Post by: wavewright62 on September 02, 2020, 04:33:40 AM
The originator of the term "InkTober" has disgraced himself, being caught red-handed committing plagiarism in lifting the tutorials of another artist and passing it off as his own. So, we shan't use his term.
*ahem*
Herewith are 31 prompts to use throughout the month of October to inspire you to meet the challenge of a fanwork every day. The original concept specified ink-based drawings, from as simple as a ballpoint doodle in the margins of your work to as elaborate as a colour-registered series of prints. While you can certainly do ink (I plan to), I reckon we needn't be so limited. With so many gifted wordsmiths, we could have those as well. Up to you.
Many thanks to thegreyarea for contributing evocative prompts!
Many thanks also to JoB for contributing the name YoinkTober. It may have been sarcastic, but I love it and am running with it. :mikkel:
SSSS, ARtD, CoH fanworks October Prompts
1. Do what cat
2. Return
3. Wings
4. Hunted
5. Tapio and/or Mielikki
6. Shelter in the rain
7. Sigrun (for this is her canon birthday)
8. Mask
9. Food
10. Guardian
11. Improvising
12. Sauna
13. Bargain
14. Character: Your Choice (canon, AU, OC, self-insert...)
15. All I Wanted was a....
16. Annoying
17. Hannu and/or Ville
18. Useful
19. Bridge
20. Cat Hat
21. Ice
22. Breath
23. Emil and/or Lalli
24. Paper, Rock, Scissors, Sheep, Gun
25. Contact
26. Umbrella
27. Poke
28. Childhood
29. Empty roads
30. Whole family / crew
31. Onni and/or Tuuri
I also posit a separate challenge: 31 Days of Grosslings! For those who prefer a tribute to the weird wacky world of
1. Handsy Moose (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=209)
2. Tuomas the Tank Engine (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=190)
3. Cer-baaa-rus (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=891)
4. Chthulhund (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=303) (pretty much most of Adv. 1 chap 7)
5. Dream Sea Serpent (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=939)
6. SSSS - the First Troll (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=68)
7. Kalma (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=257)
8. Summon Bigger Fish (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=961)
9. Trollyota (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=182)
10. Hipposhrimp (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=158)
11. Rune-Fried Doggo (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=639)
12. Vaettur / Maahinen (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=274)
13. Hukka (aka Was-wolves) (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=276)
14. Clusterface Skullduggery (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=605)
15. Floffy, (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=491) or just general Sjødraug (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=508)
16. Dolphin-Beasts (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=80)
17. Poo-dile (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=269)
18. Ceiling Face (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=255)
19. Tribute to somebody's else's OC grossling that you admired in a fanwork somewhere
20. Hearty Jane on the Train (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=170)
21. Sleipnope (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=536) (the Origin)
22. Speedy McSplorp (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=239)
23. Bladder-Barbies (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=495)
24. Ghosts on a Bus (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=784)
25. Black Hole and the Three Bears (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=299)
26. House Troll (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=776)
27. Lake Cows (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=263)
28. Tooth Scary (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=260)
29. Hilja (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=132)
30. Your own OC (Original Character) grossling
31. Notoros (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=923)
For better or for *shudder* worse, there are more grosslings and skeletons rattling around in Minna's oeuvre, so treat this as a guideline, feeling free to substitute as your little black heart commands.
Post by: wavewright62 on September 30, 2020, 09:19:34 PM
Reynir follows the prompt "Do What Cat":
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/b5c028c1e46e950179309198a48168a3/c3dbb7ffd7d520c7-e9/s640x960/d61ab414f11c240111cca30799604aea889aad2d.png)
Post by: Grade E cat on October 01, 2020, 02:33:25 AM
Post by: Mirasol on October 01, 2020, 03:22:58 PM
Lovely Reynir! I wonder what Kitty´s reaction wold be upon seeing this... :reynir:
Let me join you, Wave! Today I actually went with the grossling-prompt. (I just really wanted to draw those drapey-things on handsy-moose!)
(https://i.postimg.cc/7L4tsm3M/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober1.jpg)
My old problem of working late in the evening and daylight disappearing too fast has hit again, but the darker photo actually adds to this motive this time, I think, so I´m uploading it anyway.
But for the following days I´ll probably send the drawings (at least the ones fitting the prompts here) in chunks, as I´m not home much and will probably do them somewhere on the go or very late at night... But I promise I´m not cheating! :D
Post by: wavewright62 on October 01, 2020, 03:50:46 PM
Spoiler: show
Now, let me rave about this drawing, Mirasol! You are correct that the darker photograph helps the atmospherics a bit, but holy frijoles it has plenty of atmposphere anyway! I love the rhythm of the piece, I love the bubble motif, I adore the skulls and the draperies!
What a splendid kickoff. May you have plenty of inspiration but no nightmares this month (at least until you get to Sleipnope, then may that night-mare run free).
Post by: Lallicat on October 01, 2020, 04:26:44 PM
Now, I'm not a great artist but there's nothing like practice to improve. So here is my doodley "Do What Cat"!
(https://i.imgflip.com/4gzt7j.jpg)
Post by: Jitter on October 01, 2020, 04:35:12 PM
“Lalli, please come down!”
“Mrrrh”
“Lalli, I’m serious. It’s time for supper.”
“...”
“I understand why you got upset. I’m sure they understand too and will make sure to not do that any more”
Again the only answer Onni received was a rustling of the branches. The little critter was climbing higher, not back down!
“Lalli, come down this instant! You have training tomorrow, you can’t stay up late!”
“Shhhhhshshshsss”
*sigh* “I hope you are happy when I carry you inside. You’ve been there for over two hours now.”
“...”
“All right. I’m coming for you!l”
Still receiving no answer, Onni started up the tree. He wasn’t as agile as Lalli, but had longer reach than the child and he was reasonably sure he could wrestle his cousin down. Surely Lalli would be a bit tired too after this charade? Onni grabbed his foot, but Lalli wriggled out of his grasp and yet higher.
Onni eyed the higher branches suspiciously, but they’d been here before. And he really couldn’t leave Lalli outside again, or the authorities would take the kid from him again. Try to at least. Lalli always got extremely upset, when there was any hint of such plans. However, by now Onni knew better than try to use the threat as leverage to bring the boy down. He’d tried that once, and Lalli had bolted and actually tried to run out of the compound.
He really had to get Lalli down. If he had to climb down without his cousin, he would have made a fool of himself in addition to upsetting Lalli further. But now the child was almost at the top branch and couldn’t climb higher. Just reach a bit further...
“Auugh! What in the name of Mielikki! Lalli, you cannot bite meee-
—eeee”
Lying on the ground, Onni heard a whisper: “Just did”
“Ok, fine. Stay all night. Starve if you want. I’m done!”
Onni stormed off into their housing unit. Tuuri was trying to look nonchalant, but she had clear difficulty holding laughter at bay. Of course she had seen Onni fall.
“You! Shut up and look smart*! Suppertime, and no talking!”
Just as Onni had finished ladling soup on his and Tuuri’s plates, the door opened. Lalli walked in, sat in his chair and grabbed his spoon expectantly.
* naama näkkärille
Post by: Jitter on October 01, 2020, 04:38:05 PM
Mirasol, your handsy moose is horrific! Very good!
Wave, bless his silly heart :reynir:
Post by: Lallicat on October 01, 2020, 04:39:49 PM
Post by: Jitter on October 01, 2020, 04:44:24 PM
Post by: Annuil on October 01, 2020, 04:56:01 PM
Wave, that is an adorable Reynir! I’m joining Mirasol, what will Kitty do?.. :'D
Also, Mirasol, that moose looks so cool! (Yeah, tha darkness of photo is matching the drawing itself ;))
Lallicat, great face! I like the dark glasses ;D
Haha, Jitter, I love your story! It’s just great, such a typical Lalli...
Okey, here is my “Do what cat”, OneDrive link, as usual:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_skgoFTTw9p1i_oxA
You know how cats can fit everywhere, even in a jar? :'D
Post by: Lallicat on October 01, 2020, 05:19:50 PM
Who's in the jar?
Post by: Jitter on October 01, 2020, 06:05:12 PM
Post by: Mirasol on October 01, 2020, 06:19:47 PM
Lallicat, I can imagine this just as an advertisement on a poster in Iceland. :'D I agree with everyone else, the sunglasses are great!
Jitter, what a cute and funny scene! Though certainly less so for Onni... (naama näkkärille... duely noted in my book.)
Aaah Annuil, the reflexions on the jar, I can´t even! XoX So beautiful!
Post by: Alkia on October 01, 2020, 06:48:18 PM
Wave, Reynir's hair is so swooshy!!!! nice dance
Mirasol, just...woW!!!!! I am a gray enthusiast, it might be my favorite color other than yellow, and what you are doing with grays there is amazing
Lallicat, your Do What Cat cat is adorable!!! it looks like it would make a really good sticker
Aww, Jitter, another adorable lalli-being-lalli story :-)
Annuil, woah, I agree with Mirasol, the reflections on that jar are so cool :0!!!
I think I'll post my yoinktober arts in chunks too, maybe 4 or 5 at a time
Post by: Annuil on October 01, 2020, 09:07:20 PM
Spoiler: show
Post by: Jitter on October 02, 2020, 08:44:49 AM
"Oh! There you finally are! Where have you been!"
"Scouting. I said."
"You don't need to go scouting! Let the youngsters do that."
"Wanted to."
*Sigh* "I know you want to be alone every now and then. But I was so worried!"
"I told you I'm going!"
"Yes! You said you'd be gone "for a while"!"
"I was."
"Do you even know how long you were?"
"A while?"
"Three nights! Three full nights! And in this weather!! I feared for you so much! If both Onni and Reynir hadn't assured me you are not hurt, I would have had to come for you!"
"You? You wouldn't have found me."
"True. I would have gotten lost and frozen to death! How would that make you feel, hm?"
"Now you are being stupid again."
"Stupid? I'm the one who's stupid? What about someone who doesn't know three nights is not "for a while"! On Monday I was... ah, mmm, hmm"
When his husband calmed down and responded to his kiss, the scout released him gently. "Better?"
"Hmph, ok, better. But you must tell me!"
"Ok ok, I'll try to remember you are stupid. How could I forget?"
Post by: Lallicat on October 02, 2020, 10:21:47 AM
YoinkTober October 2nd: Return
It was snowing heavily when Sigrun managed to get away from a particularly obnoxious coworker and stepped out of Norway's Military Headquarters. The scowl on her face would have scared away any trolls she happened to meet in her path and she spit out several choice words as someone bumped forcefully into her. She fell on the ground, snow creeping under her shirt collar and leeching away her body heat. She got up shaking her fist at the hastily retreating figure, curses falling from her mouth like the snow from the sky. She had been in a particularly foul mood the whole day. This may have been because Mikkel was and would be out of town for the next week, though she would never admit it. When she finally managed to fumble the tiny freezing metal key into the lock of Apartment 6C, she was chilled to the bone and ready to punch anyone who dared to come into her line of sight looking happy. She turned the handle, the door creaked open, and she wearily stepped inside, shaking snow from her hair. She had barely taken off her boots when she was promptly assaulted by a tiny ginger monster. It was Dagny, her cat. He had been in the Cat Academy and had been exceptionally good at spotting trolls. He had passed his grade A training with flying colors. However, he had been disqualified from serving in the military due to his tiny size; he was barely bigger than a kitten and could fit in Mikkel's palm. Sigrun had taken a liking to the scrappy fellow and had volunteered to adopt him. The sight of Dagny wrestling with one of her shoelaces melted away most of her dark mood in a heartbeat. She changed her clothes, and, because of his insistent meowing, filled Dagny's food bowl. She then made herself a warm cup of coffee and reclined on the couch, throwing her feet up on the armrest, the fire crackling away in the background. Grinning, she realized she wasn't in such a bad mood anymore. She had a hot drink, a warm blanket, and a tiny cat sleeping on her chest. It was good to return home.
Post by: Annuil on October 02, 2020, 11:52:14 AM
My heart was especially warmed by that little detail that Dagny could fit in Mikkel’s palm :3 :))
Here is my “Return” for today:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_skbZIdpaWIJHvoVj
Spoiler: show
Post by: Jitter on October 02, 2020, 12:31:16 PM
And Lallicat, a nice snapshot at Sigrun's life with a tiny cat (and a huge man, although he's away at the moment). I don't have cats but I do have dogs the size to fit in your lap and I can testify the warmth is sweet, especially if one was cold before the cuddles.
Post by: LilG on October 02, 2020, 03:14:41 PM
@Annuili, though it would unfortunately seem that the link for the “do what cat” drawing doesn’t work anymore. Would you mind reuploading it?
Post by: Annuil on October 02, 2020, 05:12:02 PM
Post by: Lallicat on October 02, 2020, 05:25:16 PM
Post by: thegreyarea on October 02, 2020, 06:19:50 PM
I'm loving this Yoinktober! Great works, all of them. I'll comment later, because I'm tired from a long week. Meanwhile I will try to participate as much as I can, and here's my contribution for day 2, mixing together our themes. So here's the moment when someone's return is interrupted by an unpleasant surprise...
(https://i.postimg.cc/52Yv94pn/return-interrupted-the-tank-engine.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bZPd3j7t)
I hope you like it! Butter good! :)
Post by: Lallicat on October 02, 2020, 06:55:24 PM
Post by: LilG on October 03, 2020, 02:58:12 AM
Post by: wavewright62 on October 03, 2020, 03:22:22 AM
thegreyarea, oh my word, that tanktroll! Holy frijoles, what a little [redacted]!
Now, my next two contributions:
Return - Lalli returns, and attempts to get the boat shop owner to not only buy back his boat, but not buy it back at a discount. After all, he's returning it with a better specimen or three, for the shop's wall.
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/20f5c620738401101c09b44df44c8b01/f1591cef0a101cd1-18/s540x810/0e59194d0c37665c34616c5a75ab3a83335d5e7d.jpg)
Wings - A look back, not a look ahead, okay? "You know we'll see each other again." (I feel more brave tugging at those heartstrings now that they have indeed been reunited, however temporarily.)
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/cd95432d97638fe1e84effd2d7f2ccc1/3ef3c7dc27445403-3a/s540x810/ee026e475476ca083fffeb186791b4a8b9c8f3fc.jpg)
Post by: thegreyarea on October 03, 2020, 04:40:02 AM
:)
Post by: Jitter on October 03, 2020, 10:06:43 AM
Grey, you really went for Tuomas Veturi then :) They are kinda nasty in the show, but this is something else!
Wave, you say it's a look back but we know there will the same thing again ahead :'( Lalli's Return however is great! We made a card about that in the SSSS Monopoly btw, "Return rental boat surprisingly intact. Collect 100" or something on those lines :) I hope Väinö takes good care of the boat while they are gone!
Wings
"Honey, can you go fetch him? He's in the apple tree* again."
"Oh well, yes, I'll try"
"Try to make sure he climbs down this time. No jumping!"
...
"Son, time to come down! Supper's almost ready!"
"I don't want to!"
"Yes, but you must. We eat and sleep inside."
"Why! It's so lame! I want to be close to the sky!"
"I know. But we are humans. We can't live in the sky. Or even in trees."
...
"Mum, tell me about airplanes again! Of the time when you went on the airplane and flew all the way to the funny place!"
"Funny place?"
"Yes the warm place, where you went for a holiday?"
"Oh yes, Portugal. It was nice."
"What is a holiday? Why is it warm in Portugal? Can we go there?"
"I'm afraid Portugal is lost. At least we haven't heard from anyone south of Denmark."
"Maybe when I'm big it's back!"
"Maybe. Let's hope so."
"Mum, don't be sad! Tell me about airplanes!"
...
"You come down this instance! The roof is off limits for you, young man!"
"I want test my wings!" *waves contraption made of fir branches"
"Oh my go... by Mielikki! Come down!"
"Ok! Catch me if I fall!"
"Oh no I meant..."
*crash*
"Oh my baby! Are you hurt? Why did you...?
"Moom! Stop it! I'm fine. But the wings broke."
"Dear, I was studying to become an engineer. Trust me, you can't build wings out of tree branches."
"I will too! When I'm big, I will have wings and I will fly all over the lakes!"
"You mean an airplane?"
"Maybe! And I'll steer it! Or I will have wings of my own! Maybe I'll be a mage? Can mages fly? Wouldn't it be lame to be a mage who can't fly?"
"Well, Väinö, you never know. The world changes. It's good to have goals."
Spoiler: * • show
Post by: thegreyarea on October 03, 2020, 10:42:46 AM
Jitter, nice story too! One fascinating view over Väinö. Now I'm imagining young Väinö meeting young Ensi...
(and thanks by the Portugal reference, albeit I'm sure that it's just coincidence... ;) )
BTW the link don't work for me. Here's the full youtube address: />
note: now it seems that the Forum converts these in direct views. That's unexpected... I don't recall that in the Forum before.
Post by: Grade E cat on October 03, 2020, 12:48:01 PM
Post by: Jitter on October 03, 2020, 03:20:05 PM
Grey, I was about to write Greece (it’s the most popular Mediterranean destination for Finns in normal times) but then got the idea that Portugal would be better. Don’t really know why :)
Post by: wavewright62 on October 03, 2020, 04:33:56 PM
Of course Portugal is ideal as a holiday destination.
Post by: Annuil on October 03, 2020, 11:03:59 PM
thegreyarea, I love that train-troll, that’s a really nice idea :))
Phahahah, Wave, that “return” is hilarious, there is no better word, and I really like the “wings” but it feels a little sad... which isn’t a bad thing :)
Jitter, that is an interesting way to look at Väinö, it’s great! :'D
My apologies for not posting my work for so long, I’ve spend my day fishing King salmon, which was just... incredible... but I still did the drawing for today!
“Wings”
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_sl1-24Dqym_KT4sF
Post by: Róisín on October 04, 2020, 12:31:42 AM
Post by: wavewright62 on October 04, 2020, 03:37:48 AM
Post by: Annuil on October 04, 2020, 12:21:48 PM
Annuil, nice drawing! Also, king salmon! Half your luck, and hope you had a good catch.
Thanks! Indeed I did get a good catch ;D (I had a fight with a fish 10kg worth weight, which I successfully won and brought it home with me ;) XoX)
Also, I realised that I forgot to say thanks to all your compliments, that was rude of me...
Thank you all!
Edit: we need a fishing thread if it doesn’t exist already... pleas tell me if there is one!
Post by: Jitter on October 04, 2020, 12:53:10 PM
Spoiler: hunted • show
Post by: Jitter on October 04, 2020, 12:54:55 PM
Post by: Mirasol on October 04, 2020, 01:18:30 PM
2.10.: no minna-work-themed drawing due to no access to references.
3.10.: "Wings" Can you tell I like limited color palets? And bubbles?
(https://i.postimg.cc/3J0PGbWZ/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober3.jpg)
4.10.: "Hunted" In which a hunter becomes the hunted... This may or may not have been inspired by my own first encounter with the Spider-momma back when I played the CoH-Demo. (Let´s pretend that the weird lighting in this piece was absolutely planned and not due to me only realizing it was weird when it was already too late.)
(https://i.postimg.cc/bwQWCDxD/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober4.jpg)
Post by: Annuil on October 04, 2020, 05:35:00 PM
Also, thank you!
Mirasol, you’re art is getting better and better with each new work! I love the little monsters on the “Hunted”, they are terrible and cute! ;D And the swan is perfect, I love the colors... what did you use for it? Markers?
Okey, here is my “Hunted”, kind of strange, but actually the same part of the comic as Jitter chose:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_smqSbqJbJ1ahYNXl
(I couldn’t resist from drawing Emil’s ear, even though Minna rarely does that... I just love ears :'D
They ended up looking a lot different from the characters I wanted to draw (face-wise) but still... the idea is there)
Post by: Jitter on October 04, 2020, 06:11:58 PM
Mirasol, I also initially had a “the hunter becomes the hunted” idea of one of the boys hunting prey (holding a bow I guess) and the other one stalking with a snowball :) Maybe it would have been fairer to make Lalli the target once in a while. But I realized it was far beyond my non-ability, so went for a scene with reference for (yes, I even looked at the pages and came up with that...) The snow-spiders are great!
Post by: wavewright62 on October 04, 2020, 07:33:52 PM
Mirasol, I love these two - I briefly considered the snow spiders for the prompt, but yours is so splendid! Sigrun's expression makes me smile, complete with status bar.
What the hey, here's my Hunted - Puppy-Fox fleeing Hannu
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/8012789e73777718772513ece7678dfe/258b2928487a3354-f6/s540x810/a48cd3a875531afcaff25acaecc17b28046a9830.jpg)
(I didn't like that sequence, but here we are.)
Post by: Lallicat on October 04, 2020, 08:40:03 PM
Here is my "Wings"
(https://i.imgflip.com/4hc2di.jpg)
And here is my "Hunted" (it's a bit of a ramble, sorry)
---Hunted---
They were coming. She could feel it. She wasn't going to last much longer out here. She honestly didn't know how she had lasted as long as she did. Those terrifying monsters straight out of a horror movie were hunting her, and she knew they would find her. Her poodle, Blip, had succumbed to that strange illness weeks ago and she had nearly died then and there. But she had escaped, and now she was hiding out in this city infested with those beasts with only her wits, a sharp spike she had crudely made herself and her cat, Chip. Poor Chip had been killed a few days earlier so she wouldn't have the advantage of a warning this time. She would just have to hide well, then. She was terrified. The fear seemed like a tangible thing, thick and slick and she was drowning in it and oh lord she just wanted it to end oh make it stop, please! She wrapped her arms around her legs, tears silently streaming down her face. She had wanted to be an architect. Design buildings for future generations to marvel at. She would never get that chance now. She had wanted to get married and start a family. She had wanted to travel the world. She had never stepped outside Finland but now it was too late. She had wanted to do so much, but she couldn't now. She could only dream. She stayed like that for a long time. Then she heard it. The loud sniffing outside of the door. She felt an icy calm flood her. She might be going down tonight, but she wouldn't be going down without a fight. She readied her spike. The walls trembled as something that looked like it might once have been some sort of paw when it had had fur on it smashed through the door. She readied her spike to impale whatever was on the other side of that door but stopped. The thing looked like a poodle, except for its eyes. Those were dark and lifeless. But it was wearing a collar. Blip's collar. She briefly looked into those eyes and saw that there was no more life in them. She raised her arms to strike, but that moment of hesitation had cost her. The Blip-thing burst through the door followed by a stream of hideous, deformed monsters that had once been animals. A surge of strength flew through her. She stabbed and stomped and punched. They dropped like flies. And it was because she gave herself one moment of exhilarating hope that she might live to see another day that she missed seeing the beast that had launched at her from behind. She barely had time to formulate the thought "Oh shi-" before everything went black.
*'*'*
I wake up and I don't know where I am. I look down and I see feathers and talons and wings. I'm pretty sure humans are not supposed to have wings. Then from the distance, a swan appears. I know I should follow. So I do.
"Where am I going?" I ask the Swan.
"To a nice place, little eagle. You'll be able to rest there. You'll be able to sleep." Sleep. That's nice. I'm so tired... It'll be nice to finally be able to rest.
Post by: Annuil on October 04, 2020, 10:12:12 PM
Wave , that is a great idea for “Hunted” I haven’t even thought of that one! And I really like how you caught that the motion, you can feel him jump ;D ;)
Post by: Jitter on October 05, 2020, 08:15:02 AM
Wave, here’s a fox in a hurry if I ever saw one :) Both movement and expression are spot on!
Post by: Lallicat on October 05, 2020, 11:58:45 AM
Post by: Jitter on October 05, 2020, 04:52:23 PM
Mielikki metsän emäntä.............. Mielikki mistress of forest
kaunein kukka kankahaitten........most beautiful bloom of the wood
Sinun salot suloisimmat...............your woodlands most wonderful
Metsät mannut makoisimmat......Sweetest forest and land
Päästä pieksuni poluilles............Let my boots tread on your paths
Sukseni suo sujutella..................Let my skis slide freely
Anna meille antejasi....................Bestow your boon upon us
Viruttele viljojasi...........................Let your grain* flow (to us)
Marjat meille makehimmat..........For us the sweetest berries
Sienet sievät suloisimmat...........Most delicate mushrooms
Pähkinäiset parahimmat.............Nicest of the nuts
Yrttikasvit ylisimmät.....................Highest herbs of healing
Jänis mulle juoksuttele................Let the hare run to me
Rusakoita rutistele.......................Lead the brown hares** to me
Oravainen ojentele.......................Present me with squirrels
Linnut liekaan lennättele..............Let birds fly into my trap
Suvulleni syömiseksi...................So my kin will get to eat
Perhekunnan pitimiksi.................For my family to feed
Kesäkauen kestilöihin..................For our summer celebrations
Talven tullen turvaksemme..........To keep us safe in the winter
Mielikki metsän emäntä..............Mielikki mistress of forest
Salojen sininen neiti....................Blue maiden of woodlands
Sulta pyyän pöytihimme.............I beseech you for our tables
Rukoilehen ruuaksemme............I pray of you our food
* Tapio and Mielikki’s grain = the bounty of the forest, both game and berries etc
**jänis and rusakko are two types of hares, both common in Finland
The Finnish is a runo or prayer for Mielikki written in some semblance of the Kalevala meter (trochaic tetrameter). The English is simply a translation, not even trying to be poetry.
Post by: Annuil on October 05, 2020, 11:33:16 PM
Here are my “Tapio and Mielikki”:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_sntFhh7tbS3HX2IC
Sorry, it didn’t turn out as good as the others, since I had total of ZERO inspiration today and a pretty busy day...
Hope I’ll find it easier to draw in the coming days!
Post by: Mirasol on October 06, 2020, 05:45:15 AM
Annuil, I love how you put the dusklings in the shadows in your "Hunted"-picture, and your designs for Tapio and Mielikki are beautiful! To your question: yes, I drew all YoinkTober-pictures with markers and fineliners, except for the golden and silver details, those were those pens you are actually supposed to write on CDs with. :'D
Wave, everything in your drawing is so dynamic, and Puppyfox´s face is really expressive! Awesome!
Lallicat, what an adorable Hummingfluff, and what a sad but beautiful story!
Jitter, a beautiful poem! I agree with Annuil, even the translation sound kind of like poetry.
I would like to add my own Mielikki to the collection: (I was going to draw Tapio too, but after going down several internet-rabbit-holes in trying to find out how to depict them both it was so late that I only had enough time for one design. But doing the research was just so interesting!)
This design is mostly based on the way she is described in Rune 14 of the Kalevala, or rather the translation I found. Though I wasn´t always sure whether the text was currently referring to Mielikki or one of her daughters. Then of course the Letho-infopages and a whole bunch of other websites.
(https://i.postimg.cc/RZXtnWQx/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober5.jpg)
Post by: Jitter on October 06, 2020, 09:50:17 AM
Both your Mielikkis, as well as Annuil’s Tapio, are great! In the Runo 14 Lemminkäinen describes Mieilkki both in her finery and in plain clothes. Sighting her when out hunting would usually mean you will be having a good hunt, but if she was wearing old and ragged clothes, the hunter would have bad luck. So Lemminkäinen, who’s been having no luck hunting the Moose of Hiisi, begs her to change her plain old clothes to the ”bounty dress” signifying a good hunt for him.
Post by: Annuil on October 06, 2020, 11:53:14 AM
Both your Mielikkis, as well as Annuil’s Tapio, are great! In the Runo 14 Lemminkäinen describes Mieilkki both in her finery and in plain clothes. Sighting her when out hunting would usually mean you will be having a good hunt, but if she was wearing old and ragged clothes, the hunter would have bad luck. So Lemminkäinen, who’s been having no luck hunting the Moose of Hiisi, begs her to change her plain old clothes to the ”bounty dress” signifying a good hunt for him.Ooh, so that’s how she is supposed to look like! I’ve read some articles about her being a woman only on the front but from the back looking like a piece of tree, that’s why I kind of covered her with the bark...
I might have misunderstood it, should’ve read the actual Kalevala texts (translated obviously) O_o
Post by: Róisín on October 06, 2020, 07:27:32 PM
Post by: wavewright62 on October 06, 2020, 07:47:37 PM
Such lovely renditions of Mielikki! I love the runo - I can almost hear Onni invoking her with this.
My Mielikki & Tapio are still in pencils, alas, but like Mirasol, I was also going with the bear cub. Thank you for the dressing advice, as I had her in tunic and leggings, ready for hunting. My Shelter in the Rain is not even started. I may just skip straight to Sigrun.
Post by: Lallicat on October 06, 2020, 08:00:57 PM
Here is mine, a little late, sorry. (And I wrote this really late, so I'm sorry if it's not top quality :-\)
--- Mielikki and/or Tapio ---
Mielikki had been slumbering for centuries. A god's energy is derived from heartfelt prayers and offerings; the words alone have no power without the belief behind it. She had received no such prayers in a very long time. So it was a surprise when a thread of power woke her up. It was a prayer from a small girl, asking for a blessing for a homemade rabbit trap she had made herself. The child's innocence made the prayer valid and Mielikki had regained a fraction of her power. Feeling benevolent towards the small child who had strengthened her, she granted the prayer, ensuring a good catch. The next day, when the child saw the amount of game she had caught, she decided that Mielikki was most definitely real and vowed to never forget that. So Mielikki strengthened bit by bit, gaining power from the prayers and offerings from one devoted follower. The child was now a young woman when the plague hit. She ran to the forest, begging Mielikki to take mercy on her and offer her protection and guidance. So Mielikki created a lehto. It would not do for her one source of power to die from the plague. So she would protect her. As she felt her husband twitch beside her, she had a feeling that The Girl wouldn't be the only one of her supporters soon.
92 Years Later...
There were new visitors to her lehto go. And a strange group they were. Seven humans, one cat, and one spirit. Two of them were her mages. They had given her prayers and offerings and had asked for a place to rest on their journey. If she wasn't mistaken, it was to free the Kade that was nearby. If they were to accomplish that, they would need more than just a place to rest. So she gave them her blessing.
Post by: Jitter on October 06, 2020, 08:27:14 PM
They, like Finnish deities in general, are not well-defined gods but in many tellings powerful spirits. Like there will be a spirit of each distinctive area of forest, but they are the spirits of all forests.
I also had a little storylet about sheltering in the rain, but it seems to have disappeared instead of getting posted. Oh well, I’ll rewrite later. When it’s not 3 am.
Post by: Lallicat on October 06, 2020, 09:21:27 PM
--- Shelter in the Rain---
Sigrun had invited the crew to hang at her place, so, naturally, Reynir was lost. Her instructions to her apartment were... vague, to say the least. "Turn left once you pass that rock that looks like an upside-down grenade if you squint really hard" were hardly adequate instructions and Reynir felt the same way he had when he had discovered he was stranded in the Silent World: like an idiot. To top it all off, it had started to rain, and in a matter of seconds, he was soaking wet. He spun around helplessly, and nearly cried with relief when he spotted Mikkel's huge figure. And he was carrying an umbrella.
"Mikkel!" he called as he jogged over to him and ducked under the umbrella. "Thank goodness I found you! Do you know the way to Sigrun's house? She gave me directions but-"
"Don't worry," Mikkel cut him off, "I happen to know the way." So two men under an umbrella started walking towards the general direction of Sigrun's place.
*'*'*
Lalli had taken one look at the directions Emil had translated for him and gave up. They made no sense, and, knowing Sigrun, they never had in the first place. But he figured he could find his way on his own. How hard could it be? He was sure he was going in the right direction when it started to rain. He hissed in displeasure and ran under the nearest tree, trying to stay as dry as he possibly could. It was out of the question to continue in such rain when he was dressed in such light clothes. He knew he should have worn his scout uniform, no matter what Emil said about "being casual." He stayed under that tree for a solid five minutes before deciding to brave the rain again. He took one step and rushed back to the safety of his tree. It was pouring buckets out there.
"Lalli! Hi!" Lalli turned around in shock. He knew that voice. Of course it was him. He opened his mouth to answer but was saved by Mikkel gesturing to the umbrella and then to him.
"Come." Lalli gratefully squeezed himself between the giant man and the freckle-head.
"... Thank you," he grunted. So three men squeezed under an umbrella started walking towards the general direction of Sigrun's place.
*'*'*
Emil was looking for the rock shaped like an upside-down grenade.
"It should be right around here..." he murmured. "Unless I made a wrong turn somewhere..." He yelped in surprise and covered his hair as rain started pouring from the sky. He looked around for shelter but saw none. Frantically, he took off at a sprint, hoping was running in the right direction, squeezing his eyes shut. He bumped into several people as he ran past, yelling sorry over his shoulder as he continued his mad dash. But just his luck, Emil felt himself run into what felt like a very large man. He gulped hard as he looked up to see who he had hit now. It was Mikkel!
"Closing your eyes doesn't keep you dry, stupid," Lalli told him as he peered around Mikkel. "Come. Mikkel knows way to Sigrun." So four men squished under an umbrella started walking towards the general direction of Sigrun's place.
*'*'*
Sigrun opened the door with a grin.
"There you guys are! I was worried you had gotten lost on the way! It's not like my directions were hard or anything!" Lalli grumbled something in Finnish that she chose to ignore. "Come in! Oh, and be careful around Dagny," she added, almost as an afterthought. "He's taken a liking to attacking people's feet when they let their guard down."
(Do you guys want more of Dagny? Because I'm thinking of doing more with him.)
Post by: Annuil on October 06, 2020, 11:44:41 PM
Lallicat, a nice story! I love it! Mikkel is being Mikkel and collecting everyone on the way is great :'D And Sigrun describing the way to her place is also really close to her character :'D
(There are a few orthographic mistakes, but it didn’t disturb really, when I was reading)
Okey, here is my “Shelter in the rain”:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_sws3ATW4q0jd9vUK
(Onni turned out really young... and I hope you can see the Tuuri-bird who found herself a nice shelter under her brother’s hood ;D)
Also, thanks for the kind comments ^-^
Post by: Jitter on October 07, 2020, 10:09:49 AM
And the story about Mikkel being the shelter (against the rain and against other troubles) for the boys is adorable. It's good that he "happens" to know the way to Sigrun's :)
Annuil, a cute scene with the Tuuribird sheltering from the rain :)
So here's my Shelter in the Rain again (I hadn't saved it anywhere so when it didn't post I had to rewrite - became longer so maybe that's ok).
Ensi was normally ok with any kind of weather. She just let it wash over her. But this storm was ridiculous! It felt more like a beating than a wash! The howling wind and horizontal rain were bad enough, but maybe it was the hailstones mixing with the rain that finally won her stubborness to keep going. She had hoped to make it to the northern end of the lake by nightfall, but Ukko had other plans. And besides, if she veered too far off her course here, she'd spend the next day paddling around looking for her landmarks. She had a reasonably good idea of the lay of the land and water here, but she was far from home and the labyrinth of rocky islands and straits was challenging.
The small and relatively gently sloping island to the right looked like a good candidate for a stopping place. Nimble despite the wind she quickly paddled around it. She discovered crumbling remains of a jetty, so there probably were ruins of a cabin here. Still, neither her human nor mage senses indicated any danger. So she paddled to the shore and pulled the canoe up, and set quietly for the centre of the island. There was indeed a cabin, and it looked to be in a tolerable condition. It might well offer a dryish shelter for the night. The other end of the building had been a sauna. Oh, it would be nice if the kiuas was still in working order! Despite it still being early September, she was freezing with the cold rain and wind.
The cabin even had a door still attached. She pricked up her ears and other senses, but still nothing. If this tiny island really had remained fully free of grosslings, maybe the cabin could be fixed up to make a scouting camp. She made a mental note of the location and grabbed the door handle.
The door opened with a creak. Simultaneously she heard a shuffling from inside the room. She pushed the door forcefully and it hit something. She spun back and drew her blade. Two voices yelled in unison "Perkele!" She had come blade to blade with a human. A man she hadn't met before. "Mikäs mies sinä olet?!"
"Kuka olet ja mitä teet täällä?" Ok so they were both Finns.
"Relax. I'm human." Ensi said, lowering her blade tip marginally.
After staring at her for a while the man lowered his. "Sorry. Must be careful."
"Ensi Hotakainen, from Toivosaari. Immune, mage, scout."
"Toivosaari? Never heard."
"It's in Haukivesi. West of here."
"Still doesn't ring any bells. Oh yes, Ukko-Pekka. That's me."
"Could we perhaps get inside? I've had enough of the rain."
"Oh yes, sorry. The cabin is surprisingly nice! We may even be able to use the sauna!"
Post by: Jitter on October 07, 2020, 10:25:04 AM
She hated it when she wasn't on top of things. Like now, Mikkel and the pipsqueak's cousin (His name's Onni, she reminded herself) were talking about something and Mikkel was clearly winding the other man up. She would have liked to be privy to the conversation. The Finn was far too serious, he would be so easy to tease. He was already bristling, when Reynir added something. Oh, about the Surma thing. Onni seemed to make a gesture of denial, but she also noticed he didn't appear to be fully convinced. Now she was really irritated! How dared they discuss threats without her!
Reynir was saying something about Mikkel and looked a little sheepish. A bit more sheepish than he usually did. Sigrun turned to Mikkel, drawing breath to demand translation at once. However she suddenly ran out of steam, when Mikkel nonchalantly put his arm around her waist and pulled her to a half hug on his shoulder. Well, all right. Maybe she could wait a bit more. Amusingly, Onni looked like he was billowing the smoke of his anger now, with the fire between him and them. Tee hee hee, good that her most best team had come, or the Finn would have gotten himself killed by his short temper!
Post by: wavewright62 on October 07, 2020, 03:37:09 PM
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/71afdc083b36bc21cf79d82951975be1/70800001a6c8a0ea-4a/s2048x3072/066fcb926351cdbefe9bb4e0041aa591a0ef5d47.jpg)
(Will come & read stories later, promise)
Post by: Jitter on October 07, 2020, 04:57:05 PM
Everyone please note, that she can be all of these versions and more. She’s a deity, and varies her appearance as she wants.
Post by: Lallicat on October 07, 2020, 06:06:22 PM
---Sigrun---
"Sigrun, you wanted to discuss a new weapon you found for the army?" Her parents were staring at her curiously.
"Yes, I found an old pre-rash weapon that, with a few modifications, could be very effective against trolls and beasts. Maybe even giants!" she added excitedly. "I'm thinking we can call it the 'Flying Disk of Doom.' Don't you think that sounds so cool? It's like-"
"Sigrun, focus please," her mother begged. "The weapon?"
"Oh yeah," Sigrun replied with an apologetic grin. "Like I said, me and Mikkel came across one. We played around with it for a while. Pretty hard to get it to fly straight, but if you throw it right, it could slice right through anything in its path, if you sharpened the edges. I almost decapitated Mikkel with it," she added as an afterthought.
Her parents exchanged a look. This could be a powerful weapon by the sound of it. Not that they had a very clear idea of what it was yet.
"Do you know what the lost weapon was called?" Her father asked. Sigrun screwed up her face in concentration.
"Yeah, Mikkel mentioned it. I think it's called a frisbee.
Spoiler: show
Post by: wavewright62 on October 07, 2020, 11:12:44 PM
I couldn't come up with anything clever for Sigrun, so have a comic panel redraw - Sigrun menaced by gulls:
(https://i.imgur.com/dT9wrwq.jpg)
Post by: wavewright62 on October 07, 2020, 11:21:30 PM
By now, we will have seen Mikkel apprising Sigrun of the situation (one of the few times that Minna has explicitly shown translation), and your segment certainly agrees with that canon!
Post by: Annuil on October 08, 2020, 01:25:51 PM
And I enjoyed reading the Finnish phrases ;D
Wave, that’s an interesting interpretation of Tapio & Mielikki, I love the way you draw movements, they are always so natural and realistic :D
For some reason, I cannot see your last drawing :'(
Lallicat, ahah, I love your frisbee idea, it’s great! And you pictured Sigrun very well, very passionate about the new weapon :'D
Here is my “Sigrun”, that I finished only today (too much school yesterday):
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_syB2zAgZEV16udMe
Spoiler: show
Post by: Jitter on October 08, 2020, 03:11:16 PM
Emil rushed in banging the door loudly and waking Lalli up with a start. Alarmed, Lalli jumped up and grabbed his blade, while Emil was trying to regain enough breath to tell him what the matter was.
“Tr... phhh... trolls! In the village!”
“What! This can’t be happening! Are you sure!?”
“Yes! I saw three trolls, about human-sized, approaching the central square!”
“But it’s still daylight!... Now, hold on! What did they look like? Exactly?”
“They were sturdy and furred, and had great claws! And large bulbous heads with horns! At least one of them had also growths looking like antlers, protruding from its body! They were making a wailing sound! What are you waiting for! You must come quickly!”
Lalli considered the matter for a second. It was tempting, but no. He decided to spare Emil. This time.
“Honey, remember how we discussed yesterday, that Kekri will be soon?”
“Yes, so? We’ll hardly be having a festival when we are under attack!” Emil was besides himself.
“And how do we have the festival, hmm?”
“Lalli, why...”
“Just humor me.”
“Ok, so Kekri festivities include eating and drinking, and... oh by Mielikki!” Emil Slapped his forehead (in a rather dramatic but weirdly attractive way, in Lalli’s opinion).
“Go on!”
“And some people dress as the Kekripukki and go around the village, asking for food and inviting people to the party. Lalli, I am an idiot!”
“I know. But you are a good baker! Help me carry the cakes.”
Kekri was the festival of the ending of the farming year. It was perhaps the most important of celebrations for the common people, and also marked the change of year. It was originally not tied to one specific date, but villages and even farms may have theirs when the harvest and autumn work was done. Usually this took place sometime in October, later it was decribed as having been observed somewhere between Mikkelinpäivä (Michaelmas) and Pyhäinpäivä (All Hallows). These describers obviously were following a Christian calendar. It was important that everyone got drunk, because that brought good harvest for the next year. Dressing up was related to the feasting but according to my source also to the ancestors and representing them in this world. Also representation of wild powers of nature, as opposed to order of human society, may be involved, similar to other carnivalistic traditions.
Later it became connected to All Hallows and assimilated by Christianity, as so often happened. It was nevertheless observed in some form until 1800’s and even later as a tradition thing. Now it’s been gaining traction again, and Kajaani has built a straw goat for Kekri and burned it for two decades.
Here are a couple of pictures of the dressing up, and background although unfortunately in Finnish only.
https://www.nykysuomi.com/2016/10/27/unohda-halloween-kekri-on-meidan-juttu/
EDIT the “media” linked is dubious, only look at the pics. Please note I do NOT endorse nykysuomi . com (this article seems fine but it has intolerance and content bordering on hateful at the least)
Surprisingly difficult to find pictures but here are a couple of recomstructions: https://relokatiivi.wordpress.com/2015/10/26/happy-kekri/
Thank you for comments all! And great Sigruns! Annuil, what or earth is she using as bait? Do I want to know? There is btw another great Sigrun by Tacita in the Art Museum thread (as I’m sure everyone has noticed alread)
Post by: Lallicat on October 08, 2020, 03:31:07 PM
Post by: wavewright62 on October 08, 2020, 03:41:18 PM
"Hej, can you come out to
Annuil, that Sigrun was shared off imgur, which you seem to have trouble with, but I'll share it off tumblr so you can see it. I'll put it under the cut to avoid spamming.
Spoiler: different link to my sigrun drawing • show
Post by: Annuil on October 08, 2020, 04:16:07 PM
Wave, thank you! I love your Sigrun, and those seagulls’ faces...
Also, thanks for your comments! Yeah, Jitter, that’s just... a bunch of stuff that she took out of animals and trolls that she killed on the way, tied up into a lump >:D I wanted to draw something a little bit disgusting O_o :'D
(I’m so bad at drawing cats...)
Post by: Mirasol on October 09, 2020, 05:20:24 AM
Lallicat and Jitter, lovely stories! Thanks for the links too, it´s always cool to learn about Finnish culture. And yes, more of Dagny, please!
Wave, your Tapio and Mielikki are amazing! I agree with Annuil, the movement looks really natural. And your Sigrun´s facial expression is on point!
Annuil, some more beautiful pictures! I especially like how dynamic Sigrun looks. You can almost see her getting ready to jump at her "prey".
Also thank you all again for the nice comments!
Now I have finally time to post the next batch of mine here:
6.10. No Minnawork-themed drawing (which turned out to be a good decision, as some of my markers were empty and completely ruined the picture I drew instead...)
7.10 Went with both of the promts for the day. This photo was taken on Sigruns first successfull troll-hunt (though the person taking the photo insisted that her wounds would be treated first before posing), and later printed and given to her as a gift to her 12th birthday by her parents. (Happy birthday to our most-best captain, though it is long over by the time I´m posting this.)
(https://i.postimg.cc/C1VGyYC2/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober7.jpg)
8.10. Something a little different. Less of an artwork, more of a fancy blueprint of the parts one would need to try and recreate the Adventure 1-face masks (loosely based on the pattern of an actual face-mask I own). I got the idea from a discussion on disqus that apparently happened two months ago (how???), so credit goes to Microferret on disqus, who was the first to say they wanted to try and recreate it.
Not everything on here is super thought-out, nor actually measured, basically just an idea of how it could work. And would definitly not be Covid-proof, but I guess nice for cosplaying.
(https://i.postimg.cc/HkDs9xTF/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober8.jpg)
Post by: Jitter on October 09, 2020, 04:45:40 PM
Lalli came home to find the kitchen in floury chaos and smelling of burnt bread. What’s this? Emil had said he’d cook, but hadn’t mentioned baking. Besides he was a very good baker, Lalli thought fondly. He wouldn’t burn things. By accident. Not in the kitchen anyways. Any more. The oven was hot nevertheless, and a flat piece of something was waiting to be baked.
“Oh, there you are! Go change, the dinner will be ready soon!” Lalli did as told, although there didn’t seem to be any proper food around. A casserole would give out a smell if it were almost ready.
Soon Emil called him to table. He had cleaned most of the flour, but had an incredibly goofy and adorable spot of flour on his cheek. He seemed a bit anxious when he produced two plates and then lifted the flat thing on the table. It was... weird. Some sort of weird ugly pie. It had some reddish sauce, a little meat, onion and cheese. And based on the smell, a lot of garlic. Emil had noticed that Lalli was a picky eater when there was possibility to choose, and usually he discussed any new foods beforehand. This was weird. Still, Lalli was determined to give it a try, although he was expecting to hate it. It looked stupid so it couldn’t possibly taste good!
“Hmh, what have you been up to? What is this?”
“It’s a new recipe, very hot in Mora! I found it in one of the magazines I got last week. It’s special for us.”
“Ok?”
“According to the mag, we brought some cookbooks from the expedition! One of them, named Ii-taal-lii-aan cooking has been translated into Swedish* last year and it’s become very popular! This kind of dish is called ‘pizza’”
“Pissa?** Urgh!”
“No no no sorry! Pizzzzzza, with zee!”
“What sort of a stupid name is that!”
“I don’t know! I don’t know what Ii-taal-lii-aan means either! It’s just the name of the food, and the book! It’s probably in foreign!”
“Why are you cooking foreign food in the first place? Don’t you like Finland any more?”
Emil looked hurt, almost brimming with tears. “Don’t say that! I just wanted to try something new! And it’s made of the same things anyway! Why must you be so mean!”
Lalli felt chastened. Maybe his comment had been uncalled for. “Sorry. Hungry. Can we eat now?” Grudgingly, he grabbed a piece of the weird pie (not pissa pie, he reminded himself) and bit into it. Emil was watching him intently. Lalli bit into the pie, and chewed. Not too bad actually. A weird combination, but not too bad. He made short work of the first slice. As he grabbed another one, Emil relaxed and took one fo himself too.
After a period of munching, Lalli looked up at Emil “Really, beloved, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. You know I’m particular with my food so I wasn’t happy to be surprised.”
“Don’t I know! You are an absolute nightmare to cook anything for! And even worse, when you haven’t eaten! I just wanted to make something different, hopefully something nice. Since it was brought back by us, it’s a bit like our dish, don’t you think?”
“Well, I suppose you could think about it like that. And... it’s good. Weird but good. It looks stupid but tastes all right.”
“Thank you for admitting it! There is no single ingredient you wouldn’t normally eat. And not really weird texture either. It’s just arranged a bit different is all. I didn’t even consider any of the more weird versions!”
“Ok ok. Thank you for the pis... pizzzzza. And thinking about me when choosing the recipe.”
“You are welcome, love. And you know what, I’ll bake some crackers and put them at the door. So that you can get a little snack the minute you come in.”
“Shut up you! Have some more pizzzzzza before I eat it all!”
* Books salvaged from Denmark are presumably mostly in Danish
** pissa = pee in Finnish
NOTE I don’t think Emil is a homemaker in their relationship. Lalli also cooks, and Emil works. In this case it had to Emil finding a new recipe and Lalli being grumpy.
Thank you again for the comments! Some more Emilalli fluff for you today! Has anyone met a guy like that, who is very grumpy when hungry but nice immediately after getting a bite? (Choice of “guy” intentional...)
Mirasol both your pieces are great! The idea of such a birthday present (so this happened before she turned 12!) is very clever! And your schematics for a mask is both interesting and looks nice!
Post by: Lallicat on October 09, 2020, 07:25:01 PM
*DISCLAIMER: All of this is from Reynir's point of view, which is not necessarily mine.*
---Mask---
Reynir was not in the dreamworld. He blinked and rubbed his eyes, but got no results. He was not in the dreamworld, he was in some sort of room. Every surface shined like it was coated with gems, and he could see his reflection in the floor. He glanced up at the ceiling which seemed to stretch on forever. Reynir suddenly felt very small.A flash of movement caught his eye and he turned to face a female-like figure, whose features were ever-shifting, like some sort of human kaleidoscope.
"Welcome," it (she?) said, "to the Museum of the Universe!" She hadn't spoken very loudly, but her voice seemed to echo throughout the room. "I am Kalei, one of the Keepers. The Museum of the Universe contains information about everything that has or will ever happen. It contains an answer to every question ever asked. It contains the timelines of all alternate universes. It is essentially a giant encyclopedia of Everything." Kalei then proceeded to pull a book and armchair out from nowhere and started reading.
"Um, Ms. Kalei?" Reynir asked tentatively after a moment of silence. "How did I get here?" Kalei looked up from her copy of Stand Still, Stay Silent.
"I have no idea. It just happens sometimes. Unfortunately, you can't visit any wings that concern your reality or you could look it up yourself." Reynir felt lost.
"Soo... what do I do here?" Kalei gestured vaguely at the room. "You can look around until you wake up, I guess. I can answer any questions you have." Reynir really wanted to know why she kept shifting like that, but he refrained from doing so, feeling like it wouldn't be very polite. As he glanced around, trying to find the displays Kalei had talked about, the room flickered, and a bunch of doors became instantly visible. He picked one at random, not bothering to look at the heading on top of the door. Inside was a hallway with doors stretching along on either side. It seemed to go on forever. He walked along the hallway for what seemed like hours, before choosing one that held the simple description "2020". There was so much to see, that Reynir didn't know where to start. He wandered around, looking at everything until he came to a rather large section titled "COVID-19." There was a sign reading "COVID-19 was a disease that killed hundreds of thousands of people worldwide..." Reynir was fascinated, reading about the start of a plague so similar, and yet so different from the Rash. What fascinated him most though, was the thin piece of blue material they called a mask. If that was all they used to protect themselves, no wonder so many people perished... Those flimsy things were nothing like his mask at all. Then again, he was looking at the early stages of the disease, maybe they hadn't figured out how to make those types of masks yet. It was all so fascinating, he was seriously disappointed when he woke up. He would have to ask Lalli next night if he knew what that place was.
(My food prompt isn't quite ready yet, so I'll post that most likely later tonight)
Post by: Lallicat on October 09, 2020, 09:22:58 PM
Here is my "food" prompt. (Should I have done dusklings instead? I should have done the dusklings.)
---Food---
Sigrun was bored. And hungry.
“Mikkel!” She hollered across the room, where the man in question was sitting in an armchair, knitting some baby-sized socks. “I’m bored!” Mikkel glanced up over green and yellow balls of yarn.
“I could teach you how to knit,” he offered. Sigrun made a face. “Or not,” he conceded. He raised his eyebrows as Sigrun’s rather large stomach growled louder than those bear beasts they had fought so long ago. “You could cook some food. I have a rather simple cookie recipe that I think you could follow without too much trouble.” Sigrun considered it for a moment.
“Fine. Let’s go bake some cookies.”
*’*’*
The kitchen was an ungodly mess. There was more dough on the ceiling (how did it get up there?) than in the oven, three cracked eggs on the countertop, and flour EVERYWHERE. Kitty was perched high out of reach on top of a cabinet, looking disapprovingly down at Dagny, who was more white than orange at this point.
The cookies themselves were surprisingly tasty; Mikkel only found a few unidentifiable bits in the one he ate.
“Well?” Sigrun asked with a grin. “How did I do?”
“You are no longer allowed in the kitchen unsupervised,” replied Mikkel.
Post by: wavewright62 on October 10, 2020, 04:06:43 AM
Lallicat, your Museum sounds amazing, a bit of sci-fi for us - it could almost be CoH Reynir, except for the Rash parallells to Covid.
Mirasol, I love 12yo Sigrun's triumph, and the mask schematic is good for the cosplayers. Working out the logistics of alt-tech is great fun.
I haven't been completely idle. Below I've combined the grossling for the 8th (Summon Bigger Fish) with the prompt for the 9th (Food). If you squint and turn your head sideways, you could also say that the trash can Masks Lalli & Emil's presence, covering another prompt. (Not to worry, Lallicat, I gotcha covered on the duskling front.)
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/4d0f4f3822b24a6755dfa56a0e8ee8f0/fe33f4d324e62586-98/s540x810/135a2f093c157f32edaa15667d25ae6b0c887408.jpg)
I attended an Urban Sketchers session today on the 10th, and was intending for that to take the place of my contribution for Guardian. I got stuck in trying to render the textures of this Moreton Bay fig tree and pittosporum armed only with a 0.5mm ink pen, but ran out of time. As much as I'd like to "finish" it, it may be a little overcooked already, so I present it as is.
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/4eee8da003efa62c93274dbacea0d9ae/72034f9c1d4a3ccc-70/s540x810/44dc4990122505e8b535586bc4b4478959c5f457.jpg)
I suppose if you keep squinting and turn your head the other way, you could convince yourself that this is an image of a forest guardian or something? Maybe? I answer myself: Naaaaah...
Post by: Róisín on October 10, 2020, 06:12:26 AM
And Jitter, as for men who are grumpy when hungry but turn back into their sweet selves when fed: I’m married to one. Fortunately I am a good cook and I enjoy cooking, because while husband may not be quite the worst cook I have ever encountered, he is certainly a contender!
Post by: Jitter on October 10, 2020, 10:55:47 AM
Many people fear me. They are afraid of the unknown following in my wingbeats. But I am not to be feared. I am not the cause. The great unknown isn't my doing.
I am the keeper, the guardian, the protector. I make sure my wards find their way and arrive safely to their destination. I enforce the peace so that they can rest. I keep them and cherish them till the end of ends, until it is time for me to go too. What is after that, who knows? But I will make sure my proteges will be there to find out.
Post by: wavewright62 on October 10, 2020, 05:23:09 PM
Róisín, I just know the classification as pittosporum? There's all different kinds around here (Lordy, there's over 200 varieties, who knew?), but I guess that particular one looks a lot like the 'Waimea' variety, or maybe the 'Chantilly', based on this page (https://www.citscihub.nz/Phil_Bendle_Collection:Trees_(New_Zealand_Native)_Pittosporum_hybrids_%26_cultivars_with_photos). The habit looks like Chantilly in that it's kid of rangy, but it's not dwarf?
Tell you what, I took a reference photo (under spoiler). I took some liberties with the composition, as you do. I may colour it, to get better clarity.
Spoiler: reference photo • show
Post by: Jitter on October 11, 2020, 12:36:47 PM
”So! Surma is to the west of the city center, and the bears are approximately in this area. So we choose a block and close it on all except western side. Onni will use the strings between the buildings, and Reynir will put the runes on walls to stop them from going into the buildings.
Tuuri will locate the bears and guide Lalli, whose job it is to draw them after him and lure them into the prepared area. Me and my first hand man Emil will be waiting for them there. Mikkel will guard the non-immunes somewhere safe-ish nearby.
So when the bears come into the area, we step to intercept them and finish them off swiftly! First problem solved!”
”Soo... what of Surma?”
”This is the most best part! Surma will hear us, come running, and step into the same trap! So after we have finished off the bears, we’ll dispose of it in the same place!”
”And what if Surma comes before the bears are disposed of?”
”It won’t! The plan is solid!”
“But what if it does? Or the Kade comes with the bears? Or there are trolls in the buildings and they atack?”
“Easy peasy! In any such case we do what we do best - improvise!”
Post by: Annuil on October 11, 2020, 04:32:04 PM
Everyone’s works are amazing here and I will say more about that a little later, once I have time, I promis ;)
I have fallen behind and now I’m working on catching up with you guys!
Here is “Mask” or “Mages in masks” :'D:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_szI7X16SPjdpYjZH
And “Food”:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_s1nlPXlzqgJ6uAr0
(My “food” is super boring, compare to all other “Foods” here... just somebody’s dinner in IKEA-Swedish style, so it’s probably Emil’s :'D)
Post by: wavewright62 on October 11, 2020, 07:25:10 PM
Annuil, food is something we can all get behind (yours certainly wouldn't taste of cat spit, nuh-uh), and I love the mages in masks. You thought to give them different models, and to respect their differing heights. I'm surprised the masks don't melt with the intensity you've imbued them with! (I once doodled them arguing, and was kinda going for this effect, but it ended up a lot more stooopid than yours!)
WIP - I put a drawing out for Improvising, but will post it here with my one for Sauna, currently in progress.
Post by: Lallicat on October 11, 2020, 09:30:32 PM
---Guardian---
LALLI: Emil, what are you doing?
EMIL: *wearing full cleanser regalia and holding a flamethrower.* Guarding.
LALLI: ...guarding what?
EMIL: The cookies.
LALLI: From what?
EMIL: You.
LALLI: ...why?
EMIL: Because every time I bake cookies, you eat at least half the plate as soon as my back is turned. It's our turn to host our monthly get-together and I intend for there to be enough cookies for everybody.
LALLI: *pause* Isn't that Sigrun and the rest at the door?
EMIL: *runs to open the door and great the crew*
LALLI: *stuffs cookies into his pockets* (whispered) Stupid...
Post by: wavewright62 on October 12, 2020, 04:38:16 AM
I'm going to present my days 11 'Improvise' & the 3 panels of 12 'Sauna' in reverse order. I just couldn't top Minna's fanservice page for the latter, so I reached back to an old fanfic of my own for inspiration instead. Heat of the Moment (https://archiveofourown.org/works/6618553/chapters/15144343) is a 'missing scene' of the first adventure, where Tuuri spies an abandoned Sauna and sets out to use it, aided by Sigrun, Reynir, and Lalli. She borrows Mikkel's camp stove to heat the sauna and when Mikkel disovers it missing, he surmises that she & Reynir have gone off to get some privacy for a tryst.
He chuckles to himself as, hearing their voices conversing in Icelandic inside the sauna, he prepares to surprise them. He is stopped short when he actually overhears what they're saying. Who's surprised now, Mikkel:
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/387315333e2b5ddba489be6151da6f3a/ab2e95cb5700bcaa-17/s540x810/f80f9f00f21d11a64198054c25f9faef6d3a79b9.png)
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/d8d79cc363efcccb50bb397090dc3a91/ab2e95cb5700bcaa-33/s540x810/2f78e2c1a98875aadbafabf6f0479c5af20c76b9.png)
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/b36ebd796c638746d4361ca4acf4da33/ab2e95cb5700bcaa-30/s540x810/3f3b35af12d9d52320970bd1cf4e74ef26df80fd.png)
(Let's just say that context is everything)
Happy and clean (I swear), they finish the sauna and return Mikkel's stove to the CatTank. Emil gets upset because nobody told him and he missed out on getting a sauna. Lalli wakes up and demonstrates that he, too, can Improvise, handing Emil his cleanser gear, with the single word, "Sauna." They don't share even the rudiments of language that they have in canon now, but Emil understands that.
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/1ec0a2a43ad480d1d725f69028a0915e/368ddc81fbdb50de-9d/s640x960/2a81c9339f2ef03db3b39c3650a6b9072646d082.jpg)
Spoiler: show
Post by: Jitter on October 12, 2020, 09:04:59 AM
Great art too, as always! Annuil, the food looks suitably Nordic to be anyone’s! And, what are out magebois upset about each other? Again?
Wave oh no poor Mikkel! But, what is ”slippery tube stuff”? Do I want to know? (Yes, I do)
Post by: Mirasol on October 12, 2020, 12:48:18 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/dQjZzbb1/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober9.jpg)
(It´s been terribly dark and rainy over the last few days where I live. Very not good for taking photos!)
(10.10. and 11.10. no Minnawork-themed drawings, but for today there´s still coming one, it´s just not done yet. :)))
And let me gush about all those wonderful pictures and short-stories!
Jitter, while Sigruns plan didn´t turn out to be this exactly, I fully expect it to go that way. I also really like the mysteriousness of your guardian-piece! And Pizza is definitly a recipe that should be rediscovered.
Lallicat, that´s an interesting piece of lore with the museum of the universe! I hope you expand on that, if you want to I mean. And more baking-chaos! Unidentifiable bits, say, has Sigrun discovered the magic ingredient of the Squirrel cookies? :o And Emil should have carried the cookies with him every step of the way...
Wave, the picture with the tree, if not a guardian, turned out beautiful! The perspective in the food-picture is really interesting too! And I love how expressive the faces are in your sauna- and improvising-pieces!
Annuil, man, now I miss going to IKEA... Your food-picture made me hungry! And I love how you drew the hair in the other picture, and the contrast the masks are!
Post by: Jitter on October 12, 2020, 01:07:13 PM
:sigrun: <3 :mikkel: <3 👶
Post by: Lallicat on October 12, 2020, 02:25:04 PM
Post by: Jitter on October 12, 2020, 04:19:07 PM
Post by: Jitter on October 12, 2020, 04:51:04 PM
“You can’t be serious? Build Spirit House in Iceland? What makes you think it would be a good idea?”
“Well, Iceland has the largest population of...”
“Finland has the largest population of people who commune with spirits! Your arrogant seiður laugh at us!”
“No, listen to me. Iceland has the largest population of people and therefore most potential students.”
“What good is it to have students, if you don’t have teachers!”
“At the moment the only teacher will be you. I’ll help of course, if you think I can.”
“Of course you will teach too. In Finland.”
“Onni, be reasonable. Iceland is safe. Any students from other countries can come here, but many of possible Icelandic students can’t go to live in Finland. You know that.”
“I guess that’s a valid argument. But teaching is very stressful for me. Near unbearable, if many of the students are like you! I need to be able to relax and recharge in my forests.”
“We can find a place near a forest here. There are some you know!”
“But it’s... it doesn’t seem right to teach about the spirits in Iceland! I’m sure our gods won’t like it.”
“Are you quite sure it’s not Onni Hotakainen who won’t like it? It was your gods after all who led us on this path.”
“Why must you be so...*grumble grumble*
“Reasonable? Wise? Right?”
“Seriously though, I refuse to live anywhere without a sauna”
“Sauna? That’s your main point now?”
“Sauna is extremely important! Actually I think it’s instrumental in reaching sufficient purity and relaxation to allow for..”
“Oh two-bearded Odin in a tree! We can build a sauna here!”
“There are no proper materials available, and no one here knows how to!”
“Tell you what. Lalli supports this too. I will ask him to hire a Finnish crew of sauna-builders, who can travel here and bring whatever materials with them.”
“Come here? They’ll be months”
“Yes. But they have money, and Lalli especially couldn’t care less about it. Actually I happen to know he has already promised funding for the construction work.”
“Lalli is ok with Iceland?”
“Well, that part hasn’t been discussed yet. But I’m sure he’ll agree with me!”
“Probably will too, to make sure he never needs meet the students.”
“And just think how it will irritate the Academy folks!”
“Hmmm... indeed. That would be a bonus.”
“Ok, so, can we please at least agree to look for a place? Best case scenario, we can get both a hot spring and a sauna there! You can’t build a hot spring in Finland.”
*grumble grumble* “Ok. But the spring must be big enough to fit at least two people.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Promise!”
You can’t just build a sauna of any wood. Or, you can, but if you want it to be nice and stay nice, you have to use suitable woods. Birch for example (which Iceland has) deteriorates easily and also feels hotter to the touch. Usually walls and ceiling are covered in panelling of fir or black alder, occasionally pine. The benches are usually made of aspen or black alder. Sometimes fir is used too, but resin is unpleasant on the bench (not nice on the walls either, it gets burning hot).
Nowadays exotic woods are also uses in saunas, but those are out in this case.
Post by: wavewright62 on October 12, 2020, 05:55:22 PM
Wave oh no poor Mikkel! But, what is ”slippery tube stuff”? Do I want to know? (Yes, I do)You'll have to read the story. >:D
Oh, cross-cultural clashes! Still, much less of an impediment than the logistics of building a sauna in Iceland. You don't mention, but how will Onni feel about an electric or geothermal sauna? After all, they have lots of cheap energy in Iceland, but not a lot of wood to burn. (Overall, I think Onni has the better claim.)
Mirasol, those are most delightful dusklings. I have suddenly noticed a resemblence to the meatballs in Annuil's dish, though, including the greenery garnish, and now cannot unsee it. (And thanks, I actually am stunned that I actually got the perspective on the can more or less right - NOT one of my strong points usually!)
Post by: Lallicat on October 12, 2020, 06:37:57 PM
Jitter, of course Onni wouldn't move anywhere without a sauna!
And here's my "improvising" (I'm still a day behind, let's see if I can catch up.)
---Improvising---
"I can think of plenty of ways this could go wrong."
"It's not, it's a solid plan."
"Do you want me to prove you wrong? Because we can sit here and wait for Surma to find us while I list all of ways "Plan Bear Hole" could fail.
"Well I guess it's good that we're so great at improvising then!"
"And by improvising, you mean shooting anything that bothers us?"
"Of course! I don't know why you're so worried, it's a solid plan."
"Again, I can think of plenty of ways it could go wrong."
"Well do you have a better one?"
"Unfortunately, no. We'll have to make do with this plan."
Post by: Annuil on October 12, 2020, 08:27:10 PM
Mirasol, there you go, Sigrun actually got that thing out of the cave, the lump of disgusting pieces of flesh worked! :'D A great drawing and such beautiful colors ;D
The mask layout looks really nice! (Don’t you think Minna should start selling masks of here comic’s style? I would’ve bought one, since I have to wear it almost every day now! :-\)
Also, the ducklings! They are so nice! And the coloring again... I really like how you manage those markers ;)
IKEA... I’ve been there the day before yesterday and figured that it’s my favorite store ever (after the art ones of course) And I actually found the cookie-cutter set that has the squirrel-one!
Jitter, nice stories! I laughed on the “Sauna” one :'D it’s great, and I understand Onni perfectly! It’s hard to live without sauna if you grew up with it...
I was born and grew up in Russia, and we had some sort of a Russian sauna, which is a tiny bit different from the Finnish one, but I like both. Anyway, now I haven’t been to sauna in about a year, since Americans don’t exactly have them... I’ve really started missing that part of my culture, even though I’m not a big fan of such strong heat as 90 degrees Celsius...
Lallicat, lovely stories! The “Mask”-one is a little alarming, especially when you start seeing the parallels... But the “Food”! It is super sweet! Mikkel knitting baby-sized socks! :3 :mikkel: :sigrun: I can definitely see that whole story happening :'D And the “Guardian”! I laughed so hard! :'D
Wave, your drawings are so expressive, as always ^-^ I love that little duskling with his “not food...” :'D :'( and the “Guardian” is interesting, you can always say, that it’s a tree, who is a guardian ;D
And that “Sauna”... :'D
Okey, I hope I covered everything and everyone, I’m sorry, if I missed someone or something :)
Also, thank you, everyone for your kind comments! :))
Post by: Annuil on October 12, 2020, 08:34:17 PM
Here is my “Guardian”, even though it’s so late.... better late then never!
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_s2fIf8Xb9dDodGuv
(This was supposed to be Sigrun with her cat, thought she turned out to look a little more like Lalli :? :'D, and I hate how the face turned out.... and the cat’s eye was supposed to be more noticeable... fine! That’s fine for this amount of inspiration, which is super little at the moment :-\)
Also, here is the picture of the IKEA cookie-cutter set!
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_s2khry45ROz9zQJd
If anyone is interested :)
Edit: I actually was going to skip the “Improvising” and get right to “Sauna”, because I didn’t have a good idea for it, but now, when you, Wave, said about the meatball-dusklings I have a picture in my head that will work as “Improvising”... >:D :'D
We need an IKEA thread!
Post by: Lallicat on October 12, 2020, 09:07:28 PM
I have managed to finish my sauna, the piece is to be read with an Australian accent >:D.
---Sauna---
Meanwhile, in the sauna...
Here we see a splendid specimen of a wild Reynir. Notice his majestic display of floofy red hair. He is accompanied by a wild Emil. There is a wild Lalli there as well, which is incredibly lucky, as Lallis rarely come out during the day and are not known to be social. It is quite rare to see all of these splendid animals gather in the same space willingly.
It appears that Emil is feeling threatened by Reynir's hair, so he is engaging in a territorial display. He sets his hair to maximum sparklieness, but it is no match for Reynir's majestic mane! Reynir triumphs and Emil retreats, licking his wounds. But he is clearly upset about Reynir taking his territory, and it seems inevitable that the two will clash again. Meanwhile, Lalli is giving Reynir a Death Glare in full force. This is usually a very effective weapon, few resist its power~.
Well I'll be a monkey's uncle! The sheer density of Reynir's luscious locks has created a what seems impenetrable armor! The Death Glare simply bounced right off of it! This is quite a development! Come back next week on SSSS Hunters for the next episode of this stunning saga.
Post by: thegreyarea on October 13, 2020, 10:14:36 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/T1R1cmpQ/Hukka.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G85bL4Ps)
(The inking was made by hand, but the background was made digitally on photoshop...)
There are so many great works here that I can't comment on them now. I'll try to do it later.
Butter good!
Post by: thegreyarea on October 13, 2020, 12:43:35 PM
Sorry for double-post but I have to add something from a different device :'D
Here is my “Guardian”, even though it’s so late.... better late then never!
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_s2fIf8Xb9dDodGuv
(This was supposed to be Sigrun with her cat, thought she turned out to look a little more like Lalli :? :'D, and I hate how the face turned out.... and the cat’s eye was supposed to be more noticeable... fine! That’s fine for this amount of inspiration, which is super little at the moment :-\)
Also, here is the picture of the IKEA cookie-cutter set!
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_s2khry45ROz9zQJd
If anyone is interested :)
Edit: I actually was going to skip the “Improvising” and get right to “Sauna”, because I didn’t have a good idea for it, but now, when you, Wave, said about the meatball-dusklings I have a picture in my head that will work as “Improvising”... >:D :'D
We need an IKEA thread!
Annuil, I like your sleeping guardian, and look forward for the next ones. The IKEA designer (Monika Mulder) for the cookie-cutter must be a Minnion with access to privileged information, since years ago she already included a bear with the fox, moose and squirrel. The hedgehog is obviously a reference to Tuuri. Now we can wait for the snails...
Lallicat, I really enjoyed this episode! I've heard that the next one will include bears, right?
Post by: Annuil on October 13, 2020, 02:19:54 PM
Annuil, I like your sleeping guardian, and look forward for the next ones. The IKEA designer (Monika Mulder) for the cookie-cutter must be a Minnion with access to privileged information, since years ago she already included a bear with the fox, moose and squirrel. The hedgehog is obviously a reference to Tuuri. Now we can wait for the snails...
Thanks, but the guardian is not the one sleeping (look closer at the cat, its eye is open (It was supposed to be more obvious O_o)
Ahaha, yes, she must be! :'D
Post by: wavewright62 on October 13, 2020, 03:55:42 PM
O_o Said one duskling to the other, "Bring out the gravy boat 'cuz you a snacc."
Or something. ::) or not
Grey, I cannot see your picture, it's just a blank space?
Yey! I finally found some time to participate! Here goes my Hukka!I modified the quote to remove the [ img ] tags and revealed the link, but I only get a broken image icon there. Attempting to paste the link into a new window directly (2 different browsers) gives me a Privacy Error on the certificate.
(https://i.postimg.cc/T1R1cmpQ/Hukka.jpg)
Waaaah, I want to see your Hukka!
(I spent last night bottling beer and working on an exchange gift instead of my daily ink offering. I may catch up, likely not. I never do manage all the days, but this year I'm not too fussed over the ones I've missed.)
Post by: Jitter on October 13, 2020, 04:51:57 PM
Lallicat, brlliant stories! I hear the Sauna read in sir David Attenborough’s voice :)
Annuil, the cat’s open eye is visible enough, it’s clear to me who is guarding whom :) Agreed though that the person looks like Lalli (which is not a bad thing! The more Lallies the better) and seems to also be in a Lalli-typical situation, sleeping (almost) alone under open sky.
Mirasol, cute dusklings!
Post by: Jitter on October 13, 2020, 05:51:37 PM
“So, mom and dad, I think you should hire him here!”
“Hmm... so you say he can cook and...”
“No no no, not cook! We’ll never let him cook, ok?”
“But didn’t you just say he was your cook during your trek?”
“Yes! That’s why I know he can’t cook! But he’s an excellent healer, as long as you don’t mind his stitches, he’s super strong, level-headed and dependable! He can do any other chores except cook.”
“I’m not sure we need another medic. And I don’t think your friend would like to be hired for cleaning only?”
“Come on! You don’t even have to pay him much! I’ll offer him lodging!”
“Oh, I see. This lodging wouldn’t happen to be in your own quarters, now would it?”
“Yes! So there is no extra cost! This is a real bargain!”
Plaah I was totally out of inspiration.
But, on the earlier Sauna bit... Wave, why do you think Onni is more at the right? They did end up in Iceland, we’ve already seen them there as old men.
Post by: Annuil on October 13, 2020, 06:48:11 PM
Though, I am, so it’s really hard to catch up with the prompts...
(I DO NOT understand how does Minna not run out of inspiration! Or she is just really good at handling herself while those inspiration crisis last! O_o)
Here are the promised meatball-dusklings-on-a-plate! :'D
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_s2wr1faC7x_LfuGU
Post by: Jitter on October 13, 2020, 06:55:17 PM
I’m glad to hear the bit doesn’t sound forced. I was literally running in circles trying to come up with something. I had a pretty immediate idea, but it would require background and didn’t have time to write a proper ficlet. After that all other ideas seemed lame.
Post by: thegreyarea on October 13, 2020, 07:50:58 PM
Also not-cooking is a great occupation for Mikkel. :D
Speaking of food (better saying, fOoD) that dish is really nice, Annuil, something right out of a dream (better saying, nightmare)!
Post by: Lallicat on October 13, 2020, 08:28:24 PM
Jitter, I loved your bargain! It didn't seem to me that you ran out of inspiration.
Annuil, I loved your duskling meatballs. So cute!
As for me, here is my "Bargain"
---Bargain---
"Onni, I need a favor!" Onni turned to face Reynir.
"You really need to stop bursting into my dreamspace uninvited." Reynir flapped his hands apologetically.
"I'm sorry, but this is an emergency!"
"What happened! Is Lalli okay? Did a troll-" Reynir shushed him impatiently.
"No, nothing like that. It's just that one of the teachers at the academy just quit and we need to find a replacement-"
"No. Absolutely not." Reynir's puppy eyes were frantic above his clasped hands.
"Please? I'm really busy, or I would do it myself, and it's unfair to ask Lalli to teach another class, and you're the only one I can think of that fits the job description."
"I already said no, and I mean it."
"Are you still upset about the Incident? Because I talked to the students and they're really sorry about that, and promise never to do that again, and-"
"Reynir."
"Please?"
"No." Onni turned away, signaling that the discussion was close. Reynir was not going to be defeated that easily though.
"I will never, ever, make you dress up in that troll costume for the yearly play ever again if you take the job." Onni turned to face Reynir, who was smirking.
"You drive a hard bargain, but fine. I will take the job and spend my time teaching your crazy students." Reynir smothered him in a hug.
"Thank you, thank you so much."
Post by: Annuil on October 13, 2020, 09:22:27 PM
For all the comment ;D
I’m glad to hear the bit doesn’t sound forced. I was literally running in circles trying to come up with something. I had a pretty immediate idea, but it would require background and didn’t have time to write a proper ficlet. After that all other ideas seemed lame.Ahahaha, sometimes it is important to run around in circles :'D it might help ;)
Also, Lallicat, that is hilarious! I imagined Onni in that troll-costume... someone has to draw that!
(I would love to, but I have too much stuff to deal with art-wise)
Great Bargain! :reynir: :onni:
Post by: wavewright62 on October 13, 2020, 11:07:02 PM
Sweet vignettes of the bargains we all go through with our significant others.
Mmmm, chewy meatballs, noms...
Post by: Jitter on October 14, 2020, 04:46:42 AM
I think this would do some good, to air our some of the stuffiness in the Academy :) Although to be fair, we’ve only seen one course and that was through the eyes of Reynir who isn’t necessarily the best judge ot... well, anything. There are probably some less condescending types there too.
Post by: wavewright62 on October 14, 2020, 03:37:04 PM
Double prompt fulfillment - 'Own choice Character' (2 of 'em!) & 'All I wanted was a....'
The headmistress of the Seiður Academy catches up with her old friend Helga from the country, who sometimes has new runes to share. Helga relates a story of how she adjusted a rune to get back at a farmer who laughed at her. "All I wanted was a little respect."
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/36d6783093ff0482be41e90d453bec04/d98ef4b707537055-ea/s540x810/703e756f4becb4924847703ca366bd9f6241834d.jpg)
Post by: Jitter on October 14, 2020, 04:44:25 PM
Character
Name: Rakel Valgeirsdottir
Age: 22
Profession: Reporter (skald)
Nationality: Icelander
Birthday: 12th June
Height: 170 cm
Immunity: NO
Languages: Icelandic, Swedish, Danish, Finnish (bad)
Rakel is interested in the world, but as a non-immune doesn’t even think about leaving Iceland. She studies in the Reykjavik University, but has lately been devoting time on her work as a reporter. As a journalist she at least gets to hear the news from other lands. Maybe she’ll look for a position with the Nordic Council later in life, preferably in the Silent World Research section (which doesn’t exist yet). She is friendly and easygoing.
She features here (and on p 21-22 of Adventure 2)
https://archiveofourown.org/works/26989501
Post by: wavewright62 on October 14, 2020, 06:07:37 PM
Sorry guys I have a headache amd thus I’m taking the easy way out.
Character
Name: Rakel Valgeirsdottir
Age: 22
Profession: Reporter (skald)
Nationality: Icelander
Birthday: 12th June
Height: 170 cm
Immunity: NO
Languages: Icelandic, Swedish, Danish, Finnish (bad)
Rakel is interested in the world, but as a non-immune doesn’t even think about leaving Iceland. She studies in the Reykjavik University, but has lately been devoting time on her work as a reporter. As a journalist she at least gets to hear the news from other lands. Maybe she’ll look for a position with the Nordic Council later in life, preferably in the Silent World Research section (which doesn’t exist yet). She is friendly and easygoing.
She features here (and on p 21-22 of Adventure 2)
https://archiveofourown.org/works/26989501
Oooh, I LOVE this character, and you've endowed her with my birthday, AWWW (not on purpose, I know, still....)!
I hope you feel better soon.
Post by: Annuil on October 14, 2020, 09:38:06 PM
Jitter, I hope there is Mikkel around where you are, so that he can help you with your headache! :mikkel:
It’s a nice way to handle the problem of a headache-day, a lovely character ;D
Okey, here is my two-days-late work for “Sauna” (I’m really sorry, I’m punching and kicking myself to keep drawing and keep trying to catch up as much as possible...)
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_s3ZgNuKvP0aVBil-
“Emil, it has been over a 100 degrees in there, here is a snowball for you!”
You know how much fun it is to get out of a hot sauna and run around in the snow barefoot? They say it actually improves your health, if you don’t get too cold :'D
(I once did a barefoot-snow-race with my dog up in the mountains of Norway and it was the best thing I’ve ever done!)
Post by: Jitter on October 15, 2020, 07:40:13 AM
Wave, what makes you think it was an accident! Of course I gave her your birthday on purpose! O:-) The character is actually at least 50 % Grey's doing, he gave me the pointers to the fic I linked, which I wrote for the Fandom for Australia exchange for him (and I owe him another one as he graciously paid for two works!). He suggested the boys befriend the reporter girl so a lot of what I made her be is based on the premise that this will happen :)
Wave, also your seiður are great! The farmer got what he deserved :) I'd very much like to see female mages in action btw, in canon I mean (as well as in fanworks! But canon could use some more female mains).
Annuil, poor Emil! Let me guess, Lalli has only just coaxed him to step outside in the first place ("It's not that cold really, it will feel good after the heat, and you'll only need to stand on the threshold I promise!"), right? Lalli is evil sometimes! :lalli: >:D
Post by: Annuil on October 15, 2020, 08:15:39 AM
Thanks guys, better already.Yay!
Annuil, poor Emil! Let me guess, Lalli has only just coaxed him to step outside in the first place ("It's not that cold really, it will feel good after the heat, and you'll only need to stand on the threshold I promise!"), right? Lalli is evil sometimes! :lalli: >:DAhaha, I haven’t asked them but that’s how it probably happened.
Lalli is not evil, he just does what’s best for his friend! He knows that it’s nice for your immune system to get some snow after the sauna, that’s what (I suppose) grandma always told him! :'D So he does it, no matter weather Emil likes it or not ;D
(I actually just realised that, except for Sigrun’s wound, there were no other sickness in the crew, they managed to stay healthy even after getting into freezing water and sleeping who-knows-where! O_O)
Post by: Jitter on October 15, 2020, 09:46:36 AM
Secondly most of the infectious diseases we have today are zoonoses i.e. originate from animals. The amount and variety of livestock is smaller, and all wild mammals are to be feared. So the likelihood of contracting a plague by eating a bat is much much lower than today. Also all of the human population is subject to the same seasonal variations, i.e. the summertime easement that is evident with many (not all) viral infections today will happen everywhere and there is no human population who would at that time be in winter and thus "storing" the virus which could then return the next winter.
None of these mean that they would be rid of the common cold but the chances of a serious widespread epidemic are a lot smaller than we have today.
On the other hand, if one does get sick or injured in Y90 the situation is serious. Bacterial pneumonia can easily be lethal if they have no antibiotics. However we don't know if they do. I think they have some although definitely not all of the varieties we have today. On the other hand there is no rampant use of antibiotics for minor (and even viral) causes in humans, and with no infection at all in livestock and thus the drug resistance of bacteria will likely be much less widespread and what antibiotics they do manufacture probably work quite well. (I believe it's been established that the resistent populations revert back to non-resistent when the situation that makes resistance useful normalizes).
Post by: Annuil on October 15, 2020, 10:01:49 AM
They also are pretty good at sanitizing everything and following the protocols about it.
Post by: Jitter on October 15, 2020, 04:58:51 PM
But then, who could have thought it would come to this? Surely, we’d all seen Contagion, 12 Monkeys, Outbreak, 28 Days Later, Andromeda Strain... Ok, maybe not everyone. I had. You know how in movies you always wonder, “Have these people never seen a horror film?” Well, I had seem them all. And I’d read books. And the only part of history classes I was really interested in were the ones about plagues. I used to think the bubonic plague was kind of cool. I had imagined the scenario many times but still, not for a second did I imagine it would come to this in the real world. Not when the lightning speed spread of the Rash was detected. Not when people started dying. Not even when we heard the first reports of monsters. You don’t believe your world ends. I suppose people have to be built like that. Usually it’s true.
This time it wasn’t true. When the radio stations started going silent, I was beginning to believe. The others still laughed at me. They are not laughing anymore. No one is laughing anymore.
Post by: Mirasol on October 15, 2020, 05:26:52 PM
Alrighty, very long post incoming:
Annuil I agree, I would totally buy SSSS-themed face-masks! And lovely pieces! Oh no, you´re giving me ideas with those duskling-meatballs... Maybe it´s time again for SSSS-themed-past-midnight-cooking in my house that everyone just lets me do because they get to eat the results...
Also, here is the picture of the IKEA cookie-cutter set!
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_s2khry45ROz9zQJd
If anyone is interested :)
We need an IKEA thread!
Yes, that is the exact set we have! (Or at least we have every single cookie-cutter in it, so I´m assuming it´s the one.) We Minnions have to thank that designer who made these masterpieces! :squirrelcookie:
(On another note, we do have an IKEA-thread, though it´s quite old. You can find it here (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=447.0)! I read it a while ago, thinking someone should necro it. But it´s been inactive for 5 years, so maybe that´s a bit too much...)
Lallicat, my best attempt at an Australian accent is still anything but just that, but the piece was still hilarious! :'D So was Reynir bargaining with Onni. Should I find a promt it even remotely fits, I´m going to draw Onni in that troll-costume...
Grey, I love the composition in your Hukka-piece!
Jitter, I´m glad you´re feeling better! But seriously, we need that bargain-conversation to happen in canon. Oh, while I was typing you posted the next one! Concider my heart crushed! Amazing!
Wave, hilarious and beautiful drawing!
Some catching-up on my part:
12.10. "Vaettur / Maahinen" I was so looking foreward to this prompt! And I had so much fun drawing it!
(https://i.postimg.cc/XYM0krHG/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober12.jpg)
13.10. "Hukka" (Just some panel-redraws because I couldn´t come up with a good composition.) I was also looking foreward to this one, but had absolutely zero fun drawing it! My white pen died (and proceeded to smudge everywhere on myself and my workspace...) in the middle of it and it took me literal hours to find a way to work around this, making it the first drawing this year I didn´t finish before midnight. Then also my darkest grey marker gave up, one that I don´t have a refill-thing for, so I guess that was it with pretty grey-palet-drawings for the foreseeable future. :'(
(https://i.postimg.cc/kXm020BK/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober13.jpg)
14.10. "Character" This one was very fun again! I drew my self-insert in a small part of her dreamspace. Proper character-sheet is still coming, so is a proper drawing of the dreamspace, it´s been in the works for... basically since I joined this fandom (Original design still has hair about twice as long, as I made it before I cut my hair in... May or something?), but I can´t decide on the colors. As you can see, I couldn´t here either. :'D But I still fully intend to one day finish it and necro the SSSSona-thread with it!
(https://i.postimg.cc/bwQdxcTP/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober14.jpg)
Some general info for context (not a lot, more details will be on the actual character sheet):
Age: 17
Profession: none yet, but training to be an Academic after dropping out of Seiður Academy
Nationality: Icelandic
Immunity: Yes
languages: :iceland: (main) :norway: (decent) :finland: (excitedly learning, but basically useless)
- her Fylgia is a European Golden Plover (in Icelandic called "Lóa"), because birds are neat and I liked that word
- The rope she is holding onto leads to a sort of treehouse outside of the picture that will be visible once I finish the actual dreamspace-drawing
- note to self: Do not try to draw a waterfall with fineliner...
(Yay, you´ve made it to the end!)
Post by: Annuil on October 15, 2020, 05:36:34 PM
https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsSnHPIBASO_tAjURWWdIyxPp0rw
Here is my “Character(s) of your Choice” or I would say it’s more of an OC, kind of...
two pictures (one is just a close up of them)
I don’t know what else to say about it so, there you go ;) :-\
Edit: I’ll do the “Bargain” as well, it’s just because my inspiration wanted to do the “Character” first
Post by: Jitter on October 15, 2020, 05:44:17 PM
The Onni in troll costume could well go to tomorrow’s Annoying, or Onni/Tuuri. Or on the 19th or why not 30th on the grossling list :onni:
Annuil, so sweet! But you say “kind of OC” so not Reynir and Tuuri then? (I love the box!)
Post by: Mirasol on October 15, 2020, 05:52:41 PM
Great work, Mirasol! I especially like the vaettur! And you have a very interesting premise for your character - clearly she is a mage, yet quit the Academy? Why? How? Do they allow this? (Apparently they do)Thank you! And you´ll have to wait and see... :o (And I´ll have to finally get to work! :'D)
The Onni in troll costume could well go to tomorrow’s Annoying, or Onni/Tuuri. Or on the 19th or why not 30th on the grossling list :onni:I´ve been side-eying the "Annoying"-prompt as well. So that´s probably what that is going to be. :)) :onni:
Post by: Annuil on October 15, 2020, 07:08:12 PM
, so sweet! But you say “kind of OC” so not Reynir and Tuuri then? (I love the box!)No, they are Reynir and Tuuri, it’s just... Minna doesn’t exactly say if they really were this close, so I said “OC”, just in case... Sorry for the confusion ;)
Post by: Annuil on October 15, 2020, 09:03:16 PM
Do you have a name for your “Character”? She looks adorable ^-^ And I like how you make her hair look as your own (at least length-wise) :))
(I once looked at the character sheets for “Adventure II” in the archive and realized that if I joined the crew I probably would have been in Tuuri’s team, since everyone else there is taller than me (even Emil and Lalli) just some random thought about yourself(myself) and the characters of the comic :'D sorry)
Edit: Also, sorry for the double-post...
Post by: Lallicat on October 15, 2020, 09:33:11 PM
Name: No one knows. Goes by Albatross.
Age: 18
Profession: Student at the Academy (mage)
Nationality: Icelander
Birthday: 31st of October
Height: Slightly above average
Build: Slight
Hair: White; very short
Eyes: Green
Fylgja: Albatross
Immunity: YES
Languages: Icelandic, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish (not great)
Post by: wavewright62 on October 16, 2020, 04:01:36 AM
Annuil, your portrait of Reynir and Tuuri is so sweet. I looked at the close-up one first and thought to myself that Tuuri was probably even shorter than that, but then again no biggie because Reynir is bending down...and then I looked at the bigger one... ba-dum-tissssh! Ya got me! I love it.
I love a good contemplative piece, too. A missing scene, a vignette, a piece of the real drama of this horrid disease, and you have captured that very well, Jitter, in spare and compelling language.
And then there's this silliness:
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/bf4cf42742b7201c5a787623463ddff4/aff8b052d21cf831-ae/s540x810/0fd50082cce1f3bce51638153fbc8c5e127b5cf8.jpg)
The Västerström changelings were very Annoying with their grabby grabby grubby hands and lack of personal space. They freaked Lalli out a bit and he retreated to one of the bedrooms in the mission HQ. Perhaps that experience made his later experience with the spirit attack immortalised as Handsy Moose that much more terrible?
Post by: Jitter on October 16, 2020, 04:36:55 PM
He hasn’t been around for a while. Good. Maybe he has finally taken heart of my telling him to stay away. It’s so annoying how he just walks into my space. How does he not understand it’s extremely rude! How it’s like he was touching me everywhere at once, when he rips through my barrier. It’s annoying he can do it, but even more annoying that he keeps doing it! He and his stupid dog! Luckily the filthy mutt usually stays outside. I don’t want a repeat of than one time when... never mind. He and his annoying naivety. “I want to help”, “let me help”, “let me know if there’s anything I can do”. No, Reynir, there’s nothing you can do to help. Nothing I want from you. Except stay away from me.
And! His ridiculous way of asking, if I remember him. As if he’d ever let me forget! His idiot, overlong hair. How he always keeps it braided. Stupid braid, never letting me see his hair open, never touching his... Never mind! Stupid braid! His soft voice, saying all those stupid friendly things to me, never understanding I can’t let anyone close to me. I can’t put any more people in danger. Even if I could let someone be my friend, I wouldn’t choose a stupid Icelander. He and his stupid runes, and his stupid pride when he manages to do something useful. He’s probably been completely useless all his life, to get so worked with very success. The way his deep green eyes shine happily and his soft lips curl in a smile, directed to me... Never mind!
Annoying Reynir. It’s great he’s kept away. I wonder what’s keeping him?
Post by: Grade E cat on October 17, 2020, 02:24:08 AM
I remember seeing something on the Internet (no idea how serious it was) according to which the Finnish word for one's romantic partner literally means "the one I hate slightly less than everybody else".
Post by: Jitter on October 17, 2020, 10:00:03 AM
Lallicat, interesting character! I hope we get to read the story!
Wave, haha, poor Lalli. Grabby hands are annoying to anyone, and surely more so when you don’t like touch in the first place.
Post by: Jitter on October 17, 2020, 04:07:51 PM
I am the world’s greatest dog
And this is my adventure log
Puppy-fox turned me into a snake
Field of vipers was quite a headache
Next thing I knew, I was a seal
I tricked a great fish, it was unreal
What’s all this then, I’m a moose
And Hiiden hirvi is on the loose!
In the next stage I became a bear
I climbed a huge tree to draw Kokko near
Oh, embarrasment! I’m now a hare
The teen boy gives us a terrible glare
In the place for the dead I was a swan
Stars and sleep, never touched by dawn
In the end I was made a real boy
Hannu still likes me, oh joy oh joy!
First part of all this is hard to sing
Squirrels don’t rhyme with anything.
Apparently squirrel rhymes only with referral, deferral, epidural and poastdoctoral (??) says RhymeZone, which I shamelessly used with all stanzas here
Post by: Lallicat on October 17, 2020, 05:42:27 PM
wave, that farmer got what he deserved!
Annuil, great snowball!
Mirasol, cute Vaettur/Maahinen, Hukka, and OC! They are all great!
---All I wanted was a...---
Albatross was lost. It was the end of her first day at the academy, and she couldn't remember where the dorms were. The Academy was huge; it had taken Principal Árnason years to plan and build it. She looked around the halls desperately. No one was in sight. Oh man, she was going to get in trouble for breaking curfew on her very first day! She didn't even know the way back to the main classrooms, even if she dared to ask for help. One of the many cats patrolling the hallways meowed and she jumped in fright. She wasn't sure she liked the cats very much yet. She turned another corner, but neglected to look where she was going, and bumped straight into Professor Hotakainen. The older one. During his class (defending yourself against the evil spirits in the dreamworld,) he had kept a frown on his face the entire time and had talked rapid-fire in Finnish until one brave soul asked if he could translate. Then he did the whole lesson in god-awful Icelandic. Judging by the way he talked to Principal Árnason, he was much better at speaking Icelandic then he had let in in the lesson. This, of all people in the Academy, had to be the one she bumped into, minutes before breaking curfew. All she wanted was a way back to her dorm, was that too much to ask? He asked her something in Finnish, and she could only shrug helplessly.
"You're supposed to be in your dorm," he repeated, this time in blessed Icelandic.
"I- I know sir," she stammered. "I got lost." Prof. Hotakainen sighed and muttered something to himself. She thought she caught the words "annoying," and "stupid," and "troll costume." Albatross wasn't quite sure if she heard that last one correctly.
"Follow me," he grumbled and walked off, presumably in the direction of the dorms. Albatross followed gratefully. She couldn't wait to get some sleep.
Post by: Jitter on October 17, 2020, 06:11:28 PM
Post by: Lallicat on October 17, 2020, 06:16:47 PM
Post by: wavewright62 on October 17, 2020, 06:30:23 PM
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/03678b2b3d532581621dd0c586be7ba9/28b783ececefb541-b9/s540x810/f56aad4c1be06728b4d63a34427ed83e8fa1737a.jpg)
Inspired by this classic video:
Post by: Róisín on October 17, 2020, 10:11:14 PM
And Lallicat, I do like your take on their mage school. My version of it gets a mention in my ongoing fic ‘An Historical Document’, a story I started writing for LooNEY_DAC, in which the crew are reincarnated about 900 years later, and future-Lalli studied at the same school of fusion magic where future-Onni teaches.
The origin of the school gets a mention in another fic of mine ‘Caring For a Friend’ and will be continued in ‘Alliance’.
Post by: Annuil on October 17, 2020, 10:25:04 PM
Here is my promised “Bargain”:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_tC5zbGlCMPFi0fwZ
And “All I wanted was...”
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_tDQF_iLF1O_qPPJO
“Annoying” is half-way done, so I’m working as hard as possible to catch up :) I’ll try do so tomorrow ;)
Also! Thanks for your kind comments! I’m glad you liked Reynir and Tuuri on her box ;D :))
It was a real delight to work on that drawing ;D
Post by: Róisín on October 18, 2020, 02:04:30 AM
Post by: Jitter on October 18, 2020, 05:48:45 AM
Annuil, more great works! You are very good with inks! And that Lalli breaks my heart :lalli:
Lallicat, to me it feels like there’s a very long story arc somewhere at the back of my mind. I’m pretty sure also the Lalli&Emil @Toivosaari stories and vignettes are connected, because Lalli’s daughter and grandson were mentioned once by old man Reynir.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think the story “comes from the outside” but sometimes the inspiration feels like looking at a part of an already existing thing :)
Post by: Annuil on October 18, 2020, 02:47:16 PM
Annoying:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_tD8LyUlyMKstZFsm
Or, Emil who is annoyed with his hair getting tangled :'D
And “Hannu and Ville”:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_tD4_EtEMViwLAqzF
(Aagh, I’ll have to practice more at drawing dogs!)
Also, thanks for the comments! ;D
Post by: wavewright62 on October 18, 2020, 03:56:02 PM
Helpful - or not, as the case may be. The new recruit to the Cleansers heard that people desperately need glasses, so risked pillaging an optometrist (burnt off his eyebrows and part of his hair for his trouble) and grabbed a bunch of their stock. It was just frames, though.
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/0e0f1ce90bf86c8720dac41a135e2e27/2d4aa5b306e4bd08-cd/s540x810/99c4166551a073f8cc73f6a39d1b847a5bf0c587.jpg)
(not Emil, just random characters)
Belive it or not, I did not realise until looking up the reference for the uniforms, that the crew's first adventure uniforms were Cleansers cast-offs!
Post by: Jitter on October 18, 2020, 04:18:58 PM
Year 2, somewhere in Saimaa. Kaino, Eino and Veeti are on a supply raid to an old house or summer cottage that was earlier pronounced empty by lack of reaction of baby Ensi. Veeti is known to be immune, so he goes in first.
”Woohoo!”
”Veeti! What is it? Are you ok?”
“Oh yes! You can come in, the place is clear. And this time we hit the jackpot!”
“Ah, ok, yeah. We’re coming in.”
*krunts krants*
“Auugh! Help!”
“Oops. Watch out for the former inhabitant, their bones are in the front room.”
“Gee, son, thanks for the heads up!”
“Aw, come on guys, it’s just some old bones. How can you be so sensitive about these things?”
“Eino, I’m starting to worry about your son.”
“Hmm, yes, he’s just adjusting. The young adjust quickly.”
“Well, he definitely is adjusting to something. I’m not sure it’s all good.”
“It’s a huge pressure on him, having to go first every time! He’s still hardly a teenager.”
“Well, you are right. In this situation I suppose it’s useful. If he were terrified of everything, these runs would be much more dangerous.”
“We are very lucky indeed to have him, and Ensi’s talent of hearing the things from a distance!”
“Stop jabbering and come in here! ... Just look at this! These two cabinets are full of canned and dry food! And that’s not even all! The shed has many tools, including two axes! This is the best spot this month!”
“Oh wow, this guy must have been some crazy prepper! Look at all this stuff!
“...”
“Um, sorry Eino. Thanks for having been a crazy prepper. You were right, everyone else was wrong!”
“Still, this guy didn’t make it! We must be lucky too.”
“Ok ok start packing now! I’m not leaving a tin behind!”
“I’ll come back to get the rest when you go look at the tools.”
“Ok, thanks Kaino”
“Kaino, what the hell are you carrying?”
“Books.”
“Books! Why! You were supposed to get the rest of the food!”
“I did, it’s all in the bag. But I’m taking these too.”
“What’s that huge one? It looks heavy.”
“It is, but we’ll squeeze it somewhere. It’s the Kalevala.”
“The Kalevala? Ok... *shees*”
“Don’t you shees me, kid. You may be the best adjusted to the current circumstances but you don’t know all things in the world.”
“And what’s the rest? Koiramäki, Vuotuinen ajantieto, puutarhakalenteri... what??”
”I had the feeling they might be useful. Puutarhakalenteri definitely is! And Koiramäki is for children, something ti read to Ensi in a few years.”
“Well, ok ok. But the Kalevala? And some old folklore sayings?”
“It’s a new world, Eino. You never know what you may need!”
Koiramäki is a series of children’s picture books about farm life, which includes actual advice with good illustrations on how a lot of things were done in the 1800’s. Vuotuinen ajantieto ”Knowledge of time for every year” is a basic work on Finnish folklore. Puutarhakalenteri, The Garden Calendar, is made for garden hobbyists and includes lots of advice on what to do when in the garden.
Post by: Vulpes on October 18, 2020, 07:54:38 PM
Post by: Jitter on October 19, 2020, 04:59:43 PM
T for language - NEVER MIND the forum has corrected all of it :)
Year 0. Anywhere and everywhere.
"Fall back! Fall back to the bridge now! Everybody to me!"
"Oh s*** there's a third of the big ones! We can't hold!"
"Yes, fall back! Right now!!"
"Hey, where's the rest of you?"
"This is everyone we have left!"
"Oh duck. What about the girls?"
"None, I'm afraid."
"Ok, there's just five of us. There's no way we can hold even on the bridge. They'll have to detonate."
"She won't detonate when you are still here!"
"I'll make her. Just hold two more minutes, ok?"
"Listen, honey, you have to blow the bridge."
"No! I will not leave you guys stranded!"
"You must! Do exactly what I say! You have to do this! When the first of them reaches the signal point, you detonate. Is this clear?"
"I know how to do it but we are NOT leaving you there"
"You must! We can't hold the bridge. They'll swarm us and the village."
"No! No! Never!"
"No, well, don't worry. We'll... we'll get to the evac boat!"
"There's a boat?"
"Umm... yes... we hid it at the shore! Promise me you'll detonate!"
"Ok, but you promise me to make it to that boat!!"
"I love you! Make sure to clear out any small ones that may make it to your side!"
"Ok, this is it. She'll detonate when they reach the mark. Did the girls run out of ammo?"
"Oh s***... what? What about the girls? They're dead!"
"Do you think they had any ammo left!? Answer me!"
"Umm... well... Yes. They kept shooting right up to..."
"Ok. Listen. You and you, fall to the east, try to make it to the last position of the girls. Get their weapons and any ammo, and attack the horde from that side, ok? We'll take as many of them with us as we can."
"But... what about the boat?"
"There is no boat."
"No boat? But you just..."
"I had to do something so that she'll detonate. Now, towards east, you. The rest of you are with me!"
"Ok they are on the bridge now! Detonate exactly at mark!"
"Yes yes, clear the shrapnel zone now!!"
*KABOOOOMMMM*
"Hey, not bad! Two of the big ones are gone! Did you see that!... and... thank you honey. You did the right thing. I'm sorry."
"What are you talking about! Who is shooting? Why aren't you going for the boat!"
"There... there is no boat."
"What! You ducking bastard! Why did you... I would never..."
"That's exactly why. It had to be done. The bridge was the last line of defense."
"But... we can't... what are we going to do without you? What am I going to do without you?"
"Live. Protect the rest, when I can't anymore. I love you."
"I... I love you too. And I hate you for the rest of your life for the trick you just pulled!"
"Well, no worries, the rest of my life is very short. Take care of everyone. Live. Live for me. Promise me, my beloved!"
"I... I promise. I love you."
"Ok, now, this is it. We give them all we have. When out of ammo, go in with blades. This is the real s***. Let's do this!"
"For humankind!"
"For humankind! For humankiiiiiiind!"
End
Post by: wavewright62 on October 19, 2020, 05:01:58 PM
Post by: Jitter on October 19, 2020, 05:07:10 PM
Post by: wavewright62 on October 19, 2020, 06:41:36 PM
I love the vignettes you've chosen for the prompts, Annuil. As always, I love your inking style! I think you did fine with the front-on view of Ville, can't quibble with that at all.
Jitter, you've delivered a brace of great material! Ville's story is inspired dog-gerel, heh. (And yes, the Forum has algorithms to alter certain words.)
re the Bridge story, I can exactly see how sacrifices like that would have been made. The dialogue format suits a story like this, where knowing the details about exactly who's speaking when isn't really crucial. As with so many, their names are lost, but they were heroes to the end.
I'm not sure the dialogue format works quite as well in the Useful story, for the above reason, but I love Kaino's improvisation. We see in canon that she likes puzzles, I can agree that she would value and know about the info in certain books.
I got a little echo of Harry Potter in Lallicat's 'All I wanted' story, but that may be because I'm currently giving the series a re-read. Snorting at Professor Onni lecturing in Finnish, I love it.
I am working on Bridge, but as it features grosslings it's hard work for me. It'll probably arrive out of sequence.
Post by: thegreyarea on October 19, 2020, 06:55:57 PM
But let's go one step at a time (but not in any order :) )
Jitter, the "Bridge" is sad, but also great!
Using just dialogues, and no names, seems quite a challenge to write, however you made it really well.
It took me some time to realize how they could be talking to each other until I remembered that they would still have radios by that time! One grows used to a world almost without telecommunications reading this comic...
I also enjoyed the SFX (Kaboooommmm) :)
More comments (and hopefully contributions) soon. Butter Good!
Post by: Grade E cat on October 20, 2020, 02:33:53 AM
A second pair of ears
Many neighbors had heard of the little girl the expedition had found in the Silent World, and come to drop off some hand-me-downs. As Sigriður had offered to watch the little girl while her guardians went out to have a walk together, she ended up receiving them. Soon enough, there were so many clothes there was no way they would all fit in the travel bags they had, and Sigriður decided to have the little girl try them on to discard those that were already too small or so big she would take a while to grow into them. Summer clothes would need to fit her, winter clothes had more leeway. After sorting most of the clothes, she noticed that there were several scarves, winter hats, and pairs of mittens. The girl was going to only really need one of each. For the hat, there was immediate a consensus on the work of a particularly creative neighbor who had eventually needed to give in and make a bigger, identical one for her ever-growing child.
xxxx
Lalli stopped just sort of spitting out his warm milk when he saw what the little girl was wearing, and Emil actually did. Leave it to him to need to change clothes twice in one day, the first change being due to both of them getting rained on right after going up the mountain to enjoy the view. It took Lalli a while to process the fact that the little girl was wearing a wool hat almost the same color as her hair, long enough to cover her actual ears and decorated with surprisingly realistic fake cat ears. Iceland sure was a weird country.
Post by: wavewright62 on October 20, 2020, 04:02:18 AM
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/9663eda1531cca91704a10a3beb6d77d/4e62d2b0f512158d-db/s540x810/7979e1c20793498afc647c76c384386515231b15.jpg)
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/d16d3efceec3364bcb1a0d434b95abc7/4e62d2b0f512158d-28/s540x810/0d9a5516362ec8745e88651e0394fab747390955.jpg)
Post by: thegreyarea on October 20, 2020, 07:37:05 AM
Wave, I quite enjoy your results. They are so spontaneous! I bet you just sat down on some place and made them out of your mind, right?
And here's my little contribution with a slightly different approach...
(https://i.postimg.cc/0NJNSB8D/cat-hat.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Looks like our preferred female cat got herself a family, and Sigrun got company :)
(I tried to be spontaneous and quick here. Managed neither...)
Post by: Jitter on October 20, 2020, 02:46:38 PM
Wave, your Trond is well recognizable, as are all the others!
Grey and Wave, thank you also for your comments on the stories! I think I’ll add a couple of descriptive sentences in the beginning of Useful, with that it’s probably manageable to work out who’s saying what. On Bridge I think the people have some sort of helmet comms ;D Because it plays in my head in a a space marine type of style, like from Aliens or Starship Troopers. And the lead guy or squad leader or sarge or whatever is (played by) Ben Browder. Don’t ask, I don’t know why!
Post by: Jitter on October 20, 2020, 03:37:09 PM
After sauna. Reynir is sitting in the ruined gazebo, enjoying the residual heat. It’s so good to be safe here in the Lehto, even if just for the night, after such a long and dangerous trek! This breather is probably welcome to everyone, but even more so to Reynir, who arguably is in the greatest risk. And! Not only did they find Onni, still in one piece, but Tuuri too!
Happy thoughts and sauna after effects combine pleasantly and soon Reynir is dozing off, leaning on one of the pillars. He dreams of meeting Onni. In the dream Onni is happy to see them. Happy to see him. He thanks them all for coming to help him and Tuuri (in the dream, everyone can see Tuuri and talk with her). Later, Onni finds Reynir and wants to talk about Reynir’s studies in the Academy and the galdrastafir he’s found useful. He also thanks Reynir specifically for being brave to come all the way here, into the heart of Silent World. “I had to come find you” dream-Reynir dares to say. “I’m glad you did. Very glad.” Dream-Onni wraps his arm around Reynir’s shoulders.
Reynir stirs and mutters sleepily “... Onni...” Wakes up, realizing it was a dream. Wakes up further, realizing Onni really is standing behind him, touching his hair. “Mm? Onni? What?”
“Auugh!” Onni starts and jumps backwards. “You are awake! Where is the cat!”
“What? Cat? You mean Kitty? I don’t understand.”
“I thought the cat was on your head, the way you carry her around like she was a hat! But that... thing is not the cat!”
“Oo, yeah, well... my hair gets wild in hot moisture. Or most of the time when it’s not braided.”
“Well, it’s ridiculous!”
“Sorry” Reynir feels like an idiot now.
“No, I’m sorry. My mistake. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. Or called your hair ridiculous. Now, where is the cat? And where’s Tuuri?” Muttering to himself Onni quickly retreats.
Did he really say something nice to me? Or am I still asleep? Reynir wonders, watching the other mage go.
Reynir’s cat hat galore:
http://sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=305
http://sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=307
http://sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=317
http://sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=318
Plus non-hat Kitty sweetness:
http://sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=337
http://sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=345
http://sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=348
Post by: wavewright62 on October 21, 2020, 05:16:47 AM
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/e3433ddc6237eda0fef6fd618c86ac6a/e6dfabd7742f0a91-c2/s540x810/40740d08055a8f963cacf0f4224743eb55249ebd.jpg)
In which our amalgamated critter considers where they can find a creature with badass claws to incorporate, because these nails are just not cutting it.
Awwww, sweetness imagined by Jitter.
And allll the cats accommodated by thegreyarea, the best way to wear cats, but it does leave me wondering just what material that strong hat brim is made out of! (And yeah? I drew those cat hats on a plane, and I drew Sleipnope on a bench on a coastal walkway. I'm travelling at the moment. So long as I don't worry about "little things" like proportions or realistic placements, I can whip these things out spontaneously even without pencils. I'm loving the swoopy lines I get with the brushpen.)
Grade E Cat comes to the party as well, huzzah, with the ongoing saga of the girl Kitty!
Post by: Jitter on October 21, 2020, 05:35:05 AM
And I kind of agree with Sleipnope, the human hands don’t perhaps exactly look like instruments of destruction. They do however look a lot more terrifying to me, than clawed paws would!
Post by: thegreyarea on October 21, 2020, 09:01:10 AM
Meanwhile here goes something that I promised someone very dear to me. It's not perfect but I think is good enough (or I wouldn't post it :) ) and it already waited too much time.
So here goes our nice reporter Rakel Valgeirsdottir and two equally nice boys she met in Reykjavik, having a good time together as told in Jitter's "Meanwhile in Reykjavik" story ( https://archiveofourown.org/works/26989501 )
(https://i.postimg.cc/VNQBCs5m/meanwhile-in-Reykjavik-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LJD1dpzb)
I hope you like it. Butter Good!
Post by: Jitter on October 21, 2020, 09:43:32 AM
I'm flattered that you wanted to make an illustration! It is great! And I'm very happy you liked the story! We here at Jiiri's Shipping Unlimited aim to please our customers :3
The story was for the Fandom for Australia exchange, i.e. Grey has paid for it. And another one which still isn't done. And here I am writing vignettes or... vigns? (Isn't "vignette" = little vign? So a big vignette is a vign??) Sorry. I hope you are entertained by these as well :)
Post by: thegreyarea on October 21, 2020, 10:22:27 AM
Hahaa, thank you Grey! You posted a bit early, Lalli and / or Emil is the prompt for the day after tomorrow :lalli: XoX :emil:Well, I feel better to imagine that I'm posting two days in advance than several days in delay for the OC prompt (that was the initial target for this pic...), so thanks! :)
I'm flattered that you wanted to make an illustration! It is great! And I'm very happy you liked the story! We here at Jiiri's Shipping Unlimited aim to please our customers :3
The story was for the Fandom for Australia exchange, i.e. Grey has paid for it. And another one which still isn't done. And here I am writing vignettes or... vigns? (Isn't "vignette" = little vign? So a big vignette is a vign??) Sorry. I hope you are entertained by these as well :)
I'm very happy that you like my little illustration! And I'm very happy with JSU services too! Of course any of your stories, even the smallest vignette, is worth much much more than that small donation to help our friends in Australia after all those wildfires, but I'm happy that I had the opportunity to give some suggestions, and happier that you liked them. :)
So, speaking of vignettes, I went to check:
Vignette (from the Longman online dictionary)
vi‧gnette /vɪˈnjet/ noun [countable] formal
1 a short description in a book or play showing the typical features of a person or situation
2 a small picture or design at the beginning or end of a book or chapter
Origin: vignette (1700-1800) French vigne ( → VINE); because drawings in books often included vines
BTW In French it means a small decorative element that shows up in the first page or at the end of chapters, but AFAIK (my French is weak, at best) vignette is not used to describe a small vine.
So how we should call a big vignette? I would say that it's either a short written story or a full page illustration.
Did I tell you that I always loved dictionaries and discovering the meaning and origin of words? :)
Post by: Lallicat on October 21, 2020, 01:21:57 PM
Grade E Cat, I love your cat hat story; it's super sweet!
wave, your cat hats are adorable and your Sleipnope properly terrifying.
thegreyarea, your Sigrun cat hat is super cute, and I love the way you drew Rachel and the boys.
Unfortunately, I have had no inspiration for that last few prompts. I often have spurts of creativeness which then disappear overnight (almost like someone is opening and closing a faucet,) but I'll try to force myself to write something, though it will most likely not be great quality :(.
Post by: Jitter on October 21, 2020, 03:20:56 PM
Here’s some ice for you guys:
(https://i.postimg.cc/YSwqjjV0/0-C82-B62-C-DCF2-44-F1-A29-B-A499-B8-A45-C39.jpg)
Hoia Halla hankiasi
Paukuttele* pakkasesi
Piä pahat pauloissasi
Lumen alla luonnottomat
See to your snow, Halla
Force your frost on forests
Take the trolls in your traps
Under snow the unnaturals
In Finnish, subzero temperature / weather is called “pakkanen” (as opposed to, say, frozen water, which is ice ”jää”). And when there’s lots of it, we say ”pakkanen paukkuu”, the frost crackles (or bangs). It’s probably half because of the alliteration but also very cold does cause trees and even houses to make noise that can be characterized as crackling or quiet bangs. So the Finnish literally says “let your frost crackle”.
Halla is the goddess or spirit of frost and freeze, the word means frost that comes too early or too late and may damage crops. So Halla was feared as she could easily drive the household to poverty or starvation. In the Known World she could however be considered an ally too as she binds the grosslings for winter. I am not sure whether she’s also keeper of snow or snowdrifts (hanki is snowdrifts or deep snow, snow in general is lumi) but she is now :)
Pictures are all taken last winter, clockwise from top left in Espoo; Levi (Kittilä, Lapland); Oulanka National Park in Kuusamo (at Kiutaköngäs rapids); Oulanka again; Fiskars village near-ish to here; somewhere in Eastern Finland (driving home to Espoo from Joensuu); Levi again; Koli in North Carelia, overlooking lake Pielinen; Ruka in Kuusamo. Photo in the middle is also Oulanka National Park in Kuusamo.
All other pictures by me, except Koli by my husband (I didn’t dare get any cameras out on the very top as it was a bit icy).
Post by: Annuil on October 21, 2020, 07:19:01 PM
Here is my boring “Useful”, even though it was supposed to be posted a few days ago...
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_tEH_lNKCC2iM3rXt
(Knives are really-really useful, aren’t they? In any kind of work)
Also, thanks for the kind comments!
Post by: Jitter on October 22, 2020, 03:08:56 PM
The baby is tiny, a lot smaller than her brother was. She's perfectly formed, with a tuft of baby hair, but limp and silent. Her face has a bluish tint. Juha holds his newborn daughter, starting to look panicked. Anne-Mari is spent, she sits back panting, and waits for the wail that doesn't come. Hilja takes the child and checks the airway again. Anne-Mari starts praying, tears in her eyes.
Saavu saavu sielulintu
varovasti varpuseni
kuopsuttele kuikkaseni
jouvu jouvu joutseneni
apustele ankkaseni
tule tule tipuseni (1)
Hilja takes the child and pours the rest of the birthing waters on her. Then she chants
Kuutar kallis kulkevainen
Päivätär päivien pitäjä
Turvaattehan tyttäremme
Pelastatte pikkuisemme
Tytön teot on tekemättä
Lapsen laulut laulamatta
Ei jouva Manan majoille
tuonne Tuonen tupasille (2)
And slaps the baby’s back one final time.
And this time it works. The child makes a noise and ejects a bit of slime. Then she breathes in and lets out the long-awaited cry. The blue recedes from her face and she strongly lets everybody know she’s not pleased to be here, to be cold, to have been forced out of her soft existence. But she breathes, and she lives, and she will learn to love life.
Now Anne-Mari and Juha are crying with relief and cuddling their daughter. “Little darling, you gave us a scare there!”
Hilja turns to them. “It was touch and go for a while! But we were lucky. She was lucky! She dislodged the blockage just in time!”
“I think we’ll name her after her luck.”
“Good idea. I also recommend you leave some offerings for Kuutar and Päivätär tomorrow, and the others too when you are at it” the midwife mage suggests.
1) in her song Anne-Mari calls for the sielulintu to come, the following lines are calls for different birds mostly based on alliteration, for example “varovasti varpuseni” “be careful my sparrow”. The birds she calls are sparrow, loon, swan, mallard and "tipu" is generally a small bird.
2)
Kuutar kallis kulkevainen…………………… Kuutar, valued traveller
Päivätär päivien pitäjä…………………………Päivätär, keeper of days
Turvaattehan tyttäremme…………………..Sure you’ll keep our daughter safe
Pelastatte pikkuisemme………………………Sure you’ll save our little one
Tytön teot on tekemättä……………………..Deeds of daughter still undone
Lapsen laulut laulamatta……………………Songs of childhood still unsung
Ei jouva Manan majoille…………………….Not her time to go (to land of death)
tuonne Tuonen tupasille……………………Not to the houses of Tuoni (Tuonela)
The birthing waters is something I partially made up. I was trying to find an existing birthing spell or prayer that could be used here, but the ones I found weren't good. In the material however there were lots of descriptions of how spells are performed to help in childbirth and many of those included use of special water, most frequent mention was taking water from a "closed spring" (I assume a spring that doesn't have an inlet nor an outlet), or from a closed spring, a rapids and a lake (taking three different things is a repeating motif in the Finnish spells) so I decided Hilja the midwife mage makes "birthing water" to help the mother :)
Post by: Mirasol on October 22, 2020, 04:48:26 PM
Do you have a name for your “Character”? She looks adorable ^-^ And I like how you make her hair look as your own (at least length-wise) :))Thanks! Not really, yet. :'D I´ve been thinking on naming her "Loá" too, as it´s apparently a common first name in Iceland according to google (and also a really nice one), but having the name of your Fylgia might be too big of a coincidence. So I´m still doing some thinking on that part.
Wow, this thread really has been blowing up over the past days! I´d love to comment on everything, but then I´d probably write an entire novel... But I´ve read and looked at all of them, and they are all amazing! Some sad, some sweet, some funny, some simply beautiful! I hope I´ll be able to stick around for the next few days!
So, onto dumping some more of mine: I´ve been terribly short in both time and inspiration over the last couple of days, so I mostly drew some small doodles largely unrelated to any Minnawork to get some distance. And it helped! Todays "Speedy McSplorp" is looking good, comming tomorrow once the daylight is back!
But I did manage two prompts, featuring the last hurrah of my dark-grey marker:
16.10. "Annoying" As promised, a quite unmotivated Onni in the by now much-referenced troll-costume. (The hood can be closed in the front, but I wanted to show Onni´s face.) I hope that´s sort of what you imagined, Lallicat. :'D
(https://i.postimg.cc/L6z61ZSm/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober16.jpg)
20.10. "Cat Hat" I simply couldn´t pass up on that one. So here, Reynir with a cat hat, and a cat with a hat (that is also a bird). So technically another type of cat hat. (bear with me, I had just written an exam before drawing this, my brain was mush and found that hilarious...)
(https://i.postimg.cc/KYCdfJ7w/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober20.jpg)
Post by: thegreyarea on October 22, 2020, 07:39:17 PM
And I also like the depiction of Hilja the way she (one can suppose) was before those sad final events. Well done! :)
Annuil, one fine knife! Nice work!
Mirasol, the cat hat is a really nice idea, but annoyed Onni is fantastic and takes the prize of best costume! I'm wondering what would be its purpose... Did Onni let some annoying redhead convince him to play a role in theater?
I had one thing for today but couldn't finish in time... With some luck it will be ready tomorrow.
Post by: wavewright62 on October 23, 2020, 03:32:17 AM
I love your Useful knife, Annuil. Both Emil and Sigrun seem to have one like this, beautiful and artful as well as , well, useful!
Cracking up ove Onni in the troll costume, Mirasol! And of course we need a Reynir in a cat hat, but you've added that one layer extra. Perfection.
Emil and Lalli palling it up with our intrepid reporter is cute as, grey!
I started going with the jokey concept of Surma feeling mortified because, wouldn't you if someone had said *you* had bad breath? Somewhere along the way, the claws reminded me of the late-model Matisse-ish paper cutouts I used to use in artworks, and things proceeded from there. The blue cast came from taking the photo in full sunlight, and I kept it bc I liked the effect:
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/13ee468846ff83245ae93265bcd8ab6a/72634cac66523189-9c/s540x810/6fa680eeacf328a9b4bbde7df782d28d97167068.jpg)
Remember when I said I was working on my Bridge picture with grosslings? It occurred to me that I could rejig one of the grosslings into a Bladderbarbie (today's prompt), and frankly I'm glad I did because then I could work another joke in there. (I may colour it later to make the background not quite so lame.)
They never did figure out why, after all these years, they never could beat the Andersen sisters at bridge. At least, they think they're sisters, but it's not polite to ask these things, you know.
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/49d22fc2ba321729b85231bc9297e03b/f6159619e2c43d85-d6/s540x810/4f7b1e3e1afe681e1ea494f10ae860f63365c1c5.jpg)
Spoiler: in case it is too small to see detail • show
Post by: Jitter on October 23, 2020, 09:23:29 AM
Annuil, you useful knife is beautiful!
Mirasol, I love both your Onni in costume and Reynir with hats :) Is the "growl" Onni's complaint or his line in the play? He looks so very enthusiastic :) Grey, the troll costume is from Lallicat's wonderful Bargain, where making Onni dress up in the troll costume for the yearly play is Reynir's bargaining chip :) :onni: :reynir:
Wave, I was thinking about several meanings for the word bridge, but I have to admit grosslings playing it didn't occur to me :) And yes, I would be mortified if someone not only said I have bad breath but made a display about it and told all the new peeps in town!
Post by: thegreyarea on October 23, 2020, 12:08:04 PM
Jitter, thanks for reminding me! You know, I actually read Lallicat's story, but didn't remember! I must be very tired...
So here's my contribution, a small infopage about some relatives to our "Speedy McSplorp"! And I'm quite sure they also have a bad breath!
I had to redo it because the first version was terrible, so I ended up with a not-so-terrible one... :) Sorry for being a little late.
It was also a bit disturbing to draw, but I believe it's well into our usual gross tolerance... I was trying to draw something like "Speedy" and it occurred to me what could happen if one bubble was really big. :D
(https://i.postimg.cc/YCDMvQZ5/moykky-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qNK9Y6kw)
I hope you like it.
It also reminded me those videos on YouTube with round animals, so I added that final observation. ;)
/>
Post by: Mirasol on October 23, 2020, 02:25:51 PM
Yes, the costume in Lallicat´s story, thanks for explaining, Jitter! ^-^ The "growl" is indeed Onni´s line. He delivers it with such passionate acting, doesn´t he? :onni:
In the original sketch I had Reynir sort of announce the most dangerous troll the other characters in the play had just woken up, but I couldn´t come up with a good phrasing, so I left it out. In hindsight it would have been clearer with that part... Oh well.
Wave, I´m loosing it over the bridge-playing trolls! :'D Poor Bladderbarbie, getting double-scammed! Your mortified Surma is hilarious as well!
Grey, that´s such a cool concept for a troll! And a very fitting name. I honestly don´t know what I would do if that thing came rolling at me round-animals-style...
And here, as promised: one Speedy McSplorp, before speeding.
(https://i.postimg.cc/FRYKRnRC/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober22.jpg)
Post by: Jitter on October 23, 2020, 03:24:36 PM
Post by: Jitter on October 23, 2020, 04:21:12 PM
Here’s some Emil’s POV on part of the events of Meanwhile in Reykjavik. It’s from towards the end, so if you want to read the fic itself, do it first. It’s here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/26989501
Grey’s drawing of the boys with Rakel is relevant.
Spoiler: show
Post by: thegreyarea on October 23, 2020, 07:57:33 PM
Thanks for the "relevant"!
I see that you updated your description. :) May I ask what means JOE? I presume that J is for Joensuu. And the rest? (I already find out that it's not "Airport" - "Lentokenttä")
(BTW I can assure you that I didn't invite that disgusting floating abomination to anything except visiting the bottom of the lake... forever!)
Post by: wavewright62 on October 24, 2020, 12:22:12 AM
Post by: thegreyarea on October 24, 2020, 04:00:06 AM
It's an obvious explanation! :)
Post by: wavewright62 on October 24, 2020, 04:22:51 AM
In the continuing saga of having really truly let go of the pursuit of perfectionism (speaking of being blown way beyond the ability to get back), I doubled back to pick up a screencap of an unimpressed Lalli waiting sourly for Onni to show himself.
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/08ca52e3531a899a0a4077071719855a/82c77c17c218d218-91/s540x810/43cb7612d8b83d3d26caae69b97bbdf4df4d33ee.jpg)
And herewith my entry for Rock Paper Scissors Sheep Gun:
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/858a44329eb1fdd270a9cf03aca210ed/9c4b9728bf47e9dc-ab/s540x810/a52c1632e59192f92333a27ed702d6389190fad6.jpg)
Mikkel plays Rock, defeats Lalli.
Reynir says Sheep eats Rock, but Mikkel retorts that Rock defeats Sheep's digestion.
Sigrun plays Gun, but Mikkel says not only does Rock deflect bullets, it also jams and smashes Gun's barrel.
Everybody unites to play Paper at once.
Mikkel plays Scissors.
Post by: Alkia on October 24, 2020, 05:05:16 PM
Annuil, I adore the way you interpret the characters and scenes in your ink style!!!!
Wave, as always, all your drawings have so much motion and I love it!!
Jitter, your little stories are so cool!!!! They're so fun to read through
Mirasol, the way you use markers IS SO PRETTY!!! WOAH!! I think my favorite so far is victorious Sigrun standing over her dead troll ;D
Lallicat, your little stories are a delight to go through!!! And your doodles are very cute
Grey, MORE ART!!! Cool!!!! the improvement is evident!! (though that locomotive train troll may or may not haunt my nightmares)
I hope I didn't miss anyone! It was so much fun going through this thread, a true October treat
as for me, I sadly didn't get very far, even though i was so eager to try an Inktober-y thing this year (especially an SSSS-themed one). Oh well, I got three days farther than I did last year!
Day 1, Handsy Moose
(https://i.imgur.com/gQ8o9g6.jpg)
Day 2, Tuomas the Tank Engine
(https://i.imgur.com/zeBIaPJ.jpg)
that troll reminded me too much of the ohmus from Nausicaä, so I had to draw the comparison ;D
Day 3, Cer-baa-rus (probably my favorite of all of these)
(https://i.imgur.com/8pUhr33.jpg)
Post by: wavewright62 on October 25, 2020, 04:18:21 AM
I finally had a chance to catch up with Jitter's story, oh my goodness the misunderstandings!
Next up - Contact. Not quite as light & fluffy as most of the rest of what I've drawn:
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/13c6ec723ae7495af15562b1d121bd9f/8fa239ff185ca586-e8/s540x810/53987879b586a1789a8d8ff68446f221180a0cdd.jpg)
Long before the networks went down and the contact tracing apps stopped working, people muted them.
Post by: Jitter on October 25, 2020, 09:45:42 AM
Rock Paper Scissors Sheep Gun
Mikkel plays Rock, defeats Lalli.
Reynir says Sheep eats Rock, but Mikkel retorts that Rock defeats Sheep's digestion.
Sigrun plays Gun, but Mikkel says not only does Rock deflect bullets, it also jams and smashes Gun's barrel.
Everybody unites to play Paper at once.
Mikkel plays Scissors.
Ok. This means war!
Emil plays Flamethrower (palm facing down, thumb curled into the palm, other fingers point forward slightly ajar to remind of the flames bursting from the nozzle)
Mikkel plays gun and explains that the gun is both quicker and has a longer range and therefore shoots the fuel container of the flamethrower, rendering it useless.
Sigrun plays Sjödraug (fist with thumb and middle finger pointing outwards as it's legs).
Mikkel plays rock. Sjödraug slithers over rock, which remains unchanged, but Sjödraug gets abrasions on its belly. In Mikkel's opinion, the rock wins.
Onni has been watching this for a while. Now he steps in. "Let me play."
Onni plays Kokko (both hands, fingers ajar, thumbs around each other so that the hands form the fire wings). "You are all dead. Now stop fooling around."
Onni wins.
Post by: Jitter on October 25, 2020, 09:52:46 AM
Alkia, the grosslings are all good, but yes, I also like the Cer-baa-rus best. It's both cute and monstrous!
Wave, your Connection is horrifying! Brrrrrr!
Post by: Jitter on October 26, 2020, 10:53:02 AM
This is direct continuation for Mist, from the first Chapter Break Filler. https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=1122.225 the story is on page 16 (linked), on page 18 is Gaelle's beautiful art of Reynir in his home with a waterfall.
Onni and Reynir are in Iceland looking for the local spirits, and they have arrived at a mighty waterfall that Reynir thinks may be a place of power. He's right. He sees galdrastafir shapes in the swirling mist, which Onni cannot see at all.
Hesitantly, Reynir stepped in to the spirit mist. Surely it had to be by the spirits, as Onni couldn't see it? And admittedly, it didn't feel moist or cold beyond what was to be expected so near the waterfall, it just looked like mist. The swirling seemed to form endless patterns, knotting and unknotting in the front of his eyes. The Vegvisir kept appearing, so Reynir followed it, into the space behind the waterfall.
"Oh, umm... Hello?... I'm Reynir Arnason and I... I greet you? O... o spirits of this land?" Onni had told him how he always addressed the spirits in poetry, when approaching them. But Reynir's mind was blank. He couldn't think of anything poetic to say. Despite having been reassured by the appearance of the Vegvisir, he was starting to feel nervous.
The dance of the patterns accelerated and now it was hard for him to make out anything. The booming water and the dancing, flashing shapes seemed to fill his head. He felt awe, but as the swirling got quicker and quicker he was also starting to get dizzy. "Please, slow down! This is too fast for me!" No help, so he closed his eyes. But now the patterns were in his mind and even covering his eyes with his hands didn't shield him. "Please, no! You are hurting me! I came to pay respects! I want to..." in a flash of blinding light, Reynir fell to the floor.
He came to in a familiar yet strange place. It was similar to the cave behind the waterfall, but larger. The walls were glittering with bright shapes. The mouth of the cave was covered by a moving curtain, but it wasn't water. It was a great flood of galdrastarif, woven of light, flooding from above and streaming onto the land outside.
Two... persons? were sitting across the cave from him. They appeared somewhat humanlike in that they seemed to have a central body with a head and face above it. One of them was made of water, the other was ice. Reynir was startled to see them, but they didn't appear threatening. For a second he stared, gaping like an idiot, but finally he got some of his wits back. He got up, bowed towards the persons, and spoke again. "I give my greetings. I am Reynir Arnason, a mage of this land, and I come looking for the spirits of this place to pay respects to them."
Welcome, Reynir Arnason. We have been waiting for you.
"Waiting? For me? I'm sorry, I've been..."
Not just you, young one. Your kind, the seiður. For over nine of your decades you have been afoot again, yet no one has sought us out. It is good that one finally comes.
We are sorry for having put you to sleep. Only your sight is trained in magic. To talk, we had to bring you here.
"Umm, it's... it's ok. I wasn't hurt. I think. Where is here?"
This is part of the place you call the dreamworld. There is more beyond the dark sea than the seiður know of. Much more than they care to know, it seems.
"I apologize for the seiður. Although I guess I must admit that I'm not here on any sort of official capacity on their behalf. I'm hardly a seiðkarl myself, I have studied very little. Mostly I've been out, adventuring. And I guess I have learned something by myself too."
This is good. The teachings of the seiður would only hide us from you. Learning on your own has preserved your sensitivity. In time you will learn to hear us, and talk with us. Your friend who spoke earlier can help.
Despite his terrible Icelandic.
EDIT:
Vegvisir, the Wayfinder, is the galdrastafur for wayfinding and safety on the road. It’s one of the better known staves to this day.
Post by: Mirasol on October 26, 2020, 02:11:06 PM
Wave, you captured annoyed Lalli really well! Your Rock-paper-scissors-game sounds exactly like something Mikkel would do... But oh no, the contact-piece is heartbreaking!
Alkia, yay, you´ve joined us! you might not have gotten far, but three lovely pieces you have made nonetheless! Now I know what the tanker-troll kept reminding me of... But I agree, the Cer-baa-rus turned out especially beautiful!
Jitter, three amazing continuations! I especially like the "Contact"-one for "Mist", I really wanted to know how that one continues back when I read it!
---
I think with this post I´ll also be a scout! Yay! I couldn´t come up with anything special for the occasion, so an extra-long promt-post will have to suffice.
23.10. "Bladderbarbies"
In other news, I have a new white pen, it is working really well and am good and hopeful that this one will not turn into a paint-fountain after a few uses... (I hope this now didn´t jinx it.)
(https://i.postimg.cc/qq0KvjYN/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober23.jpg)
24.10. "Rock, Paper, Scissors, Sheep, Gun"
Ever since that fateful game of "Rock, Paper, Scissors" between Sigrun and Reynir, discussions on who has to do the dishes today haven´t been the same anymore. But after five minutes of arguing who wins (or rather, who looses), Mikkel decides to intervene. (It looks like I had a similar idea as Jitter with additional symbols. :emil:)
(Dang it, I just realized I forgot to color the top of Sigrun´s cape...)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MK1WDznJ/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober24.jpg)
25.10. "black hole and the three bears"
(https://i.postimg.cc/Xqzyk4qC/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober25.jpg)
Post by: Lallicat on October 26, 2020, 06:24:15 PM
Annuil, your useful is beautiful! The knife looks so realistic!
Mirasol, the troll costume is perfect! I love the way you drew that! And your cat hats are so cute! And "Speedy McSplorp" is properly terrifying O_O. The Bladder Barbies are amazing, "Rock, Paper, Scissors, Sheep, Gun" made me giggle, and your bears and their black hole is beautiful.
wave, your Surma is great, and I love the trolls playing bridge! Your Lalli is very well drawn, and your "Rock, Paper, Scissors, Sheep, Gun" makes me marvel at how well you draw hands. And "Contact" made me sad.
grey, your water floating troll is at the time horrifying and hilarious... I can imagine it being used as a balloon by some trolls, like in that scene from Shrek.
Alkia, your "Handsy Moose" and "Thomas the Tank Engine" are very well drawn and accurately creepy. "Cer-baa-rus" is very cute (for a three headed lamb). I believe that is my favorite also.
As for me, I have a story for "Umbrella"! (I'm going to try to keep up with the current prompts, and catch up on the other ones as I go.)
---Umbrella---
"We have to leave, can't you hear the wolves? It's unsafe."
"But this is our home, we've lived here forever!"
"If we don't make our home somewhere else, we're going to die. It's time to stop clinging to the life we had and run. Pack quickly, we're leaving."
"I- all right. I'll hurry."
"Why do you need DVDs? The electricity has been out for months now!"
"I thought just in case it came back on-"
"Leave all unessential things here! Maybe we'll be able to come back later and grab more stuff, but for now, we need to get out of here!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" *sniffle*
"Hey! Hey, it's okay. Don't cry. We're going to get through this together, okay?"
"Okay."
"All right. Let's get going, the coast is clear."
"Wait! I forgot the umbrellas!"
"Wha- why do we need umbrellas?"
"In case it rains! Remember the garage sale we got these at? It was such a good deal, you can't find umbrellas of that quality anymore!"
"FORGET THE UMBRELLAS! Leave them here, maybe they'll be useful to some other person that's crazy enough to pass through here."
Post by: Jitter on October 26, 2020, 06:24:35 PM
Your pictures are great again! Especially the bladderbarbies. They are such weird and unlikely creatures, I love them!
Oh and lookie here, I caught up!
Umbrella
Year 0, day 3. Rønne habour.
“Well, Michael, we are at port. I guess this is goodbye. Have fun on the farm!”
“Thank you, Signe. It was nice meeting you, despite the circumstances! Seriously, take my advice and find a job away from customer service, ok? What else can you do?”
“Well, I have many skills. I’ve worked as a gardener, machine repairs, cleaner, tourist guide, cook...”
“Oh, that’s very impressive! You seem to have had very many jobs.”
“I have. I’m worried that this disease may cost me another one. But, enough blabbering, it’s time for you to go and for me to try and reserve a tolerable bench!”
“Oh dear, look at the rain! It’s even worse than when we left!”
“It’s been raining for days and days! I don’t like it. I wonder which one will get us first, the Rash disease or the climate change?”
“Dammit I don’t even have an umbrella! I’ll get soaked the second I step outside.”
“You know what? I happen to have an umbrella. Why don’t you borrow it when you leave for your sister’s farm?”
“Well, I... that’s very generous of you, but how will you get it back?”
“Obviously, you’ll have to take me with you. I would have quit soon anyways, might as well as so it now!”
“Well, in that case... I’ll be delighted to borrow your umbrella!”
Post by: Jitter on October 26, 2020, 06:27:12 PM
Post by: Crumpite on October 26, 2020, 09:58:57 PM
IMHO, this was the best chapter break thread so far.
Amazing art and writing, page after page after page...
I have to stifle my artistic inadequacy with every post. 😀
Thanks again everyone for making the world a little more fun ❤
Post by: wavewright62 on October 27, 2020, 04:55:26 AM
Mirasol is nailing the grosslings...Bladderbarbies, bear-beasts, Mikkel... err I mean... Actually those bladderbarbies are quite awesome, I do say.
Such lovely stories of umbrellas, makes me want to break out in song:
And then I go and spoil it all, by drawing something stupid like Umbrella Poke
Umbrella Poke
Ja, double duty prompt time, and no pretense whatsoever that putting these two together can make a coherent narrative (I will leave that to our most capable wordsmiths, I think).
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/0c78c9dbc3401d00b470f6bd3c194e01/e802d9a1564a3620-f9/s540x810/76eac8846f5d4d9a8adee72b4cf43b739d52c2e1.jpg)
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/04a10845903dadfb4b50d78c196f594c/e802d9a1564a3620-53/s540x810/709806784a44073310fae9f936d930dea86ebe65.jpg)
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/2a29d977d10f5cc6dc149d037f721b30/e802d9a1564a3620-5a/s540x810/a72d181c1da5e6ee126c5b3eaee3302c75cde820.jpg)
Post by: thegreyarea on October 27, 2020, 02:34:39 PM
So first I'll post my silly contribution for today, and later will comment (if I don't forget...)
So here's a double take for today, with the water cow and the poke prompts.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tTHTh4Lt/Cow-Poke.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xktnQnjc)
I said it was silly, don't look at me that way! :D
Post by: wavewright62 on October 27, 2020, 03:04:55 PM
Post by: thegreyarea on October 27, 2020, 03:34:21 PM
It's a nice pair of drawings where one can feel the action! :)
I can see a duel here. Reynir and Lalli were having a discussion about magic, and there was no way they would settle the topic.
So Mikkel suggested an old fashioned duel! And Sigrun supported the idea with enthusiasm!
Lalli didn't want to fight, and Reynir started laughing, which prompted Emil to advance and defend Lalli's honour.
They started to fight, trying to poke each other, but of course Emil found a way to complicate things... :D
And I'm glad that you like the cow!
Post by: Jitter on October 27, 2020, 06:33:17 PM
EDIT forgot to include the poke itself so continued a bit, although Wave’s illustration probably makes it clear already.
Poke
At an unspecified time in the future, during a non-eventful part of a mission or quest
Nothing had happened for days. Everyone was bored, bored, bored. Even Reynir felt he’d almost appreciate encountering some easily defeatable beasts or something. Partially to alleviate everyone else’s boredom, but mainly to give Sigrun something to think about. Sigrun was bordering on the intolerable, after days of no action.
“Now I know exactly what we need!” she proclaimed after they had set up camp. Everyone sighed. After her previous ideas, they weren’t looking forward to this. Emil’s arm was still sore after the “non-serious” arm wrestling the other night.
“Sparring! Nothing to liven up an evening like some good old fashioned fun, by which I mean friendly sparring! Emil, take your blade and come here!”
“I will not!”
“What, don’t be a spoilsport! I’ll go easy on you!”
“No, you won’t!”
Mikkel intervened. “As your medic I have to say I am strongly against us drawing live steel on each other.”
*grumble* “Ok then. I guess you are right. You guys don’t have my skills and nerves of iron. But! We can still spar!” Sigrun went to the pile of equipment. “Ta-da!” She was brandishing two umbrellas. “I knew they’d come in useful!” Tossing one to Emil, she raised the other like a sword. “All right, come on then!”
“No”
“What? Are you mutineerimg?”
“I’m not going to spar with you. You’ll hurt me, even with that thing.”
“Oh by Thor’s hammer! Why are you all so boring! Ok then, go get Lalli and spar with him.”
Lalli wasn’t impressed. “Tyhmä ajatus! En tule.”
”He’s not interested”.
“Well then, Mikkel, if you please?”
“No thank you! He almost broke my leg once!”
“In that case...”
“No! He’s not a fighter!”
“Exactly! We can’t have a non-immune who can’t defend themselves with us any longer! Emil, you will teach Reynir some basics of sword fighting!”
*groaaaannn*
*
“And, so, um... you must not forget to defend yourself, so never lower your blade... and... pay attention to your balance, this would be heavy if it were the real thing...”
“Enough talking! Get to sparring now!”
“But I haven’t even got through the very basics! It’s very slow with translation.”
But Reynir was already pointing his “weapon”, so sighing Emil raised his. They swung at each other tentatively. Reynir still didn’t know anything about fighting, but he had a lot more reach than Emil, who wasn’t really much of a swordsmaster himself. So they slashed and thrust and jumped around, with Sigrun happily cheering them along.
Suddenly Emil’s umbrella went into launch mode and opened. While he was struggling with it, Reynir jumped around and poked him in the ribs with his.
“Haa! You are dead! The student defeats the master!”
“Ow! Give me a break! You only got that because...”
“I win I win I win I win” Reynir danced away.
“Sanoinhan, että se oli tyhmä idea.” Lalli had slunk around and was clearly judging very hard. Whether he was judging Emil or Reynir was unclear. Most likely both.
Lalli says first “Stupid idea. I’m not coming” and at the end “I told you it was a stupid idea”.
Post by: Jitter on October 28, 2020, 06:35:00 PM
Real monsters under the bed
All childhoods are past
Post by: thegreyarea on October 29, 2020, 08:06:55 AM
Here's my contribution for today my friends, mixing those prompts, Hilja and Empty Roads, in one hurried pic. I hope you like it.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ydxSf22x/not-so-empty-road-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dkM13Nsc)
It seems that road was not so empty as Hilja thought...
Post by: Jitter on October 29, 2020, 08:51:04 AM
Post by: Jitter on October 29, 2020, 04:49:57 PM
No one is coming. No one ever comes anymore. We did put up the signs, yes. Approaching prohibited. Trespassers will be shot. Admittedly, not very welcoming.
But no one has passed by the road for weeks. Maybe months. I’ve been going for little runs around, when the sun allows, but there isn’t anyone around anywhere. Just us now. We are down to a dozen now, since the kids... stopped moving. The others can hardly be bothered to move at all. They are slow and pathetic, not fast and strong like me! I deserve better companions, more worthy!
But no one comes. The roads stay empty. I am hungry. No one comes.
Post by: thegreyarea on October 29, 2020, 08:01:29 PM
Post by: Mirasol on October 29, 2020, 08:19:04 PM
Grey, maybe silliness, but silly content is just as good as serious. I laughed out loud at your lakecow!
I really like all the more ominous takes too!
Wonderful Haiku, Jitter! Sad and scary! And the "Empty roads"-story too! (The point-of-view-character is already trollified, aren´t they? Wait... Now Grey´s comment makes me think I missed something... Ohhh, I think I get it now... It´s clearly too late for me to be reading this. :'D)
Grey, the details on the street and the perspective in the Hilja/empty roads-piece are amazing! And with the red details the mood is conveyed perfectly!
I´ve got two more as well:
27.10. "Lakecows" The moment I had sketched all those details I deeply regretted choosing this prompt... But I think it turned out pretty good.
(https://i.postimg.cc/SQWZMmcz/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober27.jpg)
28.10. "Childhood" I guess also a little sad... I thought too much again. This belongs to the Human!Kitty-AU I´m writing. Kitty´s original family, in an abandoned house where they´re staying for the night (and playing with some old toys they found in there). This takes place in the summer before the SSSS-crew came to Denmark.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y2367018/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober28.jpg)
(urgg, my lineart just gets increasingly worse...)
Post by: Lallicat on October 29, 2020, 09:14:32 PM
The children didn't understand the Rash. Of course they didn't, they were too young. They didn't understand their mother's look of fear when they poked a freshly killed rat-beast with a stick, their eyes lighting up with curiosity. They didn't understand the screams of fear, and why their father was telling them to run and hide. They didn't understand that their bedtime stories were no longer stories, and that monsters were real now, and that they hid underneath their bed. They just didn't understand.
(It kind of fills the prompt "Poke" too, but it feels like cheating, since it's mentioned once, I'll try to write a decent story for that later.)
Post by: Lallicat on October 29, 2020, 09:36:56 PM
Poking strings is Reynir's favorite job
Onni tenses, feeling disturbances
Keen senses tell him it's an annoying spirit
Eh, he's only half wrong
Post by: Jitter on October 30, 2020, 07:04:33 AM
Mirasol, yours is bittersweet while Lallicat yours is horrifying!
Mirasol I love your lake cows! I think I maybe haven’t posted my little story about them on the forum, so maybe I should add it here even though it’s a bit older.
Post by: Jitter on October 30, 2020, 07:17:17 AM
EDIT seems I have commented that I’ll post it in the Scriptorium, so this is probably a double post. Still, it suits the prompts so I’ll leave it here.
My tally
I tally my lost ones.
First it came to Oona’s. They suddenly locked their gate and closed the curtains. Three days later we heard the gunshots. Dad told me to not go look. I wanted to know what happened, since Oona was my best friend. I didn’t go. I’m glad of that.
One.
Then Musti bit Marko. When he told us about it, we didn’t believe him. Musti was the gentlest dog ever. But when we found her under the barn… She had killed all the cats. All! Even the tiny kittens! Dad took care of Musti. Her body is buried under her favorite tree.
Two.
Marko, he was my brother, went into the lake. He asked me to cover for him, to have time to go through with it before mum notices it. I went inside and chatted with mum. We never found his body, but we built a cairn for him.
Three.
Dad probably had been ill a couple of days already when he collapsed. We took him to the house. We knew already that we shouldn’t have, but we didn’t want to leave him out on the yard. Couldn’t leave him.
Mum was next. She deteriorated more quickly than dad had. They both died one week after the gunshots at Oona’s. Me and mum had dug a grave for dad together. I buried them both in it, but I built two cairns. Dragging dad across the yard was difficult, but mum was lighter than I ever could have guessed.
Five.
The feeding robot was empty. I couldn’t leave the cows in to starve, so I pried the door open for them. They hung around the fields for a few days. One morning a cacophony of mooing woke me up. I went to see them, and I saw it had come for the herd. Over half of the animals were lying down. Several were trampled to death. Many had run.
My bottle calves, Mansikki and Lilja, were among the ones still standing. When I walked towards them, they turned to stare at me. Their big beautiful eyes were… wrong. They looked at me sadly and then turned away. They led the surviving herd away, into the trees. I never saw them after that.
Seven.
Marko would say I’m silly to tally cows. But I loved those two. And Marko isn’t here. No one is. Only I remain. It seems I’m somehow immune to it. I wish I wasn’t.
The dead cows are starting to smell. I have to leave. I’ll take the boat. I’m not sure if I should build a cairn for myself. Probably not, no one will see them anyways. It’s time for me to go now.
Post by: thegreyarea on October 30, 2020, 07:27:07 AM
On the lake cows I would trim a little on the green to center them a little more.
Lallicat, those were surely some hard childhoods... A good little one!
Jitter, I think the story fits really well here. :)
And here's my contribution for today, on the Original Grossling. I remembered to draw the Jumper that appears at the very beginning of Lightning (here's the link and the shameless self-promotion for those that may not read it: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21430231
(https://i.postimg.cc/jj4rd0zj/Jumper-from-Lightning-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7ChRmRtv)
Isn't it a fluffy delicious thing?
Post by: Róisín on October 30, 2020, 11:39:53 AM
Post by: Jitter on October 30, 2020, 12:06:16 PM
Post by: Lallicat on October 30, 2020, 06:27:34 PM
wave, the umbrella jousting is wonderful!
thegreyarea, I love the lake cows poking Onni's strings. Yet another culprit for the "annoying spirit." I love your "Empty roads," it's a beautiful drawing. And your murder bunny is terrifying!
Mirasol, your lake cows are beautiful, and your childhood really pulled on my heartstrings.
I wrote this poem a few months ago, but I find it very fitting for the prompt "Empty Roads"
I walk the empty streets alone
My footsteps loud on cobblestone
My face half hidden behind a mask
My heart aching as I walk past
Empty shops, empty roads
Empty hearts and empty souls
I walk the empty streets alone
My footsteps loud on cobblestone
And everywhere I look I see
Some haunted memory staring at me
Music faded, interest jaded
Dusty shelves and happiness gated
I walk the empty streets alone
My footsteps loud on cobblestone
Floating remains of what the world once was
Nothing escaping Time's cruel jaws
Post by: Jitter on October 30, 2020, 06:40:56 PM
Whole family
Emil was starting to tire. He’d been supporting Inka for hours now. She was of course the one doing all the real work, so he wouldn’t complain. But surely it would be over soon. Inka leaned on him and breathed heavily between the violent contractions. Rakel was trying to make her more comfortable by massaging her back. Lalli was singing the birthing song and giving everyone quick, reassuring little strokes. The midwife, Anja, was encouraging them all. “The baby is ready to come out now. Inka, next you push with every contraction, ok? Rakel, be ready to help me with the baby.”
Emil had thought Inka was utterly exhausted, but suddenly she seemed to well new strength from somewhere. Lalli’s singing took on a faster tempo, and he poured birthing water on Inka’s head and back. Her grip on Emil’s shoulders tightened painfully and she cried out in the rhythm of the birth. But after a moment the baby was out. Anja and Rakel got hold of the baby, and Anja told Emil to help Inka lean back and breath a little before the afterbirth.
Rakel tied the umbilical cord and they all gathered around Inka and the baby in her arms. She was strong and loud from the very beginning. She was covered in blood and slime, as were they all. And she was the most beautiful thing Emil had ever seen. As everything seemed to be well, Anja left the family in the sauna to go tell the villagers waiting outside. “A fine and easy birth! You did well, Inka! And all of you, good job helping her. You could have done this without me.” This was an easy birth? Emil wondered. Hadn’t seemed easy to him.
They washed the baby and the birth mother. Everyone else needed some washing too, even Lalli had blood on his hands, arms and face, even though he’d just been singing! He looked almost as exhausted as Inka - ok, to be fair, it’s not just singing.
When the baby girl was bathed, they saw a tuft of fine silvery hair on her head. “Look at that. She’s yours by blood!” Emil said to his husband, smiling.
“She’s ours by family. By love.” Lalli responded.
Emil looked at his beautiful family, now one new person larger. “Yes, by family, and by love.” They all embraced each other, surrounding their newborn daughter with their love and tenderness.
Ok, this is at least the third birth scene I’ve written fairly recently. I hope it’s not too weird.
I’m not 100% sure this is in the main timeline of Lalli and Emil in Toivosaari, but it could be. This just occurred to me during the evening walkies so I’ll have to mull on it a bit more to decide.
Post by: Jitter on October 30, 2020, 06:49:36 PM
Spoiler: show
Post by: thegreyarea on October 30, 2020, 09:17:37 PM
Jitter, that's a fine story. It all worked well because Lalli was actively participating, right? That "being born in the sauna" part still sounds very strange to me... Also, is that "our" Rakel? I surely hope so! I love to imagine they all together in large family filled with love.
Lallicat, Jitter and Róisín, I'm glad to know that you enjoyed my things! I really enjoyed making them. :)
Post by: Jitter on October 31, 2020, 06:36:35 AM
I was in two minds about this because they do live in Finland, but of course Rakel was younger then and has had time to mature and decide she can leave Iceland after all.
As a midwife, Anja also knows the birthing songs (as do many of the women, especially the older ones who have attended several births) but she’s not a mage, so Lalli’s runos were more powerful, especially so because this is his family. There’s no way to really tell whether they were needed or if it would have gone well in any case, but childbirth is always a risk for humans and every way to make it more easy and safe will definitely be taken. I’m certain having three spouses to support you would be a welcome thing, especially with no hospital available.
Sauna is the cleanest place and the place easiest to clean very well. Also you need warmth as well as and warm water. Warmth can also help the birth along and ease some of the pain. Plus the benches allow support for various standing up positions. It’s the natural choice. The saunas were a bit larger then too, so there’s room for the helpers.
Interestingly, when I was looking for birthing spells from the collection of traditional Finnish folklore/ poetry (for Breath), many of the spells were recorded from male practitioners and often invoked Ukko, the male god of sky and thunder. They were collected mostly during late 1800’s so very much influenced by Christianity. The other entity being supplicated was (essentially) Virgin Mary. Ukko was the bringer of rain and therefore also a fertility deity, and the Ukonvakka festivals were fertility rites (also for humans). I find (apparently common?) male participation in birthing interesting, although many of the spells seem to be intended to help in a stuck situation so maybe the healer / magic practitioner was only called in dire need. They were not songs only to be sung nearby but included the water or other physical components and also often “jump-scaring” the mother to scare they baby out. The notes are unfortunately scarce, it may say e.g. “if the mother is in difficulty” which can of course range from immediate emergency to the birth taking a bit long.
Post by: Jitter on October 31, 2020, 08:33:57 AM
The Contct and the Guardian (Onni and/or Tuuri)
“So, the important point to remember,” Caleb was lecturing away, “is that the Finaians are emphamorphs. Meaning, they will look like you think they look like. Usually around human clients they appear humanoid, but it’s up to you. They are most affected by the leader of any group, so in this case that would be you, Mr Västerström. Please try to think of them as any people.”
“But how can we? They are probably the most mysterious of all sentient races! Nothing is known of their true form!” Thalia interjected.
“This is by their choice” Caleb reminded his young client. “They only allow one hunting party every three to eight or so standard years, and strictly no research. The other important thing is to remember to do what they say. If any of you breaches their rules, we’ll be lucky if any of us get out.
So, anyway, we’ll be there soon. Often their appearance flickers a little at first, but usually it settles down when you all start expecting them to look like they just did. I have had a case and heard of another when the appearance the hunting party gave them was insulting, and they cancelled the Agreement then and there. So, just people, ok?”
“Ok, I’m sure I can manage”, Västerström muttered, rolling his eyes to Thalia. “I’m not a little kid who’s afraid of monsters under the bed!”
“It’s not just that” Caleb reminded the haughty youth “If they deem the appearance to suggest you consider them to be subservient to humans, they will not be pleased. So for example don’t forget that the Guardian will be holding all of our lives safe during the Hunt. They are not pathetic scrawny things.”
***
The Finaian space port was ridiculous, considering it was the main (possibly the only) port on the entire planet. There were the barest of necessities for a few environments and decon, and that was it. Conveniently Finaian environment was pretty nicely within Terra 2N parameters, so environment-wise their personal mods were sufficient and they didn’t need any external equipment.
Caleb loaded their stuff onto the sleds and lead the way down a long, barren hallway. “This leads to the departure pod. We’ll meet our service providers here. There will be one Contact and likely a Guardian, the Guide may or may not be here yet. Most likely we won’t meet anybody else. So, remember. Just people.” Caleb put his hand on the sensor and stated his name, the Agreement code, and the names of his three companions.
The door opened to a Terra environment space. The space was rounded, almost spherical although the floor had been flattened some. There was some human-type furniture and a large window? screen? showing a green and purple area that appeared to be surface environment. Near some of the furniture and in front of the window were two presences of... it was impossible to describe the first impression. They didn’t look or sound like anything, but at the same time they were flickering with thousands of forms and features. It was immediately clear there were two persons there, although Emil had no idea how he knew that. He was starting to feel dizzy, when Caleb grabbed his elbow. “Remember, just people!”
It helped. The flickering started to coalesce into two humanoid shapes. At first they looked identical, pretty much standard humans in white clothing resembling uniforms, with pale skin and eyes and pale, almost silvery hair. “I guess this is good enough. Welcome to Finaia. I am your Contact.” The voice came from the Finaian at the furniture.
The Contact’s voice sounded vaguely female to Emil, and her form altered slightly . She became shorter and her features rounder just a little. “Oh, thank you Mr Västerström. I am indeed what you might consider a female of our species, not that the distinction would be of any relevance to you. But it’s always nice to get some personal features. Please meet your Guardian.” It/she gestured towards the other... person in the room.
The Guardian had also changed. They had become taller and broader, with a strong jaw and piercing eyes. Their hair was a bit shaggy, and their clothing (uniform?) now sported strange markings. Emil glanced back at Contact and noticed her uniform also had some details now, but less than Guardian’s. The Guardian made a noise to acknowledge their presence but didn’t speak. It (maybe it was a he?) was looking stern, bordering on angry.
Post by: Mirasol on October 31, 2020, 05:28:31 PM
Shame on me, I completely overlooked two of the umbrella-prompts in my last comment!
Lallicat, what a nice origin-story for our crew´s umbrellas! Your "childhood" is chilling, and the "poke"-poem made me smile! I also like your "empty streets"-poem, it really fits the mood!
Jitter, I love the way you wrote Michael and Signe´s interactions! (They´re probably my favourite prologue-couple.) The lakecows-story is just as sad and chilling as the first time I read it. You´re right, it fits here very well! It´s also really nice how you keep on expanding the universe most of your (post-SSSS-plot-)fanfictions take place in (even if in slightly different timelines/ yet to be determined), even when the scenes aren´t happening at successional points of their stories! And that Sci-fi-AU thing is exactly my cup of tea. What an interesting concept for an alien-race! I wonder what the "hunting-party" could be out to hunt for...
Grey, that´s one bunny one really doesn´t want to run into... Though it´s still kind of cute with that flower. In a creepy way... (And this my friends is why I wouldn´t survive in Y90.)
And here are my two final contributions:
30.10. "Whole Crew" For some reason I felt like drawing cats yesterday. So here´s the whole crew as cats! I kind of regret coloring it, though...
(https://i.postimg.cc/T1HZc4Ct/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober30.jpg)
31.10. "Tuuri" Inspired by this picture (http://www.sssscomic.com/mainimages/art/halloween.jpg) (Tuuri sadly isn´t present on it, so naturally I had to draw her in a costume to fit in), the fact that it´s Halloween and that I´ve been pumpkin-carving all afternoon.
My markers have this funny effect when they´re not fully dry yet that it seems like they´re glowing if you put the paper over a lamp. I sometimes do that for fun to see how weird it looks, but this time it actually fit the theme, so that´s how I took the photo. Maybe I´ll take a normal one tomorrow too, just to see the difference.
(https://i.postimg.cc/mgWdG4zQ/Mirasol-Yoink-Tober31.jpg)
Yay, and with that, YoinkTober is finished! As fun as it was, I think I need a few days far away from any sort of ink now...
Post by: Róisín on November 01, 2020, 04:10:14 AM
Post by: thegreyarea on November 02, 2020, 07:03:17 PM
And Mirasol, your drawings are fantastic, as usual, and finishing with the SSSS logo is a most excellent idea. :)
Jitter, so much to say! I'm very happy that it's our Rakel and to see the boys in this extended family! It's a wonderful setting and it warms my shipping heart! <3
The scifi story is looking great! I'm wondering where you got inspiration for that strange and mysterious people, the Finaians. ;) I bet they also speak a strange language like no one else speaks...
It's a very interesting concept and I'm so very curious to see where this will lead. Well done! :)
Post by: Jitter on November 03, 2020, 03:37:02 AM
Thanks Grey! I’m becoming pretty sure this is how Lalli’s daughter Lumi was born - she’s mentioned in Contentment as someone in a position to “afford Kaapo” to come for Onni’s spirit and carry him to see Koli once more (Kaapo just might be a Hotakainen too). I don’t know if anyone picked it up but I tried to make it known they didn’t know who is the genetic father before she was born. Nevertheless I think they are more of a family formed of two primary couples (as opposed to a completely uniform relationship of four people) - mostly because I think it’s challenging enough to write it like that :)
As for the Finaians... you are right, no one can speak Finaian. It’s not even fully sound-based so they can’t even learn. Luckily some Finaians are willing to learn to speak some human and other languages, at least a little. Maybe with enough interest one can learn well, as has so far been demonstrated by the Contact.
Post by: Annuil on November 05, 2020, 08:02:59 PM
My praises to all you, guys, who actually managed to finish this thing! So many amazing works! You are my heroes!
It became really hard for me to keep up with the prompts and school work and all other stuff that was going on, so I closed my sketchbook and put away the quill, even though it felt really bad...(I couldn’t even gather my courage enough to come here in time and say this!)
But! I still haven’t posted my last two drawings, so I do this, better late then never!
Here is the “Bridge”:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_tX6waOrG0UKBGmG7
And the “Cat Hat”:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_tX_n-GE2ziAyXHfZ
Nothing really good, but still something ;)
Post by: Mirasol on November 06, 2020, 10:37:32 AM
Oh yeah, and "tomorrow" is apparently also a quite bendable concept for me... :'D
Maybe I´ll take a normal one tomorrow too, just to see the difference.
Spoiler: for comparing purposes • show
EDIT: Wait, of course thank you to Róisín, Grey, Annuil and Jitter! I thought I thanked you already. And I´m all for YoinkTober becoming a tradition, participating and seeing the amazing contributions by the rest of you was so fun!