Canto isn't known for his winning personality. If we were going to attempt to be positive about it- and insufferably poetic- we might suggest he is known for his light, floating grace in motion, his scopey form over fences, and his gloriously grey, mists-and-rain, clouded-celestial ether colouring.
But what he has really become known for around Lowmax (rapidly, infamously) is his casual but resolute determination to murder Archie.
In rather sudden and spectacular fashion, apparently.
There is no pool amongst Lowmax staff concerning the event: they have stopped seeing it as matter of if, but as when, and Archie is too well-liked (or at least, respected) for most to consider profiting from his misfortune. That, and there's always the chance they'll be asked to exercise him in his stead, and nobody's willing to tempt the forces of fate or justice (or irony) like that.
(... Nobody except Archie, that is, who continues to climb on board in the name of professionalism and laugh good humouredly when asked if he'd like to hear his last rites before he begins)
As far as secondary pursuits go, Canto is engaged in an unofficial but very specific game of bingo: each time he chomps, stomps, or otherwise inflicts surface damage upon a staff member, he can cross off a space. At this stage, he needs only Agatha or Yury for bingo, but experts are sceptical. Not on account of his aptitude: on account of the fact Yury has no business being anywhere near him, and Agatha has made it her business to not be anywhere near him.
(Agatha is shrewd like that)
Aside from murder, Canto likes romantic candlelit dinners and long walks on the beach at sunset, except not really; he's a horse (although he probably wouldn't object to dinner, less the candles) In truth, nobody's really sure what puts the wind up his proverbial skirt, so indifferent he seems to life. Jumping, we suppose, though does he enjoy it quite as much as the acrobatics he occasionally performs between fences? Impossible to say. There's his bingo game, obviously. The spot at the end of his paddock beneath the beech tree, perfect parts sun and shade. Handfuls of sweet oats. Uninterrupted snoozes. Choosing violence. Watermelon. Maybe those things. Maybe.
Anyway!
Archie & Canto will be competing together for the handful of years he's legally locked himself into on paper with the Wentwood people, their goal being to see their stallion progress from 1.40 courses to being successful at top level before retiring as a stud prospect. This is the official answer, at least. If you'd ever met the Wentwood syndicate partners, you'd understand what they really mean. We want you to make this horse make us as much money as possible. That's what they mean. They'd never say it, of course. Just like you'd never say it. But you know. And they know that you know. And you know that they know that you know.
Well, hey. It's a Thursday and I'm cleaning out my drafts, and I'm feeling quite pleased with myself because I have- rather ruthlessly- already deleted five of them, and I have at least another five erasures left in me. It is diabolically liberating. So pleased I am that I shall allow this one to live, like a great benevolent bloodthirsty blog monarch.
These photographs were taken two (?) years ago for lovely Miss Maggie York's High Fashion photo challenge (or something to that effect; I cannot remember exactly; it was two (?) years ago) I expect they've been sitting in my drafts that long because of a misguided notion that I would someday patch holes and smooth edges et cetera et cetera; I have accepted I am not going to do any of those things.
I was going for 'ad in a high-fashion magazine so snootily vague you're not really even sure what's being advertised exactly.' To accomplish this, I channelled the baffled energy of my child-self paging through my mother's copies of Harper's Bazaar and Vogue left on our coffee table. I can only presume I have been semi-successful, because I'm not sure what I've done here or why I've done it, but I'm quite certain it is utterly pointless.
Fashion!
(Cecilia and Cal are not an item; yes, I promise. They just happened to be on the lot while I was taking pictures of Agatha; I was tempted; her wanting to be on his arm is extremely on-brand for Cee; here we are.)
The Lowmax property has a long history. Locals can at least agree on that.
The details, however, are sketchy.
It's hard to discern exactly where the stories come from. To separate straight facts from the fanciful, from the embellished, from conjecture. Historians in the area do tend to concede that the most prevalent stories each possess a measure of veracity, though they do so with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Bootlegger Maximillian 'Low Max' O'Leary, for example, did indeed exist and was known to have passed through the area in the Prohibition Era. Whether he was the seasonal inhabitant of Pemberton as claimed or threw lavish, star-studded parties in his hill-top hideaway, however, is still the subject of debate (some assert he inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald; others have it the other way around.)
Captain Nathaniel Stanley Maxton, too, exists in the historical record, but the story of his defection toward the end of the American Revolutionary War in favour of running away with an American girl (romantic? or stupid?) (hotly debated) remains entirely unsubstantiated. There is no proof he settled the wild valley plain several miles north-east of Heartbreak Lake and dubbed it 'Low Maxton'; no proof he adopted a new identity and lived quietly with his love on this beautiful, isolated land, farming to eek out a living.
On the other hand, Ludlow and Maxwell, enterprising orchardists of the early to mid 20th century, unquestionably worked the property. Apples, predominantly, with a small venture into pears and plums. So it is on paper, at least. Off-paper sources suggest Ludlow & Maxwell had their fingers in other more lucrative (and significantly less legal) pies- and that's not to say they began dabbling in cherries. Reportedly absconding suddenly and hastily at the tail end of the thirties, the facts and theories concerning the duo's moral characters, the truth behind their abrupt departure, and their subsequent total absence from the historical record are yet another set of murky waters for local history buffs to debate- with fiendish pleasure, generally, over coffee and cake at their monthly meeting (the first Thursday of every month, in the upstairs room of the Pemberton Public Library; new members welcome!)
A handful of Pemberton inhabitants bemoan the property went to the notoriously-private Foskett family rather than a preservation foundation, or a benefactor who'd see it restored and open to the public, but in truth, there's little of historical merit to see anymore: precious few of the original- original original- structures remain. The pillar at the end of the drive, however, is one of them. The bronze plaque near the bottom is scuffed and weathered; the rampant growth of wild grasses and meadow flowers at foot sees to making sure it goes unnoticed by most. Nevertheless, it quietly continues to declare the age of the property. Lowmax: pre-dating the airplane, the American Civil War, the telephone, the telegraph, electric light. Age after age, two centuries and then some, keeping staunch watch over the horses and humans dwelling in the valley alongside the mountains and forests that stood long before it, and will stand long after it-
A looming reminder that the story playing out there now is just another chapter, waiting to be lost to history.
Special delivery! Or maybe 'special' is presumptuous of me. Maybe it's merely a case of delivery! I rather like it, actually. It has an air of true mystery. Are you meant to be excited? Or terrified? Neither? Who knows! An emotional adventure.
This was meant to have a lot more photographs in it, but it's been a month or so and I'm not loving them and honestly I think you've waited far too long already? They're really not adding all that much anyway, let's be real here, so I'll release this to you as is with the hope that this is okay with you, and perhaps I'll post them some time down the track! And again, sorry for the timing of all this. 'The best laid plans of mice and men' and all that.
P.S. Please don't judge Eva for her corporate-speak letter, she can't help it. You can judge Caleb for his signature, though. For that, and everything else. You can, you should.
@madiwx
Hopefully this is all the info you need? Any questions, you know where to find me. 👉😎👉
Apparently I never got around posting this back in February when I finished it, better late than never eh? I've learnt that stuff that I post on here is saved for the future whereas the forum for which I create it comes and goes. And it's actually nice to be able to go back and not only see the old pictures but also read the stories. I made a story like this 10 years ago, you can see it here, this time in the perspective of Howler, my main stallion (and Pigalle's sire)
Characters included: Katrin - rider, Camilla - main groom, Jens - breeder, responsible for the broodmares and young horses
On wednesdays Camilla is responsible for the morning feeding in the stable. We share stable with other horse owners and this setup is proven to be the best for everyone involved. The grooms and hired staff can take turn on the early mornings in the stable.
Geneva HX & Camilla
While the horses are finishing their breakfast they have their blankets changed. It’s not always appreciated to be disturbed during breakfast… Can’t wait for better weather and warmer days when the horses can be turned out without blankets!
Until 11 AM the walker is reserved for stallions, this means that the stallions are ridden first and mares & geldings in the afternoon. Pictured is Pigalle who always starts his days after breakfast with 45 minutes in the walker.
While Pigalle is in the walker Camilla is preparing Camaro L for his daily work with Katrin.
After the first horse is ridden it is time for the humans to have some breakfast. The time is spent discussing changes in the daily routine, upcoming shows and travel details. All done while mindlessly browsing online and flipping magazines. Once breakfast is finished the day continues, Camilla preparing horses for Katrin to ride.
Popeye S & Calpawald’s Calimero
Twice per day Jens visits the pastures with the youngsters making sure everyone is doing ok and checking feed and water supply. Kuse Showjumping has a small string of broodmares and youngsters of every age. Once they are ridden they are the responsibility of Katrin & Camilla.
One horse done, next one to go! Camilla leads Johnny Kann Jump S to the indoor for Katrin to ride and brings Mrs Killy S back to the stable for her post riding care.
A couple of times every week the horses are ridden outdoors. Oftentimes Camilla and Katrin rides together but today Katrin was busy elsewhere so Camilla took Common Touch S out for a spin in the afternoon sun.
Pigalle loves to spend his time in the pasture, so much that the team try to keep him out as much as possible. He’s not bothered when his pasture neighbors are brought in by dinner time, he happily chews his hay all alone in the fresh air. Most days Katrin takes him to the stable before she heads home for the day in the evening.
I have wanted to make mock-up pictures based upon the concept of "If the Lowmax story were a narrative-based adventure game" for the actual longest time... and I still haven't done it! Shocking. But perhaps Calvero Terranora: Global Tour is a step in the right direction, and this year I will realise that dream in all its unapologetically pathetic glory.
I think Agatha would be deeply conflicted about being asked to be an asset in a video game. On the one hand: finally, recognition! On the other hand: her natural inclination to immediately say no, go away to anything and anyone. Archie would be polite but wouldn't think about it again. Caleb would be chuffed as nuts, and hide it badly (if at all.)
If your character is a rider, how would they feel about being in a video game?
Here's a [very] quick little look at a set I'm working on. Yes, from that show last year; no, I don't really feel ashamed about this sort of thing anymore. :') I believe I've lost the capacity.
Fun fact about Agatha; she's totally a Billie Holiday fan. When I say fan, it is important to remember that she is a fan in the way Agatha is a fan of anything, which is quietly, inwardly, and generally privately.
Last week was the first time I've opened my game in roughly 15 months (truly; I checked) for the express purpose of taking pictures of the Lowmax characters, and this is what I was confronted with.
I don't! Tumblr's the only place I post at the moment. I'm not entirely opposed to trying it but I'm not convinced it'd be worth anyone's while for me to open an account there? I'm bad enough with keeping up with Tumblr as is, and- honestly- do more people really need to see my shenanigans? I'm doubtful, anonymous question-poser. I'm deeply doubtful. 😌
(Besides, I generally prefer to make written content? Can you post written content on Instagram without it being a series of screenshots? I've no idea.)
Tonight I’m scrolling through my drafts. Some of them make me want to open the game or PS or docs, or whatever it is, and get to work; some of them make me grimace and quietly click the delete option. And some of them, like this one, make me a little bit nostalgic.
I did not make a habit of making portraits of my leases, but I had this mare from Michelle Frohman for [literally] two years and when the time came to send her back, it seemed like a fitting thing to do. This picture is so old I feel like I should be describing it as though it is in a museum catalogue. Oil on canvas; 1831 // Dell Desktop & Corel Paintshop X; 2018. It’s probably been sitting in my Tumblr drafts for about as long. I don’t know why. But that place is full of things concerning which I am constantly asking why, so it’s just par for the course, really.
Anyway: it is old; it is mildly nostalgic for me; it is Thursday. Hence: Throwback Thursday,
This is my entry to an event hosted on EqualitySims. Mark Moulin is looking for a new horse and we think Johnny might suit him well!
If you want to read the comic as a full page instead you can find it here
Cal and High Street HF (@katrinbergling) helping me do a screen test for this iteration of the indoor arena... last year. :) It's still missing things, unfinished in places and in want of polish, but I think this version is here to stay.
The exceptionally large windows work against me in the visual realism department, I think... but then, the placement of modest windows works against me in the narrative department, doesn't it? I can hardly imagine Agatha skimping on the construction. She'd want to frame that view like it was on a 60 metre flat screen (and you can bet your last dollar she's double-glazing it, too)
How would you feel about doing a little character questionnaire? A very easy, very straightforward one, where you simply bold your answers; minimal thinking required. You might even enjoy it (wouldn't that be shocking?) I thought it might be a nice, gentle way for people who are interested in character development, collaborating and/or storytelling but aren't sure how to proceed or are daunted by the prospect to dip their toes into the water... or a nice distraction for those who are already doing these things. :)
The questions are under the cut (to save me cluttering your dash); you can either reblog the post with your answers, or copy + paste into a new post. They were adapted, added to and subtracted from a post made by another user quite a while ago, so credit to the creator, as well as my apologies- they've been in a Google doc a good 10 months now and I've no idea where they originated.
If anybody goes ahead and does this, please tag me so I can see? I really enjoy learning about the different personalities in the community. Conversely, if you've been tagged and don't care for this sort of thing, (1) I apologise, (2) safely ignore this, and I'll take it as a signal not to bother you with this nonsense again. :)
[feel free to include a picture!]
CHARACTER NAME
[ PERSONAL ]
♦ Financial: Obscene Wealth / Well Off / Comfortable / Struggling / Poor / In Poverty
♦ Medical: Fit / Moderate Health / Sickly / Disabled / Disadvantaged / Other
♦ Class: Upper / Middle / Working / Unsure / Other
♦ Education Level: University / Trade School / High School / Primary School / Other
♦ Criminal Record: Yes, for Major Crimes / Yes, for Minor Crimes / No / Has committed crimes, but not caught (yet?) / Yes, but charges were dismissed / No Comment
[ FAMILY ]
♦ Children: Has Children / Has No Children / Wants Children / Does Not Want Children / Undecided
♦ Siblings: Close with Sibling(s) / Not Close with Sibling(s) / Has no Siblings / Sibling(s) Deceased
♦ Parents: Orphaned / Adopted / Disowned / Raised by Birth Parent(s) / Other
♦ Relationship Status: Single / Smitten / Dating / Committed / Married / Divorced / Widowed / Complicated / Other
[ TRAITS + TENDENCIES]
♦ Extroverted / Introverted / In Between
♦ Optimistic / Pessimistic / In Between
♦ Outspoken / Reserved / In Between
♦ Disagreeable / Agreeable / In Between
♦ Disorganised / Organised / In Between
♦ Fixed Attitude / Open-minded / In Between
♦ Calm / Anxious / In Between
♦ Stubborn / Pushover / In Between
♦ Proud / Humble / In Between
♦ Cautious / Reckless / In Between
♦ Patient / Impatient / In Between
♦ Serious / Playful / In Between
♦ Leader / Follower / In Between
♦ Empathetic / Cold-blooded / In Between
♦ Selfish / Selfless / In Between
♦ Hard-working / Lazy / In Between
♦ Practical / Dreamer / In Between
♦ Loyal / Disloyal / Unknown
♦ Faithful / Unfaithful / Unknown
♦ Cultured / Uncultured / In Between
♦ Financial: Obscene Wealth / Well Off / Comfortable / Struggling / Poor / In Poverty
♦ Medical: Fit / Reasonably Fit / Average Health / Sickly / Disabled / Disadvantaged / Other
♦ Class: Upper / Middle / Working / Unsure / Other
♦ Education Level: University / Trade School / High School / Primary School / Other
♦ Criminal Record: Yes, for Major Crimes / Yes, for Minor Crimes / No / Has committed crimes, but not caught (yet?) / Yes, but charges were dismissed / No Comment
[ FAMILY ]
♦ Children: Has Children / Has No Children / Wants Children / Does Not Want Children / Undecided
♦ Siblings: Close with Sibling(s) / Not Close with Sibling(s) / Has no Siblings / Sibling(s) Deceased
♦ Parents: Orphaned / Adopted / Disowned / Raised by Birth Parent / Other (Nanny)
♦ Relationship Status: Single / Smitten / Dating / Committed / Married / Divorced / Widowed / Complicated / Other
[ TRAITS + TENDENCIES ]
♦ Extroverted / Introverted / In Between
♦ Optimistic / Pessimistic (Cynical) / In Between
♦ Outspoken / Reserved / In Between - (outspoken with opinions; reserved with emotions)
♦ Disagreeable / Agreeable / In Between / Hahahaha
♦ Disorganised / Organised / In Between
♦ Fixed Attitude / Open-minded / In Between
♦ Calm / Anxious / In Between
♦ Stubborn / Pushover / In Between
♦ Proud / Humble / In Between (seems proud; insecure at heart)
♦ Cautious / Reckless / In Between
♦ Patient / Impatient / In Between
♦ Serious / Playful / In Between
♦ Leader / Follower / In Between
♦ Empathetic / Cold-blooded / In Between
♦ Selfish / Selfless / In Between
♦ Hard-working / Lazy / In Between / Workaholic
♦ Practical / Dreamer / In Between
♦ Loyal / Disloyal / Unknown
♦ Faithful / Unfaithful / Unknown
♦ Cultured / Uncultured / In Between
[ PERSONAL ]
♦ Financial: Obscene Wealth / Well Off / Comfortable / Struggling / Poor / In Poverty / Feeling the Pinch
♦ Medical: Fit / Reasonably Fit / Average Health / Sickly / Disabled / Disadvantaged / Other
♦ Class: Upper / Middle / Working / Unsure / Other
♦ Education Level: University / Trade School / High School (applied and accepted to university; never went) / Primary School / Other
♦ Criminal Record: Yes, for Major Crimes / Yes, for Minor Crimes / No / Has committed crimes, but not caught (yet?) / Yes, but charges were dismissed / No Comment
[ FAMILY ]
♦ Children: Has Children / Has No Children / Wants Children / Does Not Want Children / Undecided
♦ Siblings: Close with Sibling(s) / Not Close with Sibling / Has no Siblings / Sibling(s) Deceased
♦ Parents: Orphaned / Adopted / Disowned / Raised by Birth Parent(s) / Other
♦ Relationship Status: Single / Smitten / Dating / Committed / Married / Divorced / Widowed / Complicated / Other
[ TRAITS + TENDENCIES ]
♦ Extroverted / Introverted / In Between
♦ Optimistic / Pessimistic / In Between
♦ Outspoken / Reserved / In Between
♦ Disagreeable / Agreeable / In Between
♦ Disorganised / Organised / In Between
♦ Fixed Attitude / Open-minded / In Between
♦ Calm (with notable exceptions) / Anxious / In Between
♦ Stubborn / Pushover / In Between
♦ Proud / Humble / In Between
♦ Cautious / Reckless / In Between
♦ Patient / Impatient / In Between
♦ Serious / Playful / In Between
♦ Leader / Follower / In Between
♦ Empathetic / Cold-blooded / In Between
♦ Selfish / Selfless / In Between
♦ Hard-working / Lazy / In Between
♦ Practical / Dreamer / In Between
♦ Loyal / Disloyal / Unknown
♦ Faithful / Unfaithful / Unknown
♦ Cultured / Uncultured / In Between
[ PERSONAL ]
♦ Financial: Obscene Wealth / Well Off / Comfortable / Struggling / Poor / In Poverty
♦ Medical: Fit / Reasonably Fit / Average Health / Sickly / Disabled / Disadvantaged / Other
♦ Class: Upper / Middle / Working / Unsure / Other
♦ Education Level: University / Trade School / High School / Primary School / Other
♦ Criminal Record: Yes, for Major Crimes / Yes, for Minor Crimes / No / Has committed crimes, but not caught (yet?) / Yes, but charges were dismissed / No Comment
[ FAMILY ]
♦ Children: Has Children / Has No Children / Wants Children / Does Not Want Children / Undecided
♦ Siblings: Close with Sibling(s) / Not Close with Sibling(s) / Has no Siblings / Sibling(s) Deceased
♦ Parents: Orphaned / Adopted / Disowned / Raised by Birth Parent(s) / Other
♦ Relationship Status: Single / Smitten / Dating / Committed / Married / Divorced / Widowed / Complicated / Other
[ TRAITS + TENDENCIES ]
♦ Extroverted / Introverted / In Between
♦ Optimistic / Pessimistic / In Between (Realist)
♦ Outspoken / Reserved / In Between
♦ Disagreeable / Agreeable / In Between / Highly Subjective
♦ Disorganised / Organised / In Between
♦ Fixed Attitude / Open-minded / In Between
♦ Calm / Anxious / In Between
♦ Stubborn / Pushover / In Between
♦ Proud / Humble / In Between
♦ Cautious / Reckless / In Between
♦ Patient / Impatient / In Between
♦ Serious / Playful / In Between
♦ Leader / Follower / In Between
♦ Empathetic / Cold-blooded / In Between
♦ Selfish / Selfless / In Between
♦ Hard-working / Lazy / In Between
♦ Practical / Dreamer / In Between
♦ Loyal / Disloyal / Unknown
♦ Faithful / Unfaithful / Unknown
♦ Cultured / Uncultured / In Between
