Strange seas - Fantasy Faire 2020

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

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

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

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

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

A Quiet Time - Fantasy Faire 2020

The streets were quiet.
They had been quiet for days...
Days? No, Cerys' foot nudged the drift of detritus forming a strange high tide line along the cracked pavement. It had been a good while longer than that.

The people had receded, retreating back into their places of sanctuary.
Alarms had sounded, voices had blared, some speaking sense, others quite the opposite.
Some had learned what others had already known, they were not the masters of their own universe.
Some would never learn. Others held onto hope that even this wouldn't matter.
Cerys gazed out into the fenced off remainder of wilderness in the midst of the city and wondered what it had been like, when such things happened in the past. Were they better off now? Better able to cope?

There were comforts to be found even in the links of that chain of thought. Particularly among the trees, with the soft sounds of nature awakening all around. Each day there was this escape, normalcy rebranded as freedom for one precious hour. Technology, crtiticised for so long, by so many, for isolating and desensitizing, was bringing people together. People were reaching out to those they had not sought for years. New ways of communicating were bringing people together, even while they were apart. Individuals and groups undervalued and marginalised in the day to day, were in this day, today, showing their inexpressible worth by keeping the true neccessities of life going.

By keeping apart, while reaching out; focusing on what we have, and those we love, we can get through this. 

The Fantasy Faire is a wonderful escape from reality. The reason we do it, the heart of it all, is so embedded in reality as to make it inescapable. We do this to raise money to further cancer research. We do this because in this virtual world, this second life where we are free to do anything and be anything we want, we still want to help make things better here in the real world. So please. While you are indoors, if you are feeling trapped, or isolated, double click that icon. Step into another world. Buy something beautiful that makes you smile. Think of the difference you are making, to the world. 

Items shown are 100% donation to Relay for Life

Hair : Wasabi // Anaia Mesh Hair
Zodiac
Skin : ND/MD Boo Eye+ LIGHT-NO brows-
          ND/MD Boo eyebrows- rose
Cassiopeia
Face tattoo and dermal piercing : !TLB - Aelia Tattoo and Dermal
Eyes : !TLB - Lyric Eyes/Green
Autumnium
Necklace : [ riseDesign ] RFL Rock On Necklace
Melusina’s Depths
Tattoo : GERMINAL - Cracked Reality Tattoo
Auxentios’ Pass
Dragonfly : =EagleDesigns= Dragonfly Friend - Orange Red
Elemaria
Top : Grumble - Summer Heat Cami
Agra Adara
Pants :  Trinity Clothing - Cane's Grunge Overalls
Melusina’s Depths

Fantasy Faire 2020 - Revelation

The sands shifted as the spring breeze swirled into existence, chasing the last of the clinging frosts from the dunes. Grain tumbled over grain; a slip swelling into a landslide, uncovering what had remained buried for decades. The glimmer of crystal, a shining drop of blue amidst the sand. Emerging from the depths of the earth's clinging confinement, Arala stepped forth, pulling her staff free behind her.

"So dry... so barren..."
She coughed, the dust rattling loose as thoughts from the dark slowly coalesced. Understanding of what had happened dawned, her anger and disappointment grew. Grumbling to herself she looked around, poking here and there at the dunes with the base of her staff.
"It must be around here somewhere!"
*poke*
*prod*
*poke*
The gentle touch of the breeze flowed over her, carrying with it the answer.
"Oh... It's me."

Arala began to climb. She had been looking for a reason, an actual revelation to explain her own.
She remembered the decline, the loss.
Her deminishment, through no fault of her own. There had been fault, but in this moment, it no longer seemed to matter. She was again. Conscious and present. It could mean only one thing. There was a place for her in the world again, all she had to do was take it. All things change, nothing lasts forever, neither joy nor pain. Life would return to the barren wastes, she would be the one to bring it. Her light grip tightened around her staff, as she smiled, rain began to fall.

It's BAAAAAAAAAAAACK! Fantasy Faire Time! And already I have typoed Fantasy as Fantasty and have had to change it. This happens EVERY year.
Anyway... clears throat and puts on a boxing match announcer voice...
It's back. It's bigger than ever. It's EIGHTEEN sims of amazing creations, wonderful people spending their money not only to get mindbogglingly gorgeous stuff, but to benefit the world by supporting the cause of fighting cancer. I'm so excited. Get down there. Be amazing. Join the shopping, the events, the community. The real revelation is that the answers will come from us.

Items shown are sold as 100% donations for Relay for Life.
Crown : AMBIX // Chrysalis Crown [Glacial]
Melusina’s Depths
Hair : Raven Bell - Nereid Hair F2
Auxentios’ Pass
Eyes : !TLB - Lyric Eyes/Green
Autumnium
Skin : .:Soul:. [G3] Jalyn RaniV2 [FF20]  -BOM-
Zodiac
Gown : Mishmash Fusion - Dark Siren Gown - Purple - Maitreya
Lamented Fens
Staff : Jinx : Spirit Moon Staff
Heliodor

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