sassybluee-art

[sassybluee-art]

The Light And The Lion

written by @samanddean76 & illustrated by @sassybluee an original fiction, Original Intersex Character/Original Male Character story

A cavalcade of returning knights find themselves drawn to a clearing, where an offender stands chained. Bound by powerful magic, trapped and unable to escape. Some knights are virtuous and are allowed to pass unmolested. But others, have black hearts and dark desires. They are punished for their wickedness, before being dispatched from this world. Lux knows not how they came to be in the clearing; they only know that the swirling black cloud of smoke protects them. Assessing the men and rendering judgement. But one day a knight both virtuous, and knowledgeable in magic, sacrifices himself to set Lux free. It is then, that Lux realizes the truth. And plots to avenge all who were harmed by the devious machinations of a power-hungry elf. Most especially, the love of their life, an innocent boy named Leo. But as fate would have it, justice never tires of righting wrongs, even those that seem impossible to mend.

Read the fic on AO3

See the art on tumblr

[sassybluee-art]

Title: The Light & The Lion Author: SamandDean76 Artist: Sassybluee | Beta: jld71 Rating: Explicit | Word Count: 20,899 Ship: Original Intersex Character/Original Male Character (Lux/Leo)

Major Archive Warnings: Graphic Depiction of Violence (for background war recollections)

Tags: Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Magic, Fairy Tale Elements, Alternate Universe - Medieval, Star-Crosses Lovers, Curses, Magical Bondage, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Threats of Violence, Minor Violence, Threats of Rape/Non-Con, Death in Childbirth, Minor Character Death, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Transformation, First Meetings, First Kiss, First Time, Revenge, Or Justice, Disembodied Character, First Love, Undying Love, War, Desertion, Knights, Eventual Happy Ending, Written for Once Upon A Bang, Original Art by Sassybluee

Summary: A cavalcade of returning knights find themselves drawn to a clearing, where an offender stands chained. Bound by powerful magic, trapped and unable to escape. Some knights are virtuous and are allowed to pass unmolested. But others, have black hearts and dark desires. They are punished for their wickedness, before being dispatched from this world.

Lux knows not how they came to be in the clearing; they only know that the swirling black cloud of smoke protects them. Assessing the men and rendering judgement. But one day a knight both virtuous, and knowledgeable in magic, sacrifices himself to set Lux free. It is then, that Lux realizes the truth. And plots to avenge all who were harmed by the devious machinations of a power-hungry elf.

Most especially, the love of their life, an innocent boy named Leo. But as fate would have it, justice never tires of righting wrongs, even those that seem impossible to mend.

💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜

Link to Fic: AO3

Link to Art: Tumblr

This story was a long time coming, a random thought that took root in my mind back in the fall of 2022 and never let go. This is one iteration of Lux, the fairytale version, to go along with the @fairytalebang that was run on the @ficwip server. I have envisioned them a million different ways, but one aspect remains the same, their undying love for a boy who sees them just as they are, a work in progress who is trying their best to survive in a world that is often rigged against them. Leo is meant to be the best of us, and he strives to do what he can to make the world a better place. For everyone.

I need to thank @xpurdyglambertx and @masoena who were my principal cheerleaders. They listened to me ramble and then made me do something about it. Sounding boards, plot hole fillers, and endless wells of encouragement; I never could have done this without them.

I would like to invite everyone to please take a chance and enjoy a fantasy realm where everything is not as it appears, and love proves to be the most powerful magic of them all!

Excerpt below the cut:

The sky was dark with bloated rain clouds.  Lux knew the storm was drawing ever closer.  They hurried along the nearly hidden trail, moving faster and faster.  Lux needed to find Leo and his mother in order to thank them for the kindness that they had shown to Lux. 

The clearing opened up before Lux with little warning, and they drew to a stop.  The wagon was packed, and the encampment broken down.  Leo and Meg were ready to leave, to move on from this place that had witnessed such kindness towards Lux. 

Lux ran as fast as they could, but drew up short, hand flying to cover their mouth when they took in the obscene sight before them.  Leo was laid out upon a blanket, his head was bandaged, yet a red trickle had escaped and slid down his cheek.  He was deathly pale, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath he drew. 

Lux fell to their knees, fighting back the tears that threatened to cloud their vision.  To obscure their ability to accomplish the task at hand.  Trembling fingers reached out, and Lux’s eyes fluttered closed, yet they could still see all around them.  Leo’s aura was cloudy, no longer bright and shiny like it had been the previous evening.  Lux drew in a deep breath, called upon the ancient beings who dwelled within the trees that surrounded them, and chanted the words taught to them by their real father.  A man who had lived in peace and harmony with those who had nothing but contempt for him. 

The growing illumination was slow to build, and the trail of sparkling light extended from Lux’s fingertips to the wound on Leo’s head.  Lux held their breath, focused all of their concentration, and felt the power flow through them.  A gift to one who had been kind to one who was unloved and disdained by most. 

Lux watched the wound healing in their mind’s eye, observed the bone mending itself, the flesh knitting back together, the color returning to Leo’s cheeks.  He was no longer deathly pale.  His breathing evened out, and with a last shuddering gasp, Lux collapsed to the ground.  Lux felt gentle hands, shifting them, before a blanket was spread over them. 

“Just rest now, child.  And may ye be granted the eternal blessings!”  Meg’s voice was a soothing comfort, and it lulled Lux into stillness.  Lux looked at Leo and met hazel eyes that were no longer clouded by pain. 

Lux smiled softly at the boy before they surrendered themselves to the crushing weight of their actions.  Sinking into the darkness that was an old friend.  A familiar companion after having received so many beatings at the hands of their second father. 

[sassybluee-art]

I'm so thrilled to be able to share my artwork for @fairytalebang finally! It was an honour to work on art for this original character story by @samanddean76. Thank you for trusting me with your OCs!

The Light and the Lion is a wonderful story about love, survival, and revenge. I really hope you'll check it out!

Summary

A cavalcade of returning knights find themselves drawn to a clearing, where an offender stands chained. Bound by powerful magic, trapped and unable to escape. Some knights are virtuous and are allowed to pass unmolested. But others, have black hearts and dark desires. They are punished for their wickedness, before being dispatched from this world.

Lux knows not how they came to be in the clearing; they only know that the swirling black cloud of smoke protects them. Assessing the men and rendering judgement. But one day a knight both virtuous, and knowledgeable in magic, sacrifices himself to set Lux free. It is then, that Lux realizes the truth. And plots to avenge all who were harmed by the devious machinations of a power-hungry elf.

Most especially, the love of their life, an innocent boy named Leo. But as fate would have it, justice never tires of righting wrongs, even those that seem impossible to mend.

Pairing: intersex original character/male original character

Fandom: Original Work

Read now!

[sassybluee-art]

Once upon a time, in a server not so far away, a gaggle of mods conspired to unleash fairy tale themed fics to all those who dwelled in the land. A few of the bards told tales inspired by specific fandoms, but some brave (mayhap, foolhardy) souls, dreamt up a land all their own. And decided to spin tales never before heard anywhere...

On July 19th, I invite one and all to delve into a story about star-crossed lovers, both innocent yet possessed of powers that made malicious beings covet them and conspired to hold them against their wills. Not knowing that magic powered by love will always reign supreme. And that the Light will always find the Lion who will protect them to the bitter end...

Excerpt below the cut.

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Lux chased after the rabbit, watched it bound away from them, and took a path that only it knew.  Lux had been sent into the forest to gather an herb their father needed.  One that only showed itself in the deepest part of the summer heat.  Lux gave up their fruitless pursuit, knowing that they could never hope to match the speed and grace that the furry rodent wielded with such ease. 

Lux continued searching, seeking to make their father proud of them.  But then that could prove to be impossible, since the man they called father did not claim them as his child.  Lux was a means to an end.  An abomination, an outcast that…

“Hello.” 

Lux was drawn out of their dark thoughts, whirling around to face the danger that had rather helpfully announced itself.  Lux stared up at a lanky boy, who was standing with one bare foot crossed over the other, while he scratched at an itch on his upper arm.  His wool tunic was worn thin, and his leather chausses were patched in several places. 

He was clearly a peasant.  But he was also very clearly human.  Which meant he might be dangerous.  Especially to someone like Lux.  Who wasn’t pure.  Who shouldn’t exist. 

“Hello,” Lux responded, even as they began to draw themselves up, cautiously glancing about, needing a path identified so that they might be able to escape when he inevitably attacked them. 

“Um, are you hungry?” 

Lux could only stare at the boy, confused by his actions.  Didn’t he know what they were?  Couldn’t he tell?  Lux’s father said that all humans would know, with just a glance, that they were wrong and to be avoided.  If humans still approached, then they meant to do Lux harm. 

“Because my mother made a rabbit stew.”  He turned slightly to look back over his shoulder, making a motion with his arm to indicate that his mother and the stew were in an easterly direction from where they now stood. 

Lux’s eyebrows drew together, their confusion deepening.  Because this boy was being open and sincere.  He wasn’t yelling or threatening or demanding.  He was making a genuine and friendly offer to Lux. 

“What’s your name?”  Lux asked softly, trying to keep their voice even.  Not wanting to reveal what others seemed to know instinctively when they met them. 

“Leo,” he responded with a shy smile.  “What’s yours?” 

“Lux,” they responded without thinking.  Feeling like a thousand kinds of fools.    

“I like it.  It’s a pretty name.”  Leo’s warm tone broke through to them, forcing Lux to focus on the present, not the potential repercussions that may not even come to pass. 

“Thank you.  I like your name, too,” Lux said while a blush colored their thin cheeks. 

Leo smiled a wide, toothy grin, and Lux marveled at how easily he accepted them.  Lux’s father had warned them that humans only wanted one thing from elves, and it most certainly wasn’t their friendship.  In fact, that was the least likely option to be considered, because a human would never want to commit anything other than the filthy, depraved, and forbidden acts with a half-human, half-elven abomination such as Lux.

But the young boy who stood before them wasn’t judging them harshly, wasn’t scowling at them, wasn’t condemning them.  He was offering to share his meager food with a stranger whom he thought had a pretty name. 

Lux was unprepared for the swell of emotion in their chest, that rose from deep inside and bloomed until it had spread to encompass every part of them.  Left them feeling dizzy with want for what others considered to be normal and mundane.  A routine part of their day-to-day existence. 

[sassybluee-art]

My artwork for the @mdzsrbb! This pencil drawing of Jiang Yanli was really fun to work on, and took me a little out of my comfort zone!

@tavina-writes wrote the fic "good bones" to accompany it, a wonderful fic set during the Sunshot era, featuring Jiang Yanli and Nie Mingjue having some friendly correspondence.

That's all I'll say for now, you have to read the fic to see for yourself!

[sassybluee-art]

My babygirl Yolantha.

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I wanted to experiment with charcoal + pencil details! Pretty happy with how it went for a first try. And my first time drawing Morgana too!

[sassybluee-art]

A Galaxy of Stars

AO3 Link

Chapter [5/5]

Author: @sir-raina-art

Rating: Teen

Pairings: Dongfang Qingcang/Xiao Lanhua (background Jieli/Shangque)

Warnings: minor character death, canon-typical levels of violence

Tags: romance, drama, mystery, angst with a happy ending, 1920s AU, Actress!XLH, Mafia!DFQC

Also we've got another illustration from @sassybluee-art !! It is perfect for the last chapter ❤️

<- Previous Chapter | Previous Post

@lbfad-minibang

[sassybluee-art]

My second artwork for @sir-raina-art's actress!XLH fic, A Galaxy of Stars, for @lbfad-minibang. The final chapter will be posted today!

[sassybluee-art]

Finally, it's time to share my artwork for the @lbfad-minibang!

Presenting silent film actress Xiao Lanhua!

Big shoutout to @sir-raina-art for writing such a delightful fic to go with it!

Check it out now!

[sassybluee-art]

Happy to share my second art for @topxianbang featuring LWJ pondering an orb.

Check out the fic inspired by this art, an inter-dimensional wangxian love story written by DizziDreams!

[sassybluee-art]

My first artwork for the @topxianbang! Check out the fic that @omegaji wrote for it featuring omegaverse genderbent wangxian!

Only In A Dream

[sassybluee-art]

I was going through my camera roll and was reminded of this picture of a sketch I'd made. I was working on a modern Xiao Lanhua concept I had in mind, and I hadn't done her eyes yet. I kind of liked the "possessed" look she had, so I snapped a pic before adding in her pupils etc. Now, as much as I like the final product, "possessed XLH" is still something I think about.

I'd like to redraw it someday and go all-in on the possessed look!

Sidenote, this drawing is one of the first I felt happy about! Def a turning point in my recent art journey.

[sassybluee-art]

A couple Gerard sketches for your enjoyment.

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Charcoal sketch! This face angle can be tricky...

[sassybluee-art]

Yu Shuxin... or maybe a modern day Xiao Lanhua?

Inspired by these photos :)