I was finally able to finish my birthday gift to @practically-an-x-man , of their OC, Ophelia. Happy late birthday, I hope you like how it turned out! I was kinda experimenting with the background and just trying something new.
Random ask (take as much time as you need to answer, no pressure)
What are your OCs' go-to casual/everyday outfits? What would your OCs wear if they were told to dress up fancy? Are there any similarities between their casual outfits and their formal outfits?
Thanks!
Arline Lanes:
This is her usual outfit, and then if she wants to wear something more formal, it would be something like this, definitely something with fancy embroidery, I think, and ruffles:
Delphine Burnett:
Pretty much only wears her chiton, but for a special occasion where she knows she won't transform, she would probably wear something like this (either top would work):
Silas Petersson:
He usually wears a comfy t-shirt with a sweater and slacks, but if he dressed up he'd probably wear something like this (convenient faceclaim picture is convenient):
Arith:
We already know his usual go-to outfit involves dressing up at least somewhat (either a suit and tie, or a nice coat or jacket over that, etc) so I think I'm going to flip it and show what an actual casual outfit would be for him.
He would have a Ghost sweatshirt nerd and then probably his favorite comfy black pants
Or alternatively something like this:
Iriel:
She's usually wearing sweaters or blouses or shirts, and then jeans or slacks. For something fancier, either something like this or this one (if she was especially feeling that sunshine aesthetic)
Kaia:
She usually wears a tshirt and baggy jeans and probably a denim jacket like this
But if she's dressing up more it would probably be something like this or the second one:
Odel:
Usually something soft and definitely pink! But dressed up, something frilly
Do you have any details about your winged characters' wings (or habits/routines they have around their wings) that only a bird owner would know? Are there any things non-bird owners get wrong about wings/feathers that make you cringe to read?
Or just any other details about how having birds affects the way you write, like... bird-like traits I guess lol
Thanks! Good questions.
Hm... I haven't really thought of specifics before but I guess now is a good chance to.
For specific characters, both Odel and Iriel (more so Odel) had to add/learn the habit of caring for their wings into their schedule eventually because it wasn't something taught or encouraged by Heaven. (Since it's not considered related to work so why spend time on it when you could just miracle your wings groomed) and yes technically using a miracle would get the job done, but it's not the same.
And then Lee had to get used to her whole new bird form (let alone wings) but to her, I imagine the wings almost felt like secondary arms that she had to learn how to use... or maybe just like her arms but they're different now? Anyway, there was certainly a learning period. I think she did gain some instinct though, but just instinct alone isn't enough.
Now not as character specific but little habits or routines most of them would do I think. Okay, one thing's for sure, birds are dusty. Very dusty. They will get dust on you and little particles I guess? From preening. Even slightly their wings drop some dust. So maybe winged characters would put a sheet/towel down when grooming so the dust is caught and the sheet can just be washed. Unless they want to vacuum it up I guess. I also am wondering if they'd have an air purifier to help. Or something like that to help with the dust.
I don't know exactly what kind of feather it is, but there are these super 'sticky' (not physically sticky, but rather they just stick to surfaces like crazy) feathers that get everywhere. They're like little fluffs rather than a typical feather. Maybe it's downy feathers or whatever they're called. But anyway I can imagine that no matter how well characters clean their home, somehow one or two of these feathers will be sticking around lol.
I don't read a whole lot of (poorly written) fics with winged characters but one thing I would run into sometimes was that characters would use brushes on their wings? Don't do that! Even if it's a super soft bristle brush, it's not really worth it. No combs either. Just no combs or brushes like we use on our hair. Feathers aren't the same as hair. You can just gently run them through your fingers.
Also, kinda gross but feathers can be kinda greasy... it's not grease exactly but birds have like a gland around their tail that makes a coating thing they use on their feathers to keep them looking good I think. (Including on wings I'm pretty sure) but yeah if a winged character is preening their wings maybe there would be a gland somewhere? And they're probably going to want to wash their hands afterward.
In the same thing, but also I never see pin feathers get mentioned. Even though they're super common. Pin feathers are new feathers that birds grow that are encased in a sort of... greasy coating that they have to groom and remove in order to free the new feathers. The coating is not very hard so it doesn't take much to remove them. And most of the time other birds will help preen them. (Or owners can help too if their birds are cool with it) so maybe it could be a bit of a bonding thing between characters? Especially if they're in a place that's not easily reached.
Another thing I like to mention in writing when/if it comes up is that molting takes a lot of energy, and so I personally think most winged characters would probably feel a little tired or under the weather during a big molt. It can take a lot out of birds and sometimes you have to give them extra vitamins, minerals, or certain food to help. So maybe when winged characters are molting they could take more/any supplements or things like that. Yes, it is different when it's just wings molting, but most winged characters are humanoid, meaning their wings are probably extra big compared to a bird.
Probably just one more tip/thing I would include, potential body language through wings. Of course, my experience is just budgies, so keep that in mind, but I think they say a lot with their wings. If they hold their wings out, it's probably hot. Keeping wings super close to their body and all of their feathers are flat against their body? Probably scared. Squawking and continuously flapping their wings/flying or hovering slightly in the same place? In my experience that's throwing a bit of a fit lol. Just stuff like that I think could really add to writing winged characters, if you're looking to add more bird characteristics.
Sorry, this kinda turned into a long rant about just general bird/wing advice. Hope you still like it anyway.
Colored and shaded sketch commission for @practically-an-x-man of their OC, Jasper, and AHS character Kyle Spencer at pride (setting from their fanfic Heartstrings)
1 . Is your OC a confident speaker? Do they find it easy to express themselves verbally? Or do they stutter or perhaps easily lose their train of thought?
5 . Can other people recognise when your OC is angry or serious by the tone of their voice? Or does their language become coarser? Or perhaps more formal?
I think it takes some time for Eliška to come into her own in general, but it definitely applies to her speaking. Especially in the first movie, she's really not that confident in my opinion, except for maybe some small bursts of confidence if that makes sense? Though as time goes on, she becomes more confident and a better speaker. Hopefully this answered your question lol.
Yes, I think her accent gets slightly thicker. She can be snappish? As well as her words sounding more forced.
10 . Has your OC ever made a conscious effort to change their voice? Perhaps by trying to rid themselves of a particular accent or making themselves sound more assertive?
11 . Does your OC often punctuate their speech with filler sounds, such as "um" or "er"? Or words such as "like" or "you know"?
Yeah, more so the assertiveness.
Also I know it's a little off topic, but I feel like when she was very first basically shipped off to the Collector, she made a decision to only speak Czech (though of course her preference was not speaking at all). She was unsure of the setting around her (in literal SPACE!) And was scared. She didn't want to give away anything about her really. Maybe she thought speaking in English could somehow give away something.
Probably 'uh' the most.
16 . Does your OC's body language sometimes give away what they might prefer to conceal? Or are they practiced at ensuring that their physical presentation matches their stated positions?
She's pretty guarded most of the time and her posture and body language reflect that. I think she crosses her arms a lot and stands a little ducked or hunched over? At least at first. I'll admit it's been a while since I've written for her
21 . Does your OC like to ascribe nicknames or pet names to other people? How well does this usually go down?
She's not much of a nickname kind of person. She pretty much sticks to first or last names. However, if there was a chance she'd give someone a nickname, they probably wouldn't know because it would be in Czech.
22 . What is your OC's singing voice like? Does it surprise other people by being better (or worse) than they expected?
OC language asks
It's not bad, but she's not trained by any means. I guess you could say slightly average. Though she doesn't sing often. It's almost a little vulnerable for her.
Hence I think her singing at all is a surprise for others around her.
Merry Christmas @practically-an-x-man ! I made an edit of Vivienne and Wojchek to What the Water Gave Me by Florence + The Machine. I hope you like it!
Your OCs are each given a backstage pass to their favorite musical artist or band - how do they react? Both to the gift itself, and to meeting the artist/band?
Ooh! Interesting question!
Arline Lanes: For her 13th birthday, both Jayce and Viktor splurge and get her tickets and backstage pass/meet and greet for Florentina + The Mechanism (a fictionalized version of Florence + The Machine I made up for the Arcane universe) She opens an envelope that was saved for last, thinking it would probably be another card or something like that. She freaks out and starts jumping up and down, screaming when she realizes what it is. Then she hugs them both and says it's the best gift ever.
Her heart races and she gets a little nervous once it's actually time to meet Florentina, and feels like she's going to pass out once she actually sees her, but manages to pull herself together and says she's been a huge fan of her songs for years. Florentina takes a picture with her and makes sure to give her an autograph. It's a day Arline never stops talking about.
Silas Petersson: For one of their anniversaries, Copia surprises Silas with Hozier tickets and backstage passes. Silas is amazed and asks how he even pulled that off, to which Copia says he has his ways (Silas lightheartedly scoffs) They hug and Silas starts finding some of his records and things to prepare for autographs. After, Silas says it was one of the best concert experiences he's had. Copia teases him, saying what about the rituals he's been to, and seeing his partner on stage. Silas points out 'one of' and that they can't quite be compared. And that he doesn't have to worry about getting a backstage pass just to hang out with Copia.
Arith: (Okay this feels very meta considering I was just talking about my Ghost OC above, but please bear with me) Iriel gets Arith tickets for a Ghost meet and greet/signing, around 2016-2017 when they used to do more of that stuff (and when Terzo was still Papa, because he's Arith's favorite), and Arith tries to play it cool, even teasing Iriel that it's a little ironic that an angel got him this gift to see a 'satanic' band. But he's very thankful and deep down excited. He's been a fan since the beginning and struggles to decide what should be autographed and what should be left behind (because he'd have too much stuff at this point)
But actually getting to meet Terzo was awesome, and he thinks that Tobias does an excellent job of maintaining character and such. One of his top favorite gifts from Iriel.
(This one was so funny to write as a Ghestie)
Iriel: Arith gets her tickets and backstage pass to see Stevie Nicks. Iriel makes sure she has one of her best outfits on, and has a shawl of her own. The concert is awesome, Iriel twirls for sure during Edge of Seventeen. She's grateful to have met her and gotten an autograph. She keeps thanking Arith for the experience. He loves seeing her so happy.
