I rewatched An Extremely Goofy Movie recently and, unfortunately, it’s made me insane. Insane in that way that I needed to redesign Bradley and free him from his source material. Because, like. They’re supposed to be dogs?? Why does Bradley look…like that. So! Shiba Inu Bradley. And then I decided to do Max, too. He’s based on a black and tan coonhound (the dog the supposedly inspired the original Goofy design). I will most likely be making more art of these two if depression can stop kicking me in the teeth.
I am not evil, I’ve committed no sin or this “evil”thing >:/ and I do hope this something is good uwu. Having a nice time, much rain tho bc rain season and didn’t draw much s-.….. :3
i was tagged by @runn0ft [thank you! 🖤] to post seven sentences from my current WIP and tag seven people to do the same, which is difficult considering i have... about six WIPs i’m actively working on at the moment and more on the back burner. anyway, have some burakhovsky:
For a second he thinks Dankovsky hasn't budged since yesterday, that he's slumped over the desk, unmoving, and Artemy's heart leaps into his throat. But—no, it's just that damn coat of his, draped over the back of the chair. The Bachelor, in contrast, sits bolt upright in his bed when Artemy takes a step into the loft, eyes dark and unfocused. His hand spreads wide against the sheet by his hip—looking for that pistol, probably—but it doesn't take him long to go from alert to annoyed.
Artemy almost winces, because Dankovsky clearly needs the rest—the man is all sharp angles and dramatic contrast, the shock of hair falling over his forehead startlingly dark against his too-pale skin. It doesn't help that Dankovsky's stripped of most of his armor, down to a loose white shirt, not a stitch of black or red on him. He already looks like a ghost, Artemy thinks, and it's not a pleasant thought to have.
and NO PRESSURE but for my seven people i will taaag @iceskatingmobsters @rucchi @metronomeblue @platoapproved @strangestquiet @playerprophet and @enjoythepetrichor
I have fought myself a while in whether or not I want to get into this AU, but then @bloody-bee-tea had me gushing about the Nie Brothers in it and I just... I am weak, okay? weak and soft. So here you go. XD
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For a deathless Immortal, life didn’t often change. Each golden morning heralded the same blue skies, the same sweet breeze. The same flowers grew in his garden, the same sun-flies and rain-birds came to visit in the warmth of the afternoons. The violet evenings under the same shimmering rainbow; the night under the same glittering stars.
Lan Huan’s life had a pattern. He woke early, roused his younger brother, and made breakfast and tea. He taught A-Zhan his characters and numbers and how to paint. The early afternoon saw A-Zhan hurrying out to be with his beloved rabbits and Lan Huan out to his favorite patch of garden, covered in the lilies his father had planted for his mother. For that story was a tragedy, he loved the flowers nonetheless, and he spent his time in the golden light tending them.
He was uninterrupted, most days, until evening, when it was time to make dinner and more tea for himself and A-Zhan. Then it was music lessons before bed, just to start the cycle again. Unchanging, unending. A blissful, uncomplicated existence, as it was for all Immortal children in the Heavenly plane.
But not today, it seemed.
He’d just bid A-Zhan farewell to retreat into his garden, just grabbed a watering can when he heard the crush of grass and the excited snuffling of an animal, then watched the daisies at his feet sway to the ground under a rolling ball of scales and fur. Lan Huan stood shocked a beat too long, long enough the cub blinking up at him lost interest after a few chirps went unanswered, then its wide, dilated eyes fixated on a rose and got thoroughly distracted.
He’d seen the Guardian Lion Dogs before, of course. On the few occasions his life’s pattern did change, it was to follow his Uncle to the nearby temple for prayers and reflection, all while under the watchful gaze of the twin Guardians standing guard over it.
But they’d all been… huge, however, towering over him and his brother when they passed. This was just a baby, all puffy fluff and too big paws and what seemed to be a keen interest in flowers and adventure. Lan Huan had never heard of a Lion Dog leaving its assigned temple, let alone galavanting into unsuspecting gardens, but he was instantly charmed regardless and knelt down while the cub batted happily at the rose.
They were considered lucky, and Lan Huan could admit he felt lucky to bear witness to the cub’s obviously delighted play. He rolled in the grass, knocking over flowers and upending stones, and growled fiercely at a sun-fly when it lighted on a petal.
“Such a fierce Guardian you are,” Lan Huan praised, knowing the Lion Dogs to be proud beasts. He stood the best chance of stopping the casual destruction of his garden by distracting the cub with it. At least he hoped. Cute as it was, these were special flowers. “I daresay no sun-fly dare return to that flower after such a roar.”
The cub puffed up, obviously preening, and tottered over, wobbly and unbalanced due to his overly large paws. Da-ge is scarier, he said, proud of that fact, and wagged his nub of a tail at Lan Huan. He’s always looking like this.
The cub pulled back his lips, baring fangs and wrinkling his brow. Lan Huan had to take an extra breath not to laugh.
“Oh, fearsome indeed,” he agreed, nodding seriously.
Da-ge is no fun though, the cub continued, tired already of pulling faces, and pounced on a daffodil before rolling and kicking at the tall leaves. Always work, no play! No pretty things. I like these pretty things.
“Flowers,” Lan Huan told him, unable to stop a worried smile. “You haven’t seen flowers?”
Seen them, but not close enough to smell! The cub purred so hard his whole little body rattled with it, golden eyes squinted into glowing half moons. I really like flowers.
“I like them too,” Lan Huan chuckled and gently eased a few blooms out of the cub’s path. “They are delicate and lovely. So fragile yet beautiful.”
Fragile? The cub blinked at him then around at the mess he’d made. He sniffed and sat up, looking as though he hadn’t just done that, like there wasn’t grass caught in his scales or a daisy stuck in his ear. Why must pretty things always be so easy to smush?
“It’s part of their charm, I suppose,” Lan Huan told him and wondered if it would be safe to brush away the mess from the cub’s fur, or if he’d be bitten for even daring to try. He knew the protocol with big Guardians, which greetings to use, which offerings to lay, but what about touching? There were no rules he knew of regarding touching them, let alone a cub already breaking the rules. Would it be safe?
The pad of heavy feet cut through his indecision, and to his surprise another cub hopped over the garden wall, bigger than his current trouble-making guest, but obviously not close to grown. Still, its scowl was impressive for so young a Guardian, even if the growl in its throat was still a bit higher with youth, not the low, timbered rumbling it would be one day.
Lan Huan felt himself go utterly still as the larger cub approached, its golden gaze fixated on him and the tiny terror. But when it spoke, it wasn’t to Lan Huan, and the voice was boyish, the way Lan Huan’s was. A-Sang!
Da-ge found me! The cub - A-Sang? - chirped happily and rushed over, uncaring it seemed of the sharp tone or the growling. He rubbed happily under the larger one’s chin, purring and rattling, before pouncing on his paw. Found all the pretty things, da-ge! See?
A long, tired sigh, then the growling cut out in resignation. Lan Huan bit down a wide grin to see the all too familiar brotherly exasperation cross the Lion Dog’s face. This is not the temple, he reprimanded. You trespassed and ruined someone’s garden.
“It’s alright,” Lan Huan was quick to say around A-Sang’s contrite pouting. “I didn’t tell him to stop so the fault is mine.”
He got a huff for that and a considering look, before the Lion Dog sat down, then flopped. Right on top of A-Sang.
The cub whined, biting and pawing playfully at his brother’s face. His brother who was unmoved, uncaring of the tiny teeth. You are so damn tiring, he said to A-Sang, who gave up on fighting and started wiggling.
And you are heavy da-ge! He whined. Unable to get free, he flopped over his brother’s paw and pouted, though was already yawning now that he was no longer moving about.
Deal with it, the older cub warned, then his eyes were back on Lan Huan, curious, but not hostile, he was relieved to see. Forgive him, he’s just a cub.
“Nothing to forgive,” Lan Huan assured and shifted a little closer to the two brothers. “Unexpected, maybe, but all in good fun. And I can fix up the garden.”
The Lion Dog looked dubious, but didn’t argue, and waited for another wide yawn from A-Sang before lifting his head. Like a well-known dance, A-Sang stayed put, snuggling down in his brother’s fur and scales and purred, content it seemed, and warm.
“I didn’t know you could leave the temple,” Lan Huan said, still awed that this was happening at all.
We can, though we’re not technically supposed to. A sigh, which had Lan Huan smothering another grin. But I doubt even our General would be able to keep this one contained.
Lan Huan huffed a soft laugh, just imagining little A-Sang skirting under the giant paws of their elders. It was far too easy to imagine. “He is spirited.”
And easily distracted, the older cub sighed in exhaustion. Poorly suited to temple life. I don’t know if he’ll make it.
“With a big brother like you, i’m sure he will,” Lan Huan assured, not certain what happened to those Lion Dogs that didn’t meet expectations. He was suddenly afraid to ask and swept the worry to the side by offering his hand, as well as a bow of his head. “I am Lan Huan.”
A large paw was stretched over his hand, a very heavy, reassuring weight against his palm. Nie Mingjue, the cub told him.
It was a courtesy name, which meant this cub at least was a full on Guardian in training. Lan Huan had to wonder if that meant it would be the last time he’d see Nie Mingjue and A-Sang in his garden, or if the tiny cub’s need for adventure would make this a common occurrence. He found himself hoping it was the latter and shook his paw with a wide smile.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Nie Mingjue,” he said earnestly and smiled down at the slowly blinking A-Sang. “You and your brother.”
Nie Mingjue snorted again, but gently nuzzled the ball of fluff curled against his chest and sighed. Sorry again. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen a second time.
“No, please!” Lan Huan said quickly, startling them both. He blushed when he realized he was still squeezing Nie Mingjue’s paw. “You two are welcome here anytime. If he wants to come, he can.”
Nie Mingjue studied him in a silence that had him squirming, but finally nodded. Thank you, he said and bowed his head. Honestly you’d be doing me a favor, because I doubt he’d let me stop him from coming here, honestly.
Lan Huan chuckled, relief making something in him sing, and he patted the paw in his hand in gratitude. “I understand. So please, come anytime you like. You’re welcome here.”
His wrist was nuzzled, then the Lion Dog breathed in deep against his skin. Smelling him, perhaps, or scenting his sincerity. A low purr had him nearly puddling on the spot.
Thank you, Lan Huan. Knowing A-Sang, I will probably take you up on that offer.
I'm about to try a solo/journaling TTRPG for the first time! It's called Castle of memories and I'm very excited. If anyone would like to follow along with this journey I'm probably gonna post about him. But If anyone wants I can also send them the "journal" (I'm writing it in google docs) to read through.
