I'm not an Artist. I'm a Lurker, who simply is here to follow, engage and otherwise attempt to be a part of the community that has been a part of my life for the better part of 20 years now (Even if sometimes its less than minimal). I feel compelled at this unfortunate time to say a few words, even if no one else may see them.
I hesitate to say it, but he was not my favorite person, nor dare I say he was a lot of peoples favorite person. I had a fair number of moments where I agreed with him and a fair number of moments where I disagreed with him. I think many might even say that in the recent years that some of the decisions regarding FA and its policies were questionable, and Dragoneer was responsible for much of it. For better or worse he was both a controversial, yet still equally influential figure, and the mark Furaffinity.net, (the mark he left) is a legacy that even I cannot take for granted, and must thank him for, despite any disagreements I may have had. Without Dragoneer, I myself, indeed many of us may not have discovered the friends and acquaintances we currently have, the artists and writers we hold dear, or garnered the community we all have today.
Sadly, I am aware that here at Inkbunny, many of us (dare I say it aloud) felt like we were unwelcome, or could not embrace the fullest of artistic expression, and had to seek a community away from Furaffinity, or split off as perhaps an outside faction of the community. (Again, perhaps not all, but some) Still, many of us I think cannot deny that Inkbunny is not perfect, nor is Furaffiny. But we cannot deny that its influence can and will still be felt for (hopefully) years to come.
I think I can say with 100% certainty that without Dragoneer, the Furry community might not be as connected as it is today. I now wish I could have thanked him for that properly. This site has been here since 2005, and has been an anchor for many, a feeding point where the much of the community and indeed many of its famous or perhaps infamous moments occurred. Many attempts have been made with questionable success (if there was any to be had) at duplicating Furaffinity. Despite its flaws, and rough edges, it has withstood its test of time, again and again. I can still remember when Furaffinity was at risk of being gutted by IMVU, and was saved, including by the efforts of Dragoneer himself.
This new is quite a hard thing to hear. He was one of the OGs in the community, a person with whom whether you knew him IRL or not, talked to him at large or not at all, or otherwise liked or disliked him, could be recognized at all times. His influence, his Fursona, (all of it) will not only still be remembered and felt moving forward, but most assuredly missed, perhaps in ways we cannot yet understand. Even I can say while I only spoke with him in sparse moments across these 20 years, (only 4 separate times, and 3 of them were in comments sections) I can say he did at the best of times feel like a chill guy.
I am aware his health was not great of late and while I won't speculate on how he passed; I certainly hope he passed peacefully. Still with what information is known, I must acknowledge as an American, it pains me to see that our Healthcare system was potentially responsible for this loss, and I will forever hate it for that. For any disagreements I had with Dragoneer (whether personal or professional), death or poor health was never something I would wish on him, and its painful to think this was how it ended. Still, I hope he was surrounded not just by Family, but by at least some of the I am sure countless friends he made along the way. The way of support I am seeing on Furaffinity in the wake of his passing, I hope is even in some small measure, a final gesture to ease his passing.
My condolences to his friends, family and hope he is in a better place.
I cannot say for certain how long it will be before things will "feel normal" again, perhaps its ok to say that it will not be moving forward. I do see voices of concern for what is to come. What will happen to the site? is this the beginning of the end? Who can say, but what I do know is this; our community is strong, and we will all get through this tumultuous time. It up to us, all of us, to help maintain the legacy Dragoneer left behind. To ensure the gift that was/is Furaffinty.net, is maintained to the best of our abilities. I certainly do not wish to speak for Dragoneer, but I feel confident in stating that he would certainly want us to keep moving forward, and to not let his passing be end of our community.
As for what this means for Inkbunny, perhaps nothing, but who can say. Will there be a flock of people who attempt to return to Furaffinity now that Dragoneer is gone? Either out of support or disdain? Will the opposite occur, and will Furaffinity start to fall apart over time and Inkbunny might become the place for the Furry community at large? Again, who can say. I came to Inkbunny, to follow artists who felt (in certain respects) shunned from Furaffinity, or perhaps felt like they could not express themselves freely. Dragoneer and others contributed to that, and I cannot pretend it won't be a part of the Legacy of Furaffinity. I would have (in perhaps a more positive world) loved to see the two sites and their communities come together again. Perhaps they might still. Regardless, only time will.
Rest in Peace, Dragoneer. For better or for worse, You were a driving force in the Furry community.
