Very Much Appreciated · 12:23am Sep 11th, 2014
Dear Loyal Watchers, Interested Visitors, and Confused Passersby:
Do you know Jake the Army Guy?
I imagine that most of us are familiar with "The Sergeant" by now. He's been a wonderful contributor, commentator, and a general bonhomme since he first put aside yelling at new recruits long enough to sign up on the site. He has been a longtime supporter and reader of mine, and knows me well enough that, at times, he has even left pre-emptive "If this is T.D., then I know you're here to thank me for the favorite I gave your story X" messages on his comment field, knowing of my bizarre need to thank my readers for their investment in my works.
The Sergeant was among the many wonderful authors, readers, artists, and Bronies in general who I met last year at BronyCon in Baltimore. To actually be able to put faces and voices to the endless streams of text and avatars that I'd been interacting with over the previous three years was an amazing experience, and being able to share experiences and ideas while sitting in the Quills & Sofas writer's lounge will always be a cherished memory for me.
I missed that, this year, as I wasn't able to go. I missed that interaction. I missed watching the Orioles' play. In short, I missed out on a lot by missing BronyCon this year, and I really, really wish that I could redo all of this dying summer with a few more means, and less issues, at my disposal.
One of the things that I enjoy most about going to BronyCon was commissioning sketches from the artists. We all know how well they've turned out in the past, and it seems like a sizable portion of all the Twilight/Spike cuddling/nuzzling/hugging sketches in the fandom have their genesis from me blowing out my knees as I kneel at an artist's booth, blocking traffic as I watch my happy vision come to life at the end of an artist's pencil.
I was lamenting to The Sergeant earlier this year how I was going to miss these things, and I jokingly suggested that he may want to get a Twilight/Spike sketch in my memory. Well, he decided to go a little bit further than that. After working with the artist AquaticSun, this bit of wonderful arrived in the world:
The narrative of the work is clearly evident at first glance. Young Twilight has taken it upon herself to study a raven... a creature chosen not by coincidence. Little Spike is right there, sharing her interest. Night Light and Velvet are there, looking with pride as their daughter and her little ward begin their scientific endeavors.
A lot has happened to me since I joined this fandom, and I've never enjoyed as much success as a writer as I have enjoyed in the Pony fandom. I'm glad that my writing continues to inspire others, and that people feel moved to do things like this for me personally. It feels good... it feels damn good! Thank you, Jake. It is very, very much appreciated.
Stay Awesome,
-T.D.
That is really awesome!
Oh that is too awesome. But, it's Jake, and he's awesome, so...
And yeah, it sucks you didn't have the power to go... I wanted to meet you.
~Skeeter The Lurker
Agreed. Jake's a pretty cool dude.
Jake's the man.
Oh, that is just wonderful. Nice going Jake and Aquatic.
Jake is awesomesauce.
I've seen a few of Jake's comments here and there, but I'm afraid that's as far as my familiarity goes...
I must say that that is a beautiful piece of artwork.
Obligatory hats off to Jake.
Also, it really is quite a brilliantly constructed picture.
Okay, that's damned good of him to do. Kudos.
Ah, I was wondering why I never saw you around Q&S this year. I actually went inside the room this time! Here's hoping for next time, hm?
Edit: I totally forgot: that is adorable, and also doubly heartwarming. The picture and Jake I mean... the double. You get it, I hope.
Aw, that's genuinely lovely of the man. Kudos to him.
I'd go to such conventions, but I feel like I'd be a bit too self conscious. I suppose that is the nature of the game, though.
It's pretty awesome that you know such cool people on a personal level. Lucky Raven.
-Lumino
Eh. You didn't miss much. The Orioles lost miserably and in deflating fashion.
But seriously, Bronycon was an absolute blast again. It's a shame you weren't able to make the trip. That beard can't be replaced, and I would've loved to pick your brain on writing and history. Here's to next year being friendlier!
That is one of the sweetest pictures of Twilight and Spike in their youth I've ever did see. And shows off Twi's parents still being in her life despite her living in Celestia's castle. It'd be good to know if they ever really got to see Twilight throughout those years on a more regular basis than how secluded she was shown to be.
And here's hoping next summer you'll have less burdens and more leaway to commit to more social gatherings like you once did. Take care of yourself T.D.!
That's a really nice gesture.
Man, that is one nonchalant raven.
Well that's just really nice. But then, Jake is a really nice guy.
Worth every penny. And I still have the raven you gave me last year. Still my favorite piece of swag from that con.
I'm kinda at a loss on how to reply to everyone without reposting all of the you with the same message!
In all, thank you all for taking the time to look at the image. I'm glad that you enjoyed it as much as I did. I hope that I'll return to BronyCon some year, but for some reason they chose the second week in Aust next year, which is usually the weekend I do a big re-enactment in Ohio... plus the Orioles are away that weekend, so that's another negative. Maybe next year I should look at doing another convention? I've always wanted to see the Pacific Ocean—perhaps Everfree Northwest?
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2446198
*Cough* BABSCon *cough*
2446198 The fun of going to cons is making time to go visit the sights!
Everfree Northwest sounds like a good bet. Always good to plan ahead for hotels within the area and places to eat around town and how many would be 100% down to tagging along and maybe share in the expenses of traveling and rooming together! :D
God. It's been far too long since I've gone to a convention. Here's hoping I'll be able to attend one with friends next year.
Nightmare Nights Dallas is the one that I will be attending in the near future, though it doesn't really seem have much of a fanfic track compared to Bronycon or Everfree.
Well, it didn't last year other than a panel or two, that might have changed this year.
2446198
If you make it to Everfree, I'll have even more of a reason to make damn sure I go to it.
(As it is, I'm already planned out for it AND BronyCon!)
~Skeeter The Lurker
2446205
Sorry, Super, but as long as they keep scheduling BABS on Easter, then that's not a possibility for me.
2446263
I hope you get out to one, too, Tel.
2446267
When is that, DJ? lose to Halloween, I assume.
2447186
It's nice to go to at least once. I hope you can go and that you enjoy your experience.
2447294 maybe we can get a Skype appearance.
2447294 Yep, October 24-26.
2447186 please come to BABSCon so I can meet the legendary lurker in person!
2447294 Thanks. And one last thing, I'm curious, but can we possibly expect a story to go for that coverart worthy pic?
Day in the life on young aspiring foalish Twilight and baby Spike? You have such a good grasp with those types of stories. You just don't find very many stories with those two as the focus. During those days anyways
And aside from you and few others, even stories with Spike eventually push him away a bit to focus on Twilight the most. Like Spike's an afterthought or something.
That's really cool. What an awesome picture.
bonhomie n. 1. Geniality; friendliness; a pleasant, friendly, good-natured manner; an affable and approachable disposition; frank and simple good-heartedness.
2. Friendly atmosphere; an atmosphere of good cheer.
The word you're looking for is bonhomme.
2447903
Spike is, of course, my favorite character, so it's probably not surprising that I utilize him so much and in such detail. I'm not ruling out having this image made into a story, certainly. We'll just have to wait and see.
2448299
Thanks! I'm very happy with how they handled it.
2448762
True enough.
Jake is even more disgustingly nice than I had thought... I am not sure whether to be wildly impressed or insanely jealous.
2460191
Why not both?
2463744
Very well then!