the more the merrier

Welcome! All of this can be very difficult to process, and it's okay if everything feels strange, especially when it's all so new. One idea would be to give this time. Your experiences are ones that many of us share. You certainly could be aromantic and/or a-spec! As you may have read, however, only you can answer this. It's not an ideal answer, yet if you find an orientation in the future which feels right, it may well feel fantastic for you soon. Uncertainty can be a wonderful state, even if it feels so hard. I very much appreciate that your present orientation is written as a question mark. I wish to be open as your "?". It's such a sublime time to be questioning. Yet with so many resources, it can also feel overwhelming - where do you begin? Pepper your friend with questions, and ask us as many as you wish to. Give your mind a breather, or plentiful ones, whenever you need one. Float around this forum and let your resting mind cross-pollinate ideas for you. You don't have to quest through all of these ideas alone. We are here to support you. I just know that you will find answers which are just for you, and I can't wait to read more of your thoughts, if you wish to share more with us here. We are with you!

This is so true! Wow, I don't know this! 🌌 Where do their names come from?

Handmade gifts are the best! I hope that she loves your b-day offering! Jelly beans! I feel nervous for you! Is this your first time giving this a go? How has it felt before for you?

Welcome!

@Apex recently shared her glorious web serial with us - Katabasis! The characters' expressions are to die for - I think they're so evocative! I would heartily recommend it to you! I want to savour Katabasis as much as possible. I love the way that academia is right at the heart of the narrative! There's also a cast birthday today! Many happy returns of the day to Cat Lange, Kata's super lovely scholar!

Yum! Pierogi z truskawkami? I've always wanted to try these! Braised lotus root?

Invite TPBY on an Arcade adventure! Share boba together, a wholesome picnic, or… invite yourself to their place for breakfast? (This title is also grammatically problematic.) Go on holiday together! Befriend TPBY! If you’re especially enthused by a suggestion: firstly, accept the offer above you & secondly, share an invite of your own for TPBY! (No adventures are required to play out in the real world! Let's frolic, new fronds!) Shall we begin? I would love to sample ice-skating for the first time! TPBM, let’s go together!

A gloster canary who maintains this may have a short life. Don’t get too close. Dogs are the ultimate. They will protect you and your avian friends until the last. None of these sentences have been written in English.

Congratulations!!

Fantastic, I can't wait to read it! Thank you for sharing your work with us!

Hi! We wish you all the best for this chat!

Greetings! We can be our own elders! I'm so sorry for your experience. Perhaps as her mind calms, she will come to you with a heartfelt apology. Perhaps this is how she truly thinks and(/or) perhaps it was an outpouring of hurt feeling on her part - perhaps she felt that romantic spark for you and lashed out when feeling alone in this, especially after finding such a gorgeous connection which she may have instinctively read as romantic. You were upfront, you didn't rise to anger and you handled the night with maturity. I hope she learns from your grace this night.

Oh my goodness, I'm in love! @Colorfullblobs, I realise this might not be quite in the spirit of the game at present, yet I'm open to barter. Would you be willing to trade this gloriously legless bestie (and such a stick as this!) for some 3D latte art, atop a coffee on a largely inaccessible bench, waiting for you during the most tempestuous gale of your young life? It may not last long, you don't like coffee, and you definitely don't trust latte art.

Welcome aboard, @i-was-here! Our best memes are recruiting for us, this is truly a new age for Arocalypse. We're so happy that you're here!

Welcome, @SpectralWizard! How long have you been a wizard for? Are there any particular arcane specialisms that you like to dabble in? Would you teach us your skills? (Love this!)

Love this idea! What a sweet find! Thank you so much! Here's their submission form, too! https://forms.gle/CGSFDLQAkFFt9CZA8

It's all about the response! 🤘

Lovely F23! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! Please may I second this pride in your bravery? You may not need this now, yet I would heartily recommend respiratory physio, if that's something your therapist might consider referring you towards, for even more help with panic attacks, if you ever need this in the future. It can be so transformative! You know, if you would ever like to stay here, the acceptance here is immense. We learn so much here, every day, and I would love to learn more with you! We wish you every happiness as you quest for understanding and self-acceptance! You are not alone!

Wow! What is this called, if you don't mind the question? Would you mind if we checked it out?

Dogs (need more votes)! This expression! Too, too cute! You truly have the best cat! What is their name? How long have they been in your life?

Thanks for mentioning this, I'll check this out! Do you know 'Rome: Eternal City' by Ferdinand Addis? It's a pretty sweet intro! 'Emperor of Rome' by Mary Beard is also coming out in September and it sounds like it's going to be top-notch. @roboticanary, as our Glorious Leader and a true Brit, will you be the one to write 'Aromantic Britain: A New History' for us?

Welcome, @Ravensplat! Ace username! Spamming in the Arcade is our true calling. Please treat yourself to a wonderful time here!

Sure! Cheers! *clink!* Wow, this smell, what a speciality!

Welcome! Would you mind if we all stayed with you in Narnia for a bit? Do you need any coconut-flavoured chocolate or any other provisions? (We'll bring edible reinforcements! ) Please enjoy a glorious time here, @KoconutBounty!

So cool! I would love to see this! How did this proficiency develop for you? Was it gradual, and did anything in particular (perhaps necessity?) spark your rise to nom mastery? Are you working on any of these experimental projects at the moment, too?