Sword Day, Red Day

Red had traveled under many names, most of them either forgotten by now or branded into myths and legends. Having a mythical name meant these days simply that your parents had played Dungeons and Dragons as youngsters, so she preferred Red.

Horses had changed to bikes, which in general meant they were much easier to fix than their predecessors had been. Sharp pieces of metal had turned to small blunt pieces of metal of beautiful velocity. The ring of swords had become the drums of guns.

In all this time Red had never changed. She was always beautiful, always fiery, always tempting and glamorous. She was glory and fame, power and control, the beauty of fire calling you closer until you burn.

She was all the reasons humanity had ever needed for fighting each other. She was War, and tonight she was riding to town.

New round of A Tattered Page has just started, this time focusing on Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. War is of course one of the Four Horsemen Bikers of the Apocalypse. The boots by Pale Empress and the helmet by Eclectica can be found in the ATP Library.

Scene: The Wastelands

Body: Skin: Jalwa – Gazala Salt Black Brow* | Eyes: IKON – Hope Eyes Leonine | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Exile – Pick Up Lines | Lipstick: Beautiful Freak – Liquid Metal Blood Red* | Hands & Feet: Slink Casual & High | Body Blood Smears: Fallen Gods Inc. – Bloody Flesh 

Outfit: Jacket: Erratic – Tory Cropped Biker Jacket Glossy Red | Pants: Erratic – Zoey Leather Pants Red | Boots: Pale Empress – War Boots* | Helmet: Eclectica – Good Omens War Helmet for ATP Red* | Jewelry: House of Rain – Burn Choker & Rings Ruby* | Sword: Fallen Arms – For the Living Sword* | Particles: Cole’s Corner – Digital Confetti Aura Firey*

Poses: {NanTra} Requiem 3 | !bang Carefree 2 | !bang mini series Overcome 2

The Goblin Queen

“More loots. That’s what it’s all about, you know, being a Queen. You get to choose first from everything’s that’s raided, stolen, scavenged and generally looted and pillaged all over.”

“See my helmet? From the leader of some fancy wing zooming folks …somewhere. If not a leader, at least an officer. At least it looks like it, yah? Freaking fanciest thing I’ve ever worn, had to have at least ten sticky-handed gobs kicked in the trenches for trying to claim it first, the ingrates.”

“The sword? From some barbarian fellow. Made a lot of noise, was practically naked, completely not poison-dart-proofed. ‘s heavy like seven hells, but it looks impressive!”

“The important thing is to make sure you have fancy boots, tallest helm and a lot of magic on your side. ‘s what they respect: big helmets and shiny footwear. ‘n some blood magic goes a loooong way.”

This post is befittingly about the Fantasy Faire Blogger Challenge: My New Shiny. Before this Faire I had never heard of LURE, Fallen Arms or Cole’s Corner, all of which are new shinies for me. I’m especially recommending catching the upcoming original music and particle show by ColeMarie Soleil, the creator of Cole’s Corner. The encore of her breathtakingly enchanting performance will take place in Ichi-go Ichi-e on Sunday, May 3rd at 12-2pm.

You can find Eclectica and Cole’s Corner in Ichi-go Ichi-e, Alegria Studio in Aurora, Spyralle and Wasabi Pills in Odyssey, *~*HopScotch*~* in Poppetsborough and LURE and Fallen Arms in Tangleshimmer Grove.

Scene: Tangleshimmer Grove by Searlait Nitschke at Fantasy Faire

Body: Skin: LURE – Desire Greenskin* | Eyes: IKON – Deadshine Eyes Crimson (Fiery) | Face Markings: *~*HopScotch*~* Warpaint Dotted & Vision* | Ears: Eclectica – Gargoyle Ears Beastly* | Hair: Wasabi Pills – Jay Licorice* | Hands: Slink

Outfit: Outfit: [ SAKIDE ] Tatsu Silk Purple* | Boots: ALEGRIA – Minerva Boots Light Gold* | Helmet & Vambraces: Spyralle – Wind Rider Coromell* | Sword: Fallen Arms – For the Living Sword (back sheath)* | Spell Effects & Companion: Cole’s Corner – Powder Puff Hand Dancers (bloody) & Gremlin Fae (purple/black)* 

Poses: Exposeur – Call the Shots 4 | Poise – Vogue 7 | c(Two Cats) Magical 4 

The Dance of the Frost Daughters

They dance in the clear air, the daughters of frost. They glide with soft-flurried wings, as sharp as the biting cold. They glitter and sparkle like their smaller cousins, the sprites known as snowflakes.

Their already freezing hair holds touches of the midwinter sun, the flowers they wear formed of snow and ice to adorn their twirling forms.

Every graceful step freezes ground beneath them, every wing stroke breathes icy wind into the world, every twirl in the air sends out a breeze.

They dance, the beauty of winter caught in a softly-flowing motion of a silhouette. They dance, and in their steps the frost flowers bloom. They dance, and the world holds its breath, frozen in silent bliss.

Fantasy Faire has reached its first weekend and the Fairelands are bursting of activities. Read more here!

-AZUL- and [Gauze] can be found in YoZakura, Lumae, Eclectica and Cole’s Corner in Ichi-go Ichi-e, Wasabi Pills and Material Squirrel in Odyssey. The tattoo by Fallen Gods Inc. is a hunt prize in the Fairelands Hunt: The Lost Land.

Scene: Ravenshold at Fantasy Faire, the Fairelands Hunt: The Lost Land sim, designed by Rynn Verwood

Body: Skin: Lumae :: Jewel : Theia // Bare {DarkBrow} | Eyes: IKON – Immortal Eyes Passion | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Liner: Pin Me Down – Liner 2 | Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Jaden Mesh Hair – FEM – Sorbet* |  Hands & Feet: Slink | Hand Tattoo: Moon Amore – Vishnu | Wings: Material Squirrel – Thethys Wings 6.0 Light Colors* | Tattoo: Fallen Gods Inc. – Ammonite Full 100% Tintable*

Outfit: Gown: -AZUL- Sophie (Pearl) | Hair Flowers: Eclectica ‘Sylvan’ Headpiece-Silver Leaves & [Gauze] Lothlorien Headdress Hrive | Arm Flowers: -AZUL- Sophie (Pearl) | Ring: Eclectica ‘Sylvan’ Ring- Silver Leaves | Companion Flicker: Cole’s Corner – Mana Comet Companion*

Poses: {Imeka} Lulu-Pose 8 | Nuwiggles, Trapeze (Slight Right) | Kirin – Athena Pose 5

Under the Tree

I shouldn’t really look yet. There’s still many days until 24th. Should be good and keep it all a mystery until then. No point in spoiling your own surprises, now is there?

But I can smell the tree, I can see the shadows the lights cast on the wall, I can almost feel the candles as warmth, there’s so many of them… what was that? There’s sounds! Small shuffling sounds… a small woof!

Shh, this never happened! I’ll re-pack the boxes and pretend to be surprised, yesyes. Or say it was just to save the presents from the rambunctious pup. Yes, perfect excuse!

Shinies and small critters. The very best things under the tree.

The dress by Senzafine, the jewelry by Eclectica, nails by Beautiful Freak and the Pandora gift boxes by Libertine are all available in Gothmas by Gaslight, you can find them in Cursed: straight booth slurls in the credits.

The shoes are an upcoming release by House of Rain: this particular pair will be a part of the 21 Shoe’s exclusive deals on 21st of December. Visit the main store on that day to grab two pairs at the price of one.

The tree and all its decor, the rugs under it and much more are all a part of A Libertine Christmas gacha, which is available in the Midwinter Fair. Decorating the tree is an almost game-like experience of dragging the won ornaments into the tree to unlock the textures and then simply choosing which ones you want in your tree. More information here.

Half-Deer’s helpful snow day bunny is available in Collabor88 and the birdy in The Liaison Collaborative. The lantern by Remarkable Oblivion is from The Arcade.

Scene: ~Libertine~ ~A Libertine Christmas~ Decoratable Tree 2014, ~Libertine~ Sangue Floreale, Rug [Animated], ~Libertine~ Pandora Gifting Set, Yule Ed.,* | Remarkable Oblivion – Holiday Spirit Lantern Wrought | (fd) Animals – Playful Pup Black | +Half-Deer+ Bunny helps with the Decor (Black) | +Half-Deer+ Northern Cardinal M – Static | Eclectica ‘Nightblooms’ Neckpiece | House of Rain – Horror Holiday Shoe 21 shoe exc. – black/red*

Body: Skin: Pink Fuel – Doll v2 Vamp Pure blkbrow | Eyes: IKON – Horizon Eyes v2 Dark Turquoise | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Magika – Written | Hands: Slink | Nails: Beautiful Freak – Dead of Winter Nails* | 

Outfit: Gown: Senzafine – Isadora Dress* | Jewelry: Eclectica – Gothic Pearls Neckpiece & Earrings, Nightblooms Rings* | 

Poses: !bang – mini series overcome 4 | {Imeka} – Lulu-Pose 7 | Part of the rug by ~Libertine~

Resigned

“Justine shook her head mournfully. “I do not fear to die,” she said; “that pang is past. I leave a sad and bitter world; and if you remember me, and think of me as of one unjustly condemned, I am resigned to the fate awaiting me.” – Frankenstein, chapter 8

Did she feel it, the impending doom in the air? Justine, the maid so dear to the Frankenstein family that she was all but a family member. Perhaps not, perhaps she spent her last days in the contented happiness that the family had provided her, in doting over young William and taking care of the house of her benefactors.

One could hardly blame her for feeling and expressing her gratitude so constantly, for it was the Frankenstein family — especially the late Caroline Frankenstein, Victor’s mother — who had convinced Justine’s mother to let her ignored daughter live at the Frankensteins from the age of twelve.

So it was that Justine’s worry and concern for William, the youngest of the family, became the first step of her downfall. If she had not heard of William gone missing and had not spent so much time looking for him that she had to seek shelter in a barn for the gates of Geneva were closed already, the creature would have never seen her, never felt the bitter twinge for her beauty and therefore would have never placed the incriminating locket in the coat pocket of her sleeping form.

With the locket from around the murdered child’s neck found in her pocket there was no hope for Justine, suddenly seen as the most ungrateful wretch in the world, someone willing to turn against her benefactors in the most dreadful way imaginable. No one seemed to question the logic of this, the only defense laid in the heartfelt pleas of Elizabeth who had only her firm belief in the innocence of Justine on her side.

Justine confessed for the fear of hell, for the threats from her confessor, but in private she still convinced Elizabeth and Victor of her innocence, thus dropping the last of the misplaced guilt off her shoulders. She became the second victim of the creature, albeit indirect, and in doing so: also the second victim of Victor Frankenstein himself.

A Tattered Page is a new in-store event that draws its inspiration from books. The first round focuses on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and you can find the shopping guide from the website. The hair and tears tattoo by Pale Empress, the prison with poses by [Black Tulip] and both dresses — light by .Luminary., dark by Pale Empress — and both necklaces — light by Eclectica, dark by House of Rain are a part of the event.

Scene:
Light: Garden of Dreams – The Atelier
Dark: [Black Tulip] A Prison for your Mind*

Body: Skin: !Imabee – Petal Florentien darkB & Eyeliner 1 | Eyes: IKON – Hope Eyes Denim | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Pale Empress – Justine* | Hands: Slink | Tears Tattoo: Pale Empress – ATP Frankenstein Justine’s Tears*

Outfit:
Light: Gown: .Luminary. – Justine Cream* | Necklace: Eclectica – The Frankenstein Miniature*
Dark: Gown: Pale Empress – Justine Dress* | Necklace: House of Rain – Find Forever Gone Locket Closed*

Poses: flowey – a twinge in your heart | Picture This! – Jewelry Model 3 Mirror | [Black Tulip] A Prison for your Mind (poses part of the prison)*

Departure

“I can smell the change in the air: not unlike autumn it’s a sudden crisp feel, a moment of clarity, the sharp realization before the haze of hibernation. The spin of the Spiral is reaching the last rounds before the transformation begins.”

“The trains are still awaiting for the last of the passengers and I should hurry, I do not want to get caught in that last twirl of no return. I used to, I think. Surely I did not leave the Spiral on my first shift? I wish I could remember the cycles before these last two, but that is the Spinner’s Nature: there is only the Spiral, and the Spiral is always Now.”

“I like traveling now, I like being able to remember beyond the immediate existence, I like being able to look forward further than the end of the current Dance. That said, I also like to be able to return home, for somewhere within the twists and turns and changes of the Spiral I came into being.”

“Sometimes I wonder if they are always the same, the people. If the Spiral changes only the surface, if the cores are the same, eternally dancing within its serpentine rise. I must compare, document, research. The next time.”

A Clockwork Spiral is turning its last spins and will vanish from our reality on October 1st at 6am SLT. Go catch its last moments before it fades for a year! I have had such fun with the return of the journalist and even more so: being able to see others get into the spirit of the Spiral, wander around, shapeshift accordingly and simply enjoy themselves.

Scene: A Clockwork Spiral

Body: Skin: Pink Fuel – Group Gift Peach September 2014 | Eyes: IKON – Horizon Eyes v2 Dark Turquoise | Hair: Exile – Dancing on my own | Hands: Slink

Outfit: Dress: DGD – Airship Princess* | Hat: Senzafine – Memento Mori Mini Top Hat Noir* | Glasses: Chaos, Panic & Disorder! – Ladies’ Pince-Nez | Other Accessories & Jewelry: Eclectica – Mechanika Belt Accessories, Dragonfly watch neckpiece, Dragonfly Ring*

Poses: Kirin – Florence Pose 1 | flowey – a twinge in your heart

Returning to the Spiral

“It’s been a year since I joined Captain Gearsworth’s crew as they left the Spiral. A year of journeys, flight, adventure and experiences such that I could not reliably scribe them for the fear of scandalizing my audience to death.”

“One year and here I am again, stepping onto the Spiral. I knew I would find it changed for that is its nature: forever turning, forever shifting, forever spiralling from one reality into another, changing its inhabitants with it. Therefore also the great airship dock was gone, replaced by a train station. Most curious.”

“It took a turn of the Spiral for the new knowledge to catch up with me, a turn to grow accustomed to the existence of planes in the air, to understand the tense near-military touches within the town. This was not a relaxed scallywag cycle, one might have to defend oneself here from more than drunk pirates.” 

“Good thing that I had picked up if not a sword, then at least a cane on my travels. Now to apply my favourite weapon of them all: pen. It’s time to get to work.”

A Clockwork Spiral has just opened its station for all the guests to visit. Come enjoy the mix of steampunk, dieselpunk and dark Victoriana with the Cursed gothic twist from now to October 1st! The outfit by Roawenwood, accessories by Eclectica and the poses with the cane by {Rook} are all available in the Spiral. I modified the necklace by Eclectica to turn it into a brooch. The hair by Exile is from the current round of The Arcade.

Scene: A Clockwork Spiral

Body: Skin: Pink Fuel – Group Gift <Peach> September 2014 | Eyes: IKON – Horizon Eyes v2 Dark Turquoise | Hands: Slink | Nails: Atomic Faery – Faerycog Nails* | Hair: Exile – Dancing on My Own 1 Blacks

Outfit: Blouse, Skirt & Boots: Roawenwood – Emmaline Blouse & Skirt, Majesty Boots* | Jewelry: Eclectica – Mechanika Belt Accessories, fob watch Rhinosecerous Beetle, watch neckpiece Dragonfly, Dragonfly Ring Irridescent Gold, Rinoscerous Beetle Ring Irridescent Gold, Antique Glasses half-rimmed | Hat: Senzafine – Memento Mori Mini Top Hat Noir

Poses with Cane: {Rook} – Gentlewoman’s Cane*

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.

Gothilocks

But only two bears. Surely this was some sort of bizarro-day in story land, things definitely out of place and overlapping. Holidays mixing with fairytales, critters running from one story to another, no one sticking to the original plans anymore, absolute chaos! (And hijinks and shenanigans.)

There was no porridge nor beds, but a holiday feast and comfy pillows, even a small gingerbread house for noms. Gothilocks wasn’t quite certain why there was a snowshoe rabbit riding a small yak indoors, but surely there’d be an explanation for everything eventually.

The cocoa train kept puffing along steadily while the little arctic fox tried in vain to awaken the doggie that had unfortunately zoomed right through the Sleeping Beauty’s story before landing here. It was all so very peaceful and cosy that it was tempting to close one’s eyes, for just a moment.

But wait, maybe it wasn’t just the doggie… where did all this food come from if not a castle’s kitchen? Definitely not from this cottage, there’s not even a kitchen here! This amount of sleepiness all around cannot possibly be just from relaxed atmosphere… there’s trouble afoot!

Most of the look is from Gothmas by Gaslight. The outfit by Violent Seduction, the furniture by [noctis] and the nails by Pin Me Down are located in Cursed. The skin by Jalwa and shoes and jewelry by Eclectica can be found in Sium. The cocoa train by Lark and the sleepy doggie with pillows and the yak by +Half-Deer+ are from the current round of The Garden. The arctic animals are from a gacha in Beetlebones. The eyes by Adoness are a part of F R O S T and the gingerbread house by Poche is from the Christmas Mini Mall at Naminoke.

Scene: House: Trompe Loeil – Frostbite Cottage White | Rugs: ~Libertine~ Green Brocade Rugs | Train: Lark – Cocoa Express Large Track & Train | Center Pillow & Doggie: +Half-Deer+ Sleepy Italian Greyhound Black & Pillow | Yak: +Half-Deer+ Winter Yak Black (gacha) | Gingerbread House: Poche – Christmas Hexenhaus | Furniture & Tree: [noctis] – Von Scarlet Chairs and Dining Table, Baron Von Scarlet’s Secretary Desk, Gothmas Tree* | Critters: Beetlebones – Arctic Friends – Polar Bear Pals (Snow & Soot), Snowshoe Hare Pal (Snow), Fox (Soot), Snow Owl (snow) RARE

Body: Skin: Jalwa – Zahida Coven Salt Cleavage* | Hair: Wasabi Pills – Kylee Mesh Hair Licorice | Eyes: Adoness – Salina Eyes Starfish* | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hands & Feet: Slink | Nails: Pin Me Down – Gothmas Nails*

Outfit: Dress, Collar & Bow: Violent Seduction – Criminal Monochrome* | Necklace, Rings, Shoes: Eclectica – Catherine Ringsets in black, pendant in pale gold, Gothic shoes in dark* | Stockings: ~Cannibelle~ Bow Suspender Tights

Poses: aDORKable Poses – Sunny 2 | Part of the +Half-Deer+ pillow. | aDORKable Poses – Sunny 3m