September's Bonus Content: Making the Masks

Who came first, the character or the mask?

When I first began conceptualizing this story and its host of masquerading characters, they came to me as one, intertwined from the beginning, each one shaping the other in a symbiotic relationship. An enigmatic charmer seemed fit for a fox, a lonely soul for a rabbit, and a ravishing beauty for a butterfly. The Uninvited Guest… well, you'll have to see that for yourself. To be sure, I did consider my options, but these first instincts proved true.

These are the reasons why I found the masks fitting for each with an animal association, and their reasons, subconcious or not, for choosing them.

Fox was always meant to be, first and foremost, an enigmatic character. They are the sweet-talking creature of the night who could sweep you off your feet and carry you away to some fairytale castle in the sky, but they are also someone who holds a darkness deep within them and secrets that could just be your undoing. Because of these depths, I found that their mask was the most fulfilling to design artistically. There is the basic structure of a fox, all in one solid color, but if you look close and study it, there are all these twists and turns you can trace your eyes over, giving the impression that things may not be as simple as is presented.

Why I Chose It

Cunning and Cleverness

Foxes are often depicted as sly and capable of outwitting others through guile and trickery. Their eyes are sharp and calculating, hinting at a mind always working behind the scenes.

Deception

Foxes are often portrayed as deceitful or untrustworthy, particularly in folk tales where they might trick other animals or humans to achieve their goals.

Independence

Foxes are solitary hunters, symbolizing self-reliance and autonomy.

Why They Chose It

Beauty and Grace

Foxes are admired for their sleek appearance and graceful movements, which can make them symbols of both danger and allure, striking the perfect balance in their struggle between wanting to attract and deter the MC.

Stealth

Foxes are known to symbolize stealth and subtlety, to move quietly and remain unseen.

Mystery

The Fox's solitary nature and nocturnal habits contribute to this image of secrecy, mystery, and aloofness.

Rabbit was shy from the start, longing for someone to see them yet afraid of getting hurt. They see the world around them as an oppressive place, one where people prey upon each other, and do not ever want to see themself at the top of that chain, finding strength beneath it. They are vulnerable and guarded, but they are also self-possessed and unafraid of standing up for themself, which is a trait one might not think to find in these quiet creatures. Their mask is more toned down than the others, but the material is fine, showing that they reject spectacle in favor of quality.

Why I Chose It

Vulnerability

As prey animals, rabbits represent a certain innate vulnerability and defenselessness.

Hidden Strength

Despite their vulnerability, rabbits also possess the ability to fight back. Not only do they have quick reflexes but also have sharp teeth.

Fertility and Abundance

Rabbits have long been associated with fertility, reproduction, and abundance due to their prolific breeding habits.

Why They Chose It

Domesticity

In some contexts, rabbits are associated with hearth and home due to their tendency to burrow and create safe, cozy environments.

Timidity and Caution

Rabbits are often seen as skittish and quick to flee from danger, symbolizing fearfulness, sensitivity, and wariness. They are watchful creatures, always alert to their surroundings.

Companionship

Rabbits are known to form strong bonds with other rabbits.

Last, but certainly not least, is our festive Butterfly, who, for all their pomp and circumstance, could be crushed as easily as the insect they wear. There is this image they cultivate of a stunning and carefree creature, but underneath it all, they are just as vulnerable as any other living being. This vulnerability is something they try to hide behind their colorful facade, but it is there nonetheless, which is why it felt fitting to extinguish that color from one half of their mask.

Why I Chose It

Transformation and Metamorphosis

The butterfly’s life cycle makes it a powerful symbol of change, growth, and renewal; often viewed as a metaphor for personal growth.

Ephemeral Beauty

Butterflies, with their delicate and fleeting presence, symbolize the transient nature of beauty and life.

Delicacy and Fragility

Butterflies are fragile creatures, easily harmed, which makes them symbols of vulnerability and the fragility of life.

Why They Chose It

Grace and Elegance

Butterflies embody beauty and elegance with their vivid colors and graceful movements and are often admired for their aesthetic appeal.

Joy and Playfulness

Butterflies are often associated with lightheartedness and joy, their seemingly playful dance through the air representing a carefree approach to life.

Freedom and Lightness

Butterflies are often seen as symbols of freedom due to their seemingly effortless flight. Their ability to flit from flower to flower conveys a sense of lightness and carefree movement, emphasizing the importance of living in the moment.

What are your thoughts on these masks?

Do you find another animal more suiting? Out of Edith/Edward, Tamsin/Thomas, Henrietta/Henry, and Lucia/Laurence, who do you think fits the mask best?