More Enchantment...

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is the tides flow and stars to light my eye;

And my fins flick at the wind’s song and the white waves shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long night’s over.

More from Enchantment!
Enchantment

Hair : +Spellbound+ Sirena // Chapter III : Magic:   L$ 350
Skin : Essences - Ariel02 *medium01* brunette.  L$ 199
Eyes : Clemmm - Unwanted Fog  L$ 73
Bikini : FDD Stories *Little Mermaid* Top and Bottoms in Black - separate gacha wins L$ 75 per try.

(My apologies to John Masefield ^^)

Sweet Light

It was the darkest time of the year. One could see the Sun for a few hours only, and even then the light was dim and feeble. She missed the brightness, the feeling of caressing warmth on her skin. The world was gloomy and cold now, and she had to feed on what she still possessed. The candle and the lantern... she had to hold onto them, and firmly. Her life depended on that tiny flickering light. She held out the lantern, defiant and strong, against the darkness. She was to resist, and survive.

I know everybody is quite busy in RL these days (including myself...), nevertheless I’d like to remind you that the 3rd Midwinter Fair is still running until the 24th of December. If you want to relax between two RL Christmas parties, come inworld and find something pretty at the Fair... and don’t forget to pick up the amazing pile of gifts that the very, very generous designers have left for you under the Christmas tree.

The skin and the eyes are not available inworld any more, and I usually don’t tease you with such items… but I still have my stockpile of Skinthesis eyes and skins, although the shop was closed many years ago, and whenever I have one of Cane Sutter’s creations on (that are still valid, unique and more than wearable), I wish she created skins and body parts again.

Skin: Mindi „Bronzed Goddess” by Skinthesis (Cane Sutter).

Eyes: Night Dollie „Harvest” by Skinthesis (Cane Sutter).

Tattoo: “Erin” by Fallen Gods Inc. (tintable, rare) – The Midwinter Fair gacha prize, 30 L$ per play.

Hair: “Amaris” by Truth – Black and Whites pack (250 L$).

Jewellery: “Morning Star” by Finesmith – December group gift (free; it is also free to join the group).

Gown: “Eowyn” in Blue by Bite&Claw (common) – The Midwinter Fair gacha prize, 30 L$ per play.

Pauldrons and bracers: “Eowyn” Accessory Pack in Battleworn, by Bite&Claw (common) – TheMidwinter Fair gacha prize, 30 L$ per play.

Lantern: “Holiday Spirit Lantern” in Silver by Remarkable Oblivion (common) – The Arcade Gacha, 100 L$ per play.

Pose: “Favole” by HelaMiyo - 1 L$ gift in the shop.

December Dreams @ The Arcade

From dreams of winter she woke. Beside her as she'd slept lay the mask of Mother Earth, as the world turned and span through nothingness, receding from the Sun, the mask had gained a scrim of frost. Its colours enhanced, made magical anew by this pristine background. Stretching out on her sleigh bed Madeline was glad of the warm coat in which she was so snugly wrapped. Pulling aside the curtain and looking out across the rooftops she saw that winter had indeed arrived, with fallen snow glistening on every surface. However cold, she would go out and enjoy it. She would pull on her hat, and wait for you to come out and play. Arcade!!! Come to the Arcade! Gacha! Gacha! Gacha! This amazingly popular gacha event is back for December, with more winter themed goodies than you could shake a Christmas tree branch at. Take your chances on the machines, stock up with winter themed skins and hair, clothing, buildings and accessories. 

Taxi to The Arcade

Hair 1 : .Olive. the Snow Princess Hair - Carrot Tea'  L$ 50
One normal hair, one to fit your mesh bewbs, one unrigged in the prize pack.
Hair 2 : Clawtooth: Snow Bunny prize 4  L$ 75
HUD driven options for hair colour, and hat colour!
Skin : -Glam Affair - December skin - Asia 04 L$ 100
Seven skins with different brow colour options, and one with no brows. Also hairbases for brow shapes. Amazing as ever from Glam Affair. 
Outfit and Boots : Foxes - Woodland Wonderland - Dress & Boots Grey L$ 100
Love the contrast buttons on the coat, and the sole of the boots. Style!
Mask : Remarkable Oblivion - Holiday Spirit - Mother Earth RARE  L$ 100
Beautiful intricate mask - can be worn, or hung on your wall. 
Sleigh bed : Pizza's and Tarte for Scram Co - Sleepy Sled - Antelope L$ 75
Lovely sleigh bed, with pretty cushions and several sitting and laying poses.
Trophy : {vespertine} Faux throphy -light  L$ 50
No animals were harmed in the making of this modern wall trophy.

Skybox : llorisen - mimi skybox.blue    L$ 100.
Great skybox, simple and classic. One main room with a raised L-shaped mezzanine. My favourite bit about this is the roof you can see out of the window. That's part of the skybox! Really different, totally stands out from anything I've seen before.

The return of a Queen

When the Red Queen was vanquished by the jumped up pipsqueak in her blue dress and fluffy white ruffles it wasn't the end for the House of Hearts. Of course since that day, when the intruder's logic had brought down the palace like a pack of cards; rumours had circulated about her bragging across the lands. Empty words to go with her empty head. For all she thought she knew, coming from some mystical world filled with ow toe mobils and eric trickity, she had said they had a Queen of their own. Strange then, never to expect that when one Queen was removed, there would not be a successor waiting in the wings. Hidden for now of course, slowly building up her own house of cards, but there would be a time to meet the usurper, to put a stop to her lies, and her attempts to change Wonderland. That time was at hand...

More from the Fantasy Gacha Carnival. This round runs until November 30th.

Fantasy Gacha Carnival
Hair : .ploom. Mystic - Dipped  L$ 75
Headpiece : FDD GS *Cheeky Ranger* HeadPiece Black  L$ 75
Top : *MUKA* Aura Top - Blue -  L$ 50
Necklace : *{Junbug}* Grecian Goddess Necklace [Rose]  L$ 50
Bracers : *MUKA* Aura Bracer - Red  L$ 50
Skirt : *MUKA* Aura Skirt - Red -  L$ 50
Staff : .{yumyums}. S. Wonderland - Spade Spear {Queen of <3} L$ 70
Light Staff : Apple Fall /AL Light Staff  L$ 50

Art and the Goth

Madrigal lived for the cabaret. There were dark times behind, people craved a few hours away from their personal horrors, from memory itself. There were dark times ahead, but shining mirrored lights would dazzle their eyes, and the unadulterated alcohol flowing from the bar shielded the audience in a blurred haze. There were dark time all around them, and in her most of all. Those who stumbled through the shadowed door, past the cheap pockmarked sign would doubtless assume it was the gaiety, the music, the drink itself that made them feel better. Madrigal knew better, and fed this misunderstanding just as she topped up each glass. Here in the darkness, she could take their pain away. Here in the darkness... she became their pain. Here in the darkness, and here alone. Just for a short while... Music moved Artyra. In the Hall of Chellis she resided, some say reigned. Hers was the beat, and set the tone for all others of their sect. The dark heart swelled, contracting with a pulse that sent shivers up her spine, and flickered electric shocks across her synapses. The heart bent to her mood, fast or slow, calm or racing with energy just as need dictated. It was from here that she watched, through the eyes of others, all that needed to be done. Those outside the halls were bound to obey, each felt the push of sound wave, the pulse of blood. Their city, their way of life depended on it. Shadows would fall, and in them could be found those servants. Listen close, you may just hear her beat.

So many events, so little time! Sounds like I'm complaining - I couldn't love it more!

Starting here with the World Goth Faire - As Ursula has introduced! This is an excellent event, three SIMs of stores, in hauntingly beautiful surroundings. Creators have items up for sale of course, there are also vendors giving anything from 50% to 100% of the price of the item to the Sophie Lancaster Foundation.
You can read more about them here...
Sophie Lancaster Foundation. 
Shopping and doing good. Few things get better than that!

Madrigal wears;
Skin : [.Riel.] Witching Hour 09    L$ 50 (Gacha)
Eyes :  Psychotic Neko - Goth Eye Plain Purple/Black  L$ 30 (Gacha) 50% to charity.
Mask : LNS  - Sophie Lancaster Masks - free gift
Dress : [LNS Designs]  PHAEDRA - LACIRQUE  L$ 147  100% to charity.


Artyra wears;
Skin : [.Riel.] Witching Hour 09    L$ 50 (Gacha)
Eyes :  Psychotic Neko - Goth Eye Plain Purple/Black  L$ 30 (Gacha) 50% to charity.
Headdress :  [AD] Sophie mesh headdress (resizable)  L$ 200 100% to charity.
Necklace : Lassitude & Ennui Ravenskull necklace - black  L$ 90  100% to charity.
Corset : Adoness: Hekate: Corset: Aurora  L$ 150    50% to charity.
Pants : Endorphin: Gothic strapped pants (part of an entire outfit) L$ 325    50% to charity.

Cursed: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cursed/65/129/1020
Sium: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sium/127/200/1001
Port Seraphine: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Port%20Seraphine/99/132/25

Also running at the moment is the MadPea Gacha Art Festival on now in Mad City, with art being celebrated throughout the SIM. There is original art by amazing SL artists to buy from gacha machines. Shown above are my purchases,


[Kou!] Screw that bulb...  L$ 50
This is a kinetic sculpture!
A. Baroque - Sketch - Unseelie    L$ 50
A. Baroque - Sketches, package wraps   L$ 50
A. Baroque - Sketch - Flora   L$ 50
Beautiful hand drawn artworks from a true talent.


Mad City

The Secret Affair - Game of Thrones

For many years she had studied in the darkness. It was in the darkness after all, that the lord of light held sway. This was known, to those with the wit to see it, a truth as plain as any other; shadows could not exist without light. Light came to her in many guises, all borne of fire. Candle flames fascinated the young. All were warmed and fed from the kitchen hearth. The old, when their time came, journeyed into the realm of the dead through the funeral pyre. As the war progressed, and she played her part, wondrous new possibilities were laid out before her. Wildfire. Her sigil, the ruby red stone always at her throat shimmered now, green as grass, a tribute to her desires. Having felt the power, all she wanted was to set the world ablaze.

Across the seas, in desert stretching further than any eye could see, the displaced princess walked. In her mind, she was princess no longer, no more was she Khaleesi. These things had passed as she took on her new role, the one which she knew would last her the rest of her life, and carry her to the heights of ambition. As the eggs cracked, splintering stone cherished through centuries for its beauty, her children had emerged. She had learned from the decline of her family, had seen great cities fall under the blade of her husband and had made mistakes of her own. In her hands she now had the power to take the world for her own, and she intended to take it.

Far up in the North the snows shifted beyond the wall. The closest noble house had the saying 'Winter is coming'. It was true, and it was a lie. Winter would always come to those in the South eventually. High up in the wilds, it never ended. Eternal cold hardened those who lived in it just as the baking sun burned weakness from the wandering tribes of the desert. Adaptation made these people seem uncouth, even feral to those accustomed to living in comfort, with all they could ever need within arms reach. Such imperious beliefs could not go on forever unchallenged. There was beauty and strength in the wilds, and with the first snows of true winter floating toward the south they would come to challenge all.

Anyone else who got as absurdly excited about the fourth season premiere of Game of Thrones as I did this week, should get themselves along to the GoT themed gacha event at The Secret Affair. It runs until the 30th April. Select high quality designers have some amazing items in gachas, also some available to purchase direct. As ever, I've gone for a mixture of both. (I didn't even show here all I bought - there wasn't room!)

The Secret Affair - Game of Thrones Event

Melisandre
Gown - . a i s l i n g . Qarth Lady -Black-  L$ 450
Beautiful MESH gown, HUD driven, with options for the fabric and colours for the metal sections. The fabric 'tails' from the shoulders are also changeable, from solid to near transparent opacity.
Choker - !dM deviousMind "Melisandre" Choker **EMERALD** L$ 50 (Gacha)
Choker has options for changing metal colour.

Daenerys
Crown - Alchemy - Mother of Dragons -  ULTRA-RARE  L$ 100  (Gacha)
Outfit - DRD Death Row Designs -  Targaryan Blue and Bloody - L$100
Dragon - YumYums - Baby Draegon (Hornwood) - L$ 50 (Gacha)

Ygritte
Gown - Peqe - Throne's Game_The North  L$ 380
Another beautiful MESH gown. The shine on the 'metal' belt is outstanding. 
Crown - [Keystone] Wilding Crown L$ 50

RMK Gothic Bunny Hunt 2014 - The Red Princess

The Red Princess was ready to become the Red Queen... oh yes, she was ready and greedy to rule. Yet, the current Red Queen was so impolite as not wanting to abdicate in her favour. What a shame. She was still young and energic, she said, and she planned to spend another decade on the throne. Or maybe two, if she couldn't finish her plan and have all the necessary heads chopped off... and, of course, there were those roses to be painted red, every year. "I'll die a princess if I don't come up with a plan soon!" - the Red Princess thought. "Mummy, Mummy, I'd rather you reconsider that abdication...or else." Her lips curled up into a nasty smile as she started walking towards the rose garden.

It's March and the capricious bunnies are back to the RMK Gothic sim, to be waited on front and back paw and to be silently begged to drop a precious gift card. If you want to know everything about this unusual hunt and/or patience game, read the instructions at the RMK Gothic website; or, if you want to read a truly thorough review of what's going on (with lots of pictures), visit Deoridhe Quandry's blog.

Dress (complete with collar, stockings and hat; the latter not worn here): Ambrosia RMK Bunny Hunt gift (0 L$).

Necklace: Insanya RMK Bunny Hunt gift (0 L$). I love those rabbit ears! :)

Skin: The Skinnery "Haruko" in Milk - The Chapter Four gacha prize (100 L$ per play).

Hair: Ayashi RMK Bunny Hunt gift (0 L$).

Staff: DDD Alice's Chess Rod, "Red King" - gacha prize (40 L$ per play).

Eyes: Sterling Artistry "Dolly Deadly" in Danger (65 L$).

Nails: Pulcino RMK Bunny Hunt gift (0 L$).

Pose: Theater Chain "The Duchess" - from the "Alice in Wonderland" 10-pose pack (150 L$).

Luck o' the Irish Steampunks

It was the luck of the Irish, so some said. Others saw fate's manipulation in the slowly turning cogs and gears, those hidden behind the veil, beyond the mist. Each theory had it's acolytes, those who would spread the word, and the belief, along with the spoils to any they counted close enough to be worthy of the secret. The fluttering beat of the smallest moth's wings would send ripples around the world. Gold would shine from the depths, where only earth had lain before. Ghosts would ride these currents, alighting here and there, bringing fortune fair and foul. The bees would fly, their tiny furred bodies carrying with them the secrets of the dead to tempt the living with knowledge they could scarce afford to learn. As the black velvet and spirits began to flow, those caught up by the luck, or by the design came to their feet. Fortune would never find you sitting in one place, you had to go looking for it, had to chase the rainbow's end, follow the eternal workings of the great wheel.

Gacha Gacha Gacha

Two Gacha events!

From March 15-31, MadPea is hosting a steampunk-themed gacha fair at Mad City Park. More than 25 vendors are there, with gachas overflowing with steampunk goodies.

Depraved Nation's Luck of the Irish Gacha Fair is running until the end of March - you can pick up fantastic items from merchant's gachas here... http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Metropolis/161/86/53

Here featured are some fantastic finds from +REDRUM+ available at these fairs!

From the MadPea Steampunk Fair

Top image         +REDRUM+ Moth Dream Top Hat
                        +REDRUM+ Moth Tattoos - Neck
Middle image    +REDRUM+ Nerd Glasses - Wood Bees
                        +REDRUM+ Moth Tattoos - Face and Neck

From Depraved Nation's Luck of the Irish Gacha Fair

Middle image     +REDRUM+ KNOT DRESS GREEN
Bottom image     +REDRUM+ WARMER BOOTS IRISH4