Contest Entry - Family Love

So here’s my entry for round two of the royal family of Zoududan (minus the parents, for reasons to be explained below) and with Seina’s picture taped to the side (explained in a story ). This isn’t as extensive a picture as I wanted, but with a virus on my computer, I’m lucky that I even managed to finish this. I REFUSE to be late, I will always respect a deadline. So this is what I got. And I only finished this because a good friend periodically let me borrow her computer. I have to say the hardest part was trying to nail the different ages, but it was a fun challenge! I’m so sorry a long description is below, forgive me. But I implore you to read through the whole thing, I put as much work into this as I did the art itself.

To explain the photograph, it’s only of Martius (King) and Anann's (Queen) children. The king and queen had many photos and portraits of their children in formal attire or very posed. They just wanted a picture of their family, being themselves. So as soon as the 3 eldest sons returned from training they did their best to snap a photo. But organizing 8 children (with the youngest only a mere infant), proved to be a task. Marius held the camera while Anann ran back and forth behind him trying to keep her children in line and still. This resulted in one of their favorite photographs because even though it’s not perfect, it really shows the true personalities and nature of their wonderful children.

From Left to Right:

Talbot - Age 10 - Crown Prince of Zoududan. Talbot is the eldest child, however, this was his awkward phase. From the time he was 8 to the time he was in his late teens Talbot was effeminate and had trouble gaining muscle. He was truly bothered by this and always worked very hard to no avail. To make matters worse his younger brothers the twins, Dimi and Pyry, had already begun to go through a childhood growth spurt. Despite this, Talbot never took it out against his brothers. He continued to her a very fair and kind individual. In the end, his struggle made him a better person and king as he was able to understand what true struggle and frustration was. He ended up going through a major teenage growth spurt and became the most imposing of the brothers. He along with the twins just returned from training and can still be seen in full gear.

Apollo - Age 6 - The fifth child. We all know that one kid that loves to dress up every day. Most assume it’s a girl in dresses, but who says it has to be? Apollo loved to dress up as a child. He never objected no matter how constricting, or heavy the clothes were. He adored it, especially the cape. This is a trait he carried into adulthood, he loves to be polished and clean, even though he’s learned to do this with casual clothes and doesn’t require wearing formal dress all the time anymore.

Malvolio - Age 8 - The fourth child, right in the middle.  Like most middle children he was by far the most quiet and often felt overlooked in the family. This notion only lasted through childhood however. He saw very clearly how much he was loved and valued when he was placed as his father’s advisor late in life. 

Horus - Age 4 - The sixth child. Have you ever known a child who didn’t like to keep on clothes? Yeah. That was Horus. Despite his mother’s pleading he refused to wear shirts from the time he was 2 to the time he was 5. Eventually, his parents stopped fighting and decided if that’s who their son wanted to be, it was fine with them. They just made sure he wore a lot of sunscreen. He eventually grew out of this fun phase. He also doesn’t seem quite sure of his new baby sister. 

Dimi - Age 9 - Second child of the king and queen (and older to his brother by 3 minutes). Dimi was always closest to his brother Pyry and they were rarely seen apart. However they developed distinct personalities, Dimi is an aggressive hot head, and is the first of all the children to attack in battle. He, like Talbot and Pyry, just returned from training in this photo. 

Destra - Age 1 - The 8th and final child as well as the only princess of Zoududan. She had been attempting to crawl towards her mother in this photo, to whom she was very attached as an infant. Destra is unique in that she inherited her great grandmother’s red hair. Red hair, blue eyes (which Destra does not have but her brother Talbot does) and pale skin are all Royal family bloodline traits and therefore, rare.

Pyry - Age 9 - Third child, Pyry, unlike Dimi and most of the children doesn’t like to fight in battle. He prefers to create battle plans and work on the sidelines. He’s a statistical man and a brilliant strategist comparable to no other. That doesn’t mean he won’t fight just that he doesn’t prefer it. He, like Talbot and Dimi, just returned from training in this photo. 

Ares - Age 3 - The seventh child and youngest son. He is also the only male fairy from the family. Ares dreamed of being a specialist like all of his brothers. However, his family was shocked to learn that he was indeed, a fairy. Initially he had been disappointed with this, and it caused him some internal strife and tension between his brothers. Thankfully, he overcame this with guidance from his parents and learned to accept who he was. He came to enjoy his time at Alfea and kept a close eye on his sister Destra. It’s through her that he would meet Seina.

Seina - Age 3 - Technically, Seina and Destra are the same age. However, because her photograph was originally not apart of this family photo, Ares took a picture from when he and Seina were the same age. 

STORY TIME  

Seina sat on her large bed, counting the cracks in the floor to distract herself from her feelings. Her head shot up as her husband entered.

“Here you are,” He remarked. “I’ve been looking all over!”

“Sorry, honey.” She dropped her head.

Ares sighed and approached his wife, cautiously putting a hand on her back. “What’s wrong?”

“I can’t do anything right here…It’s been 3 years since we were married and I still don’t fit in!”

“I told you Sei, those dignitaries weren’t angry at you. They were…” He paused looking for the right term. “…pumped up! They loved your idea, you were just fine.”

Seina groaned and let herself fall backwards on the bed. “I don’t even know how to be sad right.”

Ares looked away wondering how he could comfort her. “Come with me” He said, getting up from the bed.

“Where?” 

“You’ll see!” He grinned as he held out his hand. With a sigh Seina took it and he whisked her off the bed and out of the room.

They walked down many halls.

“The kings quarters?” Seina wondered, when they reached their destination.

“Yeah!” He stopped in front of a framed photograph on the wall. Seina peered into it. You guys really should consider better lighting in the castle its so dark.

"As you wish your majesty” Ares chuckled and held a candle closer to the photo. It was one of all the children of Martius and Anann. But unlike other photos she had seen it wasn’t formal, or in fancy attire. It was just the kids being kids. 

“This is one of my mothers favorite photographs of us.” Ares added. 

“That’s great, but how is this supposed to make me feel better?”

“Look.” Ares held the candle to the far right side, where Seina noticed a ripped photograph had been taped up.

“I got that from your mother.” Ares smiled. 

The photo was one Seina knew well, a picture her mother had taken when she was a little girl playing with her sister Eir. However, Eir had been ripped out so only Seina remained. 

“Why did you do this..? She turned and looked at him.

“When we took that picture there was this big space left next to me. Just blank space no one there, no reason for it to be there. I always wondered why my parents didn’t crop it out. Now I know why. It’s so I could put you there, because you always belong by my side. You belong here my little ray of sunshine.”

Seina was near tears. “If you die, I die with you.” She had never said this phrase to Ares before, but she felt this was the time.

Ares cupped her face with his hand. “And I with you.” 

Note: To clarify, that final phrase “If you die, I die with you” and “And I with you.” is a very special phrase on Zoududan. The first king and queen were known for being madly in love and whenever the kingdom was threatened, they were known to go into battle together. Unfortunately, the king was gravely injured in battle, thankfully his wife had the ability to be at his side in his final moments. Before he could die she tearfully declared, “If you die, I die with you.” and the kings final words to his wife were “And I with you.” Since then this phrase has had very special meaning to the planet. If someone from Zoududan told you that, it means that you’re the only person they’ll ever love, that you’re incredibly special and near to their heart. 

Credits: 

Seina and Eir:

Zoududan and Royal Family:

Bases: fantasy-voice.deviantart.com/a… and fantasy-voice.deviantart.com/a… by  
winx-base.deviantart.com/art/B… by

References: nick.mtvnimages.com/nick/shows… i.ytimg.com/vi/KccBMpIaHxE/hqd… 2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-6MTAWEnC4… i.ytimg.com/vi/YMEM2mt-3QM/max… vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/w…

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