Zephrun’s Imperium

Well, it’s that time of the year again. The beginning of winter is always such a special time for me. Three years ago, I got the Mistborn trilogy as a Christmas gift, and the rest is history; those books have changed my life forever. Without them… Well, storms, I wouldn’t even want to think about where I’d be today. But oh my goodness, how I’ve grown in the last three years. I joined the Shard still struggling to find my identity, and now I’ve found it. The characters I used to rely on as my only friends still reside in my heart, but now? Now I have you guys. Thank you so, so, so much, everyone. So, without further adieu, let’s start with the shout outs.

I can’t talk about early winter without talking about my boyfriend @The Ward's Guard. When I met him, I was in one of the worst places of my life since the pandemic started. I have grown miles because of him. I don’t tell him how much I love him as often as I should, so… Guard, babe. I love every piece of you, from your floofy hair, to the spaces between your lovely toes. I look forward to the next time we can hug each other with all my being. Thank you for keeping my soul warm. You deserve the world, but since I don’t have that, I’ll just give you mine and we can share. 

@xinoehp512: You’re a gem, hun. I am ALWAYS here for you, and I think the rest of the Shard would be willing to talk to you when you need it, too. You’re the best writer I know and I bow to that skill.  I know you’ve been going through a hard time recently and the deepest wells of my heart are just dripping with hope for you. You’re a phoenix, after all, aren’t you? Phoenixes rise from the ashes. I don’t know when, but one day, you’ll feel better. For now? Just keep pushing forward and being nice to yourself. Have some hot cocoa. Go to sleep early. Make time for yourself to relax. And finally, I just want to say thank you. Your ideas for CBST and Keyed have shaped the person I’ve become for the better, even if you’re not writing them right now. You have a very special place in my heart, darling. So fly, fly, Phoenix, fly. 

@Ed Venture: Oh, c’mere, you sweet little teddy bear, you. *hugs* I’m so freaking proud of you, my Vennie. I’ve watched you evolve over the last two and a half years and you are so much more mature. I know our relationship has been pretty rocky, but that just makes it all the cooler than we’re friends again now, even if we don’t talk to each other all that often. I wish only the best for you. Thank you so much for being willing to hear all my rants about CBST and Keyed. You’re truly a saint to have put up with me for that long.

*ruffles hair* You are my precious child, @King of the Oreo and I love you. Thank you so, so, so much for all the gifts you sent me;  treasure each one. You are so thoughtful and so strong to have gone through all that you have. I’m so glad you’re willing to reach out to me when you need it; that can be really scary sometimes. Your art is incredible; I love how many difficult poses you try to tackle, that’s impressive. I really hope I can meet you one day and give you a hug for real. You truly remind me of myself when I was younger; just infatuated with books that have shaped you, and more than a little bit broken. If you ever need anything, I am right here. Love you, my man. 

@Condensation and @Vapor: Girls, I loved seeing you SO much, and I hope we can hang out again if we come to Utah this summer. I love your art so much, Connie, you just keep working at it. You’re a very special kid, never forget that for me, okay? You are seen, you are loved, you are Connie, and I believe Connie to be a powerhouse of love. Keep drawing, keep RPing, keep struggling against a life that tries to drown you. You’ll make it to shore one day, all the stronger, all the brighter for what you’ve gone through. *smiles encouragingly* And Vapor… It’s like what I said to Xino. Things will get better. It’s always darkest before dawn, but after the rain, the sun shines again. Thank you so much for confiding in me. Sometimes I honestly think of you as my kid; I just love you so, so, so much. I am always here for you. Stars, I wish to the ends of the earth that you could see yourself through my eyes; you’re so beautiful, inside and out, with the kindest, gentlest soul. Keep living. If not for yourself, then for us. I’m not the only one who sees you the way I do, that I promise you. 

*slaps shoulder affectionately* First of all, @Channelknight Fadran, thank you so much for being a part of Masquerade (you, too, Connie and Vapor). It wouldn’t be as great as it is without your creative genius. You never fail to make me happier after we chat, you master wordsmith, you. *boops nose* You just keep being your wonderful self. I look forward to collaborating with you further on the Masquerade novel.

And last, but certainly not least, @Jaywalk. My doppleganger. I hope you’re doing well at college. I miss having you around to talk to. Your characters are incredible and I wish you all the success with your novel. Thank you for being an awesome human. 

And for those of you who didn’t get called out... I love each and every one of you. ~~Except for Steve, but don’t tell him that~~ I loved seeing some of you at the meet ups this summer, and others I dearly wish I could meet up with in person. Thank you for making this a great, accepting community where my younger self could discover what she was made of. Shards, I can’t believe it’s been three years already. Tempus fugit, I guess. Hopefully this year will be a little better than the previous one; I do feel like I’m finally reclaiming my life from the depression and anxiety guarding it, but that doesn’t mean there’s still work to be done. Still, you’ll all be happy to know that upon writing this… I’m on top of the world. It’s been too long since I’ve felt like this, but I’m eating it up like a woman starved. *wistful sigh* Happy new year. May it be your best one yet.