Hi Everyone!

Wow, it is truly something to log back onto this account and stroll down memory lane. I have so much I want to say, but I'll try to limit this to what someone reading this would actually want to hear (?).

First, I have to say a huge Thank You for having read The Soul Deal and possibly my other stories all those years ago. I'll admit, I was not in a good place mentally and emotionally when I first made this account, but writing was my solace, allowing me to process my feelings, explore notions of morality, and find a creative outlet. However, what I never expected was how much I enjoyed reading your reviews and comments and using your feedback to grow as a writer. I really cannot say thank you enough, because writing became an invaluable tool for me to navigate my world, and you all encouraged me to keep going when I really needed it.

I should also slip in a brief but sincere apology that my first upload in years on this fic is not a true continuation of the story. I hope you'll forgive me, as the direction of my work with this story took an unexpected turn.

A lot has happened since I stopped writing to gather myself and dedicate time to my university studies. I got my degree in science and graduated with accolades, and eventually I got into medical school (who would've thought?). However, I hit a rough patch in college and again turned to writing to get through it. Strangely enough, I couldn't bring myself to write something new, so instead I turned to the story that had gotten me through my last emotional hurricane, which was this one.

The result of that, beyond the reigning of my mental state, is a rewritten version of The Soul Deal as an "original fic." That is, it is no longer what I would consider Hetalia fanfiction, though I do acknowledge that there is something sacred about the source of this story being my passion for another. In rewriting the story, I sought to flesh out the characters as more than imitations from the original anime (though I feel they were already loosely out of character anyway), but I can't deny that they still retain the baseline foundations of the characters that they were. I am proud of the fanfiction that I wrote, and I am equally proud of the version it has now become.

I have no way of knowing if anyone will read this, or if anyone who does read this would be interested in reading a "remastered" version of The Soul Deal, but on the off chance that you are, I will be posting this new version, titled The Venator's Mark, on Royal Road (coming soon, user: empyreus), FictionPress (first chapters already there, user: empyreus) and on my personal WordPress blog (first chapters already there, user: emphatic1).

Whether you're interested or not, I still want to express my gratitude for your support thus far. As I said, writing was instrumental to my personal development, and is a passion that I have continued to cultivate in my free time. Currently, I am interested in writing stories that are more inclusive of identities that have not been traditionally represented in American media. If you're curious or would like to check out/support this writing in the future, you can follow my new WordPress blog (user: emphatic1) or my FictionPress (user: empyreus).

If you're so inclined, I would love to connect with anyone who's willing to PM here or on any of the other platforms, as I am always looking for new friends, especially in these socially isolating times of the pandemic.

Thank you again for your lovely words and your wonderful support. I truly would not be writing today if it weren't for you all.

Warmly,

Wintercandyapple (or, alternatively, E.J.)