#mermare

This is day twenty-four of the Mermay Challenge. Today's theme in NEONStudios2024's prompt is rainbow. Hear me out! In the MLP movie, the song "Rainbow" is performed by Songbird Serenade (aka Sia), and there are so many meanings behind it that I have to unpack them. When Twilight and her friends became seaponies, I just HAVE to think it up and draw her out with my best on a rainbow ring when she makes a jump. It's a good thing I downloaded the water brushes for Autodesk Sketchbook. It looks good on Twilight, don't you think? I hope you like it.

I drew this 3 years ago and thought I'd share it here during Mermay :) Enjoy!

Ponies occupy the land and sky...but the water? That's Seapony and Mermare territory!

Just to get this out of the way, the "seaponies" in MLP:FiM are, in fact, NOT seaponies. It's a misnomer from centuries of cultures that cared very little at distinguishing seapony from hippogriffs. After all, "They're all from the sea--what does it matter what they actually are?" Rather, hippogriffs are called hippocampus when in their aquatic form.

To that regard, let's talk about seaponies first. These docile, cuddly creatures are similar to manatees with their thick, rudder-like arms and "ears" (used for swimming--course correction) and rather plump bodies. Their tails are ALWAYS curled, though the curl can be loose or tight, and their appendages come in all shapes and sizes. They don't have a true structured society/government--rather, groups of seaponies (called "pods") will wander waters together or settle in one spot and just vibe. They tend to be very egalitarian and hippy-like, loving everything and helping everyone. The whole pod will raise calves together, grow food together, laugh together--they do it all together! And to separate a pod is near-impossible, they are forgiving of others' mistakes as they recognize that not everyone is at their best all the time. Life is about learning and growing, after all! You just gotta keep swimming.

Mermares, on the other fin, are much more fish-like that seaponies. They have thin, sleek bodies built for fast swimming and are incredibly strong/muscled. They also have fin arms, ears and tails. Fins can grow elsewhere on their body, too--back, cheeks, neck, etc. If there's room, a fin can grow there! The swirl on their snout is not so much a nose as it is the entryway into their gills. Their mouths are just for eating/smelling, but the "nose?" Breathing. Opposite of seaponies, they tend to stick to themselves or in small family/friend units as they are rather distrusting and cold. However, this is countered by their extreme loyalty to those close to them and their high morality/honor code. They do get along with other groups, except through the annual Olympic-like games they hold. They adore sports and especially sport-fighting. If there's a fighting competition, watch out! The line to play is long! Of course, even with their aggressive, isolationist nature, they are very good, VERY kind creatures that are a little rough around the edges

Mermay 2025 Day 11: Rainbow Dash

Character © Hasbro

[ID: 2 rectangular flags with 7 equally-sized horizontal lines. colors in this order and reflected after the last listed color: light grey-blue, grey-purple, dark purple, black-blue. in the center of the first flag is a dark-blue circle. in the center of the first flag over the circle is a light grey-blue symbol. the symbol is a diamond with a small circle centered vertically, and above where it would be if it was centered horizontally. below the circle is a vertical line. there is a horizontal line below where it would be if it was centered inside the diamond. from the horizontal line is half of a pill-shaped oval, the other side connected to the diamond. End ID]

Mermare: a form of nonhuman tertiary attraction ( Alteraffectis ) that describes how a mer feels towards other sea creatures.

Etymology: mer, “mare” Latin for sea

Pronounced: mer mare (mer mare)

@oneofmanyarchives , @kiruliom , @alteraffectis , @radiomogai

Mermares trio 4/4 OK! Who is the best of them? And why? My fave - blue mermare. Her colours is so organic and fins looks nicely sharp! Then pink mermare. And last - green mermare. I think there is too much details on her face. They are form ponies. From comic. Issue 14

Extra version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/mermares-trio-71638708