#tbycly

So when I sketched this out 2 days ago, I didn't think I'd actually finish it. I was going through a really bad downward spiral about my art, frustrated over the fact I haven't been able to draw in over a month, just sick and tired of hospital visits. Thankfully, one of my friends calmed me down and helped me to — at the very least — sketch some things out.

I did several small sketches, but one of the things I had been really wanting to do was fanart for this fanfic (it was partially what triggered my little freak out moment, I just wanted to draw for it). So, I decided to sketch out the idea based on something I saw on Pinterest.

It was 1am when I finished it, and I decided to send it to the author, and the feedback was more than I expected it. It was enough to cause me to decide and finish it. I was so excited that this stupid sketch got so much love, I decided it couldn't be left for drafts XD.

And here we are!

I was listening to Maestro by Cjbeards on LOOP while drawing this, and I also kept comparing the progress with the sketch constantly and found this fun lil thing with the beats matching up with my insane comparisons. So have it, cuz I'm obsessed with it XD

Also, the sketch in its full glory:

I first started with the villain's purpose. Not their goal/wants, but what I wanted them to do for the story.

For example, I KNEW Gavin was going to be the initial villain, but I wanted someone to overshadow him and become the main villain REALLY quick. From there, I went Ok, I need a guy who has a lot of power, in both a financial and over androids kind of way. So that meant a rich asshole kind of guy.

THEN from rich asshole, the name Sidney Estonfield and the backstory just appeared - stupid name, inherited money, owns a location that the characters can visit only in limited capacities. The Blue Leola Hotel was easy to turn into a dark, ominous place because the characters only see like 1/10th of it.

For later scenes, I wanted Estonfield to have a bodyguard. From Sidney Estonfield, I created Casper to be his opposite. Sidney wasn't strong physically, but he talked a lot and had a high social standing. Casper was physically strong but quiet. I wrote that androids didn't have much of a standing still in my universe, BUT I decided to isolate him further by having him be like. Dark and evil despite being deviant. He just kept evolving from there. Originally the name Casper was just a placeholder, but it got stuck.

More villains in the sequel, but since I am not very far into it, I want to keep those close to my chest. Hell, it's not even clear who the main villain is yet!! (I know who it is... but you guys don't). I think that's as best as I can answer that question? Please let me know if there's more you're stuck on! :)

Your OTHER question.

How do you see the relationship between Hank and Gavin in your story? Is it tense because of something that happened between them in the past, or do they simply tolerate each other?

Ah. This is something that will have a bit more focus in On the Head of a Pin. I am having a bit of a struggle now, because I prefer to try to show not tell?

The way I see it - and a lot of this comes from listening to Neil Newbon talk about Gavin - Hank was at one point, a mentor to Gavin. It's why they almost default into that mode around each other, with Gavin still feeling a sense of pride whenever Hank agrees with him or praises him, and Hank intentionally giving him room to speak (to Fowler after the first visit to the hotel in tbycly, and when he tried to prompt Gavin to speak in front of Derwood in On the Head of a Pin).

I tried to highlight this with Connor noticing how well Gavin and Hank worked together, and feeling a little excluded in tbycly.

However, after Hank lost Cole and started to drink (and showing up to work DRUNK), Gavin lost a lot of respect for him. Watching a hero of sorts fall I guess? Even before I had ended up redeeming Gavin as much as I tried to, that was always the angle I was shooting for.

BUT. Hank with Connor in tow suddenly resembles the man he was all those years ago much more than he has in a while. So... yeah. Gavin and Hank COULD work well together, especially if Gavin isn't as much of a dickhead, and can find it in him to forgive Hank's drinking.

Now, the problem is. Can Hank forgive Gavin for all the shit he put Connor through in tbycly? It's not a linear process