[Kyar]

This contest deadline has been extended to end January 6th at 11:59 pm CST.

[yaksha.]

almost forgot to do this form Heck,,

they foretold the coming of something bright, but even a star could
not burn forever, and thus the shadow staining its other half was lost
to history. eventually, the light too, was forgotten.

link to form !

[Kyar]

Reminder!
There are two full days left to finish your forms!

Getting your ideas down (and not having a form labeled "wip" lol) is more important than style if you're pressed for time to finish. Remember - I'm judging primarily on your ideas for each kit!

[Jippy]

Mark!

[~Levi~]

"Without Knowledge, Skill cannot be focused. Without Skill, Strength cannot be brought to bear and without Strength, Knowledge may not be applied."

Username: ~Levi~
Name: Tsuki
Gender: male







Who have they become?

Tsuki has become a young warrior. A leader in the make shift army which consists of younger people despite his unknown heritage.
He lives in a large town in the far north, once a trading city with north, its wealth and population has declined since the empire (in which his town and country are situated in) have started invading neighbouring countries causing the trading to decline.
He has practised with spear shell since he was young, but can also fight with short knives and swords but is worse at anything projectile like archery.
He believes the place he grew up in was full of magic and therefore believes in it but has no proof.

trivia:
- he lives near the edge of the main area of town in a rather large house that he shares with two friends
- he flies around the towns border every morning and evening to make sure everything is well
- he wishes he knew magic but doesn't like to admit it as he sees it as something he's lacking - and therefore a weakness.
- he wears a red cape in battle so that his friends can see him and to also draw enemy fire.
- despite all the battle practise because the area is so desolate he has rarely been in a proper battle of more than 15-30 people.
- he wears his hear long as a symbol of her pride and honour, it is a tradition he has picked up from the towns people.



what he remembers:
- he remembers he had siblings, a younger sister and an older brother and maybe one other, but has no idea where she is now and his duty to his friends is stronger than his blood ties
- he can't remember much abut his parents, and although always curious about them figures that if they left him on his own then he should leave them alone.
- he doesn't remember much of his birth place only the snowy area he grew up in.

Personality:
- natural leader and has plenty of charisma
- good at making others laugh
- feels insecure about his wings as they make him stand out
- wants to be a good leader that people can relate to (on a small scale)
- very patient and will spend a long time practising his skills before putting them into use
- self confident in his skills and charm
- he has a lot of friends which helps him remain confident
- he is very loyal to comrades but can be hostile to outsiders, especially from the north.
- he cuts a rather imposing figure

Physical
- very good at using a spear
- his wings give him an advantage in the air but he is limited on the ground
- wants to practise archery more, but when in flight he finds it difficult to aim
- good with speed but mainly endurance in the air, rather slow on the ground
- usually walks on his hind feet, but uses his wings for balance - finds 'crawling' undignified

future ideas?

- going on the empires request as a guide for an imperial squad that have a mission into the northern wilderness across the mountain range. Due to multiple problems he ends up sticking along for the ride a lot longer than planned. he is reluctant at the beginning but slowly becomes more loyal to the individuals rather than the overall mission.

[Unleashed Squiid]

marking to see winner.

[Mima]

Username: Mima
Name: Haven
Gender: Female
Who have they become?:

finding haven.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇

She sets her head against the windowpane, staring into the setting sun.

The orphanage is meant for those like her, she tells herself. The world outside is cruel, the women in charge say. The ones out there, they'll eat you alive. The best thing to do is simply to stay, obey, and forget whatever it is in her head that draws her out.

In the back of her mind she recalls the feeling of her hair being caressed, she doesn't know how long ago. Her mind tells her this must have been one of the caretakers, but her heart tells her something different. She wants so desperately for it to be someone that truly cared about her, even once. But even that feels so distant, so unachievable, as words flash back into her mind.

"Pitiable."

"Broken."

"It's no wonder she's here- taking care of a child like that must be so hard on the parents."

Her face sinks to rest against the windowsill as she bites her lip, holding back tears again.

She always does this. Why does she recall these things, if they only hurt her? But like tears, once she starts, she can't stop. That, she thinks, is worse than any physical problems she may have. When she forgets all else but her burning desire to be anywhere but here. Here, safety. Haven. Again and again she asks herself why she'd trade safety for freedom.

So she pulls her legs up to her chest in the chair. Nestles her face between her knees. And, she does her best to muffle the sound of her crying.

The caged bird is safest.

But even a bird of clipped wings longs for the sky.

▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇

The sun had not yet shown its face this morning.

Seraph always awoke early for such things. A life on the road begged early rise. Though today, she wasn't playing her instrument nor researching. No, today, she had greater on her mind.

The orphanage, Mayewell's, was an imposing building- it must have been six stories tall, estimated the Kalon from the ground. Though the brickwork was ornate, in many areas, it was beginning to chip and wear away- a testament to its age. Seraph wasn't quite sure why she'd stopped, but-

Sometimes, when she looked at Yuriko, she felt her heart fill with regret. Pain, in knowing how many more there were just like her. Maybe it was idealistic, to hope to save every abandoned child from that path. But maybe. Just maybe. Maybe, she could save just one more- one at a time.

The inside of the building was just as outdated as the front. Though nothing was wrong with it, at the same time, it all seemed overused. She had spaced through most of the introduction, lost in thought. By the time she came back to, the interviewer was asking her questions.

"-has brought you today?"

"Oh... Y'know, empty nest," her words were awkward, but honest. Sure, Seraph had spent the past month pondering all the details of bringing home another child. But interviews were not a part of her blissful daydreams. "She won't admit it, but I think my mate is lonely without someone to look after."

"Mmm, so you're serious about it, then?" The owner of the orphanage peers over her glasses as Seraph gives a sharp nod. Indeed she was serious- though that didn't mean she'd warned her family first.

"So, your occupations-"

Ah. Maybe a lie would be better here.

▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇

The sun was high above the building when her door creaked open, rusty hinges squealing. Despite this, she was still laid on her bed, staring at the cracks in the ceiling above her. It wasn't worth the effort of getting up until lunchtime. She'd rather lose herself in daydreams.

"...and that's Haven." Her head turns towards the door as she catches the tail-end of a conversation about herself. Just outside stand the owner and a Kalon she's never seen before- another potential adopter, she presumes. The dark furred Kalon's eyes perk up a little at the sight of her, though in response, all Haven gives is a halfhearted "Hm."

"Mornin', Haven," come the overly cheerful words from the newcomer, who invites herself in. "I'm Seraph."

At this, the owner was instantly after her- catching Sera by the shoulder while she noses through the kit's things. (Haven didn't really mind, given her meager amount of possessions in the first place.) "Miss Sera, while I see you have taken interest in her..." Seraph turns her attention away from the baker's dozen children's books in the bookcase to look at her. "...you don't exactly have experience dealing with her... condition."

Though she tried to keep her voice low, Haven hears her anyway, and shifts a bit. Seraph notices this, her ears swiveling, and she clears her throat. "That's alright. Mind giving me a chance to talk to her alone?" At this suggestion the kit on the bed finally stirs, lifting her torso off the mattress.

This request seems to have taken the owner aback. Hesitantly, she nods, adjusts her glasses, and takes a few steps towards the door. "Then I'll be right outside. Shout if you need me." The door clicks closed behind her.

"...Do they think they're kidding anyone by calling it a 'condition'?" Haven was the first to speak up, something Seraph didn't expect- though it makes her smile anyway. Pausing a moment as her mind screams at her, getting close to a stranger, the kit considers if she should go on. Will she see her again anyway? No, likely not- so she may as well. "Watch out, you might catch no arms disease from me." This came with a tiny smile of self-loathing from the kit.

However, it also found one sincere laugh from Seraph. Haven looks up at the Kalon again, who was searching even more of her stuff- as if she had temporarily forgotten that she was supposed to be adopting a kit, and was instead engrossed in a treasure hunt. "At least you have a sense of humor about it! That's more than a lot of folks."

The compliment hits Haven like a truck, and she feels her heart skip a beat.

She's about to stammer out a response when Seraph pulls a golden chain from behind the books. Mesmerized by it, this yanks all of Seraph's attention away. So, Haven shakes her head, and prepares herself a bit better. Kicking herself off of the bed, she wobbles to her feet and goes to stand by Seraph's side.

Feeling something brushing up against her arm snaps Seraph out of her trance. "This... is yours?"

Haven nods. "It's a locket. There's something written in it, but no one I've ever met can read it."

This alone piques Seraph's curiosity, and she immediately flips the golden heart open. Indeed, inscribed is something in no language she's ever seen- not just foreign, but almost alien. "Where'd you get it?"

"I've always had it."

"Ah! So not only do you have a good head about you, you have mysteries, too!" This compliment, again, is whipped at Haven's head at nearly 80 miles an hour. Once more she nearly loses her balance, but ends up with her back to the bookcase as Seraph smiles. "That's perfect. My mate is an expert at finding all sorts of things out, you know. Oh- I guess I should tell you a little about us, too."

Haven braces herself for a wild ride.

▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇

It wasn't the first time they met that Seraph was allowed to take Haven in, but it all felt like such a blur.

Going from feeling unwanted to suddenly lighting up someone's life is a strange thing. It felt like being whisked off to a whole new world when Seraph even bothered to come back, let alone the third and fourth times. She hadn't even said anything when the Kalon had ceremoniously informed her she was finally cleared to adopt her. Just smiled.

"...I'll warn you, it's a long way home from here." Despite what she was saying, Seraph has a toothy grin directed at Haven.

"...that's okay."

"Even if it's dangerous?"

Haven takes a step forward, and rests her head against Seraph's shoulder. "As long as it's home."

▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇

Laughter is the first thing she hears, before even footsteps.

"You're sure up early. Enjoying yourself?" Seraph's voice makes Haven glance up, paintbrush in her mouth. The older Kalon raises her lantern to the new painting on the wall of her home- childishly vivid. On it, a scene of a great field of every color, and a great number of birds- and one in the foreground, being released from its cage.

Seraph turns to Haven, gesturing. "Well, I have good news. You won't have to paint in the dark too much longer."

Haven turns her whole body to look at the rising sun, placing her back, now, to her mural.

And behind her, the caged dove's wings spread- like those of an angel.

▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇

[1498/1500]

thanks so much for hosting this comp, kyar!
i only spotted it at the last minute though oops.
it was fun not just writing a new kit, but also developing my sera.
(she's needed something more to keep her interesting.)
good luck to everyone else!

[Phina D Wolf]

My Tryout with Marya D. and Kacchan,

[Kyar]

Oh boy - where to begin?

Everyone had such incredible ideas for this contest it became nearly impossible to choose. I loved all the different personalities, all the different timelines and stories and all the ways your kits interacted with the world - chose not to - loved - lost - forgave - sought revenge… the list goes on and on. I'm endlessly amazed with the talent in this community.

And as per the usual - making this final decision was agonizing.
I wish I could spend all the time in my day going on about all the forms that I loved - which included such a great number that I couldn't choose.
If you have any questions at all as to why your form wasn't chosen or want feedback from me - please feel more than welcome to PM me about it!! All I ask is that these kinds of conversations come to me via PM rather than on the thread. I know you all worked incredibly hard and so many of you deserve great praise for it!!


I suppose that's enough talk - without further ado… the winners of the kits!!

Coming Storm goes to…
Marsh

Bleak Thunder goes to…
Sixbane

Shattered Dawn goes to…
MrBoodle


To keep a very very long story brief - I adored how you developed each of your kits through their struggles and how they chose to face them - both alone and together. The elements of sibling bonds that stuck were unforgettable - but it was each individual character really coming through that ended up being the final push for this form. Reading through each story I got to know Tagiane, Telantes, and Tabbris as unique individuals with their own goals and their own way to go - as well as the ties that preserved their bond and reunited them all in the end. The effort put into your forms was absolutely evident and I wish you all the very best for your kits - and whatever future they may hold!!


Now of course there were a great number of forms who came immensely close. I can't award HMs or RUs but I wanted to acknowledge a few more users whose work was unforgettable and so incredible to read!! In no particular order except that generally it's in the order the forms were posted per kit - I'd like to give shoutouts to this crowd!! :)

kacchan, - Phina D Wolf - marya d. (partners!!)
FluffyBirdie - sicknasty (partners!!)
Takk
Dreamlight
neongraveyard
Fiern
Diamond Sapphire
waffle02
Peppermint Mist
hanzo.
caius
Mima
Vagabond
Silver Pandorica


And then very last of all… these forms came so darn close I felt I had to give you something for your dedication. I can't offer much but if you'd like a piece of artwork from me please PM me with details!! I'll do a small digital sticker-style drawing of any character of any species (humans are fine too!) Thank you so much for letting me share in your great work!!

sun struck
Incomprehensible
kanadensis


I think that's everything… Thank you!!! Winners will be added to the respective refs asap and I'll post in the archives as quickly as I can manage here! Please feel more than welcome to contact me with any questions, feedback, or even suggestions for future readoptions I'm sure I'll do down the line!! Thank you all so much!!

[~Levi~]

congrats!