"Birdie" - Returning Cryopod Classic Character! [Semi-NSFW]

Today is a double-post day! We finally get to see Birdie, AKA Cassiel from Cryopod Classic! Yes, up to this point, we hadn't gotten a chance to see a great piece of artwork for her, but today we get two, including her original awesome design made earlier this year!

Cassiel has been a struggle for me to get good, solid artwork made. I had two or three artists attempt to draw her 'dungeon' scene, where she is first imprisoned. However, all of them had major issues in one way or another.

Cassiel in Classic was a VERY boring character. She had nearly no presence in the story, and her entire existence could be described as such:

1. She was an angel girl

2. She was a former human who became a pseudo-angel

3. She loved Jason

4. She could, kinda, sorta, fire energy blasts??

Guys, she was boring. I get it. In Refresh she is way, way, way more.

In fact, her existence was signaled much earlier in Refresh, during the mid-point of Chapter 1. I won't say exactly when, but let's just say that when my readers eventually put the pieces together, all of your minds will be blown.

Who is Cassiel in Refresh? Someone extremely significant. No longer just a shy damsel in distress, she has the potential to skyrocket to many reader's #1 Best Girl position. She'll make you cry and shout for joy. Her story is one of loss, tragedy, revenge, and acceptance.

I won't say anything else. Just believe in me when I say that as her story unfolds, she will become a character you can't wait to see onscreen.

...

And now, for some other fun artwork. You see, I've had a bunch of artwork commissioned for Cassiel. A lot of it came out really badly.

This is by far my least favorite piece. Her hair color was wrong, and while the gruesomeness of the image was up there with what I really wanted, what the fuck is wrong with her face? An important part of her confinement in Gressil's prison is the idea that Cassiel has no strength at all in her body. She cannot lift herself up on her arms, and she can barely do anything more than whimper in pain after 100,000 years of Gressil shattering her mind.

So, having her pull herself up by her arms is not something I want to see.

Next, we have another dungeon artwork piece.

Once again, I still wanted her to be laying on the ground, and that didn't happen. However, the rest of the image and the overall theme was quite good.

1. I wanted Gressil's shadow to be looming over her entire body.

2. I wanted plenty of body horror and mutilation to show how much she's suffered.

3. Her hair and eyes are the correct color!

The biggest issue I have with this image, other than her not laying on the floor, is that she doesn't really have any expression of terror on her face. Cassiel looks almost antagonistic in her expression toward Gressil. Her expression is somewhat aggressive, which goes against a big theme of her character; that she has been beaten and battered for so long that she has no fighting spirit. Her entire arc is about regaining her humanity.

So, when we compare those things, what do we get for the newest Raul drawing?

Raul's version is not absolutely perfect. I wanted her to be sort of tucking herself into a corner of the room, I wanted her body horror to be a bit more gruesome, and I really wanted Gressil's shadow to be especially pronounced, but otherwise, it's really great. It shows the terror Cassiel is feeling, while physically demonstrating the looming shadow of her tormentor towering over her. It explores her entire psyche and demonstrates just how much she's suffered under Gressil's fists.

Overall, I really enjoy how it came out, and I consider it the definitive Cassiel Dungeon scene.

...

Next, we have the Cassiel and Phoebe scene.

First off, the lighting in this image is really good. One big contrast I wanted to show was how the light of the outside world does little for the darkness shrouding Cassiel's psyche. She is tormented by 100,000 years of endless, near-daily brutality.

Second, this image also exemplifies the relationship between Phoebe and Cassiel. Phoebe is the anchor that helps guide Cassiel back to the light. I don't want to spoil anything specific, so all I will say is that Cassiel doesn't trust men, and she doesn't trust demons. That rules out Jason and Belial as possible emotional support, making Phoebe the ideal person to help care for her.

Of course, over time, who knows? Maybe these psychological barriers can break down, allowing her to more easily speak with those she fears.

.................

And now for the fun stuff: Older art versions!

Original Cassiel Dungeon:

Current one:

Original Cassiel and Phoebe:

New Cassiel and Phoebe.

We changed Phoebe's face and eyes, plus we gave Cassiel some tears. Those are the only changes between versions.

The next character MWTX draws will be Vepar! Coming soon to a Patreon near you!