Here's a new pic I got from  DOKTA

It features my characters, Ester Ulrich and Odette Zephyr, enjoying a drink at the tavern - but not so much each other's company.

How did these two unlikely companions meet at the bar? Well it all started with Odette doing some scouting at the establishment. In preparation for her upcoming venture over to the New Frontier, Odette decided to see if there were any pirates or sailors worth their salt that she could bring along with her. Upon getting her drink, Odette looked for a seat she could settled into and scan the bar from, but found (much to her dismay) the only one available was right next to Ester Ulrich, who was deep into studying her notes for the same expedition she was joining Odette in.

Now in reality, there's no bad blood between Ester and Odette. They're never been at each other's throats, or even gotten into a single argument. It's just Ester represents everything that Odette has grown to resent - and that's getting to where you are by the "charity" of others. You see, despite growing up in a wealthy family, everything Odette has obtained in life came from sweat and blood. Her grandfather, the current patriarch of her family, just doesn't shower his kin with riches simply because they're related - and awards it to them for their work and dedication to the family business.

"Nothing is given. And everything can be taken away." is one of the main tenants Odette has be instilled with. Everything she has achieved in life, from her personal wealth to her standing in her family, came from her outdoing and outsmarting her siblings and cousins to earn her grandfather's favor. So when Odette sees someone who's at the same position as her in life, but hasn't put an ounce of the same effort as her, it definitely boils her blood a bit.

Of course this was never Ester's intention. Before she became married to the most powerful man in Haven, Markus "Long Tooth" Ulrich, Ester was but a simple migrant from the Mainland that was looking for a safe refuge to raise her daughters in. She eventually caught the attention of Markus will working as one of his servants, and the two married shortly after - making Ester perhaps the most powerful woman in Haven. But where others would most likely use such a position for personal gain, Ester on the other hand uses such influence to better the lives of everyone in Haven. Working closely with the headmaster and teachers of the Academy, the only institute that exists in Haven for education, Ester aims to take the knowledge she acquires from the New Frontier to fill the Academy's library, with the hope that it'll enrich the lives of not only the nobility, but of everyone in Haven.

Sadly though, such a selfless act means very little to Odette. To her, Ester is still the trophy wife of a drunk nobleman - nothing more. Hopefully though, their time spent together over at the New Frontier will help shatter Odette's disdain for Ester. Hopefully...

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Artwork by  DOKTA

*If you want to see more of DOKTA's awesome work, check out her Fur Affinity account at https://www.furaffinity.net/user/dokta/