#aspen samwise

[indigobackfire]

From THIS character interview prompt by @creativestalkerrs if y'all wanna try it too ;)

1. Who or what challenges you?

Ind: Everything and everyone's a challenge to a Gryffindor. [Laughs] Rakepick was quite the challenge to me, both in regards to my magical capabilities and my morality. Barnaby's family is one damn challenge for our relationship. Friendship challenges my selfishness, therefore it challenges me.

Pho: I believe I am my biggest challenge to overcome, my own anger and fears. I don't see other people as challenges.

Asp: I think people see me as a challenge so my challenge is deconstructing people's idea of me. Does it make sense? Maybe I'm not good with good first impressions, I suppose.

Ach: Grief. It challenges me in the way it never ends, you'll probably miss the people you lose forever. And ignorant people often challenge my patience.

2. What makes you feel unsafe?

Ind: Not knowing. Ignorance is bliss, but I'm always shown enough to leave me uneasy but not enough that I understand. So I suppose it's more than knowing, it's understanding. It's a very Ravenclaw thing to say, isn't it? Makes me sound like my Ma.

Pho: People who don't listen and unpredictable people. [He reflects for a second and laughs] Sounds like my siblings. They're a danger to themselves and it makes me uneasy.

Asp: Being powerless.

Ach: My feelings. Is it a paradox? Maybe. But I mean in the way my feelings make me vulnerable, both for love and anger and whatever feelings exist in between and beyond.

3. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

Ind: From previous experiences, I'd like to be a house cat. As person it's redundant, it'd still be me.

Pho: I've always wanted to be a tree. I guess it's not a very thrilling life, but it's a long fulfilling experience. I'd be a Baobab!

Asp: As a very annoying crow.

Ach: I'd like to be reborn as someone less effed up. Or like a cool sea creature, like a kelpie or a shark.

4. Were you voted “most likely” for anything in your class yearbook? (I'll make this into a 'what would you be')

Ind: Most likely to go insane. Or to die young...

Pho: To be a Veela. [Chuckles] I don't know... most likely to travel the world. I hope.

Asp: Most likely to be arrested. Or or most likely to become Minister for Magic. Not hat I want to be that, I just think people would assume I would. It's either sink or swim with me.

Ach: Most likely to become a pro quidditch player. A bit boring but people don't know much about me beyond that.

5. Do you think some people in certain situations might be more valuable than others?

Ind: Again with those words. Well, if you're talking about functionality, yes. I always trust Penny to help me with potions, but I don't turn to her when regarding creatures or duelling. As for the value of life, we're equally deserving.

Pho: Maybe. But it's such a difficult thing to measure... People who can keep themselves in control are quite reliable.

Asp: Yes, sure. We're all good at different things.

Ach: Certainly.

6. If you were to enter food-eating contest what would you want the food to be?

Ind: Sweet roasted nuts, especially cashews. It's making me salivate just thinking about it.

Pho: Flaky pastries. Though I'd probably lose, my stomach gets upset very easily, but I'd have fun.

Asp: Grapes. I could eat grapes all day long. All kinds of grape, with or without seeds, doesn't matter.

Ach: Chocolate.

7. What type of journalist would you be?

Ind: Sneaky and untrusting. I would be good, but I wouldn't be ethical [Smiles].

Pho: A good one. I think I'm a good writer. But then I'm a little too trusting... I'd be a better editor than journalist.

Asp: I've considered working for the Daily Prophet, but mostly cause I wish to kick Rita Skeeter out of there. That lying b-

Ach: If I liked talking to people more... Beyond that aspect, I certainly be great, I'm not one to shy away from conflict.

8. Have you ever rescued anyone or anything?

Ind: I've rescued a cat, my dear Mocha. Oh, and my stupid older brother, Jacob.

Pho: I often rescue my best friend from some pickles. I'm too nice, borderline naive, but he's worse and he lets people use him and his good will, so I often have to step in to keep his best interest. Ha, I'm sounding like my mom.

Asp: My cousin, Indigo, several times, she's a mess. And my fellow housemates. Are you even a Slytherin if you're not willing to lie for each other? Don't answer that. And my boyfriend, don't let that big head fool you, he's got a cherry pepper there instead of a brain.

Ach: Myself. In my heart I believe I rescued Indigo from... no, no, don't write that.

9. Do you blame someone or something for the way your life is turning out?

Ind: Jacob. Just kidding... kinda. Not everything is his fault, a lot of it is R- Forget it. I guess I have a curse in my blood and that isn't anybody else's fault.

Pho: Our ends are self made.

Asp: I'm always angry at the world and almost everyone in it, but my life is mine.

Ach: Yes. With names and surnames.

10. What wild animal deserves our protection?

Ind: They don't have to deserve it being protected. Especially considering we would probably be protecting them from ourselves, amongst themselves they're in harmony and when the harmony on its own breaks so far, a new ecosystem has been created. Sorry, for the rambling, my boyfriend's a magizoologist.

Pho: Deserve is a weird word... I guess I'm biased towards birds, if I had to choose, they're important pollinators.

Asp: [Shrugs] Mosquitos certainly don't. And those freaky acromantulas.

Ach: All of them. Animals lack consciousness like humans have, they're not cruel or just, they're on instinct, what would they do to deserve protection or not? Unless you're being disgustingly utilitarian.

[indigobackfire]

Barnago | Daspen | Menix

My lil babies made here. Thanks, @drinkyoursoupbitch for the rec ;)

[indigobackfire]

Diego: Ah, this Quintaped you speak of... reminds me of my beloved novia. *sighs* Tiny, Scottish, hairy, and angry.

Aspen, just around the corner: 😡🔪 Excuse me??

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"Sawyer, I have to pee!"

"Ah ken!"

"Or else I'll do it on the floor!"

"I don't doubt that."

(I think I'm beginning to figure out my fav girls, even tho Vesper looks weird. Anyway, Vesper being a lil annoyance to her favorite cousin.)

Just some hphm doodles I like from last year ;)

General description

The first one (left) is Phoenix, inspired by a picture of one of the Felp twins cause I don't know how to adapt faces to ages properly.

Second is supposed to be Aspen and Diego dancing.

Indigo and Barnaby, the first pose I based on a picture but it's so different it's pointless to reference. And it got wet ;(

So I saw a picture of a petroleum covered bird in a class - from a petroleum spill we had in Brazil - and I just imagined Barnaby holding that birdie. I hope to paint that someday.

Last one is Aspen, Phoenix, and Ismelda. I struggled with this for a long while and it doesn't look like I first intended (celestial ball outfits). Ismelda looks to sexy xD and Aspen is proportioned all wrong.

[indigobackfire]

I just wanted to share this video because I'll never be able to properly describe the Scottish accents I envision for my OC/NPC's

Indigo and Phoenix grew up in Edinburgh with a Scottish father and English mother. I think Phoenix would make an effort to sound more English like his mother but Indigo would have that working-class heavier accent and a certain attachment to it so she rarely tries to tone it down.

Aspen was born and grew up in Glasgow, she makes very little effort to make herself understood, often including Scottish slang, but if the person isn't getting it she tries and speaks slower.

Barnaby was born and raised in Inverness, with quite a lot of Gaelic words ingrained into his vocabulary (mostly learned from his grandma), and making himself understood is a bit more of a struggle since he's got quite the heavy accent, especially in his first years in Hogwarts.

And, this might be a bit of a stretch and totally personal hc, but considering he said his parents took him to the Three Broomsticks every birthday (and imo I don't think they'd go all the way to the north of Scotland just to have a butterbeer), I'll assume Jae is either Scottish or at least raised there. So Midlands Scotland between Glasgow and Edinburgh, sounding stereotypical Scottish with a modern tang to it.

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I'm doing a wand index of all of my OCs' wands. First part with Phoenix, Aspen, Achilles and Udelia, then I'll do one for the Silverwood siblings. Most if not all images were taken from Etsy.

Phoenix Nobleworth

Pearwood with Veela hair core and an amber stone for stability, 14'' and light flexibility.

"Pearwood produces wands of splendid magical powers, which give of their best in the hands of the warm-hearted, the generous, and the wise, also among the most resilient." Veela's hair core is known to be temperamental — which is why Olivander had trouble making Phoenix's wand, having to insert molten amber to the torn wand for stability. The hair came from one shed by his mother which they used to keep stored for such use.

For Phoenix's wand design I have too many ideas, first the runes predicting his passion for that field of magic, then the wand being torn then fixed with 'molten' then harden amber, being twisted. A way of showing Olivander worked his ass off to make a wand using the Veela hair - of his temperamental mother - and also Phoenix multifaceted personality.

Aspen Samwise

Ebony wood with Unicorn hair core, 11½", brittle flexibility.

Ebony is happiest in the hand of those with the courage to be themselves. Frequently non-conformist, highly individual, or comfortable with the status of outsider, ebony wand owners have been found both among the ranks of the Order of the Phoenix and among the Death Eaters. The ebony wand’s perfect match is one who will hold fast to his or her beliefs, no matter what the external pressure, and will not be swayed lightly from their purpose.

Aspen's wand has a discreet kind of class to it, instead of the red on the picture, I imagine a deep dark green. Metal details to represent her classier side, yet solid and polished to represent her resilience.

Achilles Shepherd

Fir wood with dragon heartstring core, 12", stiff flexibility.

Often called ‘the survivor’s wand’, often owned by wizards who subsequently passed through mortal peril unscathed. There is no doubt that this wood, coming as it does from the most resilient of trees, produces wands that demand staying power and strength of purpose in their true owners, and that they are poor tools in the hands of the changeable and indecisive. Particularly suited to Transfiguration, and favor owners of focused, strong-minded and, occasionally, intimidating demeanor.

I imagine Achilles' wand to be somewhat crooked and yet neat, with rich details - different colors, textures, he later on adds a dragon leather handle. The irregularities in the wand represent the hurts of his past that crack his very controlled and sometimes clinical exterior.

Udelia Ripley

Acacia wood with fairy wing core, 11½", supple flexibility.

Owners of Acacia wands were generally subtle wizards, as wands made from this wood were generally unsuitable for what Ollivander termed "bangs-and-smells magic". Acacia was difficult to match with a wizard, as the wood generally refused to produce magic for anyone but their owners, but conversely, seemed to withhold their full power from all but the most gifted wizards

"This core makes for a light, airy wand, and is the absolute best for Charms. They also signify a connection to the mystic, so these wands, despite their relative rarity, are used by nearly half of known witches and wizards with the Sight. Despite their astounding strength in Charms, they are merely average in Defense Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration, and will often fail at hexes altogether."

Safe to say her wand is the most elegant of them all and to nobody's surprise considering her elegant and classy personality. The blue is to resonate with her passion for astronomy and her Hogwarts house, Ravenclaw, sharp and angular edges to represent her inteligence. She'd hang something at the tip to add a little charm.

[indigobackfire]

After months of sitting on my sketchbook naked and alone, I dressed them up and poorly corrected some details. I forgot to draw the discoloration on Aspen's legs and Phoenix looks... weird also sitting on air xD But overall I'm happy how it turned out. I used a filter to make the lines sharper ;)

I assume this would be them after they all graduated Hogwarts in 1993/94

This moment Indigo has decided, at least for the time being, that she's dropping her career as a curse breaker after the fiasco/success of the Chamber of Secrets and will use the following months to plan her wedding and union with Barnaby. Let's just say things don't go to plan.

On top there is Jacob, I still haven't thought of his future since I haven't met him yet so...

Aspen has excelled in all her NEWTs and is now qualified to begin her Auror training, growing to become one of the best between those undergoing training, bringing outstanding performance forth. She's also very scared to approach Diego after their time apart, afraid to receive a rejection from him - little she knows he's yearning for any sort of approach from her.

Last is Phoenix who's slowly building a life for himself. After some abroad training, he's a more than capable Runes translator and is working as a freelancer for curse-breakers and alike. He's also anxious to tie the knots with Ismelda but knows that with her pressuring is not the best approach.

[indigobackfire]

Aspen's curse related piebaldism // Phoenix's Veela powers