexx raised an eyebrow expectantly. “Where are we going?”
Sade gave him a pained look. It was obvious that she hadn’t expected him to help. He hated that it stung that she thought so little of him. “I… it’s this way.”
She turned back in the direction of the Gold District.
“Why am I not surprised?” Vexx muttered, eyes scanning for threats in the crowded street. “Let’s just get this over with.”
Sade was silent as she weaved between pedestrians, slow enough that he didn’t need to try to hurry while dragging her brother along. Noa was a lot heavier than he looked, but Vexx figured that was because he was practically unconscious, whatever narcotic he’d consumed making him nothing more than a limp doll.
The apartments Noa lived in was close enough to the Guard Quarters that Vexx began to worry they’d be caught. If one of the Guard Commanders saw him with two of the royal children… he didn’t want to think about what they’d do to him. The best thing would be getting removed from his position. The worst probably involved the King and he wasn’t quite ready for that sort of interaction with his Majesty.
The doorman didn’t even blink at the sight of Noa hanging from Vexx’s shoulders, the man only sighing deeply before letting them into the building, stepping out of vomiting range as soon as the door was open. They shuffled past and Vexx wondered how often this happened.
Probably more than he wanted to know.
~~~~
Once Noa was settled on a couch in his apartment, Sade turned the prince on his side, brushing some of his dark curls out of his face. She had acquired some things while Vexx had deposited him on the spot and now, she dipped a washcloth in a bowl of cool water before wiping his forehead and cheeks meticulously. Vexx watched her for a few moments in silence, playing nurse to a brother who probably would’ve thrown her out on her ass if he knew what was happening.
“Why do you bother?”
She glanced up in confusion, nose wrinkling adorably. “What?”
Vexx cleared his throat, realizing too late he couldn’t take back the question. Might as well dive in headfirst. “Why help him? We both know he wouldn’t do the same for you.”
Sade stared at him, eyes unblinking as she processed his words. Finally, she sighed, glancing away and dipping the washcloth in the basin. “That’s not why I do it.”
What does that even mean?
“Why then?”
Sade’s gaze landed on her brother and her face softened considerably. “Because it’s the right thing to do.”
None of them deserved her. Vexx knew that already by the kind and gentleness within her, and how easy it was for the youngest of her siblings to torment her daily.
“It’s getting late. He looks like he might be fine. Probably won’t die in a pile of his own vomit.” Sade glanced up with wide eyes and Vexx silently cursed his idiocy. Good job, moron. “It’s a joke.”
She didn’t respond, focusing her attention on Noa again. Her hand rested against his shoulder and she closed her eyes, trying to keep her breath from shaking.
“I’m sorry.” He tried instead. They really couldn’t linger here. If any of Noa’s friends came back, if he woke up, there would be too many questions. “But we need to leave, Princess.”
When she didn’t move, he realized what she meant to do.
“No.” He snapped, taking a step closer, finally getting her attention. “What was your plan? To sit here with him all night?”
“If I have to.”
Stupid, self-sacrificing…
“And if he told the King that you were here? That’d be the end of your fun. You might end up in a real cell instead of the gilded cage they put you in.”
Sade winced at his words and Vexx wanted so badly to feel guilty about it, but he couldn’t. The fury at how easily she sacrificed her own happiness for brothers and sisters who couldn’t care less if she even existed.
And why the fuck did he care so much?
The pain on her face was enough to soften him. With a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair, stepping forward and holding his other hand out in a plea. “If I call one of Noa’s friends to come check on him, will you leave with me?”
Sade stared at her brother, her expression vacant but he knew her mind was working overtime to try to find some excuse to stay or to argue her point. But she had none. She was going to get them both in trouble and as much as he didn’t want to care about what happened to her, he realized he did.
And that was going to be a problem.
Sade nodded her head and it took him a moment to recognize the relief he felt. How long had it been since he felt anything close to it?
Contacting the Prince’s supposed friends was easier than he’d expected. A call or two later, Vexx knew that he wouldn’t be alone tonight. Somehow, he managed to pull Sade from her brother’s side, promising to have someone check in on him the next morning to make sure he was alright.
Finally, they stepped outside of the Prince’s apartment, only to find the rain had stopped. Puddles reflected the streetlights as they made their way back towards the palace, the silence strained between them. All he could think about was how easy it was for her to sacrifice her happiness, her safety, everything, for people who wouldn’t bother to even help her should she need it. Vexx wanted to shout, to rail against the stupidity of something like that, but he found the fight leaving him almost as soon as he tried to open his mouth.
Sade was kind, yes, but more so, she was brave and selfless, and goddammit, against his own better judgment, he was starting to like her. Where did that leave him with Zovack’s plan? What could he possibly do now?
He didn’t want to imagine her dead among her useless siblings.
Vexx watched her in the dark, trying to quell the rise of panic as he came to the unfortunate conclusion that there wasn’t anything he could do unless he convinced Zovack that there was no way to take the palace. He might still try, but without the information about the secret passages, it would be more difficult.
“Thank you.”
His steps faltered, for sure that he said something aloud, but she wasn’t watching him with suspicion or anger. Sade only looked sad and he felt his heart tug painfully.
“You didn’t have to help me. I know most of my family aren’t worth the energy or respect.” She paused, wringing her hands together. “But Noa… he needs help. And he’s my brother. I couldn’t just leave him.”
Vexx covered her hands with one of his own, stilling her nervous movements. She glanced up at him, curiosity and hesitation warring in her eyes. “You don’t have to thank me. I was doing my job.”
“Still, I… appreciate it.” Standing on her tiptoes, Sade pressed a chaste kiss to his cheek, a subtle brush of lips that managed to leave his heart thudding dangerously in his chest. Then she turned away, continuing on the path to the passages that would get them back to her quarters.
Vexx followed at a distance, unable to do anything but fear for her future.
And for his.
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Happy Art Monday!
Hands have always intrigued me.
Capturing hands in art is both challenging and rewarding. A simple gesture, a tender touch, can convey a myriad of emotions – that's precisely what I aim to portray when I draw them.
This piece is part of a series delving into hand studies. Rather than mere exercises, I chose to illustrate various characters from the game 'Andromeda Six', revealing their connections to the main characters across my multiple playthroughs.
'Us' captures a moment suspended in time, where the interlocking of two hands tells a story of love, connection, and a delicate balance between humanity and technology. In this evocative artwork, Rina's hand, with her ethereal blue skin, delicately clasps Bash's hand, bearing the marks of hard work and devotion, against the backdrop of a sealed steel door.
Bash, a skilled space mechanic/engineer, possesses a bionic arm—a testament to his technical expertise, strength, and resilience—while his remaining human hand bears witness to his vulnerability and connection to his humanity. Standing beside him is Rina, the tilaari, whose touch and presence anchor him in the warmth and essence of what it means to be human.
The subtle details of the clean skin on their connecting index fingers signify their profound bond, transcending technological barriers and embracing the fragility and depth of their emotional connection. 'Us' captures a moment of contemplation, where Bash questions the cost of fully adopting bionic prosthetics, while Rina, through her presence, reminds him of the intangible treasures found in the embrace of humanity.
This artwork is a visual poem, inviting viewers to meditate on the complexities of love, the intertwining of human emotions with technological advancements, and the eternal essence of connection in a vast and ever-expanding cosmos.
But above all, touch, fundamental to our humanity, is the theme of this drawing.
Shoutout to my sister @valkblue for her invaluable advice on this piece!
The title is a reference to the song of the same name, 'Us,' by Movement. (on youtube)
Stay tuned for more hands ;)
Software used: Clip Studio Paint.
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