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Published: 2006-10-09 10:07:41 +0000 UTC; Views: 14001; Favourites: 506; Downloads: 79
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** Image updated as of Anime Boston 2008 **Looks like I'll go first again.
I'm not sure what prompted us to decide upon this scene, exactly.
The setting is right before Xigbar goes to challenge Sora in the World That Never Was, and whether that apparition of Xaldin behind him is an echo of his own memory, or an actual ghost looking out for our wayward eyepatched hero...
I'll leave for U-E to talk about, as I'm normally the one to say the deep stuff. U-E can have it this time.
Technical aspects....
-I hate Xigbar's gun.
-Xaldin's face does not satisfy me. I must have drawn it 30 different times.
So here's Xigbar reloading his snipes whilst Xaldin does his dead-Jedi impersonation.
Our pair here isn't as cannon as Axel & Roxas, or even almost-as-cannon as Xemnas & Saix, or even do the two of them really have much to do with each other seemingly at first. I actually keep forgetting that they have absolutely no interaction in the game at all. But despite that, somehow No. 2 & 3 are totally the duo in my mind anyway. In particular, we tend to think about Xaldin a lot. By now, we probably have thousands of unwritten pages extrapolating on his tragic past, of his existance and non-existance. Here's just a slice of a tangent of an offshoot of our devotion to him. And Xigbar (even being all serious for once) is always a win, even if his gummi-esque laser-ish projectile device is hell in a bad way.
I had a hard time staying focusing while working on it.
It's kinda bittersweet, isn't it?
Well, some people might not think so. Like Sora wouldn't think so.
But he's just a naive serial-killer, so we're not going to pay much attention to his opinion.
We like to stuff such prejudiced people back into their glass avacodos where they can't mindlessly destroy cosmic hopes and dreams far beyond their comprehension, whilst being spoon-fed propaganda that they are doing the "right thing" and saving the worlds.
Yeah. What does he know anyway?
This pic is for the rest of you.
Xaldin and Xigbar (c) Squarenix.
Related content
Comments: 167
DamoclesandEverto [2009-05-16 16:06:49 +0000 UTC]
Absolutely gorgeous. Marvellously done. <3
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
ghost-of-dreams [2009-04-26 02:39:02 +0000 UTC]
Aww... Wow... This is so pretty... and slighty sad... I love it!!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
BelleTheBeauty [2009-02-04 23:09:33 +0000 UTC]
This is absolutely beautiful... It makes you feel sadness with them, and it's really touching...
Gorgeous work! <3
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
8-13 In reply to BelleTheBeauty [2009-02-28 07:10:07 +0000 UTC]
Thank you very much...I really appreciate your comment.
-Saeru
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
NIGHTSTORM77 [2009-01-26 22:27:23 +0000 UTC]
i read a fanfic with the title and i saw this picture and i wanted to cry. sniff, I LOVE XALDIN!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
8-13 In reply to NIGHTSTORM77 [2009-02-28 07:22:02 +0000 UTC]
;-; I know. It makes me sad still, too. What fanfic were you reading?
-Saeru
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
8-13 In reply to DarkerJustice [2008-12-30 08:41:59 +0000 UTC]
This picture still depresses me at times, as well. ;-; Thank you for the comment!
-Saeru
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Kiki-Celina [2008-09-10 03:30:30 +0000 UTC]
I love this piece so much, actually it inspired me for a fic.
[link]
Gave you and your piece credit for the inspiration.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
8-13 In reply to Kiki-Celina [2008-12-30 08:44:18 +0000 UTC]
I cannot believe I missed your post! Sorry it took me so long! I'm going to read right now!
-Saeru
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
DJ-Skylark [2008-08-27 02:57:56 +0000 UTC]
A thing of beauty.
A thing of beauty.
Both art and ramble about Sora. ...Glass avacado.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
8-13 In reply to DJ-Skylark [2008-12-30 08:44:47 +0000 UTC]
Ooohh....thank you. Truly. ^.^
-Saeru
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
DJ-Skylark In reply to 8-13 [2008-12-30 17:02:09 +0000 UTC]
I would kill to use thee quote about shoving Sora into his glass avacado where he can't destroy others in the name of The Good.
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eeyore32792 [2008-05-22 21:04:11 +0000 UTC]
aawww!!!
xaldy's a jedi! lol
i really like this picture and ur hint at a history btwn xigbar and xaldin
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
8-13 In reply to eeyore32792 [2008-07-17 08:08:27 +0000 UTC]
Thats a story I'd kind of like to write, though I do enjoy leaving their relationship at mostly a hint (that way everyone can 'chose their own adventure,' so to speak.) Its the -possibility- of interaction thats the best part, after all!
-Sae
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Kazaera [2008-04-21 00:00:38 +0000 UTC]
So, this is gorgeous and wonderful. I mean, genuinely wonderful. And it's making me want to cry D: (And reminding me of a fic I keep meaning to finish about how Xigbar manages when the others start dying, but that's another story). Not just Xaldin - it's just imagining him preparing to face Sora and knowing he's the only one left of Ansem's apprentices except for Xemnas - and since Xehanort joined last, I always imagine he didn't manage to get so close to the other five, so in a way Xigbar is the last one left and baaaawwww. ;____;
Also always glad to know there are other sane, reasonable people who think Sora was really not particularly in the right here. It seems to be common in fandom to dismiss anyone who thinks the Organization wasn't all that bad as a squealing fluff-brained fangirl, which makes me go .__. as I think the Organization /wasn't/ all that bad. They weren't good guys by any means, but their motives were pure and really, what else were they supposed to have /done/? Now, put them next to the other villains in the game - like /Maleficent/, say - and can you really not see a contrast here?
Although I don't blame Sora quite so much, because he was a kid and basically pointed straight at the Org by people he trusted and looked up to. It's a tragedy, but he was more of a tool than an instigator of it - that role I'd put squarely on DiZ's shoulders, who has enough hypocrisy in his treatment of Nobodies for any three people if you consider it carefully.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
8-13 In reply to Kazaera [2008-07-28 21:33:04 +0000 UTC]
...actually, suddenly I saw Xemnas pop up right next to Maleficent and the both of them just subtly raised an eyebrow at each other and then shrugged. *chuckles* But yes. There is a distinct difference between someone who is evil and someone who is simply on the opposite side of the hero. I had a quote once...let me see if I can remember it...
'A hero is someone who learns to fight...in order to destroy someone who has learned to think.'
I do wish Sora had learned to think...because...I believe there could have been a much, much happier ending. It just seems so dichotomous that we're handed the resolution in this format, and expected to think its all well and good? ...when more than half the cast ended up essentially being erased from existence?
Still bothers me.
-Sae
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
ErilisVampyre [2008-04-03 08:51:02 +0000 UTC]
Great job on that you two. It really does set the mood.
Two friends of nobody...following in the same fate.
"naive serial-killer" *grin* True...yes.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
8-13 In reply to ErilisVampyre [2008-12-30 08:45:32 +0000 UTC]
Its all in the point of view...
But in this game, there are 13 points of view I'd rather take. *smirk*
-Saeru, who is replying to old things again.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
ErilisVampyre In reply to 8-13 [2009-01-01 08:05:35 +0000 UTC]
Well, we seem to share it on that. *nod* Heh, Indeed.
Man, you must still have a full inbox then...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
8-13 In reply to ErilisVampyre [2009-01-01 23:08:53 +0000 UTC]
I got it down to 600 that night I was replying. Today it was at 1350. x-x
-Saeru
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ErilisVampyre In reply to 8-13 [2009-01-03 16:15:57 +0000 UTC]
*chuckle..shakes head* It never endings.
...and this is just another one added.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
8-13 In reply to ErilisVampyre [2009-01-03 17:21:50 +0000 UTC]
Curse you!!!! :Uh...fist...shakey..icon here:
-SAeru
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
leonhart-less [2008-04-02 03:42:41 +0000 UTC]
You know, beyond just the always-fantastic artwork... I'm always impressed by y'all's reasoning. It goes beyond choosing a side, or going against the grain and merely countering the popular. Y'all've always been able to tactfully, cleverly, and rasonably express why the 'dark' side of Nomura's dicotomy captures y'all's hearts more.
Y'all seem to really attempt to understand what's under the surface, and it's a refreshing thing to see in fanworks.
And that level of dedication is apparent, even in a seemingly simple and grounded piece such as this. It's a simple depiction of a couple, y'all's pair-poison of choice, but the ambivalence of it, and even the mere existence of it begs one to wonder, invites them into the shadows, no matter how much they're in the Light, or how deeply they buy into the 'ropaganda'.
And, trust me about that last part. I'm happily spoon-fed that propaganda by my heart's desire, who happens to be a principle puppeteer of Sora's, and YET I'm still intrigued by y'all's point of view. (Almost won over into some sort of midlight, once or twice.)
So, with all that out of the way... Artistically; I adore Xaldin's hair. The vague dred-styling is nice.... Not too overwhelming. The overall downcast posing mirroring each other is a nice artistic bond, and the overall serenity is really good.
Good job, you two.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
8-13 In reply to leonhart-less [2008-12-30 08:46:19 +0000 UTC]
Maaan...I do appreciate you. I hope you know that?
-Saeru
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
leonhart-less In reply to 8-13 [2008-12-30 17:53:41 +0000 UTC]
Yeah, well, I appreciate what y'all do, and what y'all try to do. I've said it once and I'll say it again: It's just comforting to see this sort of dedication and passion.
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Muni726 [2008-03-27 14:19:55 +0000 UTC]
Three things.
First, for saeru, there's nothing wrong with Xaldin's face. He looks wonderful. Perfect, actually.
Second, for u-e, and this is just me being picky, but akuroku is not actually canon until they kiss and/or plainly confess their love in canon material, or until the creators tell us that it's what they intended. Even though akuroku isn't at all my pairing, I'm totally cool with it. I'm not trying to be a hater here. I'm just being picky because even though there are implications EVERYWHERE, it's not officially canon. ....sorry for the rant.
Third, for both of you, this pic is so awesome. You really capture the emotion of the scene. I especially love the lines and coloration on Xaldin. He looks so mystical.
I now.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
8-13 In reply to Muni726 [2008-03-28 22:36:12 +0000 UTC]
You know, Xaldin's face is about the only thing I haven't ever edited, but we both kinda like it now. Just had to ferment, I suppose.
And...uh, you probably should go read all our other captions to get the...um "tone" that we were implying. XD
And most importantly, thanx - we were going for just that mystical ghostly dead jedi visitation type of feel. ^_^
~U-E
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Muni726 In reply to 8-13 [2008-03-29 12:53:19 +0000 UTC]
It's always good to ferment!
Yeah, sorry about making a fuss. That was kinda dumb of me to be anal about the word canon. Forgive?
I wish I could favorite again! Seriously, this is really awesome! I can totally see Xaldie finding Obi-Wan and Yoda and bugging them to death. Well, a second death anyway.
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8-13 In reply to Muni726 [2008-04-03 00:29:43 +0000 UTC]
Oh, that's cool. I just didn't want my commentary to come off as...you know..."serious" or anything. ^_-
And...there's some more mention of SW-universe coming up actually. (If you couldn't tell, saeru's a fan.)
~U-E
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LilTanuki [2008-03-27 05:00:16 +0000 UTC]
It didn't hit me that Sora was actually killing off the Org. members until after Demyx was gone. D : I had to pause the game and go emo-in-corner because of it. I blame the Mouse and red-mummy-man for filling his head with such thoughts but he's also to blame for not thinking about their (the Org.'s) situation. =/
Xig/Xal = Win.
ANWAYS....
D=> I love your art/colouring style, so unique and full of seven different levels of awesome. >.< And it's traditional art, +1000000 points. The two of you are amazing together and equally amazing in your own respective galleries. And to avoid sounding anymore of a suck up, I'll end this comment with this.
D: I love you, bare my children.
xD;;
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
8-13 In reply to LilTanuki [2008-03-28 22:42:41 +0000 UTC]
See, I think that Mickey -totally- gets it. He's walked the Darkness with Riku, so he knows that you need it for balance. But Diz -is- a frickin' nazi. And Yen Sid was the one to get to impressionable Sora first. (And Donald and Goofy just fed that bloodlust.) Seriously, if Xemnas had gotten to "explain" things to Sora first, this game would have been far different.
But yes...Xig/Xal =
I really only understand traditional media (which is funny as I used to teach Adobe programs to students...I just can't do digital for my own works.)
And as far as that last part...we can't physically bear anyone's children. But you can get on the list to bear -our- children if you like. >XD
~U-E
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LilTanuki In reply to 8-13 [2008-03-29 01:47:35 +0000 UTC]
oAo I'm honored to be put on that list. xDD
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8-13 In reply to liacoraginger [2008-04-17 11:04:13 +0000 UTC]
Sometimes I forget about how much the game actually pissed me off when I was playing it. Ah, but that is what fandom is for...
conveniently forgetting the little injustices. *sighs* Sora, if you one day realize what you did...
-Sae
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xPlutoniiumxStephx [2008-03-27 00:42:42 +0000 UTC]
D'awww.
I love the pic, awesome compositionnnn ^^
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
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