The Sound of Bones

The sound of the bones is soothing. They clatter gently in the evening breeze, each touch a hollow sound, echoing into the night. 
They know things, the bones. The older they are, the more they know. Secrets long forgotten, secrets taken to the grave, secrets buried deeper than the graves ever were.

If you listen well, if you can hear with more than your ears, you can catch their whispers, the faded words, the forgotten languages.

If you listen to the silences between the hollow sounds you will understand. Understand and be able to ask questions. Ask, answer and to have whole quiet conversations within the dead echos of the worlds; ours and all the others.

You can find the outfit by Livid, bow tie and nail ornaments by Bliensen + MaiTai, poses by [Black Tulip], eyes by Pin Me Down and the furniture by 22769 ~ [bauwerk], *NeverWish* and Chaos Panic & Disorder all from World Goth Fair.

Scene: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Balloon Chair Black, Candlehouse, Gothic End Table, Petroleum Lamp, Cognac Bottle & Glass* | *NeverWish* Coffin Chair & Bone Chimes* | Chaos, Panic, & Disorder – Plushie Bat (Black&Red)*

Body: Skin: Pink Fuel – Doll V2 Vamp | Hair: +Spellbound+ Velvet Jet Black | Eyes: Pin Me Down – Mori Greyscale 4* | Eyeshadow: Beautiful Freak – Jackal Red* | Hands: Slink

Outfit: Livid – Batcave Dress Fangtasia Night Out, Gothic Fetish Platform Boots, Bat Ring Black* | Tights: ~Cannibelle~ Gothic Lace Suspender Tights | Nail Ornaments: Bliensen + MaiTai – Rawwr Claws Black | Bow Tie: Bliensen + MaiTai – Drusilla Bow Tie/Brooch | Headdress: Pale Empress – Persephone Crown*

Poses: [Black Tulip] Lost in the Woods*

The Glass Prison

What brought the curious fauna to the library window of the Nautilus? There was always some sealife in sight, possibly just passing by, possibly trying to figure out what the great metal beast really was.

Did they find the bizarre instruments and objects rare treasures, like the items humans hunt from the bottom of the sea, things that to the sealife are perfectly common and unimportant?

Or were they there to gaze at their captured kin, forever taken from them in their tiny display cells, locked away from the world, all for science?

Or perhaps they were there to say hello, to greet the prisoners and to try and communicate with the strange metal beast, to see if it’d release what it took. Sadly, no matter how well they fluttered and shifted, Nautilus never replied.

A Tattered Page is still diving deep in the oceans with Captain Nemo, this round is focused on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. You can find all the items in the post from A Tattered Page Library.

[Park Place] Captain Nemo’s Library* | Spyralle – Cnidaria Medusas* | [noctis] Nautilus Ceiling Lamp ocean long* | {Roawenwood} Sea Escapes Aquarium Set v1* | BluPrintz – Prized Pearl Pillow, Spyglass Copper, Aronnax’s Research* | *Atomic Faery* Sea Unicorn Horn* | 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Navigation Backstaff, Pair of Compasses* 

The Things That Belong to the Sea

It is unknown whether dugongs possess the ability to be curious. In fact, one might think that the slowly grazing marine mammals are unfazed by anything short of all the food vanishing or seas drying up. However, sometimes there are things in the sea that might intrigue even a steadily swimming creature such as dugong.

Perhaps it can remember these strange bits and pieces belonging to the two-legged creatures traversing the seas in metal shells. Perhaps it can remember that they do not journey peacefully, but harass its kin often enough to be dangerous.

Does it understand that the strange metal pieces littering the bottom of the ocean are a sign of their defeat? Does it realize that the metal shell has broken and the two-legged creatures either swallowed by the sea or fled from its rage back to the land?

Perhaps the most important question of all is: does it feel relief at the sight? Maybe even satisfaction? Or is it simply nosing for hidden food between the strange objects? Strange objects that now belong to the sea.

A new round of A Tattered Page has just started! This time the event focuses around 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. The various remnants of Nautilus by [noctis], 22769 ~ [bauwerk] and BluPrintz and the hilarious dugong avatar by The Muses are all available in the ATP Library.

Scene: [noctis] Nautilus Porthole Brass* | 22769 ~ [bauwerk] – Remnants of the Nautilus: Nemos Sea Box, Nemos Deep Sea Helmet (decor), Nemos Lamp, Pair of Compasses, Sea Chart* | BluPrintz – Ned’s Harpoon, Spyglass, Prized Pearl (stand)* | Fantasy Flora – Sea Grass Light Green, Bubble Plant

Avatar: The Muses – Dugong*

QP Agency

Greetings, humanoid of hormonal functions. It is the registered period of time to use various forms of currency and monetary compensations to purchase and acquire items to be delivered to another humanoid of hormonal functions.

Our databanks suggest that the spectrum of purchases varies from indestructible materials such as coal-based condensations to consumables of mostly sucrose content. Perishables, such as various bio-organisms with photosynthetic abilities are also recommended.

We have been given the undestanding that choosing within such a wide spectrum, or even remembering the brief timespan, can be challenging to humanoids. This is why our agency was created. We keep track of your target humanoid’s purchase preferences and then at the agreed time deliver them something we guarantee they will like. 

We will send a forward notification to you with the bill, so the only surprised humanoid is the target, not the one agreeing to our incredibly reliable and affordable contracts. 

QP Agency: The Hormonal Humanoid’s Best Aid.

A post combining Futurewave with Valentine’s? No problem! The outfit and necklace by GALLACTIC, the forehead implant by Bliensen + MaiTai, the circuit makeup by Beautiful Freak and the furniture by 22769 ~ [bauwerk] are all available in Futurewave. The QP Agency’s services, however, are only available far in the future.

Scene: Skybox: Garden of Dreams – Showcase Basalt* | Furniture: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Snake Sofa White, USB2 Tree, Hexagon Table, Loudspeaker Flower*

Body: Skin: Kooqla – Queens (Black) | Eyes: ~*By Snow*~ Citadel Eyes* | Hair: Analog Dog – Val Blacks | Makeup: Beautiful Freak – Circuit Eye Makeup Bubblegum* 

Outfit: GALLACTIC – Andromeda Dress, Hat, Sash & Sleeves, Callisto Necklace* | Implant: Bliensen + MaiTai – Bionique Implant Forehead Gold* 

Poses: Kirin – Athena Pose 5 & 8 | Part of the sofa.

Azure’s Search for Normal People

Never content with just one world, Azure had long ago mastered the skill of landwalking. The first shifting had been awkward, her new-shaped limbs as useless as a baby fish tail, shuddering on reflex instead of control. But she had learned since. She had learned well.

She taught the craft now to the other curious mermaids, how to control two narrower, more angular tails, how to balance upright on them, how to survive in thin non-supporting air instead of the stronger embrace of water. How to transmute sea shells and coral into human body ornaments and wrappings.

It was perhaps the biggest challenge of them all, to learn which parts of the body should be wrapped in decor and which not, but after the initial mistakes and a lot of landwalker observation, Azure was now confident she had it right. If she could just find landwalkers with a normal skin colour instead of this one endless tribe of sand tones, she’d be happy. 

But no matter how far she had searched she could find no blues and the sand-skins kept raising strange structures wherever she had visited and burning small fires in them. Kneeling was also commonplace, but Azure assumed it was to show off their superior limb control. If she could only find normal people things would be easier: they would explain the landwalker oddities to their mer-cousin, those normal blue people.

The Draco Odyssey/Laguna skin by Fallen Gods Inc. is available in We Love Roleplay event. Azure’s skin was the scaled version underwater and smooth when rising to the surface. The mask by Senzafine, octobra by ieQED, fishnet dress by FDD and the Nereid dress by lassitude & ennui are all from the current round of The Fantasy Collective, conveniently themed around mermaids. The hair by Exile is available in Collabor88.

Scene: Cerridwen’s Cauldron – Jellyfish Weed Crownleaf, Hydra Anemone Indigo 20 Tentacles | Fantasy Flora – Fantasy Sea Grass Light Blue & Fantasy Bubble Plant Blue | Chair: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Tentacle Chair

Body: Skin: Fallen Gods Inc. – Draco Odyssey/Laguna Scaled Marks Awake & Smooth* | Eyes: ~*By Snow*~ Midnight Eyes II Indigo* | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Exile – Windsong | Tail: !deviousMind – Undine Electric Blue | Hands & Feet: Slink

Outfit 1: Mask: Senzafine – Morgazh Mask* | Bra: ieQED – Octobra Gold | Collar & Bracers: Luas – Revenge Set

Outfit 2: Dress: FDD – GS Mareena Fishnet Tunic Silver | Face Chains: . aisling . – Xanthe N1 Gold

Outfit 3: Dress: lassitude & ennui – Nereid Dress* | Jewelry: House of Rain – Bring On the Dancing Horses Jet/Gold* (rings not available anymore)

Poses: Part of the tentacle chair. | Exposeur – Underwater 7M | {Imeka} – Lulu-Pose 3

Upgraded

The house had been upgraded. The destroyed decor had been replaced by a collection of mood masks from the Museum of Martian Colonization. There had been nobody around to object when the little robots rolled in to locate objects of shiny surface and ornamental purpose.

The robot mice had burned and melted in the fire, so the house upgraded the maintenance functions into a bird model. They moved faster and could thus find replacements for furniture as well. Piece by piece they brought in usable parts from the junk yards, piece by piece they put them together again.

The house had been upgraded: if it could, it would feel smug of its masterpiece. No more futile service, no more functions without purpose, no more echoing emptiness within its walls. What it had lacked, it had finally re-created.

The new purpose walked within the walls silently: never eating the food the house prepared, never needing sleep despite the announcements of bedtime, never visiting a bath that was set. In the silence they continued their existence: the house of service and its created inhabitant.

I was going to make a colonist post for A Tattered Page’s The Martian Chronicles round, but as I dressed her up and began considering her surroundings, this simply happened. The setting is mostly from the story There Will Come Soft Rains, featuring the automatized robot-serviced house that keeps on functioning even when its owners have been long dead. The human-looking robotic constructions are present in several stories, for example The Long Years and Usher II. They were very clearly described well made enough to fool humans, and even having very human-like emotions.

The house by Anachron, mask shelf by Black Tulip, furniture by 22769 [bauwerk], the dress by Greymoon and the eyes by Chop Shop are all from the event. The jewelry is from Mandala’s New Year sale that was still going on at the time of this post.

A Tattered Page has a central Library now for your shopping convenience, although the items are also available in the main stores.

Scene: House: Anachron – Soft Rains House Scorched Version* | Mask Shelves: [Black Tulip] – Choose Your Emotion Shelf* | Furniture: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] – Spaceship Junkjard Debris Set* | Birdies: +Half-Deer+ The Mad Scientist’s Birds

Body: Skin: Pink Fuel – Doll V2 Crystal Pure BlkBrow & Eyeshadow Soft Black, Thin Gloss Pink & Harley Blush <Crystal> Pink | Hair: Magika – Written | Hands: Slink | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Eyes: !Chop Shop! – Rocket Summer* 

Outfit: Dress: Greymoon – Nostalgia Blues, Greens, Red Spectrum* | Jewelry: Mandala – Milky Way Set | Shoes & Socks: [Gos] Carrie Pumps

Poses: {Imeka} – Katie-Pose 3 | flowey – a twinge in your heart | (marukin) – [volition] back of a bird

The Spiral Dance

“Did I understand correctly that there’s some sort of special celebration taking place tonight, Miss Scapula?”

“Absolutely. It’s the biggest, grandest, and dare I say… steamiest party of the season. Most awaited one.”

“And it takes place in Club Gothika?”

“In its Mobile Unit, let’s be clear about that. The one within the Spiral, underground beneath the Station. There’s stairs leading down, see?”

“So I see. I understand the clubbing continues at even intervals during the Spiral’s turn. What makes this particular party so special?”

“They do keep up the parties according to their schedule the whole time, but this… this is the party we have all been waiting for. The big Spiral Dance of steamy looks, grinding gears and delightful musical orchestrations by Miss Lokii.”

“You keep returning to steamy…”

“But of course. What kind of party would it be if it wasn’t spiced with scandalous indulgences? A boring one, that’s what.”

“Thank you for your time, Miss Scapula. I’ll make certain to spread the word.”

“Oh, you do that. Nobody should miss the Spiral Dance: it defines the spin and turn, the twirl and burn of the next one, after all.”

A Clockwork Spiral will indeed have the official party tonight (Friday, 26th September). It starts 8PM SLT and is DJed by Lokii Violet. The theme is of course Best in Steampunk and there’s prizes from various ACS merchants.

The top and blouse by Greymoon are available in the Spiral. The accessories are all by lassitude & ennui: shoes and necklace available in The Secret Affair, earrings and armbands in Jewelry Fair. The skin was a squee-find from the retirement sale in Pink Fuel that is going on right now. Don’t panic, just some skin lines are being retired, nothing else.

Scene: A Clockwork Spiral
Armchair: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Chtuluh Armchair Black Leather Brocade | Lamp: Volstead – Vogue Lamp 001

Body: Skin: Pink Fuel – Elly Sugar Baby Doll dkbrow w cleavage 3 & Glam Lipstick Vamp | Hair: Magika – Shimmer | Eyes: IKON – Eternal Eyes Mesa | Hands & Feet: Slink | Nails: Beautiful Freak – Lucrezia*

Outfit: Top & Skirt: Greymoon – Shadowed Steamgirl Keyhole Blouse & Tiered Skirt* | Shoes: lassitude & ennui – Nevermore heels black (slink high)* | Jewelry: lassitude & ennui – Lethe necklace silver, Boudica armbands black, Winged earrings silver*

Poses: Kirin – Athena Pose 6 & 2 | Part of the furniture. | Kirin – Hera Pose 8

The Clocktower of Creation

“Miss Anna, I cannot express how happy I am to finally be able to talk to one of you Prototypes, I have been hearing so much about you.”

“The pleasure is all mine, I assure you. I have been designed to feel comfortable and pleased when interacting with humans in a socially acceptable and friendly manner.”

“Feel? I am somewhat surprised to hear you use the word, I hope I do not offend… I was not expecting a… woman that has been designed to speak of feelings.”

“Do not many of the humans also believe they were designed? How is that different?”

“…ah, yes. But um… see, they believe they were designed by… well, not by another human. Speaking of, do you think it is possible for me to speak with him?”

“Find Marie, ask her. She knows such things. Climb on the roof by nightfall, she prefers to do her calculations in the dark.”

“Miss Marie, a word, please?”

“Cuprosklodowskite.”

“…ah. Um. I meant… could I ask you a question?”

“Rhetorical and redundant.”

“…quite right, I already did. I would like to meet and talk with your Maker. How may I achieve this?”

“Put these on to adjust your human sight to see the Clocktower. To the south. Knock on the door. Goodbye.”

“May I just state that it is an honor to finally meet you… I am not even certain what to call you, I have heard so many names. The Prototypes call you Maker, the townsfolk whisper of the Architect, the Scientist and there are even other words floating around…”

“Names do not matter, Miss Journalist. Only my work does.”

“…very well. I can see you are doing just that, working. Is she… I mean… does that hurt?”

“Greta is not sentient yet. No, it does not hurt, she has not been created to feel pain. The others have preliminary nervous systems to aid in self-preservation, but Greta and her partner will not be needing those.”

“…and why is that?”

“Because they are created to aid the Gaze. Captain Lupine sent me a very special and specific request. I am responding in kind.”

“…I see. Actually, I see far from here… the whole of the Spiral. But until Marie gave me these goggles, I did not even know there was a clocktower here.”

“There is always a tower of observation, Miss Journalist. Always.”

A Clockwork Spiral has been visibly inhabited by the Prototypes from Fallen Gods Inc. this year. One can meet Anna, Marie, Oscar and Nikola almost any time one visits the area. They are available as complete avatars, but also sold separately as outfits and skins (Rust appliers in the Materica HUD in the main store). It felt only fitting to have a story of the steam diesel scientist behind them, so Alia Baroque graciously agreed to play the part that is his by right.

In addition to the Prototypes themselves, you can also find Greta’s seat and one of the lamps by 22769 ~ [bauwerk] from the Spiral. The steam arm on the Scientist is by ImmateriA and also available in the event.

Scene for Anna and Marie: A Clockwork Spiral

Clock Tower Scene: Pixel Mode – Clock Tower Sky Box | Volstead – Savoy Table & Vogue Lamp 001* | 22769 ~ [bauwerk] – Steam Powered Pouf & Industrial Floor Lamp* | ~Libertine~ Marquis Master Chair* | E&D Engineering – Thinker’s Work Table & Stool | Hat & Gearbuckle on Greta’s seat from Nikoka Hrdja avatar by Fallen Gods Inc.

Prototypes: Fallen Gods Inc. – Anna & Marie Complete Avatars, Greta’s skin with The Fatal Familial Insomniac head attachment by [ContraptioN]

The Scientist: ~v~ ImmateriA ~v~ Steamarm from Arcane Finery outfit, the rest of the look a part of the mystery.

Poses: {Imeka} – Reika-Pose 1 | Kirin – Athena Pose 2 | Diesel Works – Adam 7 | Sitting poses part of the furniture.

The Flight of the Dragonfly

“Lady Anisoptera, you are one of the more upstanding citizens of the current Spiral, how would you describe-“

“Oh, you can call me Anise, titles are terribly tedious business. Or Lady Dragonfly if you absolutely must, it has a nicer ring to it.”

“I did notice that people referred to you as such when I was inquiring how to gain an audience with you. An intriguing nickname.”

“I think they just like to add a little mystique to me, makes amazingly amusing rumors even more scandalous, I guess. Not that there’s any truth to them. I have absolutely nothing to do with the Prototypes and I have met the Spark only once at a dinner party.”

“But it is however true that you hold a substantial amount of the Spiral’s wealth and influence in your very young hands and that none of it was inherited, correct?”

“Oh, you journalists, always exaggerating. I might know some people and own some property here and there, but it’s hardly substantial.”

“Nevertheless-“

“Nevertheless you should come and join the next party we’re holding, meet some people, see the situation from a larger perspective. You do know that there’s a club underground right beneath the Station, correct? They have delightful shindigs there several times a week. You should go. Much more interesting than having tea with me. Thank you so much for visiting! Remember: club underground, the Station. Good bye.”

There really is a club underneath the train station in A Clockwork Spiral: Club Gothika’s Mobile Unit functions according their regular schedule, make sure to tune in to the stream when visiting the event area and if you’re in luck timewise: go enjoy the diesel underground! The corset and skirt by :{MV}:, boots and collar by lassitude & ennui and the dragonfly and ladybug jewelry by Bliensen + MaiTai are all available in the Spiral. Same goes for Anise’s surroundings, which is a mix of Spiral furniture from 22769 ~ [bauwerk], Roawenwood and Spyralle.

Scene: House: Scarlet Creative – Neva Captain’s House | Wall Sconce: Spyralle – “Inspiration” Manhattan* | Table, Stool & Plant (first picture): Roawenwood – The Brigadier’s Table Set* | The Rest of the Furniture: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] – Grammophon, Around the World in One Day Rug, The Vintage Chesterfield, A Clockwork Side Table, Spine Light, Steam Powered Pouf*

Body: Skin: Pink Fuel – Doll v2 <Crystal> Pure blkbrow w eyeshadow soft black & thin gloss pink | Hair: Exile – Dream of Paradise | Eyes: IKON – Hope Eyes Leonine | Hands: Slink

Outfit: Corset & Skirt: :{MV}: – Libertine Corset & Skirt Copper | Boots: lassitude & ennui – Selene Boots black/brown* | Stockings: League – Ella Stockings Light Brown | Collar: lassitude & ennui – Wayfinder Choker Gold* | Jewelry: Bliensen + MaiTai – Aeropleustic Ladybug Earrings, Luminiferous Dragonfly Necklace, Ring, Hairpin*

Poses:  !bang – Carefree 1 | Part of the couch. | N/A

The Solace of Silence

Silence can be blessed. That quiet sunset of soul when there’s no demanding voices, no distracting noise, no chaotic confusion. That moment of completeness when you can just take a deep breath, let the exhale escape in contentment and feel the peace.

In silence we can hear ourselves: our thoughts, our feelings. In silence we have perspective to achieve, mirrors to face, room to grow.

In silence there is solace, relaxation of the spirit, freedom to simply be with no rush or limits. In silence we hear and face the truths of life.

In silence we learn.

World Goth Fair opened its doors yesterday and although all the three sims are busy, there are plenty of spots where the quiet attitude may touch you if you simply stop and let it flow. The outfit by Pale Empress and the liner by Beautiful Freak can be acquired in Sium and the furniture by 22769 ~ [bauwerk] and the earrings by Eclectica from Cursed.

Furniture: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] – Chtuluh Armchair Black Leather Brocade, The Nevermore Black/Gold, Graphic Chair Octopus, Gothic Gazebo*

Body: Skin: Essences – Clover 01 Pale Dust Brunette | Hair: Sky Everett – Kiera | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Classic Frozen Silver Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Blush: Zibska – YesNo Two | Liner: Beautiful Freak – Divinora Black* | Hands & Feet: Slink | Nails: Pale Empress – Severina (sold with sandals)

Outfit: Pale Empress – Severina Corset, Skirt, Sleeves, Sandals, Collar & Necklace Red* | Earrings: Eclectica – Perenelle Gothic Earrings Red* 

Pose: {Imeka~} Katie-Pose 3 | Part of the furniture.