Typeset by the amazing @sammialex! Fantastic art by @albymangroves and @jayjay-thejet-plane.
Amazon fabric, matte gold HTV, endpaper from Hollander's, vine ribbon from Michael's, printed on Church short-grain warm white (opaque vanilla) paper, except for the art which is on warm white cardstock.
since the use of generative AI becoming so incredibly rife, I've become so much more appreciative of my own art.
like I'm usually pretty hard on myself about my art being good/bad and that's still the case but I'm so much more chill now.
like my art can never be bad when it's HUMAN. human art is such a pure form of expression and communication and it's something that ai can never replace, regardless of its code.
@bekstek I was so embarrassed about Steeb's missing feet that I girdled up and drew them in. Reposting with this addition because Steeb has feet now and I didn't even die drawing them or anything.
been following your art for close to a decade, it is so gorgeous and vivid and i love it dearly. and if that weren't enough, i just found out that you wrote one of my favorite marcus/esca fanfictions (vision of a gentle coast) all this to say, i love your art and thank you for putting it out there, across fandoms and websites. <3
Oh, I LOVE THAT. Thank you, that's amazing. I can't understate how much it means to me that my story was memorable enough to warrant this message. Thank you also for your support over the years and for enjoying my art! I can't really be cute or glib in this reply, I'm genuinely so touched. Thank you so so much! đ€ HUGS đ€
Just wanted to let you know how much I ADORE your art! I first saw your work via Cesperanzaâs writing and just *clenches fists* itâs so freaking gorgeous. Magnificent drawings to suit magnificent words. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with fandom!
oh my GOD where did you come from, come here and hug me and then have a lovely fucking day, okay? Okay!
Thia hitched Bud higher on her hip and smiled down at her chirping face. The little Kalisk was growing bigger every day.
Dek was making a racket in one of the carriers, they were scavenging whatever remained of supplies in the decimated Weyland-Yutani base and Thia recalibrated her receptors for any missed operational drone units.
Dek exited the carrier and grunted, head cocked to one side.
Cataloguing his body language had come quickly to Thia from the moment theyâd met; the Yautja wore their emotions on their proverbial sleeve and Thia was a research synth after all, but even without all that, the gesture was such a universal expression of curiosity.
âWhat.â Thia said.
âWhat.â Dek replied, blinking.
âYouâre staring. Is something wrong?â
âWhy do you hold her?â Dek said.
Thia brightened. âCarrying a baby is an important social and psychological parenting behavior used by many species to strengthen the bond between parent and child. Itâs also used for transporting the baby and-â
âShe is not a baby.â
Thia looked down on Budâs big eyed face and scritched her under her chitinous chin.
âShe might be! Her mother was enormous, and Bud is a tiny juvenile. We donât know how old she is exactly, but the rate at which she is growing suggests that-â
âYou are not her parent either.â
âI wonât tell her if you donât,â she said, smiling widely at the Yautja monochromatic world view, âWait. Donât Yautja parents carry their young?â
âShe rolls faster than we can run. She does not need transport,â Dek said.
Thia sighed at his evasion. âYeah, I know,â she said. âBut look at her. She likes it.â
Dek looked down, expression turning thoughtful, and Thia hugged Bud even tighter to her chest, making the little Kalisk gurgle in pleasure.
Dek went into the transporter and stowed the ammo heâd collected from the decommissioned droids. When he came out again, he gave one decisive nod.
âYes. She likes it.â
âWould you like a turn at holding her?â Thia said, then laughed at his retreating back.
âOh well,â she said, looking into Budâs enormous eyes, smoothing her hand over her bumpy little head. âMaybe next time.â
People are going missing. There's a sorcerer in the outskirts of the Kingdom. A band of uniformed soldiers attacks a village. A stallion is following Bucky around like a particularly loyal dog.
For Borrowed Freedom by @jesperwolf for the Stucky Historical Mini Bang by @stuckygeekevents
