Cringe 1.2 : Overcoming Idiocy

{Last Cringe Post} {First Cringe Post}

{Theme Song: Hey Little World, Hives}

Current Time

Location: Muchovan Camp, Effenta

“Cringe, sir, we have another Effentan wishing to trade information.”  He barely even glanced at the underling.  This made the third turncoat today – his reputation won him battles, but that hardly meant each weasel deserved his personal attention.

“A woman this time, and she’ll only talk to you.”  It was the snigger that caught his attention and finally brought his gaze to rest on the self-important little man.

Okay, so in reality he wasn’t little – he was a towering, hulking mass, but that frankly just added to his insignificance in Cringe’s eyes.  He already had plenty battering rams.  The man, Cringe couldn’t currently remember his name, reinforced this opinion by attempting intelligent speech.

 “Perhaps she has access to their laundry and can add some itching powder to the soap,” the underling commented in a loud stage whisper, snorting at his own “wit”.

“Well done,” Blustering Bigot.  Cringe covered his disdaining sneer with a predatory grin, staring the other man down until the amusement left his face and he started to twitch nervously.  Then he stared some more until finally the idiot took the hint, muttered something, saluted and scurried away like the rat he was.  “Imbecile.”

Leaving aside the fact that Effentan women were commonly in command, the moron didn’t seem to realize his joke had strategic merit – uncomfortable soldiers would be tired, distracted and more easily defeated.  It was always a better plan to attack defenseless supplies rather than well-armed warriors, but of course that wasn’t the Muchovan way.

“Was that really necessary?” asked Osprey, his second in command.

“Yes,” Cringe retorted shortly.  Osprey was the golden boy.  He was honest, respectful and made Mucho women swoon.  He could smooth all the feathers Cringe went out of his way to ruffle.  Cringe  really wished he wouldn’t.

“This is the first woman turncoat.  Most are smart enough to realize they don’t want to be Mucho.  Sure does limit the dating pool,” Cringe remarked with an exaggerated sigh.  Osprey simply raised a brow, used to his commander’s odd sense of humor.  “Bet this one’s a looker.”  His tone suggested anything but.  Cringe motioned invitingly for Osprey to question this one.

“I’m not you.”  Osprey clearly felt this shouldn’t need stating.

“Fine.  Duty calls.”  Cringe lifted his chin briefly in what passed as his friendly goodbye.

Except this one wasn’t a dog at all.  Effentans were a stunning race:  tall, dark and graceful.  This one also had hair the color of rubies.  While acknowledging none of that mattered, Cringe still appreciated a work of art…even if he had to take it apart.

“Welcome.  Enjoying your stay?” he greeted cheerily, causing the woman to jerk when he entered the tent.

“You’re the Commander?  As I told the last lackey, I’ll only speak to Cringe, not housekeeping,” the prisoner remarked, disdain positively dripping from her tongue.  She’d recovered quickly.  Oh, he liked this one – too bad she was a back-stabbing opportunist.

“I’m as close as you’ll get,” he replied flippantly.  “So, how do you plan on helping me today?”  This elicited a flare of her nostrils, irritation, but she didn’t dismiss him.  Instead she carefully considered, assessing him for a long minute with wide, unblinking emerald eyes.

“I don’t trust Muchovans.  You want to bargain, it’s just you and me,” she stated, directing a sneer at the other guards.  This made Cringe smile.

“Oh, Muchovans should never be trusted.”  The others left at the dismissive thrust of his chin – his not friendly goodbye.  They were alone now.

“Neither should Effentans.”  And her ropes fell to the floor…

Old to New 14: Decrestore Kaleya, Most Powerful Chikil in Paonia - but we just call her Mom

 Location:  D-City, Paonia

Although there is no guaranteed successorship in Paonia, Kaleya was from the royal Chikil line, and groomed from childhood to be a leader.  Instinctively good at reading people and situations, and having a persuasive way with words, Kaleya was an obvious choice, but several other relatives could make similar claims - and had more life experience when it came time to appoint a new Decrestore.

Kaleya's sincere love for all the people of Paonia and driving ambition to better their lives won her the vote of Boofon provinces.  Normally this would make the logical Chikil wary, but the manner in which Kaleya pursued her final goal - through in-depth study and logical, fully considered plans - persuaded her own people to stand behind her as well.

No one was ever disappointed in that decision.

Kaleya acted as Decrestore for over 50 years and her humility, approachability, and the personal interest in each and every individual she encountered won the hearts of all.  It was said she knew every person in D-City by name - and a good many outside - so it wasn't surprising that after a time those in the capital began referring to her affectionately as "Mother".

It speaks eloquently to Kaleya's character that she never balked at the use of this appellation, even by those older than her.

Sadly, the Mother Decrestore, along with the High Warress, died when Caliphus the Jaguar and his Muchovan army stormed D-City.  Muchovan was ultimately repelled, and the Jaguar fell to the hands of a young Pao soldier, but Paonia is still reeling two years later.

Definitely at the anger stage of the grieving process, Paos seek vengeance on the traitor that gave the Muchovans entrance...

Here is another straight forward update - though it's about due again.  Crayola colored pencils were used on all pics, except below, which is pastel.  In the top left corner you see part of the D-City Royal Emblem (the only part done in Prismacolor colored pencils), as befits one of Kaleya's status.

Old to New 8: Cringe, Post-Modern Major General

{Theme Music: Breaking the Habit, Linkin Park}

After posting Kamino's Origins yesterday, it seemed only fair that I now post her Muchovan nemesis Cringe.  Our first full look at the villain of the piece.

Haling from a place unknown to the common Muchovan people, Cringe has some Egyptian influence to his look - perhaps most apparent in his updated make up - as well as some Asian and military touches.  (I don't like limiting my inspiration to only one source as I feel this gives the people less range in appearance.)

My first go was, again, a bit dull and expected, so for his update Cringe got quite the makeover.  He's still recognizable, I believe, but I've added in a bit more style and color - and a whole lot of attitude.

Cringe is a sardonic, offensive punk and this needs to be apparent from the first glance.  I try to convey this using his makeup, hair and facial expressions.  Yeah, he's standing at attention like a "proper" military commander, but just barely and his chest piece seems to be the jerk's only nod to his position.  He's certainly not wearing his ceremonial epaulets as most others would.

I chose to eliminate most of the black from the original picture because I feel the villain wearing black is just a bit cliche.  Of course, anymore the hero wears black also because he needs to be "cool" and with the villain wearing black to denote his villainous heart where exactly does color come into the picture?  The damsel in distress?  (And *ugh* talk about another cliche I could do without!)

I unabashedly love color and feel it's more expressive than black (which, in fact, is Not a color, but by definition is the Absence of color).  Hence, you will find that most of my pictures are quite colorful.  Just in case you were wondering why :)

APA Cringe 1.1 : Name Calling and Paper Cuts - A Practical Guide to Rubbing Salt in Wounds

{Last Cringe Post} {First Cringe Post}

{Theme Song: Repetition, TV on the Radio}

Current Time
Location: Muchovan Camp, Effenta

Cringe.

That’s what people did when he spoke to them, walked by, made eye contact…sometimes at the mere mention of his name.  He’d seen it as if his name were a command.

Muchovans didn’t use birth names – your name should say something about you before you say a word – so said the tradition.  So while a baby is given a legal name, your so-called “paper name”, it’s the name earned through action that matters.  Unfortunately, more thought went into Muchovan name theory than the clichéd, obvious names given.  Well, in most instances.

Cringe was actually quite good.  It was both accurate and descriptive and, the best part, intended as an insult.

Muchovan men sought to be named after fierce animals, but some were named for plants and even a few after inanimate objects – there was a fellow called Woodblock in camp; as you might guess, he was practical, but an idiot.  None were named after a reaction.  This was a statement – he was not one of them.

What was intended as an insult, the man in question took as highest praise.  He had no desire to be Muchovan.  Even in his personal thoughts he spat the word with distaste.

He’d received the name after winning the trials – he wasn’t sure his paper name had even been requested – not that he’d have given it.  He’d been a despised outsider from the beginning, but after a chaotic year of deliberation, the Prime Counselor had finally endorsed a candidate to succeed the Great Jaguar – him.  And you did not ignore Asp.  Just like his name suggested, he was a venomous, mean, treacherous old viper.  Cringe personally detested the man, but at that moment the Muchovan people had probably hated Asp even more.

Cringe was neither what they’d expected nor wanted.  They were a straight forward people:  they respected strength and fearlessness – even when it was stupid and shortsighted.  Cringe had his own view on things.

While no one would dare say he lacked these sought after attributes, he had won their competition through cleverness rather than brute force – and to a man every single defeated opponent had cried foul at his method.  By the end upcoming opponents had cringed when they heard they’d have to face him.  The battle had been his before it’d even begun.

But of course the losers didn’t want this knee-jerk reaction to be attributed to fearing him.  That’d mark them as cowards and that wouldn’t do at all.  No, they cringed at his rudeness, his lack of respect for their customs and traditions, his outrageous dress and manners, his sarcasm and secretiveness, etc., etc., ad naseum… Yes, to sum up, everything about him was an affront to good and decent Muchovan people.

Yet he’d won it all and now they were irrevocably bound by their own short-sighted tradition.  By law, with no option of appeal, he commanded their army, and they hated him for it.

Then he’d continued to win the real battles and suddenly being named for a fierce attribute was a compliment.

{Next Cringe Post}

APA Cringe 1.0 : Muchovan Trials and Mortification; Punking an Entire Nation

{Theme Song: Don't Sit Down 'cause I've Moved Your Chair, Arctic Monkeys}

One Year Ago
Location: Muchovan

Stunned silence reigned over the crowded field.  The people’s hero, their final hope, son of Jaguar the Great, lay on the ground defeated.  Unconscious it was easier to look past his height, muscles and fierce energy to see him for the 16 year old boy he really was.  What a sad hope.

                The loser was lifted gently, reverently, and moved to lay on the bench of shame where the many who had previously been defeated already sat, clutching their injuries, faces full of murderous intent and barely restrained rage as their hateful eyes glared at their victor.  He was of unimpressive size and build, had the looks of unknown heritage and the styling of a punk.  He gave an exaggerated bow to his opponents, making a farce of the Muchovan tradition.  One man needed restrained by his more level-headed, bleeding companion.

                A tall thin man in fine clothes strode out to stand beside the conqueror. The appropriately called Asp, Prime Counselor of Muchovan, was now the second most hated man in the country.  He’d sponsored the detested winner.  No one knew why.  Even now as he approached his champion faint, aristocratic distaste painted his narrow, severe face.

                Asp did what was expected, though, bowing to the winner, placing the heavy, symbolic epaulets on his shoulders, then presenting him to the crowds.  The silence broke, erupting with boos and hisses and cursing, covering Asp’s privately spoken words.

                “You should have killed him.  He’ll hate you for winning and won’t stop until you’re brought down.”  The victor gave the counselor an ironic look.

                “As opposed to my adoring public?”  The distaste in Asp’s eyes grew to full-fledged disgust, his lip involuntarily curling.  The throng’s volume rose and threatened to mob the winner’s circle, gaining the counselor’s attention.   “Aww, are you worried about me?” His victor taunted,  “That’s sweet.”  Rather than responding, Asp turned sharply from him, fully facing the sea of unhappy faces.

                “Muchos, one and all!  Hear me!”  The shouting fell to murmurs.  One didn’t dare ignore someone with a reputation like Asp’s.  He was Prime Counselor for a reason.  “I present to you the new leader of all Muchovan armies.  For his victory and actions here today he will henceforth be known as General,” Asp paused to look back at him, a superior gleam in his all-seeing beady eyes, “Cringe.”

                This name stopped the murmurs for a split instant, only to be replaced by a glee filled laughter.  No Muchovan had ever received such an appellation, but how appropriate for such an unworthy outsider.

                The newly dubbed Cringe, gave a half laugh, his lips twisting into a smirking smile at the Counselor.  He liked this name; how appropriate indeed.  He stepped forward, chin raised defiantly, the smirk changing into the toothy smile of a tiger.  The laughter started dying in the people’s throats.

                With Cringe in power, they were just now realizing, they may have a tiger by the tail.

 {Next Cringe Post}