Beauty in the Branches - VC

One of several 'bonus arts' we included in the 'Vermilion Crescent' novella, this was not part of the narrative persay but actually a bit of a character design image (well, one of many) I started out with when the idea for the entire tale came to mind.

Just a scene, unrelated to the narrative's story, with the wily/sensual bounty huntress perched in a tree, watching a cloaked man bearing a weapon wandering through the woods. Being quite at home in the wilds, Vermilion is just waiting for the right moment to pounce on him...could be a target, could be someone trying to attack her...either way, he has no idea what the crimson beauty has in store.

Actually, this was early on a possible cover for the entire novella, although we replaced it with the current one once the story neared completion...I suppose you can consider it an 'alternate cover' if you'd like (I do have a version with the title splash handy that I'll show perhaps). If you look closely, Ver's outfit/armor design itself is not exactly the same as it appeared in the actual story images as this was literally one of the first pics of A...er, Vermilion Crescent in this outfit.

As always, give thanks to for the wonderful color (love the vibrant reds amidst the dreary woods here) he applied to my linework. ^^