In the reflection of the subway platform screen doors, I captured with my phone how I looked yesterday just after leaving the Xingluoqibu Only Arknights convention. In the morning, the venue was packed with crowds. I had arranged with the photographer to shoot just a few standing poses, but time ended up being eaten away by various waiting periods; before I knew it, the venue was already clearing out. Yesterday I really didn't get to take photos or connect with everyone at the event. Thinking back, my mind was entirely preoccupied with adjusting the stray strands of the wig and holding a needle and thread to fix a loose strap on the cuff. Looking at my reflection in the glass now, I genuinely feel a bit of regret.
Are you asking me about dysfunctional families, shattered dreams, and lingering regrets? Haha, honestly, every time after wrapping up a relatively complex cosplay, that disjointed feeling of being physically drained yet mentally hyperactive always makes me contemplate grand, heavy topics. But today, I'm obediently sitting at my workstation. While typing away answering emails, the surreal feeling brought by the convention has gradually settled into a more tangible sense of reality.
Let's talk about the costume details for this Lin Yuxia build first. To capture the character's temperament as closely as possible, I crafted the fluffy beast ears on top using extra-thick plush fabric with embedded craft wire, ensuring they wouldn't deform in the crowded venue; even the fur direction was styled to flow naturally with the wind. The hard metallic hardware on the coat went through repeated comparisons and adjustments. The dark fabric has a calm matte finish in natural light, while in the subway glass reflection, it catches a cool navy blue undertone under the refracted lights. The blue and white fabrics on the arms were particularly challenging to tailor—they needed to maintain a stacked, layered silhouette while still letting me easily lift my arms to hold a phone. I pulled several late nights just tweaking the pattern for this outfit.
When it comes to the mental state after a convention, it's often this sudden drop from stepping off the glamorous stage back into the daily grind. Just moments ago, I was doing my best to embody the elegance and poise of Lin Yuxia, balancing that aloofness and sense of duty born of an elite lineage; the next moment, I was in heeled ankle boots, dragging a heavy suitcase, squeezing into the rush-hour commuter crowd on the subway. There is always so much unseen effort between the original illustration and actually wearing it. Stepping into the office this morning, the faint ache in my heels felt like a badge of honor left behind by hours of standing yesterday.
Speaking of regrets, next time I attend a dedicated event like the Xingluoqibu Only Arknights convention, I'll definitely draft a checklist beforehand to leave more time for the dedicated interactive zones and photo walls, making sure to meet up and network with fellow fans. I've also noted down the badge exchange events I missed last time. Actually, the moment I put on a cosplay outfit, what I feel isn't just love for an ACG character, but a brief escape from my daily identity. Even though the clatter of typing at my desk constantly pulls me back into the rhythm of reality, the memories and passion from this cosplay are more than enough to carry me through the upcoming days of tedious work. I want to bring that fearless poise from the convention floor into every day of facing screens and spreadsheets—that, to me, is the true essence of cosplay. After all, whether in character or in real life, taking everything seriously is what matters most.