#Branson 🐀🎸

[asheanon]

Just had this totally unhinged thought about the gang sitting around a campfire, roasting marshmallows and whatnot...

Sal, smiling, mild as she most always is, casually roasts her respective marshmallow; it's ablaze, on the verge of going black as she brings it to her lips. She does not blow on it. She eats it, fire and all. 🔥

Lorien, Mina and Branson are just like...

#thought for the day ☕ #Lorien ✨🎻 #Mina 🦎🪘 #Branson 🐀🎸 #Sal 🌌🎹 #anyway #hi #filling the void 🌌 #with #unhinged thoughts #she would never do that #absolutely would not #but she -could- #and that's why I think about it... #hahaha! #I may or may not attempt some writing today #now that I have the time again! #(We'll see if I have the mind though...)

[asheanon]

Ever since I shared a sneaky peeky of this panel yesterday, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it, so... gonna spend this Sunday evening being wholesome instead of sinning, like I usually am...! and getting a little more work done on it! 💕

#🌠 Ashe Anon | Art 🎨 #🌠 Ashe Anon | Starlight ✨ #Lorien ✨🎻 #Mina 🦎🪘 #Branson 🐀🎸 #Sal 🌌🎹 #filling the void 🌌 #with a #wholesome #WIP #Branson's always getting the short end of the stick #I'm so sorry #🫠 #I promise I'll share the version with his face in it as soon as I can! #🎨🐌💨

[asheanon]

Okay, so, I ran out of time to do more for him this weekend (need to hop back over to commissions and other October projects before October's over!) BUT... Here, we have the humble beginnings of Branson! 🐀

My shaggy emo rat man, bless him... Dude finally has a face. Later, he'll have a body with some clothes and stuff too. It'll be great!

#🌠 Ashe Anon | Art 🎨 #🌠 Ashe Anon | Starlight ✨ #Branson 🐀🎸 #ff9 #ffix #final fantasy 9 #final fantasy ix #oc #rat #burmecian #concept art #character art #wip #work in progress

[asheanon]

Also, I had this cute little realization when thinking about my dudes earlier...

So, there's four of them here, right? Naturally, you think about associating them with things that come in fours sometimes - like the seasons, for example! Sticking to just the seasons with these guys, though, you'd end up having two springs (Lorien and Sal) one summer (Mina) and one winter (Branson,) but... I kept think-thonking a little more on it... and realized how I could encapsulate all four seasons with them.~

I realized they were totally blends of them - and the blends suit them strangely well! The vibes, the colors, personality - everything. It all suddenly checked out when I thought of them as:

Lorien: Spring/Summer 🌄💐 Mina: Summer/Fall 🌻🍁 Branson: Fall/Winter 🍂❄️ Sal: Winter/Spring 🌌🌱

Anyway, there's that.~

#And a silly #thought for the day ☕ #as well #you can get all poetic with them too #(I stopped myself) #(you're welcome) #haha! #Lorien ✨🎻 #Mina 🦎🪘 #Branson 🐀🎸 #Sal 🌌🎹

[asheanon]

It was a lovely evening. Simply sublime.

For those who may fancy themselves a night under the stars, it was perhaps the perfect night for camping... However, for those who didn't want to go through the motions of needlessly sleeping out in the wilderness when you could easily still enjoy the stars, then go into the comfort of a nice, warm, bug-free room at a nearby inn - complete with an actual bed and bathroom safe from the elements... It was a perfect night for that too!

In the fading light of day, around an oddly sizeable campfire, there sat four figures. At a glance, it would seem they were doing little more than most in a social gathering involving fire would do: just hanging out around it. The talkers would talk, the listeners would listen and those who wished to partake of the large, homemade puffs of fluffy confectionery could do so however they saw fit, which...

Really is just to say all four of them were roasting said sugary puffs and having a jolly good time while doing so!

Chit-chatting away about some pleasant memories and experiences of yore, Mina seemed even more buoyant and bubbly than usual (never underestimate the power of giving lots of sugar to a tiny newt lady.) Lorien offered a similar caliber of enthusiasm whenever the opportunity presented itself as well. Quietly, Branson and Sal listened to the two, playing the part of captive audience with relative ease.

Despite all the scintillating stimulus that may meet the senses here, however, it was at that very moment that Sal felt an unfamiliar presence... the sound of leaves rustling in a nearby bush or something of the like seemed to follow.

". . ."

Branson seemed to pick up on the sound as well. The violinist and the newt seemed unaware of it. Neither of them said a word.

It wasn't until another soft, suspicious addition to the ambience of the night revealed itself that one of the two finally spoke up.

"There is room for one more, should you wish to join us."

Though she did not look in their direction, the invite was cast out for whoever lurked in the shadows...

Briefly, there was silence. Having missed out on the auditory cues, if Mina or Lorien didn't know any better, they would think this was the makings of a ghost story in the works! Who better to tell such a tale than the ghost-of-sorts among them, after all.

Unbeknownst to all four of these friendly fellows, however, it could be noted that there was a chance - and only a chance - that whatever phantasms may linger among the nearby brush were of a distinctly @royaldeceit and/or @danthekickingman design...

#🌠 Ashe Anon | RP 🌎 #🌱📗 #Lorien ✨🎻 #Mina 🦎🪘 #Branson 🐀🎸 #Sal 🌌🎹 #There #a campfire open to all~ #🔥🖤 #There may or may not be the presence of The Dans... #There may or may not be a chance there's an army of characters lying in wait for marshmallow-roasting goodness... #There may or may not be ANYONE out there... #we shall see what happens regardless~ #also #yes #sorry #I actually hate camping #but listen #you can still enjoy everything about the “camping” experience #without actually sleeping outside #which means #most importantly: #you can STILL ENJOY ROASTING MARSHMALLOWS #💕

[asheanon]

Filling the void with Branson musical inspo today. 🐀🎸

First of all, can I just say Marcin is freaking phenomenal? Because he is. And to boot, the sound and general mood of some of his compositions remind me very strongly of Branson.

While Branson's play style wouldn't be a carbon copy of Marcin's for a number of reasons, I would like to believe he would surprise most first time listener's with his dexterity and skill.

He is known for being a more somber and brooding character; his music often reflects this too, of course, but it also gives way to a more subdued side of him, at times. Something more confident and perhaps even a little aggressive!

Much as I've described Sal and how her music serves as an often unspoken layer to her character, so does Branson's. Those two (Sal and Branson) are more introverted than Mina and Lorien, though, so it may make sense for them to have some lesser seen colors come out whenever they play. 🎵

#inspiration 🌈 #filling the void 🌌 #with #🎼 Musical Inspirations #feat. #Branson 🐀🎸 #I need... to make tags for specific characters #and particular “factoids” like these #(and RP things) #and I think I need to re-think how to present them #rework the pinned post #create dedicated posts for certain tags vs. listing them all there #(sorry this has little to do with Branson) #(just thinking in the tags! Haha!)

[asheanon]

So, uh, listen... I have nothing else to offer right now other than higher-res views of these guys' faces. 🫠

I'm still toiling away over more... like, I have most of the words ready for questions, I just need the art to accompany them! If anything, though, it's nice to start working on these so I can have them for future shenanigans. 🕺

Once again, thank you all for your interactions and patience. I appreciate y'all. 💙

#🌠 Ashe Anon | Art 🎨 #Lorien ✨🎻 #Mina 🦎🪘 #Branson 🐀🎸 #Sal 🌌🎹 #filling the void 🌌 #with #signs of life #since I've been so quiet #everywhere #not just here #🫠 #ff9 #ffix #final fantasy 9 #final fantasy ix #oc #ocs

[asheanon]

Moral Alignment Test

You are 43.3% good, 14.2% chaotic, making you neutral good.

Neutral Good

People who are Neutral Good are guided by their conscience and typically act altruistically, with only secondary regard for whether their actions are lawful or in line with cultural expectations or traditions. Neutral Good individuals have no problems with what is lawful as such, and nor are they rebels by nature, but they believe in furthering kindness and good deeds through whatever means seem necessary to them. If fostering good means supporting an organized society, then that is what must be done. If good can only come about through the overthrow of the existing social order, then so be it. For many who are Neutral Good, insistence on either lawfulness or rebellion is seen as detriments to or distractions from the greater goal of promoting true kindness in the world.

Tagged by: @rcsetorn (thank you for the tag!) 💕

Tagging: @vinjaryou, @oomerkabaoo, @daffodilzae and whoever else would like to align their OCs' (or their own) morals and whatnot. Whatever suits you, my dudes.~

#in the meme-time 😎 #Branson 🐀🎸 #Sooo neutral #honestly #I'm surprised there was a “good” in there #at the rate we were going #Bran #He was indifferent/“I don't know” to a lot of those... #hahaha! #It fits the bill #though #Not exactly clean-cut #but he's got a good heart #❤️🐀 #(Thank you for requesting him as well!) #(Branson needs to be pulled out into the open more here) #(Even if he would rather not be) #😆

[asheanon]

I'm not sure I'm doing this right, but this is for the ask box writing prompt!

Mina and Branson walking in a park. Can be an AU or not as long as it has a park!

(That'll do just fine! You're doing it right.) 💕

From: Ask Box Writing Prompt Game

📖 It's Story Time... And some tunes to accompany, if you like!

Spring was just making its way out the door as summer stepped in, lush greenery in tow. All was now warm and verdant within this temperate landscape. Cumulus puffs that dare stray before the sun were framed in ivory light, pleasantly picturesque, putting on quite the display for those who stopped to look. It was as if the pearly gates themselves lie in wait somewhere beyond them, really.

The sky had no right to be that beautiful for such a simple story! Alas, it was a beautiful day. And a perfect one to spend in a local park.

Walking hand in hand with a clement breeze were the strums of an acoustic guitar. Though gentle, its rustic sound gave life to the world around it and its owner just a small measure more (pun intended.) The tranquility was cut short by a sudden shriek, however.

Lifting his head in bewilderment, the very large and very rat (yes, very rat) gent glanced about him.

"Branson!"

The familiarly petite voice of a very small and very newt lady soon called out his name. As she ran up to him, her webbed feet slapped the pavement with the same eloquence of a duck frantically scuttling away from a pursuer.

"Branson, you have to come see the ducks."

Speaking of ducks... He sighed to himself. Thankfully, Mina wasn't hurt or anything. Or hurt too badly, rather... he took note of how she spared a moment to examine one of her hands, shaking it out briefly as she let out a small grunt.

"You were bitten."

"It was a for a good cause!" She retorted, sunny demeanor still shining ever brightly (despite now bearing what looked to be a nicely pinched bit of finger.) "C'mon.~"

Briefly, he scrutinized her before lifting himself up from the bench he sat upon, guitar in hand. He carefully packed the instrument away, reclaiming it once it was in the safety of its case. Seemed it would be joining him for even more unseen adventures today. For but a moment, he wondered what new stories the two would have to tell later on as he accompanied his little newt friend to... wherever it was they were going.

Mina sped ahead, her sense of urgency undeniable. Branson upgraded what was more of a lax gait to that of a light jog, still ever mindful of the guitar he carried with him. It felt as if he managed but a handful of steps all before coming to a stop once more as Mina let out a gasp.

"Look! There they are!" She giggled to herself before glancing back at her giant rat man companion, ushering him over (for what felt to be the fifth time, at least.) She was like a child on Christmas morning. Completely and utterly enchanted by the site before her. Branson closed the remaining distance between them, joining her side as he followed her line of site.

Lo and behold, there was indeed a duck. A brown speckled duck and... seven mottled ducklings, tiny as could be, waddling behind her. Shuffling out of some nearby bushes, the family of fowl crossed their path. They seemed to be set on making their way to the lake, which, notably, was still some ways away.

"Let's follow them.~"

"Mina..." One didn't even need to look at Branson to see him rolling his eyes. You could practically hear him doing it.

"I just saved that little one right there!" She attempted to point out one of the babies amidst the group. "The mama didn't understand, but... that's okay!"

Branson couldn't distinguish exactly which one she was referring to, but he'd take her word for it. Her little duck-bitten finger was a mark of pride for whatever heroic acts she had committed today on their behalf. That was enough confirmation for him.

"I have to see to it that they make it to the lake, okay? I'm too emotionally invested not to, now."

To be honest, she would have been "too emotionally invested" even if she hadn't saved that duckling, but true to his form, he kept quiet on the matter. Instead, he let out another sigh. He took up a leisurely stride as he trailed after the last few stragglers in the party of eight.

"Let's go."

Needless to say, at Branson's insistence, the sparkle in Mina's eyes was reborn. Beaming, she joined him in an instant. Party of ten, incoming...

And so began their monumental duck "escort." Which merely consisted of walking with ducks. That was it, really. If anyone would have asked Bran where he saw himself within the next few hours this morning, "walking with ducks" would not have been his first answer, much less his second. Or third.

One may be tempted to think Mina's enthusiasm often teetered along the lines of unreasonable over such matters, but... that was Mina for you! She saw the world through such a genial light compared to someone like Branson. Precious and cordial. It was a light worth protecting and even indulging on little outings such as these.

... Those ducklings were pretty darn cute, though, to be fair.

#🌠 Ashe Anon | Writing 📖 #Mina 🦎🪘 #Branson 🐀🎸 #anonymous #Sorry if there are errors #I am hitting enter #I cannot be stopped #🥴 #Park Achieved #complete with newt lady and rat man #🌳💚 #and kind of/sort of a walk #I turned it into more than just a walk #I apologize! #🫠🦆 #but thank you for the prompt!

[asheanon]

16. Which one of your biggest flaws do you like to rationalize the most? (for Branson!)

From: *: ･ﾟ✧   90 loaded questions / interview the muse.

He mulls over the inquisition for a moment. Many moments, even.

Seriously, this pause is long... and awkward. Long and awkward enough to bother those who are often perturbed by such a silence.

In time, the sound of birds chirping merrily outside a window seems to pull in his attention. He studies them intently as they fill the soundless void.

"... Being too quiet." He finally answers.

#🌠 Ashe Anon | RP 🌎 #that's a good question ❔ #Branson 🐀🎸 #silverymusings #Sometimes #it feels like Branson and Sal #compete for “world's most overthought answer” #as well as #“world's best question dodger” #when it comes to questions

[asheanon]

For fun, I figured I'd share a couple bits of trivia and headcanons for my gang and some canon characters specific to "Starlight" (the FFIX x Original fanfic) to #fill the void #from the void once more. 🍃

My Gang:

Though Branson is rather skilled with the lute as well as guitar, when it comes to chords, they most always have to be simplified due to having four digits vs. five.

Mina, despite being mostly inspired by the Luristan newt in design, can do the eye-licking thing geckos do. She can, she isn't notorious for doing it like her siblings, though, who often did it (and still do) simply to mess with people.

Lorien is a left handed violinist. He has earned the goofy little title of "Lefty Lory" in some circles for this reason.

Known for struggling with sleep, it is theorized that one of the many reasons Sal does is because she often travels. Though she keeps track of different times on her cell, particularly her "home" time, the frequent exposure to different times across the cosmos inadvertently take their toll on her.

Canon Characters:

While Kuja's "hair feathers" may not necessarily grow like proper feathers, they do go through molt cycles akin to an actual bird's feathers. They can also be plucked. Anytime he loses them for any reason, he will dress accordingly to hide the fact or lock himself away, nowhere to be seen until the feathers grow back.

Survit (Kuja's silver dragon) earned his name after a rather dreadful encounter with dragoons. Derived from French (given some of Gaia's cultural inspiration and how Kuja inevitably forms some intrinsic interest in said culture once stranded with it) "Survit" translates to "survives."

Though it currently serves no story purpose, Garland is familiar with Ethereals. There are records of them, in their purest form, being used as a source of fuel many millennia ago as Terra navigated the cosmos. Though, they are seen as little more than organic energy sources, given that their purest form bears no sentience (Ethereals not bound to corporeal forms, like Sal, are like space jellyfish, so to speak! A bundle of nerves and energy, easy to interpret as mindless.)

There is some bad blood between Lowell and Lorien. There are whispers that the two had been in a relationship once upon a time. Needless to say, things didn't work out!

#midnight musings 🌃 #Lorien ✨🎻 #Mina 🦎🪘 #Branson 🐀🎸 #Sal 🌌🎹 #Kuja 🪶🌹 #Survit 🐉☁️ #Hello darkness my old friend #I've come to talk with you again #filling the void 🌌 #from the void 🌌

[asheanon]

I... I only just now realized the rat folk (from FFIX) are shown to have four digits. Even actual rats only have four digits (they technically have four fingers and a little nub for a thumb, but still.) 🐀 Silly little me, I decided to give Branson the lute to play, of all things!

In the same breath, I suppose you could say it supports his backstory a bit, given how he struggled his way into music more than the other two. Between coming from a family that didn't support his musicality and likely learning how to play differently to compensate for having four digits vs. five (plus claws and monster hands) the struggle could seem even more understandable...

And like, I know. There are a bunch of other wild and crazy entities that probably learned how to do the music thing with random sets of digits, so what? It's a fantasy world! Anyone can play the lute if they put their heart into it, right? No big deal.

However, I am personally still recovering from this realization! I'll get over it eventually... 🤔

#thought for the day ☕ #midnight musings 🌃 #Branson 🐀🎸 #this is a thought #that competes with the 'Mina isn't slimy' thought #it's not quite midnight #but it's very intense nonetheless!

[asheanon]

10. What fact do they excitedly tell everyone about at every opportunity? (for Branson!)

From: WEIRDLY SPECIFIC BUT HELPFUL CHARACTER BUILDING QUESTIONS

🤔

Thinking about Branson "excitedly" doing anything is something that eluded me, so I had to sit on this one for a while... hahaha!

If I were to guess, the closest thing to him doing this would be him speaking on his interest in mineralogy. Being Branson, he isn't 100% guaranteed to speak on it when it becomes relevant/every opportunity, but there is a much higher chance of him doing so when it does!

Should someone come across any manner of crystal or rock and ask him about it in particular, though, he'll gladly pitch in with whatever knowledge he may have. 💎

This can also lend itself to certain points of their little treasure hunt too, actually! They do visit some caves and underground structures in which Branson speculates the possible formation of, among some things. Just makes the whole experience a little more interesting. 💕

#that's a good question ❔ #Branson 🐀🎸 #tailoringtay #Branson is such a quiet fella #for him to talk about anything in length #longer than a sentence or two #is what I'd consider his own brand of excitement #really #once again #thank you for the questions! #they were good fun to entertain!

[asheanon]

Sometimes, I hop into docs, notes or Discord and work on words via mobile, but then I remember why I don't do anything words related via mobile all that often as I look back and see "Brandon" instead of Branson twenty three times...

But now, I wonder how much it would change everyone's perspective (including mine) of the giant emo rat man if his name was Brandon instead of Branson. 🤔

#thought for the day ☕ #Branson 🐀🎸 #There are also the honorable mentions of: #“Salt” #“Mine” #and “Lotion” #one happy family #filling the void 🌌 #with #one of the many tales of autocorrect

[asheanon]

You know, thinking about it... 🤔 (I keep seeing New Year character posts on the dash and figured I'd throw a little one in too.~)

For my gang, I like to imagine them all celebrating the New Year as most any other gang would! 🎆🥂

But then, you have that deep, profound sadness lurking "in the corner" for Sal and she constantly tries to "not make eye contact" with it.

She's just one of those characters, man... As much as she keeps the brooding to herself, she's still long lived - classic case of long-lived character fraternizing with short-lived characters, watching them grow older another year, trying not to feel that divide between them...

Outwardly, it be like:

Inwardly, it be like:

Only once in a while, though! It's mostly good fun - like, 95% good fun! 🕺 (It's like trying not to let the existential crisis set in on the daily - always there, always looming - but the distractions and positive experiences + vibes overshadow it!)

#thought for the day ☕ #Lorien ✨🎻 #Mina 🦎🪘 #Branson 🐀🎸 #Sal 🌌🎹 #She's fine #just vibin' #🌌🕺 #she's not thinking about how this will all end one day #:) #doesn't help that she doesn't really drink much #or maybe it does? #She might end up being one of those depressed drinkers if she did #hahaha! #Ah... #🫠🫠🫠 #(Sorry Sally) #anywayyy...! #🎆 Happy New Year / Happy New Year's Eve 🎇 #my dudes #whichever applies #here's to hoping the coming year is just a little bit kinder #to all of us #🫂💙

[asheanon]

I know I already wrote this elsewhere for a few of you to see, but I figured I'd toss this up on Tumblr as well, as per the usual think-thonking void filler.

So... 🤔 The more I lean into the musical aspects of Kuja, the more I find a foothold in his character (unsurprisingly.) As in, what feels like more of an individual take on his character. Others may or may not like that? Not that what others like really matters here. I think that’s why I feel more comfortable with the “Phantom Of The Opera” AU version of him vs. OG too, though.

In my opinion, he has a lot of musical potential… especially when looking at some of the lines they gave him in Dissidia. He's obviously into theatre and the theatrical, yes, but I do quite like the idea of him being just as musical - or at least having some undeniable interest in it. Essentially, I think I’d do well to follow that more musical train of thought into the FFIX fanfic as well! Plus, it helps connect him to these silly little characters of mine and their even sillier little story antics even more too. Haha! (He takes some interest in the treasure hunt, but his involvement is limited for a number of reasons. Particularly mid-FFIX.)

Working with the musical aspects of characters feels so true to me. Always has, always will. I feel a lot of comfort working with music in storytelling. I hope you guys don't mind. 🤍🎼

#midnight musings 🌃 #Kuja 🪶🌹 #thought for the day ☕ #and #filling the void 🌌 #with more Kuja thoughts #and my favorite emoji again #🤔 #Oh! Also #unrelated: #the amount of love Branson has been getting #is absolutely bonkers #I'm glad you guys like him #I'll release more on him as soon as I can! #🐀🎸