of-all-irrelevance

[of-all-irrelevance]

@luxoracademy @luxorstarters @luxorgossip

Dear Luxor,

I am writing to the current members of Luxor and to those who might be considering joining. I'm writing this because I have things to say, and I've been quiet for far too long. While the admins may write me off as a member burned, I hope at least one person can take me at face value, because I am here to tell my story.

I joined Luxor on May 17, 2020. However, it was not an easy process. The face claim I wanted to use was rejected as being "too old," despite that face claim having copious amounts of resources from when he was younger. At the time of my application, the rules regarding face claims were that they should have played a high school character before, which my desired face claim did. I had to fight to use the face for my character that I wanted to, and while I was successful, I was often scared to use resources that were in the time frame deemed acceptable by the admins, but that I was afraid they'd see as too "old". And this is a fear that I've kept until my last day as a member of this rp. I am still afraid that I may be issued warnings or other forms of cease and desists for using a resource for my character.

Despite the initial trouble, Luxor seemed like a great place. So many of the members I met when I joined were wonderful and welcoming except, funny enough, the admin team. The only thing I received from them upon joining was a link to the Luxor Discord server. They never introduced themselves, and only one of the admins included a very basic "welcome!" message upon my joining the server. 

So while I was plotting with and getting to know the members, the admin team gave the air of being aloof and untouchable. Trying to reach out and plot with them, would result in a message or two every two weeks. And then nothing would ever come from it. I'd start threads and reply to threads with the admins, and they'd end within 4-5 replies if they ever got a reply at all. The rules of the role-play prohibit "bubble rp," but there's no one in more of a bubble than the admins.

Before this is written off as an unfounded claim, despite trying to plot with Admin Mimi for months, my first ever dash interaction with her was on October 21, 2020. That was more than five months after I joined the rp. So, for anyone considering joining and wondering about plotting with the admins, I'd suggest another rp, as these admins don't plot much outside their clique.

And yes, I called it a clique, because that's exactly what it is. Some people are in the "inner circle" and included in a private discord server with the admins, and surprise, those select people and the admins rarely plot outside themselves for anything. A thread started outside the clique, will more than likely be abandoned after one or two replies, if you see any replies at all.

Beyond their clique and bubble, the admins have a growing history with power trips. The first was on July 25, 2020, when the admins created a firm rule about the role-play's secret aspect. We were told that we were no longer allowed to speculate amongst ourselves. Honestly, that took a lot of the fun out of it. It was fun to speculate with others, see if they guessed our own characters' secrets or not. They created a rule; however, that stated that only two characters could know a secret of another character. Depending upon the secret, that is potentially impossible to maintain. But it limits characters from having ties to others in their past when the secret may have originated if two other characters already know the secret. The rule came out of nowhere and seemed very arbitrary. It was an unnecessary bid for power.

Then on October 7, 2020, the admin team decided to temporarily shut down the role-plays Discord server, under the guise of making the rp more inclusive. They asked for member feedback and thoughts and concerns. I, as well as others that I know of, gave them a list of concerns that we had. I can't speak for their concerns, but mine went largely ignored. I had issue with one of the members that were a part of the admins' clique, and the response was rather that they seemed untouchable, as if they couldn't possibly be making me feel like the rp was an unsafe environment. This was not the first time that I brought a concern that I had about this member to the admins, and it was the not the first time that they disregarded my concerns, as the things that bothered me weren't "against the rules."

Most recently, the admins created a new rule on December 15, 2020 about starters. The rule is unwieldy and dictates who a character can and cannot interact with. By forcing members to reply to three threads per character in order to do a single starter call, they remove the ability for some to role-play closed starters from more than just the few people they reach out to. I did bring this concern to the admins, and they all but wrote me off. Personally, I am a full-time student with a part-time job. I can barely maintain four threads per character. This new rule made it impossible for me to do a starter call in any capacity, severely limiting my ability to role-play as I have been doing for months now.

However, my issues aren't just from arbitrary and overly controlling rules. The admins have also accused me, personally, of things that I won't go into as they concern other people as well as my self. I received a warning for something they took on hearsay. It was reported to them by someone that had a falling out with myself, and the action itself supposedly occurred during a voice chat. Now, there is no way to prove a conversation over voice chat without a recording, but that's not the point. The point is that I was given a warning without the admins reaching out for my side of the story. They took the other person's word as fact, and didn't consider to hear both sides before issuing warnings. I wasn't the only to receive this treatment either, but that's not my story to tell.

On December 28, 2020, the admins began what is essentially a witch hunt. They received what they perceived as hate. In my opinion, what they received was simply a statement of an opinion of their members. However, they began this witch hunt, asking for members to accuse other members of sending these messages. This, like most witch hunts, ended with the accusation of someone innocent. This innocent is a dear friend of mine, and it hurt to see them hung out like a witch for the world to see with little to no proof. Seeing this, I know it's completely my time to leave. I cannot stay in a place that breeds hostility and threatens private conversations and feelings to be become public spectacle. 

So now we're here. This is my official withdrawal from Luxor Academy. To potential new members, I hope at least some of my words prepare you for what kind of place this is. This all said, I want to be clear that it is not the whole admin team that are powerhungry. It is the two main admins, Nora and Mimi. I have had very little good experiences with them to share. To Yo, thank you for trying, and I appreciate you as the only sane admin on this rp. To my friends, I still consider you my friends. If you ever want to talk or even do a one on one role-play over Discord, you know where to reach me. Just because I'm dissatisfied with Luxor's management, does not mean I think less of my friends.

Further, upon completion of this letter, it has come to my attention that a member of this rp, someone I thought was my friend, or at least friendly, shared my personal medical information with the admins, without my knowledge or consent. This speculated information was taken as a screenshot and sent to multiple other members, something that caused me to have a panic attack. Having my information circulated like this is the very last straw. Luxor is an unsafe role-play environment, and anyone thinking to join, please think very carefully.

Sincerely,

A Former Member

[of-all-irrelevance]

Unlike the rest of the presents Ches had dragged Balo into when Fane gets his present from them, both girls are actually sliding in on either side of him grinning. “So, we were talking, and when we realized we were both going to give you food, we kinda sorta teamed up a bit.” Ches laughs as they try to stir Fane into the direction of the massive food haul they got him, bags of groceries spilling over the cafeteria. “We also kinda shopped when we were hungry, and got carried away. I can cook for you if you need me to, or Winnieboy can, of course but I think this should last you until tomorrow!.”

“Cait and I made you cookies too! She kinda walked in when I was pulling out the first batch and… these are a whole lot better.” Balo grins, “and I drew you and Win! You probably shouldn’t eat that though.” She jokes, as she gestures to a wrapped frame, inside of which a realistic charcoal drawing of Fane and Windsor together, all smiles in the middle of a conversation. “I thought about getting you and Win dinner reservations or something too, but I wasn’t sure if he’d mind… so, I’ll probably have another present for you two down the line too! Merry Christmas, Fane!”

[of-all-irrelevance]

Merry Christmas!

As usual, her Christmas gift for Fane went all out. She probably got him too much, as usual, but she could never help herself. As usual, she had made him his favorite Christmas cookies and a card and like every year, she made him a sweater. And because she knew how much her best friend was missing home, she had bought him a ton of puzzles all with the theme of Brooklyn and their favorite places. She even ordered one specially made of a picture of his house back home. The card told him that the Brooklyn Bitch Squad could get together for puzzle nights and together make pictures of home. 

[of-all-irrelevance]

Text ➝ Rich

Rich: enough to transfer to another school?

Fane: I dunno

Fane: Maybe...

Fane: But my family is here

[of-all-irrelevance]

Text ➝ Deku

Sutton: maybe...do you have a record of them at your house?

Sutton: there were a few records that I found that I liked, but I don't remember what they were called

Fane: At home, yeah.

Fane: And like on Spotify here

Fane: But I've been working out piano versions of some of my favourites

Fane: You should come around sometime when you aren't busy and have a listen

[of-all-irrelevance]

Text ➝ Rich

Rich: to me, it's not as specific as Brooklyn

Rich: going back to NYC would be enough for me

Fane: The city ain't enough

Fane: I wanna be back in Bay Ridge, in my house

[of-all-irrelevance]

Text ➝ Deku

Fane: Hey kid

Fane: Glad you're back safe

Fane: Do you like The Strokes?

[of-all-irrelevance]

tinysutton·:

@of-all-irrelevance· “Hope you’re doing okay, kid. Don’t forget you can stay at my place if you need it.”

For months Sutton felt like they were on edge. Everything gave them anxiety and no matter what they did they couldn’t shake the depression. With Leo in the hospital, guilt swallowed them alive, hating that they couldn’t handle being there for him everyday like he was there for them when they needed him the most. Even a phone call to him every night was difficult. It was as if they were both trying to fix each other because they couldn’t fix themselves. After they got back to campus in New Zealand, after spending a five days at home with Eliza and Papa, they were even more on edge. Holding on to some heavy information they found when they were snooping around, their turned their phone back on after the 20 hours flight, they weren’t surprised that Fane was the first person to leave them a message. Not even bothering to go back to their own room, they went off in search to find their big brother.

Fane was in the courtyard with his guitar. He couldn't shake that there was something wrong with the piano here. There really wasn't a thing wrong with it. He just didn't like it like he liked the piano at New York Luxor or even the piano at home.  He was playing an old Irish song, something he'd learned from his father, when he glanced up and saw the familar shape of Sutton. He grinned, setting aside his guitar and getting to his feet.

He didn't stop himself from jogging over to them and scooping the smaller into a bear hug. "Hey kid," Fane said happily. "God, it's good to see you. Did you take care of yourself? Did you hafta stay at my place any?"

[of-all-irrelevance]

Text ➝ Rich

Rich: no, I want to go home too

Rich: I never liked travelling for this long, especially when we're moving around so much.

Fane: It's weird, I guess

Fane: I just wanna go back to Brooklyn

[of-all-irrelevance]

Text ➝ Augie

augie: fane look at the facts

augie: first it was alastair.. and that wasn't a real relationship either. i was a pawn in his game.

augie: now this.. it wasn't a relationship either. gdi.

augie: can i come over for cuddles and ice cream?

Fane: Just cause you ain't found the right person, don't mean you're the problem

Fane: I'll get two spoons and the extra chocolate kind

Fane: Win made it

[of-all-irrelevance]

Text ➝ Rich

Rich: it's France, bread there is better than anywhere else. x D

Rich: maybe Brooklyn has a special ingredient.

Fane: It's complicated

Fane: Is it weird that I just wanna go home?

[of-all-irrelevance]

Text ➝ Augie

augie: guess we both were wrong...

augie: is there something wrong with me?

augie: [...]

augie: maybe there is.

Fane: Ain't a damn thing wrong with you

Fane: Some fella's gonna be lucky to have you

Fane: Just cause it ain't Maverick don't mean there's a thing wrong with you

Fane: Chin up Augs, things'll work out.

[of-all-irrelevance]

Text ➝ Augie

augie: you should've told me not to be though..

augie:[...]

augie: i found maverick and sky together..

augie: fuck now i'm crying again.

Fane: [...]

Fane: [...]

Fane: Fuck kid

Fane: I'm sorry...

Fane: I actually kinda thought you were good for Maverick...

[of-all-irrelevance]

Christmas Asks

Candy Cane: Sweetest gift anyone has ever gotten you? Caroling: Favorite song to sing in the shower? Christmas: What is your favorite part about the holiday season? Coal: Meanest trick/prank you ever pulled in someone? Decorations: How would you describe your sense of style? Eggnog: Who do you turn to in your time of need? Elf: Are you considered dependable? Feliz Navidad: Can you speak more than one language? Frosty The Snowman: Who was your childhood hero? Gingerbread House: Describe your dream home and where it would be? Jingle Bells: What song would you hate to get stuck in your head? Jolly: What makes you the happiest? Mistletoe: Describe the best kiss of your life so far? North Pole: Would you rather be hot or cold? Nutcracker: Your most painful injury? Ornaments: On a scale of 1-10, how creative would you rate yourself? Poinsettia: What flower has the best scent? Presents: Do you like being spoiled? Reindeer: What animal would you associate yourself with most? Santa Claus: Who do you look up to most? Snowflake: Do you consider yourself to be unique? Stockings: Do you have any unusual traditions? Sugarplum: What satisfies your sweet tooth most? Tinsel: What is one accessory you can't live without? Winter: Name 3 people you would cuddle up with in front of a fire? Yuletide: The top 3 things in your life that make you the most happy?

+ @in-the-dark-trees-shadow & @oh-you-are-so-defiant

[of-all-irrelevance]

Text ➝ Rich

Rich: my guess is that it's because we grew up in Brooklyn

Rich: when he ate them there, it felt like home, y'know?

Rich: anything tastes better when we eat somewhere we love as much as we, especially you, love Brooklyn.

Fane: But the bread was better in France

Fane: It doesn't make sense.

[of-all-irrelevance]

Text ➝ Augie

augie: not really

augie: [...]

augie: you should’ve told me to not be stupid...

Fane: Kid, I am kinda the expert in being stupid

Fane: What happened?

Fane: You can always talk to me.

[of-all-irrelevance]

Text ➝ Windy

Win: Text is easier sometimes

Win: it happens never feel scared to ask me anythin thou

Win: i'll answer

Fane: I know I know

Fane: I just...

Fane: Didn't know what we were or where we stood