Thread of RP Kudos

[Fate]

OH LOOK AT THIS THING I FOUND!!!

So now that I'm fresh off a 3+ hour sleepless volley with Mel, I've had time to do my usual sorting through threads thing and am all ready to SHOWER THE AWESOME PEOPLE WITH PRAISE.

Let's begin with the ones everyone is gonna suspect:

François Laffont : oh look, Fate is telling Bobby she is awesome. That is so unusual and unexpected. Seriously though, has anyone been tracking Franck lately? People gave Frank the Benedict Cumberbatch award, but if it was based on recent posting, it should quite obviously go to everyone's favorite empath (to love; if we're going with hate, it's clearly Priya). As of right now, he's threading with: the twins, Priya, Erika, Frank, Heather, Demi, (dumb) Sam,  Cassidy, and he just finished a thread with Cody. I know because I've read most of those. Clearly Bobby's goal is to post with Franck with everyone at the same time, and clearly you are missing out if you're not doing the posting.

Next, Mel, because that is also clearly unexpected (if you want unusual, skip down a few tags). I'ma start with Alice Hobbs. Why yes, that is my shipping partner for my highest posting character, how very astute of you. Seriously though, we did not plan (and I initially did not want) for something to happen between Zoe and Alice, but we've since discovered that they balance each other out beautifully, forming near perfect foils that are just right for people at the moment in time they're currently in. I do live in near constant paranoia fear that Mel's gonna get bored and just retire Alice at any time. She's as well written as any of Mel's chars (so very good if you haven't noticed), and there's development and growth and ALL THE BEST THINGS.

Specifically look at "The Only Exception" which is the thread Mel and I have been indulging ourselves in. It's utterly adorable, as Zoe and Alice feel each other out, shattering their carefully constructed walls and letting the other person come in. There's also a sex talk.

Still on Mel, this time for "Firing", the other thread we were just volleying. I gotta admit, this is another of those instances when I'm just like "argh, I did not want this ship," and yet again Mel's writing is winning me over. This whole thread reads like a scene out of a great (teen, likely) drama: the two that you're practically wanting to scream "KISS" at for the duration. There's a rawness here that just sort of works.

In a delicious parallel, there's a verrah similar thread involving Elsa x Vera: "Melting". Like Riley, Vera M. Solway is written in this inherently believable way. You can see the flaws and practically hear her speaking (even if Kam does change her face every other month or so). Both these chars are great at making Elsa feel at ease (so is Roxana, but in a totally different way). Again: rawness.

It's the same rawness that can be seen in the RileyxVera thread:  "No Days Off". The pure sexual tension here is just taut. You're waiting for these two to just start beating each other or fucking hard enough to break something. It's gonna go one way or the other and it's magnificent all the way.

Speaking of magnificent: Robbo.

Seriously.

If you're not reading Robbo's threads, you need to go do so now. Start with "Does This Come in A...". That thread just happens to read like it should be the script of an extremely humorous television program that you're addicted to. It stars Jack McCarthy & Oneyka A. Duffuor , a.k.a. everyone's favorite odd couple that works. I pulled this up mostly because I was like "oh, I'm kinda bored and this looks mildly interesting." I poured through it, laughing at nearly every post. Kam and Robbo play brilliantly off one another, and if anyone needs to understand how Jonnie works; read this.

Robbo's probably one of the best outright writers on this site. There's nary a bad thread. Each of his characters (well, maybe not crazy duck whisperer) is rounded and injected with something that is uniquely Robbo, something that makes them intriguing and wonderful to read each and every time. You will not mistake a Robbo character for any other (the same can be said for nearly every writer on this site). This is especially apparent in Ellen, who is easily one of the best written chars on the site, and Jack, though all of Robbo's chars show it.

Speaking of Ellen: "What More Can I say?". Ellen going through therapy. Also an intriguing look at Eddie's new character. It's still boiling, but it's fascinating to read, and shows the depth that Robbo goes to in order to flesh out his characters.

Speaking of rounded and developed: Roxana Strix. I do seem to waver in this call, but Rox is Raku's best character. There's growth and an intrinsically interesting character here. The setup almost sounds cliche: foreigner trained by some shadowy agency to observe students. That kind of concept has a lot of potential to go horribly, awfully wrong. Yet Raku makes it believable, in part by allowing Roxana to grow and be a realistic character. You can read the torment there, the inner turmoil as she attempts to fulfill what's expected of her by all sides. Were I not saluting Bitchera this month, I would definitely have nominated Roxana for female, and the fact that she hasn't won yet is a crime.

Now, let's end with a quick shout out to some newer members:

I've already nominated Exxie for member, and I stand by that. Her output is staggering. I'm probably one of the few people here who pays attention to numbers (I scare people). So I'm one to notice that Olivia Chance is already at nearly 150 posts at the time of this post. To give comparison, that puts her above Bitchera, Priya, Quinn, Humphries, and a lot of dead characters. The enthusiasm is apparent, and that's always a great sign.

Also for a quieter member, Xiao Mei Ying hasn't posted too much yet, but she's already an intriguing character. Anyone who can face down Demi coolly always has my interest, and there's hints at several layers to Xiao that make her intriguing. I'm interested to see where she goes.

[Mel *]

So, it's been a while since I've done one of these, so bear with me as I word vomit all over you lovable people and your wonderful characters - because YES, this is gonna be both about MEMBERS and CHARACTERS, so there. *Stares at Fate*

First of all, I'd like to offer mad respects to Ellen Banks and her wonderful writer, Robbo; Not only does her write a very interesting (albeit horribly annoying) character, but he also successfully writes the kind of character that despite it all, you just LOVE to HATE. Everything Ellen is seems to be made purely to make you grind your teeth and feel the sudden urge to commit mass murder; BUT at the very same time, you cannot help but to watch in awe as you fall in love with her all the same, and yes, Robbo; this is indeed very hard for me to admit. 

But seriously. Mad respect buddy. I have no idea how you do it, but I bow down before you.

Next, there's Fate who has through it all, stayed by my side. I'd point out each and every character of yours that I love, but that would take me years and years. Simply put; you're everything I hope to become. You're an amazing writer who writes amazing characters and your ability to focus on posts and threads without wavering surprises me over and over again, and I don't think this is something that will ever change. I have mad respect for you and everything that you do, as well as every single one of your character who I'm madly in love with. 

And then we move on to Casper & Jasper Emory who are played by another fellow staffer who have in every sense of the word, captured my heart. She writes a heap of amazing characters, all different and unique and all oh so very amazing. Like Fate, I'd spend years and years writing all about how and why I love each and every one of them, but I wanted to give a special shout out to my boy, CASPER, who I obviously adore to bits and pieces, and cannot get enough of. He is undeniably the favorite out of the twins (in my case, that is), and he's so damn adorable and interesting, I don't even know where to begin. Each and every post Raku gives me with this guy is as interesting, if not more so than the last and I cannot get enough of him. Through Lucy, I've had the amazing chance of seeing a different side of him and I'm hooked. Hands up, stripped clean; Good job, Raku. Really, bravo!

Let's move on to a recent addiction of mine, Quinn Wiley who has simply captured my heart through the amazingly interesting interaction (again) through Lucy's point of view. Like Fate mentioned in the OTM noms, the way these two play off each other "is like watching this whole unstoppable force meeting an unmovable object" and each and every time I write a reply for them, I'm left thinking "what happens when a volcano meets a tornado". They're undeniably interesting, and I cannot wait to see where they go. It's no surprise that Bobby keeps getting tagged in these, because Bobby is an amazing writer, and deserve all the kudos she can possibly get. After all, there's a reason your characters are as adored as they are.

We also have Kam * who through it all has sat there, watching all of our crazy asses running around spreading our madness and done nothing but take everything in stride and love us regardless. Kam; I have mad respect for everything that you are, all that you do and everything you've done and will do. We might not have a whole of threads together, but that doesn't make your group of characters any less amazing and unique. You are such a talented writer and I'm so incredibly jealous - in a good way, I promise. <.<

I also have to mention Artemis James, or Gas, who are unfortunate enough to play Lucy's better half. Gas has through it all put up with my crazy and spastic ramblings and done nothing but shown me love and compassion in return. You are amazing, my dear. You're such a ray of light that writes so many interesting character that everyone simply just adore. You are incredibly talented, more so than what you give yourself credit for, but in all honesty, your humble nature just makes you even better. You deserve all the respect and love anyone can possibly toss your way.

I'd also like to give a shout out to Vesper Bae. Not only is this an incredibly well written character that happens to be interesting, well versed and amazing, but Eddie just proves over and over again how amazingly GOOD she is at this stuff. I've had the pleasure of knowing Eddie for a few years now and trust me when I tell you that I haven't regretted a single moment of it all. I respect you and your characters so much, and I respect the way you always stay in character and never let pressure or OoC influence stop you from writing your characters YOUR way, and YOUR way only.

And last, but not least... Taylor McCarthy and Drew Conner. Bards. Surprising, right? Hardly. You know that moment when you meet a person and you instantly click? That moment where you realize that "hey, we have something really special here"? That's exactly what I feel with Bards. Not only is he an incredibly amazing person who just clicks with me on a more personal, OoC level, but our thread chemistry is simply legendary. As many of you have noticed already, Bards and I have a tendency to end up volleying for hours and hours on end, and although I know what it might look like from the outside, I'd like for you all to put yourself in my shoes and look at it from my point of view; whether it's a ship, or just a regular thread, the way my characters, my writing and myself react to everything that Bards write is something else entirely. Yes, our thread chemistry is out of the world, and I feel like it shows. I enjoy every single second spent both talking to and writing with this guy, and he deserves every kind word offered; he's an amazing and talented writer. He writes a horde of incredible and unique characters that you just HAVE to adore. He never shies away from the opportunity to thread with people, and he's always interested in trying out new things. I tip my hat off to you, my friend. Thank you.

And to everyone that I haven't mentioned; you're all amazing. Keep doing what you do. I have such respect for each and every one of you, even if you're not mentioned by name here. You all write unique and amazing characters and it has been such an amazing things to have been here from the very beginning and watched both you guys and the site itself grow and form into what it is today, and yeah, I might have been the one who made and started the site. BUT. I wouldn't have been able to do it without all of you and your amazing characters. Thank you for an incredible journey and an incredible year. Here's to many more!

[Fate]

Time for another round of passing out well-deserved kudos. I'm sorry I missed out on two months *wince*, but I'ma coming out swinging.

First, there are new people that deserved noticing. Let's start by looking at Marie (or mariosaur in chatango, because we all have weird/adorable names there). She's gone from taking just Karsen Ford and making my day to spanning out with three different characters. The sheer amount of posting this girl has managed to put out is pretty damn impressive, and to do it with characters that are helping fulfill plots an spin off into more is really damn impressive. I'm already waiting to see who she makes next (because that's going to happen; just give in now, Marie).

Quick shoutout to all the new people we've been getting:



it's always great to see new blood, but I already like so many of you that it's just kind of awesome. From Sky to Jonnay to Duncan to  Red to just about everyone who's suddenly appeared and made our site that much more incredible: my thanks, and the thanks of many more, go out with you.

But wait: there's no mention of Maggie. Well, that's because when you're truly awesome you get some time to yourself (give it time other peeps; give it time). Maggie and I go back... a while, and it's great to finally be reunited with her and posting again.



 Feels oh so good. Even better is seeing her rock out with chars like Rachel Jacobs . I've only had the one thread, one thread and I knew the char well enough to make beautiful graphics for her. There's just this way Maggie writes that is well and truly impressive, and you are seriously missing out on one of the best RPers I've ever had the pleasure of writing with if you're not working with her. That Rachel also happens to be interesting on her own right is worth noticing. Inspiring actress + party girl + flirtatious wit = char to watch (and in my case, nom).

See C'mon set the tone for a good look at her (and Rob, since, y'know, might as well toot my own horn while I'm here)

While I'm still on Maggie: has anyone else noticed that we went from having almost no good therapist/counselor type characters to suddenly having three? You get to pick from Terrance Layton , Beth Young , or Vesper Bae , each of whom is amazing and handled by a great person in their own right. Want to see a sardonic guy that makes you question BA's hiring policy? Terry's your man. Want the soft, motherly, personal touch (and Mel's way of letting that out?) Beth Young's ready to comfort you. Require a more professional, well-handled and mature way of addressing your problems? Eddie's Vesper is willing and ready.

To see Terry at work, seek out his thread with Ellen or the thread with Selina.
Vesper's best work is with Ellen Banks, in the so many times nominated What More Can I say. Also seen talking to Lucy and Zoe, because apparently Eddie is a glutton for punishment.
Beth can be seen attempting to actually connect with Demi Desolation Comes, or maybe Raku's troubled twins: All Sounds Like

Which leads to the standard "love on Mel" section of the writing.



Mel's often been one of my favorite partners to RP with, and I'm thrilled and honored to keep going with her. As most of you have figured out, Zalice is still my OTP, and so I'm essentially going to just keep using this to drop off the threads there:
Taking Over Me Alice Hobbs invites her girlfriend home for the first time.
You Don't Have to Bend Till you break, Mel succumbs to my begging to have Alice ask Zoe to prom.

I would say more about Lucy and Erika, but c'mon, they get enough attention.

While I've mentioned Zoe, her recent threads with Devyn Solway have been most interesting. I think sometimes Raku sells herself short, claiming that she doesn't understand characters when she's really just done a good job fleshing them out and developing human beings that grow and change and piss you off. The latest thread between Zoe and Devyn shows the awkwardness and a sort of different kind of relationship, a post-relationship one: wasn't trying to avoid.

I also cannot say enough good things about Roxana Strix , who again continues to impress, though I'm now worried and intrigued by post-trip. But you can see yet another side of her with Spring Break threads, such as the one with Ellen: Dancing By Myself. and with Elsa: Reconnaisance. Though there's also interesting interactions galore, whether she's talking to Lux or Tim or who knows.

And since I've mentioned Robbo in passing: Cupid Didn't Miss This Time. Jonnie (Jack McCarthy & Oneyka A. Duffuor) is still amazing. Here's another good thread to see why their interactions just work. There's a sort of comfort there that's surprising until you get to know both parties involved.

Also I'm impressed and kind of excited to see Kam's take on Alexis Bellefonte . She seems to get that this is the brat of the family, and sometimes brats are important worth making note of. It just leaves some more room for growth. As a bonus, there's an Alexis x Abel thread: please don't tell Which works beautifully to introduce both and get a glimpse into how they fit into one of the most notable of Kalispell families.

 Further viewing of Abel can be seen in one of my new favorite threads: Oh Nos, I have Lost my Bikini. It involves Frank mostly staring at his abs. Because of course it does.

For more chars that deserve to win award: Felix Nicholas .



Seriously underplayed. Gas, put the pedal to the metal already. See him being a lovable dope here: Playlist 8. Makes him wonder what he sees in Elsa (though anyone who's following them pretty well knows by this point; they did win ship at one point). I'd rhapsodize more on him, but I kinda did that in the noms already. Suffice to say that he's probably one of the nicest chars on site.

Competing with Franck, of course. One of these just isn't complete without mentioning François Laffont . He's just the sort of person you wish you knew in real life. Mostly because then you could make out with him. But also because you just know he'd understand and be your friend genuinely care. Which also has left him with so many connections it's almost scary. Even scarier is when he realizes it: Checking Up on You. He's just one you should stalk, really.

Also stalkworthy is Selina Taylor. Fuzzy, quit holding out on us and make more wonderful chars so we can see more intriguing characters. There's a reason why she won Female of the month, and part of it is that it's hard to get a full picture of the char without sorting through several threads. The closest can probably be seen in her interactions with Nico (though I'm biased there, obviously), especially Late Night, though the Spanish named Horseback riding thing shows some as well. She's a char that takes a few tries to get and understand, and you have to see the full picture to understand what's working there. It's complexity in the way that real people are.

Aaaaaand that's all folks. You're all awesome.

[Fate]

This thing really needs to see more use.

Anyway, it's time for Fate-confessional time/Fate desperately trying to sway OM votes! Where Fate sits down and writes as eloquently as he can manage, routinely thanking people for continuing to be awesome. Since we can't cram all of it into the OM threads, and so often threads or ships or something slip through.

Let's start with what might surprise some people: Alexandra Lawson is an amazing character and Bards has had an absolutely killer month with her.

As several people know, one of the things I like to do is crunch numbers, because I'm weird. That means that I generally watch whenever posts go out and pay attention to thread movement like some sort of OCD stalker type. I mention this now because I want you all to realize that when I say that Alex has blown up this month, i really, really mean it. She's had over 100 IC posts in this month alone, likely a good deal more than that. And those aren't all fluff (for fluff, see her thread with Frank): a good deal of those are the girl discovering about herself or being an excellent sounding board for people. Nu, when she nominated Alex for char of the month (which I so did last month and will in the future I'm sure), pointed out that there's a realism to Alex. she very much feels like a real character, like a real person that you want to hang out with and get to know. And that's coming from someone who wasn't nearly as impressed with her when she started. But Bards had developed and fleshed her out, taking her and elevating her until she's become one of the better written characters on the site. Then, on top of writing her brilliantly, he's throwing her everywhere.

Want to see her accidentally set off emotional confrontations? Check out Not My intent, where the pixie accidentally spills Jack's cancer secret. Or maybe awkward sexual things are your bag? Look for I Knew You Were Trouble... wherein Sam teases poor Alex, who's still trying to figure that out. Bonus points: it involves Nu x Bards, one of the best threading pairings on the site (see also: Bards x Mel, Fate x Wiz, Kam x Raku, Robbo x other people's emotions).

They are so good that it's almost hard not to ship their characters together. See my obsession with Ezrex: Problem, Jump For My Love (which would so be in the running for thread if it wasn't against giants this month), and Another Tear Falls. That last one is Ezra comforting Alex after the earlier mentioned "Not My Intent" Thread. It's touching, sweet, and encapsulates the relationship incredibly well.



And has anyone else noticed how awesome Ezra Cooper is? It's like Nu boiled down the best parts of people and poured them into a mold to shamble off with Ezra. Much like Alex, he's got this sort of charming realism built into him. He feels very much like someone you're probably hanging out with, that one cool guy who everyone likes and is just cool with no matter what.

Nu and I go way back (4+ years), which is why we've got that weird sort of friendship bond. It's also probably part of the reason why I continually want to make sure all our friends are tied together through friendship, because Nu is definitely among the best at RPing those that I've seen. Lots of people often focus solely on romantic relationships, and a lot of them are outright amazing. Nu, however, creates friendships that have a dynamic to them which is outright incredible. I've seen it with her threads with Bards (again, one of the better pairings on the site), and I've gotten to experience it firsthand repeatedly, starting back with the Biz (which, btw, originally weren't intended to be together; wrap your brains around that), and going on unto the present. Ezra and Zoe fit together brilliantly as friends, and I really hope they can pull one another across the aisle as it were so that they can step over and start helping the people on the other side. There's also Reid Chase, who got brought back. I remember my initial reaction being a "wtf, her?" But Nu has worked her well. She's got this damaged feel to her, or maybe it's just a hardened shell that's left her with a sort of "I don't owe the world anything" sort of viewpoint. But again, she's ended up in absolutely brilliant friendships: Bell, Charity, and Matt are just among the few.

But Nu, seriously, you are my bud. you are one of the few people who could literally talk me into making yet another new character. That's right: I'm so blaming Matt on you.

Speaking or relationships: Wiz (the Liz):



That's right, folks, I AM CLAIMING MY WAIFU SO BACK THE F**K up.

Seriously though, I do not make friends easily. I'm constantly overthinking every sentence that's said to me and every PM I get from someone. I cringe whenever I see the yellow box or the PM bank, because I almost expect that people would rather be talking to someone else. So whenever I find someone who I appreciate and like, I have a tendency to overcommit, and in your case, Wiz, it's because you're amazing.

... that came off as way more romantic than I intended. I blame the shipping. Yeah, that's what I'm gonna go with. Because Wiz is one awesome RPer: I don't have to tell you guys that. You can just look at the side (or the hall of fame for those looking at this later) to see the member of the month nom that came early. Between your enthusiasm, quirkiness, and outright skill at this, you're quickly becoming one of the major forces on this site. I'm definitely enamored of your posting skills enough that I'm laying claim.

But seriously, can you all think of someone else that can produce so many amazing chars in such a short time? (*hides Mel's and Fate's char listings*) Seriously though, Wiz's sheer ambition and enthusiasm has led her to produce a small force of characters, each of whom has a unique personality that draws people to them. Barry Grep has become the nerdy guy that everyone wants to hang out with. He's just got this adorkable charm that makes him incredibly magnetic, and I think it helps that he stands out from the rest of the crowd as actually looking different. I know it's weird to mention PB choice, but that comes into play here. It works and it works really well. As if that weren't enough, there's also a wolf girl, a pixie weightlifter, a sexy latin teacher, and of course, my personal favorite, Riley Forrester.

Gah, does Riley fit in with Zoe almost too well. Some chars just mesh well together, and there's something in the way they work that becomes almost too dynamic. We've got several pairings that I sort of consider as being bedrock ones for the site: Drew and Erika; Onnie and Jack; Devyn and Vera. (Beau and Liz used to be one as did Felix and Elsa, and Everett and Erika... there's been a few). They're the sort of core relationships that pull a lot of things and a lot of characters around them, and if people were to talk about relationships, they're thinking of them. And I've now sidetracked myself...

But for me Zoley, as I call it, is quickly becoming one of my OTPs because of the way they work so well together. Two artists of a slightly different stripe who met entirely by chance. Each has this just enough awkwardness and insight to understand the other and meld brilliantly together. It's still developing, but there's something in it that, much like the relationships above, seems built to last.

Just look at their First date. It's got the label "Perfect Date" and boy, did Riley (and Wiz) deliver. It's just this amazing whirlwind that lifts up characters that really need it. So much so that of course the next thread had to be called The Second Date Wouldn't Measure Up, and that's the one that involves a lot of kissing and other such activities. It's quickly become one of my favorite things to RP and has been for some time. I love posting in threads like this, and I love posting when there's that high chemistry (we all do), and I feel like we're finding it there. So if I ever get annoying, I apologize, because all that *gestures above* is why.



Right, so I definitely need to take a step back at the personal thing. Let's look at those foundational ships for a bit, shall we? We'll have to gloss over Drerika for the moment (MEL, WE MISS YOU).

But Devyn Solway & Vera M. Solway are clearly made for each other. I've been following them off and on for ages. I'm pretty sure there's a post in here where I talk about how their dynamic friendship just worked so well. I hadn't originally thought that there would be romance developing from that, but it has, and it's become one of those foundational ships. These are two chars who have been burned in the past, who had rough relationships that were, nonetheless, intense and emotional (Vera with Riley DIFFERENT RILEY THAN ZOE'S; and Devyn with Zoe). Some people might've said that those original ships were better, but i think you only have to look at what's come of it to see.

And man, do Devyn and Vera work too well together. Just look from Breathe Again & Lover's Cake. That shows this sort of loving, solid relationship that is still interesting because of the two people involved. I'm dying to see how these two react to the world around them and continue to grow together, always standing strong. Also Lover's Cake is probably the perfect mix of adorable and sexy, which makes it just perfect. But there's a reason these two draw so much attention, and it comes down to dynamics like this. I probably also has something to do with the great chemistry between Kam and Raku that's managed to produce this sort of thing. That also seems in so many ways to almost be like some kinda sitcom thing, with the sexiest member of the site teasing the one of the more shy ones... (that sounds really familiar for some reason).



But that doesn't mean that Kam can't write the feels. There's plenty to be found with Devera (what is their ship name again? Veryn?), but there's also Jonnie.

Would anyone have expected Jack McCarthy to be one of the foundational ships? Pretty sure even Robbo would've laughed at that. But as Kam pointed out: they're the longest lasting of her ships and one of the longest lasting ships on the site. There's just something intrinsically awesome in how they work together. You want to root for Jack to keep Onnie, and you sort of get even while not quite understanding how Onnie keeps falling more and more for Jack.

And my God, have they pulled it out lately. There's Just Wind the Key which is just a sweet one that shows the dynamic very well, and of course, Glass Isn't the Only Thing that Shatters, which is an amazing piece of writing period[/b]. Somehow Kam and Robbo have taken characters in a mutant school, including one like Jack, who shouldn't work period, and made something that addresses deep conflict. People are forced to deal with Jack's cancer and what that means, as well as the relationship dynamic. As Bards argued in the cbox before: there's good reason why Jack has held back some of the bad from Onnie, and it makes them all the more enjoyable and the sort of relationship you want to root for.



And Robbo. You are the master at manipulating feels. I'm pretty sure I've said this to you privately, but this is my publicly pointing it out: you have somehow managed to take characters that shouldn't work and made them dynamic, believable, and some of the best written Rp characters you could hope for. Jack, Ellen Banks, and Bell Connelly just shouldn't work. They really, really shouldn't. Jack's a goof-off who literally splits off his bad emotions. His application reads like a cartoon character in many ways. Ellen's at first appears so much the standard bitch that I think I essentially went "oh, I know what this char is" the first time I saw her. And Bell pretty much feels like she should be Belle, as in the Disney princess.

except Plot twist: Robbo gave them all emotions and dynamics and breathes real life into them! Jack freelancing and crazy, but he also clearly has self-esteem issues that he tries to work through. He's clearly deeply tied to his best friend Lux and feels himself pulled that way while loving Onnie more than he's willing to admit. Then you've got Ellen, who's trying to figure herself out via sexuality and business. She's forced out of the bitch mode to work with characters that she shouldn't get on with. The dynamic created there has made her sympathetic at times, and has caused her to grow. Bell's got her dark past to support her, and Robbo's already started peeling back layers to show that there's something else there. He's said to me that he's got a willingness to put his characters into situations that shouldn't work for them, and I think we can all learn from that.

That Robbo is also one of the best people on the site helps tremendously. We all joke about him, often constantly, but if there's a beating heart to this site, it rests inside his scrawny chest. We love you on some level Robbo, and you pull a lot of us along with your strange little wake. I'm thrilled that you and I are getting closer as friends and I genuinely look forward to continuing to know you moving forward.



Another amazing RPer that I've touched on for a moment here is Raku. I'm genuinely sorry if I often seem stiff around you; I have problems talking to people, but you've a genuine, well-meaning warmth that draws people to you. On top of that, you've put together some amazing characters that continue to impress with their dynamics. Just look Erin Hackett , the shy nerd who's trying to build relationships while hiding. there's a fear there that I think we can all understand, and there's a way that Raku plays her that adds a gravitas to her, that makes her struggles all the more believable and something we want to read. And my God, but Devyn and Roxana...

Roxana Strix is a lot like Robbo's characters in that she shouldn't work. She's literally a secret agent for some shady private organization that does stuff like murders people. It sounds almost ridiculous, but Raku doesn't go the route of parody with her. Instead we're treated to a woman who is struggling against years of training, training that has taught her to suppress her self. She's searching for that true being of hers, and she's trying to sort through her feelings and, really, to understand what it means to be fundamentally human. This is how a thread like Fairing ends up digging into the raw idea of friendship and how it affects two women who are used to burying their feelings. Or how They're Not Me starts to show that there's a protectiveness to Roxana that she's coming to terms with. I really hope that something good happens for this character in the future, and I can really see her coming to terms with it.



This somehow leads me to Bobby. It's dumb to pretend like we don't notice Bobby and her characters, but at the same time, we often mention them as being "overlooked" or "dark horses." I think this comes down to the fact that a lot of Bobby's characters almost feel like they should be secondary characters.

That's not an insult! Lemme explain. I often see RPing as casting and collaboratively writing something like a television show. You cast people via PBs, you have them interact with one another and sort of plot ahead. Most of our characters are those that are named, they step out, they're not extras. Yet there are often characters that perhaps aren't primary. They're, say, the gay best friend (François Laffont) or the snarky outsider the protagonists learn from (Quinn Wiley) or the sexy dorm monitor (Tamara Sulik). See? It makes sense, they should be supporting characters or backgrounds. And in many ways, I'd argue that's Bobby's strength as a Rper. She knows how to share the stage, to use her characters to elevate other people and other people's plots. This doesn't make her characters less lovable or well-written, in many ways, that makes her better than a lot of us. It's the type of writer that we need, and I would really argue, as I have with Franck, that if we lost Bobby, a lot of our chars would go insane, and so would we.

I would also mention Selina Taylor, but Bards already eloquently beat me to most of it. I will say that Fuzzy has done a brilliant job of writing a female who's in control of her sexuality and her life, and the reactions that people have to that have been really interesting. Selina is far more dynamic than the initial reaction of "school slut" would have someone think. Fuzzy continues to slide little hints of this into the RP as she builds Selina into a character that's become another driving force on the board, and one worthy of the accolades she continues to receive.

Now for the big finish. Bards: You are an amazing writer, and I'm genuinely enjoying getting to know you more as a human being. I'm thrilled that we're finally on some level where we're talking to one another. I've always been somewhat, often grudgingly, impressed with your writing and that has only increased in recent times, as you've managed to make truly amazing characters imbued with a true writer's skill and imagination. Alex, Ashley, Corey, your entire crew is impressive. I've seen your chemistry with others, and while I'm perhaps a little jealous, I'm still growing to look forward more and more to threading with you. I fully hope that we can continue to get to know each other better and make beautiful plots in the future.

Alright, that's all for me, for now.

[Raku]

It has been a long time since I have posted here giving my shout outs and what not to people. Been caught up in a lot of things of late; as I'm sure most of us are, but I had a little bit of time so figured I give it a go now. I seriously thank Fate (and others who have complimented my characters and such) but it really is thanks to those that have been threading with me that my characters are the way they are.

Thats right, I'm talking about those of you who have kept threading with me and just having your characters interact with mine over and over. So the way I kind of ended up doing this was my characters thanking those that have really affected them over time. While a lot of you seem to think that I'm super nice, sweet, cute, etc. I'm actually not really a people person, at all. A lot of it comes from those who talk to me often and just make me feel more comfortable and what have you. Anyways, onto the character(and the people that play them) kudos!

Devyn would like to thank pretty much every character that she has been in a thread with because all of them have allowed her to show the many different sides to her; even the ones she wants to keep hidden. Of course the first person at the top of her list would be Vera M. Solway, the girl who started off as her best friend with all that sexual tension, then ending up being ignored by her for a while, then the two managing to come back together with an even stronger friendship, and that after a year and some months of knowing one another it turned into the relationship it is now. One that Devyn still has a lot of fears about, is doing her best to be there for her girlfriend as she is trying to get over her past, and really just opening her heart up to someone.

As pointed out before, the two of them have been through a lot and I honestly didn't think they would end up with one another but ever since they have there is no regrets and I'm very interested in how Dera (their ship name) will grow/change with time and honestly hope these two will be able to be happy with one another. Yet, one cannot simply forget about the girl that was the reason for Dev even bothering to try to be a better girlfriend in the first place. That girl being Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe, who while Devyn has a love hate relationship for deep down she is thankful for her time with Zoe when they were together.

In all honesty I have no clue if Dev will be able to handle being around her for much longer but it will never be forgotten just how much of an impact Zoe has had on Devyn. I actually design all of my characters in such a way that they are likely to remain single or a relationship to not last long, thus that should be all the proof in the world how much Zoe effected Devyn. Then we have other characters that have been important roles at one time or another from Ellen Banks (their friendship of 3 years), Jason Campbell (saved Dev's life), Guy LeGrange (an important father figure while he was alive, Ashley Benson (who has helped fill that space where Dev feels the need to protect the underdog), and just so many more that are no longer around. Even new characters (members) have started to thread with her and I'm interested to see how they shape/effect Dev.

While Seiji is sadly my guy who does not really get that much attention or repeat interactions for reasons from characters dying/leaving/etc. He still has been changed a little bit for the interactions he has had. All of them just making him understand and realize how much he cares for other people and wants to help them. Sorcha Adams, Pandora E. Kāohi, and another who had long since been gone would of had the biggest effect on him but that is likely because of the few threads he has had with them and both girls teasing/being really sweet to him. There are a few characters now that have started to wiggle their way into having some effect on him like Selina Taylor and Tamara Sulik. Then in general he would thank just anyone who has had a thread with him since he knows he talks a lot and that his threads can get pretty lengthy.

I would have to say that Roxana would have to be the second of my characters that has been largely affected/changed due to those around her. I had originally planned her to only be around for a short time since I had designed her to not really ever come to care for anyone. So you could say I was the most surprised when Roxana started to care, feel, and even like people! While her change has not been welcomes by her at all and even I have struggled dealing with her just trying to figure it all out, it has made for some really interesting character development for her and those effecting her. It should be easily figured out that one of the people that has had the largest effect on her is Elsa Bellefonte. When they first met they literally were making threats at one another, and that kept up for some time.

I honestly thought that these two were always going to be bitter enemies or at least cautious around one another. So the level of shock and disbelief that happened when Roxana actually started to enjoy being 'friends' and came to actually like the girl past friendship. Elsa had time and time again shown two sides to Rox from being straight to business and actually showing some level of concern for Rox. Perhaps that is why Rox started to feel the way she does and in all honesty she hates it because she already know it will never be. The same applies for Ellen Banks; who she had come to like more than a friend as well but in the case of Ellen is has been a little easier dealing with knowing she and Ellen will never be.

The biggest effect on all of this would be a character who is no longer around, but was one of Fate's people. The woman who had managed to bed many before she vanished with the events of the fire and both I and Rox are certain that it was because this woman had made her feel things she had never felt before that she was able to even start to feel them towards others. Still, one cannot forget those that have made Rox feel the desire to protect from Luxanna Viera (who I would dare say could be counted as Rox's first actually friend) and Demi Smith (who Rox has basically tried to take the younger girl under her 'wings'.

Oh! Let me not leave out the shock of Vera M. Solway actually becoming one of Rox's friends. This is another one that came as a huge shock because Vera literally was very cold and didn't like Rox when they first met. Now the two are close partners, spar together, and in their latest thread Vera is actually trying to help Rox through understanding her feelings. Rox is also thankful to the other characters that have threaded with her since it is understandable that it’s not all that easy to get to know someone so secretive and says very few words. But I'm looking forward to how other characters will also affect how she is and that there will always be something that is making her want to remain here.



Casper and Jasper are characters that were also not planned to have that long of a life here, since I literally only made them because at the time there were not a lot of active males threading. Even now I honestly still struggle to play them from time to time since they were made out of a desire to help and less of a desire for me to actually want to play them. HOWEVER; it is most certainly thanks to people willing to take a risk to play with these guys that has kept them to remain. The biggest help of that would be François Laffont. The boy who they literally slept with when they first met and planned for him to just be a toy. Yet through events and time he has ended up being the main person that has kept the brothers from flying off the handled and landing themselves in serious trouble (the character killing kind of trouble).

Franck had put up with all of their antics for the longest, not giving up on them, and actually making the brothers feel like people could come to like them without them acting out or treating people like their play things. While I still don't know if Jasper/Franck (what is their ship name?!) will last forever, the brothers are still thank for this French boy never giving up on them. Others that have had an effect would be Beth Young (who made them at least aware that they had to let their 'toys' do as they desire), Lucy James (who has captured Casper's attention for reasons that he, his brother, and I still don't understand) with how Lucy is and all. Yet he still can't help but to be around her even with still feeling the need to just give up and let her be while he will just go for whatever his brother sends his way.

Another female that the brothers have mixed feelings about would be Alexandra Lawson, the other person who had befriended them a while ago but who they felt betrayed them and are still uncertain if she cares anymore. Thankfully they have another thread together so I'm interested to see if the brothers will be able to get a person they had actually started to care for and treat like a person back or if the relationship will remain broken. The brothers also thank just other characters that have threaded with them and managed to at least tolerate them for a short amount of time because of how they are and I'm interested to see if there will be others who will be able to handle the siblings. (This is getting long >>)

Erin is actually a character I made because I became obsessed with this one character in an anime (who is why Erin has the power that she does and likes anime/manga/Japan thing). I also made her to basically replace Seiji (they are similar in a lot of ways for that reason) since I always struggle hanging onto my boy when I feel like he does not get a lot of attention (even if I want to play him and thus I don't let him go). Anyways! It is honestly thanks to the characters that have been interacting with her that have made me really grow to like this character and want to keep her around.

The person that has honestly had the largest effect on her is none other than her best friend Quinn Wiley (even if I doubt either of them would say they were best friends to anyone). This is the guy the literally saved her life and she owed a debt to. One that originally made her stick around but with time she actually wanted to be around the guy. Which she found odd to the point that she actually kissed him to make sure she was not going straight or anything like that (she was not). Quinn is one of those guys that not every character is going to be able to hit it off right away with due to how he is guarded and not really sure of making friends. Thus I think it's safe to say that the two of them have both affected each other in that aspect.

Quinn now hopefully at least not seeing it being that bad to be friends with and trust someone and Erin feeling confident that she can make more friends after being able to with Quinn. Then the second person who has had the biggest effect on Erin would have to no doubt be Alexandra Lawson. Erin literately crushes on every female she meets but she would not be able to deny that Alex has a bit more of her attention at the moment. The other girl has just been naturally good at getting Erin to calm down when she starts to freak out and honestly makes Erin feel like she has an actual female friend.

Plus I won't deny that I personally find it hilarious when Alex hugs her and Erin is mentally having a melt down and doing her best to stop crushing on a person she thinks is straight. Of course I can't leave out the other female who in the past was also a very big crush of Erin's, Lydia Faust. While Erin's feelings died down for the other girl after the two not really interacting much, now that they have a thread together Erin is already feeling confident that they will be able to be friends again. Erin also can't forget about Tim Tawfeek who while she still is not certain of their friendship at times, she also is getting to experience different things and learn to accept/deal with people who are not that much like her. She also thanks the other characters that have had thread with her (most of which have Erin blushing or freaking out in some way) but all of them great. I look forward to how other characters will also begin to affect her.

Jun is still a bit new and not getting a lot going on so it's too early to say anything has a big effect on him, but I look forward to when it happens. ^-^

Alright, that is all of it! Of course this does not mean that if I didn't mention someone character that I did not enjoy a thread, because I enjoy all of them. Well, I personally always kicking and screaming at negative feels threads (like breakups and what not) I still like to take on the threads. All of them helping my characters get to where they are now and from what I have been told, clearly making some of you enjoy reading their threads. For me that is what I honestly enjoy the most. When someone enjoys threading with me, characters just sticking to how they would actually behave without worry of OOC feelings, and others not involved in a thread still reading it.

So from the bottom of my heart I thank all of the members that talk, plot, and thread with me because in all honesty it is those people that make me want to RP and while I stick around. There have been many times where I have wanted to leave the site and even now I'm at my usual time when I vanish from a site (I tend to stick around for about a year or so before I lose interest) and yet I'm still here! Which just goes to show that the members here are really awesome and have made me want to remain on this site for that much longer. ^-^