Postscript: My thoughts as I leave the Fluffy-Community in new hands

[A-S]

I am one of those who harshly criticized a newcomer’s OC-turned-into-fluffy.

I did so because it conflicted not only with the “widespread” definition of fluffy (using this term loosely, as there’s no real set-in-stone true fluffy, although most renditions usually share the same common tropes, like being rather dull-minded, physically weak, loving spaghetti more than anything, yadda yadda) but also because said character radiated major “bad trope juju”.

With that being said, the opinion of a random internet jackass called A-S (dude couldn’t even be arsed to write a real name) shouldn’t be the end of all things. Heed my word and cut down on the overall “edgy-ness” by reducing the character’s skillset to something a “general” fluffy might have (even something a bit more, a pit-fighter fluffy may indeed be able to pick on other fluffies or small critters, or at least have human intervention be responsible for their teeth being filed into being sharper, rather than them going Rambo mode and doing it themselves against a rock, somehow). Or disregard it entirely and go right on. It’s not a big deal.

@Virgil

And that has allowed a lot of new people to come in, they present their creations that can barely be called fluffies, and they expect the same protection my team has given to all.

The part that really bothers me, however is not edgy OCs that might make for interesting characters with just a wee bit of polishing around the edges (pun intended), it’s when artists introduce their own species of “fluffies”, who end up taking the spotlight instead of well, the actual fluffies.

I don’t want to call out specific people, especially since it’s people whose stories I’ve been reading and have enjoyed a good chunk of.

However, I can think of no better example right now.

Oversized, “fluffy-fied” viruses. The stories involving them rotate around these bundles of love and deadly goo, relegating fluffies to side characters at best, background scenery only there to be infected, go SCREEE and allow the sentient viruses to replicate.

At least in my head, fluffies should be the focus of a fluffy story on fluffycommunity.

Simply because said viruses talk like fluffies and are just as innocently dumb, it doesn’t make them fluffies.

Just my 2 cents.

[caneighdian]

“Your OC is trash.”

~ Me, from a previous thread.

Kidding aside, I still feel like I’m a total newb here by all rights, but I do appreciate and recognize the insane amount of effort that goes on, in front of behind the scenes, to keep fluffies, well, fluffy. Not to mention keeping a community from eating its own face. And then there’s the madness of site maintenance. The admins and mods have my utmost respect and condolences. This place can’t be an easy herd of cats to wrangle.

As far as the drift goes… I feel like there needs to be some level of gatekeeping to keep fluffies true to themselves. I mean, I’ve seen weird-ass subspecies aplenty while trawling the archives and some of it is cute one-offs but some… eh. It’s hard to pass judgment, though, in some cases. Creativity is a really hard thing to police.

[caneighdian]

Is A-S short for something? I always figured it was some kind of acronym, maybe. Whenever I encounter one I don’t know, I make up words for it. Right now, you’re ‘always-sexy’ or ‘aesthetically-sedated’ in my headcannon. Maybe ‘amazingly-successful’. Who knows?

Anyway, I agree that there may not be a set-in-stone definition of a true fluffy. There’s a cobbled-together series of tropes tied together with goat entrails that make up a fluffy. Shit evolves, though. Stories change with every telling and and even Hitler himself won’t be able to keep the fluffy race pure despite purges of ferals or munstahs. Creative people are going to create stuff. There’s not stopping that. I feel like there does need to be a line, though. I don’t want to call out the virus thing but, yeah, I agree that that’s not a fluffy in the base definition/perception sense. It’s a fucking rad trajectory and creatively cool concept and I can’t and won’t bring myself to shit on someone just because they made something I might not agree with or dig, so yeah. Stick it in a weirdbox category or something, I guess. I don’t know.

Anyway, I disagree strongly with your assertion that fluffies should be the focus of fluffy stories. Mostly because of the lack of elaboration (I know they can be background players or take the centre stage but, fuck it). My own, and many other, stories focus mainly on the people that interact with fluffies. Characters like Earl and Erin, or the ever-popular Doc M. The fluffies are sometimes the focus but, much more frequently, the people who have to deal with their shit are the focus.

I think it’s a tough call to pass judgment on the stuff people have worked hard to create. We’re all here, I figure, because we dig fluffies. How we express how we dig fluffies comes in many forms. I feel like the best we can do is remain civil and categorize. Weird pseudo-fluffy shit? Put it in a category. It’s valid work, but not in line with mainstream perception.

If we were to be uncivil, we might be asked: who the fuck are you to tell me what a fluffy is?

Edit: Keep the furries out, though. No one wants those weirdos.

[caneighdian]

One day off? Ouch. Hang in there, my friend. When inspiration strikes, heed the call. Never worry about where it leads.

[caneighdian]

Creepy as hell fluffy lip bite “Bestest commuwnity enfies…”

[AMDk7]

We have such sights to show you !

https://fluffy-community.com/t/mmm-ok-pumpiikin/2770

New Stud (squashmallow

[Uhm] It’s hard being a new stud trying to enf for the first time !

[caneighdian]

Dude, you’re the best.

[Dragonixa]

You see, this is a different example because something cool actually came out of it~

What I meant by low effort is exactly what @Virgil used as an example, there’s just… No essence to it, ya know?

(I’m sorry love if I’m hurting your feelings ;_; T_T true sadness and compassion™)

[A-S]

@caneighdian

Is A-S short for something? I always figured it was some kind of acronym, maybe. Whenever I encounter one I don’t know, I make up words for it. Right now, you’re ‘always-sexy’ or ‘aesthetically-sedated’ in my headcannon. Maybe ‘amazingly-successful’. Who knows?

Truth be told, it’s because on the keyboard, A and S are right next to each other. The “-” is just to separate them.

I doubt I’d be able to unironically describe myself as Always Sexy or Amazingly Successful.

Aestetichally Sedated works if you imply my awful tastes should remain asleep.

[Dragonixa]

… Ass Surged?

Don’t take it as an insult, please xD

[caneighdian]

@A-S

Truth be told, it’s because on the keyboard, A and S are right next to each other. The “-” is just to separate them.

… Man… way to destroy your own legend. I appreciate the humble brag, but… you could have been something rad, like Annihilation-Station or Anal-Slayer. Missed opportunity. I will purge my memory of this thread later so as to preserve your mystique.

[Dragonixa]

Omg Anal Slayer, fuck yes!!! \m/

And now the “Slay queen!” exclamation got yet another gorgeous meaning, I’m obsessed

[A-S]

@caneighdian

Anyway, I disagree strongly with your assertion that fluffies should be the focus of fluffy stories. Mostly because of the lack of elaboration (I know they can be background players or take the centre stage but, fuck it). My own, and many other, stories focus mainly on the people that interact with fluffies. Characters like Earl and Erin, or the ever-popular Doc M. The fluffies are sometimes the focus but, much more frequently, the people who have to deal with their shit are the focus.

But then it’s still people dealing with fluffies. Not people dealing with fluffies with none of the aforementioned creature’s traits, or sentient viruses that only share said creature’s speech pattern, with fluffies just being sprinkled in there.

@caneighdian

I think it’s a tough call to pass judgment on the stuff people have worked hard to create. We’re all here, I figure, because we dig fluffies. How we express how we dig fluffies comes in many forms. I feel like the best we can do is remain civil and categorize. Weird pseudo-fluffy shit? Put it in a category. It’s valid work, but not in line with mainstream perception.

If we were to be uncivil, we might be asked: who the fuck are you to tell me what a fluffy is?

You unwillingly hit the nail on the head.

Pseudo-fluffies.

But, I agree that we’d need to remain civil about discussing this topic with those who base their works on those. I’d say a slightly capable fluffy is not the same as a walking tank wearing a fluffy coat and using some common sense might work just fine.

But that’s my own take, not the gods’ scriptures.

[caneighdian]

“Behowd fwuffy! Bestesh anaw swayew!” metal guitar riffs intensify

[A-S]

@caneighdian

Man… way to destroy your own legend. I appreciate the humble brag, but… you could have been something rad, like Annihilation-Station or Anal-Slayer. Missed opportunity. I will purge my memory of this thread later so as to preserve your mystique.

@Dragonixa

Omg Anal Slayer, fuck yes!!! \m/

And now the “Slay queen!” exclamation got yet another gorgeous meaning, I’m obsessed

I am not sure how to feel about being informally known as Anal-Slayer.

I suppose any fame is good fame, though.

[Dragonixa]

Yuuus queen! Swaaay!

[Dragonixa]

Shush and take it in with pride! Lol

[A-S]

@Virgil HALP, I am being forcefully label’d.

[caneighdian]

@A-S

But then it’s still people dealing with fluffies. Not people dealing with fluffies with none of the aforementioned creature’s traits, or sentient viruses that only share said creature’s speech pattern, with fluffies just being sprinkled in there.

True, that. Granted. But, shit, we start getting into weird crossover shit. It isn’t a fluffy, but it has the trope-trash. The speech impediments and whatnot. If fluffies are just a trope mish-mash… is it any surprise that we start mixing and matching? When it comes to humans dealing with standardized fluffies, at least we have a more mainstream paradigm of man versus genetically-engineered abomination. The comfy zone.

…

I can’t figure out how to work the quotamajig so… hell with it.

I did hit the nail on the head. Pseudo-fluffies are the thing that seems to have folks all dancing naked around the fire about, using fluffy blood for arcane symbol body paint. Like ye olde werewolf lore but lamer.

I’ve read a literal shit ton of stories hereabouts. Honestly? I can’t find myself giving a shit about some variant fluffies, personally. I don’t mind the aquatic fluffies or the fluffalo, or those sheep things. Biorb’s stories really find a cute way of personalizing a lot of them. Not gonna lie, though, the plant and bread fluffs are kind of weird to me. I just can’t reconcile sentience with those bioforms. But that’s me, not anyone else. Damned if the art isn’t top notch, though.

Rambling aside, civility is king. But a little ribbing is good for the soul. We all know the base fluffy model but sometimes we will need to get together, point at a thing, and be like: “Dude… this shit is whack.” I.e., some gatekeeping is required.

[caneighdian]

“Daddeh, hewp! Fwuffy nu wan destwow poopie-pwace!”