Three Twisted Knots

From Avalon, FaeWatch’s new Bellisserian Explorer!

So, I was hanging out at my place, listening to some music and singing to my plants, when someone knocked on my door. Now, I was new to Fairystone Park, and it’s not like I’d told anybody I’d moved (I don’t have that many friends, anyway), so I answered the door with some trepidation.

Turns out, one of my neighbours is none other than well known FaeWatch editor and publisher, Cherish Gelato! She had a proposal for me.

“I,” she said, “want you to interview me.”

“What?”

“I already wrote out the questions. And I know you can write, because I cammed your house and saw the diploma on your wall.”

OK, Cherish… stalker much? But I guess that’s kind of your job, so…. “What would you need me to do? And more importantly, how much do you pay?”

Cherish smiled fetchingly. “Well, obviously, FaeWatch has been on hiatus for some time,” she explained, “so I don’t have a lot in the treasury at the moment, but you’re welcome to come over and have coffee with me any time, plus I have a nice piano you could play if you wanted.”

I have never played the piano, but I do like coffee. I shrugged. “Sounds legit; when do we get started?”

So we picked a day, I promised to read over her questions in between stops whilst learning my way around the Bellisseria Railway (it’s a hobby!), and we planned to spend some time together at the FaeWatch Headquarters, which are just down the Park from my house. How convenient.

“Welcome, welcome! Come on in! I’m Cherish Gelato.”

“And I’m Avalon Blessed, and this is Cherish Gelato At Forty, a new interview for a new FaeWatch,” I said. “How was that?”

“It was fine. You don’t have to ask that after every question. I’ll let you know if we need to change something.”

“Oh, OK.” I adjusted my hat. “Should I introduce myself?”

“We’ll add your bio at the end,” she said.

I nodded. “So, why don’t you show me around? And what made you decide to relocate the FaeWatch offices to Fairystone Park, in Bellisseria?”

Cherish showed me in to her beautiful painted foyer, complete with comfy bench and some nice welcoming arts. Cherish explained she wanted to have the foyer be as pretty as possible without going over the top. I nodded. I’m no expert on home decoration, I admit, but I do like that wallpaper.

She showed me through to what she calls “the sitting room,” although it’s more of a “sitting area,” really. The marble floors really set off the painted walls well, I thought—but bear in mind I am no decorator. Above all that, there was the overwhelming, well, pink-ness of it all.

The front part of the house is dedicated to the FaeWatch offices. They are also, well… pink. I decided to go a little bit off book.

“So, Cherish, I know this interview is part of the relaunch of FaeWatch. Can you tell me about the pink? Is pink your favourite colour?”

Cherish considers for a moment. “Well, it wasn’t always. But,” she continues with a sigh, “the fact is, warm colours, like pink, have a softening effect on the skin and can make one look a wee bit younger. So I embrace the pink. It makes me feel good, and it’s as good a deco brand as anything, right?”

I nod. “I guess so! And maybe it’s because I don’t know many, um, humans, but you look very well preserved for forty!” Then I winced inwardly, because I thought I might have made a mistake. Because Cherish’s ears are definitely pointed, if a bit small. Still, she did smell like a human. Not that I go around sniffing humans, mind.

It must have showed on my face (I have a lot to learn about being a reporter, I guess), because Cherish smiled and said, “Yes. I am a mortal human. I only know of one way for a human to become a fae, and that’s by magic.” She looked down. “Now, of course, I’ve known my share of Royal Fae who could work magic of that magnitude, but I’m afraid that my, er, reputation as a bit of a Fae follower has worked against me.” She touches the tip of one ear with a finger. “These cost a lot of money. There’s a fellow in Spain who points ears; he’s a body modification artist, and I guess ear-pointing is a big part of his business. I had to wait nearly a year to get it done, which is why they’ve not healed more.

I considered my next question carefully. “Is it so much better, do you think? Being Fae?”

”I don’t believe that’s on the list of questions I gave you,” she said. She looked pointedly at the list in my hand. OK, so much for breakout journalism on day one, Avalon.

“Right,” I continued. I decided to pretend nothing had happened. “Why the choice of Fairystone Park, here in Bellisseria? There are plenty of more fae-heavy places; what led you to the Chalet region?”

Finally, Cherish smiles. It’s a nice smile. Her eyes crinkle up. “Well,” she replies, “you live here, too; we probably had similar reasons. Besides, I have a bear in my front garden!”

Technically, that’s part of the park, but the bear is in fact closer to FaeWatch headquarters than any other house on the Park. I chose not to press the issue. “It is a beautiful location,” I agreed. “We’re also very close to Highland Fling Rail Station, not super far away from great boating, also. I took a balloon ride home after my train driving lesson today.” Never mind that I did not stick the landing and basically crash landed in my neighbour’s back garden— luckily he wasn’t home at the time.

Cherish nodded as if I were saying all the right things, and I felt a little relieved. “Do they hurt?” I asked, meaning her ears.

”Sometimes,” she admitted. “But they are healing well. No infections, which as you know is a good thing.”

I didn’t know, actually; I’ve never had an infection. But I nodded.

”Here,” she said. “Come close and get a good photo of them. Didn’t he do great work?” I answered with a nondescript affirmative noise; I couldn’t comment one way or another. But I dutifully took the photo.

”Oh,” I said when I got close with the macro lens on my iPhone. “I’ve met shoemaker elves who weren’t so neat. I am no expert, but I do not think you will have much of a scar, at all.”

That got me a very nice smile, so I went on to my last approved question. “So, what’s on the horizon for FaeWatch? I’m sure your readers will be thrilled to see you back in production.”

”Well,” she said, conspiratorial, “we have a real Holiday Elf, Pixie Tinselplum, who’ll be reporting on the work she and her underlings do in preparation for all those red letter days on the mortal calendar, and of course I’m delighted to introduce you, Avalon Blessed, as our Bellisserian Voice. And,” she winked, “I seem to have an exclusive interview with Prince Nathaniel of Awenia coming up in the next issue! He will be telling us all about the Realm of Awenia and hopefully giving us the scoop on what’s going on with High Queen Gwyneth. I’ve arranged for us to meet here on Tuesday; I hope you’ll be willing to photograph him for me?”

I swallowed. “Of, of course,” I stammered. I mean, who’d turn down an opportunity to meet one of the hottest faeries in the known universe? Not this Avalon!

You know, FaeWatch readers? I think I’m going to like this gig. Cherish asked me to stay for tea, which I gladly did, and we made some plans for upcoming Bellisseria stories, which I’ll tell you all about when I know more.

We got one more lovely photo in before I took the short walk back to my Rose Cottage. Here’s Cherish in that unbelievable Fairystone Park moonlight. If you squint, you can see Highland Fling Station across the water.

About the Author

I’m Avalon Blessed, and I’ve been sitting in the Dead File Office for most of my sixteen years. My photo is below. My greatest achievements in Second Life are: having an inventory of under 10K despite my advanced age, playing a very skilful Game of Homes, and de-railing my rocket train whilst going 80mph through Mullenbach.

Notes & Credits

Nothing in this post is sponsored: I’ll get back to your regularly scheduled posts covering amazing things in a week or so.

Cherish Gelato

Avatar: Cherish Celestia

• Hair: Doux, Carlie
• Hairbase: Angel Eyes, Wispy Bang Hairbase 4
• Skin: Poema, Freya
• Ageing Extras: Poema, Mar eyes, Mar mouth
• Ears: LEX, MiHD ears, Pixie
• Ear Mod Scar Tattoos: Blake Jermyn, Cyborg Pointed Ear Fresh (A custom job, and thank you very much, Blake!)
• Eyes: Shimm, CXCIX
• Eyeshadow: Fontaine Cosmetics, Mercy
• Lipstick: Izzie’s, Valentine’s Lipgloss
• Suit: Valentina E, Calista Ensemble
• Necklace: Rozoregalia, Bouhachni (five)
• Shoes: Ingenue, Aubrey Heels, Winter Mix
• Cherish is styled on a Maitreya PetiteX body and a Lelutka EvoX Avalon head.
  

FaeWatch Headquarters

• Deco Photo 1, Welcome to FaeWatch:
  • House: Linden Home, Chalet Eikelen
  • Welcome Mat & FaeWatch Masthead: Gwen Enchanted
• Deco Photo 2, Foyer
  • Bench & Shelf, DRD, My Hallway Decor
  • Console Table, Clock, & Clutter: Kopfkino, Tempus Fugit
  • Stool: Kraftwork, Kess Corner Unit Stool
  • Curtains: What Next: Chloe Sheer Curtains
• Deco Photo 3, The Pink Sitting Room
  • Sitting Room Suite: Chez Moi, Morrison Living Room Set
  • Dining set: Chez Moi, Lockhart Dining Room
  • Kitchen: Muniick, Wickman Farmhouse Kitchen
  • Dining Lighting: Kraftwork, Classic Iron Chandelier
  • Console Table & Lamps: Loft & Aria, Julian Console Table
  • Curtains: What Next: Chloe Sheer Curtains
  • Kitchen Valances: OPI, Valance Country Rustic
• Deco Photo 4, FaeWatch Offices
  • Desks, Tablets, & Desk Chairs: Kraftwork, Writers Corner
  • Bookshelves: Elm, Emmaline Bookshelf
  • Bench Seat: Elm, Emmaline Nook Bench
  • Desk Lamp: Serenity Style, Farm Office Lamp
  • Books: Stormwood, Literati Book Set

All photos shot at Fairystone, Bellisseria, a Linden Home Chalet Region.

Avalon Blessed

Avatar: Avalon Blessed

• Head: Lelutka EvoX Kaya
• Body: Maitreya, LaraX Petite
• Skin: DeeTaleZ, Nova, in tone Celtic
• Skin Enhancements:
  • Freckles: DeeTaleZ, Freckles Drops
  • Moles: DeeTaleZ, Moles 6
• Eyes: Tville, Acute Eyes
• Eyeshadow: KnifeParty, Street Eye Makeup
• Lipstick: Sugarose, Andie
• Glasses: Contraption, Thick Lens Glasses II
• Hat: Contraption, Worker’s Cap
• Earrings: RealEvil, Hearty Earrings
• Jumper: Pixicat, Cari Sweater

Thanks for reading! Once again, I’ll get back to regular blogging soon!