Sharp Edges

People have them. Life has them. We might learn to protect ourselves by wearing armor, by dodging, by keeping safe distance, but safety comes with the price of limitations in both motions and room to move in.

The spaces, the edges, the armors are very rarely physical. They are all in our heads, in our own limitations and comfort zones. Leaving them, daring the edges will get you easily cut. But perhaps you win more room to move in by learning exactly where the edge is. Perhaps the edges move in time and should be revisited.

And maybe, just maybe, once you learn where the sharp edges lie, you will learn how to wield and control them without hurting yourself.

The Bloodborn and Coalborn upper body tattoos by Fallen Gods Inc. are available in World Goth Fair Cursed. The Ghost skin underneath is also by Fallen Gods Inc., the War version currently on discount in We Love Role-play Event. The beautiful katana is a new release by [EZ] Weaponry.

Body: Skin: Fallen Gods Inc. - Ghost War* | Upper Body Tattoo: Fallen Gods Inc. – Bloodborn & Coalborn* | Eyes: Fallen Gods Inc. – Coalborn* | Hair: Lamb. – Whoop Dee Doo Ink & Restaurant Ketchup

Katana: [EZ] Weaponry – Izo Katana  -novo2.02 & Sheath*

Poses: Poise – GA 3 | Exposeur – She’s Crafty 5

Conquering the Grid

Roleplay. It’s about time it gets a bigger spotlight on it in Second Life. To me it is what the grid should be about, with all the means to make impossible possible, to turn any vision in your head into reality, to share any flight of fancy you might entertain with others. No definitions but your own.

To me roleplay is more than just swords and spells, to me all the models, children, pageants, even the majority of the people who claim not to roleplay at all still do: it does not have to be an elf or a dragon to count as roleplay. Please do not take this as an accusation of being insincere, take it as an inclusion, a praise of being able to weave around your personality and expand on it, to enjoy parts of yourself that might not get focus in the life behind the screen. We all do this. We all enjoy this. Let’s respect each other for it.

In some ways, the masks we wear might be more true to ourselves, to our spirits, than the mundane details. Where better to let them shine than in the world where anything is possible? I say it’s time to conquer the grid back for roleplay, one prim, pixel and avatar at a time.

If you recognize any of this in yourself, if you feel like taking a step to more traditionally defined roleplay, there is a completely new monthly event called We Love Role-play that has just opened its doors. The shop list is impressive, so I encourage all of you to go and have a look!

The Fire and Blood outfit by The Muses, the Jaw Breaker sword by [EZ] Weaponry and the Unseelie mask by *~*Illusions*~* can all be found in the We Love Role-play event. The Disna hair by Alice Project is available in the current round of FaMESHed.

Scene: Surroundings: *~by Nacht – The Cloisters* | Fountain: Trident – “Crimson Fields” Fountain (KoH hunt, not available anymore)

Body: Skin: Glam Affair – Mia Fairy Tales 2012 03 A | Eyes: IKON – Utopia Eyes Dark Red | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Liner: Pin Me Down – Liner 6* | Hair: Alice Project – Disna*

Outfit: Armored Dress: The Muses – Rainha* | Mask: *~*Illusions*~* Unseelie Mask & Headpiece | Sword: [EZ] Weaponry – Jaw Breaker*

Poses: aDORKable Poses – 19 of 25 2012 | Poise – GA 3*

The Silence of Yuale Nura

Its frozen, wintry beauty is breathtaking. Or breath-freezing, as winters tend to be. The elven enclave in the treetops of Evensong Woods glows softly in the night of blues and purples, silent and peaceful.

That peace is carefully guarded by the local wood elves, who keep a close watch on any visitors to see how they behave. Perhaps they simply want to make certain no one falls off the bridges or disturbs a hibernating bear with shouting, but perhaps there is something bigger slumbering in the cold.

Whatever the reason for the maintained frozen silence, the elves will never tell. The only response you’ll get is a small smile and a nod of acknowledgement before the polite encouragement to keep your voice down.

One thing elves do not have to worry about at the moment is gear. Fantasy Faire provides all the things an elf could want, for example: The elven Rochon robe by FATEwear is available in Titan’s Hollow, both the Edenion boots by lassitude & ennui and the Deliverance necklace by House of Rain can be found in Crimson Fields, the Faded Warpaint face tattoo by Pin Me Down can be found in Lotus Valley Dream and the elven ears by *~*Illusions*~* are fittingly located in Evensong Woods.

Scene: Evensong Woods

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Hair: Wasabi Pills – Hawk2 Night Shadow | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Poison Ivy | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Makeup: Pin Me Down – Faded Warpaint 2* | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands (av) Casual | Ears: *~*Illusions*~* Seelie Ears*

Outfit: Robe: FATEwear – Rochon Emerald* | Necklace: House of Rain – Deliverance Black Cord* | Boots: lassitude & ennui – Edenion Boots grey/gold*

Pose: Poise – Vogue 9

Sky White, Snow Blue

Sometimes I think I’m pre-disposed to liking that combination just because I live in Finland and it’s so prevalent everywhere: snow covers everything for half a year, the second half the skies and the lakes turn blue, almost only additional mix is the green from the forests. Therefore this is a completely self-indulgent post of finding the combination beautiful.

There’s clarity in white: simplicity, purity, visibility. Nothing hidden. Blue is the colour of soothing calm, water’s touch, hue of melancholia, wistfulness. Together they are near-therapeutic to watch: serene, peaceful.

The stunningly beautiful near-white skin by Nuuna is available in the Skin Fair. The butterfly-resembling fans in a necklace by Zibska can be found in The Gallery Gift Shop (March 15th) and the delightfully decorated corset by lassitude & ennui will be in the Adore&Abhor Five Year Anniversary Event (March 16th). The barely discernible white lingerie-styled bodysuit by Pale Empress will soon be released as a group gift in Port Seraphine News, which will cover all the shops in the sim.

Scene: Studio Skye – Enchanted Tree Tunnel

Body: Skin: +Nuuna+ Kati Skin Cleavage | Eyes: IKON – Eternal Eyes Peak XL | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Makeup & Brows: +Nuuna+ Kati Smokey & Eyebrows | Hair: Analog Dog – Wound Up Winter

Outfit: Corset: lassitude & ennui – Elena Corset blue/silver* | Bodysuit: Pale Empress – Elyria White* | Necklace: Zibska – Kiyomi* | Headpiece: LaGyo – Angelie headpiece bridal

Poses: Poise - Vogue 2* | Exposeur – Female of the Species 3

Nothing But Skin

It is a vulnerable state, wearing nothing but your skin. Leaving the cultural taboos and sexuality aside, nudity exposes us. There is nothing between us and the surrounding world, us and the other people. No layers of cloth to form an armor, no distractions, no pretension.

We’re not used to such openness anymore, we’re used to being able to select what kind of mask of implications we present for the world to see. When we are robbed of our covers, the timidness easily settles in.

Underneath the protection of all the masks and armor there is sensitivity bruised by the lightest of touches, spirits wishing to be understood and accepted, hiding in the darkness under the layers of shields out of fear, out of tiredness.

Perhaps, just perhaps, if we dared to look in the mirror without wearing a mask, if we dared to leave the armor aside for just a moment, we could learn to understand and accept ourselves. Whether the others do or do not depends on who we meet, but if we do not accept ourselves first, how could they?

Skin Fair has opened its doors and Essences is releasing a new Clover skin line there. I have adored their soft shading and strong eyebrows for a long while now, but what really delights me is the pale skin tone options. Most skins on the grid are way too tan for my taste and so every skin designer who makes truly pale tones is a triumph to find.

Scene: Studio Skye – Enchanted Tree Tunnel

Body: Skin: Essences – Clover 01 Pale Dust Brunette* | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Classic Frozen Silver Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Alice Project – Sunny*

Poses: Poise – Vogue 10 | Exposeur – When You’re Smiling 3 | aDORKable Poses – 3 of 25 2012

T is for Tavern

It is the center of any town and the beginning of countless adventures. You can meet all sorts of people in there, from townsfolk to travellers passing by. There’s respectable wives and tradeswomen handling their business or perhaps looking to hire some help

There’s the barmaids and serving wenches milling about, occasionally dropping something not too important to get an excuse to lean down and pick it up: it’s good for the tips.

Perhaps even the elusive members of the local clergy — or whatever spiritual organization should there be present in the town — looking for help in a quest of utmost importance.

Whatever you are looking for, tavern should be the first place to check: the very least you’ll find pleasant company and good drinks and that’s already worth of a quest, isn’t it?

The Muses has just released three new dresses for the more commoner styled medieval women: Tika, Tansy and Tysha. The furniture by ~Libertine~ is really meant to be a Warrior Hall, but I used it as a tavern here. It’s available in the current round of Genre. 

Scene: House: Trident – Nordmaar House III | Furniture: ~Libertine~ Legends, Hall*

Tika the Tradeswoman: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands Casual | Eyes: IKON – Horizon Eyes v2 Dark Turquoise XL | Hair: Sky Everett – Tudor Lady Katherine | Dress: The Muses – Tika Dress Brick* | Necklace: Trident – Thassa Necklace III | Pose: Poise – Vogue 9*

Tansy the Barmaid: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands Casual | Eyes: IKON – Horizon Eyes v2 Dark Turquoise XL | Hair: =DeLa*= Evita Black 2 | Dress: The Muses – Tansy Dress Forest* | Pose: Pose Plastique – By the Water 1

Tysha the Priestess: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Hair: Alice Project – Zephyra* | Eyes: IKON – Eternal Eyes Peak XL | Dress: The Muses – Tysha White* | Necklace: House of Rain – First and Last and Always Pearl* | Pose: Exposeur – When You’re Smiling 3

52 Colours: Cosmic

For once I did not go straight to scifi even though the name of the colour practically demanded it. Guess Miss Cosmic is an aspiring starlet artist name instead!

The hair was in one of the past 50L Fridays by Wasabi Pills, but you can still get it in their normal colour selections for normal price, of course. The dress is actually the Liaison-chemise by Volstead, available in Cinema that just opened today. Sheer mesh is a wonderful thing, providing allure to less slinky shapes.

The Charleston slippers are also by Volstead, but the Dauphine socks are by Sn@tch. As is obvious by the purple hair, I was not even trying to make a historically accurate look, more like the new coming of the twenties far in the future.

The surroundings are one of the dream scenes by Garden of Dreams, this one called The Piano Bar. The perfect place for scandalously dressed starlets for career-starting! When you go to Cinema, you can find Volstead here. It’s also good to remember to prune down your scripts before going: easier for everyone shopping, yourself included.

Scene: Garden of Dreams – The Piano Bar*

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Eyes: Umedama Holic – GemStone eye G04 | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Eye makeup: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Glitter Pop Eshadow in Plums at Midnight | Lips: Izzie’s – Lipstick plum | Hair: Wasabi Pills – Alice Mesh Hair Licorice

Outfit: Dress: Volstead – Liaison Chemise Plum* | Socks: Sn@tch – Dauphine Socks Black | Shoes: Volstead – Charleston Slippers Plum* | Ring: KOSH – Auna Ring | Hat: World’s End Garden – Romance Le Noir Hat

Poses: Bilo – Ode to Antidote Four | Poise – Burlesque 1 | Bilo – Ode to Antidote Five (Bilo-poses not available yet.)

The Enigma of the Absolute

It’s the name of the photo on the background and as all artwork, the interpretation is always personal and subjective. Besides, when something is called an enigma I feel hesitant to attempt to put it to words. The said framed photo is by Virtual Alchemy Photography and is available in the World Goth Fair. All the VA photos are taken by Axi Kurmin personally, which is an almost unique feature within SL art shops.

As for the grown-up chic goth lady here, she’s dressed in bilo‘s new release, also available in the Goth Fair. I must say that as far as mesh dresses go, this is practically a miracle maker in certain body areas. Gorgeous. <3

The jewelry is by Axi Kurmin as well, from her House of Rain. You can get this The Luxury of Tears set from the fair as well. I used one of the liners from Pin Me Down again, since I’m getting rather addicted to them. Damn you, Shyntae! *shakefist*

All the World Goth Fair slurls and info right here~

World Goth Fair: Photo: Virtual Alchemy Photography – The Enigma of the Absolute | Dress: bilo – Manal WGF | Jewelry: House of Rain – The Luxury of Tears amethyst/peridot/black tit. | Eyeliner: Pin Me Down – Liner 10 

Other Credits: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Poison Ivy Medium | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Tukinowaguma – Edda Ebony | Lipstick: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Opal Lipcolor Dark Kiss & Clear Lipgloss | Poses: Olive Juice – Betty / Poise – stand2

Where Have All the Good Frogs Gone?

That is what the Frog Princess here is wondering. Actually that’s the name of the dress and I just couldn’t help myself. I’m sure we can all relate to her worries and question, after all. As for the dress by Simply Fae, it will be up in the silent auction in the upcoming Fantasy Faire.

I love the subtle touches referencing the tale, the green leaves forming the partial collar and the belt. As for the conveniently matching rose heart necklace, that’s by T R I D E N T Jewelry and one of their RFL vendor items, available in the faire as soon as it opens on 21st April.

La Boheme has this perfect fairy tale princess hair in Crazy Hair Hunt, although I admit that I tinted the roses purple from their original red colour just to match the gown and the delicate amethyst drops of the necklace.

All of the environment in the pictures is by T R I D E N T and every single piece will be in their RFL vendors in the faire as well. In this case the setting is made of a medieval bridge, a Medusa statue and an adorable gypsy wagon. …wait a minute, maybe all the good frogs are gone because Medusa has been turning them to stone! This calls for a revenge plan.

Fantasy Faire (opens 21 April): Bridge: T R I D E N T - Medieval Stone Bridge II [Part II] | Medusa: T R I D E N T - Greek Statue V – Medusa [Stone/Bronze] | Wagon: T R I D E N T - Gipsy Wagon II [Purple],[RP] | Gown: Simply Fae – RFL Silent Auction Frog Princess | Necklace: T R I D E N T Jewelry - Rose Heart Necklace [Silver/Amethyst]

Crazy Hair Hunt: Hair: La Boheme – CHH3 

Other Credits: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Eyes: The Plastik – Frozen Soul Lotus | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Lips: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Opal Lipcolor Matrix & Clear Lipgloss | Face tattoo: White Widow – Firtree Silver Left | Poses: Diesel Works – H1 / Striking Poses – Sandra Bullock / Poise – Vanity Rachael3

When Sanity Falls

There’s a wonderful new game-hunt by MadPea called Sanity Falls. It is a story of Alexander Blackwell and his desperate attempts to free his wife from the hands of kidnappers. This is not a shiny-happy-cuddly hunt, so be warned.

You can purchase the game-HUD (100L) from here to begin your hunt. Don’t forget to pick up the Alex-avatar nearby if you want to really immerse yourself into the game. By the way, this is an excellent deal for new male players: 100L for a whole, good avatar. I’d suggest picking him up even if you wouldn’t do the hunt. (You need to have the HUD to get him.)

You can see all the prizes here. Note that there’s two prizes per shop, one that you get immediately when you locate the ransom money in the shop and another that you get in the very end of the adventure. There were plenty of things that I liked, but for these pictures I wanted something slightly less sane and more chaotic. The Alex-paintings are screenshots by me, I inserted them in the frames that otherwise had wonderful Alice pictures. I wanted Insanity here watching him through them as he continues his quest…

“Well done, Alex. You found all of the ransom! No, you cannot have your sanity back. No refunds. Embrace the madness.” Why the random phone? Well, you do keep making phonecalls all the time in the game, might as well be to Insanity.  I’d also like to mention that Pose Fair has opened its doors for the shopping squees. This phone prop is one of my all-time favourites from Olive Juice and it’s available in the fair along zillion awesome fair exclusives by 120 pose stores. Go grant your lindens a merciful end!

Sanity Falls Hunt: House: Rowena Paine’s Junque Shop – Fallen Sanity House | Furniture: Mimsy Manor – Alice’s Garden Studio | Skeleton statue: Trident – Weeping Angel Statue II | Skin & outfit: Kastle Rock Couture – Sanity Avatar | Tattoo: Fallen Gods Inc. – Sanctum Split Sides (full, tintable) | Ring: Chaos, Panic & Disorder – Arachnophobia Ring | Antlers: Empyreal Dreams – Timeless Antlers

Other Credits: Eyes: Repulse – Callous Eyes (Grey) | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: A&Y Bunker – Aeon 2 Black | Poses: Olive Juice – Sassy 3 | Poise – Charisma 1 | Olive Juice – Phone 1 (includes the phone)