#yeagg Dust was a whole process to properly design

[spotaus]

Hi guys. You're never gonna believe it but I ACTUALLY drew New Age Dust his reference sheet! (More info + crops under the cut!)

Sooo Dust and Horror were cursed early on because they were only ever in wip stages (really loose sketches) and so I've been very vague with describing them smh... Dust in particular.

For a close-up, this is his main-story design! (Minus his mask). And the most important bits I've changed since my last two versions are the shoulder-cloak/hood combo, and the silver/steel armor plating. I felt like Dust would want sonething heavier to conseal him than those hoods attached to the shoulder armor (what I initially had) and then the armor is silver rather than gold for stealth purposes! Much less flashy, plus then it draws attention to Nightmare's crest!

^ Images of mind I used as loose refs. Ultimately? He needed less armor and more dark layers that would obscure his shape but not hinder his movement. (Also that Blaster is NOT canon. That man doesn't have the energy for it...) I think my favorite subtle detail is that Dust's og red sketch has feathers attacked to his hood. I retconned that and moved them to his hip!

Then, ofc, the post-story version of Dust's mission outfit! Mostly the same, but he gains a LOT of crystal spells from Geno (the ones on his hip are for the auto-saddle and smth else surely horse-related. The one on his arm is to reinforce the gauntlet.) He also gets a sign of marriage from Reaper and Geno! In Sanctuary it's customary for the proposer to offer a family-based jewelry item, motifs travel through generations. Reaper, as royalty, uses the laurel crowns. But since Dust isn't joining them full time in Sanctuary and is still loyal to serve under Nightmare, Reaper and Geno decide to give him a laurel pin instead! He doesn't wear it out usually on missions, but public events like balls or meetings with other kingdom's rulers he'll bring it out (both to show off his amazing husbands subtly AND to show that there's some sort of alliance between Orchard and Sactuary). And then my final note is the eye marks! Those *usually* only show when one lives in Sanctuary for years. But by being close to Reaper (ruler) the magic kinda takes a liking to Dust and clings to him even after he leaves. Though they do start to fade after a couple of months. Ofc, once the three soul-bond it stays put haha- Eaxh of these elements are added over the course of years, but eventually this is the vibe!

Then off to the far right is a casual fit heavily inspired by Ancha!! In several first Dust has been described as wearing a beanie and I HAD to try sketching him out lol!

Oh and a bonus?

Approximately their actual height difference. Guys when I call Dust small I am NOT kidding. This guy like... his soul literally quit after he hit puberty for the first time and it SHOWS. He's gotten a bit more mature-looking over the years, grown a frw inches, the rough + tumble life hit him hard, but he seems youthful and handsome if you're just catching glimpses 🙏

Tbf though, Geno is unusually tall and Reaper can float so he looks downright miniscule beside them 😅

Aaaaand that's all I've got for now! Just know I think about these guys constantly and Dust will continue to grow on me now that I like his design lol.