"Venom/Forever" by Olivia Serroana Brookes

Whenever my mind flits to her, I see her as I left her that night.. How could I forget?
The forest wept for her, vines dripping with dewy tears, branches bowed in respect. Still was the air, it had no reason to sing; but there echoed a low whistle, a lone voice, though whether it was a breeze through the leaves or my own song I couldn't be sure.
I could feel those golden eyes, peering from branches above, watching, waiting. They called for her, like lost children after their mother, and together we listened for her reply.
...
So quiet was her answer. So fragile she was, glass in that new world, and I questionned again, why I was not there to guide her, protect her from shattering.
It was habit, the way I reached for her. It wasn't habit to not feel the warmth of her cheek under my hand, see that faint blush spread from my touch, that smile play across her lips.
No, she didn't smile. Smiles are for the living, the spirits that are never alone, always with Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka. The lost souls have nothing to smile about, for they have nobody to share it with.
Those droning calls still rang, trying to pry her attention, steal her from that moment, but she was trapped as I was. We couldn't part, couldn't look away even though we couldn't see each other, at least not with eyes but perhaps with heart; I could sense her spirit, so strong over the earth where her soul lay, and my memory shaped her form from the light. I saw those eyes I'd always loved, as bright after life as they had been during it..oh, how beautiful she will always be.
But so sad. And that desperation, that aching need that tore my heart in two when I left, is what I see every time I close my eyes.

Close my eyes, and dream.

For a glorious moment we are together again; but the desire grows in me, though I know what will happen if I try to take her in my arms, so many times I have been through this before. Sometimes she calls me to hold her hand, others to kiss her lips, but every time it ends the same; with bitter cold air biting at my lips, freezing where her breath should warm.
How beautiful she will always be.
And how I will never hold her again.

Playlist:

- Of Monsters and Men- Little Talks

- Trading Yesterday- Desert Lands

<sub>Promo piece and the last bit of Jayzel concepting for a while.
Tried out backlighting. Failed miserably, but oh well. Pretty proud of the transparency effects on Hazel so that balances it out lol nope
Decorations in the background are Jay's creations; dreamcatchers to catch bad spirits and protect Hazel, beads and feathers for healing and to ease her passage into the spiritual realm. One totem fetish was carved for each baby; there's snake, horse, coyote, buffalo and bear in the background, and many more across the forest, hung over their graves. Three owls if you can spot them all, though there are six in total, her guardians and guides and family.
The fangs on his necklace and the claws on his armband are his own. He tore them out during a breakdown after her death, to try and make himself appear human. The beads are turquoise and cedar, which are believed to protect against spiritual harm. Ring of course is Hazel's, and he never takes it off again. The little woven circle has a bat motif, for his vampirism. The brighter feathers are for spiritual connection and healing purposes.
Hazel has no hands to represent her helplessness, and how she's seperated from the physical realm. Jareth's eyes are covered because he doesn't want to use his hypnotic abilities on anyone again, and to emotionally seperate himself from others.

Both the individuals and their relationship play a strong role in Venom; the story follows Jareth and his life though it is told not only by him but everyone who's known him through their lives, and seen from the point of view of Cassy.

Venom, characters, concepts and art (c) Olivia Brookes</sub>