#(also i'm at work and don't have icons ack)

[mysteryshoptls]

SR Rook Hunt - Ceremonial Robes Vignette

"That rather intense moment"

[Pomefiore Dorm – Lounge]

Rook: Heh, I do so enjoy my little walks in the morning. The crisp air truly enhances the beauty of prey.

Vil: Oh, Rook. You're still dressed in your school uniform? Hurry and get changed.

Vil: Don't tell me you forgot today's ceremony? No one likes a man with no sense of time.

Rook: Of course not. There's no way I would have forgotten, Vil.

Rook: There's nothing to worry about, I will go change into my ceremonial robes right away. I still have time.

Rook: And perhaps I could undertake your signature appearance look-over, Roi du Poison, since it has been quite some time since I've been subject to one.

Vil: Do you think I would have for my Vice Housewarden someone who would require more help than the other students?

Vil: However, I will say that you should take a shower before changing if were just coming from outside.

Rook: Is that a problem? To be fair, I did not run amok or lay on the ground during today's walk.

Rook: I only exchanged some pleasant conversation with a sleepy-looking prey.

Vil: I wonder if that truly was all. Regardless, you should take a shower and rinse off all the dirt you've tracked in from the outside.

Vil: The ceremonial robes are a traditional and iconic garb of this academy, so it cannot just be worn haphazardly.

Vil: As you are to stand beside me as my Vice Housewarden during the ceremony, I will not allow for a single speck of dust to be present on your robes.

Rook: Is that also why you've mandated that I wear perfume whenever I put on these robes?

Vil: That's right. The scent you wear is just another part of your overall appearance.

Rook: Understood, I shall heed your words.

Rook: If I am to have the privilege of being the accompanying arrangement to your glorious bouquet, then even showers and perfume are a small price to pay.

[Pomefiore Dorm – Hallway]

Rook: How vexing… I had not expected the shower rooms to be out of order.

Rook: They said it would be fixed by tonight, but that would not allow me to be ready in time for the ceremony…

Floyd: Man, Pomefiore's always so sparkly. It shines just like how the ocean's surface does.

Rook: Oh, what luck… That's an Octavinelle student rounding the corner.

Rook: Bonjour, Monsieur Spontané.

Floyd: Oh hey, it's Seagull-kun.

Rook: Is that your nickname for me? It's wonderfully unique.

Rook: A gracious welcome to Pomefiore. Have you just strolled in here on a whim?

Floyd: I ain't taking a stroll, I'm doin' an errand for Azul.

Rook: I see, I see.

Rook: To tell you the truth, I am currently in a tricky bind. I was hoping to ask you for your assistance.

Floyd: Ehhh, don't wanna. I'm busy.

Rook: No need to be so cold. I have need of a shower, and yet the showers here are currently under repair.

Rook: Would I be able to utilize the Octavinelle showers?

Floyd: Huh? How should I know? And it's got nothing to do with me, if you're havin' a problem.

Rook: I beg you. At this rate, I will end up breaking my promise to Vil.

Rook: I am only asking to borrow your shower room. It shouldn't cause you any trouble.

Floyd: You just don't quit, huh. I said I don't wanna.

Rook: Hm… If I cannot attain your permission, it may not work out too well for you.

Rook: Are you still adamant in refusing me?

Floyd: Aha, you tryin' to force me to do whatcha want?

Floyd: Brave, ain'tcha? Want, you want me to squeeze you to a pulp?

Rook: Here

[spritz, spritz, spritz]

Floyd: Ack, what'dya just spray on me!? It smells weird…!

Rook: Weird is no way to describe this. Vil himself blended this special perfume for me.

Rook: Does not the musk and amber soothe you?

Rook: Well, even I have to admit that the scent is fairly strong that if I were to wear it, I would be noticed by my prey from a long distance away.

Rook: That's why I choose to only wear it when I must wear the ceremonial robes.

Floyd: Who cares about all that!? Ugh, I can't even scrub it out…!

Rook: No, I'm sure you can't. You should get changed as quick as possible. I think a bit of it got into your hair as well, so you should also take this opportunity for a shower.

Rook: Now you wouldn't be going out of your way by bringing me along to your dormitory's shower rooms anymore, wouldn't you say?

Floyd: Huh? You screwing with me?

Rook: Oh my, what a terribly ferocious glare.

Rook: I bet those sharp teeth of yours could easily tear through even the toughest fisherman's net… Fantastic!

Floyd: Bleagh… What's with this guy…? Your grin's creepin' me out. Fine, if you're gonna follow me, whatever.

Floyd: Ughhhh～ This really stinks. I'm getting' dizzy…

Rook: Heh. Well then, shall we adjourn to Octavinelle?

[Octavinelle Dorm – Lounge]

Rook: Floyd-kun, thank you for letting me use the Octavinelle showers. Dearie me, that was a saving grace.

Floyd: Maaan, that sucked. [sniff, sniff] …I think I can still smell it on me.

Rook: Heh. The scent is gone, don't worry. Looks like you were able to wash it all out.

Rook: It all worked out in the end, and you even had time to put on your robes. You're going to the ceremony as well, aren't you?

Floyd: Ugh, don't you ever shut up…?

Rook: Oh yes, while I'm here, may I finish applying my makeup?

Floyd: Makeup? You already did the stuff that goes around the eyes.

Rook: Vil's orders, you see. It isn't enough to just use liner.

Rook: I have an abundance of makeup and their respective tools to use for ceremonies… Look here, they can barely fit atop the dresser!

Floyd: Gah, that's so much.

Floyd: What, you got some weird-lookin' bottles, brushes, and pens…? What's this dark brown powder?

Rook: That would be for shading. It's used to contour the face into a more sculpted appearance.

Floyd: Uh-huh. Then, what's with this pencil-lookin' thing? Why'd you have so many different ones?

Rook: That's eyeliner. See how each one is a different color? I'll use a different one based on the type of eyeshadow I use, or where I want to draw a line.

Rook: Now then, if you'll excuse me. I need to start applying my makeup.

Floyd: Uggghh, it smells weird again.

Rook: Even so, I've chosen makeup products that have a more subdued scent.

Rook: Although, I suppose it's true that because I have an abundance of different makeup, that the more I apply, the stronger the fragrance will become…

Floyd: You don't like smelly things either, right, Seagull-kun? So why're ya goin' along with whatever Betta-chan-senpai says?

Rook: This is all to stand at Vil's side.

Rook: He is the fairest of all here at this academy…

Rook: All of this is just a small price to pay in order to be able to admire his beauty from such a premium seat.

Floyd: Uh-huh…

Rook: Heh, you seem to have taken an interest in my handiwork. Would you like to try applying some makeup?

Rook: Your mismatched eyes glow with a mysterious, unreadable glint that is truly beautiful. I'm sure makeup will only serve to enhance that.

Floyd: No way. That's a pain, anyway.

Floyd: 'Sides, it's gettin' pretty boring just watching you do stuff. Hurry and finish up, already.

Rook: Well then, I don't mind if you wish to leave me to it. I can lock up for you once I have finished.

Floyd: Nope. If I let some outsider wander around here, I'ma get an earful from Azul later.

Rook: Well, then I suppose there's no other options. You'll have to wait until I've finished.

Floyd: Whyzzat? Why don'tcha just quickly slap something on?

Rook: Beauty can only be improved by dedicating the time for it.

Rook: Oh, then what if you were to help dry my hair in the meantime?

Rook: It should shorten my time here if you were to use the hair dryer while I finish applying my makeup, wouldn't you agree?

Floyd: …What a pain… …Tch, fine. Hand me the hair dryer.

Rook: Wonderful, thank… Ack, hot!

[hair dryer blows…]

Rook: Non, non, Monsieur Spontané. I need you to regulate the temperature better.

Floyd: Huuuh, whaddya say? I can't hear ya!

[hair dryer blows…]

Rook: Ah, if the dryer is turned to its maximum setting and my hair is ruffled so, it will take longer to tame it later…

Floyd: Man, you got a lot of hair, Seagull-kun. It ain't dryin' at all.

Rook: Ah, Monsieur Spontané…! You handle me so roughly…!

Floyd: You even gotta complain about the way I'm doin' this? Shouldn't matter how I get it done, as long as it dries, right?

Rook: Aaaaah…!

Rook: [pant, pant] …Has my hair finally dried…? I never thought that rather intense moment would ever end…

Rook: …Hm?

Rook: Oh, my hair…

Rook: It's completely unruly!

Floyd: I mean, ain't it boring to just have your hair the same way all the time?

Rook: I see, this is…

Rook: Absolutely fantastic!

Rook: Neither Vil nor myself would have ever considered this style. Your innovative thinking has brought forth a new form of beauty!

Floyd: Eh, you for real?

Rook: I feel as though I've unlocked new possibilities for myself now! Thank you, Floyd-kun!

Floyd: You're so weird…

Requested by Anonymous.

[puppetsandpantry]

Thumb📌ack Music

So there's this game called Thimbleweed Park. It's one of my favorite games of all time and perhaps one of the zeniths of the point'n'click genre. I could go into more detail and maybe I will sometime but when I played it I was enamored with the game's art. Of particular note for me was the wide variety of buildings on main street. Just looking at them flipped a switch in my brain and I needed to draw a building of my own. So i set to work.

A very unique strategy (for me at least) was used when I made this. Rather than starting at the finished resolution, I started at a very low resolution (I think the program's default size of 32X32) and defined the main structure. I systematically moved to higher resolutions as I added more details.

And how many details there are! The posters and album covers are all based on actual posters or album covers from bands that I like. (I have another piece I'll share sometime with many more pixelated album covers.) One of the seven album covers in this piece isn't actualy real, its based on a photo I have and would use as a cover if I ever started making music. The poster on the far left side of the store isn't for any music, its a Thimbleweed Park poster.

The name "Thumbtack Music" came from a few places. Notably, thumbtack has a good few similarities the Thimbleweed, it's a bit more of that inspiration seeping in. It also has a very striking visual component; the standard thmbtack is so iconic it's in this post's title as a emoji. I also just think "Thumbtack Music" sounds like a good name for a music store. On that note, this place is a music store because dangit do I want to own a music store that doesn't sell Vinyl (Note the "Buy 1, Get 1 CD" sign, and the "I ♥ CDs" Poster). I don't like Vinyl as the dominant physical music medium in the modern age because- I'll refrain from ranting, for now.

In my previous post I expressed a love of wordmarks/logos and making the sign for Thumbtack Music was one of my favorite things to do on any art I've made. I see it as the next step after the Busch Gardens sign, giving the whole thing a slight curve and implementing my fondness for strange, wavy lettering. Other font wackiness can be seen on the door's "Welcome" sign.

This piece isn't perfect, and I know that perfectly well. It's nowhere near as good as anything from the game that inspired it, and by most standards is generally a bit crap. That being said, I'm glad I made it. It's where I feel I've currently peaked, but I feel that someday I'll be able to go miles above this with practice.

[firequeenofficial]

Hotguy Meet Cute by Doody and Maruu! I love Doody's art style so much, and Maruu is such a talented writer so this is gonna be great!

(This is another one I read ahead of time cause I couldn't control myself - don't worry though, I believe this is the last of those!)

We start of with HG sitting, bored and sullen on the edge of a building. How did he get there? Who knows. Why is he there? I doubt even he can answer that one. What's happening in his head? Very little, most likely. CG flies past and HG immediately goes, "Another villain?" as though he's been spending his time fighting instead of making up scenarios in his head like a teenage girl.

He has light up shoes. This is very important to me. Either that, or the floor is wet, but I'm choosing to believe that, when selecting his outfit, he saw the light up shoes and decided to make it part of his branding. Of course, he shoot CG, because it's Scar. He does this the only way he knows how to.

CG's reaction to being shot is, "Ack! Paf!" The paf is when he lands, an arrow sticking out of his wing. HG is insanely proud of himself and runs over the confront the "treacherous villain", but finds instead a guy dressed in pink, wearing a pink poncho (He Is Wearing A Pink Fur-Lined Poncho, And I Am Being So Normal About It) and hunched over.

CG yanks the arrow from his wing with the classic scathing look for HG, who is staring with the most 0.0 face hiding the heart eyes. "I should've figured it was you," says CG, his voice bubble dripping with contempt. At least, I assume that's what it's dripping. It's dripping something, and it's cool.

HG does Not enjoy CG pulling the arrow out, and shows more pain than CG does - little wimp (with love) (not much though, because ya know... last chapter). CG then proceeds to point the arrow directly at HG's throat, saying "From one vigilante to another-" and it's giving very similar vibes to "You're too full of yourself, pretty boy." Also, CG's poncho makes his face wings bend forward so they're framing his face a bit more and it's really, really cute.

The next page, I have commented on before (shhhh), when CG finishes with, "That was kinda rude 😐" while CG is surrounded by about thirty question marks. CG them immediately switches up to say, "😃Anyway byeeeee!!!" (that is the exact amount of e's and !'s that the comic has, I am not exaggerating). "WAIT! WHAT- WHO ARE YOU?!!" screams HG as CG flies away, calling, "byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" (again, exact amount of e's). HG is left with the arrow that shot CG, three question marks, a mouth as wide as his visor, and the words "what just happened?"

Just a short contribution from Doody and Maruu, but amazing as always. Huge fans of their work! Especially the expressions. Every single face in this comic could be a meme in and of itself, no joke. Iconic.

Is now a good time to cry about the merch shop? Or, more specifically, my tragically empty coffers? I'm weighing up how much I can buy and still recover financially from it.

I think I could get the stickers quite easily - and I am definitely considering it very strongly - but I so desperately want the Rancher's charm, and if I had my way, I would buy two of the comic: One to love and cherish forever, one to cut out all the Tango's to stick him on my wall. Unfortunately, I barely have the £35 it would take to buy it ONCE, let alone twice. I am also eyeing up that Motherspore poster like nobody's business. We'll see, I guess.

Okay, I promised I'd do a liveblog of when I read the Hotguy Comics Zine, so here it is! Spoilers to follow, proceed with caution!

Okay, right off the bat, the first page is beautiful! The lighting is so insane, and the contrasting blues/purples and oranges are worked together so well. Also, HG looks so squeeshable, I wanna squoosh his face like a grandmother.