Hello everyone!

So the day of the selection process has finally arrived! Wow, time sure flies by, doesn't it?! Seemed like it was only a week ago that this story was just being posted and I wasn't expecting too much at the time. Lo and behold, the story ended up getting 20 FAVS AND 26 FOLLOWS IN THE SAME FUCKING NIGHT! HOLY HELL, YOU GUYS RAN THIS STORY THE HELL UP! I was… NOT expecting that whatsoever! It's a very welcomed surprise though, I'll say that much!

I can also say that the deadline doesn't end until MIDNIGHT (Eastern Daylight Time)! So if you're thinking that it's too late to work on your character, don't fret! You still have the whole day! Now, I know that people usually HATE updates that aren't related to chapters and such! Rest assured that this'll probably be the last time I do something similar to this! I just… need to say a few things because my anxiety is through the roof right now, and I am fucking scared and heartbroken. Nothing bad necessarily happened, but uhhhh… your characters?

You guys did… NOT hold back, huh? Like, a VAST majority of these characters are some of the best that I've ever read in my entire lifetime! I am BLOWN AWAY! I am ECSTATIC! You guys really allowed your creative spirits to blossom throughout this entire process! I love what all of you have contributed to the story. Honestly, I just feel…. so fucking blessed to have such supportive readers and friends!

However, that… brings me to what I have to say next. I have been hit by a really harsh reality today, and that's the fact that I'll likely have to let some really incredible OCs go….

This is… a very stressed thought for me. It's honestly been driving me into despair all morning. I don't know what to do. I got hit with a massive wave of darlings this morning, and it really put things into perspective. So I'd like for you guys to… know something. I want to have a heart-to-heart with you as I spend as much time as I need to make decisions. I want to know that EVERYONE understands me.

Here's the thing; As much as I want to bring EVERYONE along for the flourishing ride of Inflorescence, I can't. I simply can't. For one thing, this roster is already large enough as it is now. That's one major thing. Author fatigue is a real thing and the more characters that I have to focus and plan for, the more likely it is that I'll experience that at some point and become less consistent. That, and I'm looking out for my OWN mental health here. I want to know that you all understand that there are going to be some hearts broken in the upcoming weeks. Mine is already broken because I have grown a sense of attachment to almost ALL of your children, but I simply cannot commit to writing a roster that is entirely too large. That, and the sheer amount of lore and world-building going into this story makes it even more difficult.

So I just would like to make this as clear as possible. All of you have a chance of making it in? And all of you have a chance of not getting in. It's a fifty-fifty deal. In total, a number of FIFTY-FIVE CHARACTERS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED. Think about that. The roster is only available for around twenty-two characters and the number of submitters I have GREATLY exceeds that. Some submitters even sent multiple characters and, while I don't necessarily MIND that, I'll have to say that only one is guaranteed to get in.

You guys…. please hear me. Please be patient with me. Please look at this from the perspective of the author. I recognize that ALL of you have worked hard and brought your absolute A-game to the table. I recognize that with how much work you've put into your OCs, you have high hopes and expectations of making it in. I get that. But it's like I said, this is going to be tough.

Apparently, I've heard things and some people don't like authors taking a long time to reveal roster lists? Welp! You're going to have to deal with that! If you have an issue with this, please fucking leave because as you can see by me panicking, this is NOT a process where we can just make clueless selections and slap a roster list up on the same day. This is STRESSFUL for us, so I'm taking my time as much as I can.

But anyways… if you do not make it in, please know that it's nothing against you. It's not that I insulted your creativity. It's not that I hate your guts or anything. It's not that your character wasn't good enough… and it's not because you're an inadequate creator. It's because I have to choose the best possible roster for the sake of my own story and as much as I'd like to fit everyone in, that is impossible. I'm sorry. I love mostly all of your kiddos with every fiber of my being. I cannot stress that enough.

I felt like I have to say this because… with my past SYOC, people got REALLY upset with me when their character didn't end up making it in. It… messed with me a lot at the time because it was my first time writing since 2013. So all I can do is set the record straight right here and right now. People are incredibly mean about this and never think about how hard it is for the author.

But since then, I've hardened myself. I've grown and I can confidently say that if I give you respect and consideration, I deserve it in return. I will retaliate if anyone responds in a harmful manner.

And… I think that's all that I have to say on that front.

Please… don't hound me or be persistent by continuously asking why you weren't accepted because if I'm being honest? I won't have a solid answer to that question. The reason is only because I couldn't have a roster that exceeded twenty-two characters. That's it. That's all. There's the only real reason I can offer.

So all I'm asking for is a little empathy here. I know you guys are nervous, I know that you're scared, I know that (unfortunately) some will be frustrated by the wait and inevitable decision. I can guarantee you this though...it's just as hard on me. Please be nice. I'm trying to do the same for you. :( I'm… doing my best.

So… cool? Cool!

I'll see you guys next time when the roster list is revealed! Do not fret though! You guys will have a big and juicy chapter to accompany it! You may reply to this chapter? In fact, I encourage it because I want to know if you all can feel me here. I want you to know what I'm saying here. it'll be deleted once the roster list and chapter is posted! And that's all! I love you guys! thank you for EVERYTHING!

Byeeeeee~!

PS: This should go without saying but... the more you pester me, the less likely I am to accept your character. I want to make that clear. I need SPACE.