3L - Like A Flame

Whew!! I really, really, really did not think I would finish this picture in time for 's birthday. I've been computerless since Dec. 1rst, as my motherboard got fried and when I took the pc to the store they were unable to tell me how long it would take to fix it. But! I'm happy to say that my computer was returned to me this very morning, and ever since I've been working ultra-fast all day on this picture of 's character Surefire, dancing among the flames she's named after.

Surefire is a Tramp (aka gypsy elf), though technically she's only half so as her father was a PegasusRider. When he Recognized her mother he desperately wanted to lifemate her and raise the child as a PegasusRider, but since it would go against the Tramps law to abandon their lifestyle permanently, her mother Moontone got frightened and fled. However she ended up being captured by the GryphonRiders and sold to the nobility as a slave. Moontone was lucky in that the noble who acquired her was a good natured man who developed a big crush for the Tramp beauty, and tried to be a loving friend-figure to her (not that he'd have minded being lovemates, but he did not want to force himself on Moontone) and a wonderful stepfather to her daughter Surefire. Sadly his interest in Moontone all but pleased his GryphonRider lifemate, and when she poisoned him to get his lands and wealth, the other elfess was quick to sell over Moontone and Surefire to a way less scrupolous and cruel noble of Killbeak Mountain, Lord Snakebite, whom only saw mother and daughter as trinkets and fur warmers. Moontone eventually got herself killed in an attempt to escape the evil clutches of their new lord, but even though Surefire was spared (as her mother took all the blame for the failed escape attempt), she hadn't much to be happy with as she was constantly mistreated and abused by Snakebite. Until the day when she finally had enough, she snatched herself a dagger and when he started molesting her, she stabbed him repeatedly until he laid dead. Well aware that she would be executed for murder if she was found out, Surefire fled, and has found shelter among Rokal's band. They offered to hide her, though it won't be easy until they leave Killbeak Mountain - where Rokal and his travelling artists should be performing.

In her CIS it says that Surefire sees herself as a flame - which eventually gave me the inspiration for this pic. Her pose was copied (no, I don't trace, I draw after) from the sculpture of a flamenco dancer. I'll confess that I did not check her CIS for costume reference, I came up with a costume that I thought would look good on her and went on from there. Anyway that's how I envision her - I hope she looks at least a bit like you thought her to, Caroline! And of course I hope that you like the way she turned out *crosses fingers*

Surefire belongs and is player by