Born of the Sea, Staring into the Sun

They are born of the sea, the Guardian Drakes of the Sunny Shores. Born of the sea, staring into the sun. As their eyes ignite from the brilliance of day, their flames burst forth, patterning their blue scales with gold.

Magic weaves itself into wing shapes on their backs, into bits and pieces of decor around their forms, into a halo of a crown declaring their status. It covers them in its embrace: energizing, glamouring, clarifying.

In the end the Guardian Drake is draped in magic — channeling, breathing, radiating the glow — and is ready to leave the depths of the sea to embark on their journey to the Sunny Shores. To guard, defend, protect. To illuminate.

 

Skin: Fallen Gods Inc. – Draco Water* at Skin Fair
Mesh Parts: Maitreya Lara Body, Slink hands & feet
Tattoo: Fallen Gods Inc. – Fallen Gold Royale* at Treasure Chest
Extra Face Tattoo: Fallen Gods Inc. – Elegance* at We Love Roleplay
Eyes: Fallen Gods Inc. – Glowing Eyes*
Hair: Magika – First Light
Wings & Bracers: lassitude & ennui – Seraphim*
Outfit: !dm deviousMind – Wicca straps & Garona skirt*
Headdress: .Enfant Terrible. Emma’s Halo Gold
Particle Magic: Cole’s Corner – Eternal Flame Set & Fireflies Beam Aura*
Poses: Kirin – Burlesque Poses/Cane Pose 1 | (marukin) [nadja] 1910 | Astalianda – Fallen 5

The Light of the New Year

It’s a sunrise in the horizon of the Long Dark. It promises fresh snow, new winds, paths never walked before. It tells you all the dark things on your journey will be left behind, that they cannot cross over to this side. It lies. We carry the light with us, just like we carry the dark, and it is up to us to let them go or keep them close, it is up to us to choose. Regardless, in the light of the first new day of our lives it is always easier to be resolute, always easier to believe we will choose well. Perhaps that is the whole meaning of it, to give us that boost of energy to continue trying our best to make good choices, to encourage others to do so, to share our light with each other. 

Here’s to the new year, new world, shared light! May we make it the best of the years yet.

 

Skin: Pink Fuel – Doll v2 V2 Vamp
Mesh: Maitreya Lara Body & Slink Hands
Hair: Magika – Honey Whiskey
Gown & Jacket: Just Because – Christine
Bracelets: MANDALA – Shippoah
Snowflake & Pose: Astalianda – Snowstar (free gift, currently available under the tree in Selidor)

The Source Seeker

The flight to the abyss is a long one. It’s mostly a lonely, cold flight through various realms and empty spaces where the only light in existence is the one you carry within you. It is a test: how long does your light hold out against the dark, how persistent is your spirit glow?

The ancient structures that were once mushrooms growing from an asteroid to another mark the way in the end, pulling you to the flow of inspiration at the source of all magic, nourishing your abyss-drained soul. Nourishing, fulfilling and healing until all the obstacles in your journey feel just a distant memory and there is only the glorious Now of Potential and Possibilities.

The Magic of Inspiration is the rarest of energies, always challenging to seek, eternally rewarding to find.

Scene:
Cerridwen’s Cauldron – Sidhe Trumpet Mushrooms & Elven Cup Mushrooms*
Cole’s Corner – Sea Sorcery (Celestial)*

Avatar:
Skin: Fallen Gods Inc. – Airmid, Ivory Ainur RARE*
Body Tattoo: Fallen Gods Inc. – Ainur White*
Face Tattoo: Fallen Gods Inc. – Wilvarin White*
Mesh: Maitreya Lara body & hands
Hair: Magika – First Light
Outfit, boots & blindfold: lassitude & ennui – Vindicator white* (blindfold not available anymore)
Particle Magic: Cole’s Corner – Valkyrie silver* available at the Festival Market
Wings: DRD – Devine wings/glow angel

Poses:
Astalianda –  Sun Sparkle 2, Divine 3 (soon available as a hunt prize), Sun Sparkle 1

Flutterpaws, the Dreamlings of Whimsy

Flutterpaws are dreamlings of whimsy. They flutter and pad and nose their ways through dreams with either endless curiosity or excessive feline indifference. When they find a dreamscape they like, they gather as indeed a flutter of paws, one after another.

Fish or other flickering moving things are often favored, but any dreamscape of shiny surreal things is sure to draw their attention. They don’t make friends often, the flutterpaws, but they do love chasing after zig-zag patterns and making a point to ignore anything they don’t comprehend. 

The yoga frogs inhabiting this particular dreamscape have fortunately endless zen patience toward their quirkier dream-kin. Perhaps the next time this dream will feature less butterflies and flying fish for less feline interruptions and therefore more meditation opportunities.

Sometimes when the flutterpaws feel especially whimsical, they invite a dreamer to join them: transform and transport, all for the sake of momentary amusement and an extremely puzzled dreamer with a story to tell when they wake up.

Scene: 
lassitude & ennui – Flutterpaws at the Gacha Garden*
meadowWorks – Lotus Wishing Lanterns at Home & Garden Expo*
meadowWorks – Yoga Frogs Gacha at Home & Garden Expo*
{anc} picnic / swallow tailed butterflies at The Chapter Four
{anc} I’m planet / wrapped melt moon, fish puddle & school, my bijou ring
Cole’s Corner – Oracle & Bokeh Particle Sets*

Avatar:
Skin: Pink Fuel – Doll V2 <Vamp>
Mesh: Slink Hour Glass Body, Logo Alex Head
Hair: Magika – First Light
Nightie: Fallen Gods Inc. & [FAIDA] – Chaleur Court White, Camisole Hourglass*
Feline Bits: c(Two Cats) Fantasy Neko Ears & Somali Neko Tail

The Seasons of Persephone: Summer

Her mysteries bloom in the sound of birdsong, her footsteps lure forth flowers, her whispered words soothe minds and spirits alike, wrap the world in the warmth of summer.

Nature responds to her mindset, her feelings, or perhaps the nature influences her thus, but regardless they are one. It is summer and Persephone wanders amongst the trees and flowers, breathing in the scented air after the long winter months in the Underworld.

The trees sway with her steps, the flowers reach higher to touch her as her steps take her in the dance of delight through her summer realm. Her touch revives and revitalizes the smallest of details, conjures the celebration of life in an orchestra of colours, scents and sensations.

It is summer, and Persephone celebrates with nature: one months-long delight of warm souls, green growth and the embrace of life. It is summer, and she invites you to join her. Join her while the summer lasts!

The skin by Fallen Gods Inc. is available in the Wayward Carnival, the tattoo by Fallen Gods Inc. can be purchased in Genre’s Underworld round and the dress by Fallen Gods Inc. and FAIDA can be won from the gacha in The Epiphany. The Staff of Life by lassitude & ennui can be won from the same event.  The rose accessories by Bauhaus Movement can be purchased from the Seasons Story.

Scene: Home (Private)

Body: Skin: Fallen Gods Inc. – Pure Eden* | Eyes: IKON – Immortal Eyes Sage | Hair: Magika – Which Witch | Tattoo: Fallen Gods Inc. – Persephone Flowering* | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hands & Feet: Slink | Body: Maitreya

Outfit: Dress: Fallen Gods Inc. & [FAIDA] – Jour Reveur Intense RARE* | Flowers: Bauhaus Movement – Sissy (Spring) Head & Chest | Staff: lassitude & ennui – Staff of life RARE* | Butterflies: Balderdash – Flutterbye Swarm | Particle Magic: Cole’s Corner – Sakura Dust Aura*

Poses: Imeka – Lulu-Pose 6 | Kirin – Athena Pose 5 | Kirin – Hera Pose 4

Time for Dances and Delights

The day felt too long. The sun was bright in my eyes, the hours toward evening seemed to drag on for an eternity.

As the evening breeze brought solace to the heat, the first of the fairies emerged. Their dance, the peacefully floating sparkles eased the anxiety of waiting.

The lanterns were slowly lit, the scent of evening roses filled the air, the night began its approach in a slow, gentle embrace of shadows.

It is time. Time for masks and mysteries, dances and delights. Time to forget the strength of sun and embrace the solace of night. It is time for the Masquerade Ball.

The first ever May Day Masked Ball takes place this evening in Fantasy Faire. The Ball is 5-7pm SLT in Poseidon’s Abyss. It is hosted by DJ Gabrielle Riel of Radio Riel and during the Ball there will also be an announcement of the King, Queen and Chancellor of Fantasy Faire.

Both The White Armory and Bliensen + MaiTai can be found in the Spires of Andolys, Illusions has its Faire-store in Ichi-go Ichi-e.

Scene: Ichi-go Ichi-e by Sharni Azalee in Fantasy Faire

Body: Skin: Essences – Clover 01 Pale Dust Brunette | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Frozen Silver Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Liner: Beautiful Freak – Divinora Black* | Blush & Gloss: Pink Fuel – Elly Sugar Doll Gloss (Blush) | Hair: Magika – Shimmer | Hands & Feet: Slink 

Outfit: Gown: The White Armory – Forest Fantasy Gown Starlight* | Mask: *~*Illusions*~* Curiata Mask | Jewelry: Bliensen + MaiTai – Soleil Hair Pin, Necklace & Earrings* | Flowers: *BOOM* – Nature’s Crown (pale)

Pose: Kirin – Athena Pose 3 | The rest from AO

 

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

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~

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

Landing

calculate descent | correct limb positioning | fix model balance | optimize functionality | scan surroundings

engage system override | ignite hover-engines | support structural integrity | position limbs within humanoid parameters |  gain optimal balance | scan surroundings | scan surroundings

information acquired | conclusion reached | surroundings non-hostile | surroundings trade locations | exchange material goods for local currency | repairs upgrades possible

landing in process | repairs upgrades possible | repairs upgrades necessary | repairs upgrades

shiny.

Futurewave has just dropped down its force field and everyone is welcome to teleport right in! The outfit and jetpacks by GALLACTIC, the animated holovisor by *paper moon*, lipstick by Beautiful Freak and the poses by {NanTra} are all available there. For repairs and upgrades, yesyes.

Scene: Futurewave

Body: Skin: +Nuuna+ Kati skin Goth | Hair: Magika – Awake | Lipstick: Beautiful Freak – Heavy Metal Lipstick Cyan*

Outfit: Body Suit: GALLACTIC – Halcyon Cyan* | Boots, Corset, Gloves, Collar: GALLACTIC – Eclipse* | Jetpack: GALLACTIC – Jetpack Cyan* | Visor: *paper moon* – HoloVisor: Tech Blue*

Poses: {NanTra} Defying Gravity 8 | 2 | 4