haters
isolators
no one misses these
bitches
receive stitches
trolls receive
86's

Sometimes images just come fully formed. Sometimes music sparks them. Sometimes both. This time, music sparked an idea, half an image, something to build on, and I knew what it was going to be. Something leaning heavily on symbolism, something defiant and healing. When bad shit happens you try to move on. But sometimes, the bad shit won't let you - it keeps happening it keeps reminding you. Sometimes it seeds itself deep in the compost in your mind, the compost made of all the other bad shit, and it grows into something huge and fungal, with spreading roots and ugly caps popping up all over the damn place. The only way to fix it is to dig deep and rip it all out, every last wormlike tendril, every last infectious spore. This is a hard task. This is a task that takes a long time. But when I'm given a chance to let in a little sunshine, and burn the dark-loving fucker with the heat and light, something to see by while I do my hard work, I try to take every one of those chances. So when this image popped up, I had to complete it.

There's a bunch of symbolism here, as I said. I'll gladly share what I was thinking as I worked on it, but I'd love to hear what you see in it too. All the symbolism here reflects both what I/we think of myself/ourselves, as well as the (often wrong or hurtful) views of others. I tried to incorporate a bit of both into each symbol.

Myself and CassioBunny, furry fantasy shed, post-transition, what we want to be and will one day become.
A wreath of roses and poison ivy. Roses are classic, beautiful, and represent love, but they also have sharp thorns. Poison ivy is pretty in its own way, and thought to bring good luck when it's outside your house, but very bad luck when brought indoors. It will hurt you, but it represents friendships as well.
A little dorky - our clothing is from the Game of Thrones TV show. I'm in Eddard Stark's leather armor. CassioBunny's in Sansa Stark's outfit worn through much of season 6. Each character represents our strengths and our struggles, our fatal flaws. No spoilers past the end of season 4 please, CassioBunny is not caught up yet.
I hold a sprig of yarrow. Yarrow represents healing of the heart, and also war.
CassioBunny holds a frond of Solomon's seal. Solomon's seal represents protection, and banishing unwanted spirits.
We both wield Scottish weapons, reflecting our heritage. I wield a claymore, the big bruiser weapon for knight or barbarian, tiring to carry, devastating in battle. CassioBunny wields a specialized dirk, such that an assassin would use; make your own conclusions.
The banner displays the lyrics of the song "The Remedy" by Puscifer. It is a song we both enjoy a lot, and that resonates with us deeply regarding some of the tough times we've been though. I am sure those who hurt us could easily turn the lyrics against us.

Everything has many meanings; everything in this world is up for interpretation. Let me know what you think.

you speak like someone who has never been
smacked in the fucking mouth
that's okay, we have the remedy
you speak like someone who has never been
knocked the fuck on out
but we have your remedy

CassioBunny's likeness belongs to    cassiobunny
My likeness & art by me

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