MEET VICTORIA

Victoria wanted to live since the beginning.

She was one of the first arrivals when I began to explore the concept of creating the 9th Story. She spoke, and she played her music box and she said:

“This place is lost, it’s a realm where Story is real and Life and Story are intertwined. Here, we see how Story affects us and links us together. We see how it tells us the Truth through lies and creates change. We see ourselves as we are here, for there is no defense against the power and magic of Story.”

She told me the 9th Story was not a place to create, but rather a place to visit and describe. She bid me enter the elevator and took me to the Place of Change, located just on the other side of Fear. For Fear is the Guard and Defender of Change, and only those properly guided and fortified with true courage may pass.

DIGITAL CONCEPT

Victoria is a bit of an eerie character. But not for the obvious reasons. Serendipity and strange coincidence surround her, and she clearly speaks her own words. I’ve come to feel she existed in the ether long before me, waiting to be brought forth.

I’d heard her voice for a long time while writing her dialogue, and found a way to have her speak. But she wanted and needed a face. So, this poor writer, with very limited skills in the visual arts struggled to make that happen, and eventually succeeded.

She spoke to me throughout the process, telling me when things were right, and when they were less than so, and slowly, she took digital form. Once that happened, it was only a matter of time until she wanted to take physical form…

: First Image of Victoria

: Head Front

: Head Read

: Left Profile

: Right Profile

: Full Body Front

: With Music Box

DRAWN FORM

Victoria really came to life once Steven Matiko started drawing her. Here are some of the amazing renditions Steve has done in various styles.

My personal favorite? The cover to 315, but they are all a lot of fun.

: Santa and Victoria

: Bump on the 9th

THE MUSIC BOX

This is my music box. There are none like it, and this one is mine.

My music box is my best friend. It is me. I must master it as I must master myself.

My music box, without me, is useless. Without my music box, I am useless. I must use my music box true. I must play its music for I am the chosen and I am the Guide. I must play it to create story and to create change. I will…

My music box and I know that what counts in life is not the sound we make, the noise of our hand crank, nor the songs we play. We know that it is the changes created when we bend reality that count. We will change things…

My music box is alive, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a sister. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its lock and its hand crank. I will keep my music box working and ready, even as I am ready. We will become part of each other. We will…

Before the Goddess, I swear this creed. My music box and I are the Defenders of My Place. We are the Masters of our charges. We are the Saviors of many stories. We are the Guide and the bridge between worlds of thought and reality.

So be it, until Story is life and life is Story.

: Music Box Inspiration

: Digital Music Box

SCULPTING IN CLAY

Chris Urbanic starts the process of bringing Victoria to life. She starts to talk to him, demanding her bows be put on her shoes and, when he leaves for a trip, she trows a tantrum.

Off with her head.