video; un: kishibe

[penpoint]

[ The video comes on and it appears to be neatly propped up on a desk. He's spinning a pen between his fingers. It's clear he's sitting at a desk, given by how much you can see of him. He's never posted to the network before. ]

A couple of you may know this, but I am a manga-ka at home, and obtained a physical copy my series about a month ago. Not long ago, I did get a publisher and I'm able to get additional prints of it so that I do not have to lend out my only copy.

[ But that is only partially the point of this post. ]

I'm in the process of developing a new series. There's only so much to work with within my own experiences. I've drawn many pieces of scenery here, filled up sketchbooks with pictures of Prismals and Moonblessed alike.

[ He sets his pen down on his desk, and stops playing with it. ]

So that's where I come to you. I'd like to hear stories about your life prior to here. Whether that is an interesting story or fact about you or the world you come from.

[ Oh, yeah. ]

And, one more thing. I guess, since I'm feeling generous. If anyone would like to see if I drew them - just let me know. I'd recommend posting a video. I draw what I like so there's no guarantees, but it's possible.


[ ooc; i'm happy to have had him draw p. much anyone who would be spending regular time at the park, especially if they sit still for a few minutes when there since that's where he draws most his inspiration from! ;) ]

Comments

video, un: grimm

[hagrides]

[Drawing Moonblessed, you say? How about a weird six foot bug?]

What sort of story would you prefer? Tragic ones, ones with happy endings? So many stories are in my collection that I find it difficult to know where to begin.

video! | un: pArtyLiKeItS1999

[nipzips]

[ He did debate over responding to Rohan at first, but his extrovert brain tells him to just do it. He's bored enough! If the conversation goes south he can always end it, anyway. ]

So. I gotta know ... Have I ever been in that sketchbook of yours?

video, un: bellabelle

[doreimi]

Oh, I can tell you a bunch of stories about what my life was like before I came here. They're pretty normal and boring, though, so I guess they'd be the kind of thing that would fit best with some kind of supporting character?

[She's trying not to grin, already amused at the prospect. Obviously she'll edit out any overt references to him specifically, or anything that might visibly connect the two of them together, but — well, she'll know, and Rohan will know. That's what matters.]

I dunno, are there any cute girl roles in your new series?

Audio UN: oceangem

[riptidequeen]

Are you really expecting people to just spill information about themselves to you?

[She's just being contrary to be contrary.]

[penpoint]

[ He's going through his sketchbook because he definitely knows your face. Someone unique enough for him to remember. ]

Why don't we start with something with a happy ending.

[penpoint]

[ oh, well. this wasn't something he was prepared to admit. ]

Yes, you have been. Once or twice.

[ or more... ]

[penpoint]

[ He's not surprised she's here. ]

I don't know, maybe you're main character material. Sometimes people who are pretty normal are surprising.

[ Hah. ]

There's always room for a cute girl in manga.

[nipzips]

Wait, really? You drew me? I was expecting to get shut down ... [ He was expecting to get shut down immediately but this is a GREAT outcome. lol maybe rohan doesn't actually hate him after all haha aint that wacky ]

I've never been drawn before. You got the sketches still? [ He wants to see and maybe oogle himself a little, no biggie. ]

[penpoint]

It's obviously voluntary.

[riptidequeen]

Of course, but it's just a weird thing to ask. Even for a comic book writer.

[doreimi]

Just so long as I'm not the fanservice! I want to have depth and an interesting subplot. And flaws! And maybe a love interest.

[Reimi please you are asking a lot here, remember who you are talking to]

How about the story of how I got my dog? That's pretty normal, I guess.

[hagrides]

Fewer of those, but the ones I do have are precious. Let me think...

There was once a pair of siblings, separated at birth. One was thrown away as unnecessary, left to rot in the darkest depths. The other was raised strictly, not as a person, but as a tool. A container for a god that must have no sense of personhood to grasp onto. They were taught that they must not think or feel - that they could not think or feel, and they taught them so well that the child believed it.

That child worked very hard to be the emotionless tool their parents wanted them to be. As hard as anyone could have worked. And when the time came for them to become that container, they held strong for a very, very long time, even though the task was impossible, even though every moment was agony.

The other child, slowly, painfully, clawed their way out of the depths. And they felt their sibling's cries of pain, and even though they had only the vaguest memory of their sibling, they went to free them. They overcame trials. They fought a god, and won.

And now those children are here, and have the first opportunity to be simply a family that they have ever had.

[Grimm's voice is fond. He finds it hard to hate Prismatica, no matter how irritating the moonblessings or dangerous the missions, simply for the fact that it allowed two important people to have the chance to just live.]

text | un: pArtyLiKeItS1999

[nipzips]

i don't know much about manga but i'd totally read a story about you, reimi

you'd make a great main character

[ Hi there, talk to him, he is bored and he just wants to send hearts to a cute friend. ]

[penpoint]

[ Not like he kept the pictures... baka!! There's definite annoyance in his tone when he speaks. ]

I might have one of them. If I didn't already shred it.

[ J/K he has all of them, and he's going to regret letting Josuke take a look through the sketchbook, isn't he? ]

[doreimi]

Awww, Josuke!

It's funny, I actually used to read a lot of it back home but sometimes my friends would tease me because the ones I liked best were "stuff for boys". Like I can't read Akira because I also like wearing high heels and nail polish, or something. Isn't that ridiculous?

[penpoint]

I don't think I could make you the fanservice.

[ Oh. No. He could not. That would be very strange to him and feel very wrong and a little - well, dirty? No. ]

Alright, tell me how you got Arnold.

[penpoint]

Stories help provide a realistic perspective and inspiration. Experience produces the best art.

[ He's a very weird man, Lapis. ]

[nipzips]

I can totally see you shredding it too.

[ It would be disappointing but not at all surprising. He doesn't actually know if Rohan intends to show him his sketchbook or not, so he just ... waits for the other guy to move, peering at the sketchbook in his hands. ]

So ... [ Are you going to show him loser ]

[riptidequeen]

[Still weird!]

So does it count as an experience when it's someone elses and not your own?

[doreimi]

Good! You shouldn't do that to girls, anyway. Make a guy character be the fanservice! I'm in favor of that.

[THIRST.]

All right, so. It really all started because I wanted a dog, I guess. I don't know why I got it in my head that I wanted one, but I did. I just remember wanting it so much, to have my very own puppy to play with and take care of and everything. And at first my parents said no? But eventually my dad talked himself into it, he said it wasn't a bad thing to have a guard dog around the house. Mom was a little more hesitant — I think she was worried having a puppy would mean a lot more messes to clean up, you know? But they came around, and I remember they made me promise up and down that I'd do all the taking care of him, no matter what. So it was about responsibility, if I wanted a dog I had to be willing to take care of him, they weren't going to do it for me.

So, my dad had some work connections and he knew someone who'd had a litter of puppies, and we went to see about it. And there was another one my dad liked a lot, but I remember...

[She tips her head back, like she's reminiscing without really thinking about it; unconsciously, her eyes close.]

I remember I kept moving around, from trying to look at them all. And no matter where I went, Arnold kept following me around inside the pen. He never tried to get my attention or anything, never bossed the other puppies. He just went wherever I went. And I don't know, you know how sometimes you just look at an animal and just...know? I guess I just kind of knew. And I guess maybe he felt the same about me.

So, I didn't really pick him. He picked me.

[penpoint]

[ So, he very obviously is intently listening to Grimm's story, and finds it totally fascinating, to be honest. It's not surprising to Rohan, if he's honest. He's paused looking for the picture to listen, to it takes him a few moments to respond. ]

I'm not shocked that your story is interesting. Thank you for sharing with me. A struggle and a hard-earned reward at the end always gives people hope.

[ He pushes a page back, and he reveals the page that he had sketched Grimm on. He holds it up to the Camera. In addition to just the sketch, he's added some flat colors with a marker for a few details here and there. ]

Since you told me the story, if you'd like, I wouldn't mind giving this to you.

[hagrides]

I'm afraid I have no real use for a picture of myself, expertly done though it is.

[He has Dave's MS Paint level drawings hanging up in his apartment, but that's Different.]

You're most welcome. It is a story particularly near and dear to my heart.

[penpoint]

[ Rohan shifts through the pages to find the one picture of Josuke in a sketchbook that he knows only has one, because he doesn't. Want. Josuke to know there's more than that. He'd have to die. Or kill Josuke. Finally he holds up what is probably the best of the drawings, and hopefully enough to satisfy Josuke. ]

I didn't shred it, it looks like.

[ See? ]

[penpoint]

Yes. People sharing their first hand experiences is still very useful because it's very real. I interview people often when working. [ Hah. Or just open them up like a book. ]

[riptidequeen]

Hm, I see. So anything in particular you're looking for in a story?