“And when I suffered, I often told myself the story of one of the most sacred leaders of my people, a queen. Her name was Olha, and her husband, the king, was kidnapped and murdered by their supposed allies. She offered peace, if each house from her enemy gave her six birds.”
“Six birds? To do what?”
“Birds return to their nests,” replied Leda tersely, watching Echo run towards a darkened room, some of her mercenaries following him, “So Olha had each bird carry sulfur and fire back to each house that betrayed her and her people.
And thus, she burned her enemies to the ground.”
To Guard Against Titans
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Had to draw my commander/wife/mother/SA survivor/mercenary/leader/UKRAINIAN Earther OC, Cmdr. Leda Svoboda.
As someone who has been shaped by the Ukrainian population in my beloved home, it was natural that, eventually, I was going to create a character whose background would be that of the land of sunflowers and fierce independence.
One of my best friends was a dancer for the Ukranian State Ballet. I have multiple pieces of carved and embroidered art and jewelry from Lvov and Kyiv in my home.
The bed that my oldest daughter sleeps on was hand made by a Ukrainian craftsman in 2020.
As of 2025, I do not know if he is still alive. This haunts me.
It is part of the reason I crafted this character, whose last name means 'freedom', and whose ships are named after Slavic goddesses.
Leda is protective, hopeful, and focused. She is incredibly loyal, very feminine, and proud of what she's done...and what she plans to do.
Including standing up to truly jaw-dropping threats against her and everything she loves. Not unlike the nation of Ukraine, to this day.
Слава Україні!
