An infinite cascade of light filtered in through an array of window pane-glass, perched high against the motif of a half-way sun. The luminescent glow of the afternoon sun was enhanced several fold as light touched off against the glistening surfaces of the buildings interior. An elegant framework wrought of gilded bronze shined freely like gold, matched with lacquered wood and ceramic like shimmering water. With the décor set in an intricate design work of textured walls and patterned flooring, the colors ranged from gold to apricot, an overall orange hue left to the after-glow of light. The effect would create an almost dream like feel to the elaborate décor of the room, basking any and all passerby in the infinite glow of its brilliance.
The Welschire Building was an opulent showcase of Henry Welschire's works as an architect and interior designer, having constructed the building decades ago with the help of his choice team of architects and retinue of construction workers. It proved to be a prized mainstay in the more affluent district of Caddington Heights, joined by several other masterpieces in the heart of the district. Outside, one was availed to the towering structures that stood on either side of the street. The Caddington Heights building itself, just across the path of a busy street, sporting a rather modern look and feel for a modernized structure. Joined by the Veraday Theatre to its left, the beige colored building catered to the very finest actors and actresses that would perform for the affluent residents of Caddington. And to the right, the Arringway Philosophical Institute, a bastion for young scholars to congregate and freely discuss their views on philosophy and current events.
Outside, asides the occasional car rumbling down those broad, wayward streets, activity was left mildly sparse. Passerby would wander along either side of the cement walkways, exchanging idle conversation amongst themselves. Inside was left much the same; the mundane routine of everyone going about their business. It was with the resounding ring of a nearby elevator that a young man stepped out into the natural light, brief case in hand, adorned entirely in a slick brown suit and hat. His eyes were veiled by a pair of reading glasses, though he would just as soon look to a newcomer joined by two that came to the entryway at the front. As the revolving door at the entrance turned full circle, a petite young woman emerged from the plate-glass chamber, fur coat practically glowing as she basked in the light of the afternoon sun. With a flick of her tail and a sway of her paw, she happened to spot the attendant overseeing the lobby as she walked by, offering a curt wave and a smile.
Priscea Anyrelle was a wolf of higher social standing, residing chiefly in her home city of New Haven. Having attended private academies as her mainstay in educational framework, her views on her place in society and the world were left somewhat limited, as she was shielded from the diverse demographics of more plebian company. It did not leave her any worse off academically, but there was always a sense of want at the back of her mind. She saw her peers as a more or less complacent lot; they were far too comfortable in their daily lives, and did not bear witness to all aspects of the world as they should to gain a more meaningful experience. It was completely at random that, upon the end of her sixteenth year, she applied for a transfer to the Trenton District High School, a transfer fiercely contested from her parents. It was also an argument that set the stage for Priscea becoming independent from them, and her “high life” altogether.
Priscea had always been regarded as an idealistic young youth since her early days as a child, being fairly open minded and a rather affable sort. With a firm sense of morality about her, her sense of ethics remained strong in how she saw the world, and related to those in it. However, she would sometimes engage in rather peculiar acts that played out in rather embarrassing or wild manners, all seemingly at random. Such acts would be as harmless as a trivial prank, to rather dangerous stunts meriting sincere concern. A prime example would be how, on her sixteenth birthday, she rode a taxi down twenty ninth and main on the hood of the car, and (at her request,) having the driver play rock and roll all the way. Her dear friends rode along in the passenger and back seats, but despite their (and the drivers) reservations, Priscea did not take their concerns to heart. Coupled with the attention among known families, there was a great deal of embarrassment with friends and family. Suitors were a difficult matter altogether as well, as Priscea would play an absentminded act in front of any prospective bachelor, and dismiss any “advances” with what could only be described as passive aggressive behavior, usually with the use of her parlor tricks and infamous pranks.
As of her eighteenth year, Priscea has lived independently from her parents for one and a half years. She had previously “settled her affairs” with her parents after a long series of discussions, having expressed a desire to live on her own. After deliberations between her mother and father, she was granted a sum of money, deposited generously to her private account, and seen off to her new place of residence by her parents. She chose to live in a fair apartment complex on the fringe between the Trenton and Hardle districts, seen as more preferable between two middle class districts than of any lower class one. After filing a few forms with the New Haven Child Services Agency under the auspices of the New Haven Government, and the expressed approval of her parents, she had managed to prove herself capable of living independently. An added stipulation was that she finalize her education with the school of her choosing, which turned out to be Trenton High School.
Having an interest in aviation, Priscea for a good portion of her life managed to learn how to fly planes, which continued to the here and now. She flies on occasion with the New Haven Military's junior flight academies, with a bright future ahead of her in becoming an official pilot. “Shuttle runs” are how she makes her living, working part time as a pilot. While she is technically still in training, her exceptional flight record has saw her fit enough to fly short to medium runs, as part of her training exercises. Usually the transport of soldiers to training exercises, military bases, or of average citizenry seeking transport to designated areas. While her standard of living fell short of her luxurious origins, she continued to enjoy a more balanced life. Her chosen occupation in life, however, was not well received by her parents. They had hoped she would become a glamorous singer, or even an actor. Someone that would have drawn the attentions of the masses in a rather favorable manner, and in a tasteful way.
Trenton High School welcomed her with open arms, the faculty and staff altogether delighted to have a fine new addition to the school, but relations with the students were varied. She gained a reputation for being a “prissy ditz” that hailed from the ostensibly high-class districts of Caddington Heights, and was occasionally ridiculed for it. She made fast friends with a wide variety of her new-found peers, but played off any advances for love with a somewhat dismissive front. Academically, her grades remained high, as though she were a prodigy, rather than from any real concerted effort on her part in her studies. In those areas she expressed an interest, she vested her attentions and energies..usually in science and history.
While she continued to visit her parents at their extravagant estate in Caddington, her visits were only on an occasional basis. The conflicts regarding parental control over her sense of independence in life had thankfully subsided in the two years that they had really come to light, but there was a sort of muted veil masking the relationship between her and her parents at that point. This disappointing aspect of her “old life” was offset by annual visits to her remaining friends who still resided in the fair district, and it was on the present day she headed off to visit one such heartfelt companion. With the push of a button on a bronze-plated panel on the wall, the resounding chime of the elevators ring could audibly be heard, the steel faced doors sliding open. Stepping onto the suspended platform, her paw traced up to an orange button on the inner panels surface, set aglow with her touch. Floor six. As the heavy doors slid inwards, and the inner workings of the elevator groaned into motion, Priscea was briefly lost to her day dreams as the distant hum of gears and pulleys set into motion...
Commentary: Originally, I was thinking that Priscea would be a dingo dog, or even a regular canid. I preferred her being a wolf, for whatever reason. Suits her better, in my honest opinion. Her role in the story of Genova Dei will more than likely be of a supporting character for the most part, but I can't say for certain right now.
This was also a picture where I took creative liberties with the background, trying out new shine effects with the overall shading. Took a little longer than I was expecting, and I changed some things around from the original sketch. For instance, her paw was originally too big, then became too small after I played around with it more, before putting the overall project on the back burner. It was only recently I got back to work on it, giving it a more elaborate background than was originally planned.
A special thank you to https://ponyfox.deviantart.com/ and https://chibigowang.deviantart.com/ for helping me gain a solid bearing on the use of photoshop, and making it feasible for me to make a decent watermark image for future use. Beats the standard signatures that I fell back upon finishing a picture.
