Fallen Star - Fantasy Faire 2023

 Something... something was missing.

People had noticed of course, though not too many just yet. There were always those more observant, those whose eyes turned most often to the firmament; seeking guidance, tracing patterns, wishing... Now there were whispers among the wishes, murmurs from the mapmakers and something not quite grumbling from those who used the stars as their guide. Something was definitely missing, a patch of darkness above where a speck of brilliance had long gleamed.

Something was missing from the darkness of the night sky, because something had become someone. Someone had looked down for as long as eyes had looked up, someone had seen, and wanted a closer look. Taking form as something so comparatively small had been a challenge, she was taking very careful steps with her new feet, lest she sink through the surface of this enticing world.

Her choice of form was inspired entirely by the new sights which dazzled her eyes, as she in her turn had inspired others for aeons gone by. Travelling through the lands opening up before her, tones, light and shade never experienced threatened to overwhelm her senses. Everywhere flowers burst into bloom, their petals unfathomably smooth and cool against the nascent touch of her fingertips. Music and voices lilted and rose, a wave of welcome to ears accustomed to the fury of fire and storm.



She could barely wait to explore the beautiful world, able to linger only so long in each place, desperate to take it all in. Voices and fellowship called her forward, drawing her into a strange dance of warmth she'd thought left far behind. Before too long, she would return to the her place, a light in the darkness; for now, she would revel in the lights she found right here.

Aaaaannnd we're back! The Fantasy Faire is here once again! Thousands of souls coming together in rememberance and hope, making the world more beautiful while doing the most beautiful thing - helping others. Raising money to contribute to the fight against all cancers. Items blogged are donation items, with proceeds going to Relay for Life - The American Cancer Society. So come and explore, shop and enjoy some time in the beautiful worlds created for you, to make our world better.

Hair: Raven Bell - Magnolia Hair F ~Shimmer~
Szystrum Synod
Skin: Moth&Moon - Maitreya - HAZE - Cleavage 2
Frostweald
Earrings: *KD* Soul earrings
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Khumbala/104/187/68
Eyes: _-FAS-_ AURORA EYES : NORTHERN
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spirits%20Crossing/31/36/68
Necklace: [DB] Drunken Brokkr - Fithril Chest Jewelry - FF special
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nysaris/177/30/70
Gown: Belle Epoque - Athena Dress RFL (Maitreya)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nysaris/125/65/85
Hand tattoos: GERMINAL - IMOGEN FINGERS
Nysaris
Staff: Simply Shelby - Moon Staff - Purple/Pink
Nysaris

These pictures taken in the Fantasy Faire Sim : Glimmering Meadows

Fantasy Faire 2021 - Why I Relay

 

Dawn was breaking in the East.
Shadows slunk before the glow coating the land, slithering a retreat from the unstoppable rise of the sun. Cockerels and Snakes wrought in gold glimmered atop the spires of the city, their feathers and scales the first to feel the warmth of the new day. Before long the bells would ring the hour, the cowelled and masked sentinels of time must, even now, be wrenching their collective gaze from the eternally swinging censer, the heartbeat of the city. The aroma of night still lingered, drifting across the rooftops. This would soon change, the somnolent scent invigorated with the addition of morning's herbs, enticing the population to awaken.

Up high in the city's near countless belfries, the peals and chimes could easily be deafening, only those born to it could brave those halls. It was here that Katja spent her hours, tending to the bells. Throughout the day and night their tones reverberated, the air in the spire thick with it; the ferocity fading with distance, allowing near silence to echo through the lanes far below. Of course, just as the ever changing aroma of the censer permeated each dwelling and workplace, there was never true silence in the city. That was the point.

The resonance of the bells had over the decades first damaged, then shredded the webbing of her wings. Katja's role had cost her the ease of flight. Reaching heights was no longer as simple as stepping out from the spire and looking aloft. Tendrils of smoke still etched the rising thermals as clearly to her as pen ink on parchment, only now their reading took such effort, and there was always work to be done. She supposed it was always so, for those at work in the city. They gave of themselves in order to carry out their tasks. As the hours passed, with each turn of the key usually kept safe round her neck, new music was drawn up the spire. The bell's changes were rung, and the chimes sang out to drift through the windows of buildings nearby.

As night fell, Katja could leave her post and roam the city. Away from the intensity of the bells the thrum of life in the city was more palpable, the heartbeats of thousands following the beat of the swinging censer. Each of the lands had a place like this, or so it was said. Some would be recognisable, following principles which made sense to their understanding, some she knew, were far beyond it, for good or ill. This city was a place of healing. Every part of its design put in place for the benefit of those in need. The architecture held to mathmatical perfection, the golden ratio evident in the layout of the streets. Their censer spread the smoke of healing herbs, vitalizing from the dawn, calming and soothing from the dusk, easing residents into restful slumber. The tone of the bells, those high and low reverberated at frequencies encouraging healing, as though each spire held the power of a powerful cat's purr. Their work took its toll, they had made their choice, and felt the gratitude flowing from the world.

It's that time, and it's that challenge. Why I Relay. 

In all honesty, when writing this, my thoughts have been more with Covid than with cancer. When really, the pandemic, which was still in its infancy when we gathered for the faire last year, is a further layer of toil and hurt existing on top of everything we have been fighting for so long. People are still getting cancer. People are still in need of treatment. People are still frightened to go to the doctor, terror of what might be found paralysing them from action. All that, and a deadly virus on top? Wow. 

Hopefully this post is more upbeat for this challenge than I have managed in the past - and I can hold back from dipping into the cynical side of my nature - to consider this. Covid has happened, it has been the weirdest worldwide experience for decades, and now we have vaccines. Varient strains emerge, and in time working together, we will have vaccines which protect against these too. We have the same hope for the fight against cancer.  That hope. That's why I Relay.

So go, shop. Raise money for this hopeful cause.

Items listed are 100% Donation to Relay for Life

Hair : KMH - Hair F162  

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jadoube/66/31/69

Skin : Ab.Fab Daenerys Amethyst Skin HDPRO-Cleavage-BOM 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isles%20of%20Tarrin/205/57/126

Tattoo : ArtToo's - Black Dragon Tattoo 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Adracunas/56/23/65 

Eyes: Not A Peep - [n.a.p] Hoard Eyes - 05 - Amethyst

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Somniatoris%20Arx/135/77/79 

Mask : Air - Maschera a un'ala /C_gold_CM

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jadoube/226/40/73 

Necklace - [+Oblivis+] Gehenna Key Chain Necklace

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Somniatoris%20Arx/35/216/73

Wings : [SpiderProductions] Grim Skeletal Wings RFL

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Amethyst%20Rift/208/140/30 

Gown : Belle Epoque - Nailah - RFL

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isles%20of%20Tarrin/141/72/145 

Nails : VENGE - Legacy - Stiletto Nails

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FF%20Valhalla/74/41/121

Poses : Pink Moon - Gypsy Soul

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FF%20Yin%20Yang/69/53/90 

 

Strange seas - Fantasy Faire 2020

"Come sail away, come sail away, come sail away with me..."

Signing on to sail the seven seas had had no such siren's call. Neither had it been the Queen's shilling slipped into her flagon of ale, nor the cosh, bind and drag of the press-gang. It had been stranger than that. Twelve moons past, she frowned at the memory, had it been twelve moons, or twenty four? Elora span the novelty globe slowly, not wanting to disturb the bottles hidden within. There had been trading calls at so many markets since that she had begun to lose track, despite their incredible differences. One had flown aloft, higher than the crow's nest of any vessel, powered by some strange crackling blue aurora. Another had been deep, deep within the earth, caverns and caves lit sparsely by flaming torches and in places by an unearthly glow from banks of twisting toadstools. It had been in one, both, or more of these that she had met The Mooshki, and heard their tales of lands more distant than any she had visited to date.

The search had begun following those meetings. Strange seas, with stranger tides. Exploration had taken the ship to lands more bizarre than those on the ship's novelty globe. New charts were plotted, those areas which had once held nought but dragons were sketched, mapped and defined. There was a sadness to this, the loss of mystery. There was excitement, the discovery of the new. They had found so much, and shared their treasures with the world. They hadn't found what they were searching for yet, but with each journey they were getting closer. It was time again to set sail.

More goodies from the fabulous Fantasy Faire! Stop by and shop - get some of these goodies! All items listed are 100% donation to Relay for Life, raising money for cancer research. Where's the downside? Don't waste time looking for one, you have shopping to do!

Hair : AnalogDog - Sinai - Variety
Cassiopeia
Skin :  Ab.Fab skins&Fantasy - Eir Amethyst Skin-Cleavage-BOM
Elemaria
Eyes :  !TLB - Lyric Eyes/Green
Autumnium
Tattoo : Stardust - Elora - Purple Tattoo 100%
Elemaria
Outfit : Belle Epoque - Anne - FF20 (Maitreya)
Sirens Lore
Boots : lassitude & ennui  - Reverie boots - purple (Maitreya)
Zodiac

The sound of serpents - Fantasy Faire 2019

SSSssssSSSSssss

The sibilant sound reverberated around the bayou, licking over leaves and Phyllomedusa alike.

It hadn't been long since the mists had cleared, well, mostly cleared. Patches lingered here and there, as things were wont to do. Strands of spanish moss clung to branch and rigging; giving foot, toe and claw holds to all manner of creatures making their way through an environment never clear, never obviously dangerous or benign.

Strings of lights danced languorously in the warm air, moisture collected to drip from wooden beams. Vast wheels lay still, their vessels at a final mooring. Still the hissing continued, enticing, warning, hypnotising... who could tell? Surely in any realm it was wise to treat the words of strangers with care? Here, where language so strange, yet so pleasing to the ear seemed to guide, to lead, it was the safer choice to turn away, to keep to clear paths?

Safer, perhaps. But those who came to these lands were not so craven as to always seek safety above adventure, to keep to the guaranteed when something more beckoned. There was risk, of course! However, those who feared to listen to the hiss of the serpent may never experience the murmured wisdom of the dragon. Some welcomed the pain of tooth and claw for the chance to learn, the opportunity to grow. What was the risk of an occasional dunking in the bayou compared to that?

Images taken in the Fantasy Faire Sim Bayounimba

Hair : [ Wilds of Organica ] Medusa Gorgon Hair (PINK) - This MOVES!!! SO COOOOL!!!
The Shrine Tree
Horns : *NeverWish* Dreamer Horns - Big - RFL
Midas
Skin :  alpha.tribe::: [Crow]
Midas
Scarification tattoo :  *Birth* Scarification Omega Applier - 'Drums'
Tensors Flying Market
Ear Cuff : God Mod - Dragon cuff Destiny
Twilight Spring
Eyes :  {Acios} Eyes of Bayounimba
Bayounimba
Necklace : [HarshLands] FF X Necklace - UNCOMMON - Crystals
Light of Valoth
Gown : Belle Epoque { Isabella } FF19
Faireholm

The Hunt for Purple Broccolini

In Severina it rained all the time. Dark clouds were a constant presence, scudding across the sky with the briefest glimpses of moonlight piercing their depths to illuminate the ground below. In this unique ecosystem, in the dark and the dank, strange beings flourished. It was one of these strange beings that Calle was hunting now...

There were rules to the hunt of course, rules were more imporant than even in the dark. You had to close your eyes, turn on the spot three times before counting to ten. Recite Pi to eight places, then spin back the other way again. With all the rain, surfaces were slippery, even with guardians of stone watching overhead, it was a dangerous game to play...

"Ready or not..." she murmured softly, spinning to a halt, her eyes flying open as her voice rose, loud enough to carry through the lands. "HERE I COME!"

Down by the docks in Severina there was always a bounty on the table. Ships brought goods from all over the world, maintaining the feast was part payment for use of the port. A necessity, as in the darklands, under the stormy skies, only one thing grew. The purple broccolino was a contrary beastie, which flourished, watered constantly as it was with crystalline violet drops from on high. More often than not, the mature broccolino could be found at the feast, until the hunting cry was heard...

Little feet, run run running, scampering across the planks of the docks. Through the rain the sound carried, and directed her gaze. The Broccolino's squeak and scurry directed her gaze. The chase was on.

The Broccolino could do more than scamper of course, where would the sport be in that? Under the eye of the guardians the giggling Broccolino could run so fast that the falling drops of rain became an ever moving treadmill, tiny purple feet pressing on each drop for a fleeting moment, giving the beastie the run of the sky. But the sky wasn't always a good place to hide from Calle, sometimes it was better to head to the hidey holes underground...

"Gotcha!" Calle, laughing herself, scooped up the giggling Broccolino, wriggling as she tickled its florets."I win today. Let's get back to the feast."

Pictures taken in Severina. All items are 100% donation to Relay for Life

Crown: Belle Epoque { FF18 Crown }    L$ 199
Super pretty, super regal crown - live your royal life!
Pools of Ethuil
Hair: Wasabi // Mayra Windblown Mesh Hair  L$ 250
Two versions included Mayra, and Mayra Windblown as shown here (Included are also options A for small heads and B for large heads of both). 20 HUD driven regular colours and 15 colours with emphasis on the roots.
Aetherea
Skin: Sinful Needs - Reverie F Amethyst - Waxed - Jet Brows L$ 1875
This skinpack includes a system skin, ideal for those like me who keep their system head! 3 brow colours and a no brow option. Omega Applier for the skin for all manner of mesh bodies. Other tones of this fantastic skin are also available at the Faire, with 25% of their purchase price going to RFL. Severina
Necklace: *~*Illusions*~* Niobium Silumira Necklace  L$ 250  
Pretty colours reminiscent of swirls in petrol. 12 colour options for centre stone on click.
Pools of Ethuil
Wings: []Trap[]&Asphalt  Concrete Riven Wings FF  L$ 150 
Gorgeous galaxy textured wings are animated, flapping gently.
Erstwhile
Dress: .Arcadia. Severina RFL Special Ombre   L$ 297
Options for Freya, Hourglass, Isis, Maitreya, Physique, Venus, this lovely dark teal shade is exclusively available for RFL at the Fantasy Faire.
Severina
Nails: Dark Passions - Koffin Nails -  Mal-Fire  L$ 150
HUD driven for Maitreya, Omega and Slink, six colour options for fingers and toes on one HUD. Reminds me of Malificent!
Severina
Boots: The Dark Fae's - DraciChic Boots Leather  L$ 199
Options included to fit Freya, Hourglass, Isis, Maitreya and Slink mesh. Three HUD driven metal colours, and six leather colours included.
Sanoria
Broccoli: Belle Epoque { RFL Broccoli } L$ 199
Be your own Broccolini! This set includes the the Broccoli mesh avatar, and a broccoli wearable. Beware - this vegetable is known to run in circles gigglefarting.
Pools of Ethuil

Fantasy Faire 2017 - The Butterfly Wrangler

Other towns had rats and mice for vermin… the City of Purple Dawn had butterflies.

Each year, when the first buds started blossoming on the pink-and-blue Dreamcatcher Trees, the elderly and experienced inhabitants of the City of Purple Dawn pulled out their protective hats and veils from the wardrobe, because they knew the butterflies would swarm in very soon... and when the butterflies swarmed, they meant business.

When the situation became really desperate, and the inhabitants of the City of Purple Dawn could not leave their homes because there were butterflies everywhere, hanging from the trees, walking on the ground, fluttering in the air, the Council of the Wise knew it was time to call Her... Their saviour and benefactor, the Butterfly Wrangler.

There she came, a beautiful and calm woman, quietly humming a mysterious tone, a cage with a few captive butterflies in her hand. The sea of colourful insects parted before her; then their swirling dance slowly changed as they started following the Butterfly Wrangler, one lepidopteran after another, then dozens, then hundreds, then millions. 

The Butterfly Wrangler was leading them out of the City of Purple Dawn, her figure became small in the distance, surrounded by a dancing and vibrating cloud of colours... and the inhabitants of the City of Purple Dawn sighed, pulled out their brooms from the cupboard, and started cleaning up the streets after the invasion of the flying six-legged vermin.

Fantasy Faire items:

Gown: “Oriana” in Pink by Belle Epoque - 199 L$. Janire Van Belle (“Janire Coba”, if you want to look her up) is a smart and original creator, and also a great person with a quirky sense of humour and a big heart. I’m showing you “Oriana” in powder pink, a refined and delicate gown designed so well that you can almost feel the light touch of silk on your RL skin. You have six more colours to pick from, and it’s a true bargain as Janire has included versions for every major brand of mesh bodies, in addition to the standard one. The “Belle Epoque” shop is at Raven’s Perch.

Headdress (with flowers): “Sabine Headpiece” by Belle Epoque, a special hunt gift for the Fantasy Faire. If you want to own this beautiful flowery head ornament, you must complete The Quest! Please read the details on the FantasyFaire homepage.

Hair: “Raven” in Lunar Ombre by Wasabi Pills – 250 L$. “Raven” is one of the two new hairstyles designed by MissAllSunday Lemon for the Faire, and if you buy the “Lunar Ombre” pack you can be certain you have selected your colours well, as 100% of the proceedings goes to RFL. The Wasabi Pills shop is at The Rose.

Other items:

Head: Catwa “Kimberly”.

Body: Maitreya “Lara”.

Pose: “Subtle 5” by HelaMiyo – 300 L$. The collection of five delicate and expressive “Subtle” poses (plus their mirrors) is a Pose Fair 2017 exclusive by Miyoko Magic. The fair is open until the 29^th of April, so you have a few more days to visit and buy this elegant set. It’s quackalicious, Miyoko! :-)

Metal crown and bracers: “Revenge” by Luas (modified) – 100 L$. Ainara Luas shares a shop with Janire at the Fantasy Faire, so you can pay her a visit, too, at Raven’s Perch.

Butterflies cage: part of the “Lady Butterfly” outfit by Sweet Lies Design – 99 L$.

Butterflies: part of an avatar created by Piedra Lubitsch for MetaBody II. As Meiló Minotaur and CapCat Ragu are currently rebuilding the MetaBody sim, I’m afraid the beautiful (and) free avatars are not available any more.

The picture was taken at “Dawn’s Promise”, built by Sharni Azalee and Marcus Inkpen – a beautiful, beautiful dream of a sim at this year’s Fantasy Faire.

The story (without the credits) was also blogged at the Fantasy Faire homepage.