The Fight - Why I Relay at the Fantasy Faire 2024

 

The fight. 

It came out of the darkness, out of the blue. It came in whispers, in moments of sensation only slightly out of the ordinary. It came in the hesitation, the unexpectedly repeated review, the 'let me just run this past...' on an otherwise idyllic hot summer morning.

 

The fight built from there. From the words. Words known, and heard for others. Cursed and kept at a distance for the irrational fear of contamination. Words now so, so close. Now spoken to you. The fight may have begun from the worry. A preparation, a defence from the depths of soul and spirit, while the conscious mind danced in a syncopated frenzy of distraction, keeping to the rhythm, a beat of desperate hope, 'it might not be... it might not be...' The hope so often severed by the blade of confirmation. Of fear realised.

Other blades follow. The dull and bruising edge of doubt, of remorse for imaginary opportunities missed - for things which could have been done differently. Of course things could always have been done differently, while they also couldn't have been any other way at all. Terror's sharp stabs, slicing to the bone, to the heart, burying the marrow in an avalanche of fear. The rough serration of anxiety, catching and pulling, tearing mind and body from any focus but this one. "What will happen now?" 

The fight becomes a living thing. With a temperature and temperament all it's own, waxing and waning with every encounter, it falters and fails, regroups and rises. It gathers strength when weak, gives strength when even the idea of it feels impossible. It stands alone with you in your isolation, the solitary confinement of the early hours, in the thrum of the crowd at work, in the arms of your loved ones at home. The fight is for you, and in you. Your fight is the fight of all those who came before, of everything learned which has brought you to this point. When you feel you cannot go further, it is the fight that will carry you on, because you do not fight alone. Your fight is with you, and it has teeth. 

The blogger challenge of all blogger challenges. Why I Relay. The most personal, the most difficult for bloggers like me. Those of us who you may get to know by reading our stories, the themes and references we draw on, but nothing clear, nothing obviously us. I'm generally happiest to hide behind my characters - all aspects of me, while keeping who I am, what I think and feel hidden in their shadows. This is the yearly challenge to shine a light on all of that, and it is not a comfortable sensation! In the past I've spoken of those I've loved and lost to cancer. They remain at the heart of why I Relay. In trying not to look at my own past, I can't even be sure if I've shared my own fears, my own experience, my own time hearing that pause, that unexpected extension of an examination, that "let me just run this past..." The terror, the doubt, the anxiety. The appointments, the waiting, the planning for the what ifs for me and those who mattered the most. Life is far from what I expected, from what was promised. The appointments I'd attended, my hand and heart held safe, to having to find the strength to attend these on my own. My plans and the promises made daily to me in tatters, shredded and bloodied, and yet I remain. The fight continued whether I wanted it or not. When I didn't, when I don't, others carried and carry me forward, believing as I did not, that some day it would matter again. I hope to hope they are right. This fight continues, for them, for me. I hope it continues for you. And THAT my loves, is why I Relay. 

Vyl

xxx

RFL Items are 100% Donation to Relay for Life

Halo : :[P]:- Arien Gemhalo RFL Purple

Samsara

Horns : :[P]:- Arien Horns [Swirl-Stars] RFL Purple

Samsara

Hair : Raven Bell - Magnolia Hair F ~Shimmer~

Thunnus Bay

Earrings : :[P]:- Lunin Earring 

Samsara

Eyes : CHIMAERA - 'Lilith' Eyes in Purple

Flamenca

Tattoo: .AngelicUs. -We are coming-  

Ondheim

Wings : :[P]:- Dene Wings Raised RFL

Samsara

Floating companion :   -AxisMundi-Quetzlcoatl-Medium

Hopes Wish

Sword : (Artemisia) )O( Stained Glass Rose Glaive 

Lolliocalypse

Top : [The Forge] Zeta Bra, Gold Lace

Thunnus Bay

Top : [The Forge] Zeta Harness, Gold, Maitreya

Thunnus Bay

Nails : [QE] Leviathan Claws

Last Stop

Belt : Tentacio - Taeyeon belt maitreya turquesa

The Duskfall Court

Pants : :::c*C*c:::JSummer_Pants_Legacy(m) Purple01

Thunnus Bay

Twisting with fate at the Fantasy Faire 2024

Well, this was different…

Cyra had felt out of time for some considerable time. Dipping in and out, doing what was possible when it seemed possible, even when it didn't. It was hard to tell once you were behind the clock face, once the hands fell off and the numbers melted into their gently glowing puddles. When the world ceased. Forward or backward, up, down or sideways. Where each window would open, where each door would lead wasn't always by chance, not always a spin of the wheel. Sometimes she felt Lachesis behind a choice, a thread twisting, pulling to a destination with intention.

Perhaps there was something there, something that needed attention, or had… Cyra slowly looked around the hilltop, the utterly unexpected and unlooked for hilltop. “Nope … no Druids.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “Unless..!?” Spinning around, eyes narrowing, scanning the horizon, taking in each trilithon, lintel and upright, every solitary menhir, missing not one blade of grass as it shifted in the breeze. No sound, not a whisper save from her own sequins. “No invisible Druids either…”

A twist, a pull, a shove.

The watermelon warmth of the light spiraled away into an infinite sky of damson and purple. The bone deep chill of the stones from the hill swirled around into the nothingness. Stars glinting in the distance the only measument, the only focus in the void. Riding it out the only option as fate made another move.

"OK then..." Warmth returned along with light, a different light, another place, the air sweet and threatening. Either the Druids or time itself thought this was the place to be, and the hour to visit. Cyra stretched and leaned in to the newness with an amused aside to the statue of Mayor Craven Candyclaw "One hell of a way to get to work!" At least the giant cupcake with teeth wasn't singing...

Back, back, back, back, back again! The Fantasy Faire is back, and so am I - raising money for The American Cancer Society and Relay for Life.  You know the deal - sims of beauty beyond compare. Creators with hearts, souls and minds working toward one aim. All items below are 100% Relay For Life donation items. Go shop, go stare, go help end cancer by getting some of the legit sparkliest stuff I've ever seen! Why I Relay post to follow :) 

Hat :  Lolly Hat Special FF (Spicy) by Madame Noir
Lolliocalypse

Hair :  Raven Bell Wisteria Hair ~Shimmer
Thunnus Bay

Earrings :  SIGMA Flower hoop
Samsara

Eyes : [Azai] - Arcana Eyes 15 ( Blackout )
Last Stop

Nose bandaid : [TNK] ESSENTIAL BANDAID - STRIPED
Wistlyn Shallows

Jumpsuit : Lolly Sequin Pantsuit (Spicy) LARA X by Madame Noir
Lolliocalypse

Nails : [QE] Leviathan Claws Maitreya
Last Stop

Pose image 1 :  Paniq - Midsummer Delights
The Duskfall Court

Pose image 3: Uzme Sorcerer
Ondheim

Fantasy Faire - Why I Relay 2023

The soaring towers of the citadel in their sombre granite sheens did not speak of welcome. Their sturdiness and sky piercing grandeur gave the correct air of dependability and beneficent authority, but welcome? No. Thats's where I come in. Follow me, we'll head inside.

 


Come on in, follow me, no need to stand on ceremony here! I know it looks grand, but soon enough these soaring vaults of stone will feel as familiar as your own home. That's the way, follow the path.

You feel like you have been searching for something all this time? Worry not, my dear new friend, that's why you have found yourself here. There's long been the call within to do something, something which struggled to find a place, a name, a focus. Here you can find it, here it's been waiting.

There's a fellowship that's been calling, in voices unmatched. Singing together through wires and bursts of light, across oceans and through the quiet mists, always searching, always reaching, always welcoming. You felt the call, you've suffered, lost, taken action, hoped. You've read and you've listened, and now you are here, whether your path was labyrinthine or direct. Here you have found a family, a home. Voices and hearts, souls caring for one another deeply, though they may never have met, other than here; in this magical, ephemeral place. A society, a people with one goal, of which you are now part. A beautiful goal, one of hope for the world, to rid it of a life changing, life stealing disease. 

Here you are, in fellowship, in hope, in love. You never leave, this place and its people will always be with you, and you with them, all of us doing our part, all of us fighting this fight together.

Each year the Faireland blogger challenge of "Why I Relay" is just that, a challenge. For me, its always like nothing seems enough, no words can encapsulate, no image could convey the depth of feeling, the power of meaning that this event brings. For those we have lost to cancer, for those living with it, and fighting against it. For those who fear it, and what it may mean for themselves or those they love. For those in quiet rooms, in busy labs, in clinics and wards, in homes in workplaces. To fight against this disease is a standard, not moral but intrinsic nontheless. To fight and stand against it with such beauty and fellowship as is demonstrated year on year by the Fantasy Faire, by creators, world builders and shoppers, by dancers, actors, scripters... the list goes on and on. You are all amazing.

If you can, join us at the Fantasy Faire in SecondLife. Meet the people, feel the love. Fight this fight with us. 

Images taken in Faireland SIM Szystrum Synod

Items featured are available at the Fantasy Faire, and are donation items, raising money for Relay for Life.

 
Hovering Whisps : 3rd Eye Perceptions - Shine Whisps ( Light Fantasy )
The Shimmering Fen

Halo : [Cubic Cherry] {Innocence} halo Aether touch
Szystrum Synod

Hair :  KMH - Hair F227 Rigged
Spirits Crossing

Eyes :  [n.a.p] [not a peep] Starburst Eyes - 13
Khumbala

Horns :  Schelm :) FF005 - fantasy sheep horn [FAT]
Giggenwhirl

Tattoo :   *Find the Fish* - The Moon Tattoo Full
Opera

Outfit :  :[P&E]:- [Petrichor] - Saina Short [Lara]
Fungalmire

Sandals : Tentacio - Celestial sandal wings
Opera

Wishing - A Midas Tale. Fantasy Faire 2019

What would you want, if you could have anything?

A seductive question, perhaps the most enticing combination of word or thought that could be conjured. Once asked, it captivated; either by focus and endless longing, or through purposeful, eternal avoidance through fear of what may, or may not be possible.

Midas had certainly thought himself lucky, blessed by the gods with a touch that turned all to gold. The gold delighted him, what more could anyone wish for? No worries could plague him, all financial concerns a thing of the past, he and his family were all set for life. Xenia, the eternal honoured practice of opening hearth and home to any guest had gained him this prize. The gods however, took their pleasure in not only punishing those who flouted ancient laws, but in toying with those who did all in their power to follow them. Midas had gone first to his rose garden, touching each bloom in turn, until the bushes sagged under the weight of his riches. A brushed kiss on his daughter's cheek, the loving clasp of his wife's hand and his family were worth more than all the wealth of the town, their true value lost forever.

What could you want, when offered everything, other than some guarantee that what you already had wouldn't be taken away? Or, if what you truly wanted was for something to be taken away, that it wouldn't be visited on those closest to your heart to appease some deity's twisted sense of humour in a cosmic joke? Wishing for more wishes was forbidden of course, though people were still sure to waste their opportunity by asking. Whatever was asked for was granted, but this. The consequences, good or bad were unknowable in advance, even to the one granting the request. What was best, what was safest, what could do the most harm, the most good? There was no knowing, no guarantee in wishing. Would it better serve the worlds if there were no wishing? Wishing stemmed from hope, its painful double edge cut dreams into tatters while opening doors. Hope fuelled wishing, from Midas to the modern day. Those who granted them, mostly by now grown out of impish mischief, could only hold to that which gave their power. The heart of it all. Hope.

Hope. We have it. The Fantasy Faire has been, and for a short while longer will continue to be, amazing. Hope and the goodness within people has raised over $60,000. Thats USD. Over TEN MILLION LINDENS. That L$250 here and there, that one big purchase of a skin, or a build for a thousand or more - it all adds up. It is all adding up. It is adding up to improving your life inworld. To improving life in the really real world, for people fighting for their lives. Keep going. Keep relaying. You are the ones granting wishes. You are bringing hope.

(Oh and don't worry too much about Midas, he was granted a further boon by the gods and all he'd turned to gold was returned to him as it had been, including his wife and daughter!)

All pictures taken in Fantasy Faire Sim Midas

Hair : !!Firelight!! Rigged FItMesh Hair - Fatpack - Irene Gen2+
Sanguinely Garden
Veil :  Dreaming Thicket - Dianthus Veil - Pomegrana Gold (Transparent)
Tensors Flying Market
Tattoo :  Endless Pain Tattoos - Virion black
Twilight Spring
Necklace :  [HarshLands] FF X Necklace - ULTRA RARE - Demon
Light of Valoth
Dress :  MoonLiteCatCreations -  Marigold Gold Dress
Midas
Bracelet : .AiShA. Kraken Bracelet Ring Gold
Faireholm
Shoes : (*<*) 1313 Mockingbird Lane Evie Sandals
Nightshade Blossoms

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

A Wandering Life - Fantasy Faire 2019

For some, a life apart was the only true way of living.

Never quite comfortable at the beginning, all things take some getting used to. Even ruts take time to wear in, furrows some time to plough. Some find comfort in the familiar, unaware of, or perhaps not caring about the wearing away and moulding they receive in return. The grit in the shoe, the twitching discomfort of muscle or soul, these plagued some past the point of forbearance. For better or worse, the pursuit of something 'other' had to begin.

Of course, even in the life apart these wanderers crossed paths. Those who felt adrift and out of place at home could hope to find their home in places new. To find those places was not always to search for the unknown, nor was it an endless quest for solitude. This is where the market was invaluable. Wherever the market happened to be; for its location was never something you could guarantee. Rumour and hearsay were the highways which led in its ever changing direction, its wares and stall holders equally as ephemeral. The only constant was the lack of continuity - and that was enough. There would always be something new to see, some fresh entertainment to be enjoyed with strangers soon to be companions or friends.

This life apart was not for everyone, it could not exist if it was. For those who chose it willingly, or were pressganged into it by forces and spirits unknown, it could be intoxicating. It could be for you, do you hear the call, even a whisper that there may be more? Come and find the floating market, and perhaps you can find out. 

Images taken in Fantasy Faire SIM  Tensors Flying Market
Fabulous items listed below and pictured above are available at the Fantasy Faire, raising money to support those fighting cancer, helping them to do so in safety and with dignity through the American Cancer Society.

Hair : Wasabi // Prudence Mesh Hair
Midas
Circlet : Talevin's Designs - Crescent Circlet
The Shrine Tree
Eyes :  {Acios} Eyes of Bayounimba
Bayounimba
Staff : Talevin's Designs - Lunar Staff
The Shrine Tree
Ring : *OnALark* Eternal Love Ring
Midas
Nails : DP - Koffin Nails -  Moon Totem
Twilight Spring
Dress : God Mod - Malika Rust Dress
Twilight Spring

Sweet Sakura - Fantasy Faire 2019

Follow me...

                    Follow me,

                                                             follow me...

                                                                                                  The season of Sakura is here!

In the Fairelands, themselves so fleeting, the season of Sakura would last the span of existence. The embodiment of renewal, spring and new life encapsulated in the fragile blooms.

So delicate, their ephemeral beauty and scent filled the realm, bringing joy to all. This beauty drew in crowds. For a short while all focus, all senses were delighted. This delight joined all those who experienced it, though they may never know it. This was the point. As even as the petals would begin to fall, their beauty and scent fading from the world, the world had been changed by their brief presence. All who delighted, all who saw were changed, their lives made better and brighter. 

                                       So follow me...

                                                                                   Follow me, and see.

Pictures taken in Fantasy Faire SIM Nightshade Blossoms

Hat : [Cubic Cherry] {Voracity} hat FF'19 Purple edition
Nightshade Blossoms
Hair : !!Firelight!! - Rigged Hair - Mega - Emeralda Gem2
Sanguinely Garden
Eyes :  {Acios} Eyes of Bayounimba
Bayounimba
Facial piercing : ~*Immersion*~ Remnant of Araushnee Diadem
Twilight Spring
Necklace : Talevin's Designs - Chain Gothic Cross Necklace
The Shrine Tree
Tattoo :  Juna: Multiple Hud Milly tattoo Woman
Tensors Flying Market
Wings and Top : *EC* Echo Fairy - (Part of full Echo Fairy outfit)
Midas
Skirt : :::c*C*c::: Valkyrie_purple skirt  (Part of full Valkyrie outfit)
The Shrine Tree
Boots: (RP) Kella Two Toned Boots Purple (Part of full Kella outfit)
Bayounimba

Why I Relay - Fantasy Faire 2019

The words whispered through the lanes, rounded corners, and whistled through the leaves of the Shrine Tree.

Words of all languages, from all lands. From tongues long lost, their syllables faded from all worlds but this. Cries of pure sound, filled with meaning even before understanding speech. The murmured, the whispered, the silence of words only thought, or communicated by gesture, by touch. Their soft breeze gently nudged the lanterns hanging from every bough. Shouts, yells and screams shook the ground, sending showers of petals down from branches high above.

Words had built each building, brick by brick, stone on stone, tile by tile. It took many words to make each of course, or by now the accumulation of buildings would stretch to the ends of the world. Every word found its place here, those of resolve and conviction, strength and stability formed foundations and walls, rising higher with spires of hope and challenge to be achieved. Glass from clarity, rooftiles from words of protection and care. This land was one of words, of memory.

A land of memory, but no mausoleum. The words which had coalesced into matter, pulled together into shape and form, they would never diminish, they would endure. The names which lit each lantern would go on burning bright long after all who had spoken them were themselves passed and gone. Knowledge and understanding developed over time, slowing the process of building, illuminating fewer new lanterns, fewer new candles. Fewer voices would add to the chorus, and that was the goal. That was worth celebrating. Worth fighting for.

Why I Relay

I relay for this. This which was once a dream, and is slowly becoming a reality. A world in which fewer and fewer people are lost to or hurt by cancer. We are all affected, we can all show resolve, have strength, offer hope and care. We do this for those who cancer has taken. We do this for those who fight it every day. We do this to make sure there will be an end. There will be no more lights. No more loss. I relay to remember and honour. I speak the names. I hold the memories.

Pictures taken in Fantasy Faire sim The Shrine Tree

Headdress : ROZOREGALIA_GYURIA*HEADDRESS(LastNote){GOLD}_FF
Midas
Hair : Wasabi // Prudence Mesh Hair
Midas
Eyes :  {Acios} Eyes of Bayounimba
Bayounimba
Necklace : *~*Illusions*~* Shikoba Necklace
Midas
Tattoo : Endless Pain Tattoos - Myrdin black
Twilight Spring
Dress : .AiShA. Gothel Dress Maitreya Red
Faireholm

Fantasy Faire 2019 - Summer of Love

It would become known all around the world as the Summer of Love. In the dawning days of the year however, you could have been mistaken for believing the snow and ice would last forever. Down in the caverns where the earth stayed warm through the winter only thanks to the magma flowing slowly beneath the rocks Eddyn and her kin waited, and worked. Without their efforts in years past, those who above replenished the soil with the blood of their enemies would have starved through the long winters that followed. Time passed differently down in the grottoes, slumber lasted from season to season, the truth of the land rather than the spinning of the globe dictated their working hours. One of the first to awaken, Eddyn tended the early toadstools, easing their caps through the soil between the crystals.

Being up so early was a blessing. Long had Eddyn been teased by others for her appearance. Similarities to a certain fictional fae were as clear as they were annoying, and the last few seasons had caused the others more mirth than ever thanks to a certain cartoon movie. Rising early gave her time without so many whispers and giggles. Time to let the new world wash over her, to rise into the light, to feel warmth from sun rather than stone, and at last, at long last, feel the new rhythm now pulsing through existence.

Spring was here, life was bursting anew all over. All of it light, laughter both delicate and kind bubbled at the edges of everything. Music and scented smoke flowed from leaves along rays of sunshine. Eddyn intended to enjoy it fully, her work for the time being complete. The beat was set, she followed it, adding her own. The world warmed toward summer, time for some fun.

Well, well, well. Not just three holes in the ground!
A whole year gone by already - and back we are again with another Fantasy Faire, raising money for the American Cancer Society! There are SIXTEEN SIMS this year. All as beautiful and unique as ever. Jawdroppingly so. Certainly Linden droppingly so! Items shown are sold to raise money to help those facing cancer here in the real world. Treat yourself, and help make life not only more bearable, but more possible for people you may never meet.

Images taken in Fantasy Faire SIM Twilight Spring

Hair and Daisy Floral Crown : !!Firelight!! Irene Gen2+
Sanguinely Garden
Eyes : {Acios} Eyes of Bayounimba
Bayounimba
Shroomy Ear Cuff : Butanik83 - Mushroom Ear Hook ENOKI
Nightshade Blossoms
Necklace : [HarshLands] FF X Necklace - COMMON - RFL Purple
Light of Valoth
Wings : .Lunaria. Ethereal Wings
Light of Valoth
Tattoos : Stardust - Aster hope tattoo
               Stardust - Asteria hope tattoo
Faireholm
Dress : [EvelineIntheBox] Ginny - Square Green
Nightshade Blossoms
Nails : :DP - Koffin Nails - Butterfly Fantasy
Twilight Spring

Why I Relay : Fantasy Faire 2018

Sometimes, it feels like this.

Walking alone on a narrow path,

Through unknown woods with no end in sight.

Surrounded on all sides by predators,

Perfectly designed to rend flesh from bone, spirit from body.

The only lights to guide the way are those you carry with you.

This view is truth, and illusion.

Under the sun, the lion holds sway.

Claws, teeth and mane all strong, ready for the fight.

Scars of battle no source of shame.

Along the path this pride of predators stalk.

Never ahead, nor behind;

This is your strength, by your side at each step.

As night falls, the wolves come.

Through the darkness the pack move as one,

Near silent shadows amongst the trees.

Howls of belonging, not of pain.

Along the path oft untouched by moonlight,

Ever circling, never leaving,

Their piercing eyes guide the way.

This view is truth - at times it may feel as though you walk the path alone,

Fear and pain your only companions, in all hours of the day and night.

This view is illusion - the strength of lions is within you,

The power and will of the pack are working around you, for you, in the darkest of hours. 

In this fight you have us all, even when you feel alone.

This fight we are winning, one day we will have won.

For those we have loved, and lost,

Light a candle.

Illuminate the path.

Together, we fight on. 

This is why I Relay. Money raised to research ways to fight cancer. Money raised to support those facing cancer, to make sure they are not fighting alone. In this, the tenth year of the Fantasy Faire, the money raised is for the first time allocated to a specific project. The Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi holds the only public comprehensive cancer treatment center in Kenya. People travel from all over the country to access care, however without somewhere close by to stay, this may mean sleeping rough following treatment, which could put people off seeking treatment at all. The KNH Hope Hostel will provide free temporary housing and integrated hospital services for the cancer patients and their caregivers, house an on-site resource centre with cancer information, offer a place to rest during the day, and serve more than 1,000 cancer patients annually. This is our project this year, we want to raise as much money as we can to make the Hope Hostel a reality as soon as possible. Cancer doesn't care where someone lives, help us fight it wherever we can!

Come and Relay with us! Fairelands Junction

The last image was taken in the Fairelands SIM Astrids Nemeton Here, for L$ 100 you are able to purchase a floating candle, edit to add a memorial message or name to the description field, and have it float with the others in the beautiful SIM for the duration of the Faire. A beautiful tribute, shared love and loss burning bright. All candles will be returned before the Fairelands return to the mists.

All items are 100% Relay For Life donation

Antlers: ::Static:: Andouiller - Vintage Key {Forest} L$ 395
Four different options included, Beaded, Bone, Feather and Vintage Key. HUD controlled colours 9 options for beads, 7 options for feathers, three options for keys and three options for bones.
Sanoria


Hair: !!Firelight!! FH2 - Busty Rigged Mesh Hair - Rainbow - Karya Gen2 L$ 300  
Includes a colourwheel hair tinter HUD and a Rainbow HUD giving options for 24 rich, full effect colour styles, and 24 wispy colour styles.
Erstwhile

Skin: [NM] - Mortal - Fairy - Female - N1 -  L$ 300 
Excellent system skins , 6 options (3 different cleavage each with and without brow) 21 different appliers for mesh bodies and heads. Shown here with Maitreya body, and System head.
Severina


Necklace : [HarshLands] FF X Necklace - ULTRA RARE - Her High Faireness  L$ 49
This is a GACHA item, one of three Ultra Rares available. Super pretty, this one has a gentle glow.
Willows of Nienna

Dress: Partners in Crime - Clementine Dress {Coral} L$ 249 
Pretty, subtly shaded gown with options for Ebody, Freya, Hourglass, Isis, Maitreya, Physique and Venus mesh bodies. 
Willows of Nienna

Nails: DP - Koffin Nails - FatPack - Sleek & Somber  L$ 290
As shown previously - but a better picture! Ten fantastic colour options - appliers for nails - HUD driven for both finger and toenails.
Severina

Wearable Candles: .~DN~. Candle Invocation  L$ 200 
Three options included, a typer, a no script always on version, and a scripted version. The three candles slowly rotate around you at different heights.
Sanoria 

Wolves: *UI* 3 Wolves - L$ 199
Includes three howling growling wolves, Black, Grey and White. Scripted sounds, click on and off.
Falls of Hope

Lions: Blue's Honey Do List Shop - Unity Empire Lions Updated L$ 200
Includes Male and Female Lions. Admittedly, this was an impulse purchase - but look! Who could pass up these beautiful lions?
Severina

Blogger Challenge : I remember

 

One of the blogger challenges from the Fantasy Faire is "I remember". Thinking back across Faires past. Back in 2014 I started making little videos - didnt manage to get all of the sims that year, as like an idiot I saved the files on top of each other, and then they were gone. 

Each year I walk the sims and capture what I can of their beauty before they fade into the mists. Capture them so we can look back on them and remember. 

The mists will recede again on the 19th, and we can all help make a difference, enjoying the beauty while raising money for Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society.

Music :
Nocturne in B flat minor, Op. 9 no. 1 - Copyright Free Public Domain from https://musopen.org/music/108-nocturnes-op-9/
Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48 no. 1 - Copyright Free Public Domain from https://musopen.org/music/111-nocturnes-op-48/
Nocturnes, Op. 32 - No. 1. Nocturne in B major - Copyright Free Public Domain from https://musopen.org/music/109-nocturnes-op-32/

Fantasy Faire 2017

Floating Away at the Fantasy Faire

The sun was setting. She had watched it fall countless times, she had no idea the number of suns which had dipped into the horizon, how many more she had missed, attention snared and hooked, this way and that with the other things.

As twilight filtered into the world like so much magical smoke, the junction called, as it always would.

No chill yet assaulted the air, a welcome gentle coolness eased through the Junction leaving the generous warmth of the long days to carry the fluffy bumbling insects from flower to flower. Settling into the ancient wooden craft, its scent of the ages, of souls whose joy it had carried raised a smile on her lips, even as the gentle creaking signaled its departure from the shore, carrying her away once more. She would return, they all would. All the love and the beauty of the world made them, and they would carry on, making the world better.

What a Fantasy Faire!

Life is so busy that it feels like it's a memory already but it's not! It's still here! One day more as they sing. I've not been able to spend the time I'd want, but I sure have spent those coins. Go and do the same. Love the beautiful SIMS, support the amazing cause. Help kick cancer out of everyones lives forever. 

All items are 100% Relay for Life donations.

Horns: :[P]:- Sclera Horn
Blindfold : :[P]:- Sclera Blindfold
Hair :  /Wasabi Pills/ Adamaris Mesh Hair
Skin :  :[P]: & [TRAP]:// Koie Female Skin:// RFL Hope
Dress : [V/W] Widowmaker Black Slink Hourglass
Shoes: (*<*) 1313 Lessa Stilettos - Hourglass
Fairelands Junction

Fantasy Faire 2017 - Addio Venexia

She knew that pleading for her husband was in vain, even dangerous. The Council of Ten was appointed to watch over the security of the Most Serene Republic, and they took their job seriously. Her husband might have been a Tiepolo, descendant of noblemen, but the Council could overthrow even a Doge, and they sent her husband to exile for treason. Marina Barbarigo de Morosini knew she would never walk with him in Piazza San Marco ever again... yet every evening, when the shadows descended upon the lion statues and the Campanile, she lit a lantern and walked to the seashore. Maybe her husband’s eyes could pierce the darkness and the mists, and see the light that Marina faithfully lit for him in the Venetian twilight.

Fantasy Faire item:

Gown: „From the ashes comes life: Brigid” by Beyond Persuasion / Enrapturing Elegance Couture – 449 L$.

Another splendid and delicate outfit by Elizabet Skyward (Savira) that absolutely deserves your attention! She is one of the great discoveries of this year’s Fantasy Faire for me, with her caringly designed gowns and with her attention to small yet very important details. “Brigid” is also a RFL donation item, and you can find her and her equally lovely sisters in The Fallen Sands sim. This softly floating fitted mesh gown comes with a set of adjustable wings and an adjustable headpiece, not shown here.

Other items:

Head: Catwa Kimberly.

Body: Maitreya Lara.

Bracers: “Quala Bracers” in Gold by Luas – gacha prize (rare) available in the shop, 50 $ per play.

Halo: “Angelic Halo” in Copper by Acios – 99 L$. Previously a FF item, now the halo is available at the main shop of Acios in various colours. Acios is also present at this year’s Faire; you find the shop in The Fallen Sands.

Hair: „Hilda” in Burgundy by Bliss Hair – not available any more. It is a true pity that Amutey DeCuir has left SL and closed her Marketplace shop as well...

Lantern: „Plain” Lantern by Remarkable Oblivion – gacha prize (common) available in the shop, 100 $ per play.

Pose: “Subtle 1” by HelaMiyo – 300 L$. The collection of five delicate and expressive “Subtle” poses (plus their mirrors) is a Pose Fair exclusive by Miyoko Magic. It’s quackalicious, Miyoko! :-)

The picture was made at The Rose, the sim Alia Baroque built for this year's Fantasy Faire.. if the Faire is a dream, then this land is a dream within a dream. Visit it before it is too late and the Fairelands fade away in the mists....

Fantasy Faire 2017 - DragonFish

Dragons live in the sky. Mermaids live in the water. Everybody knew that in the Land of Infinite Magic... except for Chilrideoss The Brave, a majestic green dragon, and Muirgheal, a dreamy mermaid with the loveliest purple scales ever seen in the deep quiet waters of the Land of Infinite Magic.

One day Chilrideoss The Brave felt very thirsty (spitting fire for an entire day easily dries the throat of even the most heroic dragon, you know...) and he descended from the skies to the seashore. Dragons can drink saltwater; actually it is their preferred thirst quencher, as salt makes their skin thicker and shinier. Muirgheal was playing in the shallow water exactly at the time Chilrideoss arrived.

The rest is history in the Land of Infinite Magic. Love at first sight between two very different creatures with lovely scales, a secret wedding, and the birth of a little girl, majestically green and silkily purple, the proof that sometimes love indeed conquers all.

IMPORTANT! FANTASY FAIRE IS PROLONGED! You may visit the sims and spend your Lindens until the 4^th of May!

Fantasy Faire items:

Green top with collar: “Dragonborne” by Vengeful Threads - 449 L$. Vixn Dagger already stunned me at last year’s Faire with her Ancient Egyptian gown “Anubis Bride”, and she didn’t disappoint this year either... ”Dragonborne” is a vivid green outfit made of smartly combined mesh and Omega parts with spectacular detailing; a must have for a spunky and defiant dragonesse! Vengeful Threads isat The Rose, and the shop is more than worth visiting, also because there you can find many other recent works by Vixn including some dramatic makeup sets.

Crown/mask: “Masks of Decadence: The Pietist” in Emerald by VengefulThreads – RFL Donation Gacha, 50 L$ per play (16 commons, 3 rare) at The Rose. You have the chance to win two other masks, “Phantom” and “Wyvern”, both harsh and beautiful, in various colours.

Lipstick: “Gaia” by Vengeful Threads – 99 L$, that comes with a beautiful leafy eye makeup I’m not showing here. The makeup set is also available in Vixn’s shop at The Rose.

Horns: “Aleh Horns” Pierced Style by :Soul: - 199 L$. These wonderful and elaborated horns (better to say an entire system of carefully composed horns...) are also a RFL donation item, a steal deal, as you will get horns in two styles with a texture HUD and including 14 ring textures, and they are also resize scripted. Charlie’s (Lerochelle Destiny) shop is in Mudrana... check out his dramatic and very beautiful skins too!

Mermaid tail: “Dawne” by Living the FantaSea - 75 L$. This elegant mermaid tail is also a RFL donation item, so it’s high time you grew some fins! The shop is close to Charlie's in Mudrana.

Hair: “Petula” by Analog Dog. All right, I’m cheating a bit with this hairdo, as it was last year’s FF item... but the “Merida” tresses offered by Queue at this year’s Faire are equally beautiful - 375 L$. Visit Queue at The Hill!

Skin: “Opal” Black Brows by 7 Deadly S(K)ins – 299 L$. “Opal” is a beautiful pearly white skin; you can choose from four packages with different eyebrow tones in the shop of Izara Zuta at San Mora, and they are also a RFL donation item, so again... your money is spent really well!

Other items:

Ears: Simple Short Unisex Elf Ears by Mandala – 227 L$.

Head: Catwa Kimberly (shown with a lipstick included in the master HUD).

Body: Maitreya Lara (shown with a nail polish included in the master HUD).

Trident: part of the “Mer Warrior” avatar, a free group gift from Alpha Tribe – heavily modded (retextured and resized). It’s free to join the group, and you receive more than a dozen amazing avatars with your membership, so hop over to Alpha Tribe Island for some more lovelies to have! Alpha Tribe is also at the Fantasy Faire, in The Rose sim.

Pose: "Mermaid" by Mysterika - 25 L$ from the marketplace.

The picture was taken at Opal Flight, the arts and entertainment sim of the Faire.

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.

Fantasy Faire 2017

"What did you say?"
 "Hrrrrhhh..."
"No really, what did you say?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm just..."

Mona pushed off from the bridge, the softest whisper of wings on the air as she plummeted, rising again before touching the water, her wings setting up a steady beat as she sped toward Kit. Reaching the cliff edge, she chose not to land, swooping instead to a dead stop before her friend, unsteady only in that with each beat of her wings, she rose and fell several feet. These moods happened, she knew them well, and knew how to provoke Kit into shaking them off. The rise and fall was a tactic, an irritation supported in extreme cases by faces pulled and eyes crossed, all while staying just out of the reach of an outstretched arm.
 "You're just what?" Mona flopped over in the air, regarding Kit upside down as she dipped and rose. Not even a swipe as she came close. A frown gently creased her forehead, sure she wasn't being anywhere near as annoying as she was able, but still!

The cool breeze of a sigh wshing over her was all the response she received. "There you go again!" she grumbled, twisting in the air, the beat of her wings carrying her back out over the chasm. "Bloody sighing! That's all you've done all bloody day! Is it your damned ennui again?"
Kit finally moved, rising into the air herself. "If you ever let me express a damn thought without thinking you know what I'm going to say before my mouth even opens..."
Mona grinned, a single powerful sweep of her wings carrying her far out into the middle of the void. "Gotcha talking though didn't I? Not just..." she mimicked a long drawn out sigh, "Breathing at me." Following out into the open, Kit's wings beat, sending a ripple of turbulence strong enough to cause Mona to drop, laughing as she fell.
"Oooh the ennui..." Mona cried, dramatically holding a hand over her heart. "The ennui of it all!" "Idiot." Kit smiled, the emotion almost reaching her eyes. "Do you not even know what day it is?"

Mona looked back, blankly. "Tuesday?"
"Idiot." Kit repeated, humour finally glinting through. "For starters, it's Thursday. And to finish, How can you not know what day it is?"
Mona shrugged, then blinked. "No. No? No!"
Kit nodded, "Oh yes, it's snuck up on us this year. I mean, I knew it was coming... but I forgot just how much it takes. I just don't know if we can do it justice."
Mona looked around, noticing, apparently for the first time, that there was a chasm below them, behind them a bridge; the pressure of which, come to think of it, she could still feel against her spine, as though she had really rested against it. "Well..." she sighed, ignoring, or not noticing, the snort of laughter from Kit. "Well would you look at this?" Kit nodded, looking around properly herself. "Beautiful isnt it?" Mona just nodded, amazed. The two hovered, hands reaching out to clasp each other. Once again they had form, the spirits that entertained and comforted through the year could now act.
The world blossomed around them. They were so busy, always, but this was something else. Mona squeezed Kit's hand.
"We will do it justice. The people will come to see, to feel, to remember and to forget. The people will console and celebrate with us again. The people care."


Well my lovelies! It is indeed here again!!! THE FANTASY FAIRE!!!

Oh wow, last year I was so organised, I had holiday booked off from work to give me all the time I needed to prep, shop, photograph, shop, visit, shop, throw money at the Pawlice, take in the shows and shop again. This year, things are a little different. While I'm on 'holiday' I'm working all hours, and am actually really worried that I won't be able to do the Faire, or RL the justice they deserve! The SL mantra RL comes first is right, this is just such a cross over of worlds! You may have noticed I've not posted in a while, a really long while - I can't even promise to do better until I've finished my current course. But I can promise I miss it, and Relay for Life means so much to me.
ANYWAY...
Here's the scoops: More BEAUTIFUL SIMS than you can shake a good sized stick at, Amazing people, in an Incredible cause. Go. Be astounded. SHOP! Help to save lives.
All items below are sold to benefit Relay For Life, and the American Cancer Society - I will update tomorrow with prices where they are known.
For now, here's the Fairelands Junction - as beautiful as ever.

The demon Mona
Horns: [CX] Ikenga's Horns ( Gold )
Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Raven
Wings: [SP] Ascendant Wings [M] Fallen 2.0 (Not RFL)
Eyes: c - Forgotten Doll
Skin: .:Soul:. Gen2 F - Ceredil - [SE D4] - TT-SB - NoBrow
Sleeves: [Gauze]&[Trap] Fuzz Gloves :Demon(spec)
Legs: [Gauze&Trap] Faun Legs - Short Demon

The angel Kit
Horns: [CX] Ikenga's Horns ( Gold )
Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Raven
Wings: [SP] Ascendant Wings [M] Ascend 2.0 (Not RFL)
Eyes: Curious Kitties - Forgotten Doll
Skin: .:Soul:. Gen2 F - Ceredil - [SE FF2016] - TT-FB - Brow
Sleeves: [Gauze]&[Trap] Fuzz Gloves :Unicorn

Poses for both - Mythril : Her Grace
Legs: [Gauze&Trap] Faun Legs - Long:Unicorn

Fantasy Faire 2017 Sneak Peek - Faerie Queene

She couldn’t understand how she ended up in the chilly winter forest. How could her own people ban her...? Or was it Chancellor Thornheart who plotted against her and some spineless courtiers just followed his lead? Queen Flutterwillow shivered. Whoever cursed her picked the harshest and cruellest one for a delicate Flower Fae... the dreaded “Expeliatis” that ejected her from her kingdom and transported her to this wilderness of ice and snow. Yet, after a second or two, Queen Flutterwillow stood up, grabbed her magic wand, and conjured a swarm of colourful butterflies from thin air. “They will keep me warm until I arrive...” – she thought, lifted the hem of her gossamer gown, and started marching along the forest path covered in snow, towards home.

Fantasy Faire items:

Gown and wing: „Nature’s beautiful imperfection, Mulhalmoni” by Beyond Persuasion / Enrapturing Elegance Couture. If you want to be the belle of Fantasy Faire, I warmly recommend you the delicately embroidered, soft dress with the amazing neck detailing that looks like an ancient medallion with Sakura flowers captured under glass, and the wings made of pearls. This stunning gown comes with its own hairpiece, a lovely rose crown, that I’m not showing you here - please go and buy the „Mulhalmoni” set at the Faire if you are curious what it looks like! You will find Beyond Persuasion in the Falling Sands sim, and I am absolutely certain you won’t feel disappointed with your purchases!

“Sparkly Wand of Butterflies” by Talevin’s Designs. This apparently innocent and delicate wand can cast a spray of magic dust, also send your target several meters into the air, and even summon a jar full of butterflies that will trap your target! Talevin’s s shop is located in The Hill sim, go pay him a visit, it’s worth the walk!

Other items:

Skin: „Catalina” in Cream by Soul – 899 L$.

Ears: „Uni Ears” High Elf by Soul – 499 L$.

Eyes: “Royale Eyes” in Royal Purple by Adoness – Treasure Chest March 2017.

Eye makeup and lashes: „Venom Shadow” in Purple by Vengeful Threads – 99 L$. The „Venom Shadow” series is an exclusive product for the DarkSide2 Fashion Fair, open until 30th April.

Hair: „Charlotte” by Wasabi Pills – a previous 50 Lindens Friday item; now various colour packs are available in the shop for 250 L$

Bracelets: „Lumen” bracelets by LNS – what a pity LeNoirSoleil is gone...

Wreath: „Olivia” in Ice by Lode – gacha in the shop, 60 L$ per play.

Pose: „Favole 5” by HelaMiyo – 50 L$ for a single pose, or you may purchase the entire “Wrists Action” set with five different poses and their mirrors, for 300 L$.

The picture was taken in The Outer Garden.