[[ Happy Birthday, Tarot-beast! ]]

[Meleth Darkshine]

To Blaire, Masquerade, Demelza, Harliven, Strings, Fariha, and, on top of all of those alter-egos and even those ones that I did not mention, the creature who will always be my..

What a road we've been on, and now you are suddenly a year older and making me feel much older, because just as it's always been, it's startling for me to realize once more how young you really are. Still, it is only because you are wise beyond your years, infinitely talented, and beautiful and intellectual in ways that most people your age, my age, or even my mother's age cannot even begin to comprehend. You are, quite simply, unique – a lily amidst a field of carnations, blooming and vibrant, and lovely enough to inspire some of the greatest works of art throughout the ages.

Fortunately for us, it is you who composes these works, and I would have it no other way.

From the first day we met to today, your birthday, you have shocked me with your wits and awed me with your endless, jealousy-inspiring talents. Whether it be at the political genius behind one of your posts, the whimsical nature of a poem that you cannot help but write out and send to me before you go to sleep, or one of your beautiful graphical creations that – as you can see – I did not even attempt to top in this, you are amazing in all that you do, and every day only develop to become moreso when we thought you'd already hit your peak. You have been a muse for this site and, quite importantly, a muse for me, and it is knowing you have been there with me that drives me to do more with what silly talents I've been graced with, even when they forever pale in comparison to you and yours.

You have been with me in some of my hardest moments, and a stalwart friend in spite of our distances and all other things that have sought to hinder us along the way, and though I struggle, I try desperately to be worthy of such wonderful actions from such a wonderful person.

This could have been put in a private message simply because it teeters dangerously over the line between public and personal, but I made it a thread both so people could bid you their good wishes and, mostly, so that I could let everyone know:

[Meleth Darkshine]

Also, I don't think anything can top the world-cake that Sam gave you last year, buuut. Here's something anyhow!

[Elisabeth Morley]

I wish you the very best birthday Tenko, and I am sending you a hundred thousand hugs!

[Harliven Darkshine]

It’s been the lengthy duration of twenty thousand dark stars since my eyes felt so sore or my mind so devoid of laughing retort; it has been one hundred lengthy moments since I first remembered what I wanted to say; it has been three million minutes since I wondered if I would smile today. My eyes may ache with the tears I’ve shed these passed few days in frustration and in struggle, but my lips are grinning as impishly as ever. I only wish they could smile more and play keenly to the memories of daily conversations and evenings of playful banter with all of you who become older and older as I scramble to catch up.

Sometimes, I inevitably find myself marvelling at the cycles in which things dance. I will say that I found myself greatly belittled in respects and battered in some extents, but that these things are natural. I came to possess both grievances and small joys on my birthday: a pendant in silver and a diamond center; a small cake baked just for me by a friend who I had tried to make forget me in prospects of newfound happiness; a heart-shaped treat and a stuffed animal on my desk; a mother who needed me too much, a sister who wouldn’t forget me, a brother-in-law who somehow remembered me, a young brother who is becoming too old to consider me ‘God’ still but who ignores his logic anyway to treat me, and a father whose partner in crime I still am; people who barely know me, but clamor up at my name; and friends who, despite distances, silences, and grievances still remember that another year has gone by in my life, and who still find it worth it to mention me aloud instead of dismissing me from my thoughts.

Here’s to everyone and everything; here’s to happiness and laughter; here’s to hardship and charisma; and here’s to having nothing of substance to say but speaking simply to fill the pages in gratitude, expression and impression.

Thank you for the well wishes. I love you guys, and those scarce Dustanovans who still peer in but keep their silences.