Curate, connect, and discover
Day 10: Link to/tag your favorite fictionkin Tumblr.
Aside from my own? Unfortunately, I don't have one. I'm fairly new to the community on an overall level and haven't found many others.
Day 11: Have you ever met other fictionkin? In real life or online?
I have spoken well with at least one other person who openly experiences kin the way I do, but haven't had more interaction than that. I would love to meet someone who is fictionkin in real life, just to have that bonding moment.
I have, however, seen a few other blogs made by those who also kin this character. None appear to be active, and I'm not sure if I could even find them again at this rate, but I do strongly recall them for the impact they left on me. I was at least a little embarrassed by who I'd found myself feeling drawn towards, and seeing others interacting with that same draw made me feel at least a bit more at ease.
I would love to be able to meet more.
Day 14: What are shifts like?
There isn't a way to say it that doesn't sound poetic. They're difficult to describe in all actuality, and I've noticed how the feelings have changed as time has gone on. Allow me to use a vehicle analogy. The first shifts felt as though the wheel was being taken from me while I controlled the gas and brakes, but now it feels as if I am still in full control, only taking driving directions from a close and trusted friend.
A shift feels like moonlight scattering across a landscape, like incense or candle smoke permeating a room, like rose petals and love notes. Wholly unique, yet simultaneously ubiquitous.
Day 5: Do you fictionflicker?
I do not.
Day 6: When did you realize you were fictionkin? How long have you been in the community?
I would say I had my first inklings and thoughts at least seven or eight years ago at this point. I had been in a very dark place mentally and had been glancing over at the kin community; it seemed comforting in a way I did not know how to voice. I didn't formally identify with it until only a year or two ago. I hadn't been willing to accept the identity because it felt "cringeworthy", embarrassing to admit to. I hadn't made a formal move half a decade ago because I'd been concerned about what it would have done to my already precarious grip on my mental health - how would removing myself further from reality help me cling to it?
Now, in a much more stable place and state of mind, my acceptance comes from a place of simply wanting to harmonize with myself more. It had been something my therapist had suggested, to take a spiritual angle to some of the more internally distressing things in my life. I am at peace with my identity and find community with others here, though I've only reached out to the overall community within the past year.
Lots of answers, but I didn't exactly take a linear path now, did I?
Day 3: Who are you open about it with?
I am quite open about this online, but there are two very close real-life friends of mine that I recently spoke about this with. It went over very well, though I did leave a lot of information more implicit than anything; nonetheless, everyone understood what I was conveying. I am also open about my kin identity with a family member who also experiences kin.
Day 4: Do you participate in the fandom of your source? How do you do so?
I participate quite often! I produce quite an amount of fanart and analysis for my kin, as well as for the other characters he was pictured to be closest with. I am also active in the self-ship community, also with my kintype. It is a bit of a complex situation, but love is always at the core for me, no matter how I choose to participate.
Day 2: Do you experience dysphoria? How so?
I experience it from several angles, gender of course being a factor for me. I don't typically experience a lot of kin dysphoria, I actually notice more experiences with euphoria. Shoes that add to my height, clothing that drapes over my shoulders or trails down my back, wearing my antennae out in public. Clothing as well - though I can't rule out the gender euphoria aspect, especially here, I find joy in more formal clothing, collared shirts and high-waisted pants.
Very rarely, I've experienced something akin to phantom limbs, feeling exact spots on my back where my wings would have been. It isn't often, but it's at least memorable.
Day 1: What is your fictotype? Are you a specific character, a nonhuman species, or both?
My kintype is Sh.aiapouf from the anime/manga series H.unter x Hu.nter.
While the typing I have is in regard to the character, I would be inclined to say nonhuman species as well - as much as I identify with the character, I identify with his insectoid traits as well.