Fantasy Faire 2015 - Midnight Sakura

Cherry trees usually blossom in the daytime. Ordinary cherry trees, and ordinary flowers, maybe... but not the mythical Nightshadow Sakura, the admired and treasured plant that maybe two dozen adventurers have ever witnessed to turn into a bouquet of splendid silky flowers for one night only, promptly fading away at the next dawn. For the Nightshadow Sakura is a messenger of great and important tidings... whether good or bad, however, the flowers cannot foretell. They only glow in a soft silky mysterious light, as if smiling, and observe the world with majestic grace...

Outfit and accessories: "K'aalogii" by -AZUL-. This fabulous kimono set is a RFL donation item (850 L$), created in the true and authentic -AZUL- style, which is a synonym for "grandiose" and "regal". :) You can find their shop in the YoZakura sim, so don't hesitate to pay a visit.

Skin: "Oceanica Atlantic Eclipse" by Fallen Gods Inc. - a RFL donation item (1.100 L$) The skin package includes a complete set of mermaid fins and some jewellery, too, so you actually get an avatar for a very reasonable price. Fallen Gods is at Odyssey... where else? :D

Ears: Uni Ears "High Elf" by Soul (399 L$). The ears are not a current RFL donation item, but they are available in Charlie's booth at Ichi-Go Ichi-E.

Hair: "Petula" by Analog Dog - a RFL donation item (350L$) available at Tangleshimmer Grove.

Eyes: Perspective Eyes in "Oxidation" by IKON - an old group gift now available for 150 L$.

Necklace: Oceanica Necklace in "Ivory Shell" by Fallen Gods - included in the Oceanica Skin packages.

Cherry blossom petals with several built-in poses: Runo Runo - 200 L$.

The picture was taken at YoZakura.

Why I Relay. Fantasy Faire 2015

The nights were hard. The days were too of course. There was no hour, minute or moment that wasn't a fight. Wasn't a victory, or a loss. The spirit she embodied was with each who needed her, and they needed her all of the time. That she strove against was insidious, well named in its malignancy. Great strides had been taken through time, understanding had bloomed, science and faith combining, moving against the enemy hand in hand. The people had played their part, for whatever they were able. The diagnosis which had been a sentence could still strike terror with each syllable; the caring hand and dedicated mind could now, thanks to the work of so many, allow for hope. She, as the spirit of defence, protection, and hope could take the guise needed most by each who called on her. She has the backing of billions. All who have lost someone to the fight. All who are still fighting. All who, while untouched themselves can see, feel or try to imagine what it would take. For all that has been accomplished, for all that has been lost. For everyone. Fight on. Why I Relay.

I took on this blogger challenge last year at the Faire, and knew it would be one I would return to again. Tears have been sliding down my face as I have written this, just as they did before. And that's ok. The Fantasy Faire is far from the only time I let myself think about what cancer has taken from so many, and more selfishly, from my own existence. 

I've written in the past about my aunt. No words can do justice to the sorrow of loss. 

Here, and at the Faire, the loss is felt, but the focus is on the hope. The hope I feel, the hope pouring out from creators and donors, providing a beautiful environment for reflection, and a view of a possible future. 

The question of the challenge, why I relay is painfully simple. 

I relay because there is hope. 

There is hope for two of my cousins, both now facing down their own fight against cancer. 

I hope for them. 

I relay for them. 

I relay for hope.

I relay for the day we won't need hope for this any longer. 

Hair : /Wasabi Pills/ Jaden Mesh Hair - FEM - (BOOBS) - Licorice
Odyssey
Hair ornament :  *Figment* Sakura Hairpin-Silver Red
IchiGo IchiE
Skin :  :[P]:- Immortalia Skin-Femme:// Arahven - from the low lag avatar gift at each Fantasy Faire sim!
Eyes :  ~BLD~ RFL 2015 Hope Eyes
IchiGo IchiE
Pendant :  :[P]:- RFL Sword Pendant
Sylvan of Spells
Gown : .PoshTale. Cequi Dress
IchiGo IchiE
Shield :  [CONQUEST] [Shield of Breast Cancer.]
Tangleshimmer Grove

Wildehaven Marsh to Tangleshimmer Grove

The marshlands had been a good place to grow. Few others from the outside world may have seen Wildehaven Marsh as the adventure playground it had always appeared to the eyes of those fortunate enough to dwell there. In the darkest dankest reaches of the mire, where creatures slithered, crept and crawled, they learned the iridescent and beautiful could be found. In the toads eye were held all the colours of the earth, the snakes scale, all the colours of the sky. Here she had grown, running through silt, tripping over tree roots; until she could climb moss strewn branches, and finally, her wings unfurling, take flight.

Now she had grown, had spread her wing and flown, it was time to leave the marsh. There was a whole word to explore, skills and abilities to develop, always always so much to learn. In the marsh, she had been as cygnet to swan, by necessity her form and choice of vestment most fitted the miasma. Out in the grove, her plumage had changed. Wings hidden, little need here to fly through the trees when such easy paths and waterways beckoned. In the sunlight, her colours shone. Tangleshimmer, this place was called; within it she found new beauty, a new life, and hope.

More from the Fabulous Fantasy Faire - this time showing a peek at the beautiful sims, as well as the amazing items available, raising money to fight cancer through Relay for Life. I've tried to cover items which bring the most L$ directly to the charity - with grateful thanks to these amazingly generous creators.

Wildehaven Marsh Chapter
Hair :  /Wasabi Pills/ Jasmine Mesh Hair - (BOOBS) - Licorice
Odyssey
Skin :  LURE - Desire Depth - Cleavage
Tangleshimmer Grove
Wings :  Material Squirrel - Thethys Wings 6.0 - Left - RFL Color Set ~
Odyssey
Eyes :  Avatar Bizarre -  Eyes Spectre Purple
Vallacia
Earring :  ALEGRIA Dragonborn Earrings - Light Silver
Aurora
Necklace :  Bliensen + MaiTai - Soleil - necklace
Spires of Andolys
Gown : *{Junbug}* The Succubus in Worn
Spires of Andolys
Pose :  *Eternal Dream* Lita 01 and Lita 06
Poppetsborough

Tangleshimmer Grove Chapter
Hair :  /Wasabi Pills/ Jasmine Mesh Hair - (BOOBS) - Licorice
Odyssey
Skin :  LURE - Desire Depth - Cleavage
Tangleshimmer Grove
Eyes :  Avatar Bizarre -  Eyes Spectre Purple
Vallacia
Earring :  Bliensen + MaiTai - Soleil - Earrings
Spires of Andolys
Necklace :  KittyMoon - Dash of Hope Fairy Dust : Breast Cancer
Aurora
Gown :  Spyralle - Owl Moon Gown - Midsummer Night
Odyssey
Pose : [Black Tulip] The Magician #2
Poppetsborough