#dragon dreamverse (au)

[hyliagirl42-art]

I am taking way too long making official redesigns of my dreamverse links to show off so have some random doodles. Part one because tumblr doesnt wanna let me do all of them at once

[draconscious]

@ancient-pokehistorian (continued from here / fire & steel au.)

Pascale's demand doesn't register at first. In the breathless moments following the shadowed strike, Clair can only see red, can only hear the shrill whine of anger screeching in her ears, her pale features flushing with heat as she white-knuckles her blade and prepares to chase after the royal's mysterious assailant. How dare they? How dare they?!

"Let them go!"

The Queen of Vanitas finally makes herself heard, wincing with the exertion, and Clair snarls in feral protest, her shoulders heaving with panted restraint. The advisor's trembling free hand presses a worn cloth against Pascale's wound, trying to staunch the bleeding of the (thankfully shallow) slash. That's right. That's right...

Despite the adrenaline currently thundering through her veins, Clair must not give into the hunt right now. Tending to the queen remains--as always--her number-one priority. Still, she's smoldering--and Pascale's next words prompt a hot flare of incredulity.

"No," Clair retorts forcefully, before she can stop herself. "You are not attending any balls. Or any events at all. Not in this state, and not when somebody clearly is sending for your head." Despite the fire informing Clair's words, her attentiveness to Pascale's injury remains exceedingly gentle and tender.

"You also underestimate the severity of this injury. It's going to be impossible to hide from the public, it may even require stitches, and if...if I hadn't been here, if the assassin's dagger had struck true..." The advisor trails off and gulps, shaking her head derisively. She's not even close to budging her stance on this, stubborn and overprotective as always.

"...I'm going to lock the castle down until I find whoever did this. And then, they will answer for what they just attempted to do, lest I rend them to pieces."

Her thoughts burn. Just try to convince me to do otherwise. I dare you.

[sunnydayzed]

For some reason my ponysona, Sunny Daze, has been getting a lot of attention so I decided to make him a reference sheet!

He currently exists in two AUs, the Rising Sun Verse of my own making and the Dreamverse by @misstoonz, my sister!

Base by CosmosArtist-188 on Da

Background by AStoKo on Da

Some quick basics;

Name: Sunny Daze Aka Solaris

Pronouns: He/They

Age: (Rising Sun) 284 (Dreamverse) 24

Species: Equine Hybrid

Some character detail rambling below VVV

He was not born with this white, gold and blue coloration, and was instead born with a dark blue coat, blond hair and pink eyes, but as he grew up and inherited the aspect of the Sun, his appearance changed, and he went from a unicorn to an alicorn.

His origin is from the exalted universe, where he's half Dorchadas (People of the air, a near extinct race of winged humans.), a quarter human, and a quarter dragon (grandson to the immaculate dragon of air, Mela).

Currently his mlp hybrid status is one half Pony, a quarter Tulpar (Winged horse, but different than the pegasus, known less for flight and more for speed. Origin; Central Asia), and a quarter Dragon (Specifically Eastern/Chinese Dragon) This... May change, as I'm basically trying to take a semi human character and as directly as possible transfer the details to mlp

This transfer to mlp has been a bit hard to figure out for me, as Pegasi exist and are prolific in the mlp verse, so I tried to find another horse/bird hybrid that would work. Now, I wasn't sure if Hippogryphs or Griffins would work, especially if I had two species with front claws (I'm including dragons in on this) so I instead decided to look elsewhere, and fudge which species took what slot.

This mixed heritage has produced some interesting results in Sunny's appearance, such as with his front hooves having three individual toes and a 'thumb'/dew claw, which he can grab with. Along with this, he has teeth adjusted more for meat, as he is mostly carnivorous, though can be semi omnivorous.

Tulpar are horses that have wings but don't use them for flight, if I've read everything correctly, and instead run as fast as a bird, making them uncatchable and untameable. I'm essentially translating Dorchadas pretty much one to one into the mlp verse as Tulpar, though Tulpar are specifically horses and not ponies, like Pegasi are in mlp, as well as living in plains and not mountains, like Dorchadas.

Due to this I thought it would be more fitting if Sunny was half pony instead of half Tulpar, with Tulpar giving him extra height and extra feathering in his tail. And on top of this, his wings are specifically shaped after Peregrine Falcons so :3

[hyliagirl42-art]

Color wheel challenge, featuring some of my Links!! If yall have questions about any of them, let me know :3

[hyliagirl42-art]

Most of the art ive been doing lately is low effort totk doodles that i dont wanna post yet but heres some more dreamverse stuff! Im trying to make my designs for time and dragon look different from lu time and warriors, idk if ive managed that with dragon yet but time is getting there for sure!

Also the first doodle is legend in a pretty bow because she likes to look pretty sometimes (genderfluid legend lets goooo happy pride month)

[hyliagirl42-art]

Dreamverse doodles part two!!

[draconscious]

@ancient-pokehistorian / of fire & steel (au)

Clair is hurting everywhere.

The adrenaline coursing through the advisor's system had all but dried up upon her exit from the royal throne room, Clair managing to maintain the façade of good health until she nearly collapses into her chambers, dirty armor rattling as the platings are hastily discarded to all corners of the well-kept domain. Gods, it feels so good to be back...and the steam from her private bath feels even better.

The hot water reveals all. Assorted cuts, bruising and stubborn dirt mottle the exile's pale skin, and an angry, blistering burn races up the musculature of her arm. Clair grits her teeth amidst the soapy bubbles, trying in vain to scrub the earth from beneath her fingernails. Everywhere hurts. Truthful to her word, the warrior turned reluctant diplomat had not charged into any fights, but countless bandit encounters and a Boariler stampede had left their mark on the hardened dragon wielder. (If only Pascale was by her side to ward off those dangers.)

Pascale. Clair feels her face flush as she stumbles from the bath with a pained groan. How she had missed her throughout this year away. And yet...how could she even begin to describe the feelings welling up in her heart upon seeing the queen of Vanitas again? The advisor towels off and slips into a light robe, falling onto her bed and sighing deeply. Damp blue locks pool around her, tension begins to drain from her sore shoulders, and--even though the royal dinner nears--Clair feels so exhausted. Pascale deserves to see the exile at her best, so...

Perhaps a little nap wouldn't hurt. She deserves this much.

[draconscious]

(From Pascale, Fire & Steel)

@ancient-pokehistorian // bingo machine, go!! [fire and steel au]

"That's a lot of, um...bingos," Clair mumbles, trying in vain to stop her face from reddening in front of the Queen. "That's good, but it's just a silly little game. A thought experiment. I didn't expect you to--" (How did Pascale get ahold of this? Jules? Eudes? Hm.)

"For the record, I will be worrying and fussing over you, whether you like it or not..." the advisor grumbles. "It's my job."

[draconscious]

♦

WRITING WARM-UP DRABBLES | no longer accepting

“If you are not in perfect shape, then there’s still a lot to be desired.” - John Yau, “Exhibits”

"Get up.”

Clair’s stern, cold tone reverberates around the training grounds, sending chills across the windswept castle lawn. The warrior-turned-advisor looms over Jules as the servant girl hurriedly scrambles back to her feet. It’s late, and--aside from the two women--there’s nobody present to witness their secretive, moonlit session.

“You have the spirit, but your form is still pathetic,” Clair points out bluntly, rolling her eyes as she steadies her practice staff for another round. “Come on, again. Don’t you dare waste my time.”

Despite their rocky relationship, the veteran had begrudgingly agreed to train Jules in self-defense after hearing enough of the servant’s persistent pitches. And, over the course of these midnight lessons, the pair was productive together--Clair loved any excuse to train harder, and Jules was proving to be quite the attentive, resilient student. The Dragon Clan exile worked her into the ground during every session, but Jules always returned for another round...even if progress itself was hard-earned and slow.

Clair’s staff strikes are swift and purposeful, and Jules barely has time to defend herself from the the rain of blows--whack, whack, whack. And yet, the castle’s gossip grunts...and holds strong. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees her own staff start to splinter from the contact, sees the cold glimmer of battle in Clair’s eyes...and an idea pops into her head.

A few sessions ago, in the middle of criticizing Jules’s fitness and form (the usual), Clair explained that outmatched targets could easily take down their foes with a little craftiness, listing every pressure point and weak spot on a person’s body. Unfortunately for Clair, Jules was a fast learner...and this particular lesson would prove to be very useful.

As the warrior readies another crushing blow, Jules suddenly lowers her staff and drives it precisely into her opponent’s thigh...an innocuous blow, but a crushing dead leg all the same. With a surprised gasp, Clair collapses to one knee, seething as Jules dares to level the splintered wood at her neck. It’s the servant girl’s first win, and as the advisor struggles back to her feet, it’s clear that Clair is not taking defeat well.

“Again. This time, I’m going to crush you,” she growls, almost dragon-like, but Jules shrugs off her teacher’s hostility with a knowing grin, still relishing the important victory as she raises her shoddy staff for another go.   

[draconscious]

@3000yearmonarch​ said: (Fire and Steel) "Clair, you seem positively exhausted today, and we've barely begun." Pascale pursed her lips, moving her face closer to Clair's and brushing a strand of hair away. "Did you have a bad night or something? Nightmares?"

“...I feel perfectly capable right now, my queen,” Clair retorts sharply, instinctually. She can’t hide completely behind her valiant lie (especially not from the ever-attentive Pascale) so her blue eyes flick to the floor, avoiding the royal’s gaze. “There...there are many tasks that we must complete today: meetings, ball preparations...you shouldn’t waste any precious time checking up on me.”

Truthfully, Clair feels quite ill...and the previous evening’s gruesome nightmare certainly didn’t help matters, resulting in a hour’s worth of fitful, feverish sleep. Still, even after stumbling through her morning routine on the training grounds, the advisor is present...determined not to betray any further signs of weakness.

Clair raises her unusually-pallid face to nod at Pascale for reassurance, only to wince at the sudden pounding in her temples. She isn’t weak. She’ll fight through this, like everything else.

“What...what would you like to discuss first...?”

[draconscious]

(Fire and Steel) What if Pascale doesn't need your protection?

@3000yearmonarch (thank you!!)

“...In the end, the queen doesn’t need my protection,” Clair retorts with surprising, sharp-tongued honesty. “Yes, she is wise, charming, and skillful in battle. However, even the strongest figures throughout history can be toppled by the company that they keep. As the queen’s influence grows during this rebuilding, she attracts cunning schemers and ill-intentioned suitors. I may be...harsher than most, the queen knows that I am both loyal and honest--two qualities that become rarer and rarer as Vanitas continues to return to glory. Above all, the queen has earned my trust and I am here if she needs me. Gods, I owe her that much...she saved me from a twisted end, and we fought a war together.”

Clair’s expression darkens, her lip curling slightly at the reemergence of buried memories.

“Vanitas was set to jail, even execute me...a wandering Dragon Clan exile. Then, they came for my head again after my actions in the war. Both times, the queen stayed the Court’s hand...but just barely. Perhaps, now that I’m thinking about it...maybe I am overprotective of her for selfish reasons as well,” the advisor muses ruefully.

“If the queen falls, Vanitas will crack and crumble to dust. And, from the ruin, I know that Eudes and his fellow Court jesters will begin calling for my head all over again...”

[draconscious]

@kalosian-writer​ [continued, fire & steel verse]

"..." There was what sounded like angry muttering; it was probably for the best Clair couldn't hear the exact words. This was not how her little game was played! She was supposed to be the one in control!

Still, after a moment Jules smirked. At least she could still have /some/ fun.

"Oh? You mean you haven't heard? There are all sorts of rumors about you. Like that the only reason you fight for Vanitas is because you're the shame of your clan and not wanted back. Or that your interrogations are intended to dissuade potential alliances, so we go to war again and you can redeem yourself for that little stunt you pulled where you abandoned your troops."

Thre whole time, the servant carefully watched Clair's expression. She didn't believe any of the rumors, but there was always a chance, and with a chance came both knowledge and a bid for silence...

When Clair first demands rumors, she isn’t ready for the smug servant girl’s ensuing torrent of gossip. She isn’t ready for Jules to hit her where it hurts, but the young woman slyly mentions the warrior’s original exile from the Clan, hints (falsely, of course) at potential treason against Vanitas, and even dares to revisit the moment of Clair’s greatest shame...all with that damned smile on her lips.

Feeling Jules’s steady gaze on her, the advisor battles to maintain a neutral expression in a valiant show of restraint. Despite her efforts, Clair’s eye is twitching, her nails are digging into her crossed forearms, and her muscular frame is fully tensed, ready to spring. When she finally decides to speak, her voice is surprisingly calm, like the eye of a hurricane.

“Thank you for the information--it’s nothing that I haven’t heard before. However...” she murmurs dangerously, stepping closer to the servant girl. Any sane person would be running away right now, but Clair has Jules cornered against the secluded corridor’s stone wall. It’s too late--the memories, gods...the repressed memories are all flooding back...Commander, fall back! Where are you going?! Don’t leave us--there’s no way you can take them all!

The advisor is nearly face-to-face with the servant girl now, but she can’t see her--she can only see the bloodied battlefield, a massacre, her blue eyes narrowed to slits. Jules--maybe getting the ammunition that she desired all along--had finally awoken the dragon...and her rage.

Clair’s movement is impossibly swift. Abandoning the sword at her side, the seasoned fighter pins Jules hard against the wall (so hard that a little dust falls from the ceiling), and her scarred forearm presses mercilessly into the other woman’s throat like an iron bar...or guillotine. As Clair bears down on the servant girl, her voice emerges from her throat in a hot snarl.

“You can blither about my relations with the Queen all you want...but how dare you mention my greatest blunder? A little stunt? I should have your head for that, you bitch!” she hisses, continuing to crush Jules against the stone. “And how...how did you find out about my exile? I’ve only ever told the Queen...!”

At the mention of the royal title, Pascale’s voice suddenly thunders in Clair’s head again: calm down! And--as if shocked from a trance--the advisor emerges from her haze of anger, finally releasing Jules from the bruising hold. The reprieve is merely temporary, however--Clair looks down at the servant girl with a baleful, almost betrayed gaze. “Who told you? Did...did she tell you?” A shaking hand grips the hilt of her sheathed sword impatiently. Her breathing is heavy. “Answer me. Now.”    

[draconscious]

(Fire and Steel) 💬 Rumor has it you have a thing for the Queen

💬 Rumor has it...

Clair sighs, turning to fix the guard with the most withering of glares. As the gossiping protector flees awkwardly down the hall in his unwieldy suit of armor, the war-marked advisor prepares to pay a certain someone another less-than-cordial visit...

Time to cut this rumor off at its source.

[draconscious]

(Fire and Steel) Oh? So what would make someone worthy of the Queen's hand, in your eyes? Would they be someone like you, perhaps?

@3000yearmonarch !!

“I don’t know...why don’t you request an audience with her, if you’re so curious?” Clair snaps, still somewhat red-faced and making her way out to the training grounds. “I know almost nothing of the queen’s preferences. All I can say is that she deserves better than what these suitors have to offer.”

The next question brings the advisor’s hand to her blade. “Once again, I will not speak for her--I am merely her advisor. Now, you have three seconds to get out of my sight, so I suggest you make a rare wise decision before I remove you myself.”

Clair casts a furtive look down the hall before pushing open the castle door, half-expecting Jules to appear from around the corner. She knows how quickly rumors can spread within these walls...

[draconscious]

(Fire and Steel verse) Clair, I know you're new to your position and all, but you and the Queen seem very close. Have you even discovered her getting a little, ahem... intimate?

@3000yearmonarch !!

“Why would you even ask me that? Do I look like a gossipy castle servant to you?” Clair growls hastily, turning away from the stranger to hide the embarrassed shade of pink emerging on her face. “Of course the queen and I are close...we fought a gruesome war together, and now we are both committed to rebuilding this kingdom. She’s one of the few people to earn my loyalty...and my trust.”

“Your question is...ridiculous,” the veteran snaps, her face reddening in earnest now. “I am a Court advisor--it...it isn’t my business to pry into the private life of royalty at all. I can only say that this kingdom welcomes many hopeful suitors through its gates, and none of them are remotely worthy of the queen...”

Clair trails off, recalling fierce sparring matches with Pascale on the training grounds, simple tasks turning into long nighttime talks in Pascale’s quarters, short naps on Pascale’s shoulder when nobody is watching...gods. She shakes her head in an attempt to clear her thoughts, turning to fix the stranger with a glare that effectively says: this conversation is over.

“Get back to work. Now.”     

[draconscious]

"Another suitor, I see." Commented Jules as she took a seat, taking a bite out of the berry in her hand. Time to test the waters. After all, Clair was expecting information from her, so perhaps she'd have a little more patience with the servant today. "How many does that make now? Eight? She'll have to pick someone, so I can't help but wonder what she's looking for in a love. Unless her heart longs for someone else."

@kalosian-writer (sorry for the wait on this ask! I loved it!)

Clair flinches noticeably as Jules casually bites into a fresh berry, her steadfast glare still fixed on the well-dressed suitor confidently striding into Pascale’s audience chamber. She bites her lip, unwilling to give the coy servant a desired reaction--and yet, the queen’s trusted advisor is unable to completely keep the pink tinge off of her cheeks. Jules really knew how to get on her last nerve...and quickly.

“Seven, eight...it doesn’t matter. None of these arrogant weasels deserve the queen’s hand,” Clair declares in a low voice, hand clenching around her broadsword--a not-so-subtle crutch. “And she doesn’t have to pick anyone--in fact, I wish she would focus more on her work and less on this...foolishness. Eight suitors...ugh. Gods help Vanitas.”  

Clair finally turns towards Jules, acknowledging the crafty woman with a withering look. “...Of course, it’s not like the queen’s personal preferences concern you. If you have time to eat and gossip, then you have time to recheck the firewood levels in the guest rooms.”