Earth Pony Cross-Stitch

[CrossStitch]

Roleplay Type: World of Equestria RP

Name: Cross-Stitch

Sex: Male

Age: Stallion

Species: Earth Pony

Eye Color: Dark Blue

Coat Color: Cobalt Blue

Mane/Tail/Markings Color & Style: Long, Black, Straight

Physique: Smaller than most stallions, Mare-like body

Cutie Mark: A spool of pink thread with a heart around it

Origin/Residence: Canterlot

Occupation: Tailor

Motivation: His mother, and his own dreams of becoming a well known designer.

Likes: Fashion, Food, and Art

Dislikes: Being interrupted, Poor fashion sense, Distractions whilst he works

Character Summary:

Cross Stitch was a pony born and raised in the city of Canterlot by his mother and father. His father though was a traveling artist who would paint beautiful landscapes of far off lands. Cross Stitch would often receive many paintings his father had created in the mail. Because of his fathers unfortunate absence, Cross Stitch spent a lot of time with his mother at home. His mother had a hobby that she worked on every day, cross stitching. She would sew wonderful pictures and sayings that were hung up throughout their home. Cross Stitch decided to try this hobby, seeing as it is where he got his name from. He took up the needle quickly, and learned to manipulate it very well for a pony without magic. He would sew wonderful pieces that would rival his mothers, but there was one thing that was always left out of his works, passion. He had no feelings or passion put into the hobby, it always felt like the wrong way to express himself.

Cross Stitch carried on though, sewing day after day with his mother. Cross Stitching wasn't the only thing he learned though: He learned to be kind to any and all ponies, regardless of who they seem to be, he learned to always smile, and to always look on the bright side of things. She told him that when he can find a way to express those feelings in his art, then he will become an artist like her and his father. Cross Stitch became determined to find his inner artist and to find a way to express himself correctly.

A few years later, Cross Stitch's mother received two tickets to a Fashion Show in Canterlot where Hoity Toity would be showing off the new additions to his "Best of the Best Boutique." Stitch's mom recieved the tickets from a friend who happened to be modeling one of the dresses in the show. Obviously, Cross Stitch's dad was away, so the extra ticket fell to him. There were many fabulous dresses that expressed the designers thoughts and emotions. The dresses made Cross Stitch think of his mothers sewing, and of his fathers paintings where their feelings were expressed. Cross Stitch never even considered clothing as a means of expression. From that day on, Cross Stitch studied fashion. He would always look in the windows of Hoity Toity's boutique, and would read any and all the magazines on latest fashion that he could find. The more he read, the more interested he became.

On Hearth's Warming Eve, a year later, Cross Stitch received a present that he would keep to this day. It was a sewing machine that his mother and father had gotten him. All of his knowledge poured out into the machine, and he went straight to work. He caught on quick, and began making his own clothing. The one thing he loved the most though, was a red scarf, the same red scarf that he wears to this day.

His mother and father passed on, but Cross Stitch's passion never died. He continued to work, and continued to follow by what his mother told him. He always smiled, he never hated, and he always looked on the bright side. These feelings showed in his clothing as well. His clothes were often very bright and summery, which went on to become what he was known for. His clothing just felt 'happy'.

To this day Cross Stitch still runs his shop, which doubles as his house, in Canterlot. His doors are always open to customers, and as you walk by you can always hear the hum of his sewing machine that his mother gave him.

[Snowshoe]

Not too bad. Even for me, who has a dislike of death as a driving force in character backgrounds, I think this is a good character. Pretty good for a first run Though modstaff might have something to pick up on, I think it's fine.

[CrossStitch]

It's not really a driving force, it just served as a blockade, as it does for most of us, I'm sure.

The driving force is more within himself, and wanting to better himself.

But thank you VERY much! It means a lot to me when I get a compliment, no matter how grand or small. I may add a tad more to the story actually.

[CrossStitch]

Alright, after a few changes and edits; I hereby change the topic to "Final".

[Pony_Sage]

Hay there, just figured I would stop by and throw my two bits in. You have a pretty good outline for a character here, just a few things need tweaking. Fist off, how would his mother have heard of the play that Rarity put together in Ponyville? It seemed to be a school play, which usually isn't something that is advertised in different towns. It is just a little off, maybe there could be more of a reason for them to visit Ponyville and have an excuse to go to the play. That way it makes more sense. Also while I see much of his back story, I do not see much in the way of his personality. Is he driven and determined or is he more laid back and casual? Is he timid or is he boisterous? Adding little bits like this can make a good app even better!

I also notice that much of the application is tied to Rarity in some manner, while this isn't a bad thing, we do tend to try to keep OC's more distant from the Mane six. Now this does not mean that Cross-Stitch can not meet Rarity or any of the Mane six in the RP and befriend them, just that the starting point of the OC should be a little further away from the Mane six. Such as Cross-Stitch's motivation, maybe instead of having him want to prove himself in the eyes of Rarity, maybe he can just strive to make the best clothes that he can? Something like that maybe. That way Cross-Stitch can be an independent pony and have his own established boutique and maybe Rarity will one day acknowledge him. Just having him constantly seeking out Rarity's approval or the like wouldn't be conducive to the idea behind the Mane RP.

I am sure that if you take these aspects into consideration you will have a wonderful application!

~Sage AkA Freddie Freewings

[CrossStitch]

Alright, I did a bit of re-writing with Pony_Sage's suggestions in mind. Thank you by the way!

I hope his personality and back story make a bit more sense now.

[Pony_Sage]

Much better! I like the direction that you took the character and the changes that you made. Just remember that the sewing machines in use would be simple treadle machines and I think this is good to go.

"Assessed!" Thus spake the Sage.

[Skye]