The Outsider

T is now the main admin of the band's official Discord server. We're tolerant and polite towards each other, like two tomcats living in the same house that just give each other a wide berth whenever they're in the same room.

J...I've had two interactions with him in the past few years. One was in Final Fantasy 14, he watched my character do some crafting, then gave me a salute before running off to do something else. Last year, he commented on a post I made on the band's subreddit about it being his birthday. I had made that post not long after this whole thing went down, so he did a deep dive into the subreddit in order to find it.

I’ve been poly for at least 20 years, my wife (trans woman) only got into it in the last few years. She’s had a couple of long-distance girlfriends, and about a month ago she drove to another state to spend a week with the current one. (Not for romantic reasons, she was honestly in a bad way and needed help.) While she was gone, I decided I was going to get back on the horse, so to speak, and go back to dating apps.

Once she got back, I downloaded Bumble again and started looking at local guys. For a few days, it constantly ran out of guys, cuz I’m incredibly picky and kept swiping left. Eventually it started looking outside my age and distance ranges.

That’s when I saw Aaron. He checked all my boxes: big boy with a beard, piercings, tattoos, liberal/atheist, loves pinball and the same video games I play, HUGE Ghost fan.

He’s also only 36. I’m gonna be 44 in April.

I decided not to swipe right immediately, since I knew the holidays are super stressful for everybody, and who wants to think about potentially dating during that whole mess? I waited until January 2nd.

It was an immediate match.

He messaged me about 20 minutes later, with a silly 60’s Batman gif. The conversation was a little slow going at first, but the next morning we started talking about Ghost and Final Fantasy 14, and we were off to the races. He very quickly said he thought I was cute, and that he loved my photo where I was wearing one of my Ghost shirts (the Few Dates Called Death one). He asked for a selfie that night; I sent him a non-dirty one and he said I was “so fucking cute” with heart emojis. He asked for my number after I went to sleep.

We’ve been texting every day since, and we have our first date scheduled for this Thursday. He’s driving all the way over here after work so we can go play pinball and have a few beers.

The part that’s driving me crazy is that, he already has 2 partners. He told me the other night that he wasn’t looking for a 3rd, but he has a tendency to fall quickly for people. We’ve more or less already accepted that I’m going to be the 3rd. It makes me feel a bit selfish, because I would’ve been fine just being friends, despite already having a massive crush on him. I know it’ll be difficult for him to find time for me, and I certainly don’t want to keep him from spending time with the others. He’s just so fucking cute and sweet; he already asked if he can kiss me on our first date, of course I said yes. I’m about to watch fucking Monday Night Football because he’s a Vikings fan, and I know he’ll be watching too.

Hi Guys.

While I did receive a renewed restraining order against my stalker, now I have to pay for it. And lawyers are expensive.

Of the $5,646 total, I am hoping to raise $3,000.

Any additional money raised will go to replenish my savings, as I had to use them on the other portion of the bill.

I understand times are lean for everyone, but please help if you can. As a disabled freelance artist, this is a devastating amount of money, and every cent helps.

If you listen to audio drama, if you like my work, if anything I've made has made you smile: please consider donating.

If you’re a fan of my work and want some more bang for your buck, there’s also the Eelsong Studios Patreon with early and ad free access to the Gospel of Haven, plus bonus content including interviews, extended cuts, annotated transcripts and more. Pledges start at $5.00 a month.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for your support.

Right now, November 8, we are at 15% of the goal. I have until end of month to pay the remainder of the invoice.

Please consider donating if you have anything to spare, or sharing if you cannot. Thank you all so much for your generosity

“I have to wait like this? Why?” I asked over my shoulder as he let go.

“Pheromones. That’s how he’ll choose you. Or maybe… he won’t.” The man stepped back. “I have to get back to work. Good luck.”

“Wait! How long until he comes out?” My arms were already sore after 30 seconds.

Gentle Readers: As of today, I have locked my fics on A03, and going forward, you will need an A03 account to read them.

I didn't want to do this, but there's been yet another AI scrape, and I don't want my writing--my voice--used for AI purposes. No one's writing or art should be scraped for AI without permission.

Need an account? Go to the A03 homepage and click the "Get Invited" button.

Have writing or art on A03? I recommend locking down your works too. The latest scrape was pretty bad.

If you have questions about A03, send me a msg. Happy to chat if you need help!

ID: Orange and white tabby being pet on the chest, he is folding up his paws and smiling

$5/$153 raised

Venmo: AGIEF

Paypal: [email protected]

Ko-fi:

I’ve been poly for at least 20 years, my wife (trans woman) only got into it in the last few years. She’s had a couple of long-distance girlfriends, and about a month ago she drove to another state to spend a week with the current one. (Not for romantic reasons, she was honestly in a bad way and needed help.) While she was gone, I decided I was going to get back on the horse, so to speak, and go back to dating apps.

Once she got back, I downloaded Bumble again and started looking at local guys. For a few days, it constantly ran out of guys, cuz I’m incredibly picky and kept swiping left. Eventually it started looking outside my age and distance ranges.

That’s when I saw Aaron. He checked all my boxes: big boy with a beard, piercings, tattoos, liberal/atheist, loves pinball and the same video games I play, HUGE Ghost fan.

He’s also only 36. I’m gonna be 44 in April.

I decided not to swipe right immediately, since I knew the holidays are super stressful for everybody, and who wants to think about potentially dating during that whole mess? I waited until January 2nd.

It was an immediate match.

He messaged me about 20 minutes later, with a silly 60’s Batman gif. The conversation was a little slow going at first, but the next morning we started talking about Ghost and Final Fantasy 14, and we were off to the races. He very quickly said he thought I was cute, and that he loved my photo where I was wearing one of my Ghost shirts (the Few Dates Called Death one). He asked for a selfie that night; I sent him a non-dirty one and he said I was “so fucking cute” with heart emojis. He asked for my number after I went to sleep.

We’ve been texting every day since, and we have our first date scheduled for this Thursday. He’s driving all the way over here after work so we can go play pinball and have a few beers.

The part that’s driving me crazy is that, he already has 2 partners. He told me the other night that he wasn’t looking for a 3rd, but he has a tendency to fall quickly for people. We’ve more or less already accepted that I’m going to be the 3rd. It makes me feel a bit selfish, because I would’ve been fine just being friends, despite already having a massive crush on him. I know it’ll be difficult for him to find time for me, and I certainly don’t want to keep him from spending time with the others. He’s just so fucking cute and sweet; he already asked if he can kiss me on our first date, of course I said yes. I’m about to watch fucking Monday Night Football because he’s a Vikings fan, and I know he’ll be watching too.

I don’t even know where to start. He’s even cuter in person (he’s got a lisp, it’s fucking adorable), amazing kisser, very talented hands (fingered me to orgasm in the backseat of his car), 10/10 cuddler.

We’re already making plans for me to come spend the night at his place in two weeks.