crp_dude

Triple-post people! Still stacking up to that apocalyptic 60-post stack! I'd better pick up the pace and get posting before somepony notices! Decided to vector an Alicorn this time around. You'll definitely see future iterations and artistic applications for this guy, he's a pretty big part of my fanon. I'd apply him into the board canon, except that he's got a pair of wings and a horn at the same time. Makes ponies go if you know what I mean. Maybe the crossovers section? Dunno, worth a shot for a stallion of this level of importance in my brain. Emperor Mondo, ruler of Itaily, and Celestia and Luna's only uncle on their father's side. Also Apis's father. Yadda yadda cool things.

Still not dead yet, just doin' thangs. Things like OC Nymphs. Remember those? Even wrote a nice description for her! Read up, she was a fun one to make! A young flapper looking to live life in the moment, Auntie Up, no relation to Edith Up, is the owner of the Rave Roulette, a gigantic casino and perpetual dance party that might seem like a ridiculous investment to anyone else. Good thing Auntie isn’t anyone else, right? Although she’s the owner of a casino, she’s as much of a fan of spinning the wheel of fortune as her regulars are, and usually makes bets alongside (and technically against) them, in her own casino, using her own casino’s money. It would be a wonder that she hasn’t gone broke, except you’d be leaving out the fact that she’s an expert when it comes to reading her competitors, and seems to boast quite the luck factor anyway. When she’s confronted with a grumpy customer though, Auntie can really knock some heads, and doesn’t seem to be the type who would otherwise go down without a fight. Good thing you have to save her, or she’d probably be the hero instead of you.

:I Why is is frowned upon when someone actually takes the time to explain things?

Okay, let's be clear about this: I'm gay. I'm gay as... well, anything that's really gay. Horrendously gay, let's say as a descriptive term. Now, Rainbow Dash as a lesbian? Couldn't say for sure. Would I like to see it? As a reminder that homosexuals exist to the world at large, yes. Would it be a rude awakening to some overprotective parents and fans who are seriously against the idea? Don't care; ponies. It's not really anypony's place to judge on the subject, and, let's face it: the show will never, not probably never, not maybe, never, discuss, or even bring up the subject. I'll give ya' ten bits if it does, plus a nice dinner of fillet mignon and deviled eggs on the house. To this effect, it sadly rests on the shoulders of the fandom do decide whether or not this is even important. Survey says... Apparently, it is. I say sadly because of debates like this. Do I see our lovable RD as a lesbian? There's a fair chance of it. Do other people not? Of course, and everypony has their reasons. What I'm more concerned for are the reasons themselves. Personally, I think there are too may ponies that are out to label RD as les for, let's face it, gits and shiggles ('scuse my lack of proper French). I would like to see instead a character seen as homosexual to add some spice to the character, or even just to make it clear that the section of society exists, and is perfectly acceptable. Being gay is not just about sex, people! There's nothing wrong with it in terms of contemporary society. No, if it were to be applied, I'd actually like to see it instead as a minute point. Don't just have homosexuality be a character's only defining trait, just like you wouldn't have heterosexuality be any defining trait of a character. We have those in our respective shows and games, and it's no secret that it's kind of hard to really like them. Now, you might think, "Wait, but you just said that you ought to throw out the fact that gay people exist! Why have it as a minor trait?" Because being gay is just a life choice. It's not a philosophy, there's not rulebook to it. You can have two athletes of very opposite inclinations, and the most important trait to them is still that they're athletic. There's Rainbow Dash right there. Gays are really just like straights, and it can be hard to tell them apart in a crowd or a cast. So, why make it a big deal? Quite the opposite, if you make it not a big deal, it becomes a big deal. Because it shows that you accept the idea as just another norm in life. Which it really is, and ought to be, in all honesty. This unfortunately gets some people hot and bothered, which is really a sad thing in and of itself. Some people might read this and be like, "Hell why not, let's make all the f*ckin' mane cast lesbians! Happy now?" Well, that'd be just not getting my point. Is everypony gay? Absolutely not. Some people are taught that it's wrong, some people have had bad experiences with them, and some people just decided that the whole idea simply isn't for them. These are fine, as long as you don't let the fact get to you! Like I said before, don't define a character by their sexuality, just let their sexuality be one part of them, don't complain, and just accept it! Here, it's as simple as closing your mouth on the subject. Is it closed? Now, when you have a problem with the idea, use kind words or do this! See, not so hard, isn't it? Anyways, we're getting off track here. My answer to the question is: Do I see Rainbow Dash as a lesbian? No, I see her as a pegasus who is audacious, athletic, and loyal, and may just happen to like mares. That's all.

Ornatia looked a bit perplexed at the last comment. "Not old enough? I assume that this was a family policy? I ask because I could not think of any reason the peak of my land's society should be seen as not 'child-safe'! I mean, Itailians have sizable families by default, I don't see how we could be otherwise." Ornatia scratched her head very lightly, and then set it back down, wiping it very shortly on the floor, in case anything was caught on it. "Perhaps you're right, though, I likely would more benefit from taking a stroll around than anything else, but I do have an issue with, *ahem*," Ornatia cleared her throat nervously, unsure of how the others would take what might seem like an otherwise absurd personal policy, and decided how she would explain it, "There is an issue with public appearance. Consider it an offshoot of paranoia of sorts, but I am not at all used to crowds, largely because I am so used to being holed up in my own home for so long, and when I do leave I'm often separated by something, be they guards, red walkways, or a stage. With no boundaries, I can get, well, frankly suspicious of everypony, and that rather includes you lot, not to offend if I do. There is a reason for it, mind you. A little mishap around the middle of my career that I'd rather not get into, it was rather one of my more embarassing moments." Ornatia felt a little downhearted at being forced to remember why she kept herself so secluded from the rest of the world. Still, she held her head up as best as she could. Now was no time to succumb to fears. Besides, the designer who nearly sent Ornatia's career down the drain went down the same drain herself only a year later. Only the unsuccessful would repeat the issue, and none of these ponies struck her as unsuccessful. She felt safe around them, for the most part.

If you need to improve anything, see if you can add in some extra grass detailing inside the grass border, as it looks very bare and flat otherwise. Not excessive, just let people know that grass is there.

Working on a big project as of right now. This is the usual gig but don't expect much from me until it works out. It'll blow your mind, I promise. In the meantime, Here are a few fun sketches! The top left is of our one and only Appliance, whom I have a love-hate relationship with (no, dear, I joke, I just kind of want to hug you at one point.) The bottom left is a dragon OC of mine, Blast Furnace, fixing up a prosthetic for Lucky Breeze, who hasn't been on the forums for a while sadly. The one on the right is Apis being horrendously gay towards (Dubstep) Dark Core's fat rump. Hnng

Ornatia raised a fairly unimpressed eyebrow at the two, working up her own confidence to a level of pride. Again, there was a first impression to be made. Luckily, her usual cuffed dress of ebony hue didn't disappoint. Emulating a bit of displeasure toward such an unorganized exchange (in actuality, she thought it was cute,) a thick Itailian accent began her sentences as always as she spoke rather plainly, "Yes, I have indeed taken some interest in this town. You see, I am a... you might say, temporary immigrant? Tourist would not do, my stay is more long-term than a simple trip, but this is beside the point. *ahem* Because I will be spending some time here for the show, I thought it best to take some time to learn about this fairly contemporary city. It is, to say the least, not something I am used to," Ornatia turned her head upwards, placed her left hoof on her breast, and closed her eyes, keeping a faint view on Dazzle to ensure she wasn't making a drama out of the motions, "I am more used to historical displays such as these out in the open, part of the city itself. On that point, I am from Roam, in Itaily, the land only some miles east of your Canterlot. My name is Ornatia, critically acclaimed fashionista, how do you do?" That was perfect, yes. Exactly the image she was hoping to put out. Of course, none of those facts were fabricated, but she couldn't very well say 'Ornatia, who holes herself in her own home for months on end', could she? She held out her right hoof, lowering her left to the ground, expecting either a shake or a kiss, depending on whatever Dazzle may have preferred greeting with.

Masala mused over the idea of an inn with a restaurant as part of the service. It'd definitely be something her hometown could do with, being such a popular tourist area. Though, formality came before speaking business, so she introduced herself. "Chai. Masala Chai. I'm an immigrant from further east, nice to meet ya'." She held out her hoof for a quick shake from the two of them, then started to speak again. "I guess I can see the appeal to an early rise built into a late night, if that makes any sense to you. Something to think about, but I just run a tea shop down in the Heights. Not to say it's a poor business, not at all, it's just that I'm more used to the casual stop-off atmosphere, rather than some odd 'stay the night, leave after breakfast' feel. I got nothin' against, just a bit too formal for my tastes." Masala never took the time to think about it, but she probably was never one to cope with any sort of seriousness. Heck, she'd give the Princesses a hardy pat on the back if it wouldn't get her thrown straight into prison. Ick, royalty. Far too eloquent in their policies for her to even consider dealing with, ever.

No worries, I figured you were waiting on Wick anyhow, so that's fine by me. As far as the show itself though, considering the unexpected slowdown, do we have a new date for the full show in mind? If not, I'd like to hear some idea as far as dates go before I give my two cents.

Oh, here we go. I'm ready for what you've got, lay it on me.

Masala made a faint scowl at the white-coated unicorn. It wasn't out of spite, or jealousy, Masala just had something against ponies who were so keen to get their business over and done with and take their leave. So, while she was indeed heavily misjudging her at first, Masala didn't have an incredibly high opinion of Rarity at first. At least she took the time to talk to somepony else on her own level. At that, she decided to be respectful and not distract the owner from a point of interest, and instead showed more attention to the brother and sister. The two definitely did remind her of a pair she knew from back in Troteste, a pair of fortune-telling twins who had this odd habit of finishing each-other's sentences. It really creeped Masala out as a filly, though she never really knew what happened to those two, they just sort of moved away. That aside, Masala had never really heard of a "bed-and-breakfast restaurant", and pondered what that meant. Breakfast, that part was obvious, but bed? Why beds? What did a bed have to do with food? Did you eat off of a bed? Were there no chairs, so they had to replace all the chairs with beds? No, both of those ideas seemed awfully silly, her imagination was just zipping this way and that now. Instead, she casually asked, with her usual signature level of audacity, "Scuse me, kid, but, this term you use, 'bed-and-breakfast'... I own a cafe, kid, I have no idea what that even means."

Hey, look at that, a picture that I just drew and didn't vector! Now, have fun with staring at Apis's face. Do you want to hug him yet? No? Liar.

Hey, we haven't gotten a whole lot of activity in these last couple of threads! I know it's not my job, furthest from it actually, but being one among those who wish to see this event continued, I'd just like a head count of who's still in! maybe we could accept a few extras if there's empty space? I dunno, I'd like to hear a bit from Bramble on this.

Breaking my own silence here... Consider this a study in simple texturing. The frayed mane and tail is meant to give that patchwork effect you often see in dolls. This piece was made at the request of one of my favorite dollmakers, Dawniblush. Give her some love and attention, it's worth the work she puts into her own stuff!

Ornatia perked up when she heard that Itaily, and more specifically Roam, was to be a future location in the fashion show. The land of her people, a spot of fashion? That was nothing new, but already she was homesick, after three years away from it. Astounding to her, she thought, that you could come to miss home that quickly given how long she had lived there, her mind turning to another friend who she'd hope to meet soon as well. Back on track, though, as usual. Mustering up what she could remember of Roam, navigating its many streets, she tried to recount every important fact she could look for. "Well, one thing of note is that we don't try to control the weather, mostly because we never need to. That, and Itaily has few to no pegasus ponies, such a thing being just as foreign of an idea to most. Unicorns, you see occasionally, just because of the old royal family, such as myself, having a great great aunt down that line, but her lineage is vague at best, so I digress. The breed of Earth Pony is most noticeably different, in shape and affiliation-- you'd be able to tell the difference if you saw them, for certain. While Equestrian Earth Ponies, so far as I'm aware, are mostly bakers and farmers, those who deal in the products of the earth, if you follow, Itailian Earth Ponies are, as you say, of the arts in general. They don't just work the earth, they work it to the bone. I'm talking about sculpting, landscaping, architecture, pottery, glasswork, you name it! Of course, farming and baking are still, just as well, where our hearts lay. The difference in those last aspects for us, though, is more in that we grow very different crops in Itaily, and all of our sugar most easily obtained needs to be, well, not to sound like we live in the dark ages, but all of our sugar is imported! Instead, we rely on natural treats: honey, grapes, fruit of any kind, and the same stands for our breads! In that case, we often oil our loafs, originally so they wouldn't stick in the oven, but now... Well, I assume you've seen Itailian bread. It's very nice. Now, you know all there is to know about what we have in common, but Itailian Earth Ponies are much more, shall we say, ambitious, with their connections to the earth. You see, it was actually two parts to a problem from a long time ago, solved pretty simply. One, Roam as a city was running out of resources on the surface rocks, and second, there was a bit of an overpopulation issue. So, you now have two issues, and scientists and engineers alike from Ancient Roam were developing a solution. Suddenly, this renowned stallion, Aqueductus, suggests downward expansion to solve both problems! At first they thought he was mad, considering how long it would take, but as luck would have it, Itailian earth ponies have a way of "shaping the earth", if you follow. Within only months, they had plentiful resources, and ample space! So, little-known fact to all but those who live in Roam for a long time, the city you see from the sky, grand as it may be, is really only about a third of the whole city! Underneath, there are hundreds of underground plazas and alleyways that nopony would even think to look for! The entryways to these lands are easy to spot though, when you do go hunting for them! Perhaps it'd be something to check out, next time we get the chance, no?" Ornatia felt suddenly more vigorous about the topic. More psyched to be there, some would say, but not her. She was too formal for language outside anything less than a century old, as she often joked to herself. "And to speak of little-known facts, I don't know a whole lot about this quaint little city. What is there to tell?"

Ya know, that's not a bad point, and it actually serving as the basis of my next big project. I'll get something nice done as a result of this, I'm sure.

"Jewelry?" The word very nearly left a bad taste in Ornatia's mouth, like she had just drank sea water. Her reaction was fairly immediate, "Oh, no no no, dear, I dare not use jewels for my pieces, they are far to showy! You see, if you truly wish to make an effective dress, it must complement the wearer, it is just as much about her as it is the dress! Or at least that is the philosophy I work by. If you spend too much time on the dress, excessively adorning it with jewels attracts toward the dress, not the wearer, and then you might as well not even take it off the stand, ponies will just stare at it dumbly either way! No, I would not use jewels whole. Jewel shards perhaps, for a fine trim at the bottom of a dress with a wonderful lattice-style veil fabric neckline, yes, that might do it..." Ornatia snapped herself back to reality, there was time to take notes later, she instead figured that she ought to unwind. At the mention of the griffin and architecture. The historical questions she could answer easily enough, having spent some of her time in the more historical cities for research purposes into the olden styles she often still used. Often times though, when studying Itailian history, you had to study extensively on a ton of other parts outside of what you were learning just to get most of it. But then again, that was what was so interesting about Itailian history: How interconnected everything was. So, she answered as best as she could: "Well, as far as style, I can't complain. Functionality is the truly impressive thing the early peoples of Itaily did, though: You see so many examples of Roaman architecture largely because rather than all of those multipurpose buildings, the architects often built their structures for exactly what they needed. See, history shows that our ancestors had big ideas, which led to a lot of reconstruction as far as functionality and style. They wanted to make everything look dignified and worthy of royalty, because they did indeed want their villages to be graced with royal presence. Now, while the visit rarely ever happened, this resulted in the highest-quality facilities you could ask for, and when you think about it, built entirely on accident! And of course, Itailians then were just a different and pure breed of Earth Pony. Of course there are differences between Equestrian and Itailian Earth Ponies, in that Itailians often associated and could more easily work with the land, an odd connection to be sure. But, as you say, their craft in architecture was fantastic, for just being Earth Pony workers. Although... small word of warning, your friend, this Elaine... I would wager she would get quite a few interesting glares. Not out of resentment, understand, Itailians are just not used to seeing creatures from so far west, if my reaction was any indication!" Ornatia shrugged, matter-of-factly.

Masala gazed into the glistening jewel, studying its smooth finish, the infinite facets giving way to this impossibly rounded gem, with its continuity broken only by the elaborate carving in the center. Masala was nearly mesmerized by the stone, as though it was meant specifically for her. Though it was only a moment or two, she felt as though she had already stared at it for hours, maybe days. No doubt in her mind, this was perfect. In fact, it was kind of uncanny. "It's beautiful, I'll say for sure, but... er, the symbol here, it's kinda creeping me out, how unusually fitting this is. What's the story behind this piece?" Out of the corner of her ear, Masala heard the question voiced at her. An ear cocked that way, followed by her head. Unbeknownst to her, her cushioning mane just softly hit the side of the unicorn Rarity's face, and of course with it being so airy, Masala took no notice. Giving the colt a look of confusion, she said, "Kid, I think you got the wrong mare. Bistro is a Prench name, and my family is pure Itailian. Even then, I don't know her. What does she do?"

"Japony? Oh dearest no, that's practically across the sea! No, I'm far closer than that, Itaily is just on the other side of Equestria's southeastern border, past the mountains, you know? And as for the sand gardens, no, I'm not used to sand at all to be honest, unless it is imported. Where I come from, our life lies in the land, and quite the dynamic landscape it often is! There are no grand beaches where I come from, simply cliffs lined with the ocean on all sides! In fact, the sudden shifting in elevation for cliffs is something most of us are quite accustomed to, considering our designing of cities around them. No, no sand, nothing but dirt and rocks, but that doesn't mean anything bad! Itailian soil is, quite literally, the most fertile in the entire landmass, and the climate lets us grow crops that you otherwise wouldn't see! Those olives you may have snacked on two weeks ago? Imported from Itaily. The nice ciabatta sandwich from last Wednesday? Itailian recipe!" She gave a bit of a proud look at the mention of her country of origin, as any Itailian likely would. "Itailian tastes are much like you Equestrians, but more that we take everything as an art, you know? Cooking, Brewing, Dress Making, not to massage my own ego! We go the extra mile where we can, that's what makes Itailians Itailians! Then again, I can't go talking about my own ideals without knowing yours too well! What would you say of yourself?" Ornatia gestured to Bramble, grateful that the pony knew her name at least.

The vectors just don't stop happening! As you can see, the shading turned out perfect! I'd say it's a very nice testament to the style Rayman Origins showcases!