University Crest

So, I've been workin' in Illustrator lately and I've come up with a crest for Tasura University. Let me know what you think...



I'm hooked on butterflies lately, I guess, but they're neither red nor blue so I don't have to worry about them attacking. ;) Also, butterflies are a symbol for illusions and dreams. Anyway, so I've also played around with a possible logo for the book. I know it's way early and I know we'll both have to do a bunch of designs before we come to a decision, but I just had an idea and had to get it out. Don't know if I'm even completely satisfied with it... and it's still really simple. Just an idea.



Other than that, I have worked on storyboarding out the first couple pages. I'm moving right along...

Script for Chapter One--Part One YD21

Flashback of reality, a bunch of disjointed images against black background.

Panel 1: Amadi, her mother, screaming at her.

Panel 2&3: Vague images of the military facility, blurred.

Panel 4: Tristan with other soldiers looking shocked, also somewhat blurred and chaotic.

Panel 5: Suni screaming along with a brilliant light.

Panel 6: Utter destruction.

Panel 7: “Next stop: Tasura University." Scenery blurring by outside a train window with Suni silhouetted against it.

Panel 8: "Tasura University." Suni is slumped in her chair, her eyes barely cracked open.

Panel 9: "There are three more stops on this line..." Words scroll across a display at the front of the car.

Panel 10: Suni glares at display sleepily.

Panel 11: View of a monitor showing the train route

Panel 12: View of monitor with mascot teaching something in a game format.

Panel 13: Suni stretches and yawns.

Panel 14: Man across the aisle from her, oogles her with a creepy smile as she stretches.

Panel 15: Suni looks out window at train station coming into view.

Panel 16: "Chapter Title" Two page spread of train making its way across landscape toward city in distance.

Panel 17: "Now arriving at Tasura University." Close-up of speaker

Panel 18: Suni stands up and reaches for her bag in the shelf above her

Panel 19: Creepy man continues to oogle her

Panel 20: "Skree" Suni manages to pull the bag down.

Panel 21: "Skree" View of train wheels stopping.

Panel 22: The train has lurched slightly, throwing Suni off balance.

Panel 23: "Careful, honey." A hand appears on her shoulder, catching her from behind.

Panel 24: Suni's eyes widen in shock.

Panel 25: View of another hand on Suni's butt.

Panel 26: Suni turns around to face the creepy guy, her bag in front of her protectively.

Panel 27: "You should be more careful." His creepy grin widens.

Panel 28: "Whoosh" Train doors opening.

Panel 29: "Stay away from me." Suni scowls.

Panel 30: "Are you sure you don't need any help with those bags?" Creepy guy grins, gesturing at her.

Panel 31: "They look pretty heavy." Man steps closer, his hand on the handle of the bag, which is perilously close to Suni's chest. His eyes are shadowed.

Panel 32: A book hits man on the head

Panel 33: "Hey, leave her alone, you creepy perv!" Rubbing his head, man scowls in direction of the voice

Panel 34: Radri, loaded down with luggage, scowls at man, pulling another book out of one bag.

Panel 35: "Why don't you mind your own business, boy?" Creepy man looks menacing.

Panel 36: Creepy man grabs Suni's arm.

Panel 37: Radri sends the other book flying.

Panel 38: Suni swings her bag into the man to throw him off balance.

Panel 39: "I said, get away from me." Suni scowls at him.

Panel 40: "Is there a problem here?" Train ticket guy (whatever he is) looks at man suspiciously.

Panel 41: Creepy man looks at train guy, his eyes wide.

Panel 42: Creepy man runs away, bumping shoulders with Radri on the way.

Panel 43: Radri scowls after him.

Panel 44: Suni starts heading for the exit without looking back.

Panel 45: "Hey, wait up!" Voice from off-panel. Profile of determined, oblivious Suni.

Panel 46: Radri picks up his books and puts them in his bag.

Panel 47: "Thanks for the help" Radri bows to the train guy. Suni has already walked past.

Panel 48: Suni heads out into crowd on the platform. Radri exits train behind her.

Panel 49: "Hey! Just wait a second!" Radri grabs Suni's sleeve.

Panel 50: Suni spins around to face him, angry.

Panel 51: "..." Radri seems startled.

Panel 52: "Um, don't I know you?" "..." Radri manages to ask.

Panel 53: "Suni, isn't it? We grew up together." Radri looks hopeful.

Panel 54: Suni looks annoyed and confused at the same time.

Panel 55: "Sorry. Don't remember you." Suni turns to leave.

Panel 56: "Don't remember!" Radri grabs a strap on her bag.

Panel 57: "How can you not remember that big oak tree we used to climb..." Chibi Radri and Suni climbing tree.

Panel 58: "...or the time we accidentally set the teacher on fire on our class trip?" Flames spreading on teacher's skirt.

Panel 59: "We went to middle school together." Radri just looks desperate now.

Panel 60: "Radri." Suni seems sad.

Panel 61: "So you do remember!" Radri's face lights up.

Panel 62: "Yeah." Suni looks uncomfortable, eyeing the turbines at the exit.

Panel 63: "So, what are you doing here?" Radri is all smiles.

Panel 64: "Don't tell me you're going to Tasura too?!" Radri's eyes are shiny as he gets somewhat chibified.

Panel 65: "Yes." Suni is annoyed.

Panel 66: "I can't believe it!" Radri is practically jumping for joy.

Panel 67: "We haven't seen each other since middle school, and now we're both going to Tasura. Suni is looking at the ground.

Panel 68: "And it's not like Tasura is a popular university." Radri doesn't notice Suni's dark expression.

Panel 69: "It's really pretty obscure. What a bizzare coincidence!" Radri grins at her.

Panel 70: "Yeah." Suni turns again and starts heading for the exit.

Panel 71: Radri watches her walk away in puzzlement.

Panel 72: Radri hurries to catch up with her.

Panel 73: Suni makes her way through the turbine.

Panel 74: Suni slips her ticket into the machine.

Panel 75: Radri hurries after her as she walks outside.

Panel 76: "Wow." Radri stops, his eyes wide.

Panel 76: Two page spread of the city beyond the station, The gate of the university grounds at the focus down the street. Very upscale, but rather gothic in architecture. Autumn trees line the street.

phan·tas·ma·go·ri·a

Just a thought for the title of our story. The definition is as follows:

1a. A fantastic sequence of haphazardly associative imagery, as seen in dreams or fever.

1b. A constantly changing scene composed of numerous elements.

2. Fantastic imagery as represented in art.

Watcha think? It's a word my cousin used for a literary magazine title back in high school and it's stuck with me. I think it fits on multiple levels, but I'm not married to it or anything. Just a thought...I always thought it was a fun word to say. I think we need a 3rd definition that has to do with dumplings though just for the hell of it.

3. The dumpling version of the afterlife.

You know what would also be awesome? If we found a way to work Jalapanous into the story. Sti fre min!!!