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Description

Somewhere on the Cliff, where ochre stone houses hold onto oneanother like seashells on a rock, is a small residence covered by a huge wisteria. In this small house, lives the heiress of a modest family. It is said among neighbours that this lady, however beautiful, was the darkest worry of her parents. That she was the black sheep of the family, who deprived her younger siblings from their heirloom; this same small house. It is said also that her heart must be as dark as her parents suspected, because at 25 years old, and despite her angelic beauty, she is still not married. Far worse, notwithstanding that she is single, she dares to take men home, allowing them the same reguards she should have reserved to a rightful husband.

This is what is whispered in her back, along her airy path. But Maristella is neither a black sheep, nor an egoistic elder depriving her siblings from their rights. She is a free soul. Perhaps too free for a very conservative area of the town. Maristella is a dancer. Not THAT kind of dancer. The kind that makes a living by performing at festivals and public shows where grannies wouldn't blush. One who dances in the streets sometimes, for the delight of passers by, in hope for their generosity. Living on her own, light and free as the wind. Living exactly so as she pleased, sustained by her talent. And what pleased her the most was not having a husband in her way, to tell her how she should behave. Or tell her that dancing is not suitable for a married woman. Nor parents, nor siblings, who would think likewise. When her parents died, as she was the elder of her family, she couldn't be denied the small house with the wisteria. The house of her grandmother who she loved dearly. Maristella would have done anything to keep that house that was her home. Yet, all the rest of the legacy went to her siblings. And that left Maristella with a huge problem, because she owned the house, but not the land that it was built on. Therefore, she must pay an annual taxe to the landowner. Being a dancer had always made her financially independant; but however much she would dance, she could never afford enough money to pay that taxe. No help to await from her siblings even if their part of the leagacy was quite wealthy; all she got from them was conceit, and the advice to get married to a rich man, and let herself be tamed, at last. The thing is, it is also said that no one can tame the wind. If she was going to be chained to a man she didn't want, she'd rather impose her conditions. That's how Maristella became an occasional courtesan. A courtesan who chose her clients by herself, and became their escort in exchange of the payment of her taxe, and the observation of a very strict contract. A contract that guaranties her independance from them, allowing both parties to break it whenever they please. A contract that protects her from violence and mistreatments, just as from nonpayment and unpleasant surprises. In exchange of these rules's strict observation, her clients are welcome in her home just as in their own, would it be for pleasure, food, conversation, or just a tea. Yet, having several clients along oneanother can be an inconveniency; there are jealousies, schedule problems, and rivalry of proud roosters to manage. So, what is not whispered by her neighbours, is that she is looking for one who could afford her taxe on his own. It is not said, either, that she might have found him...

I have done that drawing on A5, in an atempt to get more quickly to a final colored result. Nevertheless, I tried to make it as detailed as possible, so that this new format doesn't get too minimalistic or boring. I'm not sure that I wille keep it, though, because the gained time is not very relevant. Let's say that I had those A5 bristols, and that I took the occasion to try, but I'm not convinced. XD What do you think about it, did it annoy you?

As always, please take note that untamed Maristella, Cymbelmine, lore, characters and story belong to me.

Description

Somewhere on the Cliff, where ochre stone houses hold onto oneanother like seashells on a rock, is a small residence covered by a huge wisteria. In this small house, lives the heiress of a modest family. It is said among neighbours that this lady, however beautiful, was the darkest worry of her parents. That she was the black sheep of the family, who deprived her younger siblings from their heirloom; this same small house. It is said also that her heart must be as dark as her parents suspected, because at 25 years old, and despite her angelic beauty, she is still not married. Far worse, notwithstanding that she is single, she dares to take men home, allowing them the same reguards she should have reserved to a rightful husband.

This is what is whispered in her back, along her airy path. But Maristella is neither a black sheep, nor an egoistic elder depriving her siblings from their rights. She is a free soul. Perhaps too free for a very conservative area of the town. Maristella is a dancer. Not THAT kind of dancer. The kind that makes a living by performing at festivals and public shows where grannies wouldn't blush. One who dances in the streets sometimes, for the delight of passers by, in hope for their generosity. Living on her own, light and free as the wind. Living exactly so as she pleased, sustained by her talent. And what pleased her the most was not having a husband in her way, to tell her how she should behave. Or tell her that dancing is not suitable for a married woman. Nor parents, nor siblings, who would think likewise. When her parents died, as she was the elder of her family, she couldn't be denied the small house with the wisteria. The house of her grandmother who she loved dearly. Maristella would have done anything to keep that house that was her home. Yet, all the rest of the legacy went to her siblings. And that left Maristella with a huge problem, because she owned the house, but not the land that it was built on. Therefore, she must pay an annual taxe to the landowner. Being a dancer had always made her financially independant; but however much she would dance, she could never afford enough money to pay that taxe. No help to await from her siblings even if their part of the leagacy was quite wealthy; all she got from them was conceit, and the advice to get married to a rich man, and let herself be tamed, at last. The thing is, it is also said that no one can tame the wind. If she was going to be chained to a man she didn't want, she'd rather impose her conditions. That's how Maristella became an occasional courtesan. A courtesan who chose her clients by herself, and became their escort in exchange of the payment of her taxe, and the observation of a very strict contract. A contract that guaranties her independance from them, allowing both parties to break it whenever they please. A contract that protects her from violence and mistreatments, just as from nonpayment and unpleasant surprises. In exchange of these rules's strict observation, her clients are welcome in her home just as in their own, would it be for pleasure, food, conversation, or just a tea. Yet, having several clients along oneanother can be an inconveniency; there are jealousies, schedule problems, and rivalry of proud roosters to manage. So, what is not whispered by her neighbours, is that she is looking for one who could afford her taxe on his own. It is not said, either, that she might have found him...

I have done that drawing on A5, in an atempt to get more quickly to a final colored result. Nevertheless, I tried to make it as detailed as possible, so that this new format doesn't get too minimalistic or boring. I'm not sure that I wille keep it, though, because the gained time is not very relevant. Let's say that I had those A5 bristols, and that I took the occasion to try, but I'm not convinced. XD What do you think about it, did it annoy you?

As always, please take note that untamed Maristella, Cymbelmine, lore, characters and story belong to me.