Mad times in Mad City

"Follow me" she said... It's always incredibly sad when wonderful SIMs close, as MadCity will on May 31st. Madpeas are continuing - never fear - with the new Unia project keeping people in a drawn out state of excitement. The city will also, thanks to the eternal rain around The Silent Peacock Hotel, be flooded on its last day - so you can explore it underwater! There's a LOT of memories for me in this SIM, not least from Room 326, featured here with me getting my own back on the possessed TV, the amazing painting, capable of transporting the chosen few to a hellish world, looking on from behind. 

I urge you to check it out before it goes.

MadCity
Madpeas have also created this fabulous 'gamer' outfit for hunting, scheming, generally getting into trouble in.

Included are : 
- Belt (rigged mesh)
- Holster (mesh resizable)
- Knotted T-Shirt (rigged mesh standardized)
- Jean Shorts (rigged mesh standardized)
- Combat Boots (mesh resizable)
- Gun as accessory (non scripted resizable)
Mesh standardized sizes for clothes (XL/L/M/S/XS)
Mesh guns as accessories for Holster, Belt, and Hands (non scripted).
All for L$ 150!
Female Gamer Outfit
(There's also an outfit available for the males)
Male Gamer Outfit
To compliment the outfit, and hopefully to do justice to the SIM I've used the following poses;
Firehawk Designs : Hold Up!  L$ 60
https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/FD-Hold-Up/3508579
Frozen : Pistol Poses Fatpack   L$ 350
https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Frozen-Pistol-poses-Fatpack-Full-Perm/3747436

Skyfall to a new World

The world had changed. The sky had fallen. One way of life ended, and another began. The change had been abrupt, though it had started decades past. People had refused to see it. People had denied it, even once the effects of change were manifest. Only once it was too late did their eyes, blinded by scales of profit, finally clear. Only then went up the cry of the elite, echoing that which others had sung for years. "We need to change!" All too soon these belated truths turned to others... "It's too late." Denial turned to despair, and the aching search for someone to blame besides themselves. "Why were we not told?" "It's not our fault..." Shards of sky fell, tumbling down, scything through oceans and smashing the cities. High above, there was a new sky, and far below, new people to enjoy it. Not everything from the world before had passed into nothingness, it never had and it never would. New beings formed from all things into which creativity had been poured. All which had been loved found new form here. From the cloth she had once been, the weaver's care gave her breath. The world's old desires and pleasures gave her purpose, and a hunger. Her old design still lingered, silvery light now on her skin, her past showing clear. Her creator's taste for donuts found a place in her also, never anticipated, she intended to enjoy it, and this new world, for all it was worth.

There are times when I can be misanthropic. Even at those times, so I'm told, my rantings are hilarious enough to make it worthwhile. Other times, I'm blown away by how helpful people can be - cue the superfriends who can pick out and name a hairstyle I'm looking for from an image with no credits! <3

Skin :  :Sugar: [5] DB Avril - Teeth
Lolas : Lolas ::: Tango ::: Mesh Breasts
Tattoo :  Folly - Tintable Glaze - Serpentine - Light
Hair :  Magika [Hair] Shimmer (03)
Hairband : .{yumyums}. {Pinkie} EatMe Headband
Eyes :  .::Kre-ations::. Eclypse eyes{Neptune / Pluto}
Dress : Luas Tarna - Black

Folly, formerly Skinthesis, has opened a new mainstore, and Cane has produced some amazing tintable tattoos for the occasion. They come in Dark, Med and Light tones, but can be modded to your heart's content. They also come with appliers, making them even more versatile for those with body add ons!
Folly

The lovely Io at YumYums is at her headband madness again - seriously some of the upcoming releases are so glittery I nearly died -. This donut version was a taster (groan - didn't even intend that pun as I typed it) - keep eyes out at the mainstore for newness soon!
YumYums

There is a free script available on Marketplace which allows more flexibility with clothing layers on your Lolas. I know in the past I have managed to have more than one layer showing, but I'd be damned if I could recreate that spark of genius. This script - produced by the Lola's creator - allows this with ease. The images above show the applier blending the skintone, 'dress bra' showing the tattoo, and 'dress top' showing the dress. All changeable by HUD, or by chat command. Perfect!

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

World Goth Fair 2014 - My Humble Abode

She was put at the entrance of the mansion more than a century ago. The then reigning baron was an art lover, quite proud of his impeccable taste: he had found the statue of the slender woman in the studio of a young Parisian sculptor, talented but not well-known enough to earn a meal by his art. The statue witnessed the flow of house guests, arriving in large groups at first… then, as the baron lost money and power, the guests became fewer and fewer, until they didn’t come any more. These days the only visitors were the wild animals from the nearby forest. “Welcome to my humble abode! I hope you will enjoy your stay!” – the statue whispered to a curious deer, and the rusty iron creaked as the gate swung open.

We hardly said goodbye to the wonderful Fantasy Faire, and there is another event to save us (“us” meaning “creatures with a darker streak to their character”) from boredom – the World Goth Fair. You may happily while away your hours strolling from booth to booth in the three sims, but please don’t forget that it is also a charity event in benefit of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation. You may read about the history of the foundation and their work IRL on their homepage.

Dress: “Annabel Lee” in Onyx by Fosca de Les Encantades – available in the WGF Port Seraphine sim (100 L$). I love the extreme silhouette of the corset, it’s very à la Poe and very 19^th Century Noir!

Necklace: “Iron Cross Necklace” in Gray by LaNoirSoleil – available in several colours in the WGF Port Seraphine sim (147 L$).

Filigree nails: “Tactum Mortis” in Black Necritol by LaNoirSoleil – available in various colours in the WGF Port Seraphine sim (147 L$). “Tactum Mortis” means “Touch of Death” and it is an amazing filigree nail/finger extension thingy, a combination of delicate metal vines and a razor sharp, elegant claw available in several colours.

Face chain: “Maev Chains” in Black by Axix – available at the Fantasy Gacha Fair (50 L$ per play).

Tiara/headphone: Tuner/Headphone in Black by ANC - – available at the Fantasy Gacha Fair (50 L$ per play). It is quite a surprising item to find among shoulder pet dragons and various pieces of fantasy armour, but – thanks to the tiara-like upper part – the style quite fits in.

Skin: “Lacrimosa Weeping” by Fallen Gods – this wonderful “stony” skin was a donation item at the Fantasy Faire, now available at the main shop in Selidor (800 L$ for one of the four versions – Epitaph, Weeping, Mausoleum or Crack, 2,200 L$ for a fatpack).

Lips: Glamorize – Rival Black Combo (1 L$).

Eye makeup: White Widow – an old hunt gift not available any more.

Hair: “Carlie” by Damselfly – a free gift at the Fantasy Gacha Fair that comes with a colour HUD.

Eyes: “January Ice” by Sterling Artistry – an old group gift not available any more, but "Gilded Field" from the DailyEyes series looks quite similar (85 L$).

Pose: Izumiya – free gift in the main shop (0 L$).

The picture was taken in the H22O sim, a new (and very wet :)) build by Squonk Levenque.

Fantasy Faire 2014 - Goodbye Fairelands

The Faire is over, again... although the magical lands don't fade away until Tuesday. If you want to visit each of them, slowly quietening down and almost ready to go, it is your chance now. Walk around The Sanctum, Blackwater Glen, Wiggenstead Mooring, Asperatus, Mourningvale Thicket, Heavenslough, The Faery Court, Hope's Horizon and Medhir Woods, say goodbye... and start looking forward to next year's Fantasy Faire! Organisers, designers, entertainers, friends old and new, and you, visitors - thank you for eleven days of true magic in both lives.

Flaming Finale - Fantasy Faire 2014

Here in the birthplace of continents the guardians of fire waited and watched. Though Leyana had held her post for only a few centuries, it was her calling, what she had been born to do. At all times there was change, constant currents in the lava on which the weight of the world floated. This time of year was special. For such a short period of time, normal rules were suspended. It was time for the guardians to don ceremonial robes, to work their will on the power over which they watched.  Many in the worlds above were familiar with tales of the Kraaken, denizen of deep waters, capable of capsizing even the largest of ships with the swipe of a single tentalce. In the depths of fire, a lesser known cousin lurked. For the second time in as many weeks, it was toward the pool of lava in which this creature dwelled that Leyana now walked. Her first visit, and the tumult which followed had set strange currents swirling through the mantle, allowing new lands to form on which those above could congregate. Emotions from those gatherings had filtered down to the guardians, making them a true part of the fleeting events. As the hours passed, so did the lifespan of the Faire high above, it grew near the time for those lands to sink again into the depths. Such a sad time Leyana thought, fingers tracing the intricate workings of her leather bodice; the design itself was a promise of her craft, a commitment to return each year to perform this duty. To create lands for the Faire in the realm above, providing the place for the important works, and all important fun.

The Fantasy Faire is one of my favourite events in SL. Other events may be my favourite while they are running, all the hunts and games, these generally are for personal gain. That's what really makes the Fantasy Faire so special. Amazingly talented designers offer up some of their finest creations entirely for the benefit of Relay for Life. The Faire comes to an end today, and just like every year, I will be very sorry to see it go. So I will finish up, and go and spend some more time, and some more L$ in the incredible Fairelands.  The total raised so far at the Faire in 2014 is L$ 4,976,891 that's
$ 19,908 USD.

Skin + Shape :  DLS~ Ceredil - Candace - Gold L$ 899 RFL Item
Includes: Light & Dark Skins * 3 Tattoo Tinter Layers * Mesh Ears: Elf Nub, Troll, Animale Long * Slink Appliers * Lolas * Lush * Shape * Alphas. Had to show you all this skin in the Gold tone to show off again just how beautiful it is, and to focus on some of the included appliers. The detail is continued all the way onto the nail applies, each a firey inferno with colour options to match the skin!
Here Leyana is also wearing : DLS~MESHear - Troll - Gold
                                                 DLS~ Realism Eyes - FlamingCircuits
All included in the pack!
Hair :  [LNS Designs] CAPRICA L$ 249
Beautiful hair, the blended fire colours are ideal!
Gown :  22769 ~[femme] Chloris Dress - white  L$ 250  RFL Item
This excellent ensemble can be worn with or without the sleeves. The effects on the bodice are lovely, materials glinting under inworld lighting.


Shoes : DLS~ Cthu Shues - Fantasy Faire Special Edition L$ 450 RFL Item
Wow. No, really, Wow. I have found it difficult to find shoes to go with medium height SLink feet, most being for high or flat, but when I found these, my search was over. These are beyond cool. The included HUD has 12 colour options, with choices for the main shoe colour, and the kraaken's eyes. Love these. Love, love love them.

Fantasy Faire 2014 - The Weight Of Gold

Zacharael was a minor angel for a few million years and he was happy with that. His duties were simple... looking after an elder lady, helping a small child, now and then rescuing a particularly faithful and beloved pet dog. In his free time he was bored... until he discovered how much fun self-pampering was. Oh, those soft shoes, the jewellery, the various helmets and belts... Zacharael's outfit became more and more ornate every day.

Then, quite unexpectedly, he received a letter from Above. A promotion to the position of "major angel". He was to report for service at the Pearly Gates. Zacharael grinned and prepared himself for the flight... only that he discovered he couldn't leave Earth. The weight of gold was pulling him down.

***

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw "that" cottage in Blackwater Glen... the Alpha Tribe at the Fantasy Faire?! The Alpha Tribe avatars are among my absolute favourites since my Day One in SL (and that wasn't yesterday), so I'm particularly happy that Alpha Auer decided to be present and show her amazing creations among the fantasy folk.

At the same time I'm cheating a bit because the stunning avatar I'm showing you here isn't available at the Faire, but you must go to "Transit't - Imago Anatopism" to immerse yourself in the story of Volund, told by Alpha Auer and Mimesis Monday, and collect his avatar piece by piece. The build is an absolute "must" for anyone appreciating SL art and - luckily - so many other bloggers have called your attention to it, among others here and here; I'm only repeating their suggestion: Go and be overwhelmed!

The picture was taken at The Sanctum.