I've been drawing Russie the same way now for eleven years after finally getting her hair in a nice, simple, streamlined style (having given her one in 2014 that could've been better but was nevertheless a step in the right direction), but earlier this year, an idea popped into my mind for a new outfit for her, an outfit that would be an almagamation of some of her previous outfits, as a way to add just a little more of her namesake color to her. While I was working on the outfit, I tried to keep this as much of a secret as I possibly could because I wanted to surprise everyone and not just Russie. Despite my efforts, Amy and Rouge inadvertently came across my ideas but offered to help, both of them promising to keep all of this a secret. A lot of good came from them finding out. The russet-colored stripes on Russie's sandals was my idea. The roulette wheel-styled dress was Amy's idea as was the doughnut-shaped wristband. Amy suggested the idea for Russie's new wristband as Russie's previous one was identical to the one our good friend Lisa wears. The ruby heart-shaped gems surrounded by pure platinum on Russie's sandals and zipper pull were, not surprisingly, Rouge's idea. I made heart-shaped rings on Russie's sandals for an experimental form back in early 2017, but Rouge suggested that I make them the new default. You and your hearts, Rouge. I'm tellin' ya, but hey, they work.
Apart from the gem on the zipper pull, the rest of the shirt was my idea, but I was grateful to have some much-needed input from Amy and Rouge. They too found it very rewarding and, as a matter of fact, one of their favorite moments working together. So a special thanks to the two of them for helping out.
Besides those who put the outfit together, the three of us are the only ones who knew about this. No one else, not even Tammy, Lisa, Arbo, Stephanie, or Alicia, much less Russie, knew about it. When Russie tried the outfit earlier, she LOVED it right away. When she heard that it was Rouge, Amy, and me who collaborated on the idea, she was very appreciative, knowing it was her who really helped bring Amy and Rouge closer together and that the favor was returned in a way past cool way. When the four of us stepped out to celebrate, Russie waved hi to her friends, leaving all of them in stunned silence and us four smiling and laughing in approval over a job that was so well done in keeping this a surprise.
