La Brume Rouge

From Cléo de Mérode

We do not disappear. We do not die. We do not fade away. We persevere. We protect. We perpetuate.

Home at last; home for now. My coachman has left me behind because he must scurry home to his little family, his fishing, his two fair daughters, because he is cautious, as all our residents are. They are prudent, yes? Prudent.

See how our rooftops haze away into the mountains beyond? This is planned. This is etched into our stonework. This is the work of our beautiful, eternal Eclipse.

You have a question: I know you do. Because I can feel it, as I can hear your heart beat in the silence between your breaths. Go on cherie. I won’t bite. Yet.

Yes, of course the Eclipse is a planned thing, created by some architect of the cosmos—no; not quite a god, my darling. But yes, a master of crystals, one who understands the shifting frequencies of the magic that underlies all things, even you. Yes, even you.

Come with me. It is all right. You are quite safe. As I say, I have been out at a very special dinner, and I am unlikely to find you appetising, at least not now. And after all, you’re so skinny: what do they feed you, in your village? Our villagers are fed very well. Very, very well.

I love to look up at our Castle when I am returning from my ever-nightly jaunts. It makes my heart swell to see our glass reflecting the Eclipse’s beautiful red twilight.

My darling. Let me take you down into the town; you can find a place at one of our lovely inns; they’ll feed you a very good dinner there. Just tell them Cléo sent you.

I could have no ulterior motive, don’t you see? Besides, we’re friends now, aren’t we? Yes. Of course we are friends. Tell me, do you like fishing? For while we do not have the most farms of any fortress, we do have spectacular fishing. Here; I will show you.

You see now, don’t you? No, no; the water is not red with blood: this is your fear talking, and fear is never a friend; do you understand? Of course you do. Here, you can see our piers, and if you look just beyond there, you’ll see our red petals. They fall from the trees, of course, my love; nothing more to it than that. Now, let’s get you to an inn so you can have a nice supper and a good sleep. We must rest, you know. Yes, even I must rest. Why does that surprise you?

Now, now; where are you going? Come back, you sweet, silly, skinny thing. Goodness; I’ve knocked my hat askew reaching out to you. I shall have to re-pin if I’m to attend the Castle gala. Oh, but it’s’ all for your welfare, of course, sweetling.

Now, this is Rosie; she will see you safely to your room—yes, Rosie, you do look lovely today. That colour really suits you. I myself cannot wear peach: turns me yellow as the defeated sun.

There, there, darling. Rosie and her lovely staff will see to you. do get some food into you and some rest. You’re looking altogether too pale.

Notes & Credits:

Sponsored items are noted with a “*”

Dress: Senzafine, Leonora Top & Skirt* (Get it at the Senzafine Faire Store in Nox Aeterna!)
Hair: Raven Bell, Lavender (Get it at the Raven Bell Faire Store in Galleria Gaillard!)
Nails: Eventyra, Vampire Hope (Get it at the Eventyra Faire Store in Nox Aeterna!)
Skin: Velour, Tidinha, in Dracula.
Makeup: Demicorn, Chocolate Lippie & Chocolate Eyeshadow
Collar: Dreamcatcher, Valentine Collar
Eyes: Shimm, CCXLII, BOM IV, 12
Cléo de Meróde is styled on a Legacy Classic body and a Lelutka EvoX Lake Mesh Head.

Nox Aeterna is one of 18 regions in the 17th annual Relay For Life of Second Life’s Fantasy Faire. Sponsored by Quills & Curiosities, region designed by Dacien & Marcel Blackwood.

Celebrating its seventeenth year, Fantasy Faire 2025 is the largest gathering of fantasy designers, enthusiasts, roleplayers and performers in the virtual world. From Thursday, April 17 to Sunday May 4, treat yourself to shopping, dance and theater performances, DJ parties, auctions, questing, our Literary Festival, thematic events and roleplaying as thousands of Second Life residents and creators bring their own visions together to support the American Cancer Society’s vision of a world without cancer.