dcspicables

[dcspicables]

DAWN:

“ is that jealousy speaking ?  perhaps you solely haven’t perfected your subway drawing skills yet. “  as somebody who also drew and sketched a fair amount herself she was obviously aware of the truth behind his words. never trust the internet, especially not tiktok. his comment on her shirt made her look down, before her gaze traveled back up from her cropped leather criss cross top to settle firmly on what he was wearing.  “ that’s bold coming from the man that made the innovative fashion choice of wearing a hoodie but to each their own i guess. the problem, however,  was definitely the eyes. ”  leaning back in her chair and returning his sketchbook to him, a slight smirk crept up on her lips as she gestured for him to do whatever he wanted to the drawing. “ i’m not sure you can afford to hire me as a model but go ahead. maybe i can be convinced, i do have a bit of a soft spot for actually good art. “

❝ maybe i don’t have a lot of free time to spend going back on forth on the subway in hopes of finding a model. i’m a busy guy, you know ?? ❞ echo replied back, any attempt of seriousness washed away by the playful undercurrent in his tone. it was all in good fun and echo knew not to take the banter too seriously. her response had a laugh bubble out past his lips and he shook his head, glancing down at the sweatshirt in question. ❝ hey —  i’ll have you know i get a lot of compliments on this hoodie at work. it’s a real hit. ❞ echo grinned, accepting the sketchbook back and cocking his head to the side as he studied her eyes. ❝ oh yeah ?? how much is your fee ?? and am i getting the friends and family discount right now ?? ❞ her words have his lips twitch before he settled his attention back down onto the drawing and getting back to work. he’s focused on fixing the eye shape when he peeked up at her through his peripheral vision. ❝ i do strive for actually good art. who knows, maybe when i’m done you can have a go at my likeness. ❞

[dcspicables]

dannymitchell​:

“dude, i’m sure it’s great. as someone that has like zero drawing skills outside of like drawing stick figures. bet it’s fucking amazing compared to what i’d pull out of my ass,” danny replied with a laugh and moving to check out what echo had gotten done so far. “bro, that’s so fucking good, are you kidding me?” he asked, peering down at the sketch of him. “i know i’m hot, but damn. that’s real sexy,” he said, chuckling lightly. “i could go for some coffee or ice cream right about now too, wanna head over?” danny asked. “as you said, my treat.” 

❝ stick figures can be cool —  everyone starts somewhere, yeah ?? stick figures today and picasso tomorrow. well, metaphorically speaking, of course. ❞ regardless, echo watches the other with silent excitement, chocolate hues staying latched onto his visage as he waits for a reaction. echo’s smile is immediate. as is the blush that climbs up his cheeks. ❝ i’m glad you like it, ❞ he answers mildly before adding, ❝ you’re a solid model to daw. your eyes are very expressive. ❞ echo’s smile widens as he nods and gestures to the drawing. ❝ you can keep it if you want. but i’m always done for food so let’s go. fair warning, i’m extremely indecisive so you may have to choose between the coffee and ice cream. ❞

[dcspicables]

yohanisms​:

A look of amusement settled on his features as he learned he wasn’t the only one in this situation tonight. “Good for him for doing his job, but perhaps he’s doing it too well.” Yohan mused with a chuckle. “Yeah, I completely get that, next time I’m dressing myself for something like this. I feel like I look like my mom shoved me into my older brother’s suit for church. But don’t be too hard on yourself, you look really nice, arguably better than I do for a lot less.” 

echo grinned over at him. ❝ a little too well that’s for sure. i swear he stared at my i.d for a solid thirty seconds before giving me a shirley temple. i asked for a vodka cranberry, ❞ he laughed and held up the obnoxiously red drink in question. ❝ i mean — it’s good. a little heavy on the grenadine, but i’m just curious why he thinks this event is something teenagers would care to sneak off to on valentine’s day. ❞ the compliment is quick to put echo at ease from his initial worries over his suit and he shot a smile over at the brunette. ❝ thanks, man. who looks better is debatable ‘cause i feel like i’m close to looking like i’m about to be handing out communion. who knows though, if there’s an afterparty somewhere at a church then at least we’ll both be the best dressed. ❞

[dcspicables]

rosethrns​:

location: valentines day gala.

availability: open for everyone. ( @lalastarters​ )

squeezing through a couple of chairs that were clearly standing too close to one another to attempt such a stunt, she cursed under her breath when her dress got caught on one of the people sitting there. “ sorry, excuse me ? “   she asked, raising her voice a little to be heard over the never ending tune of grenade by bruno mars, since she couldn’t actually turn around to free herself. at least not without risking to rip the dress.  “ i’m really sorry to disturb you but i think my dress got caught on you somehow. do you think you can get it free maybe ? “ 

echo was fairly certain that the prominent ache in his feet was in part his own fault for his lack of fancy dress attire and having to resort to whatever the nicest options were at a rental place nearby to his apartment. maybe he’ll take this as a sign to invest in such a wardrobe rather than his pitiful range of dark washes skinny jeans and vintage t-shirts. all it led to was echo lamely sitting at one of the tables sipping on his vodka cranberry while waiting for his feet to feel less like they were going to fall off at any given moment. echo is soon broken out of his thoughts by a voice next to him and the close proximity of a body warming his side. chocolate hues blink over and realizes his belt is somehow becoming one with her dress. ❝ oh, shit. my bad. um... ❞ echo squints down in an attempt to see the problem but his contacts can only do so much to help in the dimness of the room. ❝ i can’t see it that well to save your dress. do you think —  can we strategically shuffle off to one of the bathroom hallways for some light ?? maybe we can see the issue better. ❞

[dcspicables]

viviantion​:

taking a sip of her drink, she absentmindedly nods before noticing the other’s prolonged silence. her gaze to shifts from the crowd and meets their endless stare. “ has my beauty stunned you? ” she deadpans, setting the drink down before crossing her arms.

(  valentine’s gala  )   @lalastarters​

echo can immediately feel the heat climb up his neck and tint his cheeks pink from being called out so blatantly. but there’s a reason !! he’s not just being a creep. ❝ i mean —  you look great it’s just, ❞ echo clears his throat, already feeling like a freaking idiot when he shuffles closer. ❝ to preface ... i’m not trying to be creepy. i was trying to find a discreet way to tell you that you have toilet paper stuck to the bottom of you shoe. which, by the way, you have toilet paper stuck to the bottom of your shoe. ❞

[dcspicables]

yohanisms​:

@lalastarters​​

Location: valentines gala

Time: evening

“The bartender thought I was using a fake ID, and honestly I don’t know whether I’m flattered or insulted by that.” Yohan mused as he loosened his tie slightly. “I thought people were supposed to look more mature in a suit, but apparently it’s the opposite for me.”

echo couldn’t help but snort at what was said as he tugged at his own tie. ❝ that happened to you too ?? he must be getting paid a good amount to go that hard on fakes, ❞ echo replied, lifting his drink up for a sip. ❝ guess we should take it as a compliment though. maybe the suits bring out the baby face a little more. you look good though —  i like the suit. mine feels like i’m heading off to sunday mass, but this was the best thing at the rental place. ❞

[dcspicables]

ADELAIDE:

        adelaide raised an eyebrow, listening to the other speak. ten minutes is a short time to do a proper sketch of somebody, no matter who they are. however, she watched as the other turned the drawing around to show her. “ it’s nice! ” she nodded her head, letting out a small giggle as she turned the picture around and smiled right beside it. “ so, you’re not taking tips but caffeine, ice cream, or unwavering adoration instead… i can sit here and adore you all day but which one would you like? ”

echo can't help but watch with bated breath as adelaide takes in the drawing. he knows he's talented enough to warrant a job creating character concept art for a living, but that's a completely different ball game compared to drawing a portrait of someone. even if, you know, this was was done in ten minutes as some sort of challenge to himself. he wants adelaide to like it — to see herself in it, rather than some similar semblance of maybe if she squinted her eyes just right. nevertheless, adelaide's response immediately brings an grin to echo's features. ❝ you think so ?? i was worried that ten minutes wouldn't be enough to get it to resemble you. ❞ though, her enthusiasm manages to put his concerns at ease. ❝ hmm...❞ echo feigns an expression of deep consideration at her question, bringing a hand up to stroke his non-existent beard. ❝ as much as i love unwavering adoration, i think a coffee wins for today. i didn't get much sleep last night so a coffee will help me from passing out in the shrubbery outside. ❞

[dcspicables]

ERIKA:

optics will narrow, as light fingers trace scribbled semblance on paper. “ maybe you’ll get a better sense of my face shape with that little more time. ” forearm nudges other’s side, frame swiftly hopping to own feet. “ wouldn’t necessarily call myself an artist, i just doodle random shit behind the counter when there’s no scheduled appointments. i’ve still got some tricks up my sleeve, though. ” words pair with shrug of shoulders, flashing pearly whites at very mention of shared treat. “ fine, we can share, but only if you have good taste. which we’ll be putting to the test today, surprise me. ” chin tilts, motioning for acquired comapny to follow suit.

the corners of his lips are quick to flicker upward at the nudge to his side, amusement dancing across his features as chocolate hues watch her stand up. ❝ maybe, ❞ echo agrees while he gathers the paper and stands. ❝ guess we'll have to see whether i end up getting you stamp of approval by the end of this. ❞ there's a brief moment of hesitance on echo's part before a grin breaks across his visage. ❝ if not then i may just have to spend more time with you to get it right. ❞ when given the knowledge that she, too, enjoys to draw, it unlocks a part of echo happy to have come across with the same interests as him. ❝ that's how most artists start off though, ❞ he counters with raised brows. ❝ oh, trust me. i don't doubt you about your tricks. maybe next time you can sketch me. ❞ echo leaves his offer as it is, knowing not everyone likes to share their drawings and especially so when it's more so a personal hobby than anything else. what she says next has echo chuckle. ❝ i'm biased, of course, but i have to say my taste is superior. though, give me a hint — do you enjoy taking risks or sticking with the classics you know and love ?? ❞

[dcspicables]

DEAN:

“I am mildly impressed you found a way to make that positive. I suppose every skill we’re not good at is one we simply need to refine. Though I’ve never really been all that creative.” He mused in response. “Can I really keep it? Are you sure?” He questioned, glancing down at the paper before back at the man across from him. “Yeah, like a soft serve ice cream in coffee, it’s like…an extra sweet and creamy coffee; kinda similar to a coffee milkshake. Probably not good to have everyday, but it’s nice if you like coffee and have a sweet tooth.”

❝ thanks, man. customer service work leads to innovation in how to turn a negative into a positive. and how to get middle aged women to stop bitching at you, ❞ echo nods at what's said next and offers an encouraging smile. ❝ yeah, go right ahead. i wouldn't offer if i didn't mean it. ❞ there's a brief pause that widens the width of his grin. ❝ unless it is actually kind of janky and you're looking for a way to get rid of it. then the garbage is right there, ❞ echo snickers with a point to the garbage. ❝ that atcually sounds delicious. i can't believe i've never heard about it until now. but i guess there's no time like the present to try it out, yeah ?? ❞

[dcspicables]

GABRIELLE:

the compliment - was it a compliment? she was certainly going to take it as one - caused a light flush to appear on her cheeks, briefly looking down in her own sheepish demeanour. “i can’t say i’ve ever heard that one before, but i’ll definitely take that and run with it.” dark eyes wandered to the drawing once again, lightly tracing her finger over a section of the pencil work. “okay, but what’s your favorite flavor? because if it’s even close to rum and raisin i think you’ll be buying your own.” a small joke, paired with a enthusiastic grin.

there’s a moment of panic that flashes through echo as he considers what he just said and whether or not it could be interpreted the wrong way. he meant it as a compliment  — in his mind it was a compliment, but his brain to verbalization skills often lacked a processing filter. ❝ did that sound like a compliment ?? because i meant it as one and not in a weird way. so...yeah, ❞ echo flounders, chocolate hues widening as his own blush paints his cheeks pink to match hers. instead, he knits his eyebrows in thought and focuses his attention on the drawing, gaze following her finger tracing the sketch outlines in an attempt to will away to color on his face. her question momentarily has echo forget his embarrassment and he looks up in perplexity. ❝ rum and raisin ?? are you messing with me ?? i feel like it’s a blessing i’ve never heard about that flavor before in my life. but i was just gonna be simple and say cookie dough. ❞

[dcspicables]

DAWN:

“ i’ve seen those drawing strangers in the subway videos and they always look brilliant so i will not accept any weak excuses. ”  she replied with a bit of a smirk before leaning forward to take ahold of the sketch he had just created of her, her eyes quickly scanning the paper in front of her. honestly it was good but admitting that was not in her nature. raising an eyebrow, her gaze traveled to the artist again.  “ i don’t think you quite got my eyes right. ”  leaning forward he brought her face closer to his for him to get a better look at her eyes.  “ see ?!  i don’t spend money or adoration on subpar art. especially when the model is this exquisite.”

❝ see, i feel like there’s some hidden discrepancies with those subway artists. the train bumps around and rattles all the time, plus the random strangers who keeps backing into your space. seems a little unrealistic that they manage to keep straight lines with no erasure marks but that’s just my opinion, ❞ echo answers back in a feigned conspiring whisper, but unable to keep the amused expression from dancing across his features. at the mention of the eyes, echo leans forward to peek at the drawing. ❝ huh — weird. i thought you would mention the shirt. it’s not the most appealing thing but that’s less to do with my skill and more so your questionable taste in fashion, ❞ his tone is kept light, filled with playful teasing and no ill intent whatsoever. echo grins at what she says next. ❝ ah, i see. well i hope you know i only hire the most of exquisite of models. if you have five more minutes i can fix the eyes to your standard. ❞

[dcspicables]

GABRIELLE:

“believe me, i don’t usually have the pleasure of a random stranger offering to draw me every single time i venture out for coffee. i think i’d even be amazed by a stick figure that vaguely looks like me.” a soft chuckle, bright eyes averting to gaze at the sketch when offered to her. “woah. this is pretty incredible. and you do this for a living?” a pause, wide smile on her face. “i was going to offer a couple of dollars. but i could opt for coffee or ice cream instead. take your pick!”

the stranger’s words easily cause a grin to appear on his features and echo shakes his head with a chuckle. ❝ interactions with strangers can either be a hit or miss, but i’m glad you agreed. my mom used to love forcing me to sit down and watch those old fifties movies that she liked and you have that old hollywood kind of vibe — if that makes sense ?? hopefully that doesn’t come across as creepy, ❞ echo replies sheepishly as he considers his words and the drawing which when combined may not serving in his favor. her smile has him pause before offering his own. ❝ ice cream sounds nice actually. i’m still trying to get used to the heat over here so i think ice cream will help me cool down more than coffee could. ❞

[dcspicables]

ERIKA​:

knitted brows perk up at mere sight of illustration, gaze soon settling on grandiose artisan himself. “ it’s nice and all, but you could use a little work. ” farcical timbre rolls off tongue effortlessly so, arms folding over chest on instinct. “ how about you get me some ice cream and i’ll share some of my tips with you, sounds like a much better deal if you ask me. ”

❝ i’m sure with a little more time it could be better, ❞ echo settles on in mild agreement, head cocked in thought as he considers the drawing. ❝ i think i may have messed up your face shape a little bit. you definitely look better than this drawing though. ❞ it takes echo a moment to process what he says and he coughs, bringing a hand up to pull the drawing back over to him. ❝ are you an artist too ?? as long as we can share said ice cream then i’m on board. you want any kind in particular or do you like surprises ?? ❞

[dcspicables]

DEAN:

“Don’t discredit yourself, I have the artistic skills of a two year old, so anything you do is already above and beyond my expectations.” Dean mused, letting his eyes move to take in the drawing as he was shown it. “See, that’s fuckin amazing.” He praised. “I don’t know about adoration, but have you ever had ice cream in your coffee?” 

❝ two year olds have an unlimited imagination so it’s not an inherently bad comparison — only means there’s room for growth, yeah ?? kind of like a muscle that you just have to train to stretch a bit, ❞ echo answers, studying the other as he took in the picture and allowing the ends of his lips to pull upward in a smile. ❝ you can keep it if you want. ❞ echo pauses as he considers the other’s words and his mouth opens but words momentarily fail him. ❝ that’s something you can do ?? wouldn’t it just melt ?? ❞ it’s a concept that mildly confuses him but echo is fascinated all the same.

[dcspicables]

TRAVIS​:

travis stared at the drawing in hand, his face clearly in awe as he looked up, his lips pulling into a crooked grin, “dude…this is dope. seriously, you should do this for a living or something, man. you’re like…fucking bob ross man.” he grinned, setting the sketch down and shrugging, “coffee? i can do that, i can simp for ya too if you want, i’m good for it.”

the pure expression of awe on the brunette’s features immediately pulled echo’s lips into a grin, a warmth blooming throughout him at the praise. he did do this for a living, but it was nice to make other people happy with a sketch of themselves. ❝ i’ve never been compared to bob ross before and that’s a compliment in itself so thank you, dude. though, this is essentially what i do for a living but a more simplified version, ❞ echo answers but perks at the agreement to coffee. ❝ a caramel latte with oat milk and a side of simping — sounds good to me. the simping can be reciprocated after the coffee and it can be a mutual admiration fest. ❞

[dcspicables]

❝ just to preface — this is all within ten minutes so you may have to lower your expectations when it comes to detail. i’m good but not that good, ❞ echo admits as he peers down at the drawing he sketched for the person in front of him and turns it so they can see. ❝ what do you think ?? i accept gratitude in the form of caffeine, ice cream, or unwavering adoration. ❞

[dcspicables]

[[xiao dejun, cis man, he/him]] — wait i could have sworn that was [zihao “echo” zhao] we just walked by, the [twenty-three] year old is a [character concept artist] who has been living in the city for [one year]. normally i see them wandering around [the historic district] but they apparently like to [go hiking] in their free time so that could explain why they’re here.  if you ask their friends they’re known to be [amicable] & [assiduous], but i’ve also heard some rumours about them being [reticent] & [peevish]. something about them really reminds me of [endless collection of books with weathered spines and highlighted passages, an exhale that feels like freedom at the idea of starting fresh, & the deep ache in your muscles after a long hike] but maybe that’s because they’re a [virgo].

BIOGRAPHY HERE

THE BASICS

name: zhao zihao

nicknames: echo

gender: cis man

pronouns: he/him

age: twenty-three

date of birth: september 19th

astrological sign: virgo

place of birth: anchorage, alaska

nationality: american

ethnicity: chinese

OCCUPATION & EDUCATION

education: bachelor’s degree in graphic design at the rhode island school of design

previous occupations: barista at a local starbucks throughout college

current occupation: character concept artist at a popular video game developer

ROMANCE & ATTRACTION

relationship status: single

sexual orientation: bisexual

romantic orientation: biromantic

longest relationship: ten months

APPEARANCE

height: 5″8′

weight: 146lbs

build: ectomorph with toned muscles

hair colour: black

hair style: typically styled out of his face

eye colour: dark brown

clothing style: business casual though during his free times it’s typically vintage band t-shirts with hoodies and doc martens

tattoos: none but is considering getting some

piercings: has both ears pierced

defining features: his jawline & eyebrows

PERSONALITY

positive traits: amicable & assiduous 

negative traits: peevish & reticient 

likes: long hikes, morning runs, stargazing, & oat milk in his coffee

dislikes: people snoring, rudeness, littering, & the heat

HOBBIES & SKILLS

notable skills: drawing, painting, & solving sudoku puzzles in under ten minutes

secret talents: can sing & cook

languages spoken: english, mandarin, & cantonese