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Welcome!




dAseniors is the official home for all Senior Members here on DeviantArt. There are various things we do to keep this nursing home alive and kicking; features on our blog, news articles that promote a multitude of happenings, projects that revolve around more than just creating artwork, and hilariously engaging chat events.

Senior Members are users of DeviantArt distinguishable by their medal symbols behind their user names.

Only Senior Members may join this group as a member, but you are, of course, free to watch :+devwatch: this group to stay tuned for our latest updates. In fact, we encourage it!


RELATED FAQ ENTRIES:
:bulletgreen:What do the symbols next to Deviantart usernames mean?
:bulletgreen:What is Seniority?
:bulletgreen:Seniority: Recognizing Community Excellence
:bulletgreen:How do I recommend someone for Seniority?
:bulletgreen:What is the Deviousness Award?
:bulletgreen:The Deviousness Award 2.0


Artist Tutorial Feature

Thu May 17, 2018, 11:24 AM by Astrikos:iconastrikos:
I asked in a forum thread a while back for tutorials! 

Here's great resources from our community!


Embossed Watermark Tutorial by phydeau

Knight Steps by Ocetee

Somewhere In Between Step by step by Ocetee

Revy Step by step by Ocetee

Grayscale to Color Video Tutorial by convelocity

Sai Coloring (+ Magic) Tutorial by convelocity

How I draw bushes by convelocity

Background Tutorial Part 1, Sketching and Planning by ghostchiryou

Eye Tutorial no. 1 by yurian-miku

Tutorial 101 : Dragon (with a catch) by Nighteba

An Introduction to PixelsPixel Art Week
Have you ever wanted to create pixel art but you just don't know where to start?
Well, I hope to fix that. I am going to do all of the research for you, to help you make your own decision.
The Definition of Pixel Art... is one under a great deal of debate.
First lets look at the definition as given by, Techopedia.
"Pixel art is a form of digital art wherein images are created and edited at the pixel level using a graphics editing software. What defines pixel art is its unique visual style, where individual pixels serve as the building blocks that make up the image. The effect is a visual style very similar to that of mosaic art, cross-stitch and other types of embroidery techniques."
Many say that you can only use the "pixel tool". Well what is this tool that they speak of and why does it not exist in my art program? Well it d


How to link deviants, deviations, or websites!PLEASE NOTE THESE DO NOT WORK ON THE CURRENT FORMAT OF DA ECLIPSE
I am using deviant arts own help topic found here http://help.deviantart.com/81/. I will be expanding upon what they have with examples, to make it easier to understand. Just so you know I am using their outline and explanation, if you would like to know which parts were mine and which are theirs just go to the site above :D
How can I create links to other deviants, deviations, or websites?
There are a few formats you can use, either a link of the users name, displaying the members avatar, or by linking with a personal description. 
Avatar linking
:iconusername: will display the member's or group's avatar as a link to their page. Remember, however, that the limit for posting blocks of avatars is sixty four per post, and this will not work in signatures.
This seems easy enough, here I will use my own name. :iconamarantheans: will give you :iconamarantheans: 
<


How To Edit Your Installed Skin by Amarantheans

DA Vernacular: A TutorialCommunity Week
So, you know the basics about DA, now you would like to learn more!
First let's refresh our memory with the Basics by looking over a few Tutorials and Resources:
turquoise heart bullet  Getting Started on DeviantArt Created by JenFruzz to make setting up an account and getting started easier for the true beginner. If you have more questions about this process I would like to direct you to the group DAWelcomeWagon, your home for everything deviantArt related!
turquoise heart bullet  Welcome Tutorial Just the basics by TimberClipse.
turquoise heart bullet  Managing Deviations Another


Public Service Announcement About Passwords!So I have been seeing around dA many have been hacked and locked out of their account, forcing them to set a new password. I would like to take this time to give you password advise. What should you do and what should you NEVER do? Well please know this is not all inclusive but it should help you!
*DON'T USE "PASSWORD"! It is the #2 most hacked password this year the #1 is 123456! Really people there is a list online most hackers can just run down this list and try to hack your account! https://www.yahoo.com/tech/the-25-worst-passwords-of-2014-108643356389.html
If your password is on this link's list you need to change it now!
* Never use your name, that means any part of it, First, Last or middle. Don't even use a nickname.
* Never use a pets name, or your friends name, not even your enemy's name, just don't use a name PERIOD! Not even a superhero's name or actor's name.
* Never use anything that is common knowledge, if you like penguins, they should not be in your passwor


Community Emoticon Submission Tutorial (take 2) by Amarantheans





:bigthumb595561873:

Between Night and Day: Process by Iduna-Haya

Speedlines tutorial for Manga Studio 5 by nekokawai

Your Name. [Tutorial + PSD] by qs2435

:heart:

How have you guys been? 


CSS by Astrikos
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Seniority & Deviousness Announcements



Community AwardsDaily DeviationsDeviantArt’s Community Volunteers and staff feature new artwork, updated each day at midnight Pacific Time. See today’s recipients, and suggest artwork to be featured as a Daily Deviation! Deviousness and SeniorityAt the start of each month, one deviant receives the Deviousness Award in recognition of their extensive contributions to the community.Community members who have gone above and beyond in their contributions to DeviantArt are also honored with Seniority, a special status given once every three months.Congratulate past recipients of Deviousness and Seniority by reading and commenting on the journals below!Celebrating Deviousness - March 2024 Celebrating Deviousness - February 2024 Seniority Announcement: January 2024 Celebrating Deviousness - January 2024 Celebrating Deviousness - December 2023 Celebrating Deviousness - November 2023 Seniority Announcement: October 2023 Celebrating Deviousness - October 2023 Celebrating Deviousness - September 2023 Celebrating Deviousness - August 2023 Seniority Announcement: July 2023 Celebrating Deviousness - July 2023 Celebrating Deviousness - June 2023 Celebrating Deviousness - May 2023 Seniority Announcement: April 2023 Celebrating Deviousness - April 2023 Celebrating Deviousness - March 2023 Celebrating Deviousness - February 2023Seniority Announcement: January 2023 Celebrating Deviousness - January 2023 Celebrating Deviousness - December 2022 Celebrating Deviousness - November 2022Seniority Announcement: October 2022Celebrating Deviousness - October 2022Celebrating Deviousness - September 2022Celebrating Deviousness - August 2022Seniority Announcement: July 2022Celebrating Deviousness - July 2022Celebrating Deviousness - June 2022Celebrating Deviousness - May 2022Seniority Announcement: April 2022Celebrating Deviousness - April 2022Celebrating Deviousness - March 2022Celebrating Deviousness - February 2022Seniority Announcement: January 2022Celebrating Deviousness - January 2022Celebrating Deviousness - December 2021Celebrating Deviousness - November 2021Seniority Announcement: October 2021Celebrating Deviousness - October 2021Celebrating Deviousness - September 2021Celebrating Deviousness - August 2021Seniority Announcement: July 2021Celebrating Deviousness - July 2021Celebrating Deviousness - June 2021Celebrating Deviousness - May 2021Seniority Announcement: April 2021Celebrating Deviousness - April 2021Celebrating Deviousness - March 2021Celebrating Deviousness - February 2021Seniority Announcement: January 2021Celebrating Deviousness - January 2021Celebrating Deviousness - December 2020Celebrating Deviousness - November 2020Seniority Announcement: October 2020Celebrating Deviousness - October 2020Celebrating Deviousness - September 2020Celebrating Deviousness - August 2020Seniority Announcement: July 2020Celebrating Deviousness - July 2020Seniority Announcement: April 2020Seniority Announcement: January 2020Seniority Announcement: October 2019Seniority: Recognizing Community Excellence

Gallery Folders

Featured
Artisan Crafts
Handmade crop top (crochet) by LualaDy
Rainbow Passion by MelGama
Bogged Chicken by FallisPhoto
Salmon cakes, with mushroom gravy by FallisPhoto
Designs and Interfaces
Undead Pharaoh Live Wallpaper for Android OS by catbones

Mature Content

Dreams in Fantasy Collection - Nook Touch by gillianivyart
Adobe - Your favorite suite heart by admx
Digital
Ariel selfie 02 by richten
Adoptables March Madness: Sheriff Clint Yorkwood! by LadyYomi
DBZ: Thanks for Everything, Toriyama-sensei! by LadyYomi
Chaos Space Marine 2 by seanbianchi
Film and Animation
Literature
Meeting MeepPrevious,GGhoul-Face and the TrollsPrevious :thumb427138039: The North Hill RoadKullitja finished sewing the rock into Crow Princess’s chest. Her ears swiveled back at the light chopping coming from the kitchen. Mam had just started preparing rats for supper. Kullitja shook the doll. The black ribbons on her arms flapped and her long tail with its dark tufted tip streamed behind her as she crossed the clouds. “Ready for your mission,” she said, heading for the bedroom window.Three stories below the older kids were playing Through the Stilts. Cousin Jiddik was Thrower. They said she was too young to play, but how was a troll to work on her aim without a moving target? She leaned out the window and held Crow Princess over Jiddik’s bald head.“Kullitja!” Mam’s voice shrilled from the kitchen.Flicking an ear in annoyance, Kullitja put Crow Princess back on her bed and skulked to the kitchen.“Down ta the root cellar for some more mandrake,” Mam said, sweeping heads and feet into the bin.Kullitja got her sack and climbed down the ladder. She stepped off next to Jiddik and watched him take aim at Cousin Fawllie. Fawllie dodged and the rock bounced off a beam. Jiddik ducked.Fawllie grinned. “Yer aim stinks like unicorn potatoes,” she said, and the cousins and brothers laughed with her.Kullitja tugged Jiddik’s sleeve. “Help me get mandrakes,” she said.He glared down at her. “Ya got arms,” he said. “Ya get‘em.”“But Paps never fixed the ladder,” she said, folding her arms. “Yer the tallest. If I stand on anyone else’s head I can’t reach.”Jiddik’s tail gave an agitated swish. “Fine,” he said.He walked past Fawllie beneath the house and pulled the cellar door open. At the bottom of the ladder he lit two torches and put them in their sconces. The cellar was as deep as the first story was tall. Shelves reached to the ceiling, overflowing with cans, tools, and other junk. The broken ladder leaned against the earthen wall where Paps had examined it and decided to deal with it later. Things that didn’t fit were shoved wherever Paps thought best, which was wherever it required the least thought.It was messier than Kullitja remembered. Empty jars of pickles were scattered on the floor, their spilled contents filling the room with a vinegar sting. Jiddik tripped over a unicorn halter. He grumbled an interesting new word, picked it up, and threw it at a stack of boxes. A raspy growl rose from behind the pile.The hair stood up on Jiddik’s ears. Without looking over his shoulder he said, “Kullitja, run.”***Kullitja charged into the kitchen so fast she skidded and put claw marks on the floor. Nolka frowned at the empty sack. “Been playin’ and forgot yer chores, eh?” she said.Kullitja jumped up and down. “There’s a monster in the cellar!” she said. “They’re standin’ on the door so it won’t get out and ya can spank it!”Nolka retrieved the paddle from its shelf above the kitchen table. “Someone’s gettin’ spanked all right,” she said, pointing it at the girl. “Lie ta me and ye’ll have it in front of the others.”Dread failed to replace her daughter’s excitement. Nolka kept the huff in her step, but she couldn’t help wondering. Life had been simpler in the barren mountains of her childhood. Strange things prowled overcrowded human cities.Her nephew Jiddik broke away from the other kids, who were indeed standing on the cellar door, or watching it with rocks aimed and ready. “Ye put her up ta this ye’ll be sore for a week,” she said, brandishing the paddle.“No fibbin’!” Jiddik said. “It sounds big, and it’s hungry too. It stole all the pickles.”She holstered the paddle in her apron and climbed down. Jiddik and Kullitja followed. The boy pointed at a pile of boxes in the corner.Nolka strolled over to the heap. “Any monsters down here?” she said, smacking the paddle against her palm. “I’ve come ta give ya such a whoopin’.”A clawed hand plucked a harness off a box and threw it. There was a low growl.“Told ya!” Kullitja yelled.Nolka pinned her ears and thrashed her tail. If it was hiding it knew fear. She didn’t need to know anything else about it. “Try that again and see where it gets ya!” she growled back, smacking boxes aside with the paddle.The cleared corner revealed a skinny figure crouched against the wall. Glowing eyes widened with terror. It bared wolf-like teeth, but made no further sound.“That’s no monster,” Nolka scoffed. “Just a ghoul. Got any money in them grubby pockets ta pay for them pickles, eh?”The ghoul wouldn’t look directly at her. She had never seen one up close. Sometimes she caught glimpses at night watching from the shadows when she put out the food waste for them. They had the ears of trolls and the naked backsides of humans. Despite the impressive fangs and claws they took off running when they realized she was looking at them.“He’s cute!” Kullitja squealed. “Can we keep’im? He can live in Fuffles’ stable.”“Quiet,” Nolka said. “Well, what do ya havta’ say for yerself? Think this is prober behavior, takin’ what’s not yers?”The raspy voice came out in a whisper. “Don’t hurt me,” the ghoul said. “I haven’t had a full belly in days. Everywhere I go they got there already.”“Why not ask yer family for help?”The ghoul lifted his head and traced cuts on his dog-like face. “They betrayed me,” he said.Nolka felt a spark of sympathy. Despite its roughness there was something in the quivering voice that seemed childlike. There was nothing more pitiful than watching a creature that could bite your head off trembling like an infant. “Away with ya’,” she barked at the children. “Be up in a pinch.”She crouched and softened her voice. “Poor dear,” she said. “I won’t touch ya, butcha’ can’t stay here. We’re clearin’ out for supper. Scraps’ll be down after like always. Go wait with yer friends.” She lifted the paddle. “And tell’em what’ll happen if they come down here.”At the surface children waited with eager expressions. The oldest girl, Fawllie, reached for the closing door. “I wanna see!” she said.Nolka swatted her away. “Home with ya,” she said. “Ghouls’re big cowards. Ye’ll scare’im off from comin’ out.”“He won’t be scared of me,” Kullitja said. “I’ll get’m ta eat a rat right out of my hand!”“Silly girl,” Nolka said. “Them people're afraid of their own shadows. Can’t be friends with someone like that. It’d be borin’.”***Harie’s joints creaked as she stepped off the ladder. Her husband Snierk climbed in after her. Her purse was lighter than he would have liked, but she didn’t mind. The restaurant existed to keep her hands busy, not make them rich.Kullitja bounded up to her. “Mams!” she said. “There’s a ghoul in the cellar! Mam was gonna beat’im but he was sad so she didn’t.”“That so?” Harie said, ambling into the kitchen. “Get’m ta leave?”“Don’t know,” Nolka said. She motioned for Kullitja to return to dish drying duty. “Wouldn’t budge with me lookin’ at’im. I’ll check when I’m done here. Hope I don’t have’ta clear’em out by force, the big baby.”Harie sank into a chair. “He’s still there,” she said. “I’ll go down in a breath and see what needs doin’.”“How do’ya know he’s still there?” Kullitja said.Harie smiled at her granddaughter. “Sun hasn’t finished settin’,” she said. “Ghouls love the dark same as we love lookin’ down over the land. It’s in their in-stinkies.”“Can I come?”“Sorry, biscuit. He’ll be nervous of too many people. Gotta get’m ta open up ta what’s wrong. S’not normal for’em, goin’ indoors like that. My regulars only come in for a rest when they losin’ the tips of their ears in the dead of winter.”Snierk waved his pipe at her. “Leave it be!” he said. “Why ya always tryin’a talk’ta them things? They’re so… simple.”“I rather like that about 'em,” Harie said. “Never thinkin’ too high of’emselves, like humans. Ye’d think they was smaller than us way they look at the world, the sillies.”Snierk huffed and rolled his eyes.Harie carried the scraps bin to the cellar. The ghoul didn’t appear to have moved. He flattened his ears and pressed his head into the corner.Harie put the bin near the pile of boxes and dragged one back for a seat halfway across the room. “Brought ye dinner, dear,” she said. “Next time yer hungry just climb up and ask. We always got summot layin’ around.”The ghoul tilted his head. His large nostrils flared with hungry sniffs. He unfurled his lanky body and crept toward the bin. Eyes darting between her and the food, he dragged it back into the corner and buried his face in it.“Good lad,” Harie said. “Name’s Harie. I’m the Big Woman around here. What’s yer name?”The ghoul was already finished choking down the scraps. Harie didn’t think she’d seen him pause to chew once. He lifted his ears a little and licked his wet nose. “I am Meep,” he said. “I didn’t mean to invade your den. I was just so hungry and then the sun came up and I smelled the wet earth under the door…”“No harm done,” Harie said. “And don’t mind Nolka. Just had’ta check ye weren’t tryin’ to eat the children. Fallen of rough times have ye? What happened?”Meep’s eerie yellow eyes met hers for a moment before he looked down again. “Mother’s mate attacked me,” he said. Harie wasn’t sure if his species could cry, but his face scrunched up like a child fighting back tears. “I was just trying to get her attention. Ever since she got her mating scent it’s like I don’t exist. Verg wants her all to himself. And she just let him! He bit me and then I ran, and I kept running until the sun came up, and now I have nowhere to go.”Harie picked her teeth thoughtfully. Ghouls were mysterious people. She’d gathered snatches of information over the years, but her customers always left as soon as they’d warmed up. She knew they kept small family groups. A widower had once given her a funny look when she asked who was babysitting back home. “Isn’t it normal for ye ta be on yer own by now?” she said. “Handsome young lad like ye. Big… well I was gonna say muscles. Legs. Nice long legs. Ye should be off chasin’ girls, not bothering yer mam.”Meep’s ears drooped. “Females hate me,” he said. “I am going to die alone.”“What’s more likely? Somethin’s wrong with all’uvm, or somethin’s going on with ye? World don’t owe ye a wife, but show some respect and ye could earn one.”“It doesn’t matter. Everyone hates me. One female even tried to kill me. They won’t share food. They won’t play chase. Why does everyone have to be so serious?”“Ever thought of doin’ the sharin’?”“I’m not so good at hunting or finding. Mother and Verg did it for me.”Harie could see the shape of things forming. “Gracious,” she said. “Not ta badmouth yer mam and pap, but no wonder ye turned out a dud. So all yer life ye’ve just been playin’ games while everyone else works for supper, eh?”Meep lowered his head. “Yes?” he said with a nervous flick of his ears.“Well, only thing doin’ for it is ta take a deep breath and get on with things,” Harie said. “Ye’ll figure it out.”Meep turned away and curled into a tight ball. “I can’t,” he said. “I’m too tired. I give up.”He gave a ragged sigh.Harie shook her head. The story was pathetic, but the grief was genuine. She knew how hard it could be for people living trapped in their own heads like that. Sometimes they needed a source of outside light to escape. She rose and made her way over with cautious steps. “Com’ere, biscuit,” she said. “It’ll be all right.”When he didn’t react she knelt and patted him on the shoulder. Meep shifted and pressed his head into her arm. She wet her finger and scrubbed at a smear of dried blood on his cheek. The scratches weren’t severe, but the grey skin was painted with deep purple bruises. She could feel the tightness relaxing from his muscles. “Tell ye what,” she said. “Ye come up with me. I’ll bring the family down. If ye don’t run away, ye’re in for a treat. Sound good?”He was frozen in thought for a while. “They won’t kill me for being in their territory?” he said.“Gracious no! If ye’re willin’ ta work for it, this can be yer ‘territory’ too.”He cocked his head. “Why would you do that?” he said.“Because each connection makes us stronger. We stick together like snow matted inta a unicorn’s coat. I know it’s different for yer people, and nothin’s wrong with that. If ye’ll give us a chance, we’ll give ye one.”Harie had him sit in the shadows beneath the house and put out a few torches. She didn’t tell everyone what she wanted to show them. Imaginations racing, they fought to be the first down the ladder. After pulling a few tails she cleared the way to the front of the crowd.Harie stood in front of the ghoul, a wall holding back the flood. She could see him pacing, panting, and drooling from the corner of her eye. He made a soft moaning growl, so faint no one else could hear it. People jostled for a better look, but didn’t step past the stilts. Voices rose.“Shut yer yaps!” Harie yelled in her most frightening don’t-mess-with-mams voice. “This here is Meep. He was rejected by his people for bein’ a bit thick, but it’s not all his fault. I just volunteered us ta be his employers 'til he learns his manners enough ta go back ta’em’.”“Yay!” Kullitja yelled.“Oy, really?” Snierk groaned.“Shush!” Harie snapped. “He’s gonna sleep in the cellar. Ghouls respect’emselves enough ta snap when pushed. I hear ye been pokin’ at’em and got hurt don’t expect me ta cry for ye. He’ll earn his keep doing odd jobs, startin’ with cleanin’ the cellar. Think over what else ye’d like’im ta do.”Her son-in-law Parju scratched his beard. “Can he get rats for us?” he said.“Uh, he don't actually know how’ta hunt,” Harie said.“What good’s he then?” Parju said. “He’s broken. What’re we supposed’ta do with a broken ghoul?”“He’s not broken, Pap,” Kullitja said. “He’s my friend!”Kullitja ran past Harie and held out her arms, as if intending to hug the ghoul. Meep crouched, ears flattened, and licked his nose. She stopped a footstep away and fished something out from her dress. “Crow Princess said she wants’ta stay with ye,” she said, holding the doll out to him. “When Fuffles died I was sad and she came’ta stay with me. Her insides are a rock. If somethin’ scary happens ye can throw her at it.”Meep extended his long neck and sniffed at the doll. His eyes softened and his breathing slowed. He took Crow Princess gently in his teeth and backed away, disappearing into the cellar.Harie clapped her hands. “The Big Woman has spoken!” she said. “Tomorrow I’ll assign someone ta hold his hand. Don’t think he knows what ‘clean’ means, but he’ll get there. Off with ye!”They retreated, voices buzzing with excitement.Lying in bed that night Harie could feel Snierk’s glare burning into the back of her head. She pretended not to notice.Finally he grumbled, “If that fellow gives me lip I’ll make’im regret the day he touched that door. Ye have any idea what ye’ve done? We’ll be swarmed by the beggars!”Harie wrapped her tail around his foot. “Stop whinin’,” she said. “Ye see how sweet he was with Kullitja? Besides, if ye can tolerate humans a big toothy beastie is nothin’!”...
A Ghoulish GatheringPrevious ,TThe ImmortalsPrevious Taak smiled at the old woman as heAs soon as night fell Taak Hade pushed his wheelchair down the ramp out the back entrance of Selgewig’s Antiques. Most of dinner remained on his plate on the seat. Excitement diminished his appetite. The thought of sharing the good news with his best friend brought a smile to his face. He sat with food and cane in his lap, staring down the dark alley for signs of movement.Taak’s first day at work in the magical brace was an interesting challenge. Walking slow and keeping a firm grip on the cane, he managed to avoid an expensive trip. He was now free to reach shelves he’d never touched. Regulars offered their congratulations, and he was at last able to respond with a proper standing bow. He could look eye to eye with short humans when they spoke. As a member of a smaller race, it was one step closer to feeling like he fit in.Still, there were dark moments that marred the fulfillment of his dream. There would always be the occasional person who walked in, studied the unexpected ghoul with discomfort, and hurried out the door. Even clad in a suit, white gloves, and fashionable hat, he wore the essence of something predatory. The claws and pointed ears had a workaround. Yellow eyes and fangs poking past his lips were not hidden so easily. Some of the reactions seemed to intensify when they saw him up and walking. Never mind the elegant cane or his tottering gait. This morning he’d smelled more fear than he could remember.Khekt’s glowing eyes peeked around the corner. Even at a distance he could smell the grimy results of her rat hunting, dirt digging, garbage-pawing way of life.Taak’s body relaxed more than he realized it needed to. He lifted the plate with a flourish.Khekt trot-bounced past the offering and pressed her nose against the metal brace. She sniffed open-mouthed, taking the scent in with deep breaths. “What is that?” she said.Taak set the plate down and planted the cane between his feet. “I’ll show you,” he said, grinning.He stood and bowed.Khekt’s ears pressed forward so hard they almost touched over her wide eyes. “You are healed!” she said.Taak took a few steps. “In a sense,” he said. He lifted his shirt to point out the leather belt, then traced a claw down its length to the straps on his ankles. “Contact with skin creates a sort of secondary nervous system that bypasses the damaged spinal cord. Magic tricks my brain into perceiving the metal rods as part of my body. Unfortunately the witch could only figure out how to simulate the motor neurons, so I still can’t feel what my legs are doing. Impressive, isn’t it?” Khekt cocked her head. “What’s a nerve us system?” she said.Taak sighed. It could be hard to remember how the street people thought after spending the day with humans. “It fixes my legs with magic,” he said.Khekt leapt up and down. “Oh! Oh!” she said. “I know what we should do! I’ll take you to the Meeting Place. It’s where I found Gheev. We’ll have so much fun.”Bad memories drew Taak’s ears back. Meeting Khekt’s potential husband didn’t make the place sound any more appealing. “Well, it’s not that simple,” he said. “I have to be careful and walk slow. It would take all night to get there.”“You’re just slow because you human-walk with that stick. It’s faster to go on all four. It isn’t that far.”“I guess. But anyway, I have no reason to go. I’m not courting.”“The Meeting Place isn’t just for courtship, silly. People go to get a sniff of who’s around. They go to find playmates for their children. They go to-” She dashed over to the plate and began stuffing chicken breast into her pocket. “They go to offer gifts so people will remember their generosity and return it later. This is perfect!”Taak gave his nose a nervous lick. “I didn’t have such a good time when my aunt and uncle took me,” he said. “There were too many people. What’s wrong with talking and playing right here by ourselves?”Khekt lowered her head. Her ears drooped. “Please?” she said.She didn’t smell as upset as she looked, but Taak couldn’t help feeling a tug at his heart. He frowned. “All right,” he said. “But if it’s a disaster that’s the end of it.”Khekt rose to her feet and pounced on him with a hug. Taak wrapped his arms around her, as much to keep his balance as to return the gesture.He returned the wheelchair to his bedroom in the shop and changed into an old set of clothing that had gone out of style. He put on a pair of thick brown work gloves with slits to allow his claws through. For the first time since the inventors forced him to test it, he dropped down to walk on all four limbs.Khekt bounced in place like a pot of water about to boil over. She ran to the street, returned, and then darted off again.Taak struggled to keep up. His shoes made noisy scrapes across gravel and bumped against curbs. Even at her most excitable Khekt didn’t disturb a thing. They went through a run-down part of town he’d never visited. Here he saw a different side of Khekt, focused and brimming with confidence. She froze and he copied on instinct, only to realize she’d heard a man about to walk out from behind tall bushes lining the street. She flowed between patches of darkness with practiced ease. Gaps in fences provided shortcuts. They slunk through yards and alleys, maximizing travel in quiet and hidden spaces. Taak imagined what a customer might think of his newfound attempt at stealth. Humans who didn’t know better worried that ghouls were bloodthirsty, sneaking fiends, ready to appear out of nowhere behind the unsuspecting. They would be surprised to learn how much effort went into staying as far from humans as possible. The dead could prove an exception, leading to much of the confusion that kept harmful rumors alive.This Meeting Place was held in a different location than the visit of years before. Gatherings moved as needed, depending on how long it took for the noise to attract attention. Brush and trees thickened as they went past city limits, creating a natural dampener.A branch gripped Taak’s sleeve in its thorns. He grumbled, trying to pry himself loose without tearing his shirt. A hand reached down from above, took a firm hold, and snapped the offender off the tree. He yelped and flailed backwards into a patch of mud.Khekt sat beside him and smiled up. “Greetings, Vheet,” she said.Taak met the gaze of an elderly female perched on a low branch in the thorn tree. She studied him with a single glowing eye. The other was a bulging, milky mass that appeared to be infected. “Better pay attention,” Vheet said. “Reflexes like that, the werewolves will get you for sure.”“We’re working on it,” Khekt said. “It’s not his fault. He was raised by humans. Smell anything yet?”“Nothing come near lately. The winds are good tonight. Something approaches, you’ll be the first to hear.”Khekt gave her the chicken. “A thousand blessings for keeping us safe,” she said.Embarrassed, Taak tried to quiet his worried thoughts and focus on his surroundings. Khekt trotted ahead and he stumbled after.A prolonged screech rose in the distance. Taak’s heart beat faster. He was transported back to the night of his Special Cultural Experience. Riding on his uncle’s back, he must have looked like a tired child who refused to walk another step. They propped him up like a doll to watch. Everyone moved with such strength and freedom. He met the stares of strangers with flattened ears, silently willing them to leave him alone.When he caught up Khekt was sniffing the smelliest tree he’d ever encountered. Dozens of ghoul signatures rose from it. Taak kept his distance, but found himself opening his mouth on instinct to breathe in details his nose might miss. He scented illness and strength, children and females coming into season. The female smells filled him with jittery energy. He shook his head and tried to think about something else. Khekt dropped her pants so she could leave her own mark. He jerked away and squeezed his eyes shut. After a few moments a claw poked his shoulder.“Come on, silly,” Khekt said.They found a ring of ghouls gathered in a clearing, creating an improvised arena. A pair of males had the stage. They reared up to push at their opponent, mouths wide to deliver sharp screeches that stung the ears. Families sat in clusters, and there were several groupings of young male or female friends. Many sat alone. Taak wondered if they felt as uncomfortable with the unusual number of their kin as he did. There had to be at least thirty at the moment.The smaller male dropped back to all fours, bowed his head, and retreated. A younger male, still adolescent-gangly, ran into the stage and bowed before the winner, arms spread and claws gripping the earth. The winner pounced, pinning him from behind and getting a firm bite on the skin of his neck. Then he let go and said something in a low tone, complimented by a series of gestures. Taak couldn’t make it out over the conversations that started up in the sudden quiet.A young female broke away from her group and came charging. With a start Taak recognized her clothing. He’d imagined Khekt would appreciate the beauty of the floral printed set he’d given her. The pattern showed through in patches beneath smears of dirt.The stranger shoulder-slammed Khekt. They whirled, pushing and snapping like the sparring males. Khekt panted, wearing a wide smile that pushed all the way back to her bone-crunching teeth. The stranger bolted away at full speed and Khekt followed, nipping at her heels.Taak tensed up. He’d assumed they would stick together.A mixed male and female group moved in his direction. The youngest member ran ahead. One of her ears flopped every time she hit the ground, refusing to stay upright with its more mature fellow. She skidded, almost bumping into him, and then stuck her nose between his legs.Taak offered a nervous smile. He held back his desire to shoo her away, in case the adults saw it as a threat. “Hello, I am Taak Hade,” he said. “What is your name?”They surrounded him. No one met his gaze or answered. They sniffed at his feet, groin, and backside.“You smell like humans,” a male with a shredded ear said.“He smells like chicken!”“What is on your legs?”A male with a deep scar across his muzzle ran a claw down the brace.Taak flinched away. “Please don’t touch that!” he said. “It has a defensive spell. I don’t know what it does yet, but it isn’t very nice.”They scattered with small bursts of fear scent.A muscular female bared her teeth. “I knew I smelled magic,” she said. “What fool would want anything to do with that?”“A fool with broken legs,” Khekt said, running up beside him. A large male followed close behind her.Taak sighed with relief. “Actually, it was my back-”“Taak was raised by humans,” Khekt said. “They healed his legs. He’s special.”The male met Taak’s eyes with a hard stare.Khekt leaned against him. “I’d hoped you could meet Gheev tonight,” she said. “Here he is!”It wasn’t hard to imagine why Khekt would be interested in this unpleasant specimen. His jaws bulged with muscle behind small eyes. The ability to snap bones with a single bite was a valuable skill out here.Gheev stretched out his neck and pressed his nose against Taak’s. He took long, deep sniffs. “This is your other courtship-partner?” he said. “He smells like… What is that? Soap? I see I have nothing to fear. He would give you weak children.”Taak took a step back. “We aren’t courting,” he said.“Yes we are,” Khekt said. “He just won’t admit it.”Taak’s ears blushed.“Don’t be so immature, Khekt,” Gheev said. “You can’t waste your time with males who won’t return your interest. We will fight now to show you who is better.”Taak turned to the side, lifting a leg to show off the brace. “That sounds a bit… primitive,” he said. “You won’t impress anyone by beating up a cripple. Where I come from that would be humiliating.”Gheev snapped, then smiled at the flinch he received. “What are you, a female-child?” he said. “A human? Your voice is not crippled.”“Yes, well, I haven’t had a chance to practice my screaming. Can’t exactly do that in a quiet neighborhood.”Khekt slapped him on the shoulder. “Try!” she said. “You don’t have to be the loudest. Endurance and bravery are just as important.”The circle broke up as more people gathered to watch the unusual confrontation. The stage was empty. Khekt’s friend in the flower print rose to her hind legs. “You can do it, Half-Human!” she yelled.That felt like an insult, but perhaps it was better seen as a challenge. Taak refused to hide his way of life to appear more normal to these people. He would show them he was no half-ghoul, just one with a sense of style.“Very well,” he said. “But only because it would amuse my friend. Your vapidity does not deserve a response.”They took the stage and the circle re-formed. Ears pricked and heads bobbed.Taak stood and Gheev pressed leathery hands against his chest. Taak spread his legs wide and took a firm hold of his opponent’s shirt, praying to their god of carrion he wouldn’t fall over on his back like some sad turtle.Gheev opened his mouth wide enough to bite off half of Taak’s face. His screech was a punch to the ears. It rose and fell, hitting pitches Taak didn’t realize could be produced by a living thing. His deep chest served him well, allowing the assault to drag on until Taak was sure he would pass out. He ended the display with a hard shove.Taak stumbled back, waving his arms and by some miracle stayed on his feet. He dusted off his shirt, and then assumed a more dignified pose with arms crossed. Curious watchers leaned forward.“You, Sir, are the meanest of cretins,” he said. “Your calvarium is so devoid of grey matter a drummer would find it produces a most pleasing percussion.”Gheev narrowed his eyes. “What?” he said.“Your last neuron went questing for a mate and died of loneliness. Your halitosis is so horrendous it produces plague particles. You are so vacuous, your spawn will run themselves ragged chasing imaginary tails in fits of canine confusion.”Gheev dropped down and stalked forward, muscles rippling. “Maybe we should settle this with a fight after all,” he said. “To the death.”Taak spread his arms and spoke to the crowd. “Pernicious fate!” he said. “Fortune favors the depraved. Men of intellect are interred in the charnel house of pedestrian public opinion.”Gheev’s pounce was interrupted by a burst of laughter. They looked to see Khekt rolling on the ground.“Get him, Gheev!” she said. “Make up funnier words!”Gheev studied her for a long moment. He lowered his ears. “Why did I believe you were no longer a child?” he said. “You are no suitable mate for anyone. Have fun with your half-human.”He walked through the crowd and kept going, disappearing into the woods.Ghouls rushed onto the stage. A limping male sat beside Taak, positioning his stiff and bent leg with care. “That was amazing!” he said. “I’ve sparred with him. I screamed myself breathless but he just looked bored.”“What human-tongue was that?” another male said.“Scholar,” Taak said, grinning.Voices rose, talking over each other.“Teach me! I want to confuse people into giving up.”“It’s his magic legs. They’ve given him mind powers.”“Do you have any chicken?”Khekt wormed between them and laid an arm across his shoulders. “That was nothing,” she said. “Tell them about the nerve us system.”They met his eyes, expressions eager and open. Taak thought about the journal he kept detailing his experience as the world’s first literate ghoul. He thought of his dream of publishing a book describing the cultural history of his people. His work could be welcomed. It could also be dismissed as trash by human critics. He wasn’t expecting an audience so early in his career.Taak stood and laid hands on his brace. “This is Sorensen magitech,” he said, feeling more comfortable than he had all night. “That means something you make and put a spell on. You’re all familiar with magic. You use it every time you touch something and read its emotional history. That is called innate magic. Most humans use learned magic. But there is no ghoul magic or human magic. Anyone clever could be the next Sorensen, forging protective spells or healing broken backs. Even you.”He nodded at a boy.The child studied his fingers, eyes wide with contemplation.“What’s a spell?” someone said.Connecting with these people was going to be a long, but, Taak hoped, rewarding journey. He would definitely be back. Perhaps with picture books.
Photography
Newcastle Quayside by scotto
Morning City Blues by KizukiTamura
Long shadows in the woods by scotto
Encounters by KizukiTamura
Stock and Resources
Steampunk dragon by Olgola
Tutorial: Summer Cupcake (DBZ OC) | Step by Step! by LadyYomi
Tutorial: Sadie's Birthday | Step by Step! by LadyYomi
Tutorial: Pokemon/Digimon Collab| Step by Step! by LadyYomi
Traditional
P: Peaches and Eggplants by LA-Draws
Daily Deviations
STtWT - MinRao by TheOneWithBear

Deviants

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:iconstarscoldnight:
StarsColdNight Featured By Owner Jul 19, 2021  Professional Digital Artist
:wave: thank you very much :hug:
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MelMuff Featured By Owner Jun 3, 2021  Hobbyist General Artist
I'm so happy to be part of this group. :D
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Tigles1Artistry Featured By Owner Apr 3, 2021
Thanks so much for the invite..
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BGai Featured By Owner Apr 2, 2021
Thank you very the invitation :hug:
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OH-MY-ARCEUS Featured By Owner Mar 25, 2021  Hobbyist Digital Artist
May I join?
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jennystokes Featured By Owner Nov 28, 2020  Professional General Artist
Why are my submissions taking so long???????
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vanndra Featured By Owner Oct 5, 2020  Hobbyist General Artist
Thanks so much for the invite! :) 
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spiraloso Featured By Owner Oct 5, 2020  Professional Digital Artist
Thank you so much for inviting me here!
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SelflessDevotions Featured By Owner Jul 9, 2020   Digital Artist
Thanks for the invitation :)
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AlexanderPaupoff Featured By Owner Jul 9, 2020
Thank you :) :tea: 
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