Dancing Under the Lantern Tree

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Three Knots | 1 Comment

From Gwen Enchanted: Some of you know that my real life is very busy. This has been one of those weeks with work, and I’m sorry not to have been blogging more. I’m going to try to up my pace in the weeks to come, but things are very busy where I work, and I can’t promise my post-work exhaustion level is going to improve any time soon. I remain hopeful, though. On to today’s post!

It’s been a quiet week in Lake White Owl Island… wait. 😉 No, really; things have been very quiet. Arahaelon has been away, presumably talking with our Bureau of Supernatural Affairs contact. I haven’t been to visit Saoirse in a few days, but I do feel sorry for her. I know selkies can survive for whole lifetimes without their skins, but it has got to be annoying not to have it and be able to just splash down and hang out with all the other selkies.

I can’t seem to stay away from the Lantern Tree.

I can’t seem to stay away from the Lantern Tree. It’s such a beautiful spot, and I love the oasis feel it has to it, especially with the river of faerie there in the background. At dusk, or just past, when everything is starting to blend down into blues and purples, is my favourite time to be there.

At the same Enchantment event, I found this beautiful dance ensemble from Silvan Moon Designs. It comes in an array of bright colours, so of course you know I had to go with the red. Glamoured my hair (a new style from Queue Marlowe, the genius behind Analog Dog Hair) and my eyes (painted by Jadis Ashland of Mesange) brown and just played in the lamplight for hours last night.

Even as an “adult” (hahaha!) I never stop playing “let’s pretend”.

Even as an “adult” (hahaha!) I never stop playing “let’s pretend”. Of course, at the moment I can’t get the captive faeries out of my head, so I was thinking what if you had a racket like that going in some quasi-Gorean world where there was this idea that all women, be they faeries or amazons or goblins, are meant to be slaves. What would happen to someone like me in a place like that?

How do we get the idea that we’re not beings of power?

How do we get the idea that we’re not beings of power? I mean, I get the concept; I do. I did sociology in secondary school, and I recognise the classic signs of abuse, and I know why abused people don’t “just leave”. But there’s something intriguing about stories of entire races, groups of people, people who were formerly empowered, being enslaved or overcome by another group of people (where “people” is really “any kind of sentient being” here; we could even be talking about an alien invasion, I guess). I guess as a much younger woman I read stories like The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty and was intrigued by them, but in my life, I keep ending up being the person who has to make the decisions. Maybe it’s like that line from The Handmaid’s Tale: “There are two kinds of freedom, ladies: freedom to and freedom from. You are now being offered freedom from. Don’t underestimate it.”

Whom do I trust?

I wonder now. Whom do I trust? Who could I give away my decisions to? Not Nathaniel: He is burdened enough, and he overthinks everything, which means that things seldom get done on his watch.

Arahaelon? Well, he’s great to look at, but he’s a bit of an egomaniacal arse, and he and Skel seem to have something going. I can certainly ask him for help with Island things: he’s pretty much in charge there, anyway.

Dyisi? Gods, no. She hands back any responsibility you give her with a smile.

Memories of the past? Janus. I could have given everything to Janus, but he left us, and I haven’t heard from him since the children were born. Mornoth. If I hadn’t been so soured on the Wylds by the time he came along, maybe we could have had something. I don’t even think about people like Richard any more, unless someone asks to be told the story of how I ended up away from the Realm where I was raised, anyway. Side note: must really look up Fen/Tac and apologise to her at some point. There are rumours that she’s in the Forest somewhere, but they are just rumours, I’m sure.

Nevertheless, I’m in this life now, and I suppose I have to live with it.

Nevertheless, I’m in this life now, and I suppose I have to live it. No matter how weird that sounds to say out loud. Dyisi says I always run away. Well, I’m trying not to run away, but the prospect of Great Adventures elsewhere (not to mention shopping) usually takes me at least a bit farther afield than most of the White Owl Island residents.

Still, the whole question of how someone like Saoirse could be so badly used by another is haunting.

Still, the whole question of how someone like Saoirse could be so badly used by another is haunting. And, frankly, depressing. What kind of person uses another’s very nature to enslave and subdue them against their will? I suppose all those stories that titillated me as a kid were about people who chose their fate, or at least found that once they’d been placed in the situation they were in, they found it satisfying. The real story of someone stealing Saoirse’s skin and then blackmailing her with it is significantly less romantic.

We must get Saoirse’s skin back.

So, I shall set myself a task. While Arahaelon is working on the legal ins and outs, I will talk with Dyisi— and we, we will get Saoirse’s skin back.

Style Card:
Body: Maitreya
Head: Catwa, Lona Bento Mesh Head
Hair: Analog Dog, Theory (Available NOW at Hairology!)
Eyes: Mesange, Dandy Eyes (Available NOW at Hipster Men Event!)
Ears: Eclipse Art Studio, Studio Elf Ears Dior
Skin: 7 Deadly s{K}ins, Destiny (Full face and body Omega applier)
Clothes: Silvan Moon Designs, Princess Parizade Dhoti, (Available NOW at Enchantment!)
Collar: Footpaw Industries Celtic Filigree Amythest Collar (attached rose from Footpaw Industries AeLan necklace)
Shoes: Supernatural, Opulent Anklet

The Lantern Tree, from The Looking Glass, is available as a gacha NOW at Enchantment!

Location: White Owl Island Faerie. If you’re looking for a great contemporary fantasy roleplaying sim, why not check us out? White Owl Island, Where Everybody Knows Your Shape.

Under the Lantern Tree

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Three Knots | Leave a comment

Sometimes, things just appear in the garden, and I don’t know what they’re for.

Sometimes, things just appear in the garden, and I don’t know what they’re for. Take that weird house opposite the gallery, for example. I mean, I guess we’ll hold dances there or something, but at the moment it’s just sitting there. But when this Lantern Tree appeared, with its comfortable seating and characteristic beautiful touches (how could it be from anywhere but The Looking Glass?), I knew exactly what it was for, and I had a use for it right away. Obviously, it’s for late night discussions of things that matter. So I asked Arahaelon to come along, and we began to discuss the situation with Saoirse.

“I might have vented a bit,” I said.

“I might have vented a bit, I said, “when I found out that my vision was of her being abducted as a seal. The penny dropped when Dyisi asked her who had her skin; then I realised what was happening.”

“We should summon Dyisi,” Arahaelon said.

“We should summon Dyisi,” Arahaelon said. So this we did. Dyisi arrived with Rire, and we went on with the conversation.

I summarised what we’d already talked about for Dyisi, and Arahaelon asked if Dy could shed a little more light on Saoirse’s state of mind.

Dyisi shrugged.

Dyisi shrugged. “Is story as old as time,” she said. “She fell for someone who, in turn, used her and took her skin, Ah, forced her to do such deeds that she has done. Though she does noht with to harm anyone… just get her skin back and be free of those who control her. Is why she picked simple boat. Is why when ordered to do more … drastic … measures she picked empty house. Well, empty as that none of people who lived within were there at time. Also, she needs to be within water soon, or she will noht make it.”

I felt that anger rise within me again.

I felt that anger rise within me again. “Unbelievable arseholes,” I said. “Did she tell you who has her skin? Where they are? I’m just so pissed off about this. Obviously, I’m angry about the graffiti and the boat and my house—I’ll never get that little bed with the iron birdies on it back—but it really appears she was not acting of her own free will. That said, I would hope she’d have come to one of us before all that had to happen.”

“That would fit…”

“That would fit,” Arahaelon said, “with the story I’m getting from these messages on her phone.” He passed the phone to me so I could take a look. “If her skin has been taken, then we must get it back.”

Dyisi applied her usual calm to the situation. “When faced with death… as it is… I understand why she had noht come to any of us. Such mortality places you within a different mindset. But, nai, her skin must be returned to her.

“Those who are using her…”

“Those who are using her to further their goals… they must face a higher court than what is on the Island. Especially since it is not just island they are attacking.”

I agreed. “Nathaniel might have some contacts on the mainland, “but he’s away in Mysthaven and won’t be back until next week, I think? We’ll have to give it some thought ourselves.” I smirked. “I could always check with Cherish Gelato. She’s sure to know some wild rumours, at least.” And I nodded to Arahaelon. “Certainly, we must retrieve her skin; she will survive without it, but there is the matter of how well the skin is being kept, of course.

“Let’s hope they don’t see her as expendable.”

“I hope whoever’s done this doesn’t see her as expendable: the idea of a selkie’s skin being destroyed—well, we’d have to talk to the selkies themselves about that one.”

Arahaelon brooded for a bit.

Arahaelon brooded for a bit. I noticed his eyes: they looked like storm clouds. “What if we use her as bait to draw these people out? I’m sure the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs would be happy to help us hunt them down. It would go a long way towards shortening her sentence. Despite how much I understand her plight, she must still serve time for what she has done. Had she come to us earlier, much destruction and pain could have been avoided. And as Dyisi points out, she will also have to answer for parts she might have played elsewhere.”

Dyisi looked to Rire.

Dyisi looked to Rire. He just gave the satyr a shrug; he was dutifully doing his job at standing guard. “It is your call on what to do,” she said finally. “I have no say in such a matter. However, I will also speak to may own contacts over there, as our reach tends to be … deep.” She left it there, not going in to specifics as to what exactly this group she was affiliated with did.

The night air developed a chill.

The night air developed a chill, so I shrugged my wings back on. “I worry about using this girl as bait. She seems … Volatile? Scared. And scared people do stupid things. I’m on the fence. I see how she could help us catch these criminals, but I’m not happy about putting her in a position where the only decision she might make would be a wrong one.”

Arahaelon closed his eyes.

Arahaelon closed his eyes for a moment before continuing. “She would be closely supervised bait, but I do see your point. She will always be bound to the one who has her skin.” He considered for a moment, rotated his head to the side. “We may not have to, though. We could simply text them back and lure them out ourselves.”

Dyisi sniffed, gave a half-shrug. “Perhaps, paidi mou, you should bring this up to this, ah, Bureau before doing such things. So that they can be at ready. Nai?”

“A good idea.”

“A good idea—who’s our Bureau contact, Arahaelon? Or is that safely with Nate in Mysthaven, as well?” I sighed. “I don’t relish going back there, but I could make a special trip if it were important. I reserve the right to be a complete bitch to everybody, though.”

“Yes, of course they will be notified,” Arahaelon said. “I have a close relationship with our contact: there is no need to be a bitch to anyone, unless you really want to, Dear Queen.” He winked at me in that way that he does. If I were mortal, I’d have been flushing beet red and offering to bear his children. “I will see if I can replicate Saoirse’s style in these messages,” he continued.

“Then if that is all, nai?” Dyisi seemed to have someplace to go.

I nodded. “Yeah; that probably about does it for this evening. I’m glad you were both able to join me. It might be time for me to see what Bran is up to in the treehouse: he was talking about decorating my office.” I winced. “I don’t really want an office.”

Arahaelon actually laughed at me, not that I was surprised. “How will you ever cope?”

I just stuck my tongue out at him. “You know where to find me if you need me,” I said.

Dyisi and Rire disappeared, presumably back to her beach house on the Island, and Arahaelon also disappeared, presumably back to his house on the Island. And me? I walked back to the treehouse, through the magic flower meadow. When I got to the path, I turned around for one more look at the beautiful Lantern Tree. And it seemed I saw myself and Arahaelon sitting there, and the people we sat with varied, and they kept changing. I think we will be using this tree as a meeting place for a long time to come.

The Lantern Tree

Style Card:
The Lantern Tree, from The Looking Glass, will be available as a gacha for the upcoming round of Enchantment, which opens on 12 August.

Gwyneth:
Body: Maitreya
Head: Catwa, Lona Bento Mesh Head
Hair: Emo-Tions, Alanis (Available NOW at Hairology!)
Eyes: Mesange, Sanford Eyes (Available NOW at Lost and Found!)
Ears: Lumae, Leevi Long Ears
Skin: 7 Deadly s{K}ins, Savory (Full face and body Omega applier)
Makeup: VENGE (formerly Vengeful Threads), Catwa Luna Makeup (Available NOW at THE COVEN!)
Collar: Footpaw Industries Celtic Filigree Amythest Collar (attached rose from Footpaw Industries AeLan necklace)
Necklace: VENGE (formerly Vengeful Threads), Evening Lord Necklace (Available NOW at THE COVEN!)
Top: Facepalm, Play the Game (Available NOW at Fable!)
Leggings: The Muses, Ariane Legging (Omega Applier)
Boots: Sweet Lies, Ragnarok Boots

Style cards for Arahaelon and Dyisi are coming soon!

Location: White Owl Island Faerie. If you’re looking for a great contemporary fantasy roleplaying sim, why not check us out? White Owl Island, Where Everybody Knows Your Shape.

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Unprepared

Posted on August 8, 2017 by Three Knots | Leave a comment

You know that feeling when you’re transported to another Realm in your dream, and you’re pretty sure it’s not an ordinary dream?

You know that feeling when you’re transported to another Realm in your dream, and you’re pretty sure it’s not an ordinary dream? As in, pretty sure you’ve been dream-napped b some super-important spirit or Elder Fae, or perhaps a deity, either to get told off or given something, which is mostly just cryptic advice?

No?

Well, anyway. I found myself in a dark realm. The floor looked like marbled clouds. And of course there was a voice from out of nowhere.

You are unprepared, said the voice.

“Unprepared for what?” I asked.

“Unprepared for what?” I asked. I could not see anything beyond the circle of the light that shone pretty much directly into my eyes.

You will certainly find out when the time comes. The voice held a hint of laughter. Stupid self-important messengers of Fate (or whatever).

“That is not really helpful,” I replied. “How am I meant to know what I’m unprepared for if nobody tells me?”

Maybe, said the voice, you’re just meant to be aware you’re unprepared.

Maybe, said the voice, you’re just meant to be aware you’re unprepared.

I sighed audibly, and I think there was some noise from far away.

I can take you to a place where you might learn more, the voice said, relenting.

Then, there was a noise like insects, like maybe locusts…..

And I found myself in a grove, deep in some forest, crackling with magical energy.

And I found myself in a grove, deep in some forest, a grove crackling with magical energy. “Well,” I said to myself, (but out loud so whatever generated the voice could hear me), “this is certainly different from the last drop point.”

As well it should be, hissed the voice. This is the primordial druid’s grove. See how time is stopped here. Only the magic itself, and magic within magic, can move or think. Or perhaps it is just that everything else moves and thinks with such slowness that even I cannot comprehend it.

Absolutely nothing looked familiar.

Absolutely nothing looked familiar, unless you count that trees and logs and structures themselves look familiar, at least to an extent.

I’ll leave you now, said the voice. And I wager you will find some answers here. Take care to stay inside the magic circle—but of course you know that rule already. Then there was a ripple of laughter on the wind, and that presence was gone.

“Well, great. What do I do now?”

“Well, great,” I said. “What do I do now?”

“You could always try listening,” said a voice that could almost have been the wind, or maybe the wind through leaves.

I turned toward the dryad. “I didn’t think you could be frozen,” I said. “You’re made of magic, like the Sidhe.”

“We often appear frozen, to other beings,” replied the Dryad. “When we move at the pace of trees, well. We are simply slower than others.”

“So what should I be listening for?”

“I don’t know. But I would like to see you dance. Would you mind dancing for me?”

Oh, great, I thought. This is no ordinary dryad. She is some sort of elder spirit, and I won’t get anything until I give her exactly what she wants. So, I said, “Very well,” and imagined music in my head until I could find the feet to dance.

I started slowly, as I always do.

I started slowly, as I always do, and oddly I could feel the candles flickering in rhythm with my movements.

The dryad squealed with delight when I leapt into the air.

The dryad squealed with delight when I leapt into the air. “Oh, what a pair of legs!” she gushed. “Why, you might almost have propelled yourself outside of that protected circle, where I could really talk to you….”

“Not going to happen,” I replied flatly.

“I could give you a great gift,” she said slyly.

“And what might that be?”

“My embrace,” she replied. “Imagine, living forever, calm in the forest, with none of your petty little worries to bring you down. ”

“I’ve danced for you,” I said.

“So you have,” replied the dryad. “I suppose you think I owe you something now.” If I didn’t know better, I’d say the voice sounded sad.

“That’s the way these things usually work, isn’t it?”

“Very well.”

And then, the wind rose….

And then the wind rose, so strongly I thought I might fall over. In front of me there seemed to be a wall of sand, or something fluctuating.

I could not look away.

And on that wall, I saw an image of a beautiful, playful, brown-spotted seal, swimming without a care. She flops up to sun on a rock and falls asleep. And then, a quiet boat cuts across the water from behind her; she only wakes up when the net is dragging her into the boat.

And then, I was back int he druid’s grove.

And then, I was back in the druid’s grove.

“Did you see it? Did it help?” wondered the dryad.

“I did see it, and I’m not sure,” I replied. “But I honour your rank and age, and I will be honoured likewise if we should meet again, beautiful sister of the wood.”

“One day you will ask to embrace me,” said the dryad.

“Perhaps,” I replied.

And then I woke up to sunlight streaming through the curtains in the treehouse, and Bran coming in with fresh coffee and fruit. On the whole, I think I far prefer living in a tree to actually being one.

Style Card:

Dark World:
Body: Maitreya
Head: Catwa, Lona Bento Mesh Head
Hair: Nyne, Dabour (Available on 10 August at Hairology!)
Eyes: Mesange, Sanford Eyes (Available NOW at Lost and Found!)
Ears: Lumae, Leevi Long Ears
Skin: 7 Deadly s{K}ins, Savory (Full face and body Omega applier)
Dress: AdoreZ, Dream Dress (Available NOW at Fable!)
Shoes: SlackGirl, Bling Shoes (Available NOW at Fable!)
Necklace: The Little Bat, Goddess Necklace (Available NOW at Fable!)

Druid’s Grove:
Body: Maitreya
Head: Catwa, Lona Bento Mesh Head
Hair: Sintiklia, Bloom
Eyes: Mesange, Sanford Eyes (Available NOW at Lost and Found!)
Ears: Lumae, Leevi Long Ears
Skin: 7 Deadly s{K}ins, Savory (Full face and body Omega applier)
Clothes: Noble Creations, Ancient Persian (Bracers, Greaves, Pauldrons, Tiara, and Veil) (Available NOW at the Fantasy Gacha Carnival!)

Setting:
Daisy fields, tree tunnels, stump, three small trees, scrying pool, candles, and the Dryad Herself, all from Rivendale, the Druid’s Grove Gacha (Available NOW at the Fantasy Gacha Carnival!)
Large Tree & Grass Surround: Hayabusa, Elegant Tree Plane
Ruin: 22769 [bauwerk], Ruins
Deer: All from the Half Deer Fallow Deer set; pictured are Nostalgia, Leap, Watchful, Graze, and Walk
Wolves: Jian, Grey Wolf Set; pictured are Sleeping and Static Look L
Foxes: Kite, Foxy Pups; pictured are We’re Cute and Sleeping
Fairy: Boudoir, Enchanted Flying Fairy

Spiffy photos taken with the indispensible aid of my LumiPro. I’d never give Gwyneth vague dream premonitions without it!

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Rebuilding

Posted on August 6, 2017 by Three Knots | 1 Comment

Well, I’m sure everyone knows what happened on White Owl Island at Lughnasadh. I’m surprised that Gelato woman hasn’t spread her tabloid photographs all over the state of Washington and Realms Beyond at this point.

If you don’t know, some terrorist, and we suspect Saoirse, blew up my house. That’s right. She blew up my house. We were right in the middle of a romantic dance, Nathaniel and I, and the night couldn’t have been nicer. The crowd was small but friendly, and then up on the hill, an explosion, and our home was nothing more than rubble.

I just can’t even think about it or talk about it now, so I am spending a lot of time decorating the treehouse, since Nathaniel and I will now be making that our primary home.

I’d already done the salon, and our bedroom is in progress, so I went Realm-hopping again and found some beautiful things at a shopping faire called Fable to decorate our ground floor guest suite with.

Now, an empty room just bothers me.

Now, an empty room just bothers me, so I got Bran in to help me with the wallpaper right away. Sometimes his glamouring skill is better than mine, mostly because I don’t do a lot of that at the moment and he has been busy getting this and the Queen’s Garden ready.

I do love this lilac colour he chose, and the sleeping bench looks great here on this wall.

I do love this lilac colour he chose, and the sleeping bench looks great here on this wall. I found some great furniture and so many more wonderful things at the Fable shopping faire, and I’m sure more of it will feature. We’re furnishing this room in furniture and décor from Adorably Strange Wares, a name that makes me giggle, because they are adorable and yet a little strange as well. Bran was lovely; he never once asked me if the room wasn’t stately enough.

And, oh! I should mention: I received the loveliest package from those talented people at Silvan Moon Designs. They wanted to let me know that the Fantasy Gacha Carnival is coming up, and they sent me a sample of this beautiful Psalm of Soraya gown. It comes in many colours, all mix and match, and the fit is perfect.

This beautiful bed is what sold me on the décor.

This beautiful bed is what sold me on the décor. I love the banners and bunting. I’ve still got a little work to do in here, but for the most part I’m satisfied. I suspect Nathaniel will worry about practical matters like wardrobes and water closets, but I just can’t be bothered right now. Bran did argue that the silhouettes might make it look too much like a children’s room, but I’m sure everyone likes silhouettes. Don’t they? I mean, I do.

It will be all right.

It will be all right. We will find out whether Saoirse was working alone, or I guess even if she did it at all: Arahaelon made it very clear that he wanted Nathaniel and me as far from the explosion site as possible and that he would be conducting the investigation himself. I am glad we have the place in Faerie, even if Nathaniel wants to be more involved with the folk “on the ground” as he says. Arahaelon and I have put a simple portal in that leads from the green in Faerie to the White Owl Island village park, which will make commuting easier for him.

Clutie is furious about the Faewatch article: she always lets Cherish get to her. Me, I figure it’s just one of the repercussions of being a bit of a celebrity, not that I really like the attention. I’ll probably scan it and pop it onto the blog just to keep a record, though I do think the photo of the house actually blowing up was in very poor taste.

Style Card:
Body: Maitreya
Head: Catwa, Lona Bento Mesh Head
Hair: Mina, Indy
Eyes: Mesange, Borealis Eyes (Available NOW at Genre!)
Ears: Lumae, Leevi Long Ears
Skin: 7 Deadly s{K}ins, Olivia (Full face and body Omega applier, available at the 7 Deadly s{K}ins Main Store!)
Dress: Silvan Moon Designs, Psalm of Soraya Gown (Available SOON at The Fantasy Gacha Carnival!)
Circlet: Supernatural, Hymn (Silver)

Bed, Bench, Silhouettes, and Banners: Adorably Strange Wares, The Briar Rose Set. Sold separately in light and dark versions. (Available NOW at Fable!)

Poses: All from An Lar, The Crest Series, except “Now, an empty room just bothers me”, which is Where is the Pool Bar, from Gem Poses, and available at Fable.

House: LAQ Decor: Serene Tree & Windmill Home.

Location: White Owl Island Faerie. If you’re looking for a great contemporary fantasy roleplaying sim, why not check us out? White Owl Island, Where Everybody Knows Your Shape.

Spiffy photos taken with the indispensible aid of my LumiPro. I’d never redecorate the Tree House Yet Again without it!

The Beautiful Age

Posted on July 22, 2017 by Three Knots | Leave a comment

I decorated the Parlour in the Tree House.

I decorated the Parlour in the tree house. I found some beautiful salon furnishings from The Looking Glass at another one of those faraway shopping faires. This one is called The Secret Affair, and I regularly do a multi-Realm hop to get there whenever I hear that it’s on. And of course I found a beautiful new gown from those geniuses at Silvan Moon Designs. It comes in many beautiful colours, but I thought given the salon décor, I should go with red! I got a new hairstyle from Queue Marlowe over at Analog Dog Hair as well, and I love it so much: It is so bohemian and freeing. I also went to a couple of antique markets and found some beautiful photos of courtesans, actresses, and ladies of the night, mostly from the Belle Epoque, the Beautiful Age. They decorate the walls of the parlour.

Parlour, View 1

Parlour, View 2

Parlour, View 3

Parlour, View 4

Parlour, View 5

All the furniture, the candles, the chandelier, the bar, the privacy screen, it’s all from The Looking Glass. What a great job Sharni Azalee did on this beautiful décor set. I love this room now! And of course because I loved the room so much, I had to invite a friend over.

Meet Myst!

Meet Myst! Myst is a lovely friend and a designer of beautiful clothing. We had a lovely conversation, and lots of fun!

We shared some secrets….

Myst and I are discovering we have a lot in common.

And isn’t she beautiful?

And isn’t she beautiful? Look at those eyes.

Myst helped me place some of the beautiful pictures that are on the walls; I really love how the pictures go with the décor.

We decided we would do this more often!

After Myst left to go home, I settled down on one of the settees and fell asleep. And I had a dream….

Once upon a time, there was a captive faery.

Once upon a time, there was a captive Faery. In her own land, she had been the daughter of a King. But there was a club in Old Nu Jyorck in that time catered to rich mortal men who had, well… they had a lust and love for the Fae.

One of their members was a powerful magician, trained by famous hermeticists from Italy. He devised a spell that would subdue even wild Fae energy and keep it contained, making the Faery an indentured servant to the magician’s will. And so they kept them there, and used them for the entertainments of their various guests.

Sometimes, the captive faery’s countenance was so sad.

Sometimes, the captive faery’s countenance was so sad. Her wings felt clipped. Sad songs were made more sad by the little glamour she could use to enhance her performances.

You may ask, why did the faeries work when they were essentially slaves to the magician’s will? Well, I can only tell you the story of this one faery. She cried and begged to be let free, but the magician would only tell her that if she served him there for seven years, he would release her. And so she did what she was told, and suffered along with the rest of the faeries, none of whom would talk to her about their agreements with the magician, whatever they were.

Like all faeries, she had a voice that could rival the mythical human angels.

Like all faeries, she had a voice that could rival the mythical human angels. On nights when she was singing, the club was full of wealthy men, all of whom listened, rapt, as she sang.

Night after night, she fended off the advances of the mortal men, knowing there were other faeries at the club who welcomed that sort of work. And year after year, she watched those faeries come and go, She knew that if she went to the magician and asked him, he might change her contract. But she just couldn’t imagine herself in that position, so she continued to sing.

What happened to her? I do not know. The story handed down to me didn’t say much else. I like to believe she was eventually released, that she went back to her life in Faerie tougher and sadder, and that she kept her family safe from threats ever after.

I do know that she was famous, in her way.

I do know that she was famous, in her way. There is a series of postcards (postcards were very popular in this time) that feature her. Some of the other faeries are featured as well, but none so often as this one.

Her name was Glorian.

When I wake up, I am in the same red dress in which I fell asleep.

When I wake up, I am in the same red dress in which I fell asleep. I feel somehow that I have been shown a little piece of unknown Fae history, something that I need to investigate. I wonder if Sharni got her inspiration from that club, or maybe I just superimposed it on to my dream.

I looked back on to my dream, thinking of Glorian.

I looked back on to my dream, thinking of Glorian. How can I learn more of her story? What about the Fae underclass in Old Nu Jyorck? Perhaps I should visit there again, maybe find where the club was. But I don’t even know its name. My dream didn’t tell me that. Maybe I will ask Dyisi to help me with a vision quest.

Yes, I think I will ask Dyisi about that, the next time I see her.

Yes, I think I will ask Dyisi about that, the next time I see her. How to tell that story. How to experience what Glorian experienced, the dark side of The Beautiful Age. How to bring it to life somehow. And how to find out if there are other Realms where Faeries are treated this way. I consider, for a moment, how different my life is from hers. My privilege. My power. My influence. What can I do for those less fortunate than myself?

And all the trouble surrounding White Owl at this time. The influx of refugees. The worry that there is a HS operative in our midst. The boat on fire. And tonight, the vandalism around Camlann and the word “Bloodsucker” written on the wall. We are entering a time of struggle and strife, my Islanders and me. But we will get through it. We will. I will find a way to help, to lift my people up and bring them further in to the light.

I can’t wait to see Myst again.

I can’t wait to see Myst again. What a beautiful soul she is.

Style Card:

Salon Furniture and Décor (except for wall art):
The Looking Glass, The Torch Singer Gacha Set, Available NOW at The Secret Affair!)
Sharni Azalee’s stunning set of parlour/boudoir furniture inspired this entire post, inspired me to go looking for those actresses and courtesans to create the wall art for this parlour, which in turn inspired the story about Glorian. This is not one of those photoshoot sets I build and take down: this is now Gwyneth’s upstairs parlour in Faerie, the place where she greets intimate friends and guests. The only room more private in Gwyneth’s Treehouse is her actual bedroom, which is just down the hall from this beautiful parlour. Thank you, Sharni. Without your designs, my Second Life would be less beautiful.

Gwyneth in the Red Dress:
Body: Maitreya
Head: Catwa, Lona Bento Mesh Head
Hair: Analog Dog, Hyacinth
Eyes: Mesange, Arum Eyes (Available NOW at Hipster Men Event!)
Ears: Lumae, Leevi Long Ears
Skin: Lumae, Ruby (Catwa Applier) (Available NOW at The Lumae Main Store!)
Dress: Silvan Moon Designs, The Courtesan Gown (Available NOW at The Secret Affair!)
Arm Roses: Death Row Designs, Ravishing Roses Body Jewellery
Headpiece: Zenith, Spring Rose Crown (Red)
Shoes: Illi, Maitreya Rosalyn Rose Heels

Gwyneth as Glorian:
Body: Maitreya
Head: Catwa, Lona Bento Mesh Head
Hair: Analog Dog, Hyacinth
Eyes: Mesange, Arum Eyes (Available NOW at Hipster Men Event!)
Ears: Lumae, Leevi Long Ears
Skin: Lumae, Ruby (Catwa Applier) (Available NOW at The Lumae Main Store!)
Dress: Fallen Gods & Faida, Ars Amandi, Aurelia Intense (Rare) (Available NOW at The Epiphany)
Jewellery: Earthstones, Mystic Bracelet and Necklace
Headpiece: LODE, Bellflower Crown (Light Violet)
Wings: BareRose, Fairy Bento Wings, Colour
Shoes: Saga, Bohemian Sandal

Myst:
Body: Slink Hourglass
Head: Catwa, Catya Bento Mesh Head
Hair: [DUE] After Monday V2
Eyes: IKON Triumph Eyes – Fjord
Skin: Pink Fuel – [PF] Sora <Alabaster> – Special Edition
Dress: Senzafine .:SF:. “Araceli” Gown – Dusk (Fitmesh)

Location: White Owl Island Faerie. If you’re looking for a great contemporary fantasy roleplaying sim, why not check us out? White Owl Island, Where Everybody Knows Your Shape.

Spiffy photos taken with the indispensible aid of my LumiPro. I’d never give Gwyneth disturbing dreams about enslaved Fae without it!

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Threats

Posted on July 14, 2017 by Three Knots | Leave a comment

Every day, a new threat. The whole Island is jumpy over it. At first I thought maybe it was one of the children pulling a prank — some objectionable graffiti; nothing we couldn’t handle.

And then, they set a boat on fire in the harbour. One of our new residents put it out, with the help of Aodhan.

And I? Well, I fled to Faerie.

And I? Well, I fled to Faerie. There does not seem to be much for it, except to wait until this storm, whatever it is, passes, though I recognise that we are no more safe here than are the souls on the Island proper.

I will send a Wisp tonight to let Dyisi know. And Bran says he can make little signs, but only if I let him use the colour printer.

As always, there is so much to think about.

As always, there is so much to think about. I thought I’d left things like this behind in the Wylds, but I guess every place comes with its own challenges. And I think I’d rather be dealing with this threat than handling mad demifae queens and sadistic ghosts of faerie kings past.

Nothing’s ever black and white.

Nothing’s ever black and white (see what I did there?!). It all comes down to our thinking, our responses, our strength.

Still, there are so many variables.

Still there are so many variables. Who is the culprit? How did they get on to our Island? What’s the end game? Does it matter? How are we to keep hundreds of souls from being exposed to a hostile world?

I notice with some trepidation that the Faery Throne has relocated into my garden.

I notice with some trepidation that the Faery Throne has relocated into my garden. This probably means I’m going to need it.

I don’t know what I think about that.

I don’t know what I think about that. But I do know that sooner or later I’m going to have to step up and be at least seemingly responsible. Or get Bran off the Nintendo and get him to be responsible. That actually sounds much more fun. Maybe I’ll hide it while he’s making those flyers.

Just a harmless little prank, right?

Just a harmless little prank, right? I’m sure it’ll all work out somehow. And if not, well, I didn’t manifest this Realm-hopping ability for nothing, right?

Style Card:
Body: Maitreya
Head: Catwa, Lona Bento Mesh Head
Hair: Analog Dog, Ima (Available UNTIL JULY 16 at Hair Fair!)
Eyes: Mesange, Elixir Eyes (Available NOW at On9!)
Ears: Lumae, Leevi Long Ears
Skin: 7 Deadly s{K}ins, Savory (Omega all-in-one applier) (AVAILABLE NOW at Mesh Body Addicts!)
Tunic: Pixicat, Breeze Tunic
Jeans: Graffitiwear, Art Jeans (Maitreya appliers)
Headpiece: Bauhaus Movement, Aurora Necklace and Forehead
Boots: Sweet Lies, Ragnarok Boots

Poses: All from An Lar, The Julia Series

Location: White Owl Island Faerie. If you’re looking for a great contemporary fantasy roleplaying sim, why not check us out? White Owl Island, Where Everybody Knows Your Shape.

Spiffy photos taken with the indispensible aid of my LumiPro. I’d never make Gwyneth tell you how irresponsible she is (again!) without it!

The Story of Returning

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Three Knots | 2 Comments

Memory’s a funny thing, isn’t it?

Memory’s a funny thing, isn’t it? I remember being in university, long ago now it seems, and suddenly noticing a tree one morning. Richard and I were walking to class, and I swear, I tugged him by the sleeve and wanted to know when that tree had appeared.

“Gwyneth,” he replied, “It’s been here all along. You just never saw it before.”

How peculiar, I thought. What force of mind, memory, or nature could make me just not notice a tree? And it wasn’t a small tree, either. It was massive. People were having their lunch in its shade, sunbathing in the shadows of its branches.

Like a place I’ve been, so many times.

Like a place I’ve been, so many times, this street should hold no mystery for me. It’s a place I go from time to time. There are shops here I like to visit, a good Turkish restaurant. Just down there, there’s a boutique that sells glorious faux fur stoles.

I pause, sometimes, near this street corner.

I pause, sometimes, near this street corner. Sometimes, I pause to look back, wonder if I’ve missed something, shrug, move on. Sometimes, I stand here for several minutes, watching the people, the buses. It isn’t as if I have any great mysteries of life to contemplate, but I feel the need to contemplate, anyway. It might be about the dress I find myself in today, a glorious and gorgeous gown from Silvan Moon Designs. I came across a marvellous Vintage Fair, and then, softly, I found myself feeling the echoes of a different era.

I’m just starting my life on White Owl Island, and a new beginning always makes me ponder the “what ifs” of my life. It’s an exercise, I know, that leads only to dissatisfaction.

But what have I, really, to be dissatisfied about?

But what have I, really, to be dissatisfied about? I have made my change. I have left the Wylds, and war, and mad demifae queens, and the judging eyes of the Unseelie Court.

The future. The future is … uncertain.

The future. The future is … uncertain. But it is something I can create. Something I am creating.

And at this moment, I’m taken, as I used to be, by visions. Two visions. One is terrible: screaming people, fires, smoke. Refugees. The other….

The other is sweet.

Style Card:
Gwyneth—
Body: Maitreya
Head: Catwa, Lona Bento Mesh Head
Hair: No Match, No Dream (Available NOW at Vintage Fair!)
Eyes: Mesange, Thaisa Eyes (Omega Appliers) (Available NOW at We ❤Roleplay!)
Ears: Swallow, Elf Ears High Definition
Skin: 7 Deadly s{K}ins, Farrah, Omega Appliers (Available NOW at Vintage Fair!)
Wings: (Photos 1-5) Lassitude & Ennui, Seraphim Wings
Wings: (Photo 6) Evolved Creatures, Fae Bento Wings
Dress: Silvan Moon Designs, Vintage in Vogue (Available NOW at Vintage Fair!)
Shoes: The Plastik, Filivina Heels

Gentleman in Photo 6; Nyza Stillwater

Spiffy photos taken with the indispensible aid of my LumiPro. I’d never create a fantasy street for a single photoshoot without it!

Three Knots

Not all those who wander are lost.

Category Archives: Gwyneth

Dancing Under the Lantern Tree

Under the Lantern Tree

Unprepared

Rebuilding

The Beautiful Age

Threats

The Story of Returning