I honestly am not sure why I’m even writing this here, maybe because I have absolutely no other outlet in my real life to say things. I try not to drag drama here because I try to be professional, but sometimes you need to just vent it out and get it out of your head. To pull the thoughts and put them down, throw them out there and hope there is some sense to the madness.

I’m tired. I’m stressed. I’m overworked. I’m getting to the point that I don’t enjoy my days anymore, I simply push through and look forward to the brief respite I get when I go to sleep at night, doing my best not to cry or do something similar while I’m awake and around others. I want to talk to my other half, but at the same time it will just make her feel guilty, bad, unhappy and any number of things that will in turn make me feel awful instead of relieving some of the burden. The friends in my real life have no real conception how far things have gone, how little sleep I get, how little I stop in any given day and just take a deep breath.

This year has just had a lot of changes. Many of them have been pretty awesome, though they’ve taken time to adjust too, I have enjoyed them. My new shift change is challenging, but at the same time I see more of people. My new position has it’s own stresses, but I’m handling them. I think it’s just a matter of changes happening to much and too fast, sometimes it’s like I don’t have a chance to breathe and just lean back and look at something. My mind is a mouse wheel, and the mouse is going going going going, I have to do this and that, I have to do this for this site I run and then I have to do this commission, outline this, e-mail that, I’m always working, always going.

I don’t relax. I don’t remember the last time I really did. I tell people I do, and then I hate to admit that I lie. I hide the fact that when I say “I just want to hang out alone today” or “I am going to just lay back and do nothing” that I’m working and doing things, I’m always running. I have a list, and it’s long and large, and I’m always moving on it, it seems endless and large, but I can’t stop. I know I am the primary money maker in our household, I know I need to pay bills, put aside savings, put into my 401K, I have an understaffed work that depends on me doing overtime just to get by, I have ideas that are writhing and crawling out of my head and need to be put on paper, I have orders for an online store to fill, I have things things THINGS that need done. I have a fundraiser to help with, I have to promote something else, I have to do this. I HAVE TO KEEP MOVING.

Tonight I’m sitting here and just trying to remember a time that I did relax. That I set aside my entire list and was just…. me. And I draw a blank. Gone fishing? My phone is there, answering notes and e-mails, checking orders, networking. Gone to the zoo? I’m miserable and worked up, fretting that I’m NOT working, I’m not getting things done, I end up feeling sick. I can’t remember when I was just me. When I really just relaxed and I don’t even know if I can. I hide it. I bury it. My other half has no realization just how little sleep I get and how long I work. I lie. I tell pretty things like “Oh you know, I slept really well and just decided to get up and play online.” Or “It’s such a gorgeous morning I just had to have a cup of coffee!!” Because I know she feels helpless and upset, she feels like she’s dead weight. I know she does, because I see how she looks at me sometimes and I can’t get her to see that she’s the only real sane and good thing left in my frail grasp of self.

I wish I could relax again. I wish I could go 24 hours with just being me. I wish I could lean back, take a deep breath and not feel my throat tight and my head pounding. I wish my mind would stop. I have no idea why I’m even throwing this out into the internet, maybe tonight I just realize how far I’ve gone and where I’m at, and that I’m just so very very tired. It comes with the knowledge that even if I stopped right now, I said no more, I put a halt on it all, the ideas would still come, the thoughts and creeping things that I need to do, that I want to do, and I’d just keep going on and working. Because I don’t know if I know how to stop now that I’m going, I very much doubt I can. And the people I want to talk to about this would only feel awful if I said a word, so I smile, I lie, I keep on moving, keep on going, to the next thing on the list, the next goal, the next idea that is writing itself in my head.

Just keep swimming
Just keep swimming
Swimming swimming swimming.

Write something you assume is true about me and I will confirm or deny!

Stolen from  biscuits along with his dignity.

1. First thing you wash in the shower? Hair
2. What color is your favorite hoodie? black
3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? Hellz yeah
4. Do you plan outfits? Ummm i plan to wear pants, that counts right?
5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? creative
6. What's the closest thing to you that's red? Candle
7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having? I had a box of dead puppies and their mother was locked outside the room crying to get in.
8. Did you meet anybody new today? Not really
9. What are you craving right now? Inspiration
10. Do you floss? Yes
11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? Rolls
12. Are you emotional? Not outwardly, I keep emotions pretty well bottled
13. Have you ever counted to 1,000? Yes
14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? Suck it
15. Do you like your hair? Sometimes
16. Do you like yourself? Most of the time
17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush? No, I'd say something stupid.
18. What are you listening to right now? The fish tank bubbling
19. Were your parents strict? Yes
20. Would you go sky diving? Maybe
21. Do you like cottage cheese? With fruit only
22. Have you ever met a celebrity? Yup
23. Do you rent movies often? No.
24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in? Sweet jebus yes. o/
25. How many countries have you visited? Two
26. Have you made a prank phone call? As a kid.
27. Ever been on a train? Nope
28. Brown or white eggs? Mixed
29. Do you have a cell-phone? No, I have a life support system
30. Do you use chap stick? Yup
31. Do you own a gun? Several rifles
32. Can you use chop sticks? Like a walru
33. Who are you going to be with tonight? My partner
34. Are you too forgiving? On some thing
35. Ever been in love? Yes
36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow (or the next soonest week day)? Studying
37. Ever have cream puffs? Yup
38. Last time you cried? Yesterday
39. What was the last question you asked? Did you eat all the effing naan?!
40. Favorite time of the year? Fall
41. Do you have any tattoos? Three
42. Are you sarcastic? Most of the time
43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect? Nope
44. Ever walked into a wall? Yes.
45. Favorite color? Blue.
46. Have you ever slapped someone? Yes.
47. Is your hair curly? Nope
48. What was the last CD you bought? Ummm shit balls, I don't know. Maybe a Voltaire CD
49. Do looks matter? Yes, in the wide world they do.
50. Could you ever forgive a cheater? Yes.
51. Is your phone bill sky high? Not really
52. Do you like your life right now? Sometimes
53. Do you sleep with the TV on? Never
54. Can you handle the truth? Depends on what
55. Do you have good vision? No.
56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people? Yes
57. How often do you talk on the phone? 20 minutes or less on average
58. The last person you held hands with? My other half
59. What are you wearing? Dress pants and a bra
60.What is your favorite animal? Horses
61. Where was your favorite picture taken at? Bayou in LA
62. Can you hula hoop? Somewhat
63. Do you have a job? Yes.
64. What was the most recent thing you bought? Sandwich
65. Have you ever crawled through a window? Yup

Working on finalizing the next chapter of Born This Way and starting on the next one. I need inspiration! So give me your sad songs. Your inspirational songs. Your meaningful songs! I need to get my brain in the right mindset to get the first chapter out and the second one started.

How the Hell do I go from starting a predator and prey story and have it Morph into a story about being transgendered?!?! The fuck! Oh well, guess I'll run with it. Thanks a lot mind!! You are so bloody consistant!

Pick your potion! These are commissions that won’t be started until after the new year and when I have my back logs cleaned up. You pick a potion for your character to take, each one is described and hinting at what might happen. Once the potion is taken it is GONE, my potion maker isn’t very good I’m afraid. ;) The cost is as follows:

$45- 10k story with writers freedom
$65- 10k story with commissioners plot added.
$90- 20k with writer’s freedom
$130- 20k story with commissioner’s plot added

Okay, lesson learned, people will totally drink potions if they’re left out. O.O You silly silly people. ;) Due to popular demand and a few folks not getting in on it, I’m going to open up six more slots before calling it an end.

Potion 11- A vibrant azure potion that is pulsing and glowing, neon blue runes are placed around the edges that look like a containment spell is written in the front in an ancient gryphonic text. POTION TAKEN

Potion 12- The potion is barely contained in a dark crystal bottle, it’s twisting and rolling with tendrils trying to pry the cork out before falling back down again. POTION TAKEN

Potion 13- This potion is just a plain amber coloration, but there’s an alluring and sweet scent to it. Rich and fertile, making a male’s heart start to pound faster and the mind flare with primitive thoughts.

Potion 14- This potion is rolling around, rocking and bouncing about wildly in a stand. It flares vibrant orange and yellow, red and pale blue. There’s a card on the stand “Do not call up, what you can’t put back.” POTION TAKEN

Potion 15- A dark obsidian bottle is perched here, the base glowing and pulsing with liquid fire. The lava rolls and twists as there’s a hint of some lizard like creature rolling and twisting within the depths.

Potion 16- This potion can’t be seen, it’s in a soft creamy colored vial that is shaped exactly like an egg save for the top. POTION TAKEN

That’s all I can make my potion maker to whip up. ;) I don’t want to repeat what I’m doing!

Pick your potion! These are commissions that won’t be started until after the new year and when I have my back logs cleaned up. You pick a potion for your character to take, each one is described and hinting at what might happen. Once the potion is taken it is GONE, my potion maker isn’t very good I’m afraid. ;) The cost is as follows:

$45- 10k story with writers freedom
$65- 10k story with commissioners plot added.
$90- 20k with writer’s freedom
$130- 20k story with commissioner’s plot added

Here are the potions.

Potion 1- A deep black potion is in a vial that rolls and ripples, the thickness of it giving it the look of melted rubber. -Potion Taken

Potion 2- This potion is a brilliant pale pink color with a bow wrapped around the neck that is edged with a little bit of lace. POTION TAKEN

Potion 3- This potion can’t be seen, but it is held in a vial lined with interlocking green scales that hold a silver sheen on the outside. POTION TAKEN

Potion 4- This potion is a pale green, the label on it shows a dog’s outline done in dark black.

Potion 5- This potion is vibrant glowing red, smoke twists up from the cork and brings with it the infernal smell of brimstone with it.POTION TAKEN

Potion 6- This potion is a silvery color, the label is faded from time, but the vague outline of an equine can be seen, but an equine with a human torso is placed on it. POTION TAKEN

Potion 7- This potion is a bubbling purple, the label on it as two phrases, one written in large type and the other in very tiny. It simply says DRINK ME. POTION TAKEN

Potion 8- This potion swirls in black and white, it creates a swirling hypnotic pattern of two vivid lines that comes down to a spherical point. The longer you look at it, the harder it is to drag your eyes away. POTION TAKEN!!

Potion 9- Swirling blue and pink liquid rests in this vial, the round circle that labels it holds a plus sign on it, just like a pregnancy test. POTION TAKEN

Potion 10- This potion never looks the same twice, it is constantly changing from gold to silver to white to blue to purple to red. It is constantly transforming. POTION TAKEN

Now for the kicker…. ONE of these potions will be taken, get a story AND get free art done for the story! With that in mind, please remember that if you opt to go private you are out of the running for free art. Free art only applies to public stories, the winner of free art will also have to be patient as it’s done. ;) This was our winner for the kink contest: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12319344/ to give you an idea of what you’ll get in return.

To get a spot fill this out.

Characters:
Potion #:
Strength of Potion: (Heavy or light on the kink?)
Other requested kinks:
Plot: (If chosen you will pay the higher price)
Size:

Payment due upon acceptance.

1) You will never get the audience that an artist will, this is just a fact. Art is showier, quicker and garners a bigger following. Period. It doesn't matter how awesome you get, the most amazing furry writer on any site will have a fraction of what the most amazing artist does.

2) Don't be discouraged by 1. Accept it, move on, don't dwell on it and get upset that a massive audience isn't ass patting you.

3) You will get burnt out. Eventually writing sex scenes will blend together for you, it'll just be the same program time and again of inserting parts into other parts and then someone ends up leaking stuff.

4) Continuation of 3, don't be afraid to take on new kinks and ideas, don't be afraid to do something nonsexual for a story. It might not get you favs and comments the way porn does, but it will clear your head.

5) Everyone is an editor and critic, you will get messages and comments that are scathing and hurtful. Take it and move on, only keep what actually helps you.

6) You will do kinks and situations that you aren't squicked by, but you don't enjoy, find something you like about it and get through. Sometimes just the act of something new is fantastic all in itself, even if the space goo monster is stuffing people down his dick as you write it.

7) You will be haggled with, constantly. No matter what your price is, it's just WORDS man. Just words... how can you charge for like... words?

8) If you're an avid RPer, expect for that drive to go downhill rapidly. As you write more, you will find that you spend more time on stories than playing with others.

9) If you're going to do commissions, make sure that you do your best to keep on it. Hold to deadlines, try to treat it like a business/job. If it's just a hobby, at least let your commissioners know abotu it.

10) Invest in a good keyboard, a GOOD one. Your wrists will thank you in the long run.

This is my official Terms of Service, it will replace any previous terms and by commissioning me you acknowledge that you have read and agree to these terms. Any outstanding commissions at the moment will adhere to the previous set TOS. I have starred changes from my old ToS.

Commissioning Rules:

1) I will not accept commissions based on movie, story, TV show or literary characters. Original characters only. The only exception will be another person’s character and you have received permission to use them.
2) Payment is due up front at the time that the commission is accepted. Partial payment or payment plans will only be accepted by long term commissioners or worked out between both parties and strictly agreed upon.
3) I will make minor changes for free (Not exceeding 500 words), if there are major changes such as complete redoing of a scene or revamping the story there will be a fee of $15 per half hour worked on the piece to make the changes. Requests can be made that I do so in stream to verify the amount of time spent.*
4) If a story is cancelled you will be refunded whatever hasn’t been written, and minus a $10 fee to cover time spent outlining. The $10 fee may be waived at my discretion if I can use the story outline for someone else in a YCH slot. *
5) Stories that are tagged as ‘public’ by the commissioner may be used in a PWYW collection.
6) I have the right to terminate any commission at any time, but will provide a detailed reason and a prompt 100% refund. *
7) Any story written can be posted in a commissioners website as long as credit is given to me as the writer. If a commissioner wishes to do this I will provide the ready files to be uploaded for ease of use.
8) All e-mailed stories will be sent in a pdf format unless otherwise requested.
9) I will allow people to prepay for slots, but please be patient, this is hard to keep track of and you are expected to keep your OWN record as well.

Etiquette Rules:

1) Please try to be professional, I do not enjoy being asked if writing something is making me wet or if I’m jerking it or what have you.
2) You can ask about the state of your commission at any time, but please be reasonable. If I am e-mailed weekly or daily I may choose to terminate the commission due to the hassle that this causes.
3) A large number of changes to a commission (Additional details, addendums, cancelling or putting another story line in place) isn’t appreciated. Please get all the details down in the first e-mail, not days or weeks later. *
4) If you approach me for a commission, be prepared to get it done. If we have many back and forth e-mails or PMs about a story and time for payment comes and you disappear or tell me you didn’t realize I took commissions you waste both our time. The second time this happens I will refuse future commissions or discussions with you until a down payment is made. *
5) If I tell you I am not comfortable or unhappy with a certain kink or subject matter, please respect it, do not try and find a rule loophole to allow you to get out of it.

I finally got around to using the new commission feature here on FA. :D I added things on, as well as updates.

http://www.furaffinity.net/commissi.....kalansphantom/

I am open for Movie slots tonight for those that are interested, and tonight will be Halloween awesome!!!!

Here we go, I’m unveiling a new pricing set up. Please see below about old pricing. This will come as a surprise to most people, but I’ve broken it down as best that I can.

Commissions will now cost $0.0075 a word. Yes, that’s 3/4th of a cent per word. Right now I charge lump sums and that does work, but this will offer people a bit more freedom to decide how long they want a story as well as offer a more fair and balanced way to charge.

For instance. 10,000 word story= $55 which roughly equals. $0.0055 per word. Under the new pricing it would cost $75. Here’s a breakdown of what pricing would be on the typical story lengths:

5K- $37.50
7,500- $56.50
10K- $75

And so on. Commissioners are NOT limited to those word counts. You can pick your own. I encourage commissioners to find a story they like of mine and find out what the word count is and then you can get idea on cost.

SPEEDPASS: 48 Hour Speed Passes will be the only ones available and the price will drop to $15


BONUS:

ILLUSTRATED STORIES

I've been enjoying putting stories to pictures that I've commissioned, so I'm throwing this open. If you have a picture you've had commissioned or are commissioning and want a story to go with it then read below.

Price: $15 for 2500 words $30 for 5K $55 for 10K
Rules: You send me the picture via e-mail or link and I write a story of how it came to happen between the characters. You may list additional kinks or requests, but this is pretty much a writer's choice. ;)

BENEFITS:
-I will likely be doing less commissions which means more time spent on your story and higher quality being put out.
-Quite often I will go over the word count limit, it just happens, so you sometimes will end up with more then what you paid for. I will NOT go under it.
-Every commission will come with a 7 day turnaround time automatically for less then 10K and a 14 day for 10K stories. This will be based on my work load both for stories and work.

STORY SERIES:

Story series' will be available at $30 per 5k story, $40 per 7.5 story and $55 per 10k story. These will be taken on two at a time, no more. There will be no further price breaks. A series takes a lot of work and effort so I want to make enough money to justify doing them. There is a min. of three stories per series.


LIVE STREAM COMMISSIONS:

When I have a livestream up and running I will run livestream commissions. These will be taken a bit differently then normal commissions. I'll be charging things by the hour instead of by the word. These are done as a rough story run where there won't be additional time spent on editing and cleaning up. These aren't plot passed, but normally very pornish. ;)

$25 for the first hour
$15 per additional half hour





ADDITIONAL INFO:

Alright, a few people have asked about my worlds and what they are, can they have stories set in them, etc. So I’ll write them out here so folks can find them pretty easily. ^_^ All of these are open to be commissioned in, some have restricted characters (Such as Kalan and Vanir) who I’ll only do on special occasions like an auction or for a few people who have commissioned me in the past. Some have open characters that are openly used (Creole and Liam).

Equine World


Time Period: Late 18th-19th century
Geographic Location: Mostly southern US, though references include something akin to France and England.
Rulers: Council of Lords, governors, and sheriffs.
Outline: A world that is populated entirely by equines in all their different classes. They are broken up into various roles.

Warmbloods (Arabians, thoroughbreds, quarter horses, warm bloods): Aristocrats. Mainly slave owners and/or on the council of lords. They also serve as Generals, Admirals and high placed military men. The very poorest are relegated to business owners, though they tend to own businesses such as money lending and/or running banks.

Coldbloods (Belgian drafts, Shires, Clydesdales, Percheron): Military and working class. They rent themselves out to be used on poorer farms to pull a plow or sell products. The noblest occupation is serving in the military as common soldiers and sailors. Their size and strength is companioned by a normally docile manner unless they are from one of the strictly military bloodlines that have been bred for generations to serve in war. They will also sell their bodies, shamefully, to serve as mule-breeders (See mules)

Miniature horses/Ponies (Dartmoors, Welsh, Shetlands): They serve as craftsmen in their own right and shop keeps. They own small businesses or negotiate deals of minor importance. Some are elevated nearly to the place of an aristocrat, but their size and caste make it impossible for them to be truly socially acceptable.

Donkeys: Slaves. These are used and bred to work the fields of large estates as well as used as servants, pulling carts and carriages, taking care of the live stock and general use. They have no rights under law and a free-donkey is all but unheard of. They can be freed in name only, but they will be unable to find work because of their caste and even with a mark of freedom, might be snatched and have the brand burned away so they are recaptured as slaves. Freeing a donkey is normally done in old families who wish a trusted servant to be more closely bound to the family. The donkey remains working, but is offered a small bit of pay as well as time off. Donkeys are viewed as animals, not real people.

Mules: The offspring of a horse and donkey. They are prized infertile slaves that are kept on wealthy manners. They are allowed to serve indoors because of their horse blood and are given tasks that a donkey might not be trusted with. They are also hard workers that can withstand the heat and toil that would put a donkey to his knees. Because they cannot breed among themselves, the aristocrats hire poorer castes (Drafters and ponies) to either stud their jennies or stand with their jacks. This is a lucrative market as the horses that agree to these terms are well paid and the mares are well housed and cared for until they deliver the promised mule. It is balanced with the social stigma that is attached with breeding with an ‘animal’. Most who go into the market rarely leave it.




Hidden Lords

Time Period: Modern

Geographic Location: Only shown in St Louis, New Orleans and Seattle, but encompasses the entire world.

Rulers: Modern rulers for the world. Shadow rulers found beneath the human one in the form of mythic creatures.

Outline: Anthros have come out to the human population in the late 20th century. They only reveal those of themselves that are considered harmless and pick up a façade of being weak and powerless. The only ones that are put forth are traditional animals: dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, mice, squirrels, otters, etc. The Church declares them as an abomination and the political media storms them as something less then human. They fight for their rights, but they are refused them because they are different. Most murders, rapes or abuse that happens to them goes unreported or, if it is reported, rarely leads to an arrest or any sort of justice. Some quick facts.

-No anthro will give their real name to a nonanthro. Most pick up names like Spot, Splash, Jack, Kitty, Snow, Rover, Rex etc. Their real names are kept hidden.
-The anthro population congregates in large cities, they are almost unheard of in smaller towns for fear of being abused.
-While they present a submissive face to the world, there is an undercurrent of rebellion that lurks beneath the surface.
-Most end up in jobs as exotic dancers, escorts, prostitutes, hired labor, tourist attractions and bar tenders. Getting a normal job is still unheard of.
-The American government is trying to get them termed as entirely nonhuman. If the ruling goes through, they will have poaching laws to deal with murderers, but it will also forbid them no rights under the constitution.
-It is illegal in many states to sleep with an anthro as bestiality laws have been changed. It is also viewed as an abomination to do so.
- Humans and anthros cannot cross breed. There are no viable young.

Shadow Rule: There is a segment of anthros that has never seen the light of the media. They are a carefully guarded secret that haunt the largest of cities and form a ruling class that protects those within their territory and work to change the world. It’s unclear if the change is political or an all out rebellion/war. They are not normal species’ but are made up of various mythics.

Unicorns- Unicorns hold the power of transformation. They are the only species that can take a human and change them into something else entirely. They are also keen business owners who flourish under making bars, strip clubs, dancing clubs, and often host raves under various business names. They are also well known for a flourishing drug trade that helps build their small empires. They are the most prolific species and also the only rulers unable to change their own appearances.

Dragons-Dragons are not anthro, but are four legged. Their greatest power is that of illusion. They can make themselves appear as a two legged human and walk unnoticed in the human world. They can transform, but they can only work on anthros and only from two legged to feral or from feral to two legged. They are typically technology genius’ and have flourished with the internet. They are normally behind the web-giants and have great stores of money. They adore information and new technology and flourish in that field. There are only ten dragons in the world currently. They range from an Eastern style dragon to Western to Wyverns.

Gryphons- The gryphons have the magic of bespelling the mind no matter if they’re human or anthro. They can also change their shape to that of a human or remain in their anthro guise. This isn’t illusion, but a real change. They seem to have an affinity for law enforcement and are often sheriffs or prosecutors, though some hold security companies that contract with the government. They are the most wide ranging species and are found mostly in Europe and some South American countries. The gryphons themselves are subdivided into various species’, but it rarely matters to anyone who doesn’t have to deal in depth with their kind.

Pegasus- Behind the unicorns, these are the most prolific creatures. They possess the power of Foresight. They use illusion to make themselves appear as human, but rarely require it. They work behind the scenes and fund major airline and travel companies. They tend to run companies that are devoted to fair practice hiring when it comes to anthros. They can appear as two or four legged at will.

Phoenix- Head of the rulers, there is only one. He does not come into the human world at all, nor do most anthros know about him. He controls the Lords as well as controlled them all becoming public.

Stories set in this world: Horse Toy, In Search of a Story, The De Sade, Beyond the De Sade.


Dragonlords

Time Period: 13th-18th century
Geographic Location: England, France, Spain, Middle East
Rule: Dragonlords.

Outline: This world holds any anthro you can imagine, but the dragons are the ones that rule. Most of them are minor lords and noblemen by right of birth, the older and cannier formed up a series of Councils. Each country is ruled by a king, queen or emperor that is supported by the council. They are NOT an absolute monarchy, the ruler is a figure head of sorts that is allowed a certain amount of power in terms of laws and rules. Major decisions are filtered through the Council which meets four times a year. Emergency sessions are rare.

Notes on this world

-Other species can become semi-noble through acquiring wealth and influence, it takes a certain amount time to get enough to be considered powerful, but it can and has been done.
-Different species’ can interbreed, though it’s looked down on.
-Many countries were taken over through various wars, so there are a scattering of slaves still kept within some of the major powers. Most notably fennec foxes, mar’lizards, mice and rats. Slavery is uncommon, but still does accure.
-Most dragon kind doesn’t practice monogamy due to their slow rate of production. One male will keep many females in an attempt to spread his genes.

Ferals:

-Dragons are the only species that are not ‘pure’ when it comes to their offspring. It’s not unheard of for an egg to hatch out a four legged dragon instead of an anthro.
-Most countries treat them as a filthy secret that hints at tainted bloodlines. Eggs are candled by priests to check the growth of the young before hatching. If a feral is found the egg is disposed of in a ceremony.
-Some countries (barbarian nations) believe that such dragons are gifts from the divine and they are treated with reverence.

Unique Species:

Mar’Lizards-Small colorful lizards (four feet tall) that are a conquered people. They are close enough to a dragon that they’re prized as servants
Carruun- Guardians- See: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9257644/

Stories set in this world: In Sithen’s Harem, The Storyteller’s Tale


*Please note, I do PWYW story collections and will often include original stories and commissions. If you want your story public it might get batched into these. Feel free to opt out, just let me know.

I had someone go off on me last night because I turned down a story that involved a herm. First off, I'd like to say I don't turn down stories without a good reason. Normally it's more then just something small like having a herm in it, although I do avoid them for the most part. So I'll just put it out there on why I don't often go after them unless there's something that really makes me want to write it. The first reason is pretty mild, but it's because I canNOT use shi/hir at ALL. Trust me, I've tried and I can't get the hang of it which means stories that I make using those pronouns CRAWL. Normally I"ll offer to get around it in those cases with settling on a sex one way or the other. Keeping the herm parts physically, but not using those terms for my own sanity.

The second reason I'll often turn them down is because they're extremely idealized. Most of these cases involve the entire story being about how the herm bones and gets fucked over and over or acting extremely slutily or just VERY focused on the herm aspect. Why is this?

I dated someone who was intersexed. Her (Yes her, she didn't use shi or hir) life wasn't the best. She didn't even know she was born a hermaphrodite until she was in her 20s, she only knew that she couldn't have normal sex and something was very wrong. I was with her while she struggled through her life and never could have a normal sexual relationship or even normal sex. It wasn't romantic or appealing, it was hard for her and I saw a lot of it. So when I see people playing herms and highly sexualizing/idealizing them it makes me uncomfortable remembering everything she went through.

This means, while I don't judge those who play herms, nor do I completely shun having them in stories, I will often turn these down. Don't reply yelling at me, don't get upset and say that I'm being an ass. Just try and understand my point of view. :P And no, don't hesitate to ask me for stories like this. I they DO bother me I will tell you. If I don't say anything? That means I'm not bothered by it and you're fine. Just please don't go off on me if I do say no. It's uncalled for and annoying and wastes both our time.

A very interesting story line and take on dragons. And a well done animation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHLwG3ioD4Y

Art and writing is a business. It's a customer service based business. Sometimes I think artists and commissioners alike forget this.

I've come across artists that were amazingly nice and a pleasure to work with. They actively work on ideas and give their own if they think it might help things. Some are quick turn arounds, others may take longer, but keep in contact or show status updates that make me think that they genuinely care about good customer service and making sure the commissioner is happy with the end product. Often times they e-mail it first for approval before posting it or note you to link you to the picture letting you know its up.

I've also come across artists that pretty much take the money, the description and that's it. They don't try to have interactions to come up with ideas. You don't hear how your commission is going. Months can go by and they won't say anything. Some you can note and they'll let you know where you stand or they act like you've noted or e-mailed them every day for three months when you've only done it the once. If you're lucky they'll comment, note or e-mail you when the commission is finished. Most often I find out its done by looking at my watch list and finding my character there and once by someone else pointing it out.

Then there are middle of the road artists who are neither excellent with customer service skills or horrible with it. They'll take your money, offer a few comments working out things (if that), and do your commission. They'll answer notes politely enough, but minimize any and all contact with the 'customer'.

In many ways I wish artists would realize that this is a customer service they offer. Yes they have a talent and product we the commissioners want. But at times it DOES feel like some artists make it feel like a hassle for taking a commission. Some have made disparaging comments about my character design or annoyed if I have a question. Being made to feel as if you should be fawningly grateful for spending a few hundred dollars on a commission is often times hard to swallow. Yes, commissioners are grateful, but THEY are paying for a service. Their money pays for bills, extras, rent, food, games...whatever. It's a give and take relationship.

I've always held 'vote with your $$$". Artists that I've had bad or middling experiences with I tend to not frequent. Artists that have offered good customer service throughout the process normally get a LOT of my commissions. I enjoy working with them and I enjoy the art they produce. I'd prefer giving my money to someone who genuinely tries to work with their customers vs someone who snatches the money and ignores me.

On the other hand of the fence, commissioners are a varied group. Some of them seem to act like the creepy customer that sees someone being nice or polite to them as meaning their best friends. We've all seen them. If you've worked in customer service you've likely found yourself with someone who insists on talking to you about their life, dreams, uncle twice removed and expect you to show genuine interest and friendship. When its not responded to they get creepy/angry/hurt and blow things all out of proportion. I've had people call my boss to complain about me, call corporate, etc in the past. All because they wanted to press a business relationship out of bounds of what it is.

It's something I've noticed for a while and always felt a bit strongly about. Too many people seem to expect to be BFFs just because someone responds to an IM or they've had a commission done. I don't go get my coffee at Starbucks and expect to be BFFs with the barista or go to my dentist and assume he's going to really care about the fact I was thinking about him in Krogers or not feel creeped out by it.

On my own half, I do give probably middle of the road with many commissions. I try to exceed in expectations, but I know I often get busy and do respond as I can and sometimes go silent. I try to post up weekly writing lists and work through communications that way, but things happen.

Now...friendships can happen. They do all the time. I have commissioners I can honestly think of as friends and quite fondly so! Normally its built up over time and not forced. So remember that the next time you might try to ask an artist if they like silk or cotton panties, friendships are made not forced. ;) And don't take things personally if they don't happen.

To honor our fallen Captain.

I came home and laid down next to him. He was sleeping soundly while I stroked his fur and sang to him. I was so happy he was home. I sat down to eat and noticed him stagger behind the cat tree before curling up. When I went to get his pill out I heard him gag and within just a minute or two he passed away in my home, held by me. We ran him to the vet to confirm... I don't know what happened, they said he was okay. They said he was going to be okay.... He just came home yesterday. He passed away at nine am this morning in his own home with me holding him.. I can't believe he's gone. Oh Captain...I will miss you. I will miss you forever. My sweet baby boy, my beautiful boy... We're getting out the rum to raise our glasses high, mate, to the Captain of our hearts may you sail over the rainbow bridge with Hudson.


You are my sunshine..
My only sunshine...
You make me happy
When skies are grey
You don't know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take, my sunshine away