Contest Entry for the Original Character Design Contest by

I know it's long but please read the following story (based on real, personal events):

"The Fallen Venus"

There once was a woman married happily to her husband. When it came time for the couple to have a child, the woman had a miscarriage and sadly the baby died. She soon began to lose the favor of her husband, and for fear of their marriage, she went to the hermit doctor asking the elderly woman to make her more pretty, to turn her into an everlasting beauty.

With a sly grin the old doctor replied, "Is it beauty you want? Well with all things in this world comes a price... In exchange for everlasting beauty, give me your next child."

The woman frowned as she became distraught in her thoughts. She had never held her first child and now she must part with her second? But with this deal her husband would never leave her... they could always try again...

In an unwavering voice, the woman agreed and in a blink of an eye she became the belle of the town. Her husband stayed with her and as promised she gave her next child to the elderly woman.

The woman could not be more happy for her marriage was saved, and she was eternally young. All men had eyes for her and only her. What more could she need? A child? Bah. She never wanted to give birth again.

Ensnaring men with her looks and charms, the woman had reduced the townsmen to her own personal harem. The elderly doctor was not pleased with the home wrecker she had created.

"It seems that you have lost your way, my dear. A change of heart calls for a change of form. You shall now resemble what you have truly become." And with that the old woman turned the beauty into a beast.

Deep in the forest she now lies, the woman, now a fallen Venus. Men are no longer a pastime but her means of survival, as she lures the unlucky fools into a false Garden of Eden and traps them, never to see the light of day. How befitting for a beast to live out her days...

Until one day, stumbling across the forest, a small boy encounters Venus's garden. Naivety at its finest the boy approaches, his eyes fixed on the woman's smiling face.

Just a bit closer... Already the lake-like drool overflows as the beast anticipates its next meal. The boy comes closer, his face flushing. Nervous? Embarrassed? Venus cannot tell nor does she care. It's time for a snack.

Just as Venus prepares to ensnare him, the boy pulls out a flower, a shade of indigo she had since long forgotten to be her favorite color. With a nervous gulp, the boy speaks one word.

"Mother..."


Happy Early Mother's Day

--nionio

Done with Paint Tool SAI