Radiant Saphira

My vest is a piece of my heart, gifted to me by my Master to honor and support my Leather journey. He chose it with deep love and care — pink stitching and pink side ties — a reflection of my spirit: proud, vibrant, and uniquely my own.

Over my heart, I wear the araw at mga bituin, the Filipino sun and stars. The golden sun with eight rays symbolizes the first eight provinces that revolted against Spanish rule and colonization, while the three golden stars represent the three main island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. I carry my culture, my pride, and the strength of my ancestors who came before me. Beside it sits a pin of the Light and Dark Fury from How to Train Your Dragon — a symbol of the matching stuffies my Master and I shared while we were long-distance and still have today. Even when we were apart, little Saphira (his stuffy) and mini Master (mine) stayed together on my vest, keeping us connected across the miles.

Beneath them rests my nameplate, gifted by my leather big sister, tenaciousdreamer, and her Master, VaporWolf — a reminder that distance doesn’t change the bond made between leatherfolk. Below it are pride flags, proudly representing the many parts of my identity woven into my journey: slave/property and leathergirl

Tucked lower is a Star Wars pin — a Mandalorian holding the leash of a Twi’lek slave kneeling in Nadu — a powerful symbol of the dynamic I share with my Master: devotion, honor, protection, and belonging.

Further down is a friend of house patch from the House of the Black Lily. I am honored to be a patched friend to their household. They have impacted my leather journey with knowledge, protection, deep friendship, and even deeper understanding.

My Twin Cities Spectrum pin shines with pride — representing a Leather club built for people of color, where I found not just community, but a sense of true belonging and a passion for helping other leatherfolks of color find the same. My HardPink Sisterhood patch honors the fierce and beautiful bonds of siblinghood, and my MAsT Twin Cities patch marks my very first MAsT chapter — the place that first said, You are seen. You are welcome. You and your Master have a place to return to where your dynamic is accepted.

On my right side, a collection of identity, event and friendship pins shimmer — each one a small memory, a moment, a story carried close to my heart.

And across my back, bold and proud, rests my House Azura patch. It protects me beneath our family’s chimera and reminds me of our commitment: to always grow, to expand our minds through education, through service, and through community.

Et Universum Semper Crescente - If the universe continues to expand, so should we.

My vest is a living, breathing story. Every stitch, every patch, every pin is a thread tying me to my culture, my loves, my communities, and my dreams. When I wear it, I wear my journey. I wear my heart.