#they could be soooo important to each other if you believe hard enough. spreading the chrissandra agenda again i love them.............

[marshmellowtea]

you would think that because of my sexuality headcanon for chris and the fact he's my specialest little guy and the fact i see chrissandra as platonic my thoughts on the chrissandrax ot3 would revolve around max and sandra's feelings for him but actually it revolves around max and chris's feelings for sandra........she's at the heart of the relationship, max and chris's love for each other can only flourish due to her influence, in most cases they probably wouldn't have given each other a chance in the context of a romantic relationship without her presence bringing them together........they're her specialest little guys who she'd do anything for and they'd do anything for her too and she gets to make them kiss for her entertainment <3

[myonmukyuu]

hot milk tea, thoughts and feelings

I’ve only mentioned it briefly, but I’ve said that I’ll be taking a break from my SetsuAyu series - mainly because of my uni workload though.

But for now, I have a lot of thoughts about the entire thing as a project as well as myself as an artist. So I figured that I’d write a reflection of sorts (warning: it gets kind of personal).

Can you believe it’s been 3-4 months since the series started? I can’t, and I’ve been the one drawing all of these!! If you’ve been reading my work, I’ll say it over and over but I really appreciate it!!! Like I’m dead serious!!! Completely!! Utterly!! Without a doubt!!! I love all of you!!!

When I posted that first comic, I didn’t think it’d get the positive reception that it did get. Like, I’ve been producing basically entirely Muse content for years and suddenly decided to tap into Nijigaku? You could argue that it didn’t get that much attention, but either way, the attention it did get surprised me. I was so happy that people were engaged (and it still makes me stupidly happy, like on a level where I’m almost embarrassed to admit HAHA)

Recently I’ve just uploaded the bonus for the 3rd update which wraps up that part, and it really just clicked - that I really have invested soooo much time into this series. 36 pages now! And we’re only 3/10 main updates in!! I have so much passion for this - like a fire that can’t be put out. Every single update has something that I want to communicate/show so I always feel fired up. Heck, if you’ve spoken to me during the process you’d catch me always saying “I’m excited for the next one!!!” while working on it LMAO. It’s been my longest string of non-stop work. Usually I feel burned out more quickly but I was always so excited that I couldn’t stop! You’d find that I’m usually in a  state of conflict bc I alwaaaays want to talk about it but at the same time I don’t want to spoil anything. (THE NEXT UPDATE JUICY)

I think it’s a clear reminder of why I draw actually. The answer between each artist always differs, but I think it’s something important to be aware of. And well, for me? I’ve realised I’m a passion-monster. Passion keeps my blood pumping 100%. As a result... you could say I might be a more selfish kind of artist. Maybe it’s burn-out from running all those ask-blogs/RP when I was like 13-16, but I’ve realised that I’m having the most fun drawing what I genuinely love. It’s kind of why you’d rarely see me do requests and why I no longer do commissions. That isn’t to say that I hate drawing for other people. It can be fulfilling! But it’s more like - I barely have the time to draw for myself, so drawing for others is kind of a lower priority in general. It’s also why I’ve decided against studying graphic design when I graduated highschool. It’s just not happening as a career.

When I ask myself, “what kind of artist do I want to be?” I always think “Somebody who marches to her own beat and works hard to make content that she loves.” It’s also why I never delete anything - even my oldest art that makes me cringe. Because the me from 5 years ago put her love into that too. It’s really cheesy sounding but that’s how I see it LMFAO. I couldn’t do that to her. And also, just because I don’t like something anymore, it doesn’t mean that no one else does. So I’ll continue to never delete my old work. As a bonus, we get to see how far I’ve come too~.

I feel a little vulnerable admitting something like this and I’m pretty sure I’ve only told like 4 humans, but I think my #1 goal as an artist is that I want people to be able to look at my work (that I actually put my heart into) and think “this person loves this” or “this person works hard”. If you can do that, and sincerely feel the feelings I put into my comic, then I’ve already reached my goal. Can people tell how much I love these characters? The series? The concept? Can people tell how much work I’ve been putting into these updates? Can people tell when I’m having fun? It’s something I think about a lot. The idea of that people might think so makes me tear up HAHA - I get really sappy thinking about these kinds of things. And well, if people can’t tell then I’m not working hard enough!

That isn’t to say that I’m always putting my life-blood into everything I make. I’m mainly referring to the stuff where I do. I think it’s pretty clear when I’m pumping a lot of love into something. In general though, there’s always an intention for me to like communicate some idea or feeling and doing something like that requires maybe a bit of love~.

I feel like that as a character, Setsuna really resonates with me a lot. In personality? Not at all LMFAOOOO (she’s such a nice girl!!). More because of her ideals and principles. After typing like everything that I did up until this point, I bet you can guess why. I’ll keep it short and simple though, since this post is getting stupidly long.

Basically, I really resonate with her drive and passion as both an artist, and just in general actually? I’m a believer in that if you’re passionate about something, you can spread that passion. That’s the mentality I have with my art. If my love shows, then maybe other people will understand why I’ve come to love something. And maybe they’ll come to love it too. If I’m having fun, maybe they will have fun too! Very cheesy, I know, but that’s just how I roll!!!

Like rare pair? New fandom? Still applies. It might take awhile, but eventually either the people who love that thing will find me, or I’ll help people come to love something new (or at least see where it’s coming from lolol)! 

And as Setsu says:

You tell ‘em girl !!! That devotion is my driving force!!

Of course I know this is idealistic, but I think that’s fine. It’s no bother to me if someone feels indifferent/ negative towards my work because that’s just natural.

I think it’s a form of communication and that’s what drives my art. I’ve been intending on writing a guide/ or talking about my art process for comics for some time now and I think that’d be the first thing I’d mention? I’m always trying to communicate some sort of feeling/tone/idea and that comes from a place of love y’know.

I feel like I’m saying “love” and “passion” a lot - you can really tell I’m vibing with Setsuna huh LMAO. There are other reasons I vibe with her too, but I won’t touch on that.

Coming back to my SetsuAyu series. You can tell why I’m so happy about it right? The story, the pairing dynamic, I feel like that people are understanding what I’m trying to communicate - that people are receiving my feelings of love for it and that makes me smile so widely. I really put a lot into it!!

This series is the first large project I’ve ever taken you see and I’m so so happy that I’ve been able to get this far! It really means a lot to me. But it wasn’t actually the first comic series I’ve tried to do. I actually had a Muse long-running comic planned years ago - a Dancing Stars on Me! AU but it never came to life. I think it was my lack of confidence that held me back. It might be weird of me to pat myself on the back, but I’m proud that I managed to get going this time!! I’ve actually written the SetsuAyu series in a way that for the first half, I could drop the series if I really wanted to at any point (each part is pretty independent, and that description I always copy-and-paste is all the explanation you really need), but now I know for sure that I don’t want to drop it! I wanna keep going!! Even if it gets tough. Although it might be a little early for me to make such bold declarations, I’m only 3/10 through LOOOL. But that’s just the way I feel right now!

I know it’s irrational and it’s something I’d rather not admit, but an anxiety that’s always looming over me is the idea that I’m not working hard enough - or that people think I’m not? Each comic update...takes like a month right? And a month is a long time. There’s this part of me that is convinced that people think I’m lazy for working so slowly. And I know it’s not true!! It doesn’t make sense for it to be!!! But like I said it’s irrational.

I’m really proud of this comic y’know. It’s a really big commitment and I’m proud of myself for being able to commit. I work full time 9-5, and I also am in my final year at university. I’m... kind of busy lol. So the huge factor in that month-long update turnaround is just that I don’t have the time to always be drawing. But I try to draw as much as I can! If you have me on discord you might notice me work on it for like 2-5 hours, almost daily before I go to bed (1am). Of course I’m not only drawing, but after I get everything plotted out sometimes that’s all I do. This comic is super time-consuming LMAO - and I try my best to work on it a little at a time.

So yeah, the entire month of comic-production is me drawing every almost every night.

Yeah it, - it’s kind of exhausting. Even though I’m itching to work on my next update, I’ve decided to take a break for uni crunch which is why I say the next one might be two months. It’s really odd though. The other night I was in bed feeling restless. It was so weird not drawing till 1am that I felt like I needed to be doing something. This comic series might have weird effects on my habits...

It makes me anxious thinking that it’d be so long till next update. But I’ll do my best to push that aside ! Hopefully I can get uni done and dusted ASAP! I want them to date dammit...

I've decided that I want to see this series through to the end. It’ll probably be May next year when that happens though LMAO! Please bear with my slow turnaround time. It’s only been 3 updates, but I can already see that I’m improving with each one. With each update I feel like I really learn from the previous and I always feel this sense of excitement with trying out new techniques and trying to create different feelings. I really want to see how the last updates will look compared to the first!  Technically we’re 3/10 (10 is an epilogue), but after 6 I actually stop doing bonuses? So teeechnically I’m like 40% of the way through~.

It might be a little over-ambitious, but I kind of want to print it out and make a hard-copy when I’m done. I’m not sure about what the demand would be if I were to sell it, but I definitely want to print it for myself first and foremost (after touching up the earlier updates of course LOL). It’d be like a physical representation of my achievement. I hope I can make it there.

Anyways, I’ve rambled for far too long. I’m not sure why I suddenly felt like talking about uh, everything but yeaaaah. If you’ve read this far, kudos to you! You now have a window into my soul that I’m still not sure if I’m comfortable with revealing (but I’m comfortable enough because I’m posting this so...)! 

After reading all of this, can you tell why I always get so so happy after each update? It’s the fruition of what’s usually 2-3 weeks of non-stop hard work! Seeing people connect with it always sends me to another realm of bliss and I always feel soft like putty LOL.

[saiyanhajime]

My First Artist Alley at a Comic Con… What I’ve Learnt

I’ve thought about selling my wears in artist alley for something like ten years now… And aside from feeling like my stuff isn’t good enough to compete until relatively recently, the main reason I hadn’t given it a whirl until now was the cost. I couldn’t understand how it would be financially viable, and if you’re here to find the quick answer to that same burning question, the answer is it’s not - at least for me. But if I’m being honest and perhaps a little harsh, I can’t really see how it could be what I would consider truly “worthwhile” for all but the most successful artists in the alley when you factor in all expenses.

But would I do it again? Hell yes. Did I have fun? Absolutely! Was there value in networking, making friends and social media gains? Yes, yes and yes!

I went to London Comic Con Spring run by Showmasters. I choose this con because of a few reasons, namely that it was the next local con with tables left when I started seriously obsessing over wanting to do this.

The stall was very reasonable at £80 (but I paid an extra £30 for an additional person to help out.)

This convention is a lot more Film and TV focused than was ideal for what I thought my audience would be - with their main highlight being their guest signings. I knew this going in and my assumptions were right, I think. That said, the “small press” section of the event was wildly varied, but it did feel like actual comic creators were doing the best of us all.

The Expenses

The costs add up, fast. A £ here and there and you’ve racked up £500 or so worth of expenses before you’ve even factored in potential travel, food and hotels… Let alone time. I know you’re probably thinking you wouldn’t spend that much, but believe me - if you record EVERY cost related to getting your stall together, you’ll be shocked how fast it accumulates. You’ll find yourself looking at all the £3-5 you spent on bits n bobs wondering how the final sum is so high.

I know what you’re thinking… You can do it cheaper. I just didn’t try hard enough to get these costs down. But believe me, I did.

I spent way more time than was worthwhile researching costs - these prices include VAT & they include shipping -  I wanted the most accurate picture of the hard cash I would actually have to spend up front… And the oddly expensive ones like the postcards cost so much because I effectively paid a premium to have multiple designs. My logic was to try lots of different things, learn as much as possible, but have few in quantity of each design. That way, the flops hurt less. You pay more per item for that privilege, but what’s the use in having 100 of something that won’t sell? I’d rather learn from x10 of something even if I’m making half the profit “per item”. 

That’s a mistake a think so many businesses make - don’t think of profit per item, think of it in profit on entire expenses. I made a huge loss, just like I expected. :) My 100 postcards for example costing £50 makes them 50p each, and selling at £1.50 means £1 profit per postcard. That’s £100 profit! Except I only sold 10 - that means a £35 loss for the time being. It’s not a profit until you recoup the whole cost. And I thought of the whole cost as that £550 sum from the get go. Only once I cover all accumulated costs am I making a profit.

But most of these costs are reusable… I could go to another con tomorrow and only pay an additional £150 or so for the table, travel, etc. and have enough stock and a decent display. And that’s my intention - don’t give up, do a few, then evaluate. THEN give up. :)

So realistically, you need to be willing to waste £800+ to find out if this game is for you. That’s a big chunk of money not to be sniffed at and you should be aware of that before you jump in.

The Products

What should I take? Who should I order it from?? How much stock do I need???

These are unanswerable questions because they are highly personal. I see soooo many “where should I get prints from??” with people expecting an easy answer. There isn’t one. But I can try and explain why there isn’t one. I think a lot of newbies assume creators don’t want to share their suppliers because they’re being protective or don’t want the competition - nonono, it’s that the answer is different for everyone. An established, popular and successful artist in the alley is likely ordering huge bulk orders from a supplier that has a minimum order of hundreds or thousands. What good is that information to us newbies? It’s useless.

Prints 

In the end, I took 7 print designs…. All fanart, with 4 of the designs being Dragon Ball, 2 of the designs Sonic the Hedgehog and one of GLaDOS from Portal 2. Two of the designs were on A3 and the rest on A4.

I ordered A4 and A3 prints from different suppliers, as they were cheaper this way, EVEN with the postage factored in - which is absolutely ridiculous I know, but you begin to see why “x company is best for prints!” is a useless piece of advice. But sit tight, cuz it gets way worse.

I ordered as few as possible, but a couple of websites had the same price for 5 as the other did for 10, etc. so I went with the one that offered more for the same, obviously. I had x6 (including the display print) of each A4 print and x10 of each A3 - not because I thought they would sell twice as much, just because that’s the least I could get for the cheapest price! And to make matters even more complex - I made those orders based on coupons I had found and you often can’t see the total inc postage until you’ve got everything in your basket and entered your address and email. I looked at maybe 20 suppliers. Imagine how long that took, just for prints. And if I did the same thing tomorrow, it wouldn’t be the same suppliers who were cheaper - coupons and offers change the game, quantity required changes the game. Getting 30 A4 prints might be cheaper on one site, but it might be better to get them from another if you’re after 40, and it definitely will be if you’re wanting them to be all the same - then you can probably get 100 for less than I paid. Nightmare. And you find yourself going “but I can get 100 of the same print for £17 - maybe it’s worth the investment…” Maybe? Who knows! Probably not though.

I don’t think I’d bother with ordering A3 again anytime soon - the main reason is that A3 cellophane bags and carrier bags big enough for such a large print are quite a considerable added expense… And a lot of potential buyers commented how they loved a print but just don’t have the wall space. I also couldn’t find a supplier that would offer to print less than 10 A3 prints in one design. One buyer commented that they would get one of my other prints if it was larger - but would they? I know from experience selling online that people often say “oh man I’d so get a ____ if you did one!” and you do and you even link it to them and then silence. Don’t take what potential customers say too seriously, unless you’ve got a decent number of them telling you the same thing. But for me, 3 people telling me that on top of my other reasons for disliking A3 is enough to go, ok… Forget A3.

Perhaps my best piece of advice is to sign up to every supplier's newsletter. I get emailed deals almost daily now and if you’ve got the time to play with, it’s worth getting your stuff ready for print and just sitting and waiting for that coupon to drop. 15-20% off can make a huge difference to your margins. I purposefully waited until January to place my orders, expecting a post Christmas assortment of deals, and I was right. Bare in mind that many suppliers can take a while to get stuff to you and it might not be right - so don’t cut it too late to order things. I ordered everything just under two months ahead of the con and had plenty of time to then play with and practise setting up how I was going to display things.

So, how did the prints do? I sold out of the Sonic and Shadow print - including the display, which I sold at a marked down rate. I sold 2 of each A3 print - Great Ape Vegeta vs Goku and GLaDOS… 1 of Majin Vegeta, 2 of Fleetway Super Sonic. None of Gogeta or Shenron.

So, Dragon Ball wasn’t so hot, Sonic absolutely was. Is that a long term trend, or just this con? Hell if I know.

I didn’t have a portfolio book with my prints in on the table - I thought that was a waste of space if I can fit them all up on my display - but with hindsight, you get two types of people... Those who aren’t interested in artist alley stalls and pass through at a distance and a print up high MIGHT catch their eye and bring them over. But the vast majority of people you’ll sell to have their eyes down at the tables as they pass. This was the most important thing I learnt - I’d read so much about how important it is to use “vertical” space and tried to get as much off the table as possible, but by day 2 I was spreading more out on the table until every inch of it was covered. I often had to tell people about my prints and they would look up having not noticed them! I had read that people recommend having a portfolio book for people to thumb through - but I hadn’t really understood the benefit of that. Having people touch and interact with stuff on the table is such a valuable interaction that sparks natural conversations. It’s really important to have physical stuff ON the table, perhaps more so than getting a fancy vertical setup. If you’re strapped for cash - ditch the idea of grid cubes or similar completely. Just lay stuff out.

Postcards

When my postcards arrived I immediately realised I’d made a stupid mistake. I was obsessed with getting the display vertical and having lots of different designs. Having so many different postcards to display was a nightmare that I think impacted the whole setup. The wall they created took light away from one side of the display, they were really quite oppressive! - and I knew this before I even went to the show, but I didn’t know how else to display them. I don’t think I would order postcards again, they barely sold… But the 90 I have leftover will be displayed in a photo album on the table next time for sure. Seems so obvious now! They were a HUGE waste of money - they’re expensive for what they are to get made and the retail price of them is abysmal. But, there were a couple of times when people who didn’t have the money for a big print maybe wouldn’t have bought anything, but I had something cheap and cheerful to offer, which was nice. The other cool thing about them is you can have your website on the back and it doesn’t seem out of place or weird.

The main problem with finding a postcard provider was I couldn’t find anywhere that would do small print runs to allow me to order several designs, so I ended up going with the one company I knew who’d do that - Moo. But man are they expensive - I could have got 500 postcards of one design for less than half what I paid for 100 of 25 diff designs - but again, having the variety mattered to me.

Postcards are a pain and not worth it, which explains why I so rarely see them for sale. Lesson learned!

If you have a decent inkjet printer, postcards are super easy to make and I used to do this before I lost patience with inkjet home printers and switched to laser. Just get thick photo paper, already the correct size!

Stickers

I had a mix of kiss-cut and die-cut stickers that by day two I was spreading out on the table and absolutely getting more sales as a direct result… They still didn’t do exceptionally well, but I don’t regret having them. They’re a solid low-retail-price staple of the artist alley table. Pieces of art with a purpose, especially in the age of reusable water bottles. A couple of fellow artists noted that my stickers were very cheap priced at £1.50 and I kind of agree. I think next time they will be £2 and this won’t negatively affect sales. There’s a common fallacy that making something cheaper will increase sales - the likelihood is that it won’t, and when you think how many more sales you have to make to gain the same profit, you realise this is the case. Just that small difference of 50p would mean you have to sell 25% less stickers to make the same amount of money. Isn’t that insane? When you think of it this way, pricing your items right really matters.

I also had sticker sheets - the Baa (from Dragon Ball) ones I only sold one of, to a child who I’m not sure even knew what they were from, but the Sonic sheet did pretty well! I didn’t see many other artists rocking Sonic stuff - or even much Sonic stuff on the wider show floor - which is surprising given the recent film release. I guess I just tapped into a niche, but it’s hard to tell.

Several suppliers of stickers offer multiple designs as standard, or a small surcharge for having multiple designs. Shop around. Stickers are overpriced from many suppliers. The popular choice of Stickermule often run deals where you can get 50 for £19, but even this deal price is quite expensive for x50 of the same sticker. They are by far the best quality stickers, to be fair to them… But you don’t need x50 of one sticker for the purpose of artist alley. I’ve jumped on Stickermule promos in the past where they charge £1 for 10 stickers. That’s a great opportunity to try out design you’re really not sure about. I can’t stress enough how important newsletter signup to suppliers is!

Honestly, Zap Creatives are the only company I’ve used that I would recommend without a second thought. Their customer service is exceptional, their postal packaging is not only environmentally friendly but also adequate (I had a lot of issues with other suppliers packaging and items arriving to me damaged! Another reason you need to order far in advance.) and their prices are transparent and extremely good value. They have free postage (globally, I believe!), which makes it so easy to see how much you’ll be spending at a glance. They have detailed “how to” pages for setting up your files. They’re a dream come true. Sign up to their newsletter, follow them on socials, give them your money - they deserve it. Not sponsored, just genuinely impressed.

Comic

Back at Uni a friend and I made a little comic, and I got some more copies made and took it along because, why not… It is COMIC con after all, and this convention actually calls the artist alley “small press”. It sold pretty well for an independent original to a wide variety of people, young and old. It made me really happy to see an original work sell! You’d be surprised how cheap getting a book printed can be - but be willing for the pages to be slightly misaligned and the paper quality eh. But if you just want a cheap comic printed or a zine, it is very doable in small runs even as low as 10. Remember that stuff doesn’t need to be perfect. Don’t stress over imperfections. I wouldn’t recommend the supplier I used because their delivery was an abysmal royal shit-show, but their customer service made up for it and then their re-delivery was only a slightly less abysmal royal shit-show on the second attempt. So, I won’t mention them.

On that note - if a supplier isn’t good enough, get in touch with their customer services and be nice but tell them it’s not good enough. Give them a chance to fix things.

Traditional Art Originals

I took a lot of traditional media original artworks with me, mostly because I had them already. I sold one low value original.

This was a little heartbreaking because the sale of just one high value original would have pushed the worthwhileness a long way - but it is a lot of money to expect people to spend and is a luck of the draw situation, for sure.

However, the larger ones definitely attracted attention to my stall and created conversation - so I’d say if you have larger originals or small low value quick drawings, they’re worth bringing, but I wouldn’t make any for the intent of selling in the future.

I don’t think a single person thumbed through my plate rack of originals. It was a poor display idea. Don’t recommend it at all. But I can’t think of a better idea other than individual easel displays which take up valuable table space better used for spreading out other items flat.

How could I have done better?

I think having more variety of franchises in my prints was the only HUGE mistake that I kinda knew before I arrived might be an issue. The reason I didn’t was I was worried about space and this could have been avoided had I just listened to the advice I read and had a portfolio out - I even have an A4 portfolio book! Stupid. I’m stupid.

Would I have done enough better to make a profit? No way haha.

How did other people seem to be doing?

It didn’t seem like anyone was doing particularly well… But without knowing peoples numbers, it’s hard to say. And I doubt many people keep the obsessive books I do.

I am pretty sure a lot of convention artists don’t realise the amount they are spending vs the amount they aren’t making… But I could be wrong. There’s a lot of talk of “making table” which I did make back, but I came nowhere close to making back all associated costs. I think for it to be legitimately financially “worthwhile”, you’d have to take about £2k over a weekend - to account for the time and all expenses and paying yourself a decent wage. And if your prints are £10 each, that’s more than 10 prints sold an hour. No one was anywhere near this busy. No way.

A few artists told me this isn’t the most amazing show in the first place and they’ve done worse than they did at this same show last year, even if it seemed physically busier at times this year. A lot of this game is luck of the draw - who’s turning up, how much do they have to spend, what's the weather doing, etc. etc…

Do I need a card reader?

My sales were about 50/50 cash and card… But I ran out of exact change at one point, so being able to take card payments saved the sale. I have a Sum Up reader as it was the cheapest to buy up front and I had no issues with it the whole weekend. At £20 it was a bargain. I think I would rather have that than the cube display grid, for example.

Do you have any cost shaving tips?

Oh hell yeah!

First up - like I said before - sign up to every single potential supplier newsletter. Some of them send out coupons almost weekly.

I bought very little in the way of display equipment and salvaged the rest...

I borrowed some plate stands from my nan, I took empty cardboard displays from ASDA and Sainsbury's (I’d try Walmart or Target in the USA). These were great because they fold down flat for transporting, are light and FREE! Keep your eyes peeled when you’re out shopping for ones which might be the right size for your products. Often times you can transfer the one or two items left in them to another box in the store, or they’re simply empty. I found ASDA best for having completely unbranded boxes. I also made some stands for my small originals from thick card rather than by expensive display racks that are heavy to transport and cost a bomb.

Pick local shows if you can and research thoroughly your transport options and the cost. Parking, trains, hotel costs and eating out can be extortionate additions to your overall expense that are easily forgotten.

Make sure you can carry your setup and don’t need to spend additional money on an Uber or something to help you move shit around!

Use what you have. Don’t buy storage boxes and suitcases and trolleys if you don’t have to. Sure, they might make your life slightly easier, but maybe wait and see how your first few cons go.

Any other tips or things you wish you’d known?

One thing that was kinda stressing me out was leaving stock overnight, but I realised there’s a whole show floor of high value figurines down there...

Leaving the stall unattended isn’t a big deal, either. Obviously take your money with you, but your neighbors can let potential customers know you’ve popped to the loo and I saw several “Back Soon!” signs throughout the day. I took a friend mostly as company, but I would confidently do a con alone having seen how much of a non-issue this is. Having a friend is great for chatting and having a chance to have a look around the show and chat to other artists, though!

I’m not sure carrier bags are necessary. They’re a pretty substantial extra expense you can skip.

Check all your stock as soon as it arrives in the mail. I had an order of cello bags for A4 prints where about 50% of the pack were unusable as the bottom seal with just... open.

Oh! And the “Sundays are always quieter” rhetoric? My Sunday was twice as good as Saturday, despite being quieter on the show floor.

Overall...

I really enjoyed myself. I loved everything. Chatting to customers, chatting to artists, seeing what people were selling, people watching, eating junk, setting up, tearing down and having a friend to chat with and chill the whole time. I gained a pretty significant Twitter follower boost over the weekend and gave away approximately 150-200 business cards as well as meeting some awesome new friends.

I’m not sure if I will be back for the same show next year - we’ll see. I’d like to try a bunch of different shows with different audiences. Many overlap in terms of being around the same time of year. And all the while I’m carrying limited stock to see what works and what doesn’t, I’m reluctant to book two close together.

I’m lucky enough to live in London - so I have access to several big conventions throughout the year on my doorstep.

I have a table at Hyper Japan in July. A very different con to this one with a table almost half as big. So I suspect most of what I’ve learnt won’t even apply! But that’s kind of exciting. My logical brain tells me not to make more stuff, but I think I’ve got the con bug now and just wanna make more profits!

I hope this has been slightly useful to anyone toying with the idea of doing a convention. I recommend checking out @howtobeaconartist​ here on Tumblr as well as Ben Krefta’s incredibly detailed experiences of being a UK convention artist.

Another thing I found helpful was to watch youtube video walk-arounds from previous years at the same show - see what people are selling, their set-ups, get a feel for space, see if you see the same people returning year after year. Here’s a video from the show I’ve just done! Artist alley starts at around 7:50.

[pynkhues]

Uff sweetie you mentioned u are into bodice ripper stories and that you were thinking about doing one about brio, and I just have to ask: Could you pls pls pls write a lil snippet? You are soooo good and this genre is my guilty pleasure rip me

You requested this a million years ago when I first made a vague mention about wanting to write a Beth x Rio pirate!AU where Beth is a lady and Dean’s her husband and he’s squandered their wealth (because it’s Dean) and so Beth smuggles herself onto a pirate ship to try and get enough money to save her children and then there’s a lot of TENSION between her and Captain Rio, anyway, I’ve accidentally plotted it out as a five chapter fic, and Idk if I’ll ever actually write it (if enough people like it I probably will, haha), but anyway, have the snippet you asked for :-) 

-

She’s not sure how long the men leave her in the barrel they found her in, only that she feels it when they move her, the first time and the second. Each time sets her in a flurry – her heart pounding in her heaving chest, her stockinged feet scrambling against the sticky base beneath her. She hadn’t had the time to truly think what all of this would entail, not really, and already she’s near nauseous with the stench of the bourbon she’d poured out of this very barrel perfuming her petticoats, wriggling tight beneath her corset strings.

Still, neither time do the men loosen the lid of the thing, and even when she tries herself to unseal the heavy top to get out, she finds something even heavier weighing it down, like they’ve placed something on top to keep her in.

With a frown, Beth sinks back down into the barrel, ignoring the muffled sounds outside at her latest drop point. It really isn’t very big – between all her skirts, her body, and the meagre belongings she’d smuggled in with her (keepsakes really, precious reminders of her children, her sister, until she’d find the means to return to them), she finds her knees nearly at her shoulders, her back arched inelegantly. She thinks she’ll be plucking splinters out of her skin for days.

She’s yanked from her thoughts when she hears some muffled voices outside – closer than all the others, and Beth quickly pushes her ear to the side of the barrel, desperate to hear more. Almost as soon as she’s done it, she hears footsteps edging closer, and then the scrape of the lid of the barrel, dragging off the top.

Briefly blinded by the light, Beth throws a hand up to shield her eyes, and is about to shift upwards when she finds the light blocked again – this time by a long, narrow torso. Beth blinks up, eyes wide, her lips parted, pleased to be sucking in air not tinged with liquor, to see perhaps the most handsome man she’s ever seen in her life, leaning over the mouth of the barrel. He’s all tanned skin and thick eyelashes, deep, dark eyes fixes right down on her. His neck is tattooed with a large eagle, it’s claws splayed, and his chest is covered by a loose black shirt, unbuttoned to his sternum. Beth finds herself flushing despite herself, because this isn’t just any man – no, it’s the man she’d seen in town, the very man she’d followed here, the deep, casual confidence in his voice like a pipe to her eager ears.

He tilts his head, taking her in, considering, and Beth sucks in a breath, wriggling a little at the bottom of the barrel.

“Don’t remember packin’ you,” he drawls, and Beth flushes beneath the heat of his gaze, and then immediately hates herself for it – finds herself scrambling for any scrap of dignity, of station. After all - - she’s a lady, and nothing about this takes that away from her. She scrambles to find her feet and then moves to get up, to stand – to be eye level with him, her newly practiced speech already on the tip of her tongue when she feels something cool and sharp press into her chest.

Beth glances down, sucking in a breath and promptly sinking back down into the barrel when she realises the man is dangling a long, thin sword down at her. At her movement, he pulls it slightly away, letting her retreat.

“Nuh-uh, sweetheart, not yet. You wanna get out of this little bed you’ve made yourself, you gonna have to answer some questions.”

Beth inhales sharply, her back colliding again with the back of the barrel, and vaguely she can hear people laughing – men, mostly, can hear the clang of cups and plates and the loud sounds of people talking. Before she can help herself, she rises up a little, turns, like she can see through the hard wood of the barrel, only to gasp when she feels the cool point of the sword meet her chest again.

Her gaze whips back around to meet the man above her, and he just smiles, and - - she swallows thickly, glaring up at him as she sinks back into the barrel. He doesn’t move the sword this time though – in fact, he follows her down with it, until her shoulders hit the lower side of the barrel, her body twisting up, and he just - - keeps smiling.

And god, if Beth had more to lose, she’d probably be terrified. As it is, she just finds herself scowling.

“Your questions, sir,” she says, inviting, but she can’t help the way her jaw sets, the way her breath shudders out of her. Her mother had always told her to step back, to be sweet, earnest, honest, and Beth has always been – but the reminder of why she’s in this barrel, having smuggled herself aboard a pirate’s ship, is too stark in her head.

(And too aching in her chest, she thinks, blinking hard, the reminder of Dean’s dalliances, of her children, who could be lost to her if she can’t - - no, she thinks. She won’t let this plan fail.)

The look seems to be enough to give the man above her pause, although his grin only widens, the tip of his sword drifting slightly lower, to prod a little at the swell of her breast over her dress.

“Wanna start with who the hell you are?”

The way he says it – his voice low, little more than a purr, sends a flash of something hot through Beth’s body – a strange feeling she scarcely recognises, and she finds herself swallowing again, wetting her lips as she tilts up her chin, as regally as she can manage from her position tangled up in the bottom of a bourbon barrel.

“My name is Lady Elizabeth Boland. I am the wife of - -,” she stumbles a little, chest heaves up, enough that Rio’s sword digs a little deeper into her breast. She flushes, blinks. “That’s not important. I need money. It is a matter of the utmost importance, and I believe that you can help me to acquire some.”

Her words seem to startle the man, a look of surprise spreading over his face, before it levels out into something vastly amused.

“A lady,” he drawls. “Usually I’m the one acquirin’ money from ladies, not the other way around.”

“Stealing, you mean,” Beth says, before she can help herself, because she’d only just seen him do it in town, but still, she gasps when he drags the sword a little further down her breast, to just above the neckline of her dress, and lightly twists – not enough to break the skin, but enough to be felt.

“Oh, sorry, Lady Boland, but see, you the one who’s stolen onto my ship here, so I’d get off that high horse before you hurt yourself.”

Beth at least has the good graces to look abashed, and she blinks hard, turning a little to meet his gaze again.

“You’re right,” she says softly. “I apologise, my situation is just –”

“And you think I give loans?” he interrupts before she can say anything else, and somewhere behind him – wherever it is his men had planted her – she can hear laughter. Beth blushes, swallows thickly, tries not to squirm, and she hates it too – because she can feel it, beneath the humiliation, the anger sparking in her gut.

“Yes, I overheard some of the men in town say you had provided them with advances,” Beth insists, and the man snorts, lips pursing as he looks back down at her. His gaze flits down, to where his sword is still pressed ever so slightly into her breast, lingering there, before it flicks back up to her face.

“Those are situational. Besides, that money’s lent against assets, yeah? Last I checked, all a lady like you got for yourself is a name and access to the assets attached to that name. Nothin’ belongs to you, so you ain’t got nothin’ to bargain with.”

Beth inhales sharply, her eyes widening, and something raw explodes in her chest, something desperate, because she has become all too familiar with the truth in his words these last weeks. Lord, if she hadn’t, she wouldn’t be here, begging for scraps. Still, voice wobbly, she says:

“My husband – ”  

But the man doesn’t give her a chance to finish.

“Lord Boland, I know him. Know him well enough to know he ain’t capable of payin’ back nothin’ neither – not in paper, not in gold, not in land. Word I hear is all o’ that’s passed hands already, huh?”

The words cause another raucous swell of laughter behind him, and Beth flushes deeply, suddenly glad for the relative privacy of the barrel, to not be facing a party with all of her husband’s failures and humiliations painted onto her. She digs her nails into the side of the barrel before she can stop herself, forcing her body to twist. The gesture is enough to make her feel the heat of the man’s gaze above on her again.

“Hadn’t heard he had a woman that could be traded though, not one that would pick him up so much. Then, fact he didn’t play that hand, fact you stowin’ away on my ship, makes me think he probably hadn’t heard neither.”

Beth blinks, neck craning to look up at him again, and she suddenly feels red hot with anger, with fury, and before she can help herself, she’s reeling up, not so much as batting a lash when Rio’s sword nicks her breast.

“I am not a - - a property to be traded, sir, nor am I a hand to be dealt, I - -” and just as soon as they’d come, the words dry in her throat when the man drags his gaze down to her chest, watches the blood dribble from the cut, soak into the neckline of her dress.

“Shame, that,” he says, like it’s nothing at all, and Beth exhales hoarsely, fingers trembling in anger, in shame, in insistence, only to see the man promptly step away from the barrel, spilling light on her, and Beth scrambles, finally standing up on her aching legs, and blinking the spots away to take in her surroundings. She seems to be in the galley, the muffled sounds she’d heard pouring in before from the dining cabin just outside. Her audience here seems to be fewer, and she finds herself oddly grateful for it – glancing through the few people here – a skinny young man, barely older than Annie; another two – both bigger, older, flanking the man she’s been talking to, and then, at the back, hovering behind them preparing salted meat on a counter top, an elderly man, hunched over his work.

Before she’s had much more of a chance to get her bearings, the man in front of her gestures to the skinny young man, and they all watch as he stumbles over, salutes.

“Captain,” he says, and Beth blinks, whirling back to look at the other man.

“Eddie, take the wherry*. Get Lady Boland back to shore, see she gets home safe. We’ll dock at the next harbour. Meet us back there by nightfall tomorrow and - -”

“No - - I - - I need money,” Beth interrupts quickly, urgently, her gaze darting back to the captain. “Or gold. Treasures. Whatever you can spare. My husband, he lost all we had. We have four children, young children, I won’t - - can’t - - see their futures ruined - -”  

She doesn’t know if her words inspire any sympathy in the others, but it certainly doesn’t in the captain, who just turns to look at her, an unimpressed look on his face as Beth sucks in wet breaths, fumbling for any semblance of control.

“And that’s my problem, how?”

“I can work,” Beth insists. “I can mend clothes and cook and clean and I assure you, I have tended to my fair share of wounds, so I can - -”

But the captain doesn’t let her finish that thought either. Rather, he just turns back to the young man beside him – Eddie.

“Replace the bourbon in town too,” he flicks a quick glance her way, eyeing off her hands, wrists, neck, ears. “Her pearls should pay for it.”

Before she can even help it, her hand springs to the pearls around her neck, clutching tight at them as she stares at him. She shakes her head, anger simmering in her belly again, shifting forwards until her toes hit the other side of the barrel, and she’d step out if she didn’t think it was affording her a degree of protection.

“Listen to me, I – -”

“Hope your Lord husband is ready to pay for the time you’ve gone and wasted for us when Eddie here comes knockin’, huh?” he glances back at the men around him, laughing, and the mere thought would bring Beth to despair if it wasn’t for the lone, furious thread she has left to cling to, and when the captain moves back into her space to haul her out of the barrel, Beth just - - slaps him, hard. Silence cuts through the air like a knife, but any moment of satisfaction is quickly tarnished by the cool of Rio’s sword, pressed sideways at her neck. Shuddering in a breath, Beth looks up at the ceiling of the galley, fixing her gaze on the timber ceiling, trying to focus her attention on anything other than the pirate captain holding his sword to her throat.  

“I will work for you,” she says, because there’s nothing else left to, blinking back tears of fury and exhaustion. “There is no other option. I have no other option. It would be kinder to throw me overboard and let the sharks devour me than to force me home to watch everything I’ve ever loved be taken from me. I will earn my keep, I promise, and - - and I know having a proper lady on board could serve you too, if you let it. If you let me.”

Her gaze flicks back over to the captain, to his cool, dark eyes, and she still feels the edge of the sword against her neck, still feels the ache in her heaving bosom, the stickiness of the bourbon at her hemline, and vaguely she’s aware of their audience, but then - - then the captain drops his sword.

“Eddie, take her to my quarters.”

“Sir - - ”

The captain holds up a hand in a way that shuts Eddie up immediately, but Beth wouldn’t know. Beth doesn’t take her eyes off the captain. “I’ll get someone to bring you somethin’ to eat.”

The words are so quick, so frank, that Beth finds herself nearly breathless, dizzy with relief as she nods, frantic, watching as he steps back. He pulls a cup off the table top behind him, takes a swig of what must be liquor, and Beth watches the line of his throat as he swallows, shifting her stockinged feet in the barrel beneath her.

“Thank you,” she says, and then: “What work will I be doing? What wages can I expect?”

She’s already trying to work out how much she can send home, how much she can get in Annie’s hands, to keep away from Dean, to take care of her babies, when the captain glances back over at her, his eyes lowering, fixing on where the small wound at her breast bleeds onto the soft, rich folds of her dress. Beth shifts beneath his gaze, feels that strange heat again, unfolding in her chest, her belly, maybe - - maybe somewhere lower too.

“Don’t worry, darlin’, I’ll think of somethin’.”

[yuniv-bluetea]

Mrs. Stacy & Anne

requested by @annessnowqueen “Please, sit down Anne.” The sky turned dark as Anne Shirley Cuthbert sat down facing Mrs. Stacy. After Mrs.Stacy told the class that they were no longer allowed to publish their newspaper she let them all go home sooner. All except Anne. Disappointment was an understatement for what her class and she felt hearing these crucial news. Anne could feel their stares right away. Pricking like thorns through her skin. “I guess..”, Mrs.Stacy bend down and laid the newspaper on her desk, “you know why you're still here ?” Anne just nodded as she lifted her head to glance at the windows. Watching raindrops streaming down the window panes caused her to smile a little. “Isn't it tragical how even the universe seems to be in pain ?  Not able to hold back the tears beca-.” “ You had no right to print this article without my approval and share it with the whole village ! The Andrews' are in rage over the way you demonized their son. Our newspaper is on ice, the hard work of your classmate destroyed through your action.... I'm dissappointed in y-” Suprised at her own furiousness Mrs.Stacy began to calm down again when she saw Anne's trembling body. Before Mrs.Stacy could do anything Anne stood up and looked her right in the eye. “ Billy Andrews had no right to touch Josie without her consent ! He then spread nasty rumours about her, because she didn't gave him what he wanted. S-She had to feel his lips on her lips.. His hands on her body without having a something to say about it. There is no way anyone could describe that as an... accident or.. her.. fault when it was clearly Billy who took advantage of her ! He's a threat !”, with shaking fists Anne took a deep breath. “I never mentioned his name or Josie's in the article.  My article is about the right of us women.  Our right to say no !  To be the master of our body and soul !   We are so much more than some toys for dumb, dimwitted, atrocious people   like Billy, aren't we ? Actually, no one should be somebody's toy. So..I'm delighted to hear that the people think about what happened between Billy and Josie when they read my words. Josie did no wrong. And Billy should take the consequences for his obnoxious move on Josie !” Anne did not knew when tears started to form in her eyes as she kept on talking fast. “ I'm certainly not sorry for my words ! And I shall never be even when everyone else expect me to feel some kind of shame for my article. It would have felt utterly wrong if I did nothing to help my friend. Help her voice her anger and despair ! Call out for justice !” Now, she felt how she began to sob. “But..I'm sorry that my decision harmed our newspaper. And that I disappointed you which is really something I never wanted to do... I..I guess I'm wicked after all.” Without any second thought Mrs.Stacy wrapped her arms around her student leaving her barely room to breath. “No..No you're not”, Mrs.Stacy whispered as she had to fight back the tears. Slowly Anne disengaged from the hug and whipped her tears away. “I'm not ?”, “No..And I actually really like your article”, a smile formed on Mrs.Stacy lips “it is magnificent.” “But I would have prefered if you would have told me about the article before..So that we could have better planned how we proceed in this difficult situation.“ Anne nodded as hope returned back to her. “You can't imagine how relieved I am now, Mrs.Stacy ! And I'm deeply sorry for not telling you about the article.. But I assumed you would not let me do it, if I had asked you about it.” “True, indeed.” They shared a laugh. Looking eye to eye Mrs.Stacy offered to bring Anne home which she accepted. The rain may have stopped falling but it still was unusual dark for a summer day in Avonlea.

On their walk to Green Gables they exchanged idea what they could do to rescue their newspaper and help Josie. “We could organize a protest..if the others are willing to help”, Anne suggested still feeling like everyone is mad at her. “I'm sure they won't mind. They were just a bit..you know... It's a good idea and we should at least give it a try, shouldn't we ?” “ Absolutely, I already have soooo many ideas for the signs !” “Thank you for escorting me home, Mrs.Stacy.” “ Have a nice day..and Anne ?” “Yes, Mrs.Stacy ?” “You're not alone. We are all here to support you, so please don't always handle the things on your own when you have people who can and want to help you. You can't do everything on your own. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about.” “I know..I feel truly blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.” Satisfied with herself Mrs.Stacy went home. At first she felt so powerless because she did not know how to help Anne. But now she knew what she could do for her student, for each of her students and their newspaper. She also was sure that she could believe Anne's accusation regarding Billy Andrews. Especially after Anne told her about the encounter she had with Billy in the woods when they passed the place on their way to Green Gables. Anne told her how lucky she was that someone rescued her from him fearing what could have happened if this one person - whose name Anne did not found important enough to mention- would not have appeared. Billy Andrews was a threat. And Mrs.Stacy swore herself as she opened the door to her house that she would make sure that he would get the penalty he deserved but also help for changing himself. Because at the end of the day his bad behaviour must come from somewhere. Mrs.Stacy was ready to fight for her students,their newspaper and the rights of woman !

---------------------------------- Omg that was a hard one.. Especially because I wanted to show that nobody deserves to be treated this way and it is not always so that men are the offender and such things. Hope you like it..And I'm excited but also terrified because of Episode 7 !  

[all-the-fictional-lesbians]

Maggie solving a case Alex can't but she also doesn't have the heart to tell Alex she could solve it by herself because Alex was soooo interested on it

I feel like this is not exactly what the prompt asked, but this is what popped up in my head! Hopefully you enjoy! 

Also, send me more prompts to my inbox!

Alex walks down the hall towards her and Maggie’s apartment, carrying a box of pizza and a case of beer with her. Kara is right behind her, carrying another pizza as well as a bag of potstickers. They’re laughing at some ridiculous Catco story that Kara is telling her as she unlocks their door, opening it for her and her sister.

Walking in though, she quickly turns and puts her finger to her lips, shushing Kara.

The blonde looks confused but shuts her mouth and looks around Alex to see what was going on. She smirks when she sees Maggie passed out on the couch, her arm slung over the edge and a case file lying on her chest, almost covering her face. There are also a million other folders and papers spread out on the coffee table and floor around her.

Kara looks back to her sister and sees Alex gazing at Maggie with an affectionate smile, looking at her like she is the most precious thing in the entire Universe. Which, Kara knows Alex believes to be true.

“She’s been working on a new case the last couple of days,” Alex whispers. “She’s been working 24/7,” she sighs, shaking her head slightly. She knows that Maggie’s work is important to her, but Alex also thinks that she overworks herself sometimes. And that is really saying something coming from someone like Alex, who works constantly as well.  

Alex sets the pizza and beer down on the kitchen island before turning back to her Fiance. She smiles affectionately at the woman as she kneels down in front of her. She grabs the case file off of Maggie’s chest and lays it down on the coffee table with the others. She runs her fingers through Maggie’s hair softly, “Baby,” she says quietly, trying to rouse her fiance. “Baby, wake up,” she says just a bit louder.

Maggie scrunches her nose up and lets out a small whine. She turns over onto her side, snuggling into the couch and lets out a deep sigh, her whole body relaxing once again. Alex just smirks as Maggie seems to fall back into a peaceful sleep, clearly not wanting to wake up. She knows that the woman is exhausted, but Alex wants to at least try and move her to the bed.

Kara places the pizza and potstickers down and moves closer to the couple, though she stays far away enough to give them some sort of privacy. She just can’t help but watch them interact like this. They’re both such strong and badass women with tough exteriors when they are at work and out in public. It’s refreshing to see them being so soft with each other. Especially her sister, because she had never seen Alex be affectionate or take a liking to anyone. Other than her, of course but that was a different kind of affection. She’d always wanted this for Alex.

She watches with a soft smile as Alex leans down and starts placing kisses all over Maggie’s face, making the smaller woman groan cutely.

Alex just giggles and keeps kissing her all over. “Wake up, beautiful,” she says with a smile. She pulls back and finally sees Maggie open her eyes and look up at her. She looks annoyed, but Alex knows she’s just pretending. “Hi baby.” she greets, when their eyes finally meet and it makes the annoyed look melt off of Maggie’s face.

“Hi,” Maggie says softly, a yawn escaping her lips. She brings her hands up to caress Alex’s cheek, smiling lovingly at her. “You’re home,” she says happily, and Alex nods, smiling at her fiance, who is still half asleep. She’s always even more adorable when she’s tired.

“Kara is here,” Alex tells Maggie, not wanting her to be taken by surprise. She also knows that sometimes, Maggie isn’t quite as affectionate or ‘soft’ when other people are around. She likes people to think she is tough. Though even Kara knows it’s all a facade. Not that she isn’t tough, but that she can be a huge softy.

Maggie looks past Alex and sees Kara smiling at the two of them. She lets her hand drop from Alex’s face and smiles back at Kara. “Hey little Danvers,” she greets, pushing herself into a sitting position on the couch. She sighs and shakes her head a bit, trying to wake up, and then it hits her. “Oh god, I totally forgot it’s sister night,” she says, putting her hand on her forehead. “I’m sorry, let me get all of this cleaned up,” she says, starting to sort through all of the paperwork.

“Hey, Maggie, stop,” Alex says, placing a gentle hand on her arm. “It’s no big deal, alright? I know you’ve been working really hard on this case. A bit too hard,” she says, giving Maggie a look. They’ve already had this argument a few times.

Maggie just returns the look and then continues picking up all of her work though not as rushed this time. She’s actually hit a break through with the case and arrested someone today. Though, they are still working on proving that he did it and getting him put behind bars permanently. She’s pretty confident that they have a sturdy case against him though.

“What is the case anyway?” Kara asks curiously. She sits down on the other side of the couch and grabs one of the folders on the coffee table.

Before Maggie can respond, Alex speaks up. “A girl was attacked. She’s only 15,” she responds, moving to sit up on the couch as well. She puts a comforting hand on Maggie’s back, rubbing small circles, before looking at Kara and continuing. “They’re thinking it’s a hate crime. She’s gay, and an alien.” Alex adds softly, glancing over at her fiance. She knew the case had hit Maggie harder than other cases.

“Well did the girl see who it was?” Kara asks curiously.

“She’s saying she didn’t see them,” Alex answers. She and Maggie had many conversations about the case the last couple of days, and she felt she was pretty caught up on it.

Maggie would normally be annoyed with someone for jumping in and answering questions about her case like that, but it didn’t really bother her this time. She knew that Alex was just feeling protective of her. The first day that Maggie had told her about the case, she’d broke down crying over it.

“Mags, why don’t we try and help you with the case? I’m sure that we can figure it out together.” She says, turning to look at her girlfriend, hopeful.

Maggie wants to tell her that it’s all pretty much solved and closed, but Alex looks so excited at the prospect of helping her with this case she’d been so upset over. “Alex, it’s fine. We will get it figured out, you and Kara have your sisters night, alright?” She tells her, placing a gentle hand on Alex’s thigh.

“Maggie, I want to help you. And I want to help this young girl. She deserves justice, and I know that we can solve it together. I mean, we even have Supergirl with us.” She says, looking over at Kara. “Or you know, Kara, who is way better than Supergirl anyway,” she says, nudging her younger sister.

“Alex-

“I’d be more than happy to help,” Kara adds, nodding her head along with Alex’s plan.

Maggie looks at the eager face that her fiance is making and just sighs. “Yeah, okay,” she says, not being able to say no to Alex. She’s already pretty much solved the case on her own, but it couldn’t hurt to have Alex look over everything, just to see if she gets the same conclusion. Plus, she knows that it makes Alex happy to be able to help her with cases.

“Where do we start?” Alex asks, grabbing some paperwork off the coffee table, her and Kara both looking over everything with excitement.

Maggie just chuckles and shakes her head, watching the two of them. Sometimes it seems like they have more fun with her “old fashion plain police work” than they do with their rogue aliens. Plus, Alex always gets so happy when she helps solve a case. Most of the time, Maggie could have done it perfectly fine on her own, but she doesn’t have the heart to tell Alex that. She likes making her happy, plus she always loves being able to work with Alex.

---

“So wait....” Alex says, pausing to turn and look at Maggie. They’ve been looking over all the files and evidence for about an hour now, putting two and two together. “It was her Dad...” she concludes, after looking over all of Maggie’s interviews and evidence she had gathered in the past few days. “Her dad hurt her...” she says in a more quiet voice, turning more fully to Maggie.

“That’s what I’m thinking, yes,” she nods, trying not to let emotion show. This case had hit her hard, and even harder when she’d figured out that it was the girl’s father that had hurt her. But, she’d tried to be strong through it and not let the emotions affect her. She doesn’t like thinking about her father or letting what he did to her affect her life now. She’s done wasting time on thinking about him. Though, it’s been a lot harder than she thought it’d be.

Alex opens her mouth to say something but then closes it, not really sure what to say. She puts the case files down and turns all the way facing Maggie, pulling her feet up on the couch. “Baby...” she says softly, pulling Maggie into a tight hug. “Are you okay?” She asks, pulling away, but staying close.

“I’m okay,” she nods, though she has some tears in her eyes. She’d been keeping it together pretty well, but when Alex hugged her like that, some of her emotions seemed to have slipped through the cracks. “I just want to get the bastard...” she says, her teeth clenching.

“You already had this case solved, didn’t you?” Alex says knowingly, as she wipes tears away from Maggie’s face. She then reaches out for another piece of paper she had come across, talking about having the girl’s father in custody.

Maggie just shrugs sheepishly. “Yeah.. I mean, it’s still not closed, but it will be.” She confirms. “We just have to go to court,” she explains.

Alex smiles comfortingly at her. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She asks, running her fingers through Maggie’s hair. She always loves playing with Maggie’s hair. And luckily, Maggie always finds it comforting so it works out for them both.

“I was going to when you got home, but then you were so excited to help...” she says, trailing off and shrugging her shoulders shyly again. “I figured it wouldn’t hurt to let you look everything over. I know that you enjoy helping me and I find it adorable, and also really sweet,” she explains. “I just never had the heart to tell you that I don’t actually need your help with cases,” she admits.

Alex huffs and rolls her eyes, but can’t help but smile at Maggie. “You are perfect,” she tells her. But then she frowns. “Wait, cases? There have been other cases that you already solved before I started helping?” She asks, incredulously.

Maggie grimaces at her slip up. “Maybe,” she admits, reaching out for Alex’s hand. “I just love how happy it makes you, being able to help me. And there have been a couple of times that I actually did need your help, too,” she assures her.  

Alex sighs and shakes her head. “Honestly, I don’t do it because I think you need the help,” she admits, seriously, making Maggie look at her confused. “Maggie, you are the best at your job. Seriously, you amaze me, every day. I know that you are more than capable of doing things on your own.” she tells her with so much honesty that it brings tears back to Maggie’s eyes. “I just like working with you and helping you,” she shrugs. “It’s not because you need it, I just enjoy it.” She says with a shy smile. “We don’t get a lot of free time together either, so if working together gives me time with you, then I’ll take it.”

Maggie smiles and leans forward kissing Alex. “I love you,” she says softly.

“I love you too,” Alex says back. “Forever.”

“Okay....so I’m going to go...” Kara finally speaks up, standing up from the couch, where she had been awkwardly sitting. Honestly, she loved watching the interaction between them but she also felt a little like she was intruding. She just hadn’t wanted to get up in the middle of it and ruin a perfect moment either.

Alex and Maggie both let out small giggles, pulling their gazes away from each other and look over at the awkward Kryptonian, standing next to the fireplace.

“Kara, it’s okay,” Maggie says, wiping at her eyes. “You can stay,” she assures her.

But, Kara doesn’t look convinced. “No, it’s okay. You guys should be alone tonight. We can do sister night another night,” she says, biting on her lip. Of course she had been excited for their weekly sister night, but she also knows that sometimes the two of them need their alone time. And this seemed like one of those times.

“Kara,” Alex says with a sigh, but then stops. She wants to tell Kara to stay as well, but if Maggie needs her, then she wants to be there for her fiance. So she looks over to Maggie who is still wiping under her eyes, attempting to wipe away the mascara that she knows has probably run under her eyes from the crying.

Maggie glances at Alex and then back to Kara. “Kara, after the last few days, I could really use a sister night right now. So, it only makes sense that my sister is actually here.” she admits, making both Kara and Alex grin widely.

Kara claps her hands together, trying but failing to hide her giddiness. “Okay,” she says, not arguing with them anymore about staying. She grins at them both again before running over to the kitchen to start plating the food, and opening up beers.

Alex just looks over at her fiance and wraps her arm around her shoulders, both of them laughing at the youngest Danvers. “I really love you, so much,” Alex whispers, placing her forehead against Maggie’s. “Are you sure that you are okay?” She asks, wanting to double check. She knows that Maggie had dealt with her father a few months ago and she’s let go of a lot of those old pushed down feelings, but she is still worried about her.

“I’m okay, babe. I promise,” she confirms, nodding her head, keeping it pressed against Alex’s. “My dad at least didn’t physically hurt me,” she comments, though she knows that he had definitely left emotional bruises. “We caught the guy, and she’s going to be okay. This is why I love my job,” she smiles, pulling slightly away from Alex. “I want to be able to help people like her.”

Alex nods and smiles at her. “Well, you do an amazing job baby. That’s also why I like helping you. I just like watching you work. You really do amaze me, Maggie Sawyer,” she says, caressing Maggie’s cheek with her fingers.

“And you amaze me,” Maggie comments. “Why do you think that I don’t mind you helping? I love watching you work too.” she admits, both of them staring at each other with loving eyes.

That is until Kara makes a puking noise behind them. “You guys are seriously, so gross,” she says, but she has an affectionate smile on her face. “You are definitely relationship goals,” she says, handing them both a beer and a plate with pizza on it.

Maggie and Alex just roll their eyes and adjust themselves on the couch so that they can properly eat, though they’re still sitting as closely together as possible.

Kara sits down on the other side of Alex and leans over to look at Maggie. “Also, you called me your sister,” she says with a giddy smile.

Maggie groans and rolls her eyes. “Forget I ever said anything,” she jokes, knowing how overboard Kara can go. Maggie has never really been good with feelings, especially with anyone other than Alex. She loves Kara of course, she just doesn’t have as easy of a time showing it to her.

It’s something that she’s working on. And definitely getting better at.

“Of course you are my sister, Kara,” she finally says with a sigh, but a smile on her face. “Officially, in only another month,” she says, nudging her fiance with a wide smile.

“I can’t wait,” both Kara and Alex say at the same time, wide smiles on their faces. It just makes Maggie laugh out loud.

She loves her Danvers girls.

[queenofmosttrades]

Ethans First Surf

Hi there! Ethan is 1! Woohoo what a milestone! I don't know about you, but I like to take birthdays pretty seriously. Dave always makes fun of me but I truly love celebrating a persons date of birth. I mean think about it, its the day your journey began on this earth. I like to imagine what it felt like on that day to the people that welcomed the person being born. What was the weather like, the environment, where did it take place, how long, what was happening in the world on that day, how did word spread about the news, and on and on. Thinking about all these things really makes me appreciate the person, and the day and how all other days accumulated to bring us here, today, again, celebrating and appreciating birth and life...isn’t that a pretty big deal? I think so. 

Well for Ethan I can recall relatively easily because it wasn't all that long ago and I was very much involved haha. He was early, 2 weeks to be exact, we were in NYC, it was cold and the temperature was dropping by the minute (I remember the day after he was born was a polar vortex which was the coldest day of the year). We were so excited, and I felt so huge and wobbly that I couldn’t wait to meet this guy!! I was also in a bit of shock, I felt bittersweet because I was so used to and obsessed with, his older brother, Zack. I could not imagine a world with yet another baby. I was scared and nervous about how this would disrupt the perfect equilibrium we had at the time. Either way, we were about to find out. I’m sure most parents will agree that every time an additional baby is born, it’s an entirely new experience! Yes, the basic steps are the same for the most part, but the emotions, the level of difficulty, the adjustment period, it all varies, each time. I’m not going to lie, I definitely had this imposter type feeling for a bit. Sort of like who is this baby and where is his mother? My brain was so used to knowing and understanding that I had only one child that it took me a little bit of time to actually fully understand that I now have two! Strange, but true. Once reality did hit, so did a boat load of confusing and overwhelming emotions...oh the joys of post-partume, nod if you feel me! Honestly, that topic needs a whole separate post, which I’ll be getting to soon. 

This past year has been a bit of a blur. It all happen so fast, I feel like I need to hit the replay button and appreciate it more. But no, sorry that’s not part of the package dear. It happen, it’s gone and I just hope I took enough photos and videos to last a lifetime because time stops for no one. I hear it way too often and from all types of people. “Savor the moments, be present, appreciate this time, they won’t need you forever”, you know what I'm talking about, you've heard it too.  I know I know I know!!! But yet, I still catch myself checking my phone, checking the time, wanting to put them to bed because how dare I feel tired and want some alone time! It’s true, I feel this at times, and its possible you do too! I still also catch myself sometimes getting caught up in whatever random activity we’re doing and thinking it’s time for bath but ehh what’s another 15 min, I make the rules I can break them!  The point is, both feelings are felt and they are both valid, as well as everything in between.

I didn’t start out this post with the intention of going here but it just sort of happen, so there it is. Mama of two (a 1 year old and a 2 year old, sounds super insane when I say it out load) saying that even though we want to so badly be that perfect human that is focused on the kids when being with the kids, and truly loving every second we have with our little humans because we do know that it’s so fleeting; It is also so majorly ok to just want to put them to bed and just breathe, or drink or take a bath, or all three together :) This child raising thing is hard, and yet we have choosen it, some multiple times! We do it for various reasons but my reason is because I believe that helping mold and shape humans that will benefit this world and bring a little extra good into it makes me feel good about myself (so selfish of me, I know). Cheers! To this journey called parenthood! 

Here’s a shout out to some of the awesome vendors we used to help us create Ethan’s first surf birthday bash! 

Decor- @flowerland_decor

I’ve hired Sasha in the past and each time she amazes!

Photo- @glossymoment www.glossymoment.com

Also a return customer, he's reliable and speedy with the photo delivery.

Food- Hickory BBQ 

Easy to work with and the most important thing...the food tastes good!

Music- TriTide -find them on Facebook

Kept everybody grooving the entire time. I lost count of how many people told me they loved the music.

Entertainment- @clownsdotcom​

Second time using them and I LOVE them! They are on time, they are friendly, professional, and obviously the most important thing...they keep the kids entertained the entire time!!! 

Desserts- @joyofcakes

Literally a work of art! I felt bad eating these desserts.

Invites-@paperlesspost

Super reliable and organized. I always use Paperless Post whenever we throw any parties!

Attire- Ethan: 

https://www.rococlothing.co.uk/brands/paisley-of-london/paisley-of-london-boys-blue-waistcoat-suit-charlie/

            Zack:

https://factory.jcrew.com/p/boys-clothing/suiting/boys-thompson-suit-jacket-in-flex-chino/H5630?color_name=sandy-dune&noPopUp=true&srccode=Paid_Search%7CShopping%7CGoogle%7CPL_BPROD_SUITINGx_ACQ_XXX_EVG_COUSA_EN_EN_P_FACT_AW_CPC_PLA,Boys_SuitJackets_x_XXX,PRODUCT_GROUP,71700000033423186,58700003939892375,p31982098167&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Paid_Search&utm_campaign=PL_BPROD_SUITINGx_ACQ_XXX_EVG_COUSA_EN_EN_P_FACT_AW_CPC_PLA,Boys_SuitJackets_x_XXX&utm_content=Shopping&NoPopUp=True&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmsrxBRDaARIsANyiD1ogMCqQ0Q4r-JrsVdA5yIa2j1QdtQbatnVfgkaK1Z69sfIqcEHxVJAaAjd2EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

            Me: 

https://cynthiarowley.com/collections/dresses/products/talia-flutter-sleeve-maxi-dress?variant=17972136280129

           Dave: 

https://www.lyst.com/clothing/slate-stone-mens-short-sleeve-leaf-print-sports-shirt/

https://www.menswearhouse.com/p/joe-joseph-abboud-sky-blue-slim-fit-sport-coat-13N613N770?rrec=true

Makeup- @natalieskymu

I am soooo not a makeup person, and Natalie was able to listen to what I wanted and deliver!

Hope this brings some use to someone out there ;)

Suzanna 

[summylise]

Long Time, No See

A/N: yeah yeah I know I know. I'm supposed to be writing the next chapter of NSEND but DON’T WORRY because I still am. This was just a warm up with my OCs but then I realized that it could be a cute one-shot and tbh y’all are going to need it after this next chapter. soooo HAPPY B-DAY @unashamed-shipper !!!! You said the other day how you needed fluff so here ya go!!

prompt: imagine your otp, warm up

pairing: nalu

words: 2355

rating: T bc I say two swear words whoopsie

It’s been three years, two hundred and seventy days, and God knows how many hours since I last saw him but I could never forget him. Not the way his hair fluffed back when he ran his fingers through it, or the way he’d fiddle with the strings of his backpack and his Adam’s apple would bob when he was nervous, or the way his lips would quirk and light up any room he walked into. I can never forget the way his shoulders slumped and how he couldn’t meet my eyes when his drenched form stood in my doorway that night. I can’t forget the subtle way his breathing hitched when he told me and tears had pricked my eyes. I can’t remember the hint of salt I tasted when I kissed him for the last time, whether they were my tears or his didn’t matter. I won’t forget how I had laid in bed for the rest of that week, refusing to see anyone and responding only to my mother when she tried to console me.

He mentioned something about his work or danger or something, but frankly, my ears had stopped working after he said: “I’m leaving.”

It’s been three years since I’ve heard one word from him. Since I’d seen his face, heard his voice, felt his skin.

But today, something felt…different.

I get up a bit earlier than usual; sadly the only train straight to Narcís leaves at 4:30 opposed to my usual 9 am. Get out of bed is more of an overstatement though seeing as I about fall on my face when the alarm makes me about have a heart attack. If it isn’t the near-death experience that wakes me, it’s definitely the cause of the massive bruise probably forming on my lower back.

The rest of the morning goes by in a blur, but I’m luckily conscience enough to brew a fresh pot of straight black tea. If I’m going to make it to the train station without committing at least one felony, I’m going to have to down like a gallon of this shit.

I click the stove lighter and mentally go over the packing list in my head. I’ll only be gone a month, so the bare necessities are all I really need to worry about. Makeup isn’t that important; I’m just going for a personal vacation before college starts, so there’s no point in impressing anyone. I tap each finger as I check off box after box. Undergarments: check. Seven pairs of outfits: check. Toiletries: check. Spare money: check. Boarding pass:…

Dammit, where did I put that thing? My lip sneaks beneath my teeth as I fish for the ticket amongst the various piles on the dining room table. Probably should clean those up at some point.

Bill. Bill. Grocery ad. Bill. Bi-

The pot whistles just as I’m pulling out the white slip. I almost drop the darn thing when I race to stop the kettle before it wakes my mom in the other room. I let out a sigh of relief and tilt the water into my to-go cup. The pass goes in my purse, and I slip out the door with a whispered “I love you” to my mom.

                                                       ~~

The ride to Narcís was generally uneventful. It took about ten hours, but it honestly felt like three. Turns out sleeping through a vast majority of your trip distorts your perception of time a bit. Luckily though, I’m feeling much more refreshed and awake than I had that morning which is probably a blessing to those that have to deal with me for the rest of the day. I order a small lunch, just a sandwich, and some fruit along with a bottle of water to give me a bit more energy when the food cart rolls by.

I’m surprised at how much the scenery changes in the matter of a few states. Gone are the barren, rolling hills of Magnolia and here are the thick, colorful forests of Narcís. The sheer number of trees and wildlife astound me. I mean I had seen forests before when I had lived in Hargeon, but this was something else. They were everywhere, and where they were, they were deep. Thousands of pines lined the tracks for miles at a time. The area behind the vast rows was immersed in shadow due to the heavy presence of trees and brush and undergrowth. It was like I had entered a brand new world filled with life and comfort. Something about it felt…like home, like I belonged there and something was calling me back.

I snack on a sliver of pineapple as the last of a particularly thick patch of woods whizzed past my window. I quickly place the bowl on the empty seat across from me and leaned towards the window to see the town I would call home for a little while. It’s pretty small compared to those I had lived in in the Magnolia, its central area only spanning a few miles all around. Compared to my little pile of buildings in Hargeon, this might as well be a kingdom. The town itself was surrounded at all points by thick pine trees and maples. To the west sat the port to the ocean where they no doubt got their supplies seeing as the only way by land into the town is by train. The stores weren’t all that much, just a bunch of small, one-story buildings. They lined either side of a long road that spanned the entire length of the town, connecting it as a branch holds onto leaves.

I stumbled across this place when I was researching port towns for some history project in eighth grade or something and just happened to see my project when I was cleaning out my closet. The walls had been pressing in on me at that point, and I had decided to do something about it. I then started saving money and picking up hours at the coffee shop to begin funding my expedition. Now I was finally here, and the anticipation was killing me.

We pull into the main station, probably the biggest building in town, about five minutes later and I don’t waste one second before leaping onto the platform, almost losing my floppy hat in the process. I instantly collide with a gust of fresh, salty air and can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of my chest. My stomach leaps. I was here. I was finally here. I pull my suitcase behind me and approach the overlook facing the sea.

My mouth about drops to the floor. Water. Dark and blue and everywhere. From as far right to as far left as I could see. That vast expanse spreads up and over the far horizon in the distance. White seagulls fly overhead, cawing and begging for scrap that the few visitors drop in their haste to leave the metal contraption. I don’t turn back though; I can’t turn back. My eyes are glued to the blue and how the sun peeks out from behind dark clouds above to shimmer on the ocean’s surface. It really was like a sapphire, I noticed. The blue was slightly off, opting more of a dark, midnight hue, but the way the sun caught waves that crested and moved was spot on.

Another gust rushes through me, ruffling my hair and raising the hair on my arms. I almost shudder with the wave of freshness and belonging that hits me when the spray of salt caresses my face. My eyes drift back open, and I realize that I can suddenly feel the sun on my head. It takes me a second to piece together that my hat was no longer on top of my head.

I whip around, eyes grazing the concrete floor searching for the golden straw and pink flowers of my hat, landing, luckily, only a few feet away. I start towards it. Then stop dead in my tracks.

Because I see it. I see him. I first notice his hair then his rich, sage eyes then the way his mouth parts. The handle to my suitcase slips from my grasp. The hat floats away, all concerns of it blowing right along with it. Time stills. People filter from my vision until it’s just him. Just him and me.

I feel my lips part, my hands rising to cover them. I feel myself mouth his name. I hear my own, his voice floating towards me effortlessly in all its deep, whispered glory.

Then I’m running. And he’s running. And I have my arms wrapped around him so tightly I don’t know if it’s too hard or rough, but I don’t care. I don’t care. Because it’s him. And he’s here. And…and…

“Natsu,” I murmur, my whispered voice breaking.

I feel the tears sliding down my cheeks. I don’t bother to hide my sobs, and I tighten my hold around his neck. He tightens his grip, making it hard for me to breath. I know he’s struggling too, but I can’t bring myself to let him go lest he slip between my fingers again. He nuzzles into my neck. He mutters something against my skin. I feel something wet slide down my skin, and I know he’s crying too. I don’t pull back to see. I don’t loosen my grip in the slightest even though my body is shaking violently.

I pull back when I’m finally unable to get enough air in my lungs, but I don’t untangle my arms from around his neck. I realize that I have to lean back to meet his eyes this time. His rich, olive eyes shimmer with tears that also streaked thin lines down his face. His features are harder, stronger than before and his hair a bit thicker, a bit lighter with sun-kissed streaks of gold mixed with the now light rose. He now stands a head taller than me opposed to level with me all those years ago.

“Lucy,” he mutters back.

I can’t help the way my heart leaps at how his deep timber whispers my name as if he can’t believe that I’m here just like I can’t believe that he is either. A smile explodes across my lips.

“Yeah. It’s me,” I say back.

A toothy grin spreads across his face, and a thick laugh rumbles out of his chest and into mine. The sound sends my heart into a frenzy and reminds me how much I missed that sound. I can’t help the laugh that bursts past my lips at that noise. I feel his grip around me tighten, and my feet lift off the ground, and he spins me. And I laugh more. Because it’s silly. Because I’m happy. Because it’s him.

He sets me back down a moment later. My breath hitches again as I stare back into his eyes. I realize then, with a crushing sense of finality that he’s actually here after all this time. I feel my vision blur and a ball rise in my throat when it hits me how much his presence means to me and how much it hurt when he was gone. Not because he was one of the very few in my heart. Not because we were together. But because with him, I felt home; I finally felt right. And it was Natsu. And he was now a part of me, and I was whole again. And I just…

“I missed you,” I choke out. “I missed you so much.”

His smile softens, and he lifts a hand to wipe the tears streaming down my cheek.

“I missed you so much it ached. I missed you too. So, so, so much.”

His own eyes shimmer, reminding me for a moment of the ocean and how the sun made it sparkle like a jewel.

My smile grows, and I hiccup. I pull him down until his lips meet mine. My eyes slip closed. And it’s just us.

I kiss him with everything I have, all the pain, the loneliness, the longing. I press my lips so hard against his own, I know they’re going to bruise. He presses back with just as much intensity if not more. I don’t care that our teeth clack together when we collide or how our lips tingle with the other or the roaring of the blood in my ears. I just want to drink in as much of him as possible. The taste of salt and strawberries slips across my tongue when I slip it between his parted lips. My fingers weave into his hair and slide against his skin, basking in the warm feel of his skin against my own, the way his hair glides through my fingers. He groans against my mouth but continues his assault. His hands slide up and down along my back, trying to feel as much of me as he can. His fingers find the bottom of my t-shirt and slide under. I try to hide my shudder, but struggling is proving pointless.

I have to pull back, whether it’s to breathe or stop myself from caving in, I’m not sure. We both stand there panting, foreheads pressed together, taking each other in. We still can’t believe our eyes, our lips, our hands. I feel his eyes on me, but I can’t bear to open my own. I don’t want this to be a dream. I don’t want to wake up again only to find him not next to me.

I slowly slide my hand down his neck, down his chest, and around his back. I lean forward and press my face into his shoulder. My fingers tighten on the fabric of his shirt. He lets out a sigh and wraps his warm arms around my back beneath my shirt. His head buries into my hair, the movement so familiar, so…him. I allow his scent, the warm smell of a campfire and sandalwood washing over me, covering me, swallowing me whole.

And I let it. Because it’s Natsu. And I’m home.

[theconservativebrief]

On August 14, 2016, before a preseason exhibition game against the Houston Texans, then-backup San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat during the national anthem. No one noticed. At first.

Exactly two years later, the controversy over NFL players’ decision to protest against racial inequality by kneeling during the national anthem before NFL games has enmeshed the country’s most popular sports league — one whose 32 teams are worth roughly $75 billion, more than the MLB and the NBA combined — in a political and cultural firestorm it most definitely did not want. Though Kaepernick himself hasn’t played a down of professional football since January 1, 2017 (a home loss to the Seattle Seahawks), hundreds of other NFL players have continued to protest during the anthem.

And countless others, including President Trump, have railed against their allegedly “un-American” protest, with Trump calling protesting players “sons of bitches.” On Friday, Trump tweeted that “The NFL players are at it again”, adding that protesting players should be suspended without pay and “A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway.”

The NFL players are at it again – taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their “outrage” at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love……

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2018

Now, one of the world’s biggest sports leagues — one already battling a number of challenges, including a concussion crisis that could impact the way the sport is played at a fundamental level — is in an almost impossible quandary over the national anthem. On one side: its players, who want to be able to speak out on issues of importance to them just like athletes have in other sports. On the other: none other than the president of the United States, who wants nothing more than to continue to stoke a culture war fire that he believes can only benefit him politically.

The anthem protests began with Colin Kaepernick, who first sat during the anthem and then, after speaking with a former NFL player who had served as a Green Beret, knelt. He said he did so in response to a number of police-involved shootings aimed at unarmed black Americans and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, stating, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” a reasoning he expounded on on August 28, 2017:

I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country. I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone. That’s not happening. People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody.

Other players from across the NFL began to join the protest as the regular season began — in total, about 200 players have either knelt or sat during the national anthem since the protests began in August 2016. And so did athletes from other sports, like professional women’s soccer player Megan Rapinoe. Even some high school football teams began to kneel during the anthem. Though the NFL didn’t even have players on the field for the national anthem before 2009 (and the anthem is traditionally not a part of the television broadcast shown to fans at home), the issue became a lightning rod for discussions about race, inequality, and police brutality.

Miami Dolphins players kneel during the national anthem before their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 13, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Grant Halverson/Getty Images

And while the protests began before Trump’s electoral victory in November 2016, Trump became part of the reasoning behind some NFL players’ decision to protest, particularly after white nationalists marched in Charlottesville, Virginia, only to be referred to by Trump as “very fine people.” In a New York Times op-ed, then-San Francisco 49ers linebacker Eric Reid wrote:

I have too often seen our efforts belittled with statements like “He should have listened to the officer,” after watching an unarmed black person get shot, or “There is no such thing as white privilege” and “Racism ended years ago.” We know that racism and white privilege are both very much alive today.

And it’s disheartening and infuriating that President Trump has referred to us with slurs but the neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, Va., as “very fine people.” His remarks are a clear attempt to deepen the rift that we’ve tried so hard to mend.

But though some conservatives viewed Kaepernick’s protest as an expression of free speech, many on the right didn’t see it that way, seeing the protests as an example of the “politicization of sports” or “symbolic of how liberalism has been allowed to spread unchecked through our culture,” and, most importantly, indicative of anti-Americanism run amok, as NFL players “disrespected” the American flag and veterans of the wars fought to protect it. In October 2017, Vice President Mike Pence left a 49ers/Indianapolis Colts game when members of the 49ers knelt during the anthem. And some conservatives urged a boycott of NFL games in response:

Encourage this movement every way you can. Start by skipping the next game. Then LET PEOPLE KNOW that you’re not watching and WHY you’re not watching. Stop buying their merchandise. Trash them publicly for being unpatriotic and disrespectful to America. Hit them where it hurts, in the wallet. If you’re sick and tired of the way NFL players are behaving, that’s how you can change it. If you love football, no one’s saying it has to be forever. If the NFL does the right thing and starts putting heavy fines on players that disrespect America, feel free to tune back in. But, in the interim, if you want things to change, YOU have to be willing to change your behavior. As for me? I’m not watching a game this year, including the Super Bowl and you know what? I’m not going to miss it one iota. Not every conservative will join me in doing that, but if enough conservatives decide they’ve had it with football and turn the TV off, the NFL will change in a hurry.

The Republican National Committee even used the issue as a fundraiser, sending emails to constituents stating, “When the national anthem plays, President Trump proudly stands and places his hand over his heart out of respect for our flag, our country, and our heroes.” (Interestingly, President Trump also has referred to America as a “hellhole.”)

To understand what made the national anthem controversy — and the resulting potential boycotts — such a hot-button target, it’s important to understand a bit more about how the NFL works.

There are 32 NFL teams, with 53 active players on each team, for a total of 1,696 NFL players active at a time. The average NFL salary is $2.1 million, below both the NBA and Major League Baseball (but still pretty significant.)

But the players don’t hold the power in the NFL. NFL players have fewer bargaining rights than athletes in other major sports, while facing a significantly shorter career length than those playing other sports (about 3.3 years on average). NFL players, unlike athletes in other sports, do not have fully guaranteed contracts, meaning that a player could sign a five-year deal for a certain amount of money and potentially not receive the vast bulk of the agreed-upon salary. Allegedly, this is because of the NFL’s high injury risk, and the idea that players might not play as hard if they know their salary is guaranteed (though other sports where players face injury don’t do this).

In the NFL, the real power lies with team owners, like the Dallas Cowboys’ Jerry Jones, the New England Patriots’ Robert Kraft, and the Miami Dolphins’ Stephen Ross. In fact, the NFL’s 10 richest owners are worth a combined $61 billion. In a league that is roughly 70 percent black, all but two NFL owners are white. NFL owners are beholden not to their players but to fans, who spend money in the stadiums (which were often built with taxpayer money) and watch the games on television, where advertising dollars have raised league profits to record heights.

No wonder, then, that in the face of continued Trump tweets and commentary from Republicans and others about the national anthem protests, the protesting players got little support from team owners like Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, who compared protesting players to “inmates running the prison,” or from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who sent a letter to team owners in October 2017 saying, “Like many of our fans, we believe that everyone should stand for the national anthem.” That same month, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said any player who protested would be benched, and Trump tweeted his approval.

A big salute to Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, who will BENCH players who disrespect our Flag.”Stand for Anthem or sit for game!”

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2017

Now, with preseason games taking place and about a month left until the NFL regular season, the NFL owners and players are still battling over the protests. In the midst of concerns over cord-cutting (fewer Americans watching ESPN, CBS, and NBC NFL broadcasts on television), head injuries, and other problems, the NFL wants the anthem issue handled, for good. In May, the NFL and the owners agreed to a policy in which players would be expected to stand for the anthem if they were on the sidelines but were given the option of remaining in the locker room instead, with fines levied by the NFL for any protests.

Though it was intended to be a compromise solution, the deal didn’t make the players — or Trump — happy, with Trump tweeting two months later that players who kneel twice should be banned for the season without pay (though he praised the decision in May while adding that “maybe” protesting players shouldn’t be in the country). One Republican Congress member even compared kneeling during the anthem to Nazi salutes when he learned that the owner of the New York Jets might pay players’ fines for kneeling.

Meanwhile, NFL players who just wanted to go back to the pre-2009 system — where players stayed in the locker room for the national anthem — filed a grievance with the league via the NFL players union.

Many NFL players want to find a way to settle the issue — as do NFL owners and the league itself. “We need to go into this thing with an open mind, both sides, not so polarized,” Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, a member of the NFL players union’s ruling executive committee, told the Washington Post in July. And one NFL owner told SB Nation’s Thomas George, “ We are going to do more with [players] in their causes and in our communities. We listened to our fans who want the anthem and the flag respected. There is room for all of us to get along and keep the game healthy — the right way.”

But one important figure doesn’t want the issue settled: President Trump, who believes, as he reportedly told Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, “Tell everybody, you can’t win this one. … This one lifts me.” To Trump, there are “bad” race-related controversies for him to engage in — his reaction to the alt-right rally in Charlottesville, for example — and “good” ones, like putting himself on the side of patriotism and the American flag, and in opposition to “ungrateful” NFL players, many of whom have earned millions of dollars in the NFL (and most of whom are black).

A détente that would end the stalemate can only happen when all sides agree that an agreement not only could be reached, but should be achieved. And clearly, Trump doesn’t agree, believing that continuing to hammer at the issue (and on professional athletes in general) is not just important for him to do but also smart politics. And until he believes otherwise, the NFL anthem controversy will not go away.

Original Source -> 2 years of NFL protests, explained

via The Conservative Brief