#I AM SO LUCKY AND BLESSED TO KNOW PEOPLE LIKE YOU WOW !

[endtimers]

brains are so dumb why cant i forgive myself for being cringe and saying stupid shit at age 18. Get Over Yourself it's not a big deal and it's not a moral failing to be embarrassing

[pink-amethyst-tarot]

The Universe has a message for you

Take what resonates and leave the rest, only you can decide what is truly right for you...

P I L E 1 - P I L E 2 - P I L E 3

P I L E 1

Strength, Two of Pentacles, Six of Pentacles, Page of Pentacles, Temperance, Nine of Pentacles

Bottom of the Deck: Ace of Swords

The universe is proud of you. You have found the strength and confidence to keep going even though you have been doing a balancing act, one you may have been doing alone. As I look at the Six of Pentacles, I see the scale in the hand of the person that is giving gold to the poor. I see this as a sign that when everything is balanced and settled, you will be able to give in a way that you have been wanting to. You have always been such a loyal and faithful person. Someone that people could always depend on. With the Temperance card, I'm getting that you have found the balance - so much talk of balance - that you needed so that you could take care of yourself as well as others. You learned how to put yourself first. That is paying off for you. You are about to achieve things you can't even imagine. You are being rewarded with success of all kinds because you put in the work. It will come to you like a vision. You may have been dreaming of this or will start dreaming of this new life soon. I'm also hearing something about clearing the path. The path is being cleared for you.

Channeled Message: I am clearing the path for you. Don't worry about a thing. I'm going to make those mountains into ant hills for you. I will move oceans for you. I've got you covered. Don't worry about a thing. I have been looking over you. You are protected.

If you want to know more about your own personal situation, see this post to find out how to book a reading with me.

If you feel called to bless me, my c@sh@pp is $oddlycozycottage

P I L E 2

Ten of Pentacles, Ten of Cups, The Lovers, The Moon (Reversed), Four of Pentacles, Queen of Wands, The Fool

Not only is this a love reading, but this is also a soulmate reading, so buckle up!!!

This energy feels so intense and glowy and beautiful! The first thing I heard was, "Do you know how lucky you are?" I don't even know where to begin! This is going to sound so insane, I don't even believe that I'm bout to say it but you're person is this sexy CEO type, like in those books. This person may make music or own a company related to music and entertainment. This so some happily-ever-after fairytale type of stuff! Y'all sharing the same values feels like something that's really important. I'm freaking out right now! I'm just so excited but slightly overwhelmed! This is the kind of person that you can come home to and they will ease your mind after a long day. I'm hearing, "It's okay, baby, I got you" AAAAAAAAHHH!!!! Like, this person isn't going to let anyone talk crap about you and that includes you. This person is going to be so protective over you and wanting to take care of you because you are their person!! They see you and see that you have been through some things, and they want to help you through that. This person wants to protect you from the world! I'm getting that this person could be a little bit jealous and maybe possessive, but they are aware of it and acknowledge that it's toxic and they work on that. You may meet this person at work or a work-related event. It will be like a movie where you lock eyes, and the words just seems to fall away. This is the kind of love that is healing, loving a nurturing. I'm also getting that your person is going to have you on their arm at these fancy events, like some high society type of stuff. Don't be afraid of this love when it comes in because it will change your life for the better. Wow.

Channeled Message: I'm on my way!! This is the sign you have been looking for. I am all that you have dreamed of and more. You are such a big part of me and I don't even know you. I am so lucky that you chose me. I'm going to show you off to the word. I am a fool for you, my love. I come off cold with others but that's only because I'm saving all of my warmth for you.

If you want to know more about your own personal situation, see this post to find out how to book a reading with me.

If you feel called to bless me, my c@sh@pp is $oddlycozycottage

P I L E 3

King of Swords, Queen of Swords, Four of Wands, Ace of Pentacles, The Hierophant, Page of Pentacles

Bottom of the Deck: Death

For some reason, the universe decided to turn this post into a soulmate post for 2/3 readings so here we are!

To put it plainly, you are about to come into union with your soulmate! I can see that you balance each other very well. One of you is very fun and witty and the other is very cool, calm and collected. Some of you might already be with your soulmate. Whether you are or are not, I can tell you this, you are marrying this person. This wedding is going to be the talk of the town too! Everyone will be celebrating your love. With this Ace of Pentacles, I am seeing that a new opportunity is what is going to bring you too together. It might be work related, like pile 2. (They might be connected so if you feel called to check it out, go for it!) This is something that you manifested. You prayed for this kind of love. I feel like this will be a traditional relationship in a lot of ways, however that may look to you. Specifically, I think it's the wedding that will have a lot of traditional elements to it. This is going to catch you so off guard. This is BIG! This person is going to make you so happy. It's going to feel like coming home.

If you want to know more about your own personal situation, see this post to find out how to book a reading with me.

If you feel called to bless me, my c@sh@pp is $oddlycozycottage

Page Divider by @bunnysrph

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. THESE READINGS ARE FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. no guarantees are implied. These readings are not a substitute or replacement for any professional help or services. My readings are not a substitute for any form of professional legal, medical/psychiatric, relationship, religious/spiritual or financial/ business advice nor consultations. You should always see a professional legal/trained adviser for help in any matter. I am not responsible for any decisions/ actions you take.

[rweoutofthewoods]

I really didn’t think I could feel any more lucky or grateful for all u guys than I already am. But the past few days are like really making me stop and let it sink in?? I’m just so warm and happy and I love you all very much.

I still remember the first time someone called me by my actual name on here and being like wow, you know my name??? I remember the first time I ever got an ask and running to the bathroom at work to read it and jump for joy. I remember the first people who became regular readers and the first people to follow me across multiple works.

Fucking crazy, and I never could and never will take it for granted. Like I’m working on a fic alone, and it can be a lonely process to slave away at it, but then to share it and suddenly I am not alone? Like we’re in this together?? SPECIAL!!

It’s one thing that I’m free to write whatever I want, and I’d be happy to do it even if no one cared. But being excited about a fic and having other people be excited too is A Blessing, a beautiful thing that I’m very emotional over tonight. I adore every single one of u who consumes whatever bs I write and supports me even when my ideas get a little more outlandish.

So yeah, just expressing my love and gratitude because I want to make sure you all know how much every comment, ask, and kind word means. I’m 10000% serious when I say I’ve literally been brought to tears by some of the nice things you all have said to me. Even if your comment is just a heart emoji, I cherish it all.

[blurglesmurfklaine]

4, 7, 9, 12 for the ask game <3 (all glee if possible)

Yay, thanks for these Crys! 7 was previously answered so I went ahead and skipped it :)

4. say something nice about a ship you don't ship (it can be another ship in your fandom, a mutual's OTP, etc)

I don’t ship St. Berry, but I am of the opinion that if it couldn’t be Finn, I’m glad it was Jesse. He and Rachel really are two sides of the same coin and they seem to love each other very deeply and I hope they’re happy together!

9. a ship that isn't your OTP but that you enjoy

Samcedes 😭 they are my emotional support heterosexuals your honor. But also, they are two genuinely good people who care deeply about one another samcedes you will always be endgame to me

12. compliment someone else in your fandom

Okay this is gonna be a lot because I AM going to do all the active fandoms I’m in! So under the read more!

Glee:

First of all you, Crys! And @backslashdelta You are both so talented with your gif making that it kind of drives me insane.

@kurtsascot is probably one of the most talented writers I’ve ever had the pleasure of interacting with. I feel so lucky that we’ve gotten her so late in the game! I feel similarly about @rockitmans and @thelegendofjenna

@esilher @twinkkurt and @justgleekout make the most BEAUTIFUL fanart I’ve ever seen, and I also wanna thank @carsonphillips for klainegifs and keeping the fandom interesting with their events!

@somefeministtheatrepls is not only an amazing friend but the most thoughtful beta reader and honestly partner in my writing?? Writing is much less stressful because I don’t even worry about things being clunky or weird because I know her ass will help that chapter SHINE

@nancysgillians @kurthummeldeservesbetter also get shoutouts because they are wonderful people to have in your life

Newsies:

I could fill novels with how much I love and appreciate @somanywords! Their amazing storytelling and also volunteering to make art for the MiniBang I hosted earlier this year??? On top of listening to my insane ramblings?? They don’t make em like this anymore folks

@one-paper-bag is also SOOOOOO incredibly talented with their art, and their lovely comments on my Spider-Man AU keep me going (on GOD we are gonna get you another chapter ON GOD!!!!)

@livesincerely and @agentsnickers are some of the most prolific and INSANELY TALENTED writers I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading, and also genuinely lovely people! You know when you see someone on your dash and ur just like “wow. I hope they are having a FANTASTIC day and life. They deserve one.”

@piedoesnotequalpi and @regina-cordium are also so incredibly FUNNY and have the most correct takes on every single newsie and that’s on that ❤️

911:

I’m relatively new to this fandom, so I don’t know a ton of people yet, but there are def people I see on my dash that I have noticed!

@cranberrymoons @lesbianrobin @insertlovelyperson have written some of my absolute FAAAAAAVE fics! I feel like they really have a handle on who the characters are in a way that’s true to the show and kind of difficult to pull off!

@texasbama makes amazing gifs and honestly anytime I see her on my dash I laugh bc genuinely she’s so funny. Also on the list of hilarious contributors is @buckgettingstruck

And a couple of people who I think have genuinely great vibes are @buckera @leathercouchcushion and @yaz-the-spaz

And of course I can’t talk about 911 without a second mention to @regina-cordium who puts up with all my Texas!Buddie nonsense andbansndbsk

-

Okay yeah so that was a LOT sorry!! I didn’t mean for it to get so long BUT I do mean every single word! I’m really blessed to have met so many amazing people through fandom and my experience on this site has been nothing less than superb because of yall ❤️

[katyspersonal]

How me reblogging some fanart goes:

*scrolls*

There is nothing special about this drawing, nothing to stand out, simply academical level perfect painting with perfect shading of just character in Environment, so I won't give it attention

*scrolls*

There is nothing special about this drawing either but the artist is clearly beginner and is currently ignored, I wish to support them!!! *reblogs*

*scrolls*

I could've forgiven drawing his arm turning into tentacles because although it isn't accurate it is still funny and should have been canon, but his hair is black and waving, not brown and straight! Ignored.

*scrolls*

Her ribbon is not like this at all, but this is a cute interaction! Fine, I will reblog..

*scrolls*

OH MY GOD RARE CHARACTER RARE CHARACTER NO ONE ELSE DRAWS HFHFJVGJ IT IS RARE CHARACTER OH MY GOD BLESS YOU OP I LOVE THAT YOU'VE NOTICED THIS RARE CHARACTER VFUYFJFJ BARK BARK WOOF WOOF 🐕 *chews the post a little before reblogging* *+10 HP*

*scrolls*

Ah, funny mem- VARGRAM ERASURE GOD FUCKING DAMMIT VARGRAM ERASURE DO NOT LAUGH RETREAT RETREAT!!!!!!!! Ugh how the HECK even lore-obsessed freaks like me are still doing this?! I don't care that you enjoy neglecting minor characters, Vargram's set is NOT a covenant set!!!!

*scrolls*

Shit, wtf? Why this person still haven't blocked me, after how negative they've been to my friend? Okay scroll carefully to not accidentally press like on Tumblr mobile.... scroll past carefully.... very slowly...... please mobile don't fuck this up...

*scrolls*

This fanart is really inaccurate visually but the concept is perfectly lore accurate! I am definitely supporting this! *reblogs*

*scrolls*

This person's uncolored doodle got 800+ notes in 3 hours when my best and most detailed works are lucky to cross 50 notes... I am worthless and should quit art, the girls clearly like my lore posts more than my ugly art... *sniffs* No wonder, I draw like a child, my faces are ugly, my anatomy is broken, shading makes no sense... *sobs* I bet fans of the characters I draw have cringe attacks when I touch them... God I remember how back in my Mico simping days other Mico simps side-eyed my fanart of him, and it was clear it is because it is ugly... It isn't even a matter of "they want to prettyfy him" because they do reblog and like "ugly" art of him, they just hate MY style in particular because I am a TERRIBLE artist.... *sobs*

*scrolls*

.....what. the. FUCK. Why THE fuck this perfect, amazing, fully colored drawing with hella effort in it barely has notes? Fuck this fandom, I hate this fandom! Nevermind, my art isn't bad, this fandom is just too stingy for support! *reblogs*

*scrolls*

Haha, nice o- VARGRAM ERASURE VARGRAM ERASURE RETREAT RETREAT

*scrolls*

Wow, these sketches are lovely, I want to reblog- *sees the caption like 'some sketches from insta'* Nah, I do not want to interact with artists who otherwise hang out on another site (which sucks and is very toxic to artists btw) and just use Tumblr as a dumping ground or portfolio. I only like people who actually USE this site.

*scrolls*

Good and quality art, but nothing special about this design. It feels like they drew fanart of the fanon! Could have added their own unique vision smh.

*scrolls*

Oh my god, finally! Finally, fanart of the ship I love so much! I've been- wait wait wait. Why Brador is wearing his beast hyde while Laurence is still alive? Brador's beast hyde is explicitly stated to be that of a Cleric Beast, and Laurence was the FIRST Cleric Beast! No yeah, beggars CAN be choosers. Ignored.

*scrolls*

Oh, good art- wait, why this character's eyes are blue? This character has grey eyes! But also this is such a rare character to draw... Fine. *reblogs but points out the eye color is wrong in the tags*

*scrolls*

Good art, but caption is hostile. No one wants to know that you hate this character under the art of this character. Ignored.

*scrolls*

Good art, reblogged.

*scrolls*

Very well done art, but her chest is not that big! In fact, she is boobless. Maybe next time.

*scrolls*

I want to reblog this fanart, but also despite doing so much work on detail and lighting, they forgot those cute accessories by each side of her big brooch! It could not be the laziness, it obviously was using other fanarts as the reference instead of actual ingame screenshots and model!

*scrolls*

Wh... what... oh my god... Oh my god this person drew the idea I suggested.... I've inspired someone? Oh God. Wait a second. Oh no. I need like a full week to articulate my emotions. Oh God I can't. I didn't just contribute something good in the fandom. Oh no *crying cat*

*scrolls*

I feel nothing for this ship, but this fandom is obnoxious when the female character without canon sexuality they've DECIDED is a lesbian is shipped with male character, so I will support this person. *reblogs*

*scrolls*

Good art, but they have this dumb DNI caption under their post. I don't even fit the criteria, I just don't want to carry the whole "panic about contact with ImPuRiTy" attitude with the drawing! When will people learn that some bad person liking their art is not the end of the world? 🤔

*scrolls*

Wow, good drawing!!! *the tags are the wall of passive aggression towards fans with "wrong" headcanons* Well now I am not reblogging it.

*scrolls*

Goddamit, Crow, I know you are desperate for at least any art of your blorbo, but why would you reblog something that is so careless? They clearly like what they could make out of character instead of actual character's appearance! You were just passionately approving of posts like "stop removing his wrinkles!" or "stop giving her huge honkers!" and now this? 🐓🐓🐓

*scrolls*

CROW YOU REBLOGGED VARGRAM ERASURE I THOUGHT YOU WERE BASED BUT YOU...... YOU ARE C R I N G E 🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓

[calicoartie]

Ahhhh ok since everyone is doing it, here I go…..

When I saw Elvis on opening day last year, I was only going because my aunt wanted to bring me. After seeing the movie, I was not only shook af but also in love with austin. I was like all of the other people who didn’t like Elvis, but 3 days later I came to my senses.

Me being me, I ran to this hellsite to find fanfiction about both austin and Elvis. I remember taking a screenshot of someone who had said something along the lines of “WHERE ARE THE AUSTIN BUTLER FICS??!!” Well person from about a year ago, there’s thankfully plenty of them now.

I want to just thank everyone who I’ve met in this wonderful community and have formed bonds with, specifically @cryingabtab @austinbutlersbaby @powerofelvis @rosaminny @eliseinmemphis @butlersxbirdy @mooodyblue @marooosa @burninlovebutler @samfangirls @foreverdolly @lindszeppelin @thatbanditqueen @precious-little-scoundrel @polksalademma and Becca! (I’m sorry I couldn’t remember your username😭) I love you guys sm and I couldn’t be luckier to have such a wonderful group of people in my life, thank you times a million 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

I’d also like to thank everyone who has written my fave fics bc they give me LIFE @cryingabtab @austinbutlersbaby @elvisabutler @prompted-wordsmith @burninlovebutler @powerofelvis @butlersxbirdy @mooodyblue @samfangirls @foreverdolly @headfullofpresley @mooodyblue @elaaronpresleysgirl @dilfelvis @blurredcolour @kiankiwi @deterioratingxprisons @be-my-ally @ggwritesstuff @plasticfantasticl0ver @stay-wildin @devilsflowerr @precious-little-scoundrel and any others that I may have forgotten! When I add those tags when reblogging your works, I seriously mean what I say 🥵 like DAMN ok y’all didn’t need to eat and leave no crumbs like that but you DID!!!!!!!!!

Also shoutout to the people I don’t really talk to but see in my notifications, I love you guys sm you are my WORLD 🫶🏻

Also I would lastly like to thank Elvis because when I went to go see this movie I was on my graduation trip, fresh out of high school, freshly 19 and it was such a vulnerable time in my life because I didn’t know what I wanted to do or where to go but this wonderful angel of a man blessed me with just a fraction of his beautiful spirit and energy and my life has never been the same sense…. Never in my life have I woken up with such a wholesome feeling in my heart and said “wow, I am so lucky to be able to know about and love this man”. Like I never have loved anyone in this world so much, and I’m sure you all can say the same.

Anyways, I’ll end this before I get too sappy and start crying, but I just wanted to say happy one year anniversary to this movie, and I love you all so much 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

Love, Mila 🥰

[baileypie-writes]

Hello. Can I request Cobraja, Sasorina and Kumojaki with S/O, who's unable to feel pain? Sorry if you're uncomfortable with writing it.

A/N ~ Sure! And don’t worry, I’m okay with it:) Hope you enjoy!

~The Heartcatch Villains with an S/O Who Doesn’t Feel Pain~

~~~🦂~~~✨~~~🗡️~~~

Fandom: Heartcatch Precure!

Fanfic Type: Headcanons

Reader: Gender neutral

Relationship: Romantic

Characters Included: Sasorina, Cobraja, Kumojacki

Genre: Mostly fluff, with a dash of angst

Word Count: 882

Warnings: Mentions of injuries, mentions of bleeding a lot(Sasorina’s bit), a bit angsty on Kumojacki’s part, envy(Kumojacki), abusive training(Kumojacki)

~Masterlist~

~Heartcatch Precure! Masterlist~

~~~🦂~~~✨~~~🗡️~~~

~Sasorina~

~~~🦂~~~🦂~~~🦂~~~

~ When you first told Sasorina that you didn’t feel pain, she honestly didn’t believe you. She thought it was impossible. She continued doubting you for a while, thinking that you were just good at hiding your pain.

Sasorina: “You don’t feel pain? Ha! Yeah, right!”

(name): “I’m not lying, Sasorina.”

Sasorina: “Uh huh… Unless I see some real proof, I’m not believing it.”

~ It wasn’t until you had a major accident that she finally did believe you. I mean, you were lying there, practically bleeding out. Yet your face was neutral, and not a peep escaped your lips. She was shocked. You really were telling the truth!

Sasorina: “Oh my gosh! (name), are you okay? What am I talking about, of course you’re not!”

(name): “Yeah, it’s pretty bad. I should get stitched up soon, before I loose too much blood.”

Sasorina: “Yeah- wait. You’re not screaming or anything? Doesn’t that hurt a lot?”

(name): “Nope. Though, I am getting light headed. I should get fixed up right away.

Sasorina: “Wow…”

~ After that incident, she became quite envious of you. She saw you as lucky. Pain is something that stops a lot of people from doing various things, yet you don’t have that problem. You could get stabbed, and just shrug it off! She’s so in awe, that she’s always asking questions about your “blessing”, as she likes to call it.

Sasorina: “So, if you cut off your finger, you wouldn’t feel it?”

(name): “Well, I’d feel that my finger is missing, but in terms of pain, yeah.”

Sasorina: “Wow! You’re so lucky!”

(name): “Yeah. I get that a lot.”

~~~🦂~~~🦂~~~🦂~~~

~Cobraja~

~~~✨~~~✨~~~✨~~~

~ Cobraja only found out about your “ability” when you got a paper cut from one of his autographs. He handed it to you, and became alarmed at the sight of the small cut. You stopped his attempted coddling, and told him that you didn’t feel it, or any pain for that matter. While he was shocked for a moment, it eventually morphed into awe.

Cobraja: “Oh, dear! My poor (name)! Are you alright? Paper cuts are truly a work of the devil!”

(name): “Oh, yeah, I’m fine. I don’t feel pain, so…”

Cobraja: “I beg your pardon?”

(name): “…I don’t feel pain.”

Cobraja: *dramatic stare*

~ He admires your gift. He doesn’t enjoy pain himself. I mean, who would? So the fact that you don’t experience it, and possibly never have, makes him curious. He asks for the reason. If you give him one, he researches quite a bit about it, to answer all his questions. If you don’t have one, he just lets the curiosities eat him up from the inside.

Cobraja: “My goodness! How amazingly lucky, my dear! Is there a reason you don’t feel pain?”

(name): “I don’t really know. I just… don’t. But I guess there’s no use in finding out. I just enjoy it.”

Cobraja: “You’re not wrong. I would certainly enjoy it if I had the same gift.”

~ Since you don’t know how painful things actually are, when Cobraja gets hurt, he ups the drama by at least 10%. He figures that you’ll still give him attention, since you wouldn’t know that it doesn’t really hurt that bad. He’d really do anything for attention.

Cobraja: “Owww! (name)! I stubbed my toe! It hurts!”

(name): “Oh, are you okay?”

Cobraja: “No! Can’t you see how much pain I’m in?”

(name): “….. Does stubbing your toe really hurt that much?”

Cobraja: “Unfortunately so…”

~~~✨~~~✨~~~✨~~~

~Kumojacki~

~~~🗡️~~~🗡️~~~🗡️~~~

~ Kumojacki didn’t think much of it when he first finds out. He has a very high pain tolerance, so he just thought you were the same as him. But once he saw just how much pain no pain is, he became jealous.

Kumojacki: “Oh? You don’t feel pain? That’s interesting.”

(name): “That’s it? Most people are weirded out.”

Kumojacki: “Well I have a high tolerance to pain, so I’m similar to you.”

(name): “I mean… kinda… I guess.”

~ Being strong both physically and mentally is something he takes pride in. All throughout any battle or training, he keeps a straight, tough face. Even when he gets hurt. So the fact that you’re better than him at not showing pain bothers him. So he began training himself, striving to become like you.

(name): “Are you sure you don’t wanna take a break? You look pretty scratched up.”

Kumojacki: “I am alright. You are free to leave if you’d like.”

(name): “Oh. Okay then…”

~ It gets to the point that he refused medical attention, even when he was really hurt. He was so determined to not show any hurt on his face, that he wants to prolong the pain to “train” himself. Of course, you put a stop to it. You reminded him that you’re not good at not showing pain. You just don’t feel pain at all. Kumojacki then felt stupid. He completely forgot the point. But the good part is, his bad habit is no more.

(name): “Why would you do this to yourself, Kumojacki?”

Kumojacki: “I wanted to become more like you. I wanted to not show any signs of pain.”

(name): “Kumojacki, the reason I don’t show any pain on my face is because I don’t feel pain at all! You do!”

Kumojacki: “Oh… I see your point.”

(name): “My gosh…”

~~~🗡️~~~🗡️~~~🗡️~~~

~~baileypie-writes

[ashortdropandasuddenstop]

Wow, 1000 followers?! It's hard to believe how far we've come on this journey together, isn't it? As I sit here and reflect, my heart is overflowing with gratitude and appreciation for each and every one of you who has followed me along the way. I feel so incredibly blessed and lucky to have picked up such a wonderful community of people who share in my passions and interests.

Although I may not be able to personally converse with every single one of you as much as I would like to, please know that I see you all there and your support has not gone unnoticed. Every single like and comment means the world to me and I am so grateful for the connection we have built.

I have to give a special shoutout to my fellow RPers here. You all are some of my absolute favorite people and best friends. The way we are able to escape into these different worlds together is truly a gift and I cherish every moment we spend together. You all are my support system in so many ways and I am honored to call you my friends.

As we continue on this journey, I know that there will be ups and downs and twists and turns. But I hope that we can all stay connected and support each other through it all. I couldn't imagine this journey without each and every one of you and I hope we never lose sight of the bond we have created. Thank you for being a part of my life and for making this journey so special.

@notabirdnotaplane  - to my best friend in the world, you are my sunshine in the morning and the moonlight at night before bed.  I love you more and more with each passing day.  I don't know however I ever lived without knowing you before.  Clark and James are -chefs kiss-  and they live rent free in my brain 24/7!

@manyimaginativemuses  - We've been friends for.. gawd, since I about made this blog!   You've stuck with me through thick and thin and Norristat has become iconic because of you.  Your passion for our ship and the dedication you put into backstory and long standing storylines still leave me in awe. I love you and thank you for sticking by me :)

@hom3land3r   -  What can I say.  James will have me drop everything to reply to your posts.  I hear Homie in every word, ever reaction you post. You light up my dashboard with your presence and I swear if James had a tail it would be wagging when you reply.

@slicinggazelle / @schwartzkatz  - I’ve known you almost as long as I’ve known Carson! If I was to say James has a best friend outside of his adopted brother Theo, it would be Gazelle, followed only by Felicia. Thank you for being my support both IC and OOC , and for playing with me this long! 

@wolfsmuses   -  Thank you so much for giving James the time of day,  D and James well.. They are like a precious old married couple and have a chemistry even Left hand has to notice.  I get super excited for each post.

@killmebutneverinsultme​ - Pirate! My only Sparrow that has stood the test of time! You gave me Sparrington. My OTP. Everything I wanted for James and a bag of chips! I cherish you for this but also for being a real friend when things seemed rocky and dramatic for a bit ,and I can’t thank you enough for sticking with me!

@captainofthepearl - My dear Captain Barbossa, your pet Commodore does so treasure your attention when you are around!  Your animations and Sims Comics make me so happy to see. I want to ask you for a million more , and yammer your ear off all day about my Deckhand Admiral and the Captain but alas!

@phoenixduelist    -  What can I say?  Your character is anything but a mary sue. She's got such deph and personality, shes brutual fury and beautiful grace all in a nutshell as a testiment to the talent of her wonderful creator and I adore you for sticking with me through all my boughts of non-reply.

@tretramonti  -  One of my oldest besties on here! I love you dearly and cherish our Throuple of Norrielric. These three just are precious cinnamon rolls who deserve all the love and sex they can handle. Thank you for always coming back when you do go and I will always follow you forever!

@izzyeffinhands   -   While real life has a tendency to keep us from chatting too often. You above all understand where I'm coming from with a character that lives to fight, and enjoys a good bout of pain. I hope we get to more threads going soon too!

@toodamnloyal / @foxsocunningandfree  -  Shay, where would James be without his little brother?   And in a way, it’s the same for me and our friendship! You’re also one of my oldest friends on here and I thank you so so much for coming back to Theo’s name after your hiatus! I missed you when you were gone. And  @leerofthevinegaroons  - Though we don’t talk as much I’m never letting go of you either!

 @itismissswann   - Sweet Lizzy! My only Norribeth that’s still kicking strong and I want all the sappy, angsty, happy, loving threads with the most canon ship to ever canon!! Thank you for being that Lizzy for me!

@legends-and-savages  - thank you so so soooo much for being my Annie/Starlight. I love her already and can't wait for all these hijinks. James will fall in love with her, I just know it.  You are such a versatile writer and I want a million more threads with you in the future!

@ofmythsandfables - Sweet beautiful Lois has captured Norrington's attention and while I know you lead a hectic life , I do so love your excitement when James gets to reply to you, and I love conversing with you about these two.

@vyrulent   - Oh love,  You’re my Chloe, my Simone, my Lydia.. But so much more. You are such a  lovely, sweet, understanding soul who’s been with me so long I can’t even recall not being friends. I adore you and think we should definitely talk more often!

@itslordnow   - I certainly miss you but totally understand the hectic school/life work balance you’re dealing with and hope to play with you again some time, you are one of the best!

@sixba  -  Thank you thank you thank you for giving this real life FC character a chance. James absolutely loves his lion son and even if we never finish one thread, I will start 100 more with you because this duo is adorable together! You’re definitely a friend that’s stayed with me for years and even if it takes us a while to reply, we aren’t any less excited to play with you!

@cecaelianseawitch​ - We’ve only just met, but already I adore you and your ability to both capture Ursula’s voice and tone but also your ability to adapt to storylines thrown at you ( sorry for that! ) You’re a wonder and I can’t wait to have James do bad things for your sea witch hehehe

@count-v-dracula​ - James misses his master and I my friend.  I know your life is hectic right now, but I will always follow you . So if and when the day comes of your return.. I will be here!

@pyramiscmuses​   -   Your characters always make me happy, even if we aren’t playing together. I love seeing you on my dash and hope we can touch base soon for more threads!

Other RPers that deserve to be mentioned but we haven’t played in a long time: 

@firstlove-thesea  , @sonofirishseas , @sorceressmaralane , @pueraeternuspan , @rumpotdeckhand, @scottishoctopus , @omen-promised @teachthekraken ,   @countlessrealities , @winters-club​

If I have forgotten anyone, I’m sorry, but these are the people that actually reply to me and/or have been with me the longest.

[froldgapp]

Hello, hello, I was so blessed to fall over your Ao3 account through one lucky rabbit hole or other, and let me just say: WOW

Your VLD fics are really, really good, your imagination and ability to condense so much storytelling and world building and small character quirks depending on the story you’re telling but still managing to bring out the best in Keef (and Shiro) are all wild, and just comes together in a very happy and amazed me.

Thank you so much for writing and sharing, and I’m sorry if I’ve crammed your emails just a bit, but I hope it shows you how much your fics have powered my very clever thoughts and high-pitched squeals XD

Thank you so much, and I hope you have a day just as amazing as the last couple of mine!💛💛💛

I am so touched. I don't think I can express how meaningful both this and your comments are.

Each new comment brought an enormous smile to my face. It also made me nostalgic for fandom culture gone by. People like you are a true treasure and asset to the community.

Do you know... for the first time in over a year, you made me want to write again? That's your power, dear Someandrea. As a thank you, if you have a prompt, I'll bang out a one shot for you. Just let me know.

All the best, and thanks for being an empathy and engagement driver in this community <3

[danpuff-ao3]

ChaosBlue, my Bethy, host of @fanficmaverickpodcast...I wasn't sure I would do this one, as she's not all over Tumblr, but, well...I'd be remiss not to take a chance to talk about such a sweet friend!

I first met dear B after the episode she did with perverse_idyll. The encouragement to reach out about an episode sort of stuck with me. I was so impressed with the work on the Fanfic Maverick podcast, and it seemed super fun...What did I have to lose? So I drafted an email and then promptly hid from the internet for a while, because wow scary! My brain is quite mean and I was thinking such rudeness as "she's going to laugh at you. Like, who tf is this lady and why would anyone wanna talk to her??" I am very anxious and insecure, okay? And I live in fear of rejection.

Only...that didn't happen! She was perfectly sweet and excited and we got to planning! We had to schedule a ways out, which was fine. At least in the moment it was fine, but that much time gave me plenty of time to worry myself to death LOL. And when it came time to record, she was very patient and encouraging. We had all sortsa tech issues to sort out, and then my nerves to settle.

Thus was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Sometime before our interview, I believe...(maybe, my recollection of the timeline is a bit fuzzy)...okay, so at some point, I reached out after listening to another FFM episode to explode astrology nerdery all over her. To which she was very receptive! And if you know me, you know I love to talk! The first several times I reached out via email just to chat, I was so worried I was being a bother. We're well past that now! Now I text whatever randomness is on my mind, and if I'm very chatty I return to emails.

Astrology, crystals, numerology, tarot, philosophy, all manner of things! We talk about life, and history, and a shared enthusiasm of terribly human characters.

What you need to know about Bethy is...she is the GOAT, fr. (And not just because she's a Capricorn, though that certainly helps.) She is a KING. She is Daddy. She is badass and amazing. Super professional and personable on the podcast. So creative, and so much enthusiasm for life and for people. She has an endless well of curiosity and compassion.

We've talked a lot about my anxiety and how long and how hard I've fought through it. How much it took for me to reach out to her in the first place. And I'm glad I did. Not only was being on the podcast twice (so far!) a great experience, but more importantly it earned me an incredible friend who I am lucky to have. And it's comforting to know that...facing those fears and trying new things can bring you all sorts of blessings. The most important of which are friends.

Okay no time to cry, gotta leave RECS.

The Fanfic Maverick Podcast

Ep. 3 - #CobraKai - Interview With Fanfiction Writer Storyshark2005 (@talkinfanfic) - I had 0 interest in Cobra Kai but listening to this? Suddenly interest!

Fanfiction History with Talkin' Fanfic PART TWO (@talkinfanfic) and Part 1 on Talkin' Fanfic here.

Ep. 20 - #GameOfThrones - Interview With Fanfiction Writer Priestess_of_Groove

Ep. 21 - #HarryPotter - Interview With Fanfiction Writer SouthronWildling - Drarry a/b/o fic!

Ep. 25 - #HarryPotter - Interview With Fanfiction Writer Perverse_Idyll (@perverse-idyll) - probably my favorite episode so far!

Year-End Recap: Behind The Scenes Chat - 1 year anniversary episode with ChaosBlue and her brother! Very wholesome stories and a sweet sibling vibe! Gave me all the feelings. (Also I too have a brother David so I was weirdly extra excited??)

Ep. 28 - #HP: NextGen & MHA - Interview With Fanfiction Writer MicheleBlack (@micheleblack)

Ep. 29 - #TheTerror - Interview With Fanfiction Writer Snagov (@ripeteeth) - another case of "wow I had no interest in this fandom before, but now...?" Also teeth is amazing!

Ep. 30 - #HP: Tom Riddle - Interview With Fanfiction Writer Phantomato (@phantomato) - oh wow lotsa good stuff in this one! Gave me all the Voldemort feels when I hadn't really had much interest in the character prior. This episode had the biggest impact on my actual reading habits as I started to look more into Voldemort-centric fics than I had before, and I'm quite glad for it!

Ep. 32 - #HP: Snarry - Interview With Fanfiction Writer Danpuff - oh look, it's me!

KC PLanet Comicon Recap With Talkin' Fanfic - ngl I wish I had been there for Comicon last year and this year! Seems so fun!

Ep. 35 - #OurFlagMeansDeath - Interview With Fanfiction Writer Mia_Ugly (@mia-ugly) - I knew mia_ugly from Snarry fic (of course) but now OFMD???? I ran to those fics, let me tell you. (I really do need to read more OFMD fics, fr.)

October Frolic: Controversial Fanfic Ships & Tropes - me again! We do love our controversial stuff!

Ep. 46 - #Supernatural - Interview With Fanfiction Writer Thanks Tacos

Ep. 49 - #Sherlock - Interview With Fanfiction Writer AtlinMerrick

Ep. 51 - #HP: Snarry & Severitus - Interview With Fanfiction Writer SerenaEW - loved this one! I was so excited to see she'd interviewed Serena! What a sweetie (the both of them.)

Truly a great podcast, even if you're not familiar with specific fandoms. They're still cool to hear about and it's always so fascinating to hear from other creators. And through it all lives on ChaosBlue's great love and appreciation for fandom, creation, learning, and people.

I love you, buddy!

for an explanation about Mutuals March, or to figure out why i wrote you a thing, please check out this post.

[like-rain-or-confetti]

Thank you for explaining. It's a shame you had to go through all that. Your writing for Twilight is one of the best I've found, I love it. I hope you strongly consider coming back, I miss it so much. But it's understandable if you don't, and I know it's easy to say this from my side, but please don't let miserable people continue to meddle and control your life, thougths and art. I found your blog when I was in the worst state of my mental health and it helped me so much, so thank you 💕

The truth is that miserable, desperate people will always be willing to start wars and point fingers at others to prevent them from looking in the mirror and facing their rotten selves. That's why they get so angry at others, to try to fill their inferiority problems. Accusing others of what they themselves are.

And I'm sure if you start writing for Twilight again, you'll have many behind you, screaming with joy. Every now and then I reread the Dimitri, Caius and Romanians fics. It's a safe place for me. Know this. 🙏💘

Its sad to say I'm not the only one. This happens to lots of people every day. I worry that about the impact it could have.

I made this blog for fun, for the stories that would pop up in my head with nowhere to go. It's supposed to take us out of reality even if just for a moment. It stops being fun when it gets twisted by reality and put under a microscope to figure out what could and couldn't be in between the lines of the tiniest of details.

Whilst I'm fine with the drama and don't wish anyone ill will or anything. Its taught me a lot about boundaries that I need to have. I can't let people over the Internet make me doubt myself and my intentions. I hate that I've been accused of such horrendous things with pitiful evidence because I can now say three years later in other fandoms and in IRL. Those accusations never left the fandom. Only in the twilight fandom have I ever been accused of anything and surely that has to mean something.

I've always said it and will continue to say it. Anyone reading this, I am just a person on the Internet. Don't let anything I say impact you. Leave me here on this blog in the Internet. Don't carry my words with you unless they have a positive impact on you.

Remember, I'm here for a fun time. Not to hurt anyone. Not to antagonise or anything like that. Here for a giggle.

I didn't delete all my fics in the end because I had people telling me the very same thing. That they loved going back and some of their favourite fics were in there. As much as I was pissed off and absolutely done, in the end, I couldn't do it to those who I'm so lucky to have appreciate my work and even to this day go back for them. It warms my heart.

It feels good to be able to talk about what happened because it wasn't the goodbye I had ever wanted. I didn't know what to say but I knew I had to go for my own sake. To be able to talk about it and not panic, or feel upset about it is freeing.

So thank you for asking, and I'm glad I made a difference for someone by taking the edge off as they got through difficult times. I feel even more lucky enough to have people stick around even after. Finding such support is rarely guaranteed, and wow am I lucky to have gotten so much of it.

I'm glad my work could help you through healing and it's a blessing to think my silly little ideas in my head are kept so fondly to others. Its people like you who make this all worthwhile. ❤️

[despairforme]

 💫 + any of my urls :') I never send these for myself because it feels so self-servicing but fuck it i could use some positivity TwT

[ POSITIVITY MEME! ] ( always accepting! I am just slow at answering them--- )  

[ BLUE! Hello, one of my absolute favorite writers and favorite people and honestly I consider you one of my best friends on here.

I remember before we started interacting, I saw your writing around and I was like: WOW I'd love to write with this person. AND lucky me! I got my wish! I am forever amazed at how well you portray your muses, and especially considering how different they are. The thought you put into them, and especially how you analyze how they think/feel. It gives you such a good grasp of their personality. I feel like I've gotten to know a lot more about the characters you write ( specifically Renji, Ikkaku and Kensei ) through your portrayal. They seem so ?? Canon to me ?? But with an extra layer of "this is why they act the way they do", and it ALL makes sense. I'm not sure if I'm explaining that right but yeah !!

I'm also blessed to be writing one of my BLEACH OTPs with you. I always wanted to write Byakuya/Renji with someone, but I've always worried that it would not work out in the end, in case our portrayals clashed ect, but there was no need to worry about writing with you! From the very beginning I knew our muses would fall in love. Your Renji is simply perfect for my Byakuya. We've had SO MUCH FUN writing them!! I've loved every moment of their interactions, and honestly it's been a while since I was so into something that I wrote that much on discord. In May I wrote like 18k with you on discord?? I love writing with you so much it's literally one of my favorite things to do !!

Also, gotta mention your art. Your art is one of the styles that inspire me. I'm not just saying it because we're friends. I adore the flow and life that your style has. The movement of your lines. How "alive" the characters always seem. As someone who has more of a stiff style, it's incredibly satisfying for me to look at your art. I love the softness of it ?? It's SO PRETTY! And also when you draw in your more realism-style, it's incredibly beautiful. Your skill with anatomy and drawing faces AND HAIR OH MY GOD THE WAY YOU DRAW HAIR !! cannot be underestimated. I've also known you for quite a few years now. I bought a commission from you back in 2017, and it's been super inspiring to watch your art-journey from back then. Love love love your art and I'm forever following your art-blog, so I can see your work ( I love seeing it even if it's not from fandoms I'm a part of uvu ).

OH AND I ALSO wanna talk about your creativity. The past few days we've been making OCs and a story together and I'm !!!!!!!! So excited about it !!!!!! I'm thinking about it all the time and how our boyfriends are gonna deal with the very difficult life we're giving them. It's been 2000 years since I made a whole story/world with someone and I'm amazed at how smoothly it's going. You're so easy to plot with, and you have such great ideas. It's a cliche to say but - we're vibing like crazy ?? I LOVE IT!!

And, finally - I of course have to mention about how kind and sweet you are. I love talking to you because it's so wholesome and relaxing. Our friendship is like a safe place?? Idk how else to describe it. You're always supportive and kind, and patient. You deserve all the good things and I hope people around you are treating you nicely. I feel truly fortunate to be your friend, and for being able to spend so much time with you. I want to thank you for your time and for the kindness you always show me. I'm here for you if you need to talk/vent or if you need anything else from me. You are my precious friend and I wish you all the good things !! ]

[justtelling-shinobuisthebest]

Sorry, got busy and just remembered about this.

Okay, continuing our, yes, now you're with me, "Loving Shinobu" week. I just came to an idea, that one of the major reasons, why I am even doing this, is something as important for a plot fact as important for us oxygen.

Interactions within characters.

I just caught myself while rereading manga, that I always stop at some not extremely actions-filled moment, just to think of how I would like some of the characters to do something different, say, mimic, gesture, I don't mind. And always I analyze how sure I was while making this. I payed attention, how good or eye-catching was writted at least the most important aspects of characters. Wait... I don't think it's Shinpbu related. Nevermind, I just made quick list that I like. As always, as we say in russian "shit and sticks 👌" (govno i palki, means quick, bad or both, most of the time one is cause for the other)

Tamayo

Starting from a really dumb and bold fact. Thay are different. Wow..

I like that from the moment Tamayo was offered to help ending Muzan, I knew with whom she's going to work. I knew, or at least was able to guess, that we needed combine two scientists rn. And, I was able to predict very first reaction for both of 'em. Like, it was kinda an open book. I wasn't much surprised at Tamayo's flashbacks. I knew Shinobu would still have some hatred towards demons. I knew that Yushiro will react negatively and Tamayo would be more understanding and friendly. But, I liked fact that at the end of their work they got more loyal to each other. Just recalled moment when Yushiro helps Shinobu. I loved changing in their relationship, but couldn't get from where does all of the misunderstanding comes.. Yeah, it's not main interaction for both, but still. I guessed that this came from lack of really good written moments in their dialog with each other, more specifically, their absence. But, I'm not here for this. I just talk about Shinobu, that's my job.

Closing eyes at all hatred or discomfort in the lab. I still have headcanon, that both shared kinda lost family bond. You know. Tamayo, in form of a demon, killing everyone in her family, including her children.

Shinobu, because of demons, losing everyone in her family, including her last hope, love, her sister.

I can see how in quich break Tmayo sees working hard Shinobu and imagines how blessed, happy, contented and just grateful she would be if her daughter was like Shinobu. Yup, first impression may be the first reason why this hc is only a hc. But, how happy she would be if she got to know that her little kid is tiny genius? Very, she was so loving towards them that her murder shattered her.

I can see how in quick breaks Shinobu sees in Tamayo her long gone mother and imagines how blessed, happy, contented and just grateful she would be if this was world wothout demons. How much time she would be able to spend with her parents. But I just still see those similarities between Tamayo and Kocho's mom, at least facial. I see how she would struggle not to call Tamayo as mom or at least aunt. Just, how over the moon would Shinobu be if instead of preparing herself for death, she was still with her family? Very, extremely. Her mother looked so loving and carrying that i couldn't even imagine how much was Kanae upset or lost after their death.

In conclusion, those two making me see them as kinda found - family.

Butterfly girls.

At this point it feels like I would never shut up about how much do I love them.

Even if we skip how lucky Kanao was that people who rescued her was Kocho-sisters, we forget that every girl's parents were killed by demons, we won't pay attention how young were triplets(caterpillars), we still get to see how caring and loving Shinobu was towards them. That after Tengens attempts to take them on his mission , she's still angry and didn't forgive him. That the first person to even know about her revenge was Kanao. That I mistaken Kanao as Shinobu's last thought , but instead she was furious that without demons all of the girls would be with their parents(ch.143).

That Shinobu had kind of sign language with Kanao.

That everyone in Mansion shares respect for Shinobu not only because she's hashira, but also because she sees them as their family. I love their relationship. I love their family. I love them. Also, don't forget, that after last fight, they take care of Fugu, Shinobu's goldfish.

Oh wait, did I forget to talk about their relationship too? Silly me.

I'm sorry, I didn't payed much attention to Fugu and Shinobu's friendship. But honestly, I love, adore, the fact that in her freetime Shinobu with Fugu, playing, feeding, Idc just being with her friend. Aww.

In conclusion, I can't pass a day without thinking how would their relationship go if there would be no demons, no deaths. How would it go if in Modern AU all 9f families lived in one apartment, Kocho sisters were playing and helping those kids.. well, I'm crying. Someone pls, I need a story abt them.

Inosuke

I felt strong need to talk about them.

The way how he changes with Shinobu. The way how he sees her as his mother. The way how much he wanted to ask Shinobu about it. The way how he helps Kanao, because she's Shinobu’s sister. The way how he never gets her name wrong. The way how he kinda scolds Kanao getting so much bruises, because Shinobu will get mad. The way how he changes after knowing about her death. The way how he continued crying alongside Kanao after battle. The way how she calls him a honey badger(I guess) The way how much I love them. It breaks my heart, that in manga there is nothing from Shinobu's side. That there's not so much moments with them. That there is people misunderstanding this cute mother-son relations.

In conclusion, I can't wait to see more at least cute momets with them, really.

Love Shinobu..

They make me speechless when it comes to them. I can't imagine where I would be without them. Their cute, beautiful and bright interactions always makes my heart skip a beat.

Loving Shinobu. Day 6

I didn't add Douma because it's either keeps me boiling or just doesn't lay with everything I already wrote.

Love you,Happy Halloween ❤️

[calypso-finale]

Hundred Eight.

Smiling at Diji “thank you” I said to him “it’s fine, I don’t want you scratching the cars now” he laughed at me, I am so useless with driving but I need to get my ass in gear “he is lucky to have you, these cars are crazy” I have to laugh because I don’t think he is “he isn’t lucky, I am hell but I ruined a lot of things for him, and the cars I got him for his thirtieth he gave back but then I had the number plates so what I am doing is rewinding it back and doing his thirtieth again, I told his mom and she is having Aziel. It’s not romantic but I just want to do it for him because I ruin a lot of his time, but this is what I would do for my friends, like he is a friend” Diji smirked “he is a friend and lover, but you know what go for it. He seems happy and so do you, and you’re cooking, wow he is so lucky” I swatted him “stop it, so did you see Colin?” I asked “yeah, we still boys, he said that he ain’t letting that ruin a friendship and yeah, we are good. He is alive but I said let it go, he will find a better woman. Halle and him just fizzled what can we say. I said to Lillian if that happens to us, please don’t cheat, tell me” nodding my head slowly “Lillian really loves you, I don’t see it. Like with Halle I did start to see the change and I was like mhmm she was keeping that in her, Lillian isn’t interested but I am happy for you both, you know what I asked Oakley what you want from your birthday, he said peace away from you, I think he was joking but he wants me to meet his therapist, like boy? So I am meeting him there” Diji snorted laughing “his way of maybe wanting help, or seeing if the things you both have can be helped, go for it. But it’s nice touch redoing what you missed, you a good person when you not on something, go for it sister” he hugged me “aww thank you, I love you so much Diji” he chuckled “an older brother you never had” he added “yes, my god. I wish I had that, I mean look, I call you for advice and help and you are always there” he smiled “that is my nature, that is why Lillian loves me, what can I say but have fun” bless his heart.

I feel like an idiot because I am late, as always. Knocking on the door before opening it “hi” oh it’s a woman, she has a deep voice, Oakley said it was woman, I think “come in, welcome. I am Leanne, please come in” she shook my hand “hi, I am Rylee” looking at Oakley, he looks like a spoilt child and is giving me the look Aziel does when he is bad, sitting down on the couch “we just kind of started didn’t we but you’re not here to be judged, Oakley was ok to openly have you here” looking over at him “really?” I said “I mean yeah, why else you here” he laughed “Oakley is naturally a very calm guy, and quiet too. I think understanding him is hard, for the most part. Are you ok with Rylee knowing things?” Leanna said to him “yeah, yeah” he said “we discussed a lot, I mean yes he is quiet but he does talk when needed, but a lot of the things we discuss is childhood isn’t it, things we don’t like to say a loud, being silent is best and it’s not a bad thing but we all need to talk about it. Oakley finds it hard to talk about things because all his life he has been told to supress his feelings at home, it was just the streets and him wasn’t it?” looking at Oakley, he nodded his head “music is his form of release, childhood trauma build you to who you are now, Oakley speak to Rylee. She is here, we had his friend here didn’t we, and you opened up then, how about now. We discussed that you can’t move forward clinging onto things, so Rylee is here and for you” Oakley looked at me “she thinks I was groomed as a child” he pointed, my eyes bulged out “Oakley, come on now. It isn’t a joke, talk. It’s good to talk” he sighed out “because I was on the streets for so long, because like I hung out with wrong people, because to make money to get studio time, I did things like a runner with drugs. I saw things like people getting beat up, like girls and that. I only like did it for money, I would drop drugs off from one point to another, but the money wasn’t anything, it was ten pounds, for my life. And like I was young” he shrugged “you was ten” she added “these men were same age as you are now Oakley, you was groomed into it because you was on the streets. And silence, that is all they wanted from you, if you want your relationship with Rylee or another we need to be open. You was ten, your mother kept throwing you to your grandparents, she didn’t have much money but gave you. Then you wanted to save to be a rapper, you wanted to be that. Then what happened?” Leanne is strict on him “I was robbed for that, at my grandma home. And they took all the money I made, they said it was a loan, I never did that” he mumbled “you was groomed to be on the streets and deal, and then when you wanted a way out you ended up having hate thrown at you” he never ever spoke on that to me, I am in shock “that is where the hate came from” he added.

I didn’t know this “why did you never say this to me?” I asked Oakley “I never thought it was a bad thing, like I was on the streets and that to me was fine” he mumbled “so this is why they hate you so much in west? You got out, how did you even get out, that is deep” I said “Ybeez” makes sense “denial is hard, I still feel in Oakley mind he hasn’t been groomed and that it was normal to be doing all that, but we are getting there aren’t we?” Oakley shrugged “I suppose, I just think it’s a little dramatic to say I was groomed. But if it makes you happy and content we can roll with it, but we got a special guest. Let’s speak on her” look at him diverting “no, this is about you. Why you changing it up on me, I am her for you and want to know more about you Oakley” he cringed “do we though?” I laughed “we do, because I know you wasn’t always like this, you’re so reserved. Like this whole no drinking, no drugs. Like how, why?” he looked away from me “so you have questions that need answers, Oakley you want to answer that?” he is going to hate this “you can answer it for me” he said to Leanne “we can talk, you seem to be in a good mood. I won’t push it” even she knows how quick his mood can switch.

I am thankful for Rylee and that breakaway in Greece, it was nice to have just a girly time and talk about things. I mean the biggest thing was to find out that Imani is actually speaking to a footballer on the low, she is sneaky that girl, but I couldn’t be happier in my life, I have a man that I do love and my family, my business, I am just in a good spot, but I need to start shopping for a home. I want my own home, like Rylee has and rents it out when she can, I mean I may not be living here because of Taylan but I want a home here because my dad and this whole no man in the house, also I can’t be fucking Taylan in my parents’ home, that is just weird, so I need to get one. And then I need to discuss a home with my fiancé, I cannot wait to be with him. Taylan does make me happy, but I am glad we had that time away, and that he knows he can’t just rule me like that “the wonderer returns” Taylan said “and you said you couldn’t make it, and look at that” he came to LA for me, he is so sweet “give me a hug” I came to the coffee shop as soon as I landed, Taylan picked me up as he hugged me “missed you so so much, look at this tan” I giggled “thank you, looks nice right but I missed you. A lot” he put me down “I have your Latte; I have your cake. It awaits you” I cooed out “you trying to get on my sweet side after that little disagreement” he pointed at me “see, a disagreement. It wasn’t an argument, remember that” sitting down across from him “well I was annoyed” I said “yeah you got annoyed, but it doesn’t mean we was arguing, we disagreed. I think you just get so worked up for nothing Ti” so he says “well I think that New Zealand isn’t the go to place to marry? Like who says let’s get married there?” I am right “we are different, we aren’t the same. We aren’t going to do the boring shit of Bora Bora, we are us. Come on now, there is beautiful spots in New Zealand. It is better for my family, and my mom said she would appreciate it too, she thanks you” I frowned “thanks me for what?” I am confused “to have it in New Zealand Ti” I am so confused “who agreed to that though?” I asked “us” I pulled a face “we are discussing Taylan, I said that to you” he can’t be jumping now “just like you didn’t discuss the bridesmaids, I mean you have friends why them two?” I scoffed “my friends are my bridesmaids and then my sisters, I wanted them to be it too ok. I decided that, that is my choice” pointed at him.

He says we don’t argue and that we have disagreements, but he sure does piss me off that I want to lash out “but still, I feel like your sisters don’t deserve to be that” he continued the shit he is saying “why so?” I asked “Rylee treated you like shit, not so much Imani. She is nice but Rylee fucking treated you bad and you just ride her wave” I laughed “what wave? She is in London, we get on. I am happy that my sisters are going to be bridesmaids for me, I love them. I don’t care about the past, we were teenagers then, we all fuck up do we not” he waved me off “fine, how was your trip. Look I am not mad, I am not upset but just I want good by you” nodding my head “but my family is mine ok, and they may not see eye to eye but they my family, my sister is my sister and if she called me right now I would be on the plane there because that is what families do so please, end of” he nodded his head “fine” he mumbled “how was Greece?” he asked “Greece was so good, I enjoyed it, I told them girls that we need to do it more often and you believe my Imani is getting with a footballer? Another British one at that” Taylan cooed out “you and Imani love your footballer men don’t you, classy men I would say” side eyeing him “what is your problem with Rylee?” I asked “what do you want me to say? I have no issues, I was joking. Like why can’t I joke?” rolling my eyes “well those jokes aren’t funny so please don’t bother again” he chuckled “so least you had a good time, so can I now go on a boys holiday?” nodding my head “why not, just don’t drink” his face dropped “and then you say that joke, yeah” he got up “I am using the bathroom” I think I annoyed him now.

Taylan came back but he seemed like he was mad when he left “yeah” he just said “what you mean yeah? I am sorry but like I thought we liked these jokes or is it just at my family? This is what I mean, it’s not nice so I want you to stop. I hope you aren’t doing this behind my back either because I want us to get along, Taylan me and you get on, we do. But politics puts us back you know that” he nodded his head “I get it, and I am not doing anything like that behind your back” nodding my head “I think we can overcome this, and also my dad will love you like I do” he chuckled “your mom has also changed on me” I pulled a face “Taylan, we barely see my family you know that, you can’t just say that she has when literally you only see her on parties and events” he laughed, I am glad he laughed because he sounds stupid “I am like a needy child, I just want to be liked. That is all, just seems so easy for others. I want your family to like me, like mine likes you. Just yeah, but don’t worry about it, me and you going to be good. I can’t wait to marry you” I sighed out “also my mom did mention she wants me to keep the Fenty name” I just saw the blood drain from him “she did the same with Aziel, she wants that to run through, her name is power and she wants me to keep that, so she wants me to have the double name like I am Brown” he is shaking his head “my name holds powers” he added “I can say Fenty in this coffee shop right now and every person here will know who, and why they know it, my mom is right and, oh wow!? You’re storming off now” he shook his head “it’s not the Rihanna show you know, you all can’t abide by her, you’re marrying me! I don’t care if Rylee jumps off a bridge, she does her but me and mine, they keep mine” shaking my head “then really? You need to think if you want this, or me. My mom is right” let him have a tantrum, I am sure my dad did too about it and he got over it and compromised.

[yegarts]

“I Am YEG Arts” Series: Frances Whitford

It’s been said that grandparents are the voices of the past and the door to the future. For Frances Whitford, there are few truer sentiments. It’s why she describes her business, Beadwork & Bannock, as a creation of love and legacy to her grandparents and Métis culture. Lucky for us, that gratitude and knowledge are both gifts she’s eager to share with everyone. From passing down traditions to her children to championing the Indigenous Artists Market Collective (I.A.M), Frances looks forward to continuing to promote and support the perseverance of Indigenous art and culture in our city. Artist, advocate, granddaughter, and teacher—this week’s “I Am YEG Arts” story belongs to Frances Whitford.

Tell us about your connection to Edmonton and why you’ve made it your home.

I have a lot of family here. I’m from northeastern Alberta, just outside of Fort McMurray, so Edmonton was the closest major city and our go-to for everything—so we’ve always been connected to it. Even as a kid, we’d go to Lac Ste. Anne every summer, and then to K-Days because my grandmother had sisters and family here. From there we’d go around to Lac La Biche to the powwow before heading back home. So ever since I was a small child, I’ve spent a few weeks of every single summer here.

As an adult, what really drew me to Edmonton were the opportunities for my three children to grow. Being in a small community is great—the support you have is good, everyone knows your name, and your history, and all of those types of things—but sometimes that can put a real damper on personal growth when it comes to just wanting to spread your wings and be yourself. So all the genres of opportunities presented to them here were very alluring to all of us.

I also found the Indigenous Artists Market Collective (I.A.M) here, and that was amazing. I always say that when I found them, I found my tribe. As Lorrie Lawrence always says, it’s like a melting pot of Indigenous artists.

Tell us a bit about Beadwork & Bannock and how it came to be.

I grew up raised largely by my grandparents. They were very old-school, very Métis lifestyle, so I spent a lot of my youth on our family trapline, which my brother still runs with my cousin Jason. Despite being so immersed in my culture throughout my life, I didn’t realize then how blessed I was—not until 2011 when my grandmother passed away. She had developed Alzheimer’s around 2006, so it really felt like we lost her a lot sooner, but during that time was when I really began to realize that, wow, once she goes, all of this is gone.

My grandmother was an artisan herself and used what she earned to help supplement the family income. I loved watching her work, and a lot of time I’d get to play around sorting beads… but watching her create all these amazing things and seeing every part of the process—from trap to this beautiful pair of moccasins—was pretty cool. So when she passed away, I made my decision to allow myself to dream about making a living preserving my culture and being able to share it with others and teach my kids. Beadwork & Bannock was the answer. And there’s just so much good that has come from it. It is literally a legacy of love for my culture, my grandparents, and everything they’ve instilled in me. There were quite a few years of dreaming it up in my mind and wanting to be where I am now, but just knowing that this knowledge is for me to pass on to as many people as I can reach makes me very happy.

What inspires your design choices and the stories that your beading and clothing tell?

Again, it goes right back to my grandparents and realizing how much culture they preserved in me that I didn’t realize I carried until I was older. A lot of my beadwork designs are inspired by the work of my grandmother and from learning and exploring our Métis culture. As I did my genealogy, I realized just how far-reaching my Métis ancestry is when it comes to Canada and the United States. Because we were the landless people, we travelled so often that there are bits and pieces of my grandfathers’ and great grandfathers’ and great-great grandfathers’ families from Montana all the way through Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It’s pretty amazing to see that. So often I’ll look at all this beadwork from all over these places and feel such a connection to it. And at first, I don’t understand why until I realize it’s that ancestry that draws me in.

What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d had when starting out? And what’s something you knew instinctively that’s still serving you?

The advice I wish I’d had starting out is don’t limit yourself—don’t limit yourself to what you can and cannot do. When I first started, I felt very much that I was in this box and had to stick to mitts and moccasins and the traditional things my grandmother made. But as I’m evolving as an artist, I like to bring in contemporary elements and incorporate new-age thinking with the old—like repurposing fur coats. It’s conservation in itself. And a lot of what we do as trappers is conservation work. Some people have the misconception that we’re out there hauling out these furs and mass-producing and selling them. But, no. We’re actually doing a lot of environmental monitoring. So, for example, if there’s a species that’s low, we’re not going to harvest it. We’re going to refrain. Or if we’ve noticed a species is diseased, we’re submitting that all to the government to be tested to make sure that it’s not something invasive to these species.

The something I just knew from the get-go would probably have to be the importance of transferring knowledge. That was just the biggest driver for me after losing my grandmother and realizing that a lot of her knowledge was gone. Though I only have bits and pieces of it, I’m learning and growing on it every day, remembering more as I carry on. I also realized how important it is for us through truth and reconciliation to share that knowledge back and to give it to our future generations so that they can continue to grow on it and ground themselves with it—because that’s what it did for me.

I strongly believe that the knowledge and traditional practices I was given were meant for me to transfer, not to hold. Letting everyone know there is space for all of us to share and learn these things is something I’m very happy to do.

Tell us about someone who mentored you or helped set you on your path.

That would be my brother. I can really say that my brother has always been one of my biggest supporters and champions. When my grandmother passed away, the two of us sat down and had a conversation about my kids really needing to go to the trapline with him. They were all very small then, but I knew they needed to go with him alone because at that age Mom is everything—Mom, do this. Mom, do that. The trapline is a very wonderful and magical place, but it can also be very dangerous, so I knew they needed to build their relationship with him and the respect he required for them to safely enjoy trapline living—and to learn to grow their wings and be independent. So when my son was around 6 and my other daughter was 10 or 11, they went for their first weekend on the trapline with my brother. And that all started it. That’s when we both realized that if we didn’t transfer that knowledge, it’d be gone. From there, we started to talk about all the things that Grandma would make and decided to give it a try. The rest is history!

Who’s someone inspiring you right now?

Right now, I would probably say the artists with I.A.M. They have so many stories and inspire me so much with their resilience. There’s such an incredible amount of knowledge coming off each of these artists that stems from their families and their histories. And it’s just so inspiring to me to see our art coming back and being appreciated for what it is. The dedication each and every one of them shows to their craft is incredible. We even have one artist, Agnus Jones, who I believe is 89 years old. She does a lot of the similar work that I do, and the last time I saw her at the market I told her that, in my eyes, I am just an apprentice, she is a master, and that—one day—I hope to be as good as her.

Last year, you and your son designed a T-shirt for Orange Shirt Day. What was that experience like for you?

Normally, T-shirts are right out of my element, but I just felt called to tell this story (of our family’s journey of truth and reconciliation)—and to include my children. Part of our coming to knowledge of our past with residential school really shed light on understanding that we have our own story to tell. Knowing that the world is seeing the truth now, we needed to stand in our own truth. So I just really wanted my children to understand their history, as much as I can teach it, and as much as I can learn it myself to pass it on to them so they can understand why we are the way we are these days and which direction we need to move in. I needed a positive outlet to empower them to know that healing is possible, and necessary, and important for them to think about. That’s the real legacy I’d like to leave—that we need to move forward in a positive light, and that sometimes extracting a positive from a negative situation is the best way to grow and heal. That’s what I hope my T-shirts will do.

Tell us a bit about what you’re currently working on or hoping to explore next.

What I’m working on right now is focusing more on my beadwork detail. I just want to grow a little bit more, and explore a little bit more, and venture out into making new things, like satchel-style purses.

I’ve been exploring new mediums and playing around with caribou tufting, too. And it’s like, as soon as I understand my connection to these animals and these things, all of a sudden the creative comes in and I want to work with parts of them!

The kids and I are also working on more Every Child Matters T-shirts and collaborating on some other designs.

What do you want people to understand about the importance of buying Indigenous products from Indigenous artists?

It truly is a preservation of culture and of legacy. Our Indigenous art tells the story of our history, of our connectedness to other cultures and other places, and reminds us of the unity that we need to continue to share. I think it’s good to walk in your individual light and be proud of who you are and where you come from, but it’s also good to be proud of other cultures too—to raise them up and know that you stand in unity with them. So that’s what I’d like people to know: that when they purchase Indigenous art, they’re not only supporting an artist, they’re actually preserving a culture. And that’s an amazing thing.

Describe your perfect day in Edmonton. How do you spend it?

My perfect day in Edmonton would probably be spent exploring one of the many festivals or attractions that you literally find every weekend and everywhere you turn. Spending it with my kids, of course, because I love that.

You visit Edmonton 20 years from now. What do you hope has changed? What do you hope has stayed the same?

Well, I do hope that all the festivals and everything have stayed, but what I really hope to see is more reflection of the Indigenous presence that is here in the architecture and everywhere you turn. It’s starting to look like that now, but I’d really like it to be strongly visible. For example, the history behind the river lot that was here really needs to come to the surface—and in a good way. Because even though it’s a dark history, it’s a very positive place, and I love being there.

Want more YEG Arts Stories? We’ll be sharing them here all year and on social media using the hashtag #IamYegArts. Follow along! Click here to learn more about Frances Whitford, Beadwork & Bannock, and more.

About Frances Whitford

Frances Whitford is originally from Anzac, Alberta, but now calls Edmonton home. She was raised by her grandparents and grew up surrounded by Métis culture and craft, spending much time on the family trapline. Frances learned most of her craft from her grandmother, a Métis artisan, who made various pieces for the family and to sell in an effort to supplement the family’s income. Her grandfather was a trapper who would supply the furs and hides needed for her grandmother’s craft. Today, Frances’s brother has stepped into the role of trapper and supplies a large amount of the hides and furs that allow Frances to continue to learn and hone her skills.

Frances’s pieces, such as moccasins, mukluks, gauntlet mitts, and other Métis-oriented items, are made mainly of traditional and commercial-tanned moose hides, as well as beaver, fox, lynx, rabbit, and various other types of furs. Some of her Beadwork & Bannock pieces also include her beadwork.

As Treasurer of the Indigenous Artists Market Collective (I.A.M), Frances looks forward to continuing to promote, support, and participate in the advocacy and perseverance of Indigenous art and culture that she sees thriving in this city.

[lisa-and-shadow]

I have seen this post cross my dash a few times now and I am SO SICK of all of the out of state internet leftists crying about ACAB and buying into the narrative presented by the person who posted these pictures. Ya'll eat propaganda up whenever it fits your narrative. This dimwit's Twitter is full of pro-Trump Fox news posts and outright lies about Helene and ya'll are taking their word on this?? Really??? Realllyyyyy????? Can you do just an ounce of investigation before you spread this crap during a disaster.

So you think the store should give away the groceries? OK. Me too. But who does that? The employees?? Who are also victims of the storm???

Ya'll expect the minimum wage workers to leave their storm damaged, no power homes, put on their Ingles uniform, smile and say "Can I help you?" in a recently flooded, dark store with no power and wait on everybody like business as usual?

These customers had the unmitigated lack of sense to say, "Well I have cash" as though the card reader being down was the problem and not the fact that the store was completely without power, sanitation, had been flooded by about 4 inches of mud, and THERE WERE NO EMPLOYEES.

You think the evil corporation just magically makes the food fly into everyone's waiting hands like the loaves and the fishes?? Were those 3 cops supposed to go in there and personally set up an entire food distribution situation themselves with no experience in how to do that? Or just open the doors and let the whole town turn loose in there? Because I'm sure no one would take advantage. (Certainly not the people who were well off enough to drive to Ingles, cash in hand, expecting to grocery shop like it was a normal afternoon. As opposed to say... I don't know. The folks without a pot to piss in who actually need assistance. But I digress.)

I live in western North Carolina. I am truly blessed to say that I'm about an hour and a half east of where the storm did the worst damage and we were lucky. My cousin's house was crushed by a tree and her daughter had to be rescued from underneath debris by her neighbors. By some miracle she escaped with minor injuries. I am telling you this so you know that I speak as someone with a dog in this fight. I am also a grown adult who has experienced hurricanes of a similar scale to this in my life. Floyd specifically. I know what they are going through personally.

But why should we believe you, Lisa?? Because I know how to look up sources my darling.

The source of the photo is Twitter, which was picked up by a couple of news sites of varying veracity.

The original photographer's Twitter is a cesspool of misinformation and pro-Trump propaganda. Vile.

And by October 3rd this grocery store was an official distribution point for relief supplies and water. Oh wow! Crazy!

Because distributing supplies in a safe and orderly manner in a way that will actually help people requires organization and volunteers. You can't expect this shit to fall from the sky because you yelled ACAB at your computer real loud.

If you want to actually do something useful for my state donate to Second Harvest Food Bank. They're local and they've got boots on the ground.

If you made it this far. Thank you. I am not a fan of policing in this country. I will be the first to openly discuss the issues of institutional racism and brutality in its ranks. But I will remind you that these are small towns with even smaller fire, police, and emergency services. They have all been affected by this too, and they're working on the recovery efforts as well as needing the help themselves. It fucking sucks for everybody. You don't get a pass from the storm because you wear a badge. All the people threatening these small town cops in the notes when they've got storm damaged homes and missing family too? Grow up.

Can't wait for OP to block me for my "bad take". ✌️