I envisioned this page much differently when I first saw it in my head, years ago.
I saw the Dracomage mocking Brian for his weakness, disgusted and shouting at him, and Brian too far gone to care.
I tried to draw it that way, but the pencil wouldn’t move on the paper. That’s not who these guys are now, not anymore.
Maybe that’s not who I am anymore either.
I don’t know.
For anybody that ever finds themselves in this place… well, it’s easy for me standing where I’m standing now to tell you to reach out and get the help you need, but I remember how alone and isolated you feel when you’re at the bottom of that fucking hole.
Just know this, you’re never as alone as you think you are, and, even in the darkness, there are shadows on your side.
So, take your finger off that trigger and get some rest.
You’ve got a long road ahead of you, and people you don’t even know are counting on you.
Funny you should mention that, because I thought the scene was gonna go similiarly to what you envisioned. But with goading instead of mocking. Kind of a “Balamb Garden” sort of deal if you know about the meme.
Honestly, This version sounds a bit more interesting. What’s the Dracomage gonna do with a gun?
Keep it safe from Brian, I suppose.
Yes, ‘safe’
As a combat vet with PTSD I’ve danced with that demon and have had someone stand there for me. I’ve also stood there with others and faced their demons. No one should ever face that dance alone.
They should not have to. I’m glad that your’s as well as other’s dance card was not punched.
Thank you for holding the line.
I have been there myself. Had someone come by and talk to about the stress I was under. They saved my life that day. As a result I have used what I went through to save 2 others (one was my wife the other was her best friend.)
*HUGS* Know those feelings on both sides of the divide. Take care.
Thank you.
Glad you’re in a better place, man.
Thanks.
This was very powerful. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you.
Always pictured a .357 to have a long barrel, and the .38 special to have the snub-nose, clearly know nothing about fire-arms
Such a small frame is a little unusual for the .357 magnum, and it’s certainly not much fun to shoot the .357 ammo with such a relatively lightweight revolver, but it was designed to appeal to a rather niche market of gun enthusiasts including people such as myself, and, apparently, Brian.
Dan Wesson .357 4 barrel kit..
Have had that feeling everyday for at least the last 25 years, not actually going do anything, just… not going to struggle when the time finally comes, have been ready for a long long time
Sorry to hear it, but I hope you can find some good stuff in life too. Not fearing death is a pretty cool super power, but I’m not sure it’s worth the trade-offs sometimes.
Webics and games give me a reason to get out of bed at least (being doing one game continuously for around 8 years, over 2950 straight days)
I have been in almost this exact position before. Differences being it was a knife in my hand rather than a gun and no figment of my imagination talked me down. I hadn’t find one thing, just one, that was worth putting the knife away for. Needless to say I found it and I’ve been holding that thing tight ever since. Climbing out of that hole isn’t impossible, but it sure ain’t easy either. But once the climb is over it is so worth it.
I’m glad you made the climb. I really wish there was a better way for us to reach back down and help the ones still in that hole.
Best thing to do, is just be there at the top
You are not alone. We are with you
Thank you.
.. i would rather sit with you for hours in the dark,,.!
then read about you in the obituaries .!!
even at the darkest, you are never alone!!
Thank you. You folks have helped me through some pretty dark times in the past, and I really appreciate it!
“If you’re reading this, you have survived everything life has thrown at you.”
Best advice I got when I was in those moments.
I’m gonna steal that… probably for personal use. 8)
Dunno fam, think i’ll keep my drug addiction to myself for the time being. It’s hard asking for help when you don’t know what could help, and when you see how much it hurts the people around you just by talking about it
It’s usually not the talking about that hurts, it’s not knowing what to do to help, and, sometimes, simply finding just one person to talk to can be the start
My advice to the artist and to the other readers – if this page touches home to you, I recommend checking this out: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ They offer resources for everyone.
Odds are, they know something already. The point of asking for help is that more brains on a problem, more eyes, more hands, make the fixing of anything easier. You do what you can, yes, but getting help makes fixing anything easier.
They hurt because they know you hurt. Asking for help will relieve part of that pain in and of itself.
And if you ever need to talk, there is always someone out there who will listen.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Powerful. Thank you.
On a lighter note, I have a sneaking suspicion Sephni would never let Brian rest.
This is a really powerful piece, like others have said, but I think it also kind of fits the Dracomage to a tee. Not just the fact that his encounter with Bree ultimately made him a bit more empathetic, but in general, the Dracomage we’ve seen has always been someone egotistical, and wanting power, but he’s never really struck me as someone being *evil*.
He likes to do things (or have others do things) for his amusement and , but from a morality standpoint, he’s kind of…*bad* at being bad. He’s always struck me as the guy that’s a villain for the fun of it rather than because his motivations are ruthless and cruel. If anyone’s seen Kim Possible, Senior Senior Senior comes to mind.
Or, Lord Lewstrom VII from “YAFGC”
This page actually reminded me of a song… ‘Stuck in a moment you can’t get out of’ by U2. It’s about convincing a friend not to commit suicide… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF_0Jd-c0ug
This seems… good. I mean, not like… *sigh* okay…
So it’s not a good place, but it ends in an interesting way that’s on a more positive note.
In your darkest of hours, even your demons want you to stick around.
To me, the Dracomage doesn’t actually seem like that bad of a guy. Never really has. A lot more Lawful Evil than Choatic Evil. Evil, for sure, but he likes rules and order, and Brian is useful to him, and I feel they are actually close, even if one is just an aspect of the other.