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Dreams of Hearts and Crowds

Before the Show Began: a love letter

Before the Show Began: a love letter

Jul 29, 2021

There's a lot I want to say, but let's start this with the classic love note: muse.

This is a love story. This is also a story of love, and not just a romantic one at that. Platonic love probably takes up the most space (as well as prominence) here. Friends and friendships are central here; the beauty, the ugly, the everconsuming.

There are four protagonists in this series, but Arya will make the most appearance for now. I've written quite a lot of stories in this 'verse. Not every one of them will be posted here, for many reasons (mostly the explicit ones wouldn't appear here), so you may check out the archive and the blog linked if that interests you. 

Updates will also be sporadic; I write and translate this in my free time as a college student. It may also be noted that this story is written experimentally. I mix up English with Indonesian quite a lot here. As a result, it may be weird at first because it doesn't really follow standard English structure. (Tenses mistake are all mine though. Still learning in that area.)

I first started this project a year ago, more or less, and it was a mess of tropes and things I grew up loving. It didn't become a little more coherent until this year. I also didn't ever think of publishing it in English until this year; this is a very Indonesian story, and even now I'm afraid I can't fully convey the nuance of it that well in English, but along the way I met so many wonderful people who encouraged me to do so. Without them, this wouldn't be published in English at all.

So in a way this story is a love letter to my friends. To the bands and movies I grew up with. To my own people.To myself, years ago and years from now. To life. And especially to you, who have come to give this tale a try. Thank you.

Special thanks to my friendlist—who became Stageverse's first fanbase. Ray and Rev for always enthusing it to me and supporting me. And I thank Whitepadi as well, my dear friend, who have partnered up with me and drew my band children so lovingly.

Thank you for joining us in this terribly long journey! I hope you find something of worth here, in whatever shape it may come.


Trigger warnings for the entire series: substance abuse (alcohol/painkillers/drugs), recreational drug use, graphic violence, emotional abuse and manipulation, toxic relationship, homophobia and transphobia, political discussion and activities, mental health discussion.

This will be updated as the series progress.

gusapat
Gusapat

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#intro

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Before the Show Began: a love letter

Before the Show Began: a love letter

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