It's shocking how quick the year has gone tbh.

But yeah I began brainstorming ideas for Nibs from talking to my buddy Scrabber around June-July time last year. The exact conversations have unfortunately been lost to account deactivations (blame Elon Musk for that for ruining twitter) but I do still have my first request of art I sent to Awzee which dated back to 13/07/2023 so for now, I'll dub that day as the starting point :)

Did I know what I was getting myself into? Absolutely not. Truth be told, I had just left a new group of friends I had met the year prior because my mental health was really taking a beating and I just couldn't keep up with it anymore. It was at the point where I worked my 8 hours of work, drove home, said hi to my parents then quickly had to shoot off to go see those mates again as we played DnD. If I had missed a day, I missed out on loot, levelling and just feeling like I missed an adventure. This was also twice a week and if one mate wanted to do something on a weekend, that was another thing I had to quickly attend.... That's not to say I didn't enjoy it at the time, I did, I loved rolling the dice but I just couldn't do it anymore. It lead to me needing to go to the doctors to be prescribed anxiety tablets which I'm grateful for and leaving the group has been for the greater good for my wellbeing.

So at this point I had lost some socialising, the only thing I used to see pop up was Scrabber drawing his art from time to time. Now we weren't the biggest of DnD buds, just played together sometimes and hung out a bit but hey it's an artist drawing cute art, I wanna help so I got him to draw something non furry related and that got us talking a bit more. I saw he had other sites he frequented where he really expressed himself more then I had ever seen in the DnD group and that was the furry fandom.

Now I was no stranger to furries, I've seen them before, mostly for the cringe side, in fact I once knew one back when I was 14-18 but we don't talk nowadays. Never really considered myself one as I had a one dimensional view of them as in they just dress as animals and that's it. Scrabber really helped explain things to me, how freeing it is to express well anything you like in this fandom, be it in art, media, dressing up, seeing others, like a whole lot. The fact that a large proportion of the community could be on the spectrum or part of the LGBTQA+ also resonated with me.

It felt like a safe place.

I thought fuck it, let's make one for shits and giggles. So me and Scrabber got to work brainstorming ideas for my own character. Fun fact I was thinking of doing a raccoon and mouse combo at a point as I do love both creatures and both features would suit me but I decided against it mainly due to the fact I wanted a 'simple' character, one that I, as a mspaint mouse and keyboard user at the time could easily draw to the best of my abilities. I did not want it to have complicated markings or shapes as I wouldn't be able to draw it and i'd have been sad aha.

A mouse was always gonna be a top contender tbh, especially because before I was on my prescription, I was a meek, anxiety driven mess and didn't like to talk too much in case I said the wrong thing and height wise, while not super small at 5' 3" it's still shorter then a lot of people I knew around me. Mice to me are adorable little creatures and knowing there's people outright frightened of them just makes me want to root for them a lil more ya know? A lot of Disney films I grew up with had such helpful mice in them too like Dumbo with Timothy, Cinderella with Jaq, Gus and the whole gang and a new favourite of mine The Rescurers with Miss Bianca and Bernard. I love these lil rodents so much :3

So after using a free base thing online, I had my mouse design with my chosen colours which I was happyish with, I can get to work commissioning something. I probably would have asked Scrabber to design the very first one but fate had another plan in mind. Scrabber had been retweeting my commissioned pieces from him and obviously linking my account which drew the attention (I think) of one Awzee/Maskofravens who then followed me. Why they followed this unknown mouse person I'll never know but was mighty nice of them. I was like who is this birb xD what a nice fella, lemme follow them back. Their art was great and they had a Patreon and was open for commissions. I just went fuck it, supported this random person and asked them hey I'm new to this fandom, can I commission a drawing and the rest is history... I have to also thank Awzee as they have a style of putting fangs onto their art pieces and seeing this on my first ever Nibs commission was like heh that's cool and I adopted it into her design from then on. (They sorta remind me when I used to love vampire stuff and I think they're cute on her too x3)

One year later to the day of messaging Awzee, I can safely say I am the happiest I've been like ever :3 - I have commissioned many artworks of Nibs from different creators, I now even draw her myself as I brought a second-hand tablet from Scrabber to hone my own art skills. I've brought lanyards, stickers, pins, plushies from many in the community. I've been to meets :O I've travelled far for meets :OO I've been to freaking Paris to meet a furry friend. This coming from someone who has never travelled anywhere far by myself for any reason. What the hell is going on?? I tell you what it is, it's because I'm happy. I feel me here, I don't have to hide my likes, no one shuns me for having a big fascination with Peridot from Steven Universe, they just do a happy jiggle furdance sometimes and just hug me. It's beautiful.

I started this year with getting in line for a Partial suit from SnarlinDarlin suits and now own it and have just been to my very first furmeet with her. (My first attended furmeet though was Brumfurs back in November 2023). I love my suit so dang much all, I can't believe I own something so amazing!

The biggest thing is meeting so many wonderful people who have shown me love, acceptance and such kindness. I wish I could shout everyone out but please know I love you all so dang much you have no idea. Thank you for being you and letting me join in <3

I will take the time to thank two very special people though. Scrabber, Scrablungy, you bird brain fun loving vulture. I owe so much to you that I don't think you may realise sometimes. You came into my life at the right time it would seem and I don't think I'd be here without you. Being in this fandom has brought us closer too which has been a blessing as we've gone on adventures in furmeets and beyond and I just can't imagine ever losing you in my close circle of friends ever now. You're stuck with me now xD - I love you bud and I will support whatever decision and adventure you decide on next <3

Key, Floppydoge, who isn't on furaffinity but I'll send this to him so he can read it, you my dear are one of a kind and have one of the most beautiful souls I've seen in a long time. The fact we bounce off each other's vibes and individual interests is the best! I know if I start gay crushing on a celeb (Sally Hawkins please look my direction someday uwu) you'd be right there with me and understand immediately. We've had many a late night deep dive discussions on serious or silly topics and most of all, I just thank you for being a bright warm comforting light in my life. I don't ever want to lose you and I'll support whatever adventure you decide on next as well <3


So that's my year overlook. What's to come next year? Who knows :D but I'm glad to be here, I'm glad to call myself a member of the furry community and thank you to anyone who read me ramble.

Much love all;
Nibs