I recently went through some old stuff of mine and found some old drawings... It made me quite nostalgic.
I made that drawing for two reasons : First, I wanted to draw Doudou again and potentially redesign him to truly fit his new world and second....I wanted to draw @sweetlittlemissmaytrix 's old characters, Chipple and Eddeal again, for old time's sake (and they were friends with Doudou in the DA group they originated from). These two, along with Doudou helped me in a harsh time in my life... I have a lot of fond memories with them...
Added a story below the cut
Night had set in but the piter patter of the servants still echoed through Obsidian's royal palace. After months of searching the country for the old king's successor, they finally found it in the form of a young street rat in the back alleys of the capital. Tomorrow, at dawn's first light, she would be crowned princess of the kingdom of Bau'un and begin her training to become the ruler she was destined to be ! But amidst all of the excitement, one did not partake in the cheer...Doudou, the newly appointed Archmage.
As much as he was relieved that the kingdom had a future ruler, he couldn't help but see that child for what she was. A child. An orphan, left on the street, forgotten by the world until fate put her in a throne she never thought meant for her. Being of lower birth himself, he was familiar with the feeling but it only hit him after he had well reached adulthood...Aurora, for that was her name, was no older than his own cherished daughters. Was it something only he could see ? He wasn't the only one on the council with children but he was the only one not from a place of power, be it a scholar or a clan leader...
A creaking sound drew him from his train of thoughts. the door at the end of the hallway had just opened, letting out a tiny figure. Her rags now replaced with a deep purple dress, almost blending in with her dark hair, dressing her in the colors of the black stone capital. In her brown eyes, there was a lighter spot at the bottom of her iris, reminiscent of a rising sun...perhaps it was where she drew her name from. Aurora...
Doudou immediately got on one knee, causing Aurora to back away. Of course she would...only a few hours ago, she would have had to call him "Lord" or "Master" and now he was kneeling in front of her...anyone would be freaked out...
"Miss Aurora ? What are you doing out so late...?"
Her eyes were fleeting, the telltale look of a child caught in the middle of doing something they shouldn't, a look Doudou could recognise a mile away. He smiled at her.
"Would you allow me to walk with you ?"
Doudou held out his hand, turning his earlier kneeling into an invite. Aurora stepped forward and took it, unsure of her actions.
"....can't sleep" she muttered
"How so ?"
She stayed silent. Of course she couldn't sleep ! Once morning came, she would be royalty. No one could sleep with that knowledge...Doudou looked down at her. Princess or not, she was still just a kid ! An orphan like him, like his own kids ! Damned be the etiquette and protocol ! She would have enough teachers, but she needed something more.
"Walking doesn't really help with it...how about you try to relax in my pouch ?"
Aurora jumped at the suggestion.
"Y-Your pouch ?"
"Yeah. It's gotta be of use for something ! My own daughters say it's quite comfortable."
Aurora shyly stepped closer, climbing into his pouch, holding her knees to make herself small, as if she needed to...
"...it's warm..."
"Do you like it ?"
"Yeah...Are you sure it's fine ?"
Doudou let out a chuckle before speaking with a mock offense tone.
"Of course it's fine ! You're as light as a feather ! I know I'm not really the athletic type but I can still lift something !...OW MY BACK ! Oooooh nooooooo !...." As he stood back up, Doudou held onto his staff. A light chuckle escaped Aurora
"It's obvious you're pretending."
"Is that so ? Oh well....I knew acting wasn't a career for me..."
Doudou started walking again, Aurora snuggled in his pouch.
"It would be nice if you could get some sleep...kids your age need it..."
"I told you, I can't sleep....I'm scared...."
"Well...how about a bedtime story ? Listening to old folks rambling is a surefire way to get sleepy !"
"You're not that old"
"HEY how do you know I was talking about me !?....."
Aurora chuckled again. Doudou smiled and let himself fall upon a couch.
"Now what can I say about me ?....it's hard to begin a story when you don't know how it begins...."
Doudou went quiet for a bit. A distant memory appeared in his mind. A simple one, burried in the back of his mind for decades, back when he was but a tiny hatchling...
"...When I was little, I didn't know how to behave...I was a slow kid....I used to bite as a greeting...It lead to me being pushed aside by all the other kids....but one. He...He was an odd one but we hit it off pretty quick. A goofball, the kind to get in trouble. We did our fair share of mischief together."
Doudou laughed quietly, the memories rushing back.
"I don't believe you. Members of the court never get into trouble.
"Oh but I did, little one. We once came home covered in mud after sliding downhills all days....we had a paint battle....and even when we grew up...Ha ! I remembered when he tried to fry an egg on me when I was practicing fire magic"
Aurora laughed again, along with Doudou.
"He became the kind of adventurers bards sing about...and funnily enough, his brother became the kind of bard to sing about him."
"He had a brother ?"
"Yes, a younger one but he was the most....mature out of us three. My friend did as a he pleased, following his own sense of logic. He was so friendly, he would have tried to befriend an angry Thunderclaw."
The image of anyone attempting to befriend those once called Scourges of Astralia once they were angered was both impressive and hilarious.
"...and I think he would have succeeded. I often went along with his shenanigans and only his brother could slow us down. That is when he didn't tag along as well !"
"They sound fun ! Where are they now ?"
Doudou stopped.
"...Down a road I travelled long ago. A road I forgot...but wherever they are, I hope life is treating them kindly..."
"Oh...sorry..."
" Don't be ! It was nice to remember them...Now I have plenty of stories to tell you until you fall asleep from boredom"
"Hey not fair ! I wanna hear those stories !"
Doudou chuckled softly, as he began, ready to tell stories all night if needed. In the eyes of other, Aurora would be their princess but in his eyes, she would always be that child who needed reassurance in front of a ruthless destiny.
