Does Whatever A Santa Can.

[rionaleonhart]

It was this time last year that I disclosed I was struggling psychologically on here, and I'm pleased to report I'm doing much better now. I'm still not always on top form, but it's such an improvement compared to earlier in the year. I can enjoy things again! It's great! And now, if I find myself in that pit again, I know it's possible to climb out, even when it feels like it can't be done.

Anyway, it is photomanip time. I think this is the tenth year I've kept up this stupid Christmas Eve tradition.

I originally wanted to use Arthur Morgan for my annual bad Christmas manip, but I can't find a good shot of him as I like to play him (attractive stubble (length 2), short-to-medium hair (length 3 or 4), definitely no hat - he got his hat shot off in an early mission and I went 'he looks good without it, I'm sticking to this!'), and anything else doesn't look like Arthur Morgan to me!

So instead you're getting Miles Morales, who is appropriately capable of climbing up chimneys.




His spider-sense is telling him that you've been good this year and you should get lots of presents.

Comments

[apiphile]

Santa Miles has already brought me the present of hearing you're doing better <3

[rionaleonhart]

My heart is intensely warmed by this. Thank you so much! ♥

[thenicochan]

I'm glad things have gotten better, and I hope they remain that way! There's always hope. :)


Miles looks fly af. Totally digging it. Best manip ever. No contest.

[rionaleonhart]

Thank you so much! Both for the kind words and for praising my unparalleled masterpiece(?).

[nanslice]

Hi five for feeling better psychologically! Let's face it, no one is always on top form! Being able to recognize when you're not and take steps for self-care is such an important thing! I'm so happy for you! \o/!

Also omg Miles! Looks very confused about his hat and coat!

[rionaleonhart]

Thank you! ♥!

Poor Miles. You're never prepared to suddenly grow a hat and coat after being bitten by a radioactive Santa.

[halotolerant]

Yay for mental health *hugs*

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without your manips ♥

[rionaleonhart]

A centuries-old tradition. Thank you!

[newbie1990]

Hope you have a lovely Christmas and new year! (Assuming you're celebrating Christmas.) & that's wonderful, especially about being able to cope if you ever feel similarly.

[rionaleonhart]

Thank you! I hope you have a great time as well.

[wolfy_writing]

I’m really glad to hear you’re doing better! I think a degree of up and down, with occasional bad days, is normal. So glad to hear it’s improving overall!

I love the photomanip! I was just about to try to add something, but my computer is on the other side of the country and my iPad was left in the car my parents drove to stay at a different house than this, and trying photomanip on my phone is beyond me. Santa Miles is amazing!

[rionaleonhart]

Thank you so much! I hope you're doing well. Have a great Christmas! ♥

[magistrate]

Here's to a good solid foundation for feeling okay! And better than okay, ideally.

...I kinda love the sheer accidental saga of Arthur Morgan's Facial Hair that happened in Cohh's playthrough, in that he kept him at pretty much the settings you state until the (unsatisfyingly short) Arthur-whump mission with the O'Driscolls, and then after the timeskip, he went "I wonder how long I can get his beard," and then throughout the rest of the game, Arthur's beard just got longer and longer. His Arthur had a goddamn beard of trauma. It was equal parts hilarious and absolutely heartbreaking.

I love Arthur's beat-up black leather hat too much to agree with you on the hat thing, however. :P

[rionaleonhart]

until the (unsatisfyingly short) Arthur-whump mission with the O'Driscolls

I think there are a couple of missions, this included, where Arthur is horribly tortured and/or beaten up and the camera goes into first person for it. LET ME WATCH HIM SUFFER, YOU COWARDS.

[magistrate]

This, basically.

[althea_valara]

Hooray for feeling better mentally! That's great that you can enjoy things again.

The photo manip is precious.

[rionaleonhart]

Thank you very much, on both fronts!

[thebaconfat]

I'm so glad to hear that you're doing better!

[rionaleonhart]

♥!

[squeemu]

I'm so happy to hear you're feeling better, and, more importantly, that you know that even if you get into a bad place again you can climb out again. Thank you for the update!! I was hoping you had gotten to a better space. <3

I'm also so glad that you are still doing your Christmas manips, it just wouldn't be the same without them.

[rionaleonhart]

The Christmas manips are very important! I would never shirk my duties.

And thank you so much! I'm very glad I've been fortunate enough to have you and Baco as friends all these years. ♥