[OCL] Round 2 - Plushies

Posted Mar 13, 2023, 8:10:32 PM UTC

Finley lucked out in his fight againt his first opponent - a terrifying spirit-wielding croc chieftain, beaten only by a sudden burst of rain. He was feeling... good? Nervous? But passing into the next round gave the slug boy a hope in his heart that he grasped tightly. So when his next opponent was revealed - a bounty hunter who would win no matter the cost? ....His hope was shattered.

He'd researched Aeris briefly before the fight, though he struggled to find much information on him. Controlling the power of fire, and his preferred weapon a sickle blade? His mysterious nature and all-serious demeanour made Finley shuddered. This would be an opponent who wouldn't care for the words he spoke, or hearty sportsmanship. Winning was all that mattered, And they had the skills, the experience, the talent to do so.

...It wasn't far into the round where Finley was immediately thrust into a precarious situation. Not long after the round was declared, Aeris rushed forward, his weapon ablaze and a fire in his deep red eyes. The arena was illuminated with a bright blue, though it burnt with the hotness of the sun itself. A blast of fire here, a swipe of the weapon there. and Finley was already 2 plushies down. All the while, the seaslug stumbled and ran, throwing up water from his bottles to protect himself... more than his plushies.

It was less of a contest, and more of a game of cat and mouse. Aeris following hot on the heels of Finley, who barely had the chance to fight back from the onslaught by the bounty hunter. The hunter had opted to spread his plushies thin - two on the ground, and one on himself. It was hardly a problem, and easy to keep him away from them... at first.

As Finley ran, with desperation and a ragged breath, the cork of one of his bottles had slipped from its lid. Leaving a slug trail behind his movements. ...A slug trail, that lead directly to one of his opponent's plushies. Finley, thinking quickly, leapt backwards with his plushie under his arm - surprising Aeris, who staggered on his feet. Diving into the sliver of water, his body transformed with it. His form a globulous mass of water, and at its heart his plushie. Riding this tiny wave with a speed that surprised himself, he reached out desperately, barrelling himself directly into his first chance of winning this...

 

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Man... burnout sucks, guys. I managed to get it done! I'm really proud of it! But I maybe set my expectations too high with the first round. Doing a huge comic really drained me, so this time, I'm taking it easy. I really wanted to do a comic again, and the idea of Aeris chasing down Finley, with the water trailing behind him 'breaking up' the comic panels seemed like a cool idea. But each time I tried, it never looked right. It was a difficult thing to plan, and honestly, it had like double the amount of panels. But this idea was a lot of fun! The plushies were a really interesting prompt, and its been a blast seeing how people interpret it (and seeing the designs for them too!).

The dynamic between these two was really interesting in my head. The past two fights, my boy has been against two ruthless people. With Aeris, he's not interested in talk, or pushing him to his limits. The only thing that matters is the most efficient route to victory. Whereas Finley is terrified to take that blade to any part of his body. It turned a silly plush contest into a deadly hunt. So I hope I portrayed that well!

As always, good luck everyone! <3

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Comments

  • Mar 19, 2023, 12:59:16 AM UTC
    Oh WOW - Finley's up against tough competition but he pulls through with a surprise strategy once again! The water effects are *chef's kiss* - I believe it's becoming your specialty now ^v^ And the fire too! All the bright blue in this beautiful piece Big Smile
    • Mar 23, 2023, 7:53:47 PM UTC
      You're too nice to me, aaaa! Thankyou so so much! I really enjoy doing those effects, so hearing that just makes my heart soar! ilu, you're always so kind and supportive i sob ;-; <3 <3 <3 <3
  • Mar 17, 2023, 12:45:45 PM UTC
    THE MOVEMENT IN THIS PIECE AAAA
    It just flows so hella nicely here specially with all the small perspective things

    Plus the water.....God it is so pretty, I wish to TOUCH
    • Mar 18, 2023, 2:56:49 PM UTC
      SOBBING IRL THANKYOU.......
      I think everyone knows at this point i fuckin love drawing water <3
  • Mar 15, 2023, 11:11:02 PM UTC
    Still absolutely ADORE how you did the water here! Your depictions of Finley's water form are always SO GOOD.
    Poor Finley, he's not been having much luck with this tournament has he?
    • Mar 17, 2023, 11:25:00 AM UTC
      h e l p him
      And thx bby <3 I always start off hating it, then it kinda just magically fixes itself in the end! 8D
  • Mar 14, 2023, 10:37:56 PM UTC
    Ahhhh! The details are so clear and the colours are so cool!! Amazing work! I love Finley!
    • Mar 17, 2023, 11:17:33 AM UTC
      I am WEEPING thankyou so much! Aaaa that means so much omg ;-; <3 <3 <3
  • Mar 14, 2023, 5:12:40 AM UTC
    My gosh I *love* the way you do water so much, I think I may have said that before but it stands firm haha
    The trail you did in this piece also!! What a great detail!! The motion you put into the characters is always so impactful!! It feels so well thought out!
    • Mar 17, 2023, 11:21:56 AM UTC
      omg thanku ;-; I really enjoy drawing water, and I'm glad I've got a character that I can practice with it, aha! Now to work on my fire skills.......
      Your comments on my pieces always fill me with joy btw!!!!, I really appreciate it, they make my day <3 <3 <3 <3
      • Mar 17, 2023, 9:04:12 PM UTC
        The stars aligned for you!! Gosh water really Is super fun to draw too!
        Ohh this ARPG should give you opportunities to practice fire thankfully! And what you have here looks good already, I think!

        Aaaa cries you're so kind thank youuuuu!
        • Mar 18, 2023, 2:54:16 PM UTC
          Aha, it absolutely will! Thankfully so many characters I know have the fire element!
          Including yours................... :3c

          (and thanku ;-; <3 )
          • Mar 18, 2023, 6:53:12 PM UTC
            Gosh yeah HFKSHF there’s so many fire elements around it’s very convenient!
  • Mar 14, 2023, 3:34:42 AM UTC
    Man, I just love Finley. I really want Sereid to meet him. She would totally talk him up before the next round if they hung out.
    • Mar 17, 2023, 11:15:52 AM UTC
      SEREID IS SO COOL AND I LOVE HER SO MUCH
      HER DESIGN IS FIRE
      sorry i mean..... absolutely yes...... I'd love to draw them together one day! :3c (And thankyou! <3 )
  • Mar 14, 2023, 12:21:47 AM UTC
    love the water effects looks so good!!!!!