The Kids Are Disco Dancing- Two Years at Bellefonte Academy

[Ellen Banks]

How the hell did we get here?!

No, really. This should not be a thing. We should not be here. This place should not exist. This forum should have died a week after it was born because me and Mel was the only people that went on it.

All these things, I’ve fully expected to happen on the 18th of January 2014 when Mel told me she was planning to make a site, we both got into a fight with the staff at the site where we met….well, Mel did anyway. And I just kind of trudged out after her, like some kind of house pet after her. I didn’t have to, after all, the issue was with Mel, not with me. Me and the staff of the site at that time wasn’t exactly on the best of terms but they certainly weren’t going to kick me out the next day. I could have just said “Hey. Mel. You got banned. Sorry, that sucks. See ya around yeah?” And just went about posting on that site for the next year. Somethings I think about “The Butterfly Effect” That might have happened if I DIDN’T follow Mel out of that site. It such a small thing, but things would have been so dramatically different if I didn’t. Would I even remember her name? Would I be one of that site’s favorite sons if I didn’t rebel? Would I even grow to like the horrible authority staff at that place, slowly becoming ingrained in the staff myself. Making horrible one dimensional charries with a over dramatic and tragic backstory to the delight of me. My ship partner and no one else?

So, why’d I do it? Even now I couldn’t give you a straight answer. because at the time, it certainly didn’t make any sense. A well established RP community against….where ever the hell this girl was going? Wasn’t this slightly creepy? Just stalking this girl and joining any site she joins, until she eventually told me to leave her alone or blocked me? At the time it makes no sense….

I just had a gut feeling.

So we spent a few days going from site to site none of them really our thing, until eventually this conversation arises

Robbo: “So, that last X-man site a no go?”

Mel: “Naaaa”

Robbo: So where do we go to now?

Mel: “I think I’ll make my own site….

Robbo: Woah, well do you really think thats a good idea? mayb- you should-

Mel: Done!

Seriously. it was exactly like that, I had no concept of what making a site entitled, how running it worked or how to do it. It seemed a lot more complex than just snapping your fingers and saying “I run a site now!” But….that’s pretty much what happened.

I wasn’t optimistic either about the longevity of the site as a whole. We’ve all been on other sites. We all know how it works. They have the shelf life of an average I-Pod classic. Sure, they last for a few days. Maybe a few weeks before it totally closes down after activity flatlines (RP writers are notorious easily bored) So I thought that, this would be a board when me and Mel would fuck around for a few days and then she’ll get bored and move on to the next plan of action.

I would be just happy if ONE person joined in. If one person joined I’d be able to sit back and say “There, we got one. I consider this a success” So when Bobby joined in on a Ellen and Erika Thread for the first time, I content with that.

But then a funny thing started to happen: More people started to show up….and more did….and more and more and more and before I know it we had a thriving community of people...and not just people, Maybe some of coolest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, I really do believe this place is different from any other RP site. The amount of consistently friendly high quality RP’ers is just staggering,

So, on behalf of myself and Mel. Thank you. Thank you for being here. Thank you for staying. Thank you for being so damn cool and thank you for being members of the BA family

Here’s to the next year

[Tamara Sulik]

I'll be honest with you Robbo. I stumbled on this site by chance. I really wanted to give my boy Franck another chance and I hated my jcink experience so I turned down my friend's offer to bring him on her Glee site (even if he would have fit in nicely). I started looking at some sites on Proboards Support, having little faith. I had joined a few sites only to see even the staff running it actually not running it and making me the only member doing some posting in there. I came to have a look. Immediately, it was not Franck but Jason I had in mind (because I had made one a little similar to him on a site that died on me before even approving my app). And then I thought of Franck's power being empathy since I always made him a very empathetic character. I wrote my app but waited two days before actually posting it, wondering if that was a good idea, being certain that once again my luck would make it so that no one would post with me or they'd just all leave it at that. Even when I pressed that Post button, I hesitated.

Then, just like that, I'm approved. And not long after, Mel comes over, suggest Erika and another character she had made at the time for them to interact with him. Just like that, Franck became a friend of Erika and an enemy to Ellen (sort of).

It was still small, with just a few posts to write here and there but that was still more than I had on previous sites. Plus a friend of mine chose to revive an old site and I got busy with it. Then I leave for Valentine's Day, helping my cousin in her flower shop. When I return, there were just so many new people! I think from a few dozen characters we went straight to fifty or something like that! I kept running from one plot page to the next to see what plot I could come with. And it didn't stop since.

And I like that and thank everyone on the site, both those who are still there and those who stayed only for a while before going. I've been on sites that lasted a few years but we never were active that whole time. There were moment I was about the only one showing up, dragging one person for memory's sake. This didn't happen here, even when I feared it might because we were low on activity. It always came back after a little break. That's just amazing and I can't wait to see what more we can come with.

[Felix Nicholas]

First of all, Mr.Robbo and Mel... Congratulations on BA reaching it's 2 year birthday!!!

It was about a year and a half ago that I was trudging around the internet, looking for a RP forum. I hadn't RPed on a forum for some years, and after most of my RP partners had gotten too busy or we simply drifted apart... I was trying to find somewhere I could feel at home.
I'd had a few bad experiences with various RP partners, and having not delved into Forum RPing for years I was pretty nervous. What if no one liked my characters? What if I got 0 threads? What if no one wanted to plot with me, and no one replied to any of my opens?
Still, I fought on. I clicked a number of sites, but none of them felt right. What attracted me to BA was mainly, as odd as it may sound, the layout. Being dyslexic, I struggle with confusing layouts... BA was the first I looked at, and instantly felt comfortable with. (Hats off to you Mel, for designing the beautiful BA!)

Once I found this place, I was still nervous. scared. Those same worries going through my head... What if no one liked me? During my first application process, my character Guylian Dove, a teacher, was looked over by Mel. During our PM exchanges, I mentioned that I was nervous, that I'd almost be too scared to post.
My character got accepted.
A few minutes later, an open thread cropped up in the teacher's lounge. It's title was something like "There's No Need To Be Nervous". I've never mentioned this to Mel, but to this day I feel as though she created that thread for me.
What a wonderful, kind, understanding site creator. As soon as I saw that open, although I didn't know for certain it was directed at me... It made my heart soar. I felt so welcomed.

That feeling has continued. BA has been the most welcoming, accepting, warm site I've ever been on. This place feels more like a family then a bunch of people RPing... Users are supportive, understanding and kind. That goes for the Mods too... I've never dealt with such wonderful people online before. I truly see you all as friends... You all and this site mean a lot to me. There's been a few occasions where my artwork has taken me from here, but each time I've returned, and each time I've been welcomed back with open arms.

To all of you... To Mr.Robbo, Sir Pups, Wiz, Raz, Fem, Nu, Lady Kam, Bobby, all of you... And of course, my dearest, darling, wonderful Mel.

Thank you. Thank you for being there for me, for RPing with me, for building this site into the welcoming refuge it has become, and for letting me be a part of it.


HERE'S TO ANOTHER YEAR.

[Lydia Faust]

First of all, the obvious congratulations to everyone on the site, first and foremost Mel and Robbo. You guys really did it. 2 years and this site is still plastering the walls with madness and affection. ^-^

Come the end of February, I'll have been here for two years, and while I've not been here quite as long as some of the other pretties like Bobby, I still feel just as much part of the community. To be perfectly honest, I came to this site from a similar situation that made Mel and Robbo want to found BA in the first place, a site with nasty moderators, who had trans phobic and toxic elements within them, that helped to make the site an unpleasant and restrictive place.

I fell in love with the site and it's members almost immediately after joining, the mixture of chaos and love, especially within the cbox is just... enthralling. One of the most immediate things that gripped me, I distinctly remember was the layout of the site. Everything was friendly, open and pretty. The cbox is right at the top on the left, the community right there infront of you, like a welcoming party.

I was immediately caught up in the excitement and still am today, and while I might be a far cry from the more active members in terms of post consistency, I like to think I've been relatively consistent as a member of the community, and I just want to point out what a good job and how hard they've worked at it, with every iteration of the mod team. Particularly Mel and Robbo, for always being around to help members, and always being friendly and welcoming. (If each in their own special ways)

I love you guys, I love this site. I look forward to continuing to love this site, and having many more fond memories with you all, you've grown me as a person in so many ways and as a writer in more.

HAPPY SECOND BIRTHDAY BA, GOOD JOB! <3333

[Puppy *]

You guys didn't really think this thread would be up and I'd not have something to say, did you? I'm not sure if there's anyone who's had a more tenuous, up and down relationship with the site and a few of the members here. It's been one hell of a roller coaster ride I hadn't anticipated when I first clicked on the button that sent my first app to be reviewed.

The simple ad that was placed in the Reddit r/Roleplay community must have been among the first Mel had posted for BA because I eyed it for a couple weeks before deciding to check out the site. The circumstances that ultimately led me to poke around Bellefonte were desperate, to say the least. Having come from a tabletop and chat based RPG background I was finding the time I was able to get online with or gather my gaming troupe for a decent length session was growing more and more erratic. I had a friend who'd dabbled in the play by post format to only moderate success but those were mostly fantasy based settings that focused around player vs player combat which held little appeal. I remember reading the ad for BA and thinking, 'Hey! I don't mind mutants and stuff!' and being a little intrigued over the idea of dealing with the largely untold issues surrounding an academy.

Given that time wasn't on my side at the time, I decided, finally to check it out. And geezus am I glad I did. I was first attracted to the clean, easy to navigate nature of the site. It appealed to me and my Neanderthal, old man ways. My failing eyesight was soothed by the non abrasive color scheme and pleasantly subdued graphics. I looked around, read through the joining guide, skimmed a few posts, bookmarked the site for future reference and then turned off my laptop and went to bed without much desire to join.

A few more days wet by and I was still looking for a creative outlet. I had started a handful of e-mail or Google Doc based collaborations with a few people and when the majority of them disappeared around this time, leaving me with little means in which to stretch my creative juices, I once again returned to that weird mutant site I'd looked a while back and decided to give it a shot. It couldn't have been any worse than starting a collaborative writing project with a stranger only to see that stranger disappear before anything could really happen with the characters.

I toiled for a bit as I considered characters. I've been playing RPG's of various types, genres, settings and mediums since I was a little kid and my character sheet folder is now approaching the things of legend. Did I want to create a brand new character or adapt an existing one to fit the setting? I put far more effort into this decision than I probably should have and, in the end, opted to bring my youngest, currently active character onto the site. Which was, in the beginning, an absolute disaster.

I had no idea what I was doing. When I first dared to venture into the BA cbox I was like a lost lamb. I was suddenly thrust into a world where people were talking about pb's/fc's, shipping, discussing who were their 'OTP's' and referring to these apparently hated things called 'Mary Sues'. I was absolutely lost. A fish out of water in the highest order. This wasn't my scene. Wasn't my comfort zone. I remember actually having to ask what the hell a 'ship' was in the most comical of ways. I didn't know how new the site had been or how most of the members had only met mere weeks prior. It felt like an old community that had been going on forever. I felt like the outsider, the new kid on the block who had no idea how to fit in.

And then, seemingly overnight, everything changed.

For the first month or so, at least, I was on the site I toiled around in obscurity. I struggled with the unfamiliar themes of the setting and Ricky, my first character, was an unmitigated disaster in the early going. I happened upon the post stating the 25 post limit for characters was waved in an attempt to build up the character base and I took advantage of it. Enter one Trevor Paige, whom most of you know now as Drew Conner (long story, not getting into it). Trevor came along right when Bellefonte was attempting help get the adult characters of the site get together and interact more by way of a speed dating event. It was mentioned in the post discussing the plot that it would be possible, even, for a student to crash the event.

And so I did.

I threw an at the time 16 year old rich kid at whatever teacher I could. I don't know where it came from, I don't know why. What I do know is that was the first time I remember hearing people say, 'What the hell is this guy doing?' in a good way and I loved it. It was great. Hilarious. It was because of the boost I got with that event that allowed me to start putting Trevor in other spots around the school. It even gave me the confidence to take another person's open thread for the first time, something I'd been reluctant to do. That open happened to be the very first thread between Trevor and Erika as well as the first non-site-wide event thread between myself and Mel.

The intimidation I felt of taking Mel's open can no be understated. Mel was the Queen. She was the founder of the site as well as the one everyone talked about. She was insanely active, friends with everyone, it seemed, and Erika was one of the most well known, popular and busiest character on the site. And here I was, a total noob bringing a character with less than 20 posts under his belt into the fray. I wasn't prepared for the deluge of posts that were to follow. Before I knew it Mel and I had caught fire, we'd found lightning in a bottle. I don't think I need to get into the specifics, but the results of our efforts are plain to see with both Erika and the recently christened Drew both sit in the top 4 in terms of character posts with over 2,000 apiece. I think conservative estimates have at least a 3rd of those posts being with one another.

Once I finally settled in with the community of BA and grew more comfortable around the site I started noticing the little things that drew me in and held me here. The community, first and foremost, has been something I hadn't seen since the Java based White Wolf Unmoderated chat RP back in the late 90's and even then the personal connection with a setting, it's characters and the other members was unparalleled.

As the months turned into years we've seen people come and go. I, myself, had gone and come back... the left again only to return a second time. Through the passage of time and the seemingly revolving door of members there's remained one constant. From the very beginning it became apparent this site was built as not just a place where people can come to tell stories. The environment that was pioneered from the beginning of being a home of sorts. A place to meet new friends. To share ideas and foster growth both as writers, storytellers and people. Above all else, Bellefonte feels like an environment built for people above characters. People that bring about a sense of genuine joy and adulation when you see them online. The people you talk to on a daily basis about life, the universe and everything. The people who will bring you into the fold and keep you there in spite of any missteps on your part.

I don't feel there's a need to name those who I've grown close to over the years. You know who you are. If we've ever shared a thread, a plot and a laugh you have a special place in my heart. I know I, personally, haven't been the easiest person on the planet to deal with at times but that never seems to be held against me. BA has been a source of so many emotions both good and bad. I've found a handful of new friends and a family I can always rely on. It's evident BA means far more to me than a mere RP site.

It's home.



That being said... you all still can suck it.

[Layla Harlow]

Happy 2nd Birthday to BA!

Congratulations to two of my favorite people on running an amazing and successful site. You guys have done such a great job with the activity, the events and the development of the site. Things are still just as entertaining and exciting as the beginning when things were taking off. And although I haven't been around consistently for two years or even a full year yet, the few times I've left and come back, I've noticed such a great community forming. I always had all the faith in the world in you two, and it was well placed.

For those of you who don't know, I was also a part of the site that kicked Mel off and resulted in Robbo leaving. I had been a part of that train wreck before it became one. Two years to be exact. When Mel joined, her and I had a few passing threads, nothing substantial. It wasn't until I put up a wanted ad for one of my character's brothers that we really connected. She scooped him up and played him in the most perfect way. Not only did she boost my activity on the site, but she became my first true RP partner. We then delved into multiple ships, each crazy and adorable in their own way and she helped shape me as a writer. She became one of my very good friends, a person I could talk to outside of the forum and over FB and video chat. And trust me when I say, video chat mostly consisted of giggling and us PMing on the side because no one else knew what was going on while we were dying xD When she got banned, I had been part of the staff on the site and was expected to respond in a certain way to what was going on. If I didn't, I was told to stay out of it. It resulted in tension from all sides and eventually we lost contact. After a little while of this, there were apologies made and our friendship was mended. I became less active on the site, stopped being a moderator and eventually dove into whatever ideas she had brewing. Site idea after site idea, we struggled with what we would do, but our ships always carried over. Then RL took me away for a while and BA brewed between her and Robbo. A site that sparked enough interest and became exactly what she was trying to accomplish.

And then there's Robbo and Jack. The second we threw Layla and Jack together, we knew they would be forever best friends, no matter where they traveled. And in that sense Robbo was one of my very best friends. He made the site we were on much less stuffy and entertaining. Right along with Mel, they corrupted what the site had turned into and brought back the original feeling of it. When Mel left, Robbo lingered for a short while, kept up plots with me and Layla. But neither of us were quite the same without Mel. She was the third leg of our tripod and we weren't sure how to stand on two legs without her there to make our trio whole. So when he left, I drifted too, tried to find where I could fit in that wasn't the place that decided to react so poorly over something stupid.

I failed from leaving that place completely, but then Mel messaged me out of the blue and with little resistance, dragged me back to BA. I came with a false name to hide from the spying eyes of the site we left because I'm not confrontational and didn't feel like losing my shit in case they pushed me that far xD and I was welcomed with open arms, fooling Robbo for a second until we brought up the ship that tied us all together. And I haven't regretted coming back since. I've made great friends here, who understand when RL becomes hell and takes away from writing time. And what's best is that I have so many of my old friends here as well.

You all are fantastic, this site is amazing and I know that it will last many years to come.

Congratulations BA! <3

[Deleted]

xmelusine (5:52:15 PM): I hope you die

[Kam *]

CONGRATS BELLEFONTE ACADEMY! It's been 2 WHOLE years and hunny that's quite old in RP age.

I think after reading everyone's stories on how they wound up on here has made me realize that family doesn't have to be blood. I call you guys my BA Fam because there are days that I spend talking and conversing with you all more than I do anyone else. There is love, there are arguments, fights, disagreements, acceptances, situations and baby it happens, that's what makes us a family.

I had quit RPing before coming across BA, because I had just gotten out of a very long term relationship, I was dealing with my first miscarriage and a very mild form of depression. And in an African family.. there's no such thing as depression.. you just get over it and "pray" and "fast" , but the problem was, I didn't. Little did I know that getting back into RP would help me not ponder so much about what was going on with me.

I used to just stalk this site since it opened, LOL but the only difference is that now I'm actually staff and not just some random person. Around April... May ish... I finally spoke in the cbox and it was kind of wild how welcoming you guys were and I thought to myself... theres no point because all I know is X-Men, Vampires, and Witchy roleplays... I- I can't do a mutant slice of life RP... there's no way, people won't even RP with me, I'll probably suck. Fck this shit. But I stayed and I did an application for Vera... who I also thought would be a bit too "much" for the site.

Come to find out... I used to RP with Mel, Robbo, and Trix on a old site we were all on... but never speak about. I didn't realize this until months after... wow

Months passed, I stayed, made more charries, made friends with you all... and I felt like I was apart of something. Not with other sites where you never feel like you'd fit in bc everyone is all "cliq-y" but I really did feel like I belonged here. It got to the point where I went out of my comfort zone and asked Mel if she needed a extra hand in staff... and I came to her and said "I know nothing about being a mod or a staff member or how to do any of this shit." and she was just like "It's okay, you'll learn, we'll help you, you're great. Get your ass in staff mode."

And now here I am... while it wont be two years for me until spring, It feels like I've been apart of this for such a long time. And I just want to thank you all for seeing me as one of your own fellow RPers, for posting with me, plotting with me and my insane ideas, for dealing with me, being there for me when I needed it most but never said a peep. Thank you for coming to me whenever you need something, feeling so much love and comfort between us that you feel so comfortable with telling me any problems you have, any issues, venting, anything that makes you happy because that's what I'm here for.

I only do this for family.

[Mel *]

I'm not going to write a long ass, feelsy post, because Robbo already did the introduction and the rest of you said this way better than I ever could, but there's a few things I'd like to include and that's this significant detail...

This is all thanks to YOU guys. The members, the amazing writers and people. This amazing community we're all a part of and have helped build. You're all so incredibly beautiful and talented. You're such wonderful people and this site never, ever would have been what it is today without you. B.A is like a home to many of us, yeah, but that's not thanks to the ones who made the site. It's not because of the ones who made the design or did the plot. It's because of you guys. The members who make the community. It's all you.

YOU are B.A. And I can't even begin to describe how much this means to me. Not only how old the site has gotten, but all the kind words. You've made this an incredible journey for not only me, but everyone around you. You've given me so many feels; laughs, tears, frustration and madness. It's been two heck of a years - and yeah, it hasn't always been AMAZING, but I can honestly say that it's been worth it. Every step of the way. As Robbo pointed out, the site was made on a whim. The idea behind it was to make a site that's more than just RP'ing. A community where people can feel like they belong and have fun - even without writing. A place for people to feel safe and... Well, at home. I want to thank you all for making that possible.

This is for you. Cheers, people - and happy birthday.

[Selina Taylor]

First of all Happy Birthday!!

I’m relatively new here in regards to the grand scheme of things, but I almost instantly felt like a part of BA even back when I first joined. I still remember my first convo as anon in the cbox with mel and puppy when I took my shirt off to fit in <3

And after that, I just felt right at home XD

I was still new to RP-ing when I first joined BA, and still feel like a newbie tbh, but everyone was super sweet and I always liked slice of life type things, so I decided to give this a try.

My first experience RP-ing had been both really good and really bad at the same time, as the woman who created the site was amazing, but the guys (yes plural) who raped and sexually assaulted my characters without ever so much as trying to get my consent were not. (I can handle those topics, but I just have to know beforehand and not have it come up as a surprise mid-thread.) They also defended their actions as “feeling natural” and they couldn’t understand why rape would be a sensitive topic, which was triggering as hell and just set off red flags everywhere, so I had to go.

The second site I had joined after that was homophobic and transphobic. I’d also had trouble with another member as we ended up just being toxic for each other. There’s no bad blood or anything, or at least not on my part, I can’t speak for another, but it was just something I had to step away from for the sake of my own mental health. Having panic attacks and flashbacks every time I got online was not in my best interest.

In line with the above, I have mental illnesses that often affect my ability to be active or not. So with all that in mind, I was wary to say the least about joining another site.

BA was one that I’d seen before, but had sort of skipped over because it seemed too big for me, but eventually I decided to give it a go and I am soo glad I did. The acceptance for both members and characters who’re not cis and/or straight has been a blessing. I love all of you guys and even with the site’s ups and downs I don’t regret my being here for a moment. There’ve been a few times I was ready to step back, as I have never been with a site for more than a few months before this and RL has always been a hindrance, but each time I got drawn back in again, and I’m happy I was.

It’s part of the reason I offered to help out where I could, because this site and its members mean a hell of a lot to me and I wanted to give back what I could, even if it’s only a little bit here and there.

Congratulations on making it to two years you guys! And here’s hoping we’ll be here for a third as well!

[Lister D. Reynolds]

LEVEL CLEARED. BOSS FIGHT!

Okay so I think most of the community of BA can agree that it is Freakin' A. We have a community which is almost constantly active in one respect or another with people either posting or spending insane hours discussing the best way to get into cannibalism with their fellow members in the C-Box.

When I first joined BA I had never done any Forum Roleplay, like zilcho. I hadn't really ever tried this kind of writing, I mean sure I played some DND and Conan and that but...this wasn't something I had much confidence in. The main reason I thought I'd like to get into it was I need another output to deal with the crazy which is me, I've always been fascinated by art and drama and had always tried to go into areas out of my comfort zone to improve them. So I was very happy after spending a few days trying to find a good site to stumble upon this gem. The colour scheme wasn't garish or extremely flamboyant as most other sites are so my, somewhat colour-blind and dull sighted, eyes loved being able to read through posts without having to squint, that was reason no. 1 it caught my eye.

Number 2. I notice that the C-Box was extremely busy and somewhat chaotic, in a kind of this is ridiculous this is awesome way. So I'd thought I'd introduce myself. And everyone was so friendly that I knew I just had to join.

Number 3. The staff on this site are so freakin' dedicated to helping anyone who is having a problem. I see it all the time when a new member appears, Robbo carries on whatever ridiculous convo he was having and then makes sure he is concentrating on answering all and any questions someone might have. I'm positive I've driven all of the staff insane with everyone of my App but they've always been ready to help improve my writing skills and make some of my ridiculous ideas a bit more viable, I'm still surprised you allowed a character called Max 'Cheese' Fritz to invade BA.

Number 4. After I had a bout last year where I had to get serious about studying, I took a fair few months hiatus from BA. But when I returned it had been like I had never left, everyone greeted me with the same ferocious friendliness and I was told I wasn't allowed to do that again.

So I guess I just want to say thank you to all the staff members who keep this ship running, to Mel and Robbo for going out there and laying the foundations for this kickass site and to all the members who always greeted me with friendly smiles, even if I still drive you insane.

Happy Birthday BA

[Riley Forrester]

I would say "I'll try not to be feelsy" but knowing how my mind goes it'll probably be an awkward mix of feels and goof. So let's get it over with.

First off Ima just say that I have not done nearly the time in this ja- I mean lovely place as everyone else, but honestly I feel like I've been here forever. When I first came to BA it was through advertisement from an old site. I won't detail all the sites I've been to and looked over, but this one was a bit different. It was the first site I had ever gone online for forum rps. It was nice, but there was a lot of drama. After staying there for nearly a year, I left because things were getting really toxic and the site was dying. For a long while I stayed away from forum rps because I was afraid. Only years later did I start looking.

Eventually through my rp travels, I came back to the site just to see how everyone was under a different name. That's when I found the BA ad and was like "Huh. Mutants. Why not." So I looked. I had never played a mutant before. Sure I'd had some magical shiz but a mutant was new and fresh. And then when I got on the site, oh dear god the glorious layout. Seriously, great job there. It was the first thing that made me go "hmmmmmm this is nice."

After marveling at some threads and characters, I finally confronted the biggest thing I had been stalking: the cbox. I admit I was terrified to say anything in it. Everything seemed so fast and I wasn't sure if anyone would like me. But finally late one night I made my account and joined in the chat. The very first thing that happened was me and another member reciting the entire Team Rocket Saying. Could you blame me for being hooked?

Gradually over time I got to know everyone else, and it only furthered to drive that damn hook into me until I knew I couldn't leave. Everyone was so nice and the site was so awesome! It was exciting and I felt like I had found a place where I belonged. Me and all my corny jokes, random sass, terrible puns, infinite gifs and endless memes. Somehow I had found a home where I could be the complete nerd I was and no one would bat an eye. (Although some would bat me with a newspaper. You know who you are.)

So yes, I ended up falling in love with BA and the BA family. All of you are so much fun to be around and so wickedly awesome. Even if I'm feeling down, all I need to do is come on here and suddenly I'm walking on sunshine (whoooaaaa-aaaa-ooooo).

I love you guys with ever fiber of my heart, whether you like it or not!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BA YOU OLD CRONE!!!!!

[Everett King]

I'm not great with long speeches so I'm keeping this short and sweet.

I have to be one of the worst members in the history of the world ever.
I disappear for months on end without a word, appear one day to say I'm active, then disappear the next for another few good months. I've done this several times. And you all just keep welcoming me back with open arms.
Ya'll are crazy.

I keep forgetting how long I've been (and not been) here; the time has just flown by. But I remember the day Ever was accepted, and I remember his first thread with Erika. I remember falling in love with the beautiful star Mel, being deathly afraid of Robbo and absolutely starstruck by the writing talents of Fate and Pups. Whether you realize it or not, every single one of you has been an influence on me. They were probably good influences but who can say, ya'll are a weirdly kinky bunch. I love you for it.

It's funny that I am able to tell how much I've changed over the years by the fact that I love the hell out of Robbo. How could I not? He's as amazing and talented and kind as Mel so it makes sense that they as a pair managed to keep this site going for two whole years. (Dude I literally don't know why I was afraid of you. Like, I've wracked my brains and nothing. But like, literally, 'run for cover' terrified.)

I've made so many wonderful friends, and met so many people I respect on this site.
Dammit this was going to be short.

You are my family, and I love you.

[Kara Travis]

Alright so I'm going to join in.

I haven't been here nearly as long as some of you, but I love it all the same. I've been on one proboards forum or another for around six years now. I was around fourteen I think when I tried my first one, and it was horses. And the next one was horses. And I became a mod on that one. And it died. And I went looking for another one. And it was horses and people. And the admins eventually hated me because I started a thread just like the ones Fuzz was complaining about (only very vague and I wasn't dragging anyone else into it). Anyways, the admins didn't like that. They also didn't like my character reading peoples' emotions by looking into their eyes.

After that I said to hell with that I'm going on a site about superpowered people so they CAN'T do that. And I found another site, and stayed on it for ages, becoming a mod there. And then the admin shut it down.

Considering writing is like breathing for me, I had to find something else for my fix (seriously if I don't do this for a week my hands shake and I sweat and get irritable - the whole bit). So I went looking. And I looked for a while.

Then I found BA. And I looked around for a while, watched the cbox. Then I saw the same sex relationship of a lot of characters. Girls liking girls. Particularly Samantha and Ellis, honestly. I realized I'd found a tolerant community, and at the time I was in the closet like a whole lot. I was out to my family and closest friend, and in passing on my previous site. But otherwise no. And I was deathly afraid of coming out.

Well I decided to make a character, and then I started rping, and joking around in the cbox. I realized I could be a bit of a weirdo (my default state) and there would be someone saying something that was probably odder (which was still awesome). BA wasn't really what I was used to since I mostly rped action sequences, so it took some getting used to that the powers weren't really what was important. It made me delve more into the other aspects of my characters which was very good for me.

Anyways, BA's my main site now, 'cause all my other sites just leave me wondering why my characters are still alive (I killed off so many characters on my other sites it's really very surprising to me only Cade's died here). And my friends are all here now. This site has allowed me to write and not have a set plotline, and also to accept myself the way I am. Which considering I was miserable trying to find Narnia, is a pretty great thing.

At this point, I couldn't even dream of leaving. Happy Birthday to BA and may there be more time to spend with all you wonderful folks.

[Raku]

Well, since many did this I felt like I should say something. I'm not very good at this sort of thing, especially when it comes to like an overall group thing but I'll give it a go.

Basically, I was invited to BA by a friend who ended up leaving and at first I wanted to leave with them but a few people here that were posting with me and in general were up to RPing with me had me sticking around. I'm the kind of person who does not really make friends very easily, even if I seem nice and what not I'm just being polite since no need to be rude to people and all that. However, that has not been the case for many people I have interacted with on the site.

Everyone who talks and post with me daily knows how I am with new people and just people in general. Now I still don't know everyone but I can say for a fact that I have made actual close bonds on this site. Or at least I feel that I did on some level with a few of the members on this site. People who have been willing to post with me, plot with me, and even talk to me here and there out of character for things besides RP related stuff.

I've been on many sites over the years. Good ones, bad ones, and only two so far have I ever stuck around for a two year mark. Being being the second one. Even now with my desire to stick around waning for various reasons, the bonds that I was able to obtain with a few people has been what has me sticking around and trying...idk what but trying lol.

Anyways, I'm rambling. In short while RP for me is just a hobby that I enjoy when I have others that really want to plot and thread with me, BA has been able to get me to stick around for more then that on several occasions. I won't lie and say that I won't leave at some point if those check marks of "why I stick around and RP" are all removed. But I can say for certain I enjoyed my time here and don't regret at all having been invited here. BA actually was the site that got me back into RPing again since I quite a while back for reasons again.

So thanks BA. Thanks Mel and Robbo for coming up with such a place that has welcomed and keeps welcoming people of all types of ideals, views, perspectives, and characters here. It has been an amazing place that has always done very well at making most feel at home *points to all the comments above for proof*. So either way, if I'm not around for when the site hit the big 3 year mark (and I feel that it will) I still want to say thanks for the memories, the bonds, and an amazing RP experience.