#Everything in the final zine looks amazing so please check out the project!

[fortegrace]

I drew the future-past gang for the Future Witness: Lucina Zine over at @holoframeworks. Leftover sales will be opening at a later date so go and give them a follow for updates!

[gallacrafts]

☝🏻fucking amazing draft @suzy-queued created for the zine! final draft will be on the actual zine!

want to get your hands on the gallacrafts zine? look no further! here is the link to the order form, which is due by may 15th!

so many wonderfully talented and beautiful humans have contributed to the zine, including @arrowflier @beebabycastiel @camnoelgallavich @celestialmickey @depressedstressedlemonzest @doodlevich @gallawitchxx @gardenerian @grumble-fish @heymrspatel @messedwithmandy @mikcrymilkovich @notherenewjersey @owlcoholik @shameless-notashamed @sickness-health-all-that-shit @sleepyfacetoughguy @smokey-mickey @squidyyy23 @suzy-queued @tsuga-of-mars @unbridgeabledistances @vintagelacerosette @whatwouldmickeydo @you-are-so-much-better-than-that

and a huge thank you to @suzy-queued for the cover art and @mikcrymilkovich for the centerfold! we are so grateful for both of you!

additionally, please read through all of the good information provided under the cut...

what can i expect in the zine? all of the gallacrafts magic PLUS so many interactive mini-crafting projects! some of the supplies are even included! it's really cool, trust us 😏

zines will be printed in color and approximately 8.5in x 5.5in (21.5cm x 14cm).

zines will be shipped out from the US starting early july—given the state of the world, it will likely take 3+ weeks to reach non-US destinations. because we are mailing it ourselves, we will *ideally* have tracking numbers for each package.

what does the zine cost? $18 USD which includes shipping (additionally, please check out the mutual aid information below!)

how can i purchase a zine? 

submit an order form

provide donation amount via gallacrafts paypal (gallacraftszine@gmail.com), PLEASE BE SURE TO SELECT "SENDING TO A FRIEND" IF GIVEN THE OPTION! also, if you're US-based, feel free to reach out to @whatwouldmickeydo for a venmo option!

provide confirmation of donation to rhys or leah in whatever way is comfiest bc we won’t know who’s who from paypal vs. blog names, etc.

concerned about the shipping process? that’s fair given that we are packaging it ourselves. however, we decided that this would be the best course of action given that it reduces cost and it allows us to track packages. we understand the importance of anonymity and we are happy to answer any questions that you may have about the ordering process. we suggest submitting an order under a pseudonym if that would make you feel more comfortable! but also, trust that we respect your privacy and that we have no intention of abusing your trust or being creepers—we just want to craft and celebrate each other! 

MUTUAL AID INFORMATION we are doing everything we can to ensure everyone who wants a copy of the zine will receive one! we have a question on the form about whether or not you're in a position to contribute to a mutual aid pool, but what exactly do we mean by "mutual aid" and how will it be used? this zine is 100% not-for-profit so we are only asking for funds to cover printing and shipping expenses. however, we acknowledge that 1. we are a global fandom and 2. not everyone has access to financial resources, especially in a fucking pandemic 

as such, if you *do* have access to financial resources and would like to contribute additional funds (even $1 or whatever your currency is), we will use that to offset the cost of shipping for our friends who may be further away than others, as well as get copies of zines into the hands of everyone who desires one. if we happen to have additional funds after everyone has received their zines, we will collectively select an arts organization to donate it!

IF YOU WOULD BENEFIT FROM ACCESSING THE MUTUAL AID FUNDS, please reach out to rhys or leah in whatever way feels most comfortable and safe for you whether it be email (southsideforever7@gmail.com), tumblr (@smokey-mickey or @whatwouldmickeydo) or discord. 

trust that there is no shame in reaching out and that you don't have to provide us with any information beyond something like: "hey, i'd really like a zine but i'm not in a position to donate right now" or "i'm able to donate X amount, but i realize that might not cover the whole cost, can it be supplemented?"

if you have any questions, reach out to rhys and leah!

[miss-tc-nova]

Events Unchanged - Xehanort x Eraqus

So THIS is my final piece for the @checkmate-zine. I had a blast writing it and it’s probably one of my favorite pieces I’ve ever written. Please check out the other creators on this project because they are all absolutely amazing.​

Music Inspiration: End In Tragedy and MIssing You by Set It Off

Art by my queen @kingdomcarrots​

~~~~~

               The castle looms over the young man. This being his first stop, he’s not entirely sure he’s in the right place, or rather, the right time. The description of the place matches up, but he could be anywhere from minutes to decades off with no idea how to tell. Additionally, if he’s jumped even a minute too far, that complicates the whole plan.

               With really no other choice, he climbs the steps to the front door, letting himself in. He’d heard a little of this place, seen a few paragraphs in books, but the Land of Departure is such a small world compared to Scala Ad Caelum. However, this is very obviously an off-shoot of the Scala training school; the only real difference lies in the missing inhabitants. Such spacious halls lack the chatter of students and staff despite the well-kept appearance.

               “Identify yourself.”

               He stops. That gruff voice rumbles with the faintest hint of familiarity. Curiosity piqued, the young man turns back.

               It has to be him; it couldn’t be anyone else. Aside from that traditional style and the Master’s Defender prepared to strike, Xehanort could never mistake those eyes and no amount of hostility could mislead him. There’s no doubt now that Xehanort is far into the future, not while he stares at the aged face of the man Eraqus is to become.

               He looks worn, as if the years have been long and hard and those scars prove nearly as much. That welcoming cheer from their very first meeting has been replaced by sheer apprehension, likely caused by his arduous life. It seems he’s become the soldier his parents always pushed him to be; and yet, surely, he can’t have forgotten his beloved.

               Cautious hands lift to push the hood back and reveal the face hiding beneath.

               Shock takes over the old warrior’s expression. “Xehanort?!”

               “Eraqus.” It’s all Xehanort can come up with in his uncertainty.  

               “How is this possible?!” Resumed suspicion reaffirms that fighting stance.

               First and foremost, Xehanort has a mission, one that could potentially fix everything that went wrong in their lives. They could have everything they lost, including the happiness stripped from them far too soon. Additionally, this is Eraqus, the one who saved Xehanort from self-destruction and gave him the motivation to do all these incredible things. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to ensure Eraqus’s happiness. However, the stubborn blueblood often disapproved of Xehanort’s methods as of late and perhaps that’s only gotten worse as the years passed—perhaps plans should be kept quite even from one’s most precious. Having been caught here in the future, Young Xehanort must pick carefully which truths to divulge.

               A soft exhale calms the nerves. “I’m from the past,” the traveler confesses. “Brought here by the version of me from this time.”

               “How? What for?” Eraqus demands. “What proof do you have for any of this?”

               “I can’t say how or why but…”

               A well-seasoned Master Eraqus is probably not a fight Xehanort wants to pick, but he’ll need something personal to convince this man of the truth. He knows just the memory, but it’s not pleasant.

               Xehanort’s gaze drops to the floor. “You once caught me on the roof of the citadel. You told me…that if I couldn’t find a reason not to step off, then you would make one.”

               Eraqus’s mouth presses into a thin line; they never told anyone of that incident.

               “So what are you doing here?”

               Shaking off morbid memories, Xehanort replies, “Like I said, I can’t tell you that, but I need to find myself from this time. Is he here?”

               Eraqus wears a heavy pity that agitates Xehanort—he may still be young with much to learn, but he’s never taken kindly to pity.

               “You don’t know anything. You just left, didn’t you…”

               “I left Scala several hours ago,” the youth says. That empathy grows. “Why?”

               “You…Your older self doesn’t come by often.”

               This is unexpected. Even as he left, Xehanort fully intended to visit his significant other once he got things set in motion. Besides, Xehanort is greedy—he knows it. He’s got only the sparsest restraint when it comes to indulging in his partner’s presence, so this statement by the man at the heart of that avarice makes no sense.

               “Why not?” Xehanort is not going to remain calm if that look of condolence continues. “When does he come by?”

               There’s a solemn shake of the old man’s head. “He doesn’t.”

               “What do you mean he doesn’t?!” Xehanort barks, leather creaking with tightened fists. “He has to come visit you! He wouldn’t leave forever—not when you’re the person most important to him!”

               The outburst does nothing against Eraqus’s empathy. “I’m sorry. Once you left, we started to view things differently. There were things we simply couldn’t agree on.”

               “Then why didn’t you stop me?!”

               “Nothing I said would’ve convinced you to stay.”

               “No!” he shouts. “There’s no excuse! You should have stopped me! If me leaving made you so miserable, you shouldn’t have let me go! You should have cried or begged or even beat me over the head—whatever it took to make me stay!”

               Tears form in the man’s eyes and that unwanted compassion pushes Xehanort past his threshold. With renewed determination, he stalks past the elder to resume the search for his future self.

               A strong fist catches around the young man’s wrist. “Where are you going?”

               His answer is short, sharp. “To do what I came here to do.”

               For the third time, Eraqus presses, “And what would that be?”

               Xehanort glowers. With a vague restraint in his voice, he spits, “I’m a time traveler; what do you think I’m doing here?”

               “You can’t do that! There must be consequences to meddling with the timeline!” protests the elder.

               “YOU THINK I DON’T KNOW THAT?!” the young man roars. “YOU THINK THIS IS JUST SOME STROLL IN THE PARK FOR ME?! OF COURSE I’M TRYING TO CHANGE WHAT HAPPENED AND I DON’T GIVE A FUCK WHAT IT COSTS! IT COULD COST MY LIFE AND I WOULDN’T GIVE A DAMN! THEY DESERVED BETTER! YOU—” Fury falters as the words catch in his throat and the edges of his vision blurs. “You deserve better.”

               Guilt resonates on that marred face; this is why Xehanort never told him. Eraqus had said a million times over that what happened wasn’t Xehanort’s fault, but a deep sadness settled in Eraqus’s heart that was clear to the Seeker. For Xehanort, the loss of his friends was already unbearable enough, but to have the love of his life stuffing down his turmoil behind a flighty façade tipped the scales. So now he’s here.

               With a look of defeat, Eraqus pleads, “Don’t do this. Please.”

               “I’m doing this for you.” Again, the older master begins to argue, but the younger has had enough and pulls away. “You couldn’t stop me then, and based on what I’ve seen today, you can’t stop me now. Take care of yourself.”

               With that, Xehanort leaves.

                 It’s been a few hours since the confrontation, but Xehanort still hasn’t found a single clue to the whereabouts of his present self. He’s hopped a few worlds and even double checked those he’d been drawn to in the past, but nothing comes up. Worst of all, something is pulling him back to the Land of Departure. He can’t shake the feeling that, no matter what Eraqus says, Xehanort would return to him eventually. They must still love each other or else he wouldn’t be here.

               His arrival is noiseless and unnoticed, but with each step closer to the castle, he hears the escalating sounds of a battle. Peering around a pillar across from the castle steps, Xehanort sees Eraqus squaring off with a young, brunette man.

               As he watches, Xehanort notices enough between the two to speculate that there’s a clearly straining relationship. Considering the use of darkness by the younger man and Eraqus’s violent abhorrence of it, Xehanort assumes that’s the cause of the clash. The winner would be an easy call if it were a simple fight, but that boost of darkness significantly closes the gap; so it comes as a surprise when the younger warrior rushes past Eraqus, causing him to stumble. It takes every bit of self-control Xehanort has not to act on protective urges as the Master’s Defender falls from its wielder’s hand.

               Terra, as named by Eraqus, is upset with his success. He cries over it, but his master is the one to apologize, admitting that his own heart is full of darkness. That declaration plays in the gray area of Xehanort’s mind. He already knows Eraqus is a good man with his heart bound to the light. What he doesn’t understand is that light, too, can make mistakes—mistakes which may beget darkness. Xehanort has tried explaining this before, but the noble would have none of it.

               A dark figure at the top of the stairs catches Young Xehanort’s eye too late. A blaring ring fills his ears seeing that man aim a familiar weapon. There’s no time to react; he’s too far away to do anything. Before Xehanort’s very eyes, the man he loves, and should have always loved, fades.

               With the reality of what happened beginning to sink in, his eyes focus on the man strolling down the steps. Anger ignites in his heart until he hears Terra question the stranger.

               “Master Xehanort! Why?”

               Master Xehanort—that man, the very person who killed his beloved Eraqus, is Xehanort himself.

               A dark storm swallows the sky, mirroring the wrath churning in the young man’s chest. With nothing but that rage guiding him, he rushes after the assassin into the dark portal. This new land is empty and barren save the mass of foreboding keyblades strewn about, but Xehanort has other concerns right now. Waiting just outside his attack range is the murderer.

               That man’s voice is filled with the gravel of age, but no remorse can be detected. “I wondered when you would arrive.”

               “You killed Eraqus.” Fists tremble at the young man’s sides, that quivering creeping into his chest.

               “I did.” Only a man scorned like Young Xehanort could withstand those chilling yellow eyes.

               Furious, he yells back, “That’s it?! That’s all you have to say?! How could you?! He was the only reason I didn’t throw myself off the citadel! HE’S THE REASON YOU STILL EXIST!”

               “Ah, the foolishness of my youth.” His casual dismissal drives the young Seeker’s heart rate up.  “It’s true he’s the reason I exist today, but Eraqus’s departure was necessary. You know firsthand how loyal his heart is to the light.”

               The response tears from his throat. “AND THAT’S JUSTIFICATION TO MURDER HIM?!”

               “He just didn’t understand that this is all for him, to create the life that he should’ve had. You knew there were consequences to meddling with time.”

               With no comeback, the young adult sneers, but the old master has one last remark that cuts to the quick.

               “As you said: they deserved better—he deserves better.”

               The words spoken just hours ago, shoved back in his face, incite the anguish burning in his heart. Rationality devolves and Young Xehanort charges his future self.

               All his life, Xehanort let his mind dictate his path. Moves were not made without thought to the consequences, but this—this is something beyond even the purpose of this mission and everything in him is screaming for revenge. Grief and anger cloud his judgement and spur attacks too straightforward to connect, however, that sloppiness doesn’t discourage him.

               Old Xehanort swipes, successfully disarming his younger self, and with the same ruthlessness shown to his former love, he eliminates the man from the past.

               Golden eyes meet gold; even as he’s being dragged back into his own time, the young man emanates his fury.

               Unbothered by the turn of events, the victor simply states, “One day, you will understand.”

~~~~~

               The elder watches his past self disappear among the shadows. It’s unfortunate how naïve he was, but this was to be expected—he and Eraqus had been so in love. Xehanort still possesses those feelings, which is why the decision had been so difficult. There’s a hole in his heart but he understands that sometimes things must be broken for them to become better and that’s the sort of thing the Seeker is betting on.

               In lieu of these unfortunate circumstances, he’s going to have to prepare a backup—to persuade his young self into venturing into the future a second time.

               As the thought occurs, darkness flares from the ground, creating a portal from which steps the young man that just tried to smite him. He’s more prepared than he gave himself credit for. He beckons the young man to follow to discuss the details of their plan. Even as they speak, the senior can see a spark in the new master’s eyes. There’s a curiosity that he will no doubt seek answers for.

               “How is Eraqus?”

               He should’ve known.

               Enacting his hard-earned skill of smothering his emotions, the old man answers, “Eraqus is dead.”

               The youth freezes, clearly distraught. “How?”

               A deep breath conveys true sorrow while concealing the lie. “The same as the others.”

               Hard determination grows on the young man’s face. Knowing that look and knowing himself, old Master Xehanort has ensured his ignorant self’s unquestionable devotion to the mission.

~~~~~

               Despair shakes his heart, waking the young man. Opening heavy eyelids, Young Xehanort finds a room illuminated with soft moonlight. Although this is not his room, it’s still familiar. Normally this place would bring him some solace but the discomfort he feels is intense.

               Whatever this is, it’s akin to a nightmare, slipping from his grasp as he tries to remember; it’s confusing and upsetting and damn near painful. Xehanort has had days where getting up for training was hard, he’s been injured so badly he’s been unable to stand, and he’s suffered unending fatigue at the hands of depression; but none of that compares to the sheer heartache of this moment and he doesn’t even understand why.

               Gentle humming draws his gaze lower and he immediately chokes down a whimper. Pressed flush against him is the love of his life, peacefully snoring away. Even with his messy hair and a little drool, he’s absolutely beautiful. No sight could be more stunning and yet, it’s also the most painful. Whatever vice is clenching down on Xehanort’s heart has to do with Eraqus.

               Of course, Xehanort’s always had those fears that maybe he can’t make Eraqus happy or that maybe he’s not good enough—as quoted by the noble’s parents—but even those feel so trivial compared to this dread. It breaks him more than anything ever has.

               His quivering is impossible to stifle and sniffles begin sneaking past his defense. To make matters worse, his sleeping partner stirs.

               “Xehanort?” Such a sweet sound worsens the turmoil. “Xe, what’s wrong?”

               There it is: the first hiccup that destroys the weary dam holding everything in and he breaks down right there.

               Eraqus doesn’t press for an answer but instead holds his sweetheart tightly. With the unknown sorrow flooding his system, Xehanort sobs into his boyfriend’s chest, desperately hoping to get this misery under control before he has to say goodbye to Eraqus in the morning.

~~~~~

Nova’s Kingdom Hearts Masterlist

[ceallachs]

thank you.

This announcement is a little overdue, but I’ve gained over 1k followers on this blog! 🥳🥳🥳

I actually passed this milestone a while ago. Life has just been getting to me with so much to do that I can only manage a couple of drawings at a time. So I don’t have anything special other than my heartfelt thanks and some words. Under this post, I address a lot of things in regards to my art journey, fandoms, future plans with BakuTodo, and a lot of it is about AkaKuro.

So if you are interested, please read on. If you’re here just to check my art, thank you. Thank you for taking the time to let my work be part of your day and for your support. ^^

.

I know I was mostly only posting KnB/AkaKuro stuff until only a couple months ago, so the change from KnB to BNHA was pretty drastic and nerve-racking. I’ve been thinking of making the move as early as December 2019, but I hesitated for the longest time. As someone who has built their fandom “identity” around AkaKuro and KnB, making that move to another fandom, to another OTP even, may have come as a surprise to a lot of my old followers and friends. I do not keep track of every individual followers I get; surely some have left, or maybe some still stick around to see if I will get back to AkaKuro again, one day.

Interests are fleeting and people change constantly. In a time where people always jump onto the next big thing to another in a short span of time, I can say that I have a pretty good streak of committing to my main fandoms. My first online fandom lasted for seven years. The next was KnB, and this one lasted for nine years.

I was a teenager when I joined the KnB fandom and now I’m in my 20s. I still love AkaKuro with all my heart; it will always be a big part of who I am, but I have to admit at some point where I am now in life, and I will say I have already moved on.

This is an excerpt from my Twitter that I thought I should also address here because it sums up everything I’ve wanted to say. I’ve made some major tweaks and edits and added more things to properly articulate my feelings about the matter. I hope it is understandable enough.

It started in November.

In the first few months of dabbling with BakuTodo, I was very, very scared. I was worried because I was such a prominent person for the AkaKuro fandom; I hosted and held events for years, I stayed "active" for AkaKuro even five years after KnB had ended. I wrote fics, drew stuff, promoted every AkaKuro thing I can even when all my AkaKuro friends have moved on. I have so much AkaKuro merch and doujins because it had taken over my life that prominently. 

So after all of that, I didn't know what would happen with a change because I felt like I was already in too deep to move on now. I wasn't sure if I could (should) like anything else, or if I was even allowed to like something else as deeply as AkaKuro without letting people down.

Eventually I just gave in three months later and became more vocal about this new interest. I lost followers which was expected, even those whose handles that became very familiar to me because they actively interacted with me about AkaKuro and KnB before. It stung but not as badly as I thought it would. The change was nice; I felt free.

I think it's only now that I've become comfortable to admit all this in public. To admit my worries, to admit that I've liked a ship more than AkaKuro for a while, to admit that the weight of AkaKuro being prominently tied to my name like an identity has become too heavy a burden to bear. I still do love AkaKuro, it's a part of my life that will never change, I think. But it's also not my main source of happiness nor inspiration anymore, and I hope that, it's okay for me to feel that way now that I've said it out loud.

It's strange to explain, but I think it's because I've dedicated a huge chunk of my life to AkaKuro that I think I've already exhausted all I have to give for it. Nine years of being solely dedicated to one ship is a long time, you have to admit. It's not like my other ships that are more casual, so that burst of excitement will always be present when it gets brought up once in a while. With AkaKuro, my feelings for it have significantly mellowed down, like a precious memory now tucked away in a special place in my heart.

A friend told me that it's okay to move on, and that somewhere down the line AkaKuro will become something I'll look back on fondly even though bittersweet. I have no doubts that'll be the case. But it's also nice to finally just be honest and set myself free.

I've also been feeling very guilty of promising an AkaKuro zine last December and now... it is just the last thing on my mind. I have so much more I want to do that is no longer about AkaKuro, and I shouldn’t force myself to do this zine out of obligation. But if ever someone else were to host an AkaKuro zine, I will support it and even participate if the timing is right.

About my future plans, I don’t think I will be drawing KnB again out of leisure (maybe for commissions, or projects, etc). I still have a lot of unfinished and unreleased KnB fanmerch though (an AkaKuro yukata standee and Carnival AkaKuro standee, and maybe a re-release of some old charms for the last time), so that may be the last of my contribution to this ship out of my own volition for a while. It would be a waste to scrap them.

Right now, all my love and inspiration for anything creative and self-indulgent is being driven by BakuTodo and it’s the best feeling I’ve had in a long time. I want to draw more about them; I have long list of ideas I’m excited to get into. Not only that, my love for writing was reawakened too, and I hope to also post fics about them along with my art.

I still love AkaKuro, and people can still talk to me about AkaKuro, but it is definitely not my priority ship anymore. Who knows if I'll come back to it again, but for right now, I hope everyone will be okay with the change. And if not, that's okay too and I expected it, I also put this out here to give the go signal if anyone wants to unfollow or not. I know there are people who only follow for specific content, and I've come to terms with myself to be okay with this happening with me.

Just know I'm happy where I am. I'm grateful to friends and acquaintances who still stick around to support me even after this, and I also understand if some don’t. I hope those who leave will find another content creator to cater to their needs. Thanks for giving me a chance. ^^

I hope this clears up the kind of content to be expected from me from now on. I will never forget my time in the KnB fandom because this is where it all started for me. I will also be slowly getting rid of more AkaKuro doujins, fanmerch, and official merch collection once the lockdown situation eases up. Hopefully someone else will find homes for them.

Tumblr is not my main social media but I still do like the format of blogging here, so I stay to cross-post my art from Twitter and Instagram. 

From exclusively drawing cheebs, I’m now also drawing non-cheebs and I’m having a lot of fun. My art is far from perfect and that’s okay. As someone who gave up on art for nine years, being able to do it again now, sharing and posting my art and actually be happy about it is more than enough for me. I’m not striving for perfection, I know where my level is at. Drawing and writing are both hobbies I hold dear -- a creative outlet for me to express my love for what I’m currently passionate about and what makes me happy. I really appreciate it if you stay with me for this ride because I know I’ve come a long way these past 2-3 years.

To anyone who views my art, likes and reblogs, leaves nice comments and all, I hope you know that I appreciate you a lot. I rarely get messages on here, but I do read tags on my posts often, and going through them always puts a smile on my face to know that I have an audience here who genuinely likes what I do.

There isn’t much more for me to say here so I think that will be all. Again, thank you for 1k+ followers! If I can make even just a single person happy with my art, whether you’re new here or just dropping by or have been following me for a long time, I’ll be content. And if I can make someone like BakuTodo too through how I portray them, that’d be even more amazing. ^^

Until next time. 💖

[sawamura-daichis-thighs]

homecoming

Here’s my full piece for the @makoharu-zine​! It was such an amazing experience & I’m honored to have my work showcased alongside so many other incredible people! Be sure to check out @knoc0ut to see their amazing art as well, as Koko was kind enough to collaborate with me during this project! I’m still in awe of their pieces aslfkdjf ❤️

Fandom: Free! Rating: G Words: 1,382 Pairing: MakoHaru Inspiration: dancing in the rain

There are moments in which Haru knows with crystal clarity that he made the best decision in choosing Tokyo—in choosing Makoto. It’s not that he ever doubted his choice once making it, because choosing Makoto has never once lead to a mistake, but there have still been a number of instances that made him appreciate the path he decided to take just that much more.

This time it’s late when they finally manage to break away from Haru’s team, leaving them to continue celebrating their earlier victory by singing peppy pop songs as cheap beer flows through their systems. Waving good-bye to their pleading calls to stay, Haru leads Makoto away by the wrist, tugging him out into the night with full intent on ‘accidentally’ missing Makoto’s stop so he can stay over (preferably for the entire weekend). He draws to an abrupt stop as as soon as they step outside of the club, however, thanks to the torrents of rain dousing the city—and, consequently, the both of them.

Surprised, but hardly upset over it, Haru tilts his chin up to greet the first sign of the rainy season. He revels in the feel of cold droplets pattering over his cheeks, smooth and gentle as they slide over his face to trail down his neck, plastering his hair to his forehead and soaking his shirt to his back. It has clearly been raining a while now, sidewalks drowning in puddles as fog rises from the concrete in delicate tendrils; it’s even managed to wash away the scent of the city for once, just a little more reminiscent of home. He inhales it deeply, lets it coat his lungs with a much-appreciated touch of familiarity.

Beside him, Makoto barks out a startled laugh, a little too tipsy to react as quickly as usual and already so drenched that any run for cover would be virtually useless. Haru smiles at the sound as it echoes and bounces off the walls of the karaoke club behind them, weaving through the droplets to make itself at home in Haru’s chest, just as it always has. It warms him against the brief chill of midnight rain, spreads through his limbs and makes his fingertips tingle in the way only Makoto can; it has his lips curving upwards and suddenly he can’t stand the meager space between them. Makoto tips his head down to meet Haru’s gaze as if he knows—like he feels it too—and Haru can’t help but reach for him, pulling him in and holding him close without any thought on what to do next. He just wants Makoto near him; he always wants Makoto near.

Makoto’s laughter returns, bubbles over, rumbling pleasantly against his torso when he pulls Haru closer by the hands without question. His eyes crinkle above his rosy cheeks as he says, “Dance with me, Haru-chan.”

He doesn’t really give Haru the chance to deny him (not that he wants to), immediately tugging him closer and leading them into a messy waltz down the sidewalk. Pedestrians flow around them without hesitation or comment, too focused on their own destinations to care about a couple of giddy college students making fools of themselves. Makoto shows off just a little, grin turning cheeky when he spins Haru away only to tug him back into a dip. Haru scowls, more on principle than because he actually minds, which only makes Makoto smile wider.

Worth it, then, Haru thinks to himself with a touch of pride. There is little more rewarding than being the cause of Makoto’s smile. The brunet pulls him upright again and twirls them into motion once more, giggling as they spin, spin, spin.

Rainbow lights reflect in his eyes, twine through his hair and paint over his skin like a kaleidoscope as they whirl, splashing in puddles and dancing through the mist rising off the concrete without a care for anyone but each other. Music pounds distantly through the club walls, a muted beat they don’t bother to keep time to. (Haru couldn’t if he tried, really, entirely too enamored with the man holding him to care for inconsequential things like that.)

Because Makoto is warm against him, hands now heavy on his waist as he hums a loose tune of whatever song must be spilling onto the street. It’s slower than before and Makoto takes note, leading them out of their wild, uncoordinated steps and into a more sedate pace made to leave no space between them. The tip of his nose is chilly against Haru’s temple as he leans in, swaying them away from a passerby. Rain drips from the ends of his eyelashes to kiss Haru’s cheeks sweetly.

Haru finds he’d much rather taste it from Makoto’s lips instead.

It’s not the first time he’s thought it, and it won’t be the last, but this time Haru feels a little more inclined to act on the wish. A bit braver, bolder. Anything feels possible tonight—it always does, with Makoto by his side.

Makoto pulls back then, just enough to look him in the eye before he speaks. His voice is low, husky with overuse from the multitude of songs Haru’s team convinced him to sing earlier; it sends a shiver down his spine when Makoto offers a soft smile and murmurs, “I’d really like to kiss you right now, Haru-chan.”

And Haru can’t help the way his mouth curves up in amusement, can’t even bring himself to reply with a sassy, “Only if you drop the -chan”, because of course Makoto would ask politely rather than just do. He always considers Haru’s feelings first, always approaches him with an air of compassion, as if he doesn’t already know Haru’s thoughts on the matter—he does, he always does, but he never takes away Haru’s freedom to choose.

But Haru has always been better at doing, trusting Makoto’s understanding of him, so he lets his hands speak for him, reaching up to cup the back of Makoto’s neck and pulling him down to meet him halfway the way he’s dreamed of doing for ages now.

He decides it was absolutely worth the wait, exhaling with relief at the warm press of Makoto’s lips (finally, finally) against his own. Makoto hums, pleased, lips curling upwards just slightly but not enough to break contact; instead, he wraps his arms around Haru’s waist to pull him closer, impossibly closer, melding their chests together so firmly that even the rain seems unable to come between them. Haru barely even notices it anymore, too caught up in the dizzying rush that loving Makoto brings him.

It’s everything he ever imagined it would be. More, even.

There are so many sensations to feel—the rain still pounding against their shoulders, Makoto’s soft hair between his fingers, the press of his nose to his cheek, the slide of Makoto’s hands up and down his spine—that it’s almost overwhelming. He feels lightheaded, unstable on his feet, and is grateful for Makoto’s steadying hands now settling on the small of his back. He sways a bit on his toes, punch-drunk on everything the moment has to offer, unable to fathom stopping for even a second.

But, in the same way he has since childhood, Makoto acts as Haru’s impulse control. It takes a few tries, the both of them diving back in for quick pecks that turn into slow, leisurely explorations, but finally Makoto manages, giggles spilling from his reddened lips. He rests his forehead against Haru’s, whispering giddily, “Your place for the weekend?”

“Yes,” Haru agrees without hesitation, finding Makoto’s hands so he can intertwine their fingers. He wants to add ‘Anywhere, as long as it’s with you’ but the words cling in the spaces between his ribs, too shy to form on his tongue just yet. Still, he can tell Makoto hears them anyway, in the way his eyes soften and how his next kiss lingers sweetly.

As they make their way towards the station, hand in hand, Haru feels a sense of completion thrum through him, warm and comfortable and familiar. He’s never been one for overtly romantic notions, but there’s no denying that being with Makoto, in all ways, is like coming home.

There’s nowhere else he’d rather be.

[queerinette]

Love, Chloè

Remember the @miraculeanonmezine​? You can check it out at https://gumroad.com/l/Jlkgu. It has great formatting, and it’s amazing. You can tell there was a lot of hardwork put into it. 

Also, here’s the piece I wrote for it. I hear it’s tear-inducing? Personally, I don’t see it. Tumblr formatting isn’t the best, but I prefer it the most on the zine anyway. Please, please check it out if you can, it’s amazing. And if you can’t, it’s on AO3 as well. 

Dear Sabrina,

Chloè Bourgeois dies on December 17th in the early morning hours. It’d been during an akuma attack; Queen B had slipped off a high roof and landed to her demise, revealing herself to be the mayor’s daughter. Sabrina wants to say that she cried her eyes out, wants to say that she screamed and sobbed and yelled at the loss of her best friend, wants to say the words she knows everyone expects her to.

But she would be lying.

She simply nodded when her father woke her up to tell her, asked him for space, and then got ready like it was just a normal day.

The balance of her world hadn’t even been touched.

I regret yelling at you earlier today. I really do. I promised I would apologize to everyone I’ve wronged, and yet you were the one person who didn’t get one. You’re the one who  deserves an apology the most.

Three weeks later, it finally affects her.

It’s not because she suddenly crumbles with grief. She doesn’t start sobbing hysterically at the lack of a shadow to follow.

An octagonal box with Chinese symbols appears in her room. In it is a hair comb Sabrina remembers Chloè wearing for months before she passed. A floating bee materialises and tells her she is to be the next bee hero.

Sabrina doesn’t protest. She doesn’t launch into rants about how Chloè was the best superhero Paris could’ve had. She doesn’t refuse on the insistence that she could never fill Chloè’s shoes.

She just nods, puts the hair comb in, and leaves the house like it’s a normal day.

I wish I could say this to you to your face, but I’m such a coward. Instead I’m writing it on a letter I know I’m never going to give to you.

The thing is, she doesn’t understand why people look at her with pity. She’s not affected. Her life is okay, normal. It’s the people around her that aren’t.

It should’ve been obvious to everyone that she and Chloè stopped being friends since Queen B’s debut. Her blue eyes had flashed when Sabrina continued insisting on doing her homework until she snapped. She’d been the one to end their friendship. She’d been the one to create a rift between them, and she’d been the one to tell Sabrina to never feel anything for her ever again.

Sabrina was only complying with that wish.

She wonders if their friendship was so toxic, people could perceive Chloè yelling at her to burn in the pits of hell as just a regular argument. She wonders how she feels about that.

I should start off by saying that you deserve a best friend who would stayed up late with you, laughing over how terrible some teachers are and crying with you because life gets too stressful sometimes. You deserve the best friend who would be there, and give as much as they take.

Chat Noir bursts into tears at the sight of Sabrina in her new hero costume.

She’s not surprised. She knows they were close partners; Queen B and Chat Noir would constantly patrol together, using the time to randomly pop in to check in on victims. Rena Rouge and Ladybug were the same way.

But something about Chat Noir’s grief leaves her cold. That should be her. She should be the one who can’t wipe away her tears because more are always coming. She should be the one who can’t even breathe in her grief.

But here she stands, taking Chloè’s place without a single thought. She can’t bring herself to care. You were supposed to mourn your friends, and Chloè had made it obvious that wasn’t their relationship.

There was nothing wrong with you. Never think there was. It was me; it was always me. I was scared, and I lashed out on you every time. I should’ve been a better friend.

Rose bursts into tears and hides her face in Juleka’s shoulder whenever she sees Sabrina. Kim goes out of his way to accompany her to every class. Adrien offers her sympathetic smiles and an offer to talk anytime. Marinette supplies her with baked goods.

Sabrina wonders if it’s worse for her to take advantage of them taking care of her, or telling them she doesn’t care about Chloè being dead. She’d always thought she’d revel in attention. Now that the spotlight is on her, she finds herself wanting to rip it away.

But she knows if she were to say that Chloè had destroyed their friendship long before her death, no one would handle it well. So she chokes it down, plays the grieving best friend.

She tries to convince herself that she was grieving the best friend who’d always supported her, who’d given her love and affection and this promise of a joined future.

Maybe if Chloè had been that kind of friend Sabrina would feel something, but you can’t miss what you never had.

I am sorry. I am so so sorry. I just panicked. When I started to apologize, some part of me began to fear that I would end up confessing that I am in love with you.

“Remember that time Chloè tripped me just so you would laugh?” Marinette recalls one day. They’re sitting in the library, working on a project due the next day. A gleeful expression crosses her face as Sabrina turns to her.

“Sorry?”

“You don’t remember?” There’s laughter in Marinette’s voice. She launches into the story when Sabrina shakes her head. “It was after you told the teacher you wanted to be a police officer and he laughed in your face. You didn’t smile for a week . Chloè was so desperate, she tripped me just to get you to laugh. She looked so crushed when it didn’t work.”

She goes back to working, shaking her head slightly at whatever memory crosses her head. Sabrina continues staring for a moment, wondering if her perspective on Chloè is skewed.

But then Marinette asks a question and Sabrina banishes the thought, refusing to even consider it.

Isn’t it crazy? I’m in love with you. I never thought I was worthy of feeling something so strongly for someone. Me? In love? It’s so out of bounds, it terrified me. And I took it out on you. That was stupid and asinine of me.

Ladybug takes pity on Chat Noir and changes the patrol routes so that he and Rena Rouge are together. During their first few patrols, Ladybug shoots quick looks at her before jumping, as if wanting to coddle her.

There hasn’t been another akuma yet, not since the incident. Maybe Hawk Moth has given up, now that a child has died. Maybe he’s realized what consequences his actions have.

Sabrina hopes, but not because she wants Chloè’s death to mean something.

I don’t blame you if you hate me now, but I’ll never stop loving you. I’ll always think of you as the stars I find solace in at night; the sun that continues shining and providing warmth no matter how many times your curse at it; the rain that always comes to comfort you no matter how much you complain. And that’s why I’m going to give you space. I don’t want to bring you down anymore.

“She sure knew how to make someone laugh,” Alya remarks during lunch. They’re all sitting on the steps; it became a Wednesday tradition ever since Chloè’s death. “She’d say the most ridiculous things, sometimes. You could tell beneath her meanness, she was just afraid someone would turn her into a joke.”

Everyone laughs, sharing memories of the insults she’d hurled at them. They talk and giggle out the words that had been poison to them, rocks that had settled deep into their chests to draw out their insecurities.

“But didn’t you guys hate her?” she finds herself asking, freezing at the way they all stopped talking to stare at her. Glances are exchanged before Alix finally shrugs.

“Yeah. But she still saved us as Queen B. And at least she apologized afterward, you know?”

And then there are speculations about whether her remorse had come at the same time as Queen B’s appearance, and what that meant for all of them.

Sabrina stares at the ground, feeling tears build up. She’d never gotten an apology. She’d gotten a one-sided screaming match as Chloè all but stated that she hated her. She doesn’t notice as the tears falling towards the ground, doesn’t notice the way she becomes the center of a group hug.

All she can do is wonder if she really mattered that little to the girl she’d once idolized.

You’ll always be my dearest friend. You’ll always be my first love. You’ll always mean everything to me. And you’ll always matter the most.

Mayor Bourgeois stops by her house.

He looks uncomfortable as he sits on their couch, his eyes appraising their tiny house with apprehension. A sigh of relief escapes him when he finally notices Sabrina.

“Chloè left this for you,” he blurts with no preamble, as if ignoring the motions of a proper greeting will get him out of the house faster. He hands over a white envelope that has Sabrina’s name written beautifully, practically running out of there once it’s in Sabrina’s hands.

She turns to her bedroom, wanting to read it without her parents’ watchful eyes.

Your happiness matters more to me than anything else in the world. Put yourself first; that’s all I ask.

Hawk Moth finally sends another akuma six months after her best friend’s death. Sabrina steels herself, transforms, and finds herself first at the scene.

“This is for my best friend,” she decides, jumping to tear into the akuma.

Love,  Chloè

[roadratcharityzine]

FAQ

ABOUT THE ZINE IN  GENERAL

What is the Roadrat Charity Zine?

The Roadrat Charity Zine is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a zine that celebrates the ship of Junkrat and Roadhog from Blizzard’s game Overwatch. The proceeds from selling the 2018 zine will in full go to The Trevor Project, an organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth (aged 13-24) in USA.

Is the Roadrat Charity Zine in any way affiliated with The Trevor Project?

No. We are not endorsed or affiliated with TTP in any way. They don’t even know we exist at this point. We just want to support a good cause.

How do I know that all the proceeds will go to TTP?

Well, it’s all a matter of trust. Unfortunately, there have been examples of people who misuse funds from charity fandom zines, and it’s not only troublesome for the people whose money has been misspent, but also for the rest of us, because it creates doubt and suspicion. 

To make sure that no one will feel uncertain about how the money will be handled, receipts and documentation will be available to the participants throughout the entire zine creation process. However, since some receipts/documentation might contain sensitive or personal information about participants or organizers, we can’t share everything with the general public. To ensure further safety, there will be more than one person who has access to the zine email and PayPal. Finally, as the main organizer, I, Rabbit, will personally assure you that I will do everything in my power to ensure that everything will be by the book. Overwatch fandom and the people in it have been an amazing gift to me, and the last thing I would want is to fuck that up for myself by misusing people’s money and trust.

If you have any questions or concerns about the handling of the proceeds from the zine, please reach out to us via ask or roadratcharityzine@gmail.com.

Who’s organizing this zine?

Check out our introduction post!

Will the zine be NSFW?

No, the content of the zine will not be over a rating of PG-13. Since we’re donating the money to a organization that deals with minors, it seems inappropriate to make a zine which those same minors wouldn’t be able to enjoy. However, as it is a shipping zine, it is likely contain things like kissing or off-screen sex. Some strong language may also occur.

What will the zine cost?

As of right now, we don’t know. However, our aim is that the zine won’t cost more than $25, hopefully less.

Will the zine be available in PDF as well?

That’s the goal, yes.

Will the physical zine ship outside the U.S.?

That’s definitely the goal! This will be stated clearly when pre-orders open.

Will there be extras (stickers, prints, etc.)?

We certainly hope so! It all depends on how many artists are willing to produce extras, what kind of shipping prices we’re looking at, and so on. Again, this will be clearly stated once pre-orders open.

ABOUT PARTICIPATING

Can I sign up even though I haven’t produced any roadrat fics/art before?

Of course! The only requirement is that you love roadrat!

Do I have to be 18+ to sign up?

No, since this zine isn’t NSFW, everyone is welcome to join! However, we do expect all participants to behave in a mature and responsible way. Any inappropriate behavior can result in an expulsion from the zine. 

Signups have closed, but I haven’t heard anything from you yet. Has my application been rejected?

No. All people who signed up will get a message about whether or not they made it into the zine. It might take a while for us to get through the applications, but you will hear from us!

Can I be anonymous?

You can’t be anonymous with us, the organizers, but you’re free to provide us with an alternate name for the zine or simply be listed as “Anon”.

Will participants get a free physical copy of the zine and possible extras?

That’s certainly the goal, but we can’t make any promises yet. It all really depends on how many people buys the zine. The first priority of the zine is to raise money for charity, so we only get a small amount of proceeds from the sale, it would feel wrong to spend it all on free zines and shipping. However, as a participant you will as a minimum get a free PDF copy of the zine!

The final decision about free physical copies to participants will be announced when pre-orders have closed.

ABOUT THE ZINE CONTENT

((Note that the whole premise of this zine is to make teams of one writer with one artist to produce an illustrated fic together. There will be no exceptions to this premise.))

I really like other Overwatch ships. Can I include them in my art/fic for the zine?

No, this zine is strictly focused on Junkrat/Roadhog. We ask that all other ships are kept out of the zine content.

How are the rules on explicit content for the zine?

As stated above, we’d like to keep this zine around a PG-13 rating. This means that your art/fic shouldn’t include extremely strong language (e.g. sexist or racist slurs) or detailed depictions of sex or violence. If you’re unsure what is permitted in the zine, please reach out to a mod. We’d rather that you ask one time too many than too little!

Can I depict Junkrat and/or Roadhog as a minor in my fic/art?

We ask that both Junkrat and Roadhog are depicted as being of age. It feels inappropriate to have some content featuring characters as minors in a zine that also features content with those same characters in a sexual context. Brief flashbacks are allowed, though.

Does my fic/art have to feature Junkrat and Roadhog as a ship, or can they just be friends?

Well, this is a roadrat zine, and therefore we’re asking for shipping fics/art. That doesn’t mean that you absolutely must include kissing or any other romantic/sexual interaction between Junkrat and Roadhog, but there needs to be romantic or sexual feelings between them. Like, if you want to write a fic about Junkrat secretly pining for Roadhog, that’s totally fine. The feelings don’t necessarily have to be mutual.

What is the theme for the zine?

The theme is “opposites attract”, because that is one of the fundamental dynamics of roadrat, and it’s one that we’d like to celebrate! How you interpret that theme is up to you. 

What is the tone of the zine?

Given the relatively low rating of the zine, we’d like to keep the tone light and humorous. You are of course free to include sad or dark moments in your contribution, but we prefer if the content steers clear of dark and heavy issues. This is supposed to be a happy/lighthearted celebration of roadrat :)

Does my content have to be canon compliant or can I do an AU?

You can do whatever you want in terms of setting for your art/fic as long as it adheres to the rules stated above, and as long as you’re in agreement with your partner.

How long should my fic be?

All fics must be between 2000 and 5000 words long.

How many pieces of art should I produce?

All artists should produce 2-5 pieces of art to accompany their writer’s fic.

What if I don’t want a partner?

Then this is not the zine for you.

What if my partner and I can’t agree on something or have had a falling out?

If you experience a conflict with your partner that you can’t solve on your own, please reach out to a mod. We will do our best to help you solve the dispute. However, we do encourage all participants to solve your conflicts on your own.

I have a very specific idea in mind. Am I guaranteed to get to do that?

We try to match people up as well as we can, making sure that no one is forced to do something they don’t want to do. However, we do ask that you keep an open mind and listen to your partner’s wishes. Maybe you won’t get to do exactly the Victorian era!AU you wanted, but maybe you can reach a compromise?

What does the schedule look like?

You’ll find the official (and estimated) schedule here.

FINALLY...

I have a question that’s not listed here. How do I reach you?

You can reach us via the asks on this blog, our Twitter, or you can email roadratcharityzine@gmail.com

[neptunecreek]

FAQ about the Tech Projects Director Role

We're hiring a new Director of Technology Projects. That's the team at EFF that develops and maintains Privacy Badger, HTTPS Everywhere, the Certbot client for Let's Encrypt, and Panopticlick, as well as housing our Threat Lab research group. On top of building and coding, the team also includes EFF's public interest technologists, who use their deep understanding of technology to weigh in on policy, law, and regulatory fights in defense of users.

Since we published the job description, we have had many people reach out with questions about the role. We decided to publish our answers publicly, so that everyone who is potentially interested could have access to this information.

Please note that we are still accepting applications for the Director of Technology Projects role. However, we are starting resumé review this week and we strongly urge interested applicants to submit an application soon!

I am not sure I have all of the experience and qualifications. Should I still apply?

Yes, we think you should. 

We get it—lots of people have imposter syndrome, or worry that they may have some of the skills but not every listed qualification. And many people have career trajectories that are complex and don’t line up with traditional paths. So we want to be very explicit: we want to have a chance to connect with you even if you don’t think it’s a perfect fit for some reason. 

There are a few reasons for that. First of all, you might be the best candidate for the job even if your qualifications don't seem "perfect," because we also prioritize characteristics like good judgement, strategic thinking, a collaborative approach, and commitment to our mission—which are characteristics that aren’t based on any particular skills or work experience. And even more importantly, once you submit an application, we can start a conversation. It’ll give us a chance to know you, and you a chance to learn more about the job. Often, just getting into a dialogue can help us recognize where we can be flexible and make adjustments so that we can find a way forward that works for everyone.

And finally, it’s useful to submit an application even if you don't think you're a perfect fit because we never know what future roles at EFF might become available. It’s possible this particular role won’t be the right one, but maybe there’s another one at EFF that would be.

If you’re still really on the fence, you can drop a note to rainey@eff.org and she or someone else on the team will be happy to talk more about your questions or concerns.

Is this position based in San Francisco?

This role is based in San Francisco, and that's for two reasons. First, the team doing the work is almost entirely based in San Francisco, and so we want a team leader who can nurture that team's community by being in the office where they all work. And second, the EFF's leadership team (which this role is part of) is based in San Francisco, and we value having conversations in-person, from brainstorming and dreaming up big plans to making critical strategic and policy decisions for the organization. All of this means that our office is a fun, intellectual interesting place where we like to think through problems together as a team, and we want this role to be a part of that.

For folks moving to San Francisco, we recognize it can be a big leap. That's why EFF is committed to supporting the staff members who relocate to the Bay Area for the job: we sort out a timeline that works for your schedule, we offer moving costs benefits to get you here, and we offer innovative benefits like rental assistance and home buying assistance to make Bay Area living affordable. We also try to be really flexible with our employees who have family in other places or enjoy traveling, so it’s not unusual for EFF staffers to take a week working remotely so they can spend time with family or explore the world.

Many people move to San Francisco sight-unseen for the EFF job, and end up falling in love with the city. San Francisco encompasses so many different communities that you’re likely to find a niche that works for you. For starters, the city has an incredible arts community, bike-friendly streets, and is surrounded by natural playgrounds for hiking, skiing, and more. Plus, the coffee is great.  

Many, many EFF staffers took the leap of faith to move to San Francisco to work for EFF. Here is a bit of what they have to say about it:

“I moved to San Francisco 5 years ago, and I never want to leave. I’ve lived in New York City, Washington DC, and Seattle, but San Francisco is home. The city is alive, diverse, international, cosmopolitan, adventurous, and new. I think it is one of the most beautiful cities in America, surrounded by gorgeous California at the center of a world-changing industry. You never run out of places to explore, and you never feel like you’re missing something by not living somewhere else. It even has decent bagels and pizza.” -Daniel from EFF, moved here in 2014

“Since moving to San Francisco, it's been amazing to see how vibrant and active the art and music communities are throughout the bay area. The creative community is everywhere you look, it's literally spilling out onto the walls and into the streets. It feels like every weekend there's a festival, a group making zines for an important cause, and an endless amount of workshops being offered if you're looking to try something new. As someone who's been here for less than a year, I wasn't sure where to jump in, but I shouldn't have worried. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and I've already gone to several casual art meetups to just sketch with other artists; this weekend, there's a picnic planned for sketching at the nearby regional park!” - Hannah from EFF, moved here in 2019

“I moved to San Francisco to work at EFF after eight years in Boston and NYC, and I couldn’t be happier with that decision. With rental assistance from EFF, my apartment here is three times the size of my apartment in NYC. I walk to work past flowers that bloom all winter long. My produce comes from the year-round farmer’s market near the EFF office and the lemon tree in my backyard. And I go hiking every weekend even without owning a car.  As a lover of natural beauty and the outdoors, it’s hard for me to imagine a better place to live than the Bay Area." - Naomi from EFF, moved here in 2019

If moving to San Francisco is your biggest hesitation about this role, we encourage you to reach out and we can talk about it.

I’m not currently authorized to work in the U.S., should I still apply?

Due to the complexity, cost, and time involved with getting a working visa or permit, EFF can’t help bring in candidates from overseas who are not permitted to work in the U.S.

How many direct reports will this role have?

The role starts with two direct reports, both of whom are managers for the 16-person Tech Projects team, helping with goal-setting, personnel issues, and day-to-day tasks keeping projects on track. The main management task of the Tech Projects Director role is providing support, mentorship, and guidance to those managers. While there are two now, the number of direct reports for this role could grow to four over time.

If I take this position, what kind of support will I have?

In addition to support from the managers reporting to you on your team, you’ll also have a great deal of direct support from the Chief Program Officer (to whom this role reports) and the Executive Director. They are committed to making sure you and your team are successful.

Nobody expects you to walk in on the first day with everything sorted out. We expect there to be lots of learning and exploring—not just for the first few weeks of the role, but really for the first year. EFF provides extra help to new employees through teach-ins, chat channels geared toward new folks at EFF, and internal events.

How long will the interview process take and what is the process?

We see the interview process as a chance for you to get to know the team and ask questions as much as it is a chance for us to get to know you. You can expect there will be a phone screen, and then potentially a small interview with a few people from the hiring committee. The final interview takes place in San Francisco over the course of most of the day, and we’ll fly out final candidates who are coming from far away. This is a chance to meet directly with your future team, see the office, and do several small-group interviews with the hiring committee. You’ll get to meet and interact with folks from the Tech Projects team, learn about our benefits, and get to know the community at EFF. 

In addition, there may be other skills-based assessments, if certain skills weren’t ascertained during the interviews. We end with reference checks.

What kind of things might come up during the interview process?

Our goal is to make the interview process as low-stress as possible. We don’t expect any applicant to have an encyclopedic knowledge of esoteric security concepts. Instead, we talk through the many different types of topics this role will eventually cover. Various topics related to our digital rights work—such as basic Internet infrastructure, web tracking, and encryption—might come up. We’ll also ask about your experience managing people and how you might handle various situations. There are also questions to help us learn more about your preferences in the workplace, like what kind of a working environment you enjoy and what you look for in a manager. We don’t think there’s any one right answer to any of our questions. We also don’t think that not having knowledge in a specific topic means you’re necessarily a bad fit for the role. Rather, we just try to get to know you and get a good understanding of where you happen to be right now, where you’d need to grow to fulfill the role, and how excited and ready you are for that growth. We encourage applicants to just be themselves and, if it’s possible, have fun with the process. You’ll have a lot of chances to ask us questions, so feel free to ask about anything you’re wondering.

Can I bring my dog to work at EFF?

Absolutely. In fact, we’re going to be sad if you don’t. 

What are the greatest challenges of this role?

There are lots of challenges, but here are a few of the big ones we can anticipate:

Managing managers: How can the Tech Projects Director be supportive of two managers who are often dealing with complex decisions? Managing managers doesn’t mean jumping in with the quick and easy solution, but being willing to sift through complexity and create space and support for difficult choices. 

Not getting distracted by shiny things: Responding to current events is part of our job, but constantly chasing the newest topic can lead to burn-out and ineffectiveness. This role needs to balance responsiveness with moving ahead on long-term goals.

Cultivating a diverse, inclusive, and resilient team: Hiring and maintaining a diverse technical team in the Bay Area has a lot of challenges, especially at a nonprofit where we can’t offer the salaries that big tech companies offer.  We’ve made a lot of progress in diversity and inclusion, and we want a director who is deeply committed to that vision and can keep that progress going forward. 

Helping EFF think strategically when faced with technical challenges: The new tech director needs to be scanning the horizon and helping us answer hard questions about how we can best use EFF’s resources to create long-term change for users. 

Mentoring our public interest technologists: EFF pioneered the idea of the public interest technologist: someone with deep technical knowledge who specializes in weighing in on policy, law, and regulatory fights in defense of users. These technologists spend most of their time thinking, writing, and educating, rather than coding and building. We want to help ensure that concept continues to thrive within EFF, and acting as a mentor and support for our public interest technologists is a high priority. 

Ensuring good communication among teams: This role is the glue between our Tech Projects and our other programmatic teams like EFF's legal team and activism team, so we’re looking for someone who can build bridges, systems, and relationships that are rooted in good communication.

Keeping an eye on many different projects: The docket of things Tech Projects works on is very broad, and this role is key to being able to connect them to our big picture-strategy.

What is it like to work on the Tech Projects team?

The Tech Projects team is a diverse group of engineers and technologists who are knowledgeable about many different aspects of EFF’s issue space, and who offer that knowledge freely to their colleagues. Not everyone has expertise in every area, and that’s fine; we see new challenges as a chance to learn and explore. It’s a supportive and curious team, where folks respect the expertise of their colleagues and where it is always safe to ask questions. That trust is really important, and something we want to make sure the next Director can continue to foster. We try to help each other on work projects and with research, and it’s also a very caring environment. Folks are genuinely invested in the well-being of their colleagues. While there is a lot of expertise on the team, there is also a lot of humility; most folks are well aware that we have so much still to learn, and that any new challenge will likely involve doing some research. That’s a big part of the fun for us.

There’s a deep sense of camaraderie on the team, and a sense that everyone genuinely wants their colleagues to succeed. 

Interested in learning more? You can send in an application or read more. 

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