That is so beauteous!! I just...am so beyond excited!! 
I can't wait to see more! MOAR!! 
I can't wait to see more! MOAR!! 
Kags' Cosplay Thread
- Thread starter LittleKagsin
- Start date
Zappit
Staff member
I guarantee you will be the first.That is so beauteous!! I just...am so beyond excited!!
Guys GUYSSS!! I ordered my Black Cat catsuit today...oh my...I'm SO excited!! I've had my eye on this particular catsuit for AGES. I can't believe it will finally be mine! (And it's on sale today, whoopee!!) I will probably not take it off once it's in my possession...I shall wear it at all times. Also, I ordered my mask, so woot! Oh my goodness, I'm just so excited!
Also, I've got Crystal Mountain Pony Con tomorrow! I get to play with my cos-sister (who will be cosplaying Rainbow Dash with me!) As well as Chrissy! <3 She's the Nala in our princess group and she's throwing together an AppleJack cosplay to match us. =^^= Hopefully we can sneak in a photoshoot. It's supposed to rain something fierce the whole weekend, but maybe there will be a break.
So, yeah, weekend!
Also, I've got Crystal Mountain Pony Con tomorrow! I get to play with my cos-sister (who will be cosplaying Rainbow Dash with me!) As well as Chrissy! <3 She's the Nala in our princess group and she's throwing together an AppleJack cosplay to match us. =^^= Hopefully we can sneak in a photoshoot. It's supposed to rain something fierce the whole weekend, but maybe there will be a break.
So, yeah, weekend!
I'm disappointed guys....
I got creeped on for the first time at a convention - my streak is over. And it was awful. It wasnt' as bad as what other cosplayers have gotten, the guy was just trying to be friendly, but man, he over stepped boundries.
I went to Crystal Mountain Pony Con yesterday as Fluttershy and was standing in the hall with my friend Emily. Soon a guy came up to us and started talking about his artwork. But it was an awkward conversation. I didn't see any reason to be rude so I listened, smiled and nodded. He would walk away (while still talking to us) and then come back with more artwork to show us. All fine.
Emily and I went to get lunch, then returned. We saw my friend Raye drive in, so we went to go meet her at the doors. On the way there this same guy stopped us and he got right up in my face, only a few inches away. He started quoting an episode of MLP to me and as I was getting ready to tell him I needed to go, we were meeting a friend, he got right up by me and pinched my cheeks. I'm sorry, but no, do not touch me unless I've invited you to do so. And since you're a stranger, the only time I invite someone to touch me is when we're taking a photo together (a hand around the waist or on my shoulder is the norm).
I feel bad, but as soon as he pinched me, I was done. So, I pushed him away with a 'That's not okay." and took off. While I was shoving him though, another Fluttershy sitting in the hall started quoting the show back to him, so he went over to her - didn't seem to notice that I disappeared rather quickly.
So yeah, I've been creeped on, I would say. And I didn't like it. At all. I'm really disappointed too. Just ick.
I probably should've handled things better, explained better that that wasn't okay and why. But it had never happened to me before, so I just reacted. UGH....disappointed.
Also, sorry, but we didn't really take pictures...I'll get a photoshoot in sometime soon though. For now, here's the only pic I have now of my cos-sister and I:
I got creeped on for the first time at a convention - my streak is over. And it was awful. It wasnt' as bad as what other cosplayers have gotten, the guy was just trying to be friendly, but man, he over stepped boundries.
I went to Crystal Mountain Pony Con yesterday as Fluttershy and was standing in the hall with my friend Emily. Soon a guy came up to us and started talking about his artwork. But it was an awkward conversation. I didn't see any reason to be rude so I listened, smiled and nodded. He would walk away (while still talking to us) and then come back with more artwork to show us. All fine.
Emily and I went to get lunch, then returned. We saw my friend Raye drive in, so we went to go meet her at the doors. On the way there this same guy stopped us and he got right up in my face, only a few inches away. He started quoting an episode of MLP to me and as I was getting ready to tell him I needed to go, we were meeting a friend, he got right up by me and pinched my cheeks. I'm sorry, but no, do not touch me unless I've invited you to do so. And since you're a stranger, the only time I invite someone to touch me is when we're taking a photo together (a hand around the waist or on my shoulder is the norm).
I feel bad, but as soon as he pinched me, I was done. So, I pushed him away with a 'That's not okay." and took off. While I was shoving him though, another Fluttershy sitting in the hall started quoting the show back to him, so he went over to her - didn't seem to notice that I disappeared rather quickly.
So yeah, I've been creeped on, I would say. And I didn't like it. At all. I'm really disappointed too. Just ick.
I probably should've handled things better, explained better that that wasn't okay and why. But it had never happened to me before, so I just reacted. UGH....disappointed.
Also, sorry, but we didn't really take pictures...I'll get a photoshoot in sometime soon though. For now, here's the only pic I have now of my cos-sister and I:
figmentPez
Staff member
AAAAA! You make a fantastic Fluttershy!
And sorry about the creeper. It sounds like you did the right thing in handling him; say "no" and get away. It's not your responsibility to teach him the finer points of etiquette.
Cajungal, I've been doing this now for about 5 years, so I consider myself very lucky that not much has happened to me. And I'm glad you love my costumes - thank you! I apprecite it!
Haha thanks Ravenpoe!
EEe, thank you figmentPez! I can't wait to do a real photoshoot of Fluttershy. =^^=
Thank you Tress.
And thanks so much for all the hugs you guys! It really makes me feel like I did in fact do the right thing. I was starting to get worried that I had over-reacted, so I apprecite all the support and resolve from you guys.
EDIT: I alomost forgot, I did take a picture with my cos-sister and a mystery Pinkie Pie:
And I'm glad you love my costumes - thank you! I apprecite it! Haha thanks Ravenpoe!
EEe, thank you figmentPez! I can't wait to do a real photoshoot of Fluttershy. =^^=
Thank you Tress.
And thanks so much for all the hugs you guys! It really makes me feel like I did in fact do the right thing. I was starting to get worried that I had over-reacted, so I apprecite all the support and resolve from you guys.
EDIT: I alomost forgot, I did take a picture with my cos-sister and a mystery Pinkie Pie:
figmentPez
Staff member
There was no over-reaction, at all. I've been trying to figure out if it would have been helpful to report that incident to convention security. In an ideal world security would be glad to hear something like that, and calmly take note of it in case a pattern emerged. I'm not sure what would happen in the real world, though.
You are awesome as usual LittleKagsin, I am sorry some jerk didn't understand boundaries, and I hope it does negatively affect you going forward. You are an awesome fluttershy and your cos-sister pulls off RainbowDash great. Can't wait to see more in the possible photoshoot in the future. We all feel the same way you do, the man in question apparently is one of the people in geekdom/nerdom that is ignorant of social rules as was discussed in the thread I started.[DOUBLEPOST=1365362135][/DOUBLEPOST]
he would most likely be cited with something like 5th degree assault or alike. if one of our fine LEO like Officer_Charon or Frank could comment we would probably get a clearer answer.
If something like that happens again, get the person's picture with your camera (or have your friends do it) and report it to security. They'll usually toss them out.
First off, you guys look FANTASTIC! Great job!
Here, that could constitute simple battery (OCGA 16-5-23 - making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature), and would DEFINITELY fall under Savannah's Disorderly Conduct city ordinance (which has a subsection specifically pertaining to unwelcome advances towards a woman).
You handled it with a great deal more restraint than most, and HIGHLY appropriately, given the situation. My personal opinion is that an open-handed slap would also have been kosher, if perhaps on the far end of that.
You done good, lass. Don't second-guess yourself.
Here, that could constitute simple battery (OCGA 16-5-23 - making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature), and would DEFINITELY fall under Savannah's Disorderly Conduct city ordinance (which has a subsection specifically pertaining to unwelcome advances towards a woman).
You handled it with a great deal more restraint than most, and HIGHLY appropriately, given the situation. My personal opinion is that an open-handed slap would also have been kosher, if perhaps on the far end of that.
You done good, lass. Don't second-guess yourself.
Zappit
Staff member
Fuckin' creeps ruin everything. What you did was right, Kags. You pushed him back and spoke up. People like that need a good public shaming - getting called out on their actions in a very vocal manner. I can't help but think the decent Bronies would stampede his ass.
Got a description? I could work out a couple extra comics about this incident, maybe send off the whole series to that Cosplay doesn't equal Consent thing. Put a message in it about proper behavior.
Got a description? I could work out a couple extra comics about this incident, maybe send off the whole series to that Cosplay doesn't equal Consent thing. Put a message in it about proper behavior.
While I agree the guy crossed boundaries and you did a good thing in pushing him away in a firm-but-polite manner, I can't help but disagree with the "public shaming" bit. See the thread about the two guys who made a possibly sexist joke at a convention and got fired over it for why. Con security? yes. Could he have maybe used an open-handed slap? Possibly. Public shaming? Man, I'm so against the very idea of punishment by shame.....Just no. It wasn't horrible enough by a longshot for that, and considering internet backlash phenomenon, might not be the smartest reaction in the world, either.
Zappit
Staff member
Fair point, but even if he got tossed, he wouldn't learn a damn thing, and would just do it again to someone else.
And I wasn't talking about putting his face on the Internet, just bringing security over and loudly announcing that he was the creep who laid his hands on Kags, letting the folks nearby know what he was. Nothing bigger than that.
See, my vindictive side is all in agreement with that, but my softer side still has issues. We like to just label everybody who does this sort of inappropriate thing as "creeps" or "perverts" and shunt them aside, but that's just not true. I know, I'm a champion at white knighting the wring side of every argument, but that's just because I like pointless bickering and arguing 
Anyway, let's assume for a second that he's a normal human being. He's a fan of MLP. Chances are he's not the most socially adapted person in the world. Or, to put it more bluntly, he may be socially inept and/or have some variation of autism or just general "nerd-who-can't-speak-to-women-syndrome". Note that this didn't start off as "I was just walking around, and thius random creep came over and ASSAULTED ME", it started off as "this random guy came up to me, in MLP suit, and started talking to me about his love of MLP". Socially awkward guy at a con sees a stunning vision of a beautiful woman who may share h is love of...err, ponies. I'm sure I'm not the only one here who has had awkward-I'm-making-a-fool-of-myslef-oh-god-I-wish-I-could-disappear-now moments when going up to a random girl to try and start a conversation. The creepy vibe and the he-keeps-coming-back even partially affirms this: he probably couldn't pick up how uncomfortable he was making Kags by being too pushy.
Mind you that a single "sorry, no longer interested" or "you're freaking me out, please leave me alone" should be enough in any case and he most certainly crossed boundaries by touching (and by continuing to come back when Kags made it clear she didn't want to talk anymore). The guy stepped over the line and getting security involved is a good thing; shaming someone like this might have a negative impact in the long run. Getting security or someone else to take him aside and explain that he crossed boundaries and putting him outside is a good thing that might make him re-evaluate. Shaming him in public is more likely to just make him even more awkward and/or make him more antisocial. If CSI and Criminal Minds is anything to go by, he'd come back as a mass murderer and start killing all girls in MLP cosplay and you wouldn't want that now would you? (Yes, I'm deliberately exagerating and making a joke here, lighten up).
I'm just saying that, from the story we've been told, which I assume correspond with Kags' impressions and feelings, we can't really tell whether this was an obnoxious jerk who is arrogant and blind and doesn't consider Kags' feelings, or an awkward nerd who simply doesn't know how to handle himself in social situations with women and who unwittingly crossed some borders.
Of course, in both cases a high heel to the groin would've been an acceptable resolution
Anyway, let's assume for a second that he's a normal human being. He's a fan of MLP. Chances are he's not the most socially adapted person in the world. Or, to put it more bluntly, he may be socially inept and/or have some variation of autism or just general "nerd-who-can't-speak-to-women-syndrome". Note that this didn't start off as "I was just walking around, and thius random creep came over and ASSAULTED ME", it started off as "this random guy came up to me, in MLP suit, and started talking to me about his love of MLP". Socially awkward guy at a con sees a stunning vision of a beautiful woman who may share h is love of...err, ponies. I'm sure I'm not the only one here who has had awkward-I'm-making-a-fool-of-myslef-oh-god-I-wish-I-could-disappear-now moments when going up to a random girl to try and start a conversation. The creepy vibe and the he-keeps-coming-back even partially affirms this: he probably couldn't pick up how uncomfortable he was making Kags by being too pushy.
Mind you that a single "sorry, no longer interested" or "you're freaking me out, please leave me alone" should be enough in any case and he most certainly crossed boundaries by touching (and by continuing to come back when Kags made it clear she didn't want to talk anymore). The guy stepped over the line and getting security involved is a good thing; shaming someone like this might have a negative impact in the long run. Getting security or someone else to take him aside and explain that he crossed boundaries and putting him outside is a good thing that might make him re-evaluate. Shaming him in public is more likely to just make him even more awkward and/or make him more antisocial. If CSI and Criminal Minds is anything to go by, he'd come back as a mass murderer and start killing all girls in MLP cosplay and you wouldn't want that now would you? (Yes, I'm deliberately exagerating and making a joke here, lighten up).
I'm just saying that, from the story we've been told, which I assume correspond with Kags' impressions and feelings, we can't really tell whether this was an obnoxious jerk who is arrogant and blind and doesn't consider Kags' feelings, or an awkward nerd who simply doesn't know how to handle himself in social situations with women and who unwittingly crossed some borders.
Of course, in both cases a high heel to the groin would've been an acceptable resolution
to throw autism in there is unfair to that group, my best friend is autistic. She has no conception of social rules, however she does understand that touching other people is not something we do.I have yet to meet any of her autistic friends that do either, but I will give it to you since I can't disprove it.
Let's say he actually has no conception of anything, he has no idea how the rules of social interaction work. This means he should not be left alone. I agree that someone needs to tell him "bad nerd, no touching without permission." but would he even get it? Considering the end of Kags story, as soon as he had a new target he quickly forgot about her. I think this was for the best for kags, but what about the next girl? There is a distinct possibility that this guy will keep this up until an actual encounter with the police happens. The police are not going to take him aside, they are going to take him in and book him for as little as OC described to as much as sexual assault/battery. I do not believe a shaming is in order, but this guy needs to be known to people in the local convention area. Look I am not trying to argue anything, but when I start getting reports about activity like this from female friends or coworkers I take it personal because of the person I am. I have had to deal with this and the people accused are always incredibly defensive and feel that they have done nothing wrong. "oh I only pinched her cheek, it is not like I grabbed her breasts!" I am making a very loose example, but it is my experience.
I too am incredibly akward around women, ask Littlekagsin about our interview on my podcast. I constantly worry I am crossing lines when talking to people about cosplay etc. Kags laughed at me for being worried about telling her she looked amazing in some of her recent cosplays. However as a grown man I understand that you can not put your hands on anyone. I guess I have just seen so much of it through work that I don't tolerate it an iota of it.
Let's say he actually has no conception of anything, he has no idea how the rules of social interaction work. This means he should not be left alone. I agree that someone needs to tell him "bad nerd, no touching without permission." but would he even get it? Considering the end of Kags story, as soon as he had a new target he quickly forgot about her. I think this was for the best for kags, but what about the next girl? There is a distinct possibility that this guy will keep this up until an actual encounter with the police happens. The police are not going to take him aside, they are going to take him in and book him for as little as OC described to as much as sexual assault/battery. I do not believe a shaming is in order, but this guy needs to be known to people in the local convention area. Look I am not trying to argue anything, but when I start getting reports about activity like this from female friends or coworkers I take it personal because of the person I am. I have had to deal with this and the people accused are always incredibly defensive and feel that they have done nothing wrong. "oh I only pinched her cheek, it is not like I grabbed her breasts!" I am making a very loose example, but it is my experience.
I too am incredibly akward around women, ask Littlekagsin about our interview on my podcast. I constantly worry I am crossing lines when talking to people about cosplay etc. Kags laughed at me for being worried about telling her she looked amazing in some of her recent cosplays. However as a grown man I understand that you can not put your hands on anyone. I guess I have just seen so much of it through work that I don't tolerate it an iota of it.
First off, I'm mildly autistic myself and I don't go around touching people either...On the other hand, I did use to be far more physical in contact with others than I am now and considered a bear hug to be perfectly appropriate with friends, until my girlfriend made it clear that it wasn't
I'm not trying to say "he may be sick, let him be", though - I'm not talking about him having a serious mental disorder which should result in special care, I'm just talking about slight asocoial tendencies or the like. Though, if we're going to look at "heavier" cases, yes, there are quite a few who have very serious issues in dealing withp rivacy and personal boundaries; they're very hard tograsp, also because they're every much culture and person dependant: a Moroccan or Italian man will stand 2 inches from your nose and consider it 'normal" talking distance, while Americans or Belgians will consider it an invasion of privacy.
You yourself back up my point; you felt uncomfortable telling Kags she looked good. Depending on the way you say it, both in words and in tone ("Your boobs are really perky in that dress" can be considered a compliment but most women won't appreciate it at all) it can be a compliment or it can be crossing the line. Someone else might, indeed, say "I only pinched her cheeck, I didn't grab her ass". It's great that you've been able to learn those boundaries and apply them correctly in each and every situation, ever, and therefore have no more need of that anxiety; that doesn't mean other people can't or won't make mistakes or misinterpret reactions.
I'm not trying to excuse him, or men misbehaving in general, at all. I'm just trying to go against an ever-growing trend I see to try and group every man who ever did or does something like this in the category "filthy pervert", and toss them aside. In an ideal world, these people are taught boundaries and social mores applicable to their environment by their parents, teachers, coach, friends,whatever, but in practice, more and more people are getting their education through tv and internet...And let's say that those aren't always the best places to learn how to behave.
Very interesting points from everyone. You're welcome to keep discussing it.
Thank you so much for the info OC. I'll keep it in mind.
I'm glad you guys seem to agree that I acted somewhat appropriately. I don't think he needs to be shamed publicly. As awkward as I felt, I mostly just felt bad for him. He geniunely seemed like just an awkward person. The way he spoke and acted, I believe he's just simply a bit socially inept. I felt like I had no reason to be rude until he actually touched me and had he approached me again that day, I would've gone to security. But as he left me alone and didn't seek me out/talk to me after I told him that wasn't okay, I left him alone.
As for the girl I left him with, I felt comfortable doing so because she was with a large group of friends. If she had been by herself, I would've stayed.
And honestly, I probably didn't help the situation because I'm equally akward. If you talk to me and get nervous, it makes me get nervous as well, so I probably fed off some of that emotion.
I mean, sure he could've been a predator and been testing my boundaries, but I truly feel he was just awkward and he wanted to re-inact a scene from the show with me. I just wasn't having it and he didn't understand that I wasn't interested until he had way crossed the boundary.
Thank you so much for the info OC. I'll keep it in mind.
I'm glad you guys seem to agree that I acted somewhat appropriately. I don't think he needs to be shamed publicly. As awkward as I felt, I mostly just felt bad for him. He geniunely seemed like just an awkward person. The way he spoke and acted, I believe he's just simply a bit socially inept. I felt like I had no reason to be rude until he actually touched me and had he approached me again that day, I would've gone to security. But as he left me alone and didn't seek me out/talk to me after I told him that wasn't okay, I left him alone.
As for the girl I left him with, I felt comfortable doing so because she was with a large group of friends. If she had been by herself, I would've stayed.
And honestly, I probably didn't help the situation because I'm equally akward. If you talk to me and get nervous, it makes me get nervous as well, so I probably fed off some of that emotion.
I mean, sure he could've been a predator and been testing my boundaries, but I truly feel he was just awkward and he wanted to re-inact a scene from the show with me. I just wasn't having it and he didn't understand that I wasn't interested until he had way crossed the boundary.
I kinda feel like the cardboard Gundam helmet should have been a permanent part of his design for comedy reasons. Still good though!
Sounds like his needle went into "all or nothing" territory. Maybe he thought he was going to lose his chance at any further interaction, so he just went ahead and laid all his cards on the table, hoping you'd feel the same and reciprocate (I blame Carly Rae). You didn't, and you told him so, and I'm relieved things ended right there. Sometimes that quickened infatuation can hit a person really hard, and that guy* will have trouble coming back to reality. I've been on both ends of that sort of interaction at one time or another in my past. When you're the smitten one, you don't even realize (or don't care) that you're doing it, but it is usually very embarrassing later. When you're the pursued, it can be uncomfortably unexpected, seeming like a low-grade version of Bilbo's reaction to seeing the ring around Frodo's neck. Both sides become easier to deal with in time (maturity, more years of con experience)...for rational people, that is.
As a safety thing, though...if you find yourself in a situation where a person has locked on target, can't be diverted, and you are potentially starting to fear for your safety (stairwell, elevator), you might consider starting to jettison parts of the costume and/or character. If your creeper is not seeing you but is seeing the character instead, then perhaps your sudden transformation back into a (more or less) "normal" human being might break the spell.
As Gusto says, it's a fine line...but it's also a fine line for you. If you're full into character, you attract the creepers, but if you're not full into character, then your performance will suffer greatly.
--Patrick
*usually. Not gender-exclusive, though.
If done well, perhaps. Just make sure you choose between DC Comics/Minecraft early enough in the costume design process. ...although a mashup of the two would be pretty neat.
--Patrick