One, small dog dashed passed Winter's ankles. Another dog, much larger, slugged behind, but passed Winter just the same. “We canna speak naw, sorry about tha'," Jock said with a heavy Scottish brogue as he furthered the distance. "Uhhh, she did ask us our names." Trusty looked from Jock to Winter and back. "I'm pretty showah we can at least o-blige her that much." "Oh, no! If you're in a hurry, please don't let me stop you," Winter spoke frantically. "Ack! Well... Ah'da feel bahd ifen Ah jest ignored ye..." Jock scoffed. He turned around to face Winter and was abrupt about his introduction. "Ah'm Jock." "An' I'm Trusty. A plesha, Ma'am." Winter's smile returned to her face. "It's very nice to meet you both, Jock and Trusty." She had been somewhat put off that her first real attempt at communicating had been improperly timed, but had been cheered up by the fact that they had taken time for her anyway. "Canawe help ye atall, lassie?" Jock asked. “We're in a bit effa hurry, but Ah think we cahn stop fer amenut.” "Jock's right, Ma'am. We do have to be gettin' awselves along, but...uhhh...but uhhh.... well, you know... it's mighty good to help someone out." He looked towards the sky. "It's just like mah granpappy Oooooooooooooooole Reliable yusta tell me... I don' recollect if I evah mentioned Ole Reliable-" "Ta me, ye have, laddie." Jock rolled his eyes. “Mure than uften.” Winter hadn't really had a reason for talking to them other than making their acquaintance, for which she now felt guilty. She certainly hadn't wanted to waste their time. She decided she would ask where they were going, as it seemed to her that getting information was at least better than bothering them for nothing at all. "Well, I really hate to bother you... but could you tell me where you're both headed off to in such a rush?" It suddenly occurred to Winter that someone might be in danger. Her manner changed slightly. "Did something happen?" She had a very serious look on her face, and she seemed prepared to fight at any moment. "Aye, Lassie." Jock hung his head low. "Our beloved benefactah and the Perk Manager Freddie Wiez 'as benakidnapped." Determination filled his face. "So, we're-a settin' off to go anna rescue'im." "Just the two of you? All by yourselves?" Winter was even more serious, and a bit concerned as well. "If that's what it takes, Miss Wintah, Ma'am." "But... I'm supposin' ye'll be lookin' fer wune ofathese, eh?" Jock pulled a autograph book from a satchel at his side. "Ah fergot te takeitaff, but ye can 'ave it." Jock got ready to put his paw-print inside. "Oh, no Mr. Jock." She hastily interrupted him from placing his paw in the book. "I already have one of those." She pulled out her autograph book as proof. "Ack! Mark me a fooell." Jock shook his head. "Well, let's see ih' then, lassie." Jock marked his paw-print in the newly provided book. Trusty followed in no particular rush. "Will that be all Miss Winter Ma'am?" "Umm... Well..." Winter shifted uncomfortably. "I don't think you should go alone." She said quietly. She wasn't really sure what she could say to deter them though. “She's uhhhhh... gotta point..." Trusty looked to Jock. “Was in such a rush mahself that I didn' kwai r'lize mahself.” "Aye. Maybe we shouldn' be agoin' oner own. It'satheir job, after ahll. Promise ta get Freddie back fer us though, lassie? 'E's a good mon, Freddie." "Yes Sir: I promise!" Winter nodded quickly. She was relieved she had prevented them from going into danger, though that's not to say she didn't understand the gravity of her promise. She would certainly do her best to bring back this Freddie person. The puppy looked up at Saino with a huff of relief. It didn't have the same device on its collar that Lady and Tramp had. A larger version of the spotted canine trotted from the square to pick Lucky up by the tuft of the neck.. Beside him, a lady dog looked to Saino with a look of appreciation. "Thank you for watching your step." She looked him over. "Oh, you're Saino! A pleasure to get the opportunity to meet you. I'm Perdita, this is my mate, Pongo,” A male dog waltzed up next her, “And you've had a run in with one of our many, many puppies." She giggled through the collar. Saino looked astonished at how Perdita knew his name. "Oh hi.. How do you know my name exactly?" he queried in an affable manner. "Haven't you heard? Everyone around this part of the park knows who you are. I don't know about anywhere else though... we've been somewhat stuck over here ever since the sink hole took the castle." Saino was taken back by what the Dalmatian were saying. He had no idea just how much of a figure he was in this place, and he just started working here too! Wait, hadn't Sally said something? "Oh...I'm sorry to hear about the sink hole. How'd it happen?" "It was a form of protest and a sheer show of power," Pongo said, followed in by by four more Dalmatian puppies other than Lucky. "The villains sank the castle into a pit, and, as I imagine you've heard, kidnapped the Park Manager." "Oh riiiiight. I remember now." Saino uttered in faint response, appearing to be somewhat of an airhead at the moment. "Who are the villains if you don't mind me asking? No one seems to be giving me a straight answer." "The villains are the ones from our own worlds who tried, at some point or another, to take over everything they could get their hands on. In our case, that would be...ugh... Cruella De Vil," Pongo cringed and spoke her name in disgust. "She tried to make coats out of our original fifteen puppies, and since the other ones she stole from around London did not have a home, we took in the remaining eighty-four of them." Perdita said as Cadpig sniffed at D'daear's costume, and Rolly started to nibble at it. "Rolly! No! That isn't food!" "Oooh. So there's more than one involved here....huh..." he uttered before realizing the puppies were advancing on him. Saino squatted as to be closer to the dogs. He chuckled a little as Rolly started nibbling at his shoes. "Got a lot of fight in you, huh?" he asked rhetorically. Not minding the puppies doing their thing, he looked back to Pongo and Perdita. "So you said there were more puppies? Where are they?" Perdita winced at the last question, so she tugged Rolly up by the scruff of the collar. He was a heavier one, so her neck craned some as she put him aside. "Oh no, he doesn't have much more fight in him than any other puppy. We're quite proud of him and love him just the same, it's just he has quite an appetite." Rolly yipped in protest. "No, Rolly, it isn't time for supper," Perdita replied. Pongo took up the task of answering the daunting question about the puppies. "Cruella has them..." Eyes widened in the silence that soon followed after Pongo spoke, causing Saino's mandible to tense. The tall goofball was shocked at the unexpected reality. After hearing their story about Cruella de Vil, it was no wonder Pongo's tone of voice had shifted. Looking down, bangs masked the young man's expression as it cast a shadow over brows and eyes. It must be hard to lose someone you care about; although he wouldn't know. However, seeing how gentle and sweet the folks at the park had been... this could not be left alone. It was a theme park that was supposed to bring happiness, and a sense of togetherness with the people who resided in it. So this for a fact was just wrong. Saino raised to full height, still looking down. Inhaling deeply, a nice sigh escaped the youth before he revealed himself again. A strong caring smile took form where lips stretched. One of sympathy, really. "Then I guess we're just going to have to free them, won't we?" he spoke, doing his best to bring the good mood. Outstretching his arm forward, his hands curled to a fist. "I promise, we'll save the puppies. Just stir me in the right direction, and I'll gather my co-workers. " “It'll be closer to Frontierland, but don't worry. I'm sure you'll get there in no time. It's a bit more... dangerous in that part of the park.” asked Pongo. “Thank you though. Is there anything we can offer you in the meantime?” Saino looked at Pongo, and remembered. Placing a hand into his jacket, he took out a small notebook. Fingers flipped through the pages until it found an empty page. "Here we go. If you could just sign my notebook please. I've been doing this with everyone I meet!" he said, laying the book open in front of the pack. "Oh! By all means, spot on." Pongo went about the business of filling out a page of Saino's autograph book. "And I imagine one of these would also be useful?" asked Perdita, as Lucky wandered up to Saino with a small pin in his mouth. Saino crouched low to take the pin from Lucky's small mouth, thanking the puppy in the process. "Thanks!" he spoke while rising. After putting on the pin, he also took the notebook from Pongo, once again thanking the group. "Good luck, Saino,"offered Perdita. "That's right. And please... try to be safe," add Pongo. Saino nodded and gave the Dalmatian family a wave good bye as he went on his way. Destination: The main entrance to regroup with comrades if possible. Interrogating Freddie Wiez Below the Magic Kingdom, far towards Frontierland, a witch cast a cold glare at a man behind bars. She was tall, thin, and had green skin and black robes. She carried a black staff with a green crystal at the paramount. Her cold glare stretched into a wicked smile. “My dear Frederick. You just couldn't be bothered to listen to us, could you?” The man in the cage smiled back. Not out of spite. The smile on his portly face was of the most congenial nature. Dressed in a fine, powder blue suit, he stood tall in the face of adversity. “I listened, my dear. I also had an entire park to accommodate. I am afraid I could not quite bow to all the wishes, when they contradicted with the safety of everyone else.” “Woa, hey, listen up, Freddie, ya gotta minute? Can I call ya Freddie? I don't think we were making too big a deal of anything.” A man with gray skin and a live blue fire atop his head intervened. “Mitch just didn't put us in charge. That's all we want. A little rule over all creation-type...deal.” “Yes, and, for understandable reasons, that didn't happen. This is a place of dreams. While dreams can be dark and, in their own way, fun, your ruling would make this place a nightmare. Dreams would not be able to grow.” “Sure they would, babe. Our dreams would grow. That's kinda the point, ya ever-lovin' ham.” “It's awfully dark down here, do you think you could turn up the lights?” “Don't try and change the subject, half-ton,” The gray-skinned man beside the green lady made a cheap shot at Freddie's weight. “You know what we want.” “Do I?” Freddie asked with an innocent smirk. “Yeah... ya do. And I know just the fellas who're gonna help squeeze it outtaya, ya feel me?.” He snapped his fingers. “Pain! Panic! Enchant our guest, will ya? He's bein' ehhhh, a little stubborn for my tastes. Oh, and, if you don't mind, I'll just be dimming the lights a little before we go, is that alright, there, Freddie? Ole pal? Chum? Huh? Thanks, you're a doll. Adios, Fred-o.” The evil pair left while two imps chuckled mischievously to themselves. In little to no time, Freddie was calling out for help that just wasn't around.
I-inclusion. ;~; Thank you! Hello! I am half of these people.
Hey! Where's the usual modification to the forum? I've been let down! Dernit, @Misty ! First no Wonderland in site/sight, now this? Why do you do this? ;A; Why?
It forked with the wrong user. Stop throwing things at me, it's the best I could do.
Vocally, I can see this being a viable option. Whether or not Mr. Englund should or would go his full level of creepiness is debatable, as it may be too much for the character, but this is also the climax and he's the main villain. However, he has that right low, low tone with the right amount of grit. Mr. Englund is also a classically-trained with modern-thinking thespian, much like Nimoy, so you're talking a similar, developed background of established talent. It's something no one really talked about until now, but I would call it a good idea.
Spoiler Sebaleon is a something which will yet be told. He is a pony, but the logic behind his type being not-yet-mentioned is something character-specific. Also, I really did forget to put it in the first time."Just like an episode only with more imagination involved in animation" "Just like an episode... only with more imagination involved in animation" "Just like an episode..." *Sebax explodes in a burst of confetti with happiness and a sense of accomplishment* As detailed in Chapter 3, which has now been added, "Dracon" is the correct spelling. It just sounded like "Dragon" to Fluttershy. Luckily, it was only a griffon, like her old friend from that earlier episode that brings her some many good memories. Thank you, thank you thank you. Your patronage is highly appreciated! Also: Exactly! Chapter 3 has been added! This... this is actually kind of "frequent" updates, for me. I usually take much longer. Hence two other stories on Hiatus and one taking forever with drafts and an ongoing edit.
This is the first time in awhile I will grant them a point. The circus did very much abuse both Dumbo and his mother. Listed, from memory, here: Dumbo's mother is locked away for the crime of, in my subjective view, giving a brat his just desserts after the lad picked on poor Dumbo. She is locked away in an almost comically small cage and shackled with hardly any space to move. Dumbo is made a clown. They turned him into a clown. They lit a stage on fire, and put Dumbo in the way of harm for the amusement of a crowd. And then Dumbo can suddenly fly, and the circus likes that, and then everything's okay? If the viewpoint that circuses almost indefinitely abuse their animals riles someone up, please, note that was the point of "Dumbo". It didn't hold punches on how animals are treated in show business. However, I don't think they should change the ending. Or the depiction of abused animals in the movie. It's important to the story, and it's pressure like powerful story-telling that has led to veritable liberation and fair treatment. Sentiment brought change. Now. I'm a bit more concerned on whether or not they somehow find a place for these fellas and what they could very disastrously do with them if they did find a place for them. Or how are they going to replace them? They're the ones who teach Dumbo how to fly. Maybe there could be a less stereotypical portrayal. If they don't find some way, Disney'll probably be eating crow for it.
It is, indeed, Seh-backs! But Base was a good save! And Say-box was a valiant effort. I've heard worse attempts to pronounce my actual, last name in real life. No toes were stepped on. And thank you for mentioning that, despite being the only entrant, I still deserved the win I got. You didn't have to, you did, and it meant a lot to hear somebody say it. It is appreciated. I'm anxious for the Wonderland Tea Party event. I have no idea how it works, but I can't wait to know what's the extra reward I get for participating. I've been logging in almost constantly to make sure I don't miss it. xD I'm a pin fanatic, and I have to get that Wonderland pin!
Hello. I'm just getting into more than casual drawing. I'm looking into a few utilities to help improve my productivity and quality of my work. I'm buying a pencil sharpener and pencils, separate erasers, a fresh sketchbook, and there's just one little thing bugging me. I don't know if I should buy outlining pens. You see, I aim to use GIMP to save money on coloring materials. The trouble with just scanning sketches drawn with pencils is that when I use the selector tool to turn my hand-drawn outline into a vector with an Alpha Channel and then the same selector tool to create base colors, the lines don't completely connect. I get colors where I don't want them. Would Outline pens solve this? or would I be better off outlining the sketch in GIMP and color it after? To be frank, I'm better at drawing than I am at outlining in GIMP. I know how to use the tools, I just can't seem to get the lines right. Tracing, very carefully, with my hand just feels like it would be easier.
I studied at the Aldous Huxley School of Steely Glares. My mentor was Zoolander. This was neither parody, nor intentional. This is my default face. I have resting "College Professor" face. Resting "Teach" face, if you will. Spoiler: Blue Steel
"I don't know," said Helena. She showed the book to Arcane at a distance. She was far more trusting of Tria in her insanity than Helena trusted her more recent teammates. "What do you make of this?" She indicated the portion of the page that had caught her eye. It was an old book, and was coated with a semi-permanent layer of dust that refused to fly off with even a vigorous pat to the spine. She dared not to dust it off too much, lest she sneezed and torched the library altogether. "Leave the book alone. Just read it," she cautioned. "I have dust allergies and I'm a Fire-Type. Bad combo."
Pre-Release analysis! First, and foremost, I feel like this is a pretty strong point. The main cast is composed of 2 men and 3 women. These are all the voices inside of Riley's head. 2 men, and 3 Women. Meanwhile, over in Mom and Dad, it's an All-Female and All-Male line-up of identities. Whether or not this was meant, one does have to admit that children today are allowed a much wider range of emotional understanding than previous generations. Riley has a wider range of emotions than her parents, but their mindsets are still valid. It doesn't stop at the characters either. It also goes into setting. Notice how the Mom's headspace is set up. It's refined, meticulously organized, but with an almost regal air. Dad's is akin to the traditional Hollywood-esque "Mission Control" sort of deal. It seems to be greatly engineered, but at the cost of quick access to memories; there's a lack of apparent organization. He doesn't need to remember as often, because he works mostly off of instinct. How can I presume this? Because he seems to get distracted (i.e., American Football game on the Wide-Mind's Eye Screen) and his primary emotion lacks empathy and foresight. Riley seems to be a bit of both, but with her own twist. She has memories there in the headspace, but it's very open (open-minded Haha) and imaginative. She's still a kid. On the other hand, you have wisdom in the mother. Her emotions are more matured, even, and expanded past a sterotypical range. "Sadness" seems to be the head-honcho, but she doesn't seem quite sad. Anger rules the roost over in the father, and, as a result, he seems more prone to confusion and rash reaction. Something else that caught my attention: The destruction of the castle. Is the obvious destruction of a person's childhood obvious enough? I already love this movie. I feel like it's going to say some really important things.
"Thanks Strat-" He was interrupted by the approach of an individual in a white cloak. In their hands, they held the last two musical notes the Symphony of Sorcery group needed. He looked to the new figure with both agitation and an odd sense of calm. The white robe was, at once, alarming and serene. They asked a question. He had an answer. Base bowed his head. "I was already a part of this story. This world, and the other worlds, and the people I've met since. We were supposed to meet. Each of us is here... I feel... through destiny. It's meant to be." He eyed the character suspiciously. "What I don't know what's meant to be is you. I always find entrances like yours, just now, more than a little unsettling. Are you going to give us the musical notes?" He stood next to Glen, and nodded to his comrade. There was a strange power about the cloaked figure, but he wasn't going to be frightened. "Like Glen said, those music notes are needed so that the future can be set straight. I can't go into the details... but I have the weird feeling I don't have to with you..." Karina spoke, and Base dashed to her side so that she wouldn't have to support herself on either side. He supported her, opposite Stratos, and further displayed their collectivism. "So. What's it going to be?" he asked the cloaked stranger with a cool nerve.
"Is that a fact? Well... I guess I know where the next party'll be, Boneless 2."
They are actually very well known over here in the states. They've done and been done by Saturday Night Live, and our classlessest most popular internet article pushers and Youtube personalities have kind of comically villainized them as "That band that always starts off with an simple, tinkling tune that bursts into an angry banjo". Because, you know, we like humor, but we get wrapped up too much in over-simplification and we don't get the whole and more intrinsic concepts of Criticism. Screw Art for Art's own sake, cue eye roll. "Believe" is likely doing two things at the same time: displaying the sound Mumford & Sons wants to still put out, but while experimenting with a different style than they've been pegged with. Here is my favorite* Official Music Video of theirs that features (to the extent of my knowledge) American Comedians. It's the band picking on themselves, tastefully, and I can get behind that. *Favorite Music Video, but not my favorite song of theirs. That would be "Little Lion Man". It was majorly Pop Music for a little while, and one of their first hits with us in the U.S., but, for me, it connects and hits home.
"I found something..." Tria casually flipped through the pages of the first book she decided to pick up. "The information isn't right though. This was written by some fool wanting to rob Pokemon of their earnings. They make it too obvious they've never even come close to the Lost City." She slammed the book down on a table top. She was declining into a fit of agitation. Her eyes twitched, and she struggled to keep her thoughts together. Her head shook as she tried to shake off all the bad thoughts. "Why won't you just follow me?! I'm the Map Expert! I've been to the Lost City!" "Because you're inconsistent on the details?" Helena pitched in. "Tria, I tried to follow you to the Lost City, and all we wound up finding was that we went in circles a buncha times." Tria growled. Not at Helena. She just growled. Helena knew. Helena looked to Tria, she put down the book she was searching through, and she looked Tria dead in the eyes. "Hey. You. You're going to be alright. Your opinion is valid. Your experience is valid. We are trying to find somethings out so that we can have valid and educated opinions too. I'm not saying you'r wrong. I'm just saying we need to know as much as we can before we leave." There was a reason, which she left out. The reason was that so they didn't become like Tria, fighting for control of their own minds. The reason was what Tria was going through, and had been for longer than Helena had known her. The Vulpix had taken in the wandering Mightyena when the latter was ostrasized from society. She took her in, when no one else would. And secretly... she was afraid of winding up like Tria. Helena went back to her book. Tria was calming down and breathing normally. What Helena found was a benefit to the group. Her eyes went wide. "Hey! Arcane! Could you take a look at this?" she asked.
I'm just happy to be here. I have yet to participate in the Wonderland event, so I've got a lot to look forward to. Can't believe I won! The competition was soooo...soooooooo... okay, so I won by default. I came in first place out of one person. I got that going for me. The added details you wrote really cheered me up, by the way. As a generally creative person, it's nice to have my creations described by somebody else.
"Hang on, I think I got one mo' left in me, one minute." Mushu cleared his throat with a cough. "Take your time." Base had found a safe spot to recooperate. However, the remaining demon chose that instance to go for Karina and Stratos. "On second thought, some firepower now would be a great idea." "Hang on, man, I got a bug in my throat." "Mushu!" Mushu coughed and hacked. It ended in a bug shooting out of his throat. "Crickee?! How'd you get in there? You coulda died!" Mushu said as Crickee the Cricket shook himself off. "Come to think of it, I was already usin' my- hey, how'd you not di-?" "Mushu! Wrap it up, or they're dead! Get back!" Base had to jump in with a Guard. He struggled to keep the demon at bay, because no direct hit would be useful against it. "Now or never!" More desperate than ever to win, the demon was stronger than it had been before. Base couldn't hold it off for long. He gritted his teeth. "Hey, listen, I gotchoo, I gotchoo. One fireball, comin' up. Hold my Cricket," Mushu finished before releasing a powerful, finishing flame on the demon. All that remained were ashes that were caught on and were drifted off by the wind. "See? Now that was worth the wait, huh?" Mushu relaxed, fading out in a swirl of gray smoke. Crickee jumped from the palm of Base's hand and into the formed gray cloud, just as it started to blow away. It faded into mist, leaving no trace of either Mushu or Crickee. The Summon had reach the end of its term. Base remained silent for a moment. "Is she hurt? Is everyone okay?" Base knelt close down to Karina, and cast a good dosage of Cura. over her. Hopefully, that would at least wake her back up. The Cura spell spread, and affected Stratos as well. "Fast work out there. Glad to have you on the team." Base smiled and offered his hand to Stratos with a grin. He was going to stop being jealous. Instead, he was going to work just as hard, and let Stratos serve as a great example on how to be a Keyblade Warrior. (Physical Immune) Black Demon: 0/500 3/3 Mushu
Please take one look at my avatar and guess which song I almost sang for this round. That's right! Supercalifragelisticexpelidocious (Believe it or not, I spelled it right, off the top of my head. Woo! Go me, the Disney Fanatic. (Added to this, I was actually considering "Feed the Birds" as well.) But, really, I was strongly considering singing "Immortals", but it would have been embarrassing because Amethyst killed it. You know. The good, clean kind. Darkhorse D, I'm not sure how you'll take this, but, believe me, it's positive. You definitely had the right sort of "Boy Band" Singer aesthetic. It was charged, energetic, tonally superb, and, yes, the high notes (Only at the very end) were a little scratchy, but, this round, I can't look too much down on that. If you need a reason, then you didn't listen to mine. xD It's going to take a few listens to choose between you. This time will lack the play-by-play Edits I included last time. I really apologize, also, as a footnote, for how much the restroom affected my audio. It's new equipment, and I'm getting used to making it work with my surroundings. EDIT: You both sang extremely well. It came down to emotional performance. It feels somewhat unfair to put "Happy" up against "Angst", but each were the theme of each song, respectively. D did "Happy" better than Amethyst did "Angst". D gets the vote. It is wonderful to have you back in the running, Amethyst.
