"Come to Mommy"

Ah, I had so much fun in that costume, but I think it was the death of me. I'd gotten halfway to Austin before I realized that I'd forgotten my wings. The bodypaint alone took two hours to apply, and that's not counting the extreme anchor system I had to rig in the hotel room beforehand. I'm wearing dance tights, control shorts/waist cincher, a body tight, another waist cincher with the metal base for the System, then the unitard. My beads fell off of my headpiece between my room and the contest. In the contest, my umbilical system fell out; I learned that metal and hot glue are not friends.

And then I had a kick ass walk-on. I was soooo pissed off backstage (Cosplay staff, you kick ass!). That cord just kept falling out. I got some duct tape from a very nice Domokun, but it was only about a foot long and was used. I tried tieing it on with its own cables, but that didn't work. And then, just as the person ahead of me walked on, I had a revelation. This could work for me.

I walked on stage, dragging real chains around my ankles and wrists, and holding my cord in place. I struck a pose, then looked at the audience. I was pissed. I slightly smirked: just a bare upturn of my mouth. Then I ripped that cord out of its plug. I threw it on the ground. I stepped over it and off the stage.

The entire audience was silent. They all thought that Jenova was escaping and was going to eat their babies. I turned around and grabbed that cable (it weighs a f*cking ton), slung it over my shoulder, then walked out. I had people reaching out to shake my hand and one guy gave me some pocky. "Please don't hurt me," he said with a smile.

The walkon

I didn't win.

But, you know, it's understandable. I had problems. As you can see, my headpiece wilted. My wig is made of hatred and death - which would normally be good things for Jenova, but not my hair. I'd forgotten my wings and my several-inch long claws. It's pretty much an experiment, but I proved to myself that I could do it. Now, I'll make it better. I need a zentai and a new wig. I need glitter and about 30 feet of PVC pipe. I also need about 5-7 yards of ripstop nylon in burgandy. I need more BenNye. I need to lose about 5-10 lbs.

Costume by me and about $50 at Home Depot. Inspired by 's fanfic Too Much in the Sun (Oh noes! It's not there anymore!!!) where Jenova is a beautiful, seductive goddess of death. Also inspired by Hel, Norse goddess of the underworld. She resides in Hel (same name) which is accessable via a bridge and is generally considered either part or reached through Niflheim (nivl-haam). Yes, I did just say Nibelhiem. Have fun, kids!
Photography by my friend Brian