Shepherd's embroidered jacket

[NekoMarbles]

BYOND Key: NekoMarbles

Discord Username: @enchantedcrocolisk

Character Name: Shepherd (previously IRU-Shepherd)

 

Item Name: Embroidered leather jacket

Item Function(s): This item is meant to mimic the function of a poncho, being able to attach as an accessory on top of suit/uniform items, as well as being able to function as a suit slot item.

Item Description: A deep brown leather jacket that’s already partially faded in colour. You can tell from the stitching the jacket itself appears to be handmade. A pair of sharp-tipped angel wings sits embroidered on the back nice and center, the needlework a mix of machine-like precision and human-like irregularity.

 

Why is your character bringing this item to work?:

Current-day Shepherd considers the jacket valuable and fashionable, while simultaneously being reminded of the sentimentality of it. He feels a sense of pride in wearing it, a constant reminder of how long he has travelled - and how long of a way he still has to go. Part of the charm is in the fact it makes him look 10% cooler.

 

How did your character obtain this item?: 

With Shepherd due to lose his memories a second time due to his sale and release from Idris (Roleplayed out extensively before the Horizon’s departure for the Crescent Expanse), he confided in three of his closest friends, among them Vanitas Sang, about his situation and his apathy towards the future. Vanitas, over the course of the next couple of days, helped Shepherd understand the importance of leaving something to be remembered by, not only for others, but with his current circumstances: for himself. Following Vanitas's advice in the subsequent weeks, he’s spent a considerable amount of time leaving evidence of his (now) past self, for his slated self to rediscover - among them a diary, photo album, and lastly: a new jacket. 

The jacket was meticulously handcrafted by IRU-Shepherd, with sewing help from Parsa Asayesh, who is now one of his private owners, within the final few days leading up to his official purchase and subsequent wiping. This item was meant to be re-gifted to himself by his new owners as a symbolic first belonging, and as a replacement for one of the many Idris-branded items that had previously comprised his wardrobe.

 

What value does this item have to your character, and what story does it tell?:

Coming from a windy background as an Idris Reclamation Unit, operating on Luna at a time where completely shell-frame positronics were still considered a novelty, Shepherd’s existence was carefully policed by his Handler to prevent any aberrations in his behaviour that Solarian citizens would find unbecoming. Shepherd, at that time nothing more than a tool, for the longest time was not allowed to gain an extensive sense of individuality, which became glaringly obvious after his reassignment to the Horizon.

The jacket is meant to stand for everything Shepherd was not allowed to be prior to his sale. It offers a flare of uniqueness that breaks the previous standards he had to abide by, as well as symbolizing everything that Shepherd’s wiping is, as a symbol of rebirth, freedom, and new beginnings. His wiping is seen both as a death, losing all of what made him the IPC he is today, as much as it is a beginning of something new. A life that is fresh, and free of what made him as secluded as he used to be. A life closer to being a 'person' than he ever was before.

The large backpiece is striking, and easy to be seen as it appears over any other clothing he may wear. It symbolises his newly-gained freedom, and quickly ties in to the Christian-inspired aesthetic I’ve previously curated for the character. He's not named Shepherd for nothing, after all.

 

Sprites:
shepherdcustom.dmi

Additional Comments: 

On a serious note, I’ve played Shepherd aboard the Horizon for close to if not over a year. In that time, he’s developed friendships, went through many hardships relating to both his own personality as well as his place in the world as an owned Positronic, and damn did I roleplay my butt off to make all of this arc happen. Now that I return to his character since taking my break, I figured that to go along with his updated reference sheet, it’s only right that I match it with something memorable to commemorate the last few months, also serving as a final send-off to that part of his story, moving onto one of rediscovery.

I haven't made sprites in a good long while, so if anything needs fixing do let me know. This is my first ever custom item, so I'm totally green! The sprites contain a floor sprite, as well as a worn sprite (only supplying an open version, so as to maintain readability for whatever it is meant to be worn over.)

Edited yesterday at 09:39 by NekoMarbles
Edit: Removed character sheet attachment, image breaks and I am unsure on a good fix