#aqf

I even saw Saffron again! You guys may remember from last years AQF post.

I would hazard a guess that this may have been the funnest thing I've done in my entire life. And I really mean that, I haven't had this much fun in such a long time that I actually broke town in tears of happiness towards the end. What can I say, I'm a soft emotional otter sometimes.

I spent an absolutely fantastic time hanging (and cuddling) with @runawaygel, and we've decided to officially call ourselves boyfriends! I've actually not dated someone in over half a decade, so this is a big deal for me!

The waterpark was as fun as always, except now it was ME who was the party leader, excitedly leading people about to enjoy what it had to offer, from lazy river lounging (and shenanigans) to the water slides. I mean, I'm an otter in a waterpark, it's easy to know that I'd have a ton of fun.

The con itself was fun. I tried to attend more panels and events than last year and man was that a good choice! Charity dances, panels about visual novels, the Artemis spaceship game in the game room and other games (thanks @leothewerelion for tempting me into there finally, it was a tone of fun). Heck, I couldn't really attend the parties I had intended to, so the con dance raves were an amazing time to literally shake my tail!

I'm so greatful for all the people who interacted with the "otter in a high viz vest". It was a ton of fun getting more socialization and fursuit hugs than ever before. Heck, my social battery wasn't being used up like normal, it was being recharged!

Hilariously, I went so hard that on Saturday night I exhaustion blacked out. Not alcohol blackout, EXHAUSTION blackout. I was so excited to keep doing things that eventually my brain just clocked out finally, lmao.

I understand the fursuit thing now. So. DAMN. MUCH. I would hazard a guess that I spent a little under half my waking hours in suit, I spent as long as I physically could as the Otterneer, and it was ADDICTING. Hot? yes, I need to do some upgrades to help with heat reduction, but even still, I spent so long in it! Many people were very surprised that this was my first suiting experience, but I guess my unobstructed excitement and whimsy just overrode any first-time hiccups that would normally stop me. My first time suiting experience was GOD TIER, and I can't wait to enjoy that fun again at future cons! Once again, thanks to my maker DogWool for making this happen!

And yes, I stayed safe suiting that much. I spent ample time in the fursuit lounge (a great opportunity to talk to more people!) and stayed hydrated. Thanks again @runawaygel for being such a great handler and keeping an eye on my otter-related shenanigans (and helping start so many conversations too!).