The Chrysalis Gardener - Fantasy Faire 2022

It was peaceful in the chrysalis gardens in the quiet of the night...

It could be mistaken, by a casual observer, to be too quiet. Especially should that casual observer have read far too many mystery novels lately, and there had been such, lurking around the gateways, tapping lightly, in varying rhythms on the wooden walkways. More people than ever seemed to be out in the night, looking for something. The regular soundtrack of the gloaming continued, the soft footfall and swish of silk adding familiarity and depth to each novel tap, rattle and voice.

Each step sent familiar vibrations through the trees, the soft scent of flowers spreading, carried on each drift of the warming air. In these gardens, flowers were not the focus, being neither planted nor tended. High on walkways strung between ancient boughs, such scents came only from the gardeners themselves. An odd garden, where nights were often warmer than the day.

This was a place where nature's magic was distilled. Existing almost everywhere, often beaten back by the regulation of concrete and brick, nature flowed like a river. Rivers ran to places such as this. Here, in the world of instars and metamorphoses, change was possible like nowhere else. Light dripped, caught in strands hanging on the air like thread. The most delicate silk turned to armour stronger than steel. Life shifted, changing form so completely that none who hadn't seen it would ever truly believe it was possible, believing instead it to be some clever trick, an act of misdirection.

Wings fluttered, drying in the ever swirling currents of air warmed by their fellows still dancing and fighting free of their protective homes. The chrysalis gardens shimmered, reflected in millions of compound eyes. 

 

The Chrysalis Gardens is just one of the beautiful SIMs making up The Fantasy Faire 2022. It's as dreamy and magical as it looks here, and of course, there are shops aplenty where you can buy amazing items, including those available at each store where 100% of the purchase price is donated directly to Relay for Life, benefitting the American Cancer Society.

 

All items listed below are 100% donation to Relay for Life.

Hair: KMH - Hair F163 Rigged(M)
Bassett Town

Skin : Mindgardens Creations! Star Mesh - Blue
Living Echoes

Tattoo:  [AERTH] Moon Tears Body Tattoo MAGENTA
Atheneum

Butterfly Mask: DREAMCATCHER // Mystic Butterfly 01
Necturn Moon

Necklace:  Poet's Heart - Lunar Necklace
Mythspire Ridge

Ear Cuffs:  Schelm :) FF004 - Wire elf ear cuffs- Fantasy -F
The Chrysalis Gardens

Eyes:  [not.a.peep] Anomalous Eyes - 07
Bassett Town

Dress:  Thimblewytch ~SWD~ Colors of Cancer Gown
The Hunros Mine

Heels:  [Mil*Mil] Lace_up Heels-Peach
Tenpyo

Staff: Bloom Staff - Polearm
Living Echoes

Spring Awakening - Fantasy Faire 2022

There was something in the air...
Something in the earth. Something shifting, from the swirl of magma far below to the patterns traced by skylarks chasing through the twilight sky.

In the caves beneath the pristine surface of Tenpyo the vibrations of the change could be seen in the flickering of the candles, now swaying almost imperceptibly in the ancient lanterns. The ripples of the waters told the tale of the shift, not only the turn of the season, but something deeper, as meaningful as winter melting to spring, fresh signs of life anew.

Selene had held the light of the moon in the palm of her hand, in these days and nights of spring it now warmed, glowed with more than its usual reflected light. This warmth came from the source of the vibration felt throughout nature, the addition to the blossoming of spring which had come and gone for so many years before. Now was the time to emerge into the daylight, to a world rendered anew through the power behind this new feeling. A world summoned, crafted and created by hope.

This was a world much changed of late. A world in which new terrors had overtaken those of old, though the old fears remained, lurking and gnawing at those they could reach. These fears, old and new, were brought to a new light each season, each day, each chime of the clock. Hope remained. Hope grew. Hope filled the worlds and wrought them, changing old patterns, forging new pathways, uncovering the way. The shift came from the people of the world, from those facing the fears. From those who had loved, and lost, and refused to let that be the end. For those fighting, caring, healing, challenging the ways things had always been. Those gnawing teeth would be made to loosen. The bite so dreaded be soothed and heal. Those who were lost will always be remembered, hope carrying their names into the light.

It's here! The Fantasy Faire has returned to bring hope and light to the world once again. We've been through so much since last we met, Covid continues. War rages. We are losing so much while fighting so hard. In these times of uncertainty, fear and dispair, this is a beacon of hope. The Fantasy Faire does what it has always done, it brings light. Something to look forward to, something to enjoy, which actually does you good, in addition to it a c t u a l l y d o i n g g o o d !!! Seriously folks, raising money for Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society, does real tangible good in the world. It brings relief to those suffering, it supports those toiling to find new treatments, it funds the searches for cures. This is a highlight, the heart and soul of my calendar, where not only can I make my life more interesting and fun through the beautiful creations of talented artists, I, and you can make a real difference to those facing, and fighting cancer. So please, take some time and take a break from the negatives of reality if you can. Dip into the light, life and beauty of the Fantasy Faire. Help people you will never meet. You may never know how much you mean to them, but believe it from me, they thank you.

The Fantasy Faire is live and kicking, so many beautiful SIMs, so many amazing creators, so many beautiful things to buy!

All items shown are 100% donation to Relay for Life - American Cancer Society

Halo : Air_Amaho halo_Purple_CM
The Chrysalis Gardens

Hair :  KMH - Hair F195 Rigged(L)
Bassett Town

Skin :   .:S:. [G3] Dantela [F20] Lianna: Standard: Brows
Atheneum

Eyes :  Oiche // Elemental Dragon Eyes [Water]
Living Echoes

Top :  !dM Ines - LARA Collar, Feathers, Harness **FF2022**
Opet

Belt & Skirt : Mishmash Fusion - Grave Dancer Sparkle  - Red -
Aarkenfen

Orb : Jinx : Necturn Moon Hand Orb - Honey -
Necturn Moon

The Rift - Fantasy Faire 2021

This shot had been a year in the making. A year since the last midnight black wing had cut through the skies over the Rift. It's aim was not to kill, far from it. The arrow had to fly high enough, with enough force that the glinting obsidian tip could pierce the clouds which massed above.



The gloaming never quite chased away, even on the days when the pale light from above the clouds managed to filter through. The world had adapted, in some cases thrived. The ever swelling canopies of gigantic fungi were proof positive of that. A quirk of nature, or of the power swelling once again from the Rift, these uncategorisable creatures had begun to glow, providing a shifting light of their own.



The shot hit true, from the heights a shaft of light penetrated the gloom, catching in the waiting crystal. Cascading down through each crystal, the beam of light illuminated the Rift once again.



Once again - apologies for the short story - but think of the reading time you have saved so you can go and shop at the Faire! All items listed are available at the Fantasy Faire, 100% Donation to Relay for Life - The American Cancer Society.

Horns: :: ANTAYA :: Glowing horns "Asura"
:: ANTAYA :: (Faire Store in Tempest Bay)

Skin: Lumae - LeLutka Amesha - Maitreya MYSTIC - Mid Cleavage
LUMAE (Faire Store in The Amethyst Rift)

Pauldrons : [-e-] Womans Leather Pauldrons
Elven Forest (Faire Store in Khol Dracys)

Tattoo:  Endless-Pain – morrigan tattoo –
Endless Pain Tattoos (Faire Store in Somniatoris Arx)

Skirt: [NC] - Bloody/Black Skirt - Maitreya
[NC] – Noble Creations (Faire Store in Tempest Bay)

 Boots: [QE] Bellona Boots Maitreya (Part of an outfit!)
[QE] Designs (Faire Store in Tempest Bay)

Bow: CKF RavenSoul_Wings1 Bow
CKit Falconry (Faire Store in Khol Dracys)

 

Images taken in Fantasy Faire Sim The Amethyst Rift

Dragons from the Depths

Down in the caverns you could hear the rumblings of the world above. Over aeons the remains of lives lived in the light worked their way down, their bones finding life anew in the softly phosphorescing flora that bloomed down in the dark.



It was a rare experience to visit the realms above, caught between shock and fascination at seeing bones in their most lifeline form, a giant skeleton resting peacefully, easing its way into the earth.



She kept the fear, bottled around her neck, always within reach should it be needed. Here in these lands she faced the unexpected, searching, following the pull that had enticed her out from the dark. The vital missing component from the depths, life itself. Up here, following the bones, she found it. Powerful. Dangerous. Wonderfully alive.



Once again - apologies for the short story! All items shown are available at the Fantasy Faire - all 100% donation to Relay for Life - the American Cancer Society. Please go, shop, help save lives!

Horns:  *Rainbow Sundae* Forest Horns - Special Edition Purple 1   
Rainbow Sundae (Faire Store in J’adoube)

Hair:  KMH - Hair F163 Rigged
KMH (Faire Store in J’adoube)

Skin:  Stix ~ Inara B CALM [SOYLENT]
Stix (Faire Store in Mithlumen)

Eyes: A.D.D.Andel! Doe Eyes- RFL 3
A.D.D. Andel (Faire Store in A’Dracunas)

Necklace: !TLB - Potion Necklace/Fear
!TLB (Faire Store in Khol Dracys)

Top: [The Forge] Drina Bodice, Black. Maitreya.
[TF] – Tamiron Forge (Faire Store in Tempest Bay)

Skirt:  AtaMe - Maga Skirt Maitreya Black
AtaMe (Faire Store in J’adoube)

Tattoo:  GERMINAL - LAMIA FEET tattoo faded
GERMINAL (Faire Store in Somniatoris Arx)

 

Images taken in Fantasy Faire Sims Adracunas, Ostara and Khol Dracys

Chasing Dragons - Fantasy Faire 2021

  Chasing Dragons


Across the realms the dragons danced, rarely seen by the eye of a human, in the fairelands, they were safe to show themselves.



Even here, the chase was on. Not for the hoard they undoubtedly had hidden away, but for the fun of it. It took speed and dexterity, and, of course, you had to find them first.



The game wasn't over when a dragon was 'caught', they could turn to stone, shine in precious metal, or disappear in a puff of their own smoke. The best fun could come with a riddle, or rare indeed, should the dragon be in a playful mood, a chase of their own. Are you readly to fly?

My apologies for the lack of any indepth story - the same will be the case for all of the looks I'm posting today. RL has well and truly made its presence felt, and even though it's MAY and the sun should be shining, we've had more snow! The Look: All items are available at the Fantasy Faire - which has a few days left to run - and are 100% Donation to Relay For Life - the American Cancer Society.

 

Hair:  .EscalateD. Loida / Duo ~busty NOT RFL - however the Colour HUD to give these marvellous tones is! .EscalateD. Black Fantasies Universal HUD  .EscalateD. (Faire Store in The Amethyst Rift)

Skin:  Ab.Fab Daenerys Nightshade Skin HDPRO Cleavage-BOM  Ab.Fab Skins&Fantasy (Faire Store in Isles of Tarrin)

Eyes:  .:S:. Lunar Eyes - Firestarter - BoM     .:Soul:. (Faire Store in Scrimshaw Warrens)

Earrings:  Butanik83 - Savior's Earrings       Butanik83 (Faire Store in Yin Yang)

Outfit : ::GB:: Cross obi tops (Maitreya) Lavender, ::GB:: Gauntlets (Maitreya) Lavender, ::GB:: Off tops hakama (Maitreya) Lavender        GABRIEL (Faire Store in Yin Yang) 

Nails: VENGE - Fantasy Faire Stiletto Nail Applier      VENGE (Faire Store in Valhalla)

Poses: Astalianda Freyja Poses        Astalianda (& The Critter Corner) (Faire Store in Valhalla)

 

Pictures taken in Fantasy Faire 2021 SIM YinYang

 

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 

 

Fantasy Faire 2020 - Out of this World

Across aeons there had been whisperings, wonderings, all over the worlds.
                       Whence came we?
                                                                                                              Wither goeth we?
The words themselves had changed over time of course, but the sentiment remained. All those blessed with sentience, which was of course just about everything, had thought, spoken, or screamed the question into the void.
Out there in the void, the powers that be shifted, they were always listening.

Aethera drifted through the limitless heavens, eyes and ears alert for the change. There was a moment for each planet, each civilisation when they achieved a coming together, with the questioning voices coalescing into one. The blue planet called to her now, unremarkable, though pretty with its pattern of greens, browns and blue. The chorus had begun years ago, a few disparate souls echoing through the vacuum, like pinpricks of light their presence tickled her skin, catching her attention. 

Over time these echos multiplied, spinning through space, dancing and winding together to encircle the planet, drifting off to form an enticing cord. It was time. Aethera grasped it. There was no knowing where they would end up, there was just one guarantee. Having come together as one, with one positive goal, whatever came next would be better than anything they had seen before.

We are coming to the end of the Fantasy Faire 2020. There is still time to shop! So far, the Fantasy Faire 2020 has relayed L$17,434,340 ($69,737) by the end of the sixteenth Faire day.
Read that again. L$17,434,340. That's $69,737!
Mind. Blown. Go on. Please. Make this even more amazing. Spend those Lindens to raise real life money to fight cancer. Relay for Life!!!

All items listed are 100% donation to Relay for Life.

Antlers : Jinx : Cervine Antlers - Fine -
Heliodor
Hair : Raven Bell - Nereid Hair
Auxentios’ Pass
Skin : Fallen Gods Inc. - Expanding Universe [xx]+FGInc.+ Psychic Opals NB
Zodiac
Eyes :  !TLB - Lyric Eyes/Green
Autumnium
DP - Koffin Nails - Maitreya HUD - Fantasy Flutter Keys
Lamented Fens
Globe : Boudoir - Holding Earth
Lunafae
Outfit : The Annex - Kimama - Black
Cassiopeia