do you turn into your effigy?

(Roleplay...ish? Entry?)



A slip between worlds, a tug on the fabric of reality, a delicate fold in the matrix of time...When the mists cleared, she found herself standing in the shadows across the road from the shop. She stepped forward, grateful for the travel cup of warm arsenic tea she held, proof against the rising damp of the evening. She was in Castle Rock, Maine.

Travel to the literary universes was always tricky; this stop more than most. Complication was already setting in, she saw, as the proprietor of the shop stepped into the open doorway. She squared her shoulders and made her way across the street. This was necessary. Needful, one might even say.



It was a moment to barter a bit of herself away to Mr. Gaunt; a moment more to return through the portal in the alley. The longest leg of her journey, in fact, required walking up all the turning steps to the tower.

Now, all she had to do was use the ring to reinforce the wards on the estate..before the full curse fell.

Simple.



It was a pretty thing, at least. Clean lines. A bas-relief eye in the crimson metal, sigil for so many things.



She slipped it on. It fit...as if it had been cast specifically for her. Perhaps it had. There was ever an element of risk in trades; perhaps she would not win, and Gaunt would delight in her suffering. Perhaps she would, and Gaunt would realize some fish are too big for his hooks. Either way, it accomplished the most needful thing: prevention of the slow erosion in reality beyond the tower...where New Alexandria used to be.

She dare not do any less--not only for her own people, but for those of Darkmere she'd invited in. Though, on reflection, she likely could have trusted their Duke to help...Still. Done was done. And she was home again. She stood and began to cast.



In the end, the invocation was the simplest part; words that were rote at this point, retying her magic to the realm, her spellcraft to her Duke's, to wreathe the land in a protective net. Self-sustaining, as well, which required a tricky bit of phrasing; the last thing she wanted was the ring to turn on the wards and slice through them when the unblinking eye chose to shut.



All too soon, it was done. Another hour and the visible magics would fade, the ring would come off. She could return it to the small box she was sure it hadn't come with, originally, and go on about her work. She would sleep soundly tonight, she thought...which would be something of a relief.

This, by the way, is a gift from /Vae Victis\ for the Warehouse Sale, which opened August 23rd. (Or just keep an eye on their web page for more information.) And it's still this pretty.

I'll likely cover what's actually in the booth at the Warehouse in a day or so, but I wanted this out first. It comes in five colors, a sturdy brass, a strong-cast silver, a dead-of-night black, a gleaming white, and this, the scarlet. I was wholly prepared to adjust and fiddle, since it was a ring, and the whole of my SL existence has featured fiddling with adornments, regardless of where they attach. But this? No need. It fits perfectly.

and I don't know how I ever thought that I could make it all alone

Good Housekeeping put together a list of when and how to wash your hands, and the proper techniques to do so. If nothing else, all of this is reinforcing the importance of clean hands.

Meanwhile, if pictures work better, how about the official NHS handwashing diagram? Those pictures are clear and the descriptions fairly simple. Or...and I do hesitate to link this, because it is very unsafe for work...have the naked from the waist up version. (In my defense, it did actually help me with one area--I wasn't quite getting the circle-fingernails-in-center-of-opposite-palm motion. So...there's that.)

There's a new cabin out this week from Trompe L'oeil. This time around it's a lovely A-frame with accompanying chairs. (First link is for pictures, second for location. The first link also mentions the no-group-necessary hunt at Dench Designs for a few random furnishings.)

Meanwhile, this is a list of very caring merchants who have put out "Stay at Home" gifts to encourage seclusion. Some of the vendors may require purchase of a Linden, but all are free, so it will be refunded.

And all I have left is to encourage readers to comply with shelter-in-place restrictions, if at all possible. Most other countries seem to have this down, but I've seen far too many posting-from-the-pub shots from the UK for my liking, and in the states...it really seems like a third of the country is staying home and trying not to get sick--or sicken anyone else--and the other two-thirds, including many of our elected officials, are behaving as if this is no worse than the common cold.

It's worse. It's much worse. And it can--and has--caused permanent lung damage in people, so those who go out and flaunt the restrictions, then get it, may not only get sick, but end up needing inhalers or respirator equipment for life. And it's not just hitting the elderly--it's hitting everyone. Everyone from birth to death is at risk. So please, please take care of yourselves, and those around you.

Because it's not just your life you risk, it's other lives...but it's also lung damage, which you may be left with for the rest of your life. Hear that if nothing else.

and I was hypnotized, all your bad juju and all your weird voodoo

The gift boxes beneath Earthstones' holiday tree are vaguely threatening.

their hidden laws condemn him, they’re so rigid and refined (part one)

It all started with a simple question:

[11:31] Sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok, there aren't any in here scared of spiders is there?

Well, there's a conversation opening. Or stopper.

[11:32] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Nope. Im a princess with a twist. Giggles

What, exactly, does that mean?

[11:32] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: OOOOOOO Just got my inner wolf tattoo. Is puurrttttyyyyyyy
[11:33] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Oh do these tattoos require to get that relay thing? Please tell me no

"That relay thing"...you mean, Omega? If so, yeah--if it's not a system face tattoo, and you have a mesh body or head, you will need an Omega relay to put it on.

[11:33] Sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: well found that i have a giant ridable spider and i don't wanna give anyone a heart attack if i tp somewhere

I suppose that's a fair question, then.

[11:33] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: depends on your body, but I use the omega relay for mine
[11:34] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Spiders are cool though.
[11:34] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: The better question is why don't you already HAVE a relay?
[11:34] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: MAITREYA

Pish, Maitreya can use Omega relays like any other body.

[11:34] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Someone was nice and got me the body. Im only 6 days into SL. :-(

Are you? Well, I suppose that makes sense. Then yes. You will need a relay to put the tattoo on.

[11:35] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: And no one wants to hire a new person sooooo
[11:35] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I have been working with what i can
[11:35] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Ahhh...well it's only 99L at the omega store and it's a worth while investment.
[11:35] lxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Who was that nice?
[11:35] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: okay, not sure then, as I have belleza, so you'll have to open the tattoo to find out
[11:35] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: IKR?
[11:35] Kxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: 6 days and somebody BUYS you the maitreya ??

That...sounds like jealousy.

[11:36] lxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Why dont I find these nice people

They're around. They're just not hip-deep on the grid.

[11:36] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Got me the body a head a skin and a shape.... Oh and hair
[11:36] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I've heard stories like this before though.
[11:36] gxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sugar daddy

Why is that the automatic assumption?

[11:36] Kxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: I dont know, send them my way too, Im still saving for a Catwa. Id be pretty suspicious of what they want out of me.
[11:37] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Alls i did was ask for help finding some freebie stuff that was halfway nice and next thing i knew i was on a shopping spree.

Yeah. Sometimes it happens like that.

[11:37] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Why Catwa?
[11:37] lxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I can use some nice too, thank you.
[11:37] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: UMM not [Jxxx]
[11:37] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: AK and LAQ are so much better than Catwa.

Jury's still out until I find a head that doesn't look like Paris Hilton married Kim Kardashian and they're still arguing about it.

[11:37] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Cheaper too.
[11:37] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Catya head i think it is.
[11:37] gxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx:
[11:38] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Dang well I want a Panzer IV tank, that is only 2000L.
[11:38] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: But im going to lurk again before i say something i shouldnt
[11:38] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: That is a 1/4 of what that combo cost.

Yeah, but here's the thing. When someone is nice and buys something for you, they don't, in general, just toss you Lindens. They'll toss you the things in question. So...if you're any kind of decent person, you thank them and make it work. If you're not happy with it, buy some Lindens, or get a job and work for Lindens, and change into what you need later. Done and done.

[11:38] Kxxxxxx Fxxxxxxxx: so 6 days in sl and someone just dropped over 10k on you? in gifts

Yep. That's what she's saying.

[11:38] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: But i will add that not EVERYONE in this game is a slut

There it is. The accusations begin.

[11:39] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Try 8k.
[11:39] Kxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: Wondering if that person was male?

Because...the only reason anyone would buy any female on the grid a gift is that they want between her virtual legs? Who have you people been meeting?

[11:39] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Lara is only 2750 and Catya is only 5k.
[11:39] Sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: please watch the language
[11:39] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yikes
[11:39] lxxxx Rxxxxxxx: No one said so..
[11:39] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: So your estimate is a tad exaggerated.
[11:40] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: If a 6 day old avi has a "Sugar daddy" that would make them what?????
[11:40] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: A noobie that knows how to hold their tongue?

Seems more like, they're trying to tell you it makes you a slut. Which, hey, it's a virtual world, if that's your thing, groovy, but that's not the point. You aren't saying it was a transaction for sex--give me X body, I give you an hour of sexy talk--so...what's the big deal? People do this. People do this in RL. It does happen.

[11:40] Sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i had a sugar daddy when i was a couple months old.
[11:40] nxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I need a sugar mommy.
[11:40] Axxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i want it too lol
[11:40] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I find that comment offensive

They're just jealous.

[11:40] Sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: but it was only dates and spending time together
[11:40] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I am 6 days into this game
[11:41] wxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i had a sugar daddy in my first months of this game
[11:41] Kxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: Nobody has actually insulted you at any time.

Are you sure? Seems pretty close, if not actual, at least to me.

[11:41] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Months i can understand
[11:41] rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Don't worry about the jealousy, [Cxxxxxx], it's rampant in this game.

It is. Along with rampant emotional dysfunction, moodiness, paranoia, rage for no reason...just roll with it and stay as stable as you can.

[11:41] Emilly Orr: I will say that, when I first started, I was working at a club as a hostess alone. Someone decided I needed a better skin and bought me a skin pack--3K at the time, which was 2006. It was wholly unexpected and I didn't have to sleep with anyone to get that gift. It was appreciated.
[11:42] Sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i try to be as generous as i can when i work with newbies
[11:42] wxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: same here
[11:43] Sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: at one point i spent like 5K on a noobie because i felt that they needed it
[11:43] Sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx:
[11:43] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I literally cried when the lady did that for me
[11:43] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i didnt ask for it
[11:43] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: nor ask for Money.

Person's gender confirmed--a woman bought her the things to upgrade her game. Which doesn't invalidate that it may have been a sexual excuse with someone else--I've had a lot of women here gun for me, hard, and try to toss me gifts to get me into their beds--but in this instance, I believe what she says. She was asking where the freebies were in another group, and some very helpful lass decided to really help her by getting her into mesh. This is not some miraculous, it only happens once every generation, story. I hear it a lot.

[11:43] wxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: in act i bumped into one in wow skin totally not dressed i helped her use her folder to get clothes on
[11:43] Sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: bought him a jake body and a static catwa head
[11:43] nxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Some of the people here have been very generous with me in pointing me to some wonderful free places.
[11:43] Kxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: I have had plenty of gifts from females, most of this group, very nice people and males from THIS group. But the only times males outside of this group have tried to give me things, they wanted something in exchange. Glad to know they are not all like that then.

Not everyone is.

[11:43] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Simply asked for some LMs to help me find free stuff
[11:43] Axxxx Rxxxxxxx: hell, somebody bought me a maitreya because i stayed up 6 hours past my 4 hours too late bed time to cheer the up when they were talking of quitting sl, so they friended me and sent me a tp to mait and handed me the 2750
[11:43] sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It's nice to see that there are some good hearted people about, it makes SL a better place :)
[11:43] Axxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i didnt have to sleep with anyone

Gee, thanks for being so judgmental.

[11:43] Mxxx Fxxxxxxxx: Are people out there who like to help new people i myself have helped several of my friends and they have gone on to pay it forward and help others not everyone is in sl for sex

That's not the point. Sure, not everyone is, but there's nothing wrong with being in SL for sex, too. But in this situation, it's very clearly someone wanting to help someone else out. Sex never came into it, so keeping bringing it up is just making you sound like a prude.

[11:44] pxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: when you think about it your crying over someone giving you like five dollars in rl ....I am very generous to noobs too but i direct them how to get things for free and how to find places to work you dont need to sleep with anybody to look nice and have nice things here
[11:44] Emilly Orr: Not everyone is here for sex, [Kxxxxxx]. Surprising, perhaps, but true.
[11:44] Sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok, we're holding onto this "sex" idea too long, let's change the subject

Mod talking.

[11:44] gxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: there is helping and then there is helping
[11:44] Vxxxxxxx Bxxxx: It's so hard to find people who aren't...
[11:44] Dxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: And most noobs anyhow don't listen to the advices you give them.
[11:45] Kxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: As I said, [Exxxx], I have had plenty of gifts from people who had become friends or known people. Males that I just met, they wanted that. That is My personal experience.

I want to roll my eyes dismissively and say, 'yeah, whatever', but...there is a point in making something plain that it's been our experience, that it is not the wider experience everyone will have. I mean, I'm sure there are kind, caring people in Bloodlines. I've never had any experience with one longer than ten minutes that didn't convince me they don't exist, but I'm sure they do. Same thing here.

This is getting long, so this is now part one. Part two coming.