I saw that  sadnicole was open for expression commissions and I felt I couldn't resist.

This was a little difficult (and I have to thank SadNicole for being patient and willing to adjust little details), and I didn't quite give enough detail or context to make this an easy request, but the result is absolutely beautiful.

The colors all shine, the brush strokes make the fur look alive, and SadNicole captured just *exactly* the mix of anguish and puzzlement and dawning astonishment on Yalara's face. I couldn't be more pleased :D

Imagine, if you will -- Yalara of the House of Tadjak, visiting well beyond the sandy, desert area of her home, and standing opposite a Chakri of about the same age, Gorkath of the House of Gomekh.

They had originally met when she was (as now) working as a nurse and he was working in a new capacity as a near-fatally injured athlete.

She was listening intently to him speaking something which he found difficult and painful to express, but important to say.

Yalara ... I was in such pain that I could not bear it. It was ... an agony which could only be earned by the foulest of traitors, but which we would never wish on the worst of our foes. I ... I wished so earnestly for an end to it, and when I could stand it no longer, I then wished to die.

I discarded my honor, and I pleaded with you. I begged that you should kill me. You ... the kindest and most gentle Chakri female I have ever met. You had not met me before that day, and I had not known your name, but I cursed you and your heritage and accused you of every foulness and deed for which I had words. All for the act of sparing a Chakri begging for death, which was your duty and your obligation. You were innocent, and kind, and I treated you horribly.

We have spoken, these past months, and you have never once mentioned that moment. You have always asked after how I was healing, and expressed your confidence in my full return to the life I lived before that day. We have shared meals, music, exercise, and relaxation together. We talk of small things, but never of that.

You and your doctors, Yalara, but above all others -- you. You gave me back my life.

You were pressed so close to me that I could not see my own blood on your hands, on your cheeks. All that I could see, through my tears, was your eye staring into mine -- those brown eyes for which you were ridiculed. You held my gaze, and my attention, while your colleagues worked against time and nature to save the very hide which I so casually risked in sport.

The shame I bear, Yalara, is in my knowledge of what I had resigned myself to ... had my arms not been restrained, I would have cut my way through your flesh in order to reach my own.

I would have put you to death in order to put myself to death.

...

Will you ... will you accept my crude attempt at an apology, and forgive me for cursing you, and wishing your death ... so that I may spend what remains of my honor to beg your hand, if you will have this flawed and reckless Chakri for your husband?"

Character ©  shiantar
Artwork ©  sadnicole