I'm still absolutely speechless, but I'm going to try to organize my thoughts into something coherent anyway.
Alex, you are incredibly talented, and I'm always so stunned by everything you make. Every single detail in this is so well done and so thoughtfully placed. I'm completely blown away by the consideration you clearly put into each element -- the composition, their expressions, the contrast between their homes, and of course the little horse on the shelf!!!! The way you laid this out was brilliant; the composition conveys so much about how Rumi feels. The way Zoey and Mira and the objects around her intrude into her space makes us feel an echo of what she's feeling, only letting us breathe once she's alone, and it's so incredibly crafted. I also love how each of their expressions change once they start to talk, and how guarded Rumi looks at first, contrasted with how comfortable she is when at home and alone. I know you've already spoken to all of this, but I wanted to mention it again, and how in awe I am of what you conveyed about them and their stories without any dialogue at all.
And... odfsdfgurhgsagrhghrhrdsgjrkhjorh god,, their FACES. I've lost track of how long I spent zooming in on each of them and just staring. Zoey and Mira are both so HAPPY to see her, and Mira is SO LOVERGIRL. She's so sweet and so GENTLE and they're both just so unbelievably HAPPYYY, I'm in SHAMBLES. And just how quickly that joy and hope shatters after that. Zoey's concern and those puppy-dog eyes. Mira's guard going back up, and her worry and unease. And her FLANNEL and Zoey's collarbone,,, shgnrhnrhhnqrjhnrgnrhnrkh the two of them can be Concerned and Upset at me anyday. And you absolutely captured Rumi's cagey, wet-cat demeanor throughout, especially with how she's creeping about the hallway, and the shifty looking away she does when she's confronted. Every emotion just hits so hard, from the initial joy and delight to the crashes afterward, and it's all the more impressive with every element being communicated entirely without words.
The choice to put a snakeplant in Rumi's apartment feels especially cruel. How little it needs... how she's probably able to give more grace to a potted plant than to herself, even if it did die or wilt or need something different. Every object you included feels so thoughtful and intentional, whether that be to fill out Zoey and Mira's space and give it life, or to contrast that with how sparse Rumi's home is, or to carry the weight of a connection and caring that Rumi doesn't know how to face. The folded clothes, the breakfast, the DRINKS -- it feels as though it's not just Zoey and Mira themselves confronting her, but also the evidence of how much they've already invested into her, and the proof of their care. And how she looks away at the floor instead -- not willing to face or believe any of it, not yet.
I know I said it already but... holy fuck.......... the amount of time and consideration you put into this is so evident. It shines through in every little detail. How it all seems so effortless at first glance, because it flows so well, and yet the second you look a little closer, all your choices begin to stand out. It's genuinely stunning.
Also, it would be criminal not to mention: that turtle mug is literally PERFECT. Exactly how I envisioned it.
Also also, just so you know, this is quite literally going to go on my wall. Printed and framed. So that I see it alllll the time always every day and every night.
(Also... also also, the amount of IRL people I've shown this to is getting concerning. Anyone who's willing to give me the time of day has seen it. Could they in theory locate my Ao3 because of it?? Quite possibly. But even if they did, it would be a worthy sacrifice. Because this DESERVES to be shown off.)
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I don't think I'll ever be able to repay a gift so special as this, but I just want you to know that I'm beyond honored and it means so much to me. I'm going to keep it close for a long, long time. Thank you. 🩶
