Disclaimer: this note will mention ongoing conflicts and politics.

From the start, this story has been about found family. It is a trope I love most. But, I would be doing an injustice if I didn't mention the deeper politics of the world in which this story is set.

Unintentionally, storylines have mirrored real world conflicts, such as Ukraine-Russia war and the Palestine-Israel war. This is through the power imbalance of Agoraville and Plurg.

Truthfully, the tension was more about classism when I planned it. That's shown through Plurg itself as well: the rich and poor live in different areas, with different living conditions.

Much of the story has ended up mirroring real life, and instead of brushing it aside, I want to mention it.

Fiction is an escape from the world, but it can also act as a mirror that is held up to it.

I have tried to be careful about how I write certain storylines. Whenever characters are tortured (upcoming storylines) it leaves me feeling uneasy to write about it, when it is occurring in real-life conflicts too. In the Makoto-Rhiannon trapped underground storyline, I was hesitant to write it as I thought of the news about Palestinians being trapped under the rubble of their homes.

I have felt uneasy writing it—there are no words to express how utterly devastating and horrifying it is for those actually living it.

However, I won't shy away from such topics. My writing has always been about talking about sensitive topics. Classism and power imbalances in this way, will still remain a part of this story: a thread that will run through this series.

I just wanted to share that, whilst this is a work of fiction, parts of reality undeniably echo through. I want to say that I am committed to making sure I do my best to write such topics with care.

Beyond this story, I pray for an end to this gen*cide in Palestine. I pray for ceasefire. For our world leaders to think with their hearts, not the greed for power that has consumed them for far too long. Some prayers are harder than others. And I know prayer and hoping alone will not bring about a solution. Peaceful protesting, campaigning, calling upon our world leaders to urge a cease fire—these will help bring about change.

Addition: At the time of writing this addition, a ceasefire has been agreed upon. There is still much to be done—long-term solutions that allow for peace, Palestinian to have their rights protected, no more Israeli occupation of Gaza and to help rebuild Gaza.

But this is a step in the right direction.