#sappy post

Mack was so happy, and all his teammates were so proud of him. I mean, just look at him, surrounded by people who actually love him for who he is and don't think his superstardom or his personality is too much for them to handle.

I admire how none of them were envious of him because we know how it can get sometimes. They were so attentive and made sure that he knew they were proud of him. Then, this goes back to him being in a postgame interview, saying he didn't think Graffer was going to pass to him on the empty net. I think it was that or something like that. But anyway, it's almost like he couldn't believe how much Graffer wanted it for him rather than himself. It makes me want to cry because, yes, Macklin, your teammates love you so much to the point where they will give up goals just to see you finally celebrate your hockey milestones in your life at such a high level.

And don't even get me started on William going to get the puck. He is such a good friend to Macklin; it's not even funny. It could've been anyone else, but William was there with him in that moment and wanted him to know that it mattered. He wanted him to have a part of that moment to cherish for all eternity. In that moment, it had everything to do with Mack and the help of his teammates getting him to surpass that milestone that was once Jumbos and frankly his now.

I just love the way all his teammates support him because, Lord knows, he needs it with the weight he has on his shoulders. They really make sure he feels the love, and he gives it back tenfold. It’s so beautiful to watch it all play out.

And one more thing: Kiefer Sherwood is one of the ones I admire in these moments because the big hug he gave Mack was unreal. He had so much love for him already, despite just joining the team, and that should tell you something, if not everything, about Macklin and Sherwood themselves. These people love so, so hard it’s not even funny.

Long sappy post incoming

First of all I just want to give a big thank you to all the staff who made this wonderful event happen. From the admins, newbie coordinators, volunteers, safety coordinators, dungeon monitors, etc, none of this would have been possible without your efforts.

A bit of a mix of callouts and some day overviews incoming 🤘

I flew in late Wednesday night, thank you so much to @ticklex for letting me crash and getting a fun little mini sesh in 😁

Thursday was a bright and early day but wouldn’t have wanted it any other way meeting up with @happydayz101 and getting to walk and tour around Philly together for the first time. It was amazing! The weather was nice and walkable, we grabbed breakfast, went to the Rocky steps (I beat Happy up them 🤭), went to a few art museums/exhibits, walked around some beautiful downtown streets and parks with our Starbiesssss, we ate our first Philly cheesesteak (LIKE YUMMMMM), and saw the liberty bell. We went back and met up with @sinful-nights and started the event off strong with some socializing and SOC’s in party rooms before also meeting up with @shy-ticklish-lee and also meeting @harlottscarlett for the first time 🥹❤️ SO FREAKING NICE, like HELLO?!

Friday we went to Whole Foods where I needed to buy a squash to really fulfill my “squash squash squash” line to combat @happydayz101 “tomato tomato tomato”. We engaged in some Mario kart, more SOC’s, a really cool negotiating class, and just general debauchery. While in the party rooms, and yeah okay WHATEVER, I may have been convinced to get into @sptfrtkl leaning X-frame where I got quite the routing from @happydayz101 @shy-ticklish-lee and a rotating mix of @justt-funn @nixxiesoles @ticklex @theminipotat . BUT YA KNOW WHAT, I held on to my “unbreakable” ribbon SO WELL cause I was so big and brave and strong, it was so much fun but my god that was hell.

Saturday more events were attended, we got dinner with @happydayz101 @sinful-nights @nixxiesoles @3kftworld and @ticklex, more SOC’s, and had a BLASTTTTTT with karaoke night hosted by @theowylshop and @justt-funn.

Sunday was a craaaaaazy filled day where I was able to get a few sessions in with @sugarsoakertkl where I got my “I survived Jenna” pin 😏, @nixxiesoles AHHHHHH SO WORTH THE WAIT OMGGGGGG, and @happydayz101.

I was SO MEAN hehehe to poor happy, it was so much fun to wreck her I’ve wanted too for so long now (yes I do have a switch and Ler side to me thank you very much 😤 I also wanted to inquire about this “revenge Happy is a bitch” self proclamation from her). The grooming gloves, pursonic, tickling duck rod, and the triple pronged aquasonic worked soooooo well on her 😉. Alas, it was my time to Lee and her mean side was well…very much a reality 🫣🥴 for the first time in genuinely I don’t even know how long, I safeworded. Actually safeworded. Genuinely didn’t think it was possible. And thus, I lost my “unbreakable” ribbon. But in actuality I let her have it cause she was using unfair and illegal tactics to try and get me to break 😤 she was so nice and it was so 🤤🫠

I attended a super fun demo with @justt-funn about itching and it was honestly super informative and fun which I looooooved. I was also able to hang with @sinfulsweetheartt and play some more Mario Kart which was so much fun and a nice relaxing break mid day as well. Of course we had to end the last night with more SOC’s, more dancing, vibing, SOC’s, karaoke, and staying up will 6am (so beyond worth it 🥹😭❤️).

Monday was a chiller but sad day 😭 we packed, played some card games with @happydayz101 and @sinful-nights , grabbed chipotle again, and went to the airport. Saying goodbye is always the saddest part of the event. Long hugs and tears were exchanged, long walks through the airport were walked, and the excitement of the next event together looms as always.

A few callout’s cause I’m already being a big yappy yapper.

@sptfrtkl Thank you so much for always being a positive, welcoming presence in the community and for hosting your room and spaces again for people to hang in. Thank you as well for letting me use your equipment cause it was so much fun 😊 I promise I won’t forget my wallet in the rooms anymore 😂

@harlottscarlett I’m so glad I was able to meet you and exchange talks about events, life, and the occasional joke about our unique backstory together. I sincerely hope you enjoy the ducks as well 🤭

@sugarsoakertkl I’m so glad we got to continue talking after AUNT and we got the chance to talk more and play after our little event brouhaha 😉 always here for you at any point, looking forward to the next event!

@shy-ticklish-lee One of the QUAAAAD 💪🤘, I know we didn’t get to hang out much the two of us but please know you are so nice and sweet and thank you for being such an amazing person in the community. I thoroughly enjoy your and happy’s karaoke time and you were definitely a meanie during my gang time 🤭

@nixxiesoles @3kftworld @ticklex So long overdue! Thank you to you guys for meeting up with me and getting to talk and meet y’all in person. You guys are so genuine and sweet and I throughly enjoyed every moment we got to spend together and I can’t wait to see yall again!

@theowylshop @justt-funn You both….you…both. The stalwarts. I know I can go to you both about anything. Thank you so much for the advice, the talks, the hugs, the banter, the SOC’s, the laughs spent, and just the time together. Definitely one of the best highlights to remember on looking back on the weekend.

@mister-ttt Such a legend man. Thank you for all you do in the community. Your such a safe presence for people to engage with and I love that your always there to comfort people as well and be that safe space for someone. Also, Notaler is so much more of a Lee then I am 😂

@sinful-nights As always man, thank you for everything. Such an huge part of the QUAD 💪🤘so deeply thankful for your presence each and every day. All our chipotle runs, teaming up on 67 jokes vs happy, all of us vibe so well with each other and I absolutely love that about us.

@happydayz101 ….well well well. Here we go again. Squash squash squash 67 67 😉. Seriously though. Words cannot express how much you mean to me. You’ve been there for me and we’ve been there for each other since the beginning. The years of online connection and friendship that have now blossomed to something even more beautiful in person. This proves that getting to know someone for them and embracing the ups, downs, and everything in between each and every day can cultivate into such a beautiful friendship and relationship. I feel so honored and blessed that I continue to share this with you. It feels so natural and so effortless whether we’re talking or engaging about regular life, kink, or anything in general. You have such a big heart and I see it every time you engage in the community and with people. Once again, thank you so so SO much for everything as always. You will always be my #1, my ride or die, and I can’t wait to give you the next big hug again and continue cultivating what we’ve developed together as time moves on. 🫂🥹 big hugs 💕

If I missed anyone, I’m so sorry, I’m so tired. But please know you all mean so much to me and I’m so happy I got to spend NEST 2026 with you guys.

It isn’t until he was ten years old, after his father kicked him out of the manor for the night (his tutor said his Ofiri wasn’t smooth enough, like Julian’s speaking was ever smooth) that he saw a bard for the first time. He saw the way the man (brightly dressed in red silks with little yellow flowers that made Julian’s hands twitch, his breath stutter in want) spun and sang and strummed, as if his only care in the world was to pour his heart and soul into his every word and move.

It looked like fun.

(It looked like freedom.)

Which led to Jaskier at eighteen approaching a witcher with a swagger in his step, proud of the voice he’d fully reclaimed five years ago. He spoke and spoke and spoke and didn’t let anyone shut him up, not even his new traveling companion.

He was no longer quiet no matter what people threatened or swore.

(He could never reclaim the smooth skin on his back, but it was a trade Julian had made knowingly. It was worth it—Jaskier would make sure it was worth it.)

And then his voice was stolen from him, because Geralt wanted peace, and he was seven years old again desperately clutching his throat as he realized the words just…wouldn’t come. But…but it was fine, the blasted witch healed him, he was fine, everything was—

Geralt told Jaskier to shut up, and instead of the bantering response the bard had planned, the words on the tip of his tongue, he stuttered. It surprised Jaskier so much, filled him with such horror, that the bard tripped over thin air and almost fell. He could only nod shakily when Geralt asked if he was okay, trying desperately to keep the smile on his face.

(And that night, after the witcher fell asleep, the bard whispered to himself until his voice was hoarse. He spoke and spoke and spoke and tried not to cry when the stutter only got worse as the sky began to lighten.

But Geralt wasn’t asleep. Couldn’t, after the way Jaskier had gone silent today, the pit of worry and self-loathing only growing with every word Jaskier failed to speak clearly. The Djinn was gone, Jaskier’s throat healed, but the witcher could no longer deny his reckless actions had opened old wounds Geralt didn’t even know were there.)

The only good thing was that Jaskier didn’t seem to stutter as he sang. The bard was grateful Geralt didn’t complain about Jaskier singing on the road more than usual, only speaking when he really had to do so.

It went like this for months until Geralt was buying himself a new cloak for the winter rapidly approaching, when he returned to where he had left the bard to an unusual sight. Where Jaskier had been performing for a small group of children, the young offspring of the merchants and locals selling their wares, he was now moving his hands in strange ways as a little girl in front of him beamed, also wiggling her smaller hands and arms.

Spotting the woman that seemed to be the child’s mother, he slowly approached her, wondering silently if she knew what was happening. Luckily, the woman recognized him from Jaskier’s songs, and was quick to mention how happy her girl, Emilia, was to have someone to speak with, apparently not having met many who knew…sign language?

And…Geralt couldn’t physically fix the old wounds he’d reopened, couldn’t patch what he could not see, but maybe…

So when Jaskier met up with Geralt next spring, and the man greeted him by asking how his winter was in sign language, the bard gaped before responding likewise with a speed that the witcher could barely follow. Still, the witcher couldn’t help the way his chest felt lighter at how the bard smiled, looking happier than Geralt had seen him in almost a year.

Eventually, Jaskier got his stutter under control again, and the need for sign language only arose occasionally. It did come in handy when he was sick, or lost his voice from singing too much, or Geralt’s senses were giving the witcher a headache. But for years, Jaskier didn’t struggle with his voice getting trapped in his throat, didn’t feel his leaden tongue sit heavy in his mouth, didn’t have to wonder what he would do if something happened and he couldn’t even yell for help.

Until—

Jaskier stood, frozen, staring at the witcher, his mouth opening and closing and yet no noise coming out. He felt the tears prickle at the corner of his eyes as he turned away from Geralt, refusing to see the witcher’s response to his weakness as he stared out at the valley below the mountain.

He heard the witcher walk closer, but stayed stubbornly turned away until Geralt was next to him, his rough hand turning Jaskier’s head so that the bard was facing him.

Jaskier slumped as the witcher signed his apology, struggling as he tried to explain with his hands that he wasn’t mad at Jaskier, Jaskier was his friend, he didn’t blame him. And Jaskier jerkily nodded, signing forgiveness, it’s okay, I get it as he sniffled, trying not to outright cry until Geralt just pulled him into a tight hug and Jaskier could no longer hold back his silent sobs.

And it wasn’t perfect. Both of them would make mistakes again, would hurt each other without meaning to do so. But Geralt would always make sure that Jaskier could talk to him, even if he couldn’t speak, and Jaskier would talk enough for the two of them when the witcher had thoughts, but couldn’t find the words to speak.

Finally getting around to watching it!

I still can't quite believe we've been gifted this today after nearly 10 whole years in this fandom. I'm so glad I stuck around 🥹

asher, @ash-cherryblossom

thank you for listening.

for listening when i’m calm.

for listening when i’m crying on the phone and can’t get the words out right.

thank you for staying.

for letting me fall apart without rushing me to put myself back together.

for making it feel like i matter even at my loudest, messiest moments.

you help me. you hear me. you trust me.

and every time, it feels real.

i don’t say it enough, but i feel it all the time:

i’m grateful for you.

i appreciate you.

i love you.

Alastair, @internallymoss

thank you for hearing me.

for hearing me out when my thoughts circle and repeat and don’t land cleanly.

thank you for believing me.

believing in me when i hesitate, when i doubt, when i try to talk myself smaller.

thank you for standing steady.

for being someone i can trust with my life, not just my words.

for supporting me without asking me to earn it.

even when i’m whiny.

even when i’m too much.

even when i’m tired of myself.

you stay.

and that means everything.

i appreciate you.

i love you.

inx, @jinxing-it-all

i don’t know you that well, but your posts always make me laugh.

i relate to you more than i expect to.

you make the world feel lighter, like i’m not the only one thinking the way i do.

you make me feel less alone. i wish i talked to you more, but i’m really glad you’re here.

dagger, @deals-with-the-devil2

you make me feel seen in a way that’s rare and real.

not just noticed, but understood — like i don’t have to explain myself twice.

you make me feel loved without asking for anything back.

you do it just by existing the way you do,

by showing up loud and sure and unapologetic.

i adore your style — the confidence in it, the way it says this is me without flinching.

i adore how no one can knock you down, how you stand back up every time, stronger, brighter.

you stand up for everyone. always.

even when it would be easier not to.

even when it costs you something.

that kind of courage is inspiring.

you are inspiring.

thank you for making space for others.

thank you for reminding me that strength can look like self-trust.

thank you for being someone i can look at and think: maybe i can be that brave too.

i’m really grateful for you.

i love you.

vincian, @vincian2

you always make me laugh.

your enthusiasm, your personality, the way you answer people

it all makes me smile. you’re so kind without trying to be impressive.