I spent most of last year and a good chunk of this year to date helping out with running @fehplanner! Looking back on these spreads that I drew so many months ago, it’s hard to remember that at the time, we were really worried about whether or not the project would be successful- Three Houses hadn’t come out yet, and excitement for it was very muted, plus we were asking for far more work from our artists than most zines, and we had a very high number of sales we had to hit to make the project viable. We smashed through that number, and dealing with the wrapup for the project has been tedious for all the mods, but the love and support from the fandom has been really wonderful, and seeing the artists’ hard work be appreciated so loudly really warms my heart. I tried to put all the love and faith I had for the project into these spreads, and I really hope that if you managed to snag a copy for yourself, you’ll enjoy them. :)
DGS Sherlock plush made by me and @deepsealily is up for preorders until 12/16! We’re also having a raffle on Twitter for him!
If he does well enough, we’ll consider making more DGS/AA plushies! ^p^ Thank you!
⭐ Store: https://batensan.bigcartel.com/ ⭐
Doing an interest check for a DGS Sherlock Holmes plushie (indoor outfit) made by me and deepsealily! With more orders, we can lower the price! If there’s a Sherlock-lover in your neighborhood, please tell them about this soft boy we’re cooking up.
⭐ Form: https://forms.gle/SY4Eu1Yara1yGHzB7 ⭐
Ignis picking up Prompto’s phone for him
I will never understand why this Christmas song goes so hard.
OKAY MOTHERFUCKERS LISTEN UP
BECAUSE THIS SHIT IS NOT CAROL OF THE BELLS
IT IS CHRISTMAS EVE/SARAJEVO 12/24 AND IT IS SO MUCH FUCKING MORE THAN CAROL OF THE BELLS.
so during the bosnian war (which was this nasty-ass conflict in bosnia and herzgovina) there was this badass cello-playing motherfucker named vedran smailovic. He was from Sarajevo, was upset about all the shit and nastiness that came about through this war (this was full-on brother-killing-brother shit!) that he went around to bombed-out, blown up buildings and funderals––where he was at risk of FUCKING SNIPER FIRE––and playing the cello. This guy was so set on providing one tiny spot of beauty in a seriously nasty war he was risking being fucking SHOT OR BLOWN UP.
AND THIS IS THE GUY WHO INSPIRED THIS SONG.
He’s why there’s the calm cello part at the beginning before everything gets all violent-sounding. It’s THEMATIC.
THAT’S WHY THIS CHRISTMAS SONG GOES SO FUCKING HARD.
WHY ISN’T MORE CHRISTMAS MUSIC LIKE THIS?????
There’s the wikipedia article about him and yes…true story…
It’s also important to understand that Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 was not originally a Trans Siberian Orchestra song. It was originally recorded by Savatage, a metal band, for their concept album “Dead Winter Dead,” and when some Savatage members formed TSO, they adopted that song as a TSO song because yeah it’s fucking amazing.
Friendly reminder that this exists.
Friendly reminder that Vedran’s performances also included a pile of rubble that used to be a fountain IN THE CENTER OF A TOWN SQUARE WITH NO COVER.
When asked years later why he’d down something so apparently suicidal, he shrugged and replied that it was his way of proving that “the spirit of humanity was still alive in that place, despite all evidence to the contrary.”
May we all be as brave and stalwart in protesting violence and injustice as Vedran “The Most Bad-Ass Cellist Ever” Smailović.
Also, despite what some articles may say, Vedran was not an old man when this happened. He’s only in his early 60s today, which would have made him no older than 37 when he was playing in the ruins of Sarajevo. Never let anyone tell you it’s only old men who can make a difference.
Family Portrait
I have a headcanon that Van and Cardia eventually adopt Delly, and together they make a wonderful make-shift family: the Human Weapon, the former Monster, and the Little King of Vampires. Keeeeeeeeee just looking at this makes me so happy!! Makes my heart soft and tender 。:゚(。ノω\。)゚・。
Big thanks to @deepsealily for drawing the lovely family! I’m so glad I got to commission you! Please check out her works to see more of her wonderful art!