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Posted 2 years agoMegaplex 2023
Posted 2 years agoI will be attending Megaplex this year! I have requested the vacation time already for Friday and Saturday and will head out Thursday night, assuming I can still get a room.
[Edit]
I have attempted to book rooms for Thursday through Saturday, but only Thursday is available within the block price, Friday is double that, and Saturday is completely booked...
SOOO...
I may not make some of the earlier events, as I do not intend to pay $300 for a single night's stay and I can't spend Saturday night anyway - which was my hope so I could attend the Greymuzzle Meet.
Urgh
If anyone is willing to share their room, please let me know. I can always bring a pool inflatable and sleep on that so long as there is room on the floor somewhere. I've done it before!
[Edit]
I have attempted to book rooms for Thursday through Saturday, but only Thursday is available within the block price, Friday is double that, and Saturday is completely booked...
SOOO...
I may not make some of the earlier events, as I do not intend to pay $300 for a single night's stay and I can't spend Saturday night anyway - which was my hope so I could attend the Greymuzzle Meet.
Urgh
If anyone is willing to share their room, please let me know. I can always bring a pool inflatable and sleep on that so long as there is room on the floor somewhere. I've done it before!
New Banner!
Posted 2 years agoI struggled to find a proper layout and representation of all of my characters, and not all of them made it onto the thing, but the ones I love most are there and that's what matters. Rey'na takes center stage, of course, as I have massive plans for her. Bianca and Signet are there, along with Ska'di and E'lira from my Skyrim series. Ra'isha Shadowborne of the "Skyclad" story is there, along with Ley'da the Blue, and Farris (from my second Skyrim series) and Sa'fyr (my current love) also make their presences known.
Several of my OCs are not represented, either because I haven't had any work done of them in a very long time, or because there is no art for them.
Images were drawn by the following artists, from left to right:
Farris - Arnold Febrian (https://www.facebook.com/arnold.febrian.3)
Ra'isha Shadowbane -
Felicia_Cat
Signet & Bianca -
Allatir
Rey'na -
Alishka
Ska'di and E'lira -
CrazyGlitter
Ley'da the Blue - Allatir
Sa'fyr -
tltechelon
Thank you to all of the amazing artists who have drawn my characters and I apologize if you are not shown!
Several of my OCs are not represented, either because I haven't had any work done of them in a very long time, or because there is no art for them.
Images were drawn by the following artists, from left to right:
Farris - Arnold Febrian (https://www.facebook.com/arnold.febrian.3)
Ra'isha Shadowbane -
Felicia_CatSignet & Bianca -
AllatirRey'na -
AlishkaSka'di and E'lira -
CrazyGlitterLey'da the Blue -
AllatirSa'fyr -
tltechelonThank you to all of the amazing artists who have drawn my characters and I apologize if you are not shown!
Rey'na's World Information
Posted 2 years agoFor those interested -
Rey'na's World - my latest series, will be posted with either my
Thursday_Prompt icon (the pen on paper) or with the image of Reyn'a drawn by Alishka. If you miss something, please be sure to check to see if anything was posted to the TP group, or just ask.
And PLEASE comment if you are reading. It's the only way I know I'm not screaming into the void. ^_^
Rey'na's World - my latest series, will be posted with either my
Thursday_Prompt icon (the pen on paper) or with the image of Reyn'a drawn by Alishka. If you miss something, please be sure to check to see if anything was posted to the TP group, or just ask. And PLEASE comment if you are reading. It's the only way I know I'm not screaming into the void. ^_^
Ra_Jhad_the_Skooma_Addict
Posted 2 years agoMy son has his own FA account! you can find him as 
Ra_Jhad_the_Skooma_Addict
Send him a "hello" and welcome him (officially) to the Furry Community!
Ra_Jhad_the_Skooma_AddictSend him a "hello" and welcome him (officially) to the Furry Community!
I Can't Draw...
Posted 3 years agoBut I'm going to learn.
Inspired by the past few stream commissions I've watched, I went out and bought a small WACOM tablet and looked up a "Learn How to Sketch" website with simple basics. First thing I learned - I can't draw circles. I also can't draw straight lines. I also have a hard time lining up the cursor where it was when I finished the last line in order to extend it. As a result, my very first attempt was rather... well... bad. But, as the saying goes, you have to SUCK at something in order to learn how to get better. So, that's what I am going to do.
I am NOT going to bombard this page with my awful attempts, at least until I do something that reasonably approaches some sort of skill, but the way I look at it, if I practice regularly (like I've written semi-regularly for most of my life), I will eventually become capable enough to be willing to share my dribs and drabs. Several years from now, with effort, I might actually be relatively good at things - enough to share, but for now? I don't think it's worth scarring anyone's eyes.
The truly talented make it look easy. I learned this while watching commission artists put amazing pieces together in a matter of hours from literally a blank page and a reference image. To get there takes time and effort.
I am taking my very FIRST step on a very long road...
Inspired by the past few stream commissions I've watched, I went out and bought a small WACOM tablet and looked up a "Learn How to Sketch" website with simple basics. First thing I learned - I can't draw circles. I also can't draw straight lines. I also have a hard time lining up the cursor where it was when I finished the last line in order to extend it. As a result, my very first attempt was rather... well... bad. But, as the saying goes, you have to SUCK at something in order to learn how to get better. So, that's what I am going to do.
I am NOT going to bombard this page with my awful attempts, at least until I do something that reasonably approaches some sort of skill, but the way I look at it, if I practice regularly (like I've written semi-regularly for most of my life), I will eventually become capable enough to be willing to share my dribs and drabs. Several years from now, with effort, I might actually be relatively good at things - enough to share, but for now? I don't think it's worth scarring anyone's eyes.
The truly talented make it look easy. I learned this while watching commission artists put amazing pieces together in a matter of hours from literally a blank page and a reference image. To get there takes time and effort.
I am taking my very FIRST step on a very long road...
What is "Cyberpunk"?
Posted 3 years agoHaving watched Cyberpunk: Edgerunners on Netflix and played Cyberpunk 2077 (again, with all the updates - not a bad game now), I purchased a book series on Audible called "Cyberpunk Saga - Books 1 through 3" and listened to the first forty minutes of it. Having been a fan of the cyberpunk genre from its outset (with Neuromancer, by William Gibson) and having played Cyberpunk 2.0.2.0. (the game that Cyberpunk 2077 is based on), I was quickly unenthused about "Cyberpunk Saga." I spent some time looking for reviews only to find two or three of them on the Audible site, most of which echoed my opinion that the series is more "sci fi" than Cyberpunk even though it does incorporate several elements of the Cyberpunk genre. Cyberware, dystopian megacorporations running the world and a 'fight the corp' mentality are not the only things that make Cyberpunk what it is. Gibson, Sterling, Dick and the others who wrote in the genre did more than just offer stories that were basically David vs. Goliath but gave insight into the lack of basic humanity and hopelessness that corporate-run futures offered. The "do or die trying" ethic (often 'do AND die trying') is an integral part of the genre - something that the Cyberpunk Saga series simply does not seem to follow. I read it (admittedly) due to the title, so I'm guessing the trap of the name works in getting the author an income, since it cost money to download it, and the only responses I got on repeated searches on the book and its title were posts on Twitter by the author to "read my series if you liked Edgerunners!"
So... While I am not a published author (in that genre) and I do not have a series that has been voiced by Audible (which was enough to get me to buy it to begin with), and I am by no means an expert on the genre despite my years of exposure and pleasure in reading it, I cannot in good conscience suggest this series if you are actually looking for a "cyberpunk" storyline. If you want a sci fi story with cyberpunk elements, sure! Go for it. But don't read it for the cyberpunk.
That being said, I am the first to point out that my own stories ("Milk Chocolate" being the latest) are hardly "cyberpunk" truisms anymore than what this author wrote! My stories are more "biopunk" than "cyber" though there is an element of cyber in it due to a variety of reasons. My stories have always had a positive ending, what with characters achieving their goals - again, not exactly something truly "Cyberpunk" in nature. So... Having deconstructed "Edgerunners" and compared what I discovered in this recent novel series, along with poring over my own works, I have decided to take a new route and try to get a bit more visceral...
Rewrites are inevitable as I go in to what has been done and alter it to better fit the genre. Feedback is always welcome and I'm curious to know if my alteration to style better "fits" the ethic I am trying to take part in.
Let's see where this biogenetically chromed dark future takes us, shall we?
So... While I am not a published author (in that genre) and I do not have a series that has been voiced by Audible (which was enough to get me to buy it to begin with), and I am by no means an expert on the genre despite my years of exposure and pleasure in reading it, I cannot in good conscience suggest this series if you are actually looking for a "cyberpunk" storyline. If you want a sci fi story with cyberpunk elements, sure! Go for it. But don't read it for the cyberpunk.
That being said, I am the first to point out that my own stories ("Milk Chocolate" being the latest) are hardly "cyberpunk" truisms anymore than what this author wrote! My stories are more "biopunk" than "cyber" though there is an element of cyber in it due to a variety of reasons. My stories have always had a positive ending, what with characters achieving their goals - again, not exactly something truly "Cyberpunk" in nature. So... Having deconstructed "Edgerunners" and compared what I discovered in this recent novel series, along with poring over my own works, I have decided to take a new route and try to get a bit more visceral...
Rewrites are inevitable as I go in to what has been done and alter it to better fit the genre. Feedback is always welcome and I'm curious to know if my alteration to style better "fits" the ethic I am trying to take part in.
Let's see where this biogenetically chromed dark future takes us, shall we?
The Creative Rush and Similar Issues
Posted 3 years agoSkyrim has been updated on Steam, meaning that, until the guys over at the Script Extender (which makes all the amazing mods I use work properly) catch up, I can't play the one game I play nearly every day as an escape from this world. As a result, I dipped my feet into Sea of Thieves before pulling up my old "Reyna in Fallout 4" playthrough and then abandoning it due to the overwhelming sense that I needed to write something more about her story before playing again. Then, suddenly, it was late and I needed to go to bed or risk sleeping through work (which is never a good thing, regardless of how old you get).
So, I woke up thinking about the "Skyclad" piece I wrote a short time ago and then realized that someone had Favorited one of my "Rena in Real Life" stories, which I need to continue... So, thankfully the workday is slow and I was able to punch out a pair of short pieces for both storylines... Well, not really storylines as neither seems to have a "story" to them, as much as "short vignettes" or perhaps, "scenes." The imagery for the Skyclad piece has been so VIVID in my mind for a while that I pretty much HAD to write it down or it would keep haunting me. The Rena story just felt like it needed some sort of... extension... I couldn't just leave it where it was, after all. Something had to happen afterward... Right?
And then, I started to think about what and where I would take the story for Reyna in Fallout 4, only to realize that only a few folks had read it and only 1 person had favorited the last piece I wrote - which brings up the question every author ends up asking themself at some point: "Why am I writing this if no one is going to read it?"
Sure, "Write for yourself" is a regular thing and I often do... But if you DO write for yourself and no one proceeds to read it afterward, aside from the practice it gave, what is the point?
"Does what I write have any meaning or purpose?"
"Does anyone care about what I write?"
"Will it exist beyond me, or am I wasting my time?"
"Is it really worth reading, anyway?"
"Why am I doing this if no one cares?"
You know... If you're an author, that is... You KNOW. The questions that haunt us all when we sit in front of the screen and stare at an empty page... Or even when we are lying in bed at night and the creative juices are flowing and you're telling yourself (yelling at yourself, really) to try and remember these AMAZING scenes so you can try to recreate them the next time you have time...
I enjoyed writing the first two. I had an idea for the third, but it seems like a lot of work for very little reward...
So, I woke up thinking about the "Skyclad" piece I wrote a short time ago and then realized that someone had Favorited one of my "Rena in Real Life" stories, which I need to continue... So, thankfully the workday is slow and I was able to punch out a pair of short pieces for both storylines... Well, not really storylines as neither seems to have a "story" to them, as much as "short vignettes" or perhaps, "scenes." The imagery for the Skyclad piece has been so VIVID in my mind for a while that I pretty much HAD to write it down or it would keep haunting me. The Rena story just felt like it needed some sort of... extension... I couldn't just leave it where it was, after all. Something had to happen afterward... Right?
And then, I started to think about what and where I would take the story for Reyna in Fallout 4, only to realize that only a few folks had read it and only 1 person had favorited the last piece I wrote - which brings up the question every author ends up asking themself at some point: "Why am I writing this if no one is going to read it?"
Sure, "Write for yourself" is a regular thing and I often do... But if you DO write for yourself and no one proceeds to read it afterward, aside from the practice it gave, what is the point?
"Does what I write have any meaning or purpose?"
"Does anyone care about what I write?"
"Will it exist beyond me, or am I wasting my time?"
"Is it really worth reading, anyway?"
"Why am I doing this if no one cares?"
You know... If you're an author, that is... You KNOW. The questions that haunt us all when we sit in front of the screen and stare at an empty page... Or even when we are lying in bed at night and the creative juices are flowing and you're telling yourself (yelling at yourself, really) to try and remember these AMAZING scenes so you can try to recreate them the next time you have time...
I enjoyed writing the first two. I had an idea for the third, but it seems like a lot of work for very little reward...
I Do NOT Learn
Posted 3 years agoTwo years ago, I got scammed when I tried to move into a house for much less than it should have been offered for. The signs were there, but I was too caught up in things to notice. TODAY, the SAME THING happened, only not with housing... I received a message on a Youtuber's website (whom I frequent - famous for Warhammer 40K deep-dives) that I had won a PS5 in a giveaway he was holding. Tickled just to hear from my favorite WH40K YouTuber, I ignored the warning signs AGAIN and sent money for shipping only to get asked after doing so for "Custom" fees. Only THEN did my scam warnings go off, but by then, I was out over $150.
Why am I admitting this here? Because it means I won't have the sort of money to spend on anything cool and neat and wonderful by the amazing artists around here for a bit longer while my DAMNED FOOL SELF tries to make up the loss!
GRRRRRR!!
And yes, my brain DID try to warn me when he asked ME to pay for shipping for something I'd won (usually, that would be taken care of by the awarding institution/company), but GODDAMN IT, I was caught up in the moment.
Why am I admitting this here? Because it means I won't have the sort of money to spend on anything cool and neat and wonderful by the amazing artists around here for a bit longer while my DAMNED FOOL SELF tries to make up the loss!
GRRRRRR!!
And yes, my brain DID try to warn me when he asked ME to pay for shipping for something I'd won (usually, that would be taken care of by the awarding institution/company), but GODDAMN IT, I was caught up in the moment.
Megaplex 2022, Day One
Posted 3 years agoCasual Rah'ziir made an appearance on and off throughout the day today. Surprised to find that some folks thought he was cool enough to take a pic of even in bluejeans and a T-shirt.
Ran into
Helixthefallen (about time!) and chatted a bit, saw 
onic and 
kiyofox and got to see Onic in his fursuit! Spent much of the day just sort of wandering around solo (which is rather standard, somehow). Had several convos with random folks at random times. Met a kitty cosplayer who came from SOUTH KOREA to Megaplex before returning to San Francisco for school this year... Realized yet again that a fur con is the one place where it is perfectly normal to freak out over someone's appearance and have them freak out in happiness when you do. "You have the coolest ears!" "I love your feet! OMG!" "LOOK AT THOSE EYES!!"
Coolest (and most random) find was a fantastically well-done Stolas (from Helluva Boss), whom I had to get a picture with. ..
Startled to find that 5 hours of parking cost $32(!) dollars when I left... Not having a room means that, when you run out of gas, it's pretty much time to get in the car and drive home.
Not sure if I will be up early enough to make the Greymuzzle's Breakfast tomorrow. It starts at 7 and I live an hour away, so we shall see!
Ran into
Helixthefallen (about time!) and chatted a bit, saw 
onic and 
kiyofox and got to see Onic in his fursuit! Spent much of the day just sort of wandering around solo (which is rather standard, somehow). Had several convos with random folks at random times. Met a kitty cosplayer who came from SOUTH KOREA to Megaplex before returning to San Francisco for school this year... Realized yet again that a fur con is the one place where it is perfectly normal to freak out over someone's appearance and have them freak out in happiness when you do. "You have the coolest ears!" "I love your feet! OMG!" "LOOK AT THOSE EYES!!"Coolest (and most random) find was a fantastically well-done Stolas (from Helluva Boss), whom I had to get a picture with. ..
Startled to find that 5 hours of parking cost $32(!) dollars when I left... Not having a room means that, when you run out of gas, it's pretty much time to get in the car and drive home.
Not sure if I will be up early enough to make the Greymuzzle's Breakfast tomorrow. It starts at 7 and I live an hour away, so we shall see!
Megaplex 2022 Info Meme
Posted 3 years agoStolen from Onic
Convention attending: Megaplex!
Days Attending (I'm not staying): Saturday and Sunday
Who are you rooming with? Not staying
Where will you be? Wandering about
How is the best way to find you? I will likely be sitting on the sidelines watching things happen, either in the main hall or in a random event or seminar. I'll be wearing one of the following T-Shirts: Black "Angry Loona", Black "Sexy Renamon" or Black "Free Dad Hugs" T-shirt. I'm sporting a full Santa beard at the moment.
What do you look like? If I am suiting, look for my avatar. If I'm not, I'll be the slightly-overweight Santa-bearded guy likely sitting and watching everyone wander past.
What is your gender? Male
How old are you? I look like a Dad. I am a Dad. I have a Dad bod.
Can I talk to you? That is literally why I am there.
Can I hug and/or snuggle you? I love hugs. Snuggles are for people I know well.
Are you nice? Yes?
If I see you, how should I get your attention? Say "Neko!" and chances are I will look up (unless I'm busy). If that doesn't work, call out "Rah'ziir"!
What can't we talk about? Pretty much anything - just stay away from any Far-Right or Far-Left memes. They're all ridiculous.
Can I get you something to drink? Sure?
Can I take your picture? I don't mind. I'm not terribly photogenic, but if I'm fursuiting, then go for it!
Attending any events? Aside from the Thursday Prompt Writer's Breakfast, I have no idea.
OnicConvention attending: Megaplex!
Days Attending (I'm not staying): Saturday and Sunday
Who are you rooming with? Not staying
Where will you be? Wandering about
How is the best way to find you? I will likely be sitting on the sidelines watching things happen, either in the main hall or in a random event or seminar. I'll be wearing one of the following T-Shirts: Black "Angry Loona", Black "Sexy Renamon" or Black "Free Dad Hugs" T-shirt. I'm sporting a full Santa beard at the moment.
What do you look like? If I am suiting, look for my avatar. If I'm not, I'll be the slightly-overweight Santa-bearded guy likely sitting and watching everyone wander past.
What is your gender? Male
How old are you? I look like a Dad. I am a Dad. I have a Dad bod.
Can I talk to you? That is literally why I am there.
Can I hug and/or snuggle you? I love hugs. Snuggles are for people I know well.
Are you nice? Yes?
If I see you, how should I get your attention? Say "Neko!" and chances are I will look up (unless I'm busy). If that doesn't work, call out "Rah'ziir"!
What can't we talk about? Pretty much anything - just stay away from any Far-Right or Far-Left memes. They're all ridiculous.
Can I get you something to drink? Sure?
Can I take your picture? I don't mind. I'm not terribly photogenic, but if I'm fursuiting, then go for it!
Attending any events? Aside from the Thursday Prompt Writer's Breakfast, I have no idea.
Megaplex 2022
Posted 3 years agoI have (finally) registered to attend Megaplex 2022 as a sponsor. I'm not entirely sure how many days I will actually be there, or if Rah'ziir will make an actual appearance or not, but I do intend on attending the Thursday Prompt writer's breakfast on Sunday morning! If you are interested in meeting up before that event, let me know as I find conventions (in general) incredibly boring if I am there on my own (which is often the case).
Rah'ziir will most likely come with me (and be available to show up if anyone wants to meet him), but I've noticed he tends to be more popular at Renaissance Festivals than at furry conventions (mainly because tons of Skyrim players go to the Ren Faire and recognize him as the Khajiit he actually IS).
On a side note, I have requested Saturday off, so may be there around 10-11-ish, if anyone wants to hang out. ^_^ If Rah'ziir is going to show up, that will be the day he does.
Rah'ziir will most likely come with me (and be available to show up if anyone wants to meet him), but I've noticed he tends to be more popular at Renaissance Festivals than at furry conventions (mainly because tons of Skyrim players go to the Ren Faire and recognize him as the Khajiit he actually IS).
On a side note, I have requested Saturday off, so may be there around 10-11-ish, if anyone wants to hang out. ^_^ If Rah'ziir is going to show up, that will be the day he does.
Ska'di Ironclaw & The Future
Posted 3 years agoSka'di Ironclaw's story is complete! Only the fourth or maybe fifth full-length story I have ever written to completion, I think I have learned a lot (especially thanks to my mentor helixthefallen) and have told a story consistent with its own lore and the personalities of the characters involved. Given that most of my pieces are only ever written with the particular 'scene' in mind, I have always struggled with longer pieces, as I try to cobble a consistent narrative and backstory into what I am writing about. I like to believe I was able to do that a bit better with Ska'di than with most anything else I have written in the past.
For the future, I am currently working on my Dr. Rena Swann's Scientific Journal - a continuing story but done in a journal fashion, so that the narrator is just as fallible as the protagonist (as it is written in her own words). This means there are aspects of the Fallout 4 world that are being seen dramatically incorrectly, as Dr. Swann (our Renamon stand-in for this storyline) is an Institute scientist, with all that means for her ethical values and view of the post-apocalyptic world. She makes... poor... decisions as seen from the aspect of having played the game as the intended hero/heroine, and some of her goals and guiding principles are inherently selfish due to her upbringing.
I personally think this makes for a fun way to explore the Fallout 4 wasteland, as it is entirely different from the game's intended protagonist (who is also following what amounts to a selfish goal, but who has a far more altruistic personality depending on how you play them). Dr. Swann is a deeply flawed character and it is entertaining to explore the world through her eyes as she goes about her own Institute-upbringing-inspired efforts. As she becomes an unwitting hero to the people of the Commonwealth, will that change her personality? Does she even recognize that, by her own selfish actions to set up safe houses and places to sell things, she is actively aiding the hopeless and lost of the wasteland by providing them succor and some semblance of a functioning society? If she ever does come to that realization, will she care?
In any case, if you are reading it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I can't wait to see what she does in the future and how (or whether) it affects her as an individual and protagonist.
helixthefallen) and have told a story consistent with its own lore and the personalities of the characters involved. Given that most of my pieces are only ever written with the particular 'scene' in mind, I have always struggled with longer pieces, as I try to cobble a consistent narrative and backstory into what I am writing about. I like to believe I was able to do that a bit better with Ska'di than with most anything else I have written in the past.For the future, I am currently working on my Dr. Rena Swann's Scientific Journal - a continuing story but done in a journal fashion, so that the narrator is just as fallible as the protagonist (as it is written in her own words). This means there are aspects of the Fallout 4 world that are being seen dramatically incorrectly, as Dr. Swann (our Renamon stand-in for this storyline) is an Institute scientist, with all that means for her ethical values and view of the post-apocalyptic world. She makes... poor... decisions as seen from the aspect of having played the game as the intended hero/heroine, and some of her goals and guiding principles are inherently selfish due to her upbringing.
I personally think this makes for a fun way to explore the Fallout 4 wasteland, as it is entirely different from the game's intended protagonist (who is also following what amounts to a selfish goal, but who has a far more altruistic personality depending on how you play them). Dr. Swann is a deeply flawed character and it is entertaining to explore the world through her eyes as she goes about her own Institute-upbringing-inspired efforts. As she becomes an unwitting hero to the people of the Commonwealth, will that change her personality? Does she even recognize that, by her own selfish actions to set up safe houses and places to sell things, she is actively aiding the hopeless and lost of the wasteland by providing them succor and some semblance of a functioning society? If she ever does come to that realization, will she care?
In any case, if you are reading it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I can't wait to see what she does in the future and how (or whether) it affects her as an individual and protagonist.
The Fate of Ska'di Ironclaw
Posted 3 years agoGentle readers,
For those of you who followed Ska'di while her story was written, please do not fret. I have not forgotten her, and I DO know how the story ends. I just need to sit down and write it. I didn't want people to think that this was "yet another story that was never finished." It will be, as soon as I get a moment that isn't overloaded with... life in general... at the moment. I just undertook a massive change in workload (with a pay raise, so that's a good thing) and my evenings are fairly busy with... a bunch of stuff. When I do sit and write for Rena Swann, it is in a sudden burst rather than planned, as Ska'di was.
You will see the end of her story! I promise! Just hold tight for a moment while I carve some time out of my increasingly busy schedule. ^_^
For those of you who followed Ska'di while her story was written, please do not fret. I have not forgotten her, and I DO know how the story ends. I just need to sit down and write it. I didn't want people to think that this was "yet another story that was never finished." It will be, as soon as I get a moment that isn't overloaded with... life in general... at the moment. I just undertook a massive change in workload (with a pay raise, so that's a good thing) and my evenings are fairly busy with... a bunch of stuff. When I do sit and write for Rena Swann, it is in a sudden burst rather than planned, as Ska'di was.
You will see the end of her story! I promise! Just hold tight for a moment while I carve some time out of my increasingly busy schedule. ^_^
Anthro Societal Norms(??)
Posted 3 years agoI am a storyteller by nature. I come up with worlds to base characters in and fashion adventures for them to go on, so as a result, I have a tendency to ask myself... questions... when I see tropes and repeating motifs in art found here and elsewhere. Recently, a couple of tropes/motifs/whatever-you-call-them have been drawing my inquisitive mind and I'm curious what the rest of you think. They are presented below in no particular order, but please identify which one you are talking about if/when you respond, as I'm curious how you think things would work.
Given:
1. A fully anthropomorphic "talking animal" society (a'la Zootopia or even a more 'humanized' phenotype)
2. Animals having "human-average" intelligence
3. All the issues animals still must face (one major example is 'heat', another would be carnivore/herbivore/omnivore relations)
A) Do you think that the trend of 'cum-dumpster' or 'free usage' style artwork depicts a method for females in heat to deal with their needs in a societally-approved fashion? I ask this because, at least 90% of the time, the individual in said position certainly seems to be enjoying themself, so it is unlikely that it is being forced (on at least the majority of those images presented).
B) Do you think that 'tat/fur-toos' are a regular thing that you can go and get at the local salon? Inked into the fur until it grows out and then replaced? Is it subdermal (ie. permanent) and the skin tone causes the fur to grow in that color?
C) How thin IS fur on the ventral portion of an anthro character? Is it millimeters in length and almost invisible? Is it longer, but some shave? Obviously, the variation of 'races' will have their own variations, but I am thinking "in general." Can you feel it, or is it so thin as to be like it's not there?
D) Given the predilection for (most) animals to not actually practice monogamy, do you think the races that do not would still practice marriage (if only for the social benefits it can offer to advanced beings - ie. a stable home and family members, income and the like)? If not, how open do you think they would be?
E) Similar to D, how 'free' do you think intelligent anthropomorphic characters would be sexually? Animals don't seem to have a concept of 'jealousy' (except in very specific instances of certain birds or mammals)... Are they in "open" relationships for the most part and only stick around to raise children (when that occurs)?
F) A lot of furry art shows characters in sexual or sexualized clothing. Some characters seem embarrassed by this fact (many do not - this can be put down to a trope or the like, but again, in general...). Do you think they would be embarrassed to be seen by anyone, or when they are seen by anyone other than their 'significant other'?
G) Lastly, regarding food... If all animals are intelligent (there are furry-lovers who like birds and reptiles and the like), what do they eat? Is there a line where they go from 'intelligent' (and therefore inedible) to 'dumb' (and therefore edible)? Sure, there are likely those who like to hunt live prey, and I'm assuming that such things would be either illegal or highly-frowned-upon (as in recent anime depictions), but there are still going to be those (especially those in power or decadent wealth) who will choose to cross that 'line'.
I understand that this is a matter of debate throughout the fandom and that there are novels and series about the ideas above, but I was curious as to the "general" consensus. No one is wrong. I'm just curious as to what people generally 'agree' upon, were the furry universe REAL. Feel free to list your replies below!
Given:
1. A fully anthropomorphic "talking animal" society (a'la Zootopia or even a more 'humanized' phenotype)
2. Animals having "human-average" intelligence
3. All the issues animals still must face (one major example is 'heat', another would be carnivore/herbivore/omnivore relations)
A) Do you think that the trend of 'cum-dumpster' or 'free usage' style artwork depicts a method for females in heat to deal with their needs in a societally-approved fashion? I ask this because, at least 90% of the time, the individual in said position certainly seems to be enjoying themself, so it is unlikely that it is being forced (on at least the majority of those images presented).
B) Do you think that 'tat/fur-toos' are a regular thing that you can go and get at the local salon? Inked into the fur until it grows out and then replaced? Is it subdermal (ie. permanent) and the skin tone causes the fur to grow in that color?
C) How thin IS fur on the ventral portion of an anthro character? Is it millimeters in length and almost invisible? Is it longer, but some shave? Obviously, the variation of 'races' will have their own variations, but I am thinking "in general." Can you feel it, or is it so thin as to be like it's not there?
D) Given the predilection for (most) animals to not actually practice monogamy, do you think the races that do not would still practice marriage (if only for the social benefits it can offer to advanced beings - ie. a stable home and family members, income and the like)? If not, how open do you think they would be?
E) Similar to D, how 'free' do you think intelligent anthropomorphic characters would be sexually? Animals don't seem to have a concept of 'jealousy' (except in very specific instances of certain birds or mammals)... Are they in "open" relationships for the most part and only stick around to raise children (when that occurs)?
F) A lot of furry art shows characters in sexual or sexualized clothing. Some characters seem embarrassed by this fact (many do not - this can be put down to a trope or the like, but again, in general...). Do you think they would be embarrassed to be seen by anyone, or when they are seen by anyone other than their 'significant other'?
G) Lastly, regarding food... If all animals are intelligent (there are furry-lovers who like birds and reptiles and the like), what do they eat? Is there a line where they go from 'intelligent' (and therefore inedible) to 'dumb' (and therefore edible)? Sure, there are likely those who like to hunt live prey, and I'm assuming that such things would be either illegal or highly-frowned-upon (as in recent anime depictions), but there are still going to be those (especially those in power or decadent wealth) who will choose to cross that 'line'.
I understand that this is a matter of debate throughout the fandom and that there are novels and series about the ideas above, but I was curious as to the "general" consensus. No one is wrong. I'm just curious as to what people generally 'agree' upon, were the furry universe REAL. Feel free to list your replies below!
Charity Commission Offer by Dolorosacake
Posted 3 years ago🟦🟨CHARITY YCH 🟨🟦
an hour ago
My city was massivly attacked yesterday, early in the morning 5-6 am. 5 explosions. That happened in ~3 km from my home. I thought that this would be my last seconds of life. Then it happened in the night, 3 explosions. My street full of rocket parts and my heart still aching, not cuz I scared to die, that cuz my dog could die and family.. But it can't compared to the situation in Bucha, I have no words about this, I have only pain. I wish I could cry to make it easier but I can't..
I wish I can return people to life..god but this never happens..
Till I'm alive I will help my people as much as I can. For this I made YCH. All funds will go on donations.
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/46639839/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/46639839/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/46639839/
Please put like to share this post..
Thank you for attention.
by
dolorosacake
an hour ago
My city was massivly attacked yesterday, early in the morning 5-6 am. 5 explosions. That happened in ~3 km from my home. I thought that this would be my last seconds of life. Then it happened in the night, 3 explosions. My street full of rocket parts and my heart still aching, not cuz I scared to die, that cuz my dog could die and family.. But it can't compared to the situation in Bucha, I have no words about this, I have only pain. I wish I could cry to make it easier but I can't..
I wish I can return people to life..god but this never happens..
Till I'm alive I will help my people as much as I can. For this I made YCH. All funds will go on donations.
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/46639839/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/46639839/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/46639839/
Please put like to share this post..
Thank you for attention.
by
dolorosacakeRe: Ska'di Ironclaw Pics
Posted 3 years agoI'm not sure if it's actually visible in the images, but each chapter has an image depicting where the story is taking place in Skyrim, sometimes with Ska'di and her friends, sometimes without. I'm tempted to load all of the chapter images on their own, but may do so once the story is over, unless there's an interest in seeing them at full size beforehand.
Story Organization
Posted 3 years agoI have to admit, I am a seat-of-my-pants kind of writer. I typically have an idea of characters and the challenge they are going to face, but rarely organize how they are going to face it and why they are facing it to begin with. As such, I realized that my Ska'di Ironclaw story is entering it's "third act" and that I need to start drawing the various strings together if I want to present a "whole and complete" narrative. As such, I went through each chapter and made short notes as to what happened in each, including the various clues I'd dropped along the way. Most of those clues were assembled together by the various characters in the story, but I then started thinking about the idea that, if the protagonist gets everything RIGHT before they get to the big finale, there's not much of a story once they reach that point.
As such, I had to go in, take the various bits and pieces and then extrapolate beyond what has already been written into the unknown lands of "Where the HELL is this story actually GOING?" and figure things out ahead of time. Several pages of notes ("what-ifs" and potential realities in random order of thought) followed the detailed examination of everything that I've included in the story so far. After all, you can't pull the threads together if you don't know which ones are out there...
I suppose what I'm saying is that, I've had this issue forever and this is the first time I've come to the realization I wrote above and actively worked ahead to FIX it. So... This old dog CAN learn new tricks. Let's just hope that it works well enough that this current story line ends well - cause, after all, it's one of the first long-term stories I've ever written that I ACTUALLY WANT TO FINISH.
For those who have been reading alongside while I write - thank you. It is because of folks like you that I actually keep writing. They say to "write for yourself" and that can be fun, but knowing someone is sitting there waiting for the next segment to come out gives you a whole new reason to actually WRITE.
As such, I had to go in, take the various bits and pieces and then extrapolate beyond what has already been written into the unknown lands of "Where the HELL is this story actually GOING?" and figure things out ahead of time. Several pages of notes ("what-ifs" and potential realities in random order of thought) followed the detailed examination of everything that I've included in the story so far. After all, you can't pull the threads together if you don't know which ones are out there...
I suppose what I'm saying is that, I've had this issue forever and this is the first time I've come to the realization I wrote above and actively worked ahead to FIX it. So... This old dog CAN learn new tricks. Let's just hope that it works well enough that this current story line ends well - cause, after all, it's one of the first long-term stories I've ever written that I ACTUALLY WANT TO FINISH.
For those who have been reading alongside while I write - thank you. It is because of folks like you that I actually keep writing. They say to "write for yourself" and that can be fun, but knowing someone is sitting there waiting for the next segment to come out gives you a whole new reason to actually WRITE.
Help Ukraine!
Posted 3 years agoFrom my friend, Dolorosacake's Journal:
Hello.
As we already now there is war in my country.
And I want to remind everybody that russian kills not only soldiers but and civil people too, they destroyed our houses, our homes, kill our children.
All I need from you now is sign of this petition
https://www.openpetition.eu/petitio.....e-over-ukraine
AND DONT BE SILENT IN THIS SITUATION DO EVERYTHING TO HELP UA🇺🇦
You can help our people
https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine
И так спец обращение для тех русских которые при уме и все понимают. Ваша помощь важна так же, выбирая сидеть молча вы являетесь участником геноцида украинского народа, разрушенных домов, убитых детей, стариков, подбитых скорых.
Помощь любому фонду из списка:
https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine
ЗАПОМНИТЕ русские те кто сейчас никак не помог ни голосом ни экономически а сидит только ноется в своих целых домах ВЫ ДЛЯ МЕНЯ МЕРТВЫ И Я ВАС НЕНАВИЖУ И ВЕСЬ МИР ВАС НЕНАВИДИТ
Dolorosacake's Journal:Hello.
As we already now there is war in my country.
And I want to remind everybody that russian kills not only soldiers but and civil people too, they destroyed our houses, our homes, kill our children.
All I need from you now is sign of this petition
https://www.openpetition.eu/petitio.....e-over-ukraine
AND DONT BE SILENT IN THIS SITUATION DO EVERYTHING TO HELP UA🇺🇦
You can help our people
https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine
И так спец обращение для тех русских которые при уме и все понимают. Ваша помощь важна так же, выбирая сидеть молча вы являетесь участником геноцида украинского народа, разрушенных домов, убитых детей, стариков, подбитых скорых.
Помощь любому фонду из списка:
https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine
ЗАПОМНИТЕ русские те кто сейчас никак не помог ни голосом ни экономически а сидит только ноется в своих целых домах ВЫ ДЛЯ МЕНЯ МЕРТВЫ И Я ВАС НЕНАВИЖУ И ВЕСЬ МИР ВАС НЕНАВИДИТ
Writer's Block Broken
Posted 3 years agoAs the title says, it appears that the challenges that have been facing me were not in the area of actually being able to generate content. Given a different environment and with less to actually have to generate on my own, I've been able to toss out 22 chapters of an adventure of my own design over the past two weeks. Now, I will admit that much of what happens is a direct result of gameplay, so there is a bit of cheating going on, but the fact remains that I have put out readable and enjoyable pieces to the tune of over 100 8.5" x 11" pages in a little less than 14 days.
So... A little suggestion for those of us struggling to generate something and feeling the need to write but not being able to: CHEAT.
I've been playing Skyrim as a new character and literally converting what I'm doing in-game into the story, but doing so with a writer's focus. Rather than a simple repetition of what is happening when I play, I try to describe the scenes and situations when I enter a new location. Using the characters already present in Skyrim and the dungeons that already exist, I've overlaid a new story line that has nothing to do with the actual game play and then added in NPCs, treasures, information and clues where I felt they would most make sense, given the story I am writing.
And it works!
I'll play for a bit and then switch screens to describe a scene. Skipping the most repetitive combats (after all, you can only fight the same type of monster so often and have it be interesting in a piece of literature) and focusing on important battles, traps or situations, I am creating a story that has already exceeded the length of anything I have written in the past TEN YEARS. Is it technically fan-fiction? YES. But it is still my own creation. Borrowed characters and locations? YES! But what happens there is mine to describe as I wish and my own added elements make it something other than just "another Skyrim walkthrough."
I'm learning things by doing this. I'm editing savagely after an hour or so of initially posting it, looking for word repetition, bad transitions, better examples of description or definition... Doing so has allowed me to publish... something(!)... on the various sites I send my work to, and it has allowed me to pay better attention to the actual WORK that goes into crafting a decent story into one people want to read.
So... Next time you find yourself brain dead and unable to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), pick up a game and create something new within it's structure. Tell your own tale, and watch your creative juices flow with a minimum of focus on world background and character design. Predesigned characters have no words for your tale - so give them to them. Treasure found in dungeons doesn't give you what you need for your story to flow? It does in your version...
Your Mileage May Vary, but it worked for me and I can't BELIEVE how much I've written since giving this a try.
So... A little suggestion for those of us struggling to generate something and feeling the need to write but not being able to: CHEAT.
I've been playing Skyrim as a new character and literally converting what I'm doing in-game into the story, but doing so with a writer's focus. Rather than a simple repetition of what is happening when I play, I try to describe the scenes and situations when I enter a new location. Using the characters already present in Skyrim and the dungeons that already exist, I've overlaid a new story line that has nothing to do with the actual game play and then added in NPCs, treasures, information and clues where I felt they would most make sense, given the story I am writing.
And it works!
I'll play for a bit and then switch screens to describe a scene. Skipping the most repetitive combats (after all, you can only fight the same type of monster so often and have it be interesting in a piece of literature) and focusing on important battles, traps or situations, I am creating a story that has already exceeded the length of anything I have written in the past TEN YEARS. Is it technically fan-fiction? YES. But it is still my own creation. Borrowed characters and locations? YES! But what happens there is mine to describe as I wish and my own added elements make it something other than just "another Skyrim walkthrough."
I'm learning things by doing this. I'm editing savagely after an hour or so of initially posting it, looking for word repetition, bad transitions, better examples of description or definition... Doing so has allowed me to publish... something(!)... on the various sites I send my work to, and it has allowed me to pay better attention to the actual WORK that goes into crafting a decent story into one people want to read.
So... Next time you find yourself brain dead and unable to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), pick up a game and create something new within it's structure. Tell your own tale, and watch your creative juices flow with a minimum of focus on world background and character design. Predesigned characters have no words for your tale - so give them to them. Treasure found in dungeons doesn't give you what you need for your story to flow? It does in your version...
Your Mileage May Vary, but it worked for me and I can't BELIEVE how much I've written since giving this a try.
Locke and Key & LEARNING Things as a Writer
Posted 4 years agoI've been watching Locke and Key on Netflix for the past few days and if there is one thing I am learning from the writing (and my own reactions to things), it is this:
Sometimes, as a writer, you need to have perfectly intelligent, rational-thinking characters do the EXACT wrong thing in order to progress the plot.
I have always written intelligent characters and let the story go where it is going to go with a concept of where I want it to end up. Most of the time, it does that, but also most of the time, I am uncertain as to how it will actually get there. Watching this series, I am realizing that the writers know better (and so do the watchers - in this case, ME) and they STILL have them do something the watcher/reader KNOWS is a bad idea, if only because it is a great way to progress the plot, reveal more backstory, and deliver on the promise of heightened expectations.
It strikes me as odd that I have NEVER BEFORE considered this, despite having written short stories for 30+ years. I always let the situation play itself out and let the characters react in their own way, but not make what I considered to be an obvious mistake - as that would lessen the reader's sense that the characters are supposed to be smart, given the world they find themselves in. Obviously, this is going to influence my writing in the future, but... how strange that something so obvious has taken me so long to even SEE...
Sometimes, as a writer, you need to have perfectly intelligent, rational-thinking characters do the EXACT wrong thing in order to progress the plot.
I have always written intelligent characters and let the story go where it is going to go with a concept of where I want it to end up. Most of the time, it does that, but also most of the time, I am uncertain as to how it will actually get there. Watching this series, I am realizing that the writers know better (and so do the watchers - in this case, ME) and they STILL have them do something the watcher/reader KNOWS is a bad idea, if only because it is a great way to progress the plot, reveal more backstory, and deliver on the promise of heightened expectations.
It strikes me as odd that I have NEVER BEFORE considered this, despite having written short stories for 30+ years. I always let the situation play itself out and let the characters react in their own way, but not make what I considered to be an obvious mistake - as that would lessen the reader's sense that the characters are supposed to be smart, given the world they find themselves in. Obviously, this is going to influence my writing in the future, but... how strange that something so obvious has taken me so long to even SEE...
"It's Life, Jim. But Not as We Know It"
Posted 4 years agoTwo weeks since I posted the first part of Rey'na's Tale, Part Three. Wrote the second half last week and then... age... struck.
Back in 2002, I was in an accident while riding a motorcycle that saw me do a full 360 over the top of a car (car and bike were both totaled - it was a modified GSXR 750 with an 1100 engine. Frame ripped like PAPER, the impact was so hard). I landed on my feet (thankfully), but the centrifugal force flung one of my shoes off (I wasn't wearing my boots at the time, which figures, cause I knew this could happen). After I landed on my feet, I fell backwards due to the military rucksack I had over my shoulders. Long story short, I ended up being taken to an ER, where I refused (foolishly) to let them cut my bluejeans off (they were new and cost a small fortune and I wasn't wealthy by any means at the time), so ended up walking out of the ER with nothing more to show for it.
Cut to 12 years later when a chiropractor did one of those "level your shoulders and hips" things at a home show and I realized how truly fucked up my back actually WAS by that accident. Let's just say that I hadn't been walking proper-straight ever since due to damage done at the time of the accident.
Cut again to now and I've been through multiple massage therapists, chiropractors, physical therapists and doctors only to have occasional bouts where my back suddenly decides it doesn't want to work anymore - such as last Wednesday. Then, it's pain meds and muscle relaxants until it chills out - and this has taken up to three months in the past. Luckily, this time it only seems destined to last a week. I've spent that past week mostly asleep in bed and in agony otherwise.
Thankfully, that's gone and I was finally able to go in and write out the finishing touches on Rey'na's Tale, Part Three! WOO!
Hope you enjoy. Sorry for the blathering on. I'm just grateful to be sitting upright and able to type again!
Back in 2002, I was in an accident while riding a motorcycle that saw me do a full 360 over the top of a car (car and bike were both totaled - it was a modified GSXR 750 with an 1100 engine. Frame ripped like PAPER, the impact was so hard). I landed on my feet (thankfully), but the centrifugal force flung one of my shoes off (I wasn't wearing my boots at the time, which figures, cause I knew this could happen). After I landed on my feet, I fell backwards due to the military rucksack I had over my shoulders. Long story short, I ended up being taken to an ER, where I refused (foolishly) to let them cut my bluejeans off (they were new and cost a small fortune and I wasn't wealthy by any means at the time), so ended up walking out of the ER with nothing more to show for it.
Cut to 12 years later when a chiropractor did one of those "level your shoulders and hips" things at a home show and I realized how truly fucked up my back actually WAS by that accident. Let's just say that I hadn't been walking proper-straight ever since due to damage done at the time of the accident.
Cut again to now and I've been through multiple massage therapists, chiropractors, physical therapists and doctors only to have occasional bouts where my back suddenly decides it doesn't want to work anymore - such as last Wednesday. Then, it's pain meds and muscle relaxants until it chills out - and this has taken up to three months in the past. Luckily, this time it only seems destined to last a week. I've spent that past week mostly asleep in bed and in agony otherwise.
Thankfully, that's gone and I was finally able to go in and write out the finishing touches on Rey'na's Tale, Part Three! WOO!
Hope you enjoy. Sorry for the blathering on. I'm just grateful to be sitting upright and able to type again!
Writer's... Meh!
Posted 4 years agoWhy is it that there are days when your fingers simply can't type fast enough to get the ideas in your head onto the screen/paper and then there are the days when you know what you want to write, but you can't seem to get them to go onto the paper no matter how hard you try? It isn't a BLOCK, per se (I still know what I want to write and I know how I am going to do it), but it's odd that some days are a massive flood of information and the other days... not so much.
BIZARRE.
BIZARRE.
An Introduction
Posted 8 years agoHelloooo...
You won't be seeing a lot of art done by me, since I can't draw my way out of a square box. I'm a writer, so if anything shows up that I did, it will be written... Sorry. My art is more in the mind - which is why I've been commissioning folks...
Have a couple of OCs (Nesha and Mrrrshall'k) from a storyline that I write and most of my commissions are of Nesha - who is my heart and soul. If I had a fursona, she'd be it.
In any case, I'll have links and the like to pics I've commissioned, so check 'em out and thank you to their artists!
Nesha and Athena - Booty-Bumpin' High Five by Takumy - http://fcneko.deviantart.com/art/13.....sion-588491729
Nesha and Suzanne by Takumy - http://takumy.deviantart.com/art/20.....-WIP-594059250
Nesha and Athena - Morning After by Takumy - http://takumy.deviantart.com/art/34.....sion-604350876
Nesha - Walk (Primary Reference) by Takumy - http://fcneko.deviantart.com/art/26.....sion-599716936
Nesha by Helixel - https://www.furaffinity.net/view/19774133/
Nesha by Playfurry - http://fcneko.deviantart.com/art/Nesha-631773938
Nesha and Athena by Aimi: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/23858807/
Nesha - Cheetalicious by Wintrymist: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/23913320/
Nesha - Cheetalicious - Colored by Wintrymist: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/23923225/
Nesha - Good Morning by Wintrymist: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/24079008/
Nesha's Adventuring Party - (Can't find the link, so will update later)
You won't be seeing a lot of art done by me, since I can't draw my way out of a square box. I'm a writer, so if anything shows up that I did, it will be written... Sorry. My art is more in the mind - which is why I've been commissioning folks...
Have a couple of OCs (Nesha and Mrrrshall'k) from a storyline that I write and most of my commissions are of Nesha - who is my heart and soul. If I had a fursona, she'd be it.
In any case, I'll have links and the like to pics I've commissioned, so check 'em out and thank you to their artists!
Nesha and Athena - Booty-Bumpin' High Five by Takumy - http://fcneko.deviantart.com/art/13.....sion-588491729
Nesha and Suzanne by Takumy - http://takumy.deviantart.com/art/20.....-WIP-594059250
Nesha and Athena - Morning After by Takumy - http://takumy.deviantart.com/art/34.....sion-604350876
Nesha - Walk (Primary Reference) by Takumy - http://fcneko.deviantart.com/art/26.....sion-599716936
Nesha by Helixel - https://www.furaffinity.net/view/19774133/
Nesha by Playfurry - http://fcneko.deviantart.com/art/Nesha-631773938
Nesha and Athena by Aimi: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/23858807/
Nesha - Cheetalicious by Wintrymist: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/23913320/
Nesha - Cheetalicious - Colored by Wintrymist: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/23923225/
Nesha - Good Morning by Wintrymist: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/24079008/
Nesha's Adventuring Party - (Can't find the link, so will update later)
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