Engine Room: Mirror Mirror on the Wall (Escape from Club Apophis, 41)

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STORYLINE:   In the mad dash to evade the Enforcers, the team scattered. Lost and half-blind, Minjo ducked into the nearest available door.

The corridor was a jarring contrast to the plastic surgery clinic's sterile white above. Here, everything glowed warm and decadent. She couldn't read the details clearly. Her world had been a smear of shapes and color since the sewers took her glasses. But she could feel the difference. Thick carpet underfoot instead of tile. The air tasted faintly of mahogany and expensive old perfume. Warmth instead of clinical cold.

At the end of the hall, a brass door radiated importance. She didn't need sharp eyes to recognize that shape of authority.

She ran for it, heart hammering against her ribs. She pressed the gold serpent brooch to the kiosk by feel.

"Welcome home, Mistress Paine," the automated assistant chirped. The heavy door hissed open.

Footsteps echoed behind her.

Minjo slipped inside and dropped to the cold floor. She dove beneath what felt like a bed. Her hands found a brass frame, heavy embroidered fabric, the scent of dust and trapped air. She pressed herself flat and waited.

MasterGin's voice cut through the corridor like a razor drawn across velvet. "Trying to break what belongs to me? How ambitious of you."

"You can't do this to me." Paine's voice was tight. Desperate.

"Oh, I already have."

"I built this clinic. I run it."

"And yet here we are. Think of it as a sabbatical. A very long one. Your only duty now is to ensure no one else harms another glorious hair on his head. Now go. Before I'm forced to correct what jealousy has done to your face."

Heels receded. Precise. Unhurried.

The door swung open.

"Welcome home, Mistress Paine," the automated assistant repeated, just as brightly.

Minjo shifted backward into the shadows.

Something heavy smashed against the wall. She flinched at the sound. Glass, by the pitch of it, shattering across the floor. Something small skittered under the bed skirt and came to rest near her knee. She felt the edge of it with careful fingers. A shard. Mirror glass. She moved her hand away.

From under the folds of fabric, she listened more than she watched.

The clinic administrator's breathing was ragged. The rustle of fabric, a zipper, something heavy dropping to the floor. A change of clothes. Minjo filed this away. Paine shedding the white coat in private meant the white coat was a performance. What came after was the real thing. The unmistakeable shape and colors of a nun habit.

Then the soft thud of a body sliding down a wall. Knees pulling in. A choked sob that the room swallowed slowly.

Minjo had expected many things from Nurse Paine. Crying was not among them.

She inched forward carefully, staying low, until she had a partial sightline through the gap in the bed skirt. Shapes and light. The glow of a halophone activating. Paine's blurred silhouette on the floor, something small held up in the amber light, a lock of something pale, silver-bright even to her damaged eyes. Hair. Long and silver.

Jihoon's hair.

Paine gripped it like a lifeline.

"April 13, 2055," Paine said, her voice hoarse. "Club Apophis. Five minutes to midnight."

The phone projected a hologram into the dark room. Minjo couldn't make out faces clearly, blurred shapes and moving light, but she didn't need to. She heard sounds. Clinking glasses, upbeat music, layered chatter. A birthday party. Someone singing Happy Birthday with theatrical confidence. She recognized the timbre of that voice even muffled through projection speakers.

MasterGin.

She heard the wink in his voice, "It's going to be you."

The crowd began to chant.

Ten. Nine. Eight.

Minjo held herself perfectly still. She was beginning to understand what she was witnessing.

Three. Two. One.

A sound she could interpret without seeing: heavy doors opening. Streetlight bleeding in. She could tell by the way the room's light shifted even through her limited sight. The music stopped mid-note. Absolute silence.

Then a voice she knew.

Uncertain. Slightly embarrassed. Completely ordinary.

"Hi."

Minjo's hand flew to her mouth.

No one on screen moved.

Paine killed the projection. The room plunged back into suffocating silence.

The sound that followed was harder to listen to than anything in the recording. Not sobbing exactly. The specific, ugly sound of a person coming apart when they believe no one can hear them. Ragged breaths scraping against the quiet. The wet sound of grief that has nowhere to go.

Minjo shifted her weight slightly to ease the ache in her knees. Her knee grazed something, the glass shard barely touching it, and the tiny sound it made against the floorboards detonated in the silence.

Paine's breath stopped.

Then the bed was gone. Hauled back with a jarring metallic scrape. Cold air rushed in. A shape loomed over her. Minjo couldn't see the expression clearly but she could read the body language in the set of the shoulders, the raised arm. Something sharp and metallic glinted the ambient light. Shears.

Minjo froze. She calculated what she could: the distance to the door by memory, the approximate angle of the blade by the glint, and her absolute zero percent chance of survival.

She waited.

Above her, something changed. The raised arm didn't fall. Minjo could feel the recalculation happening in the pause, threat assessment shifting, the quality of the silence changing from predatory to something else.

Slowly, the shears lowered.

"I didn't mean to pry," Minjo said. She kept her voice perfectly even. "I just needed a place to hide." She nodded toward the silver strands she could make out in Paine's hand. "You disguised your betrayal with a smaller one. Brilliant."

Paine looked down at the hair. "Twenty years," she whispered. Her voice was entirely hollow. "I gave him twenty years of devotion. I bled for him. He forgot I existed the second that boy walked through the door."

Minjo considered this. "He told you it was going to be you."

"I was the strongest of his disciples," Paine said. "MasterGin had been preparing for centuries. I thought I was the culmination of it all. The pinnacle of his achievement. But I wasn't. None of us were."

The shame left Paine's voice. What replaced it was worse.

"I followed the false god," Paine said, her voice dropping to a fierce whisper. "And I was envious of the real one."

Paine sank to her knees. She bowed her head deeply, almost pressing her forehead against the dusty floorboards.

"I didn't understand, but I do now. Someone appeared by chance. Seemingly unworthy. And..."

"Chaos," Minjo interrupted flatly. "Just the kind of surprise a god of chaos would find funny."

"No." She shook her head. "Jihoon is one of us. A Child of Apophis. He has to be. He's the Lost One. Please accept my apology," Paine whispered to the floor. "My envy blinded me. I will serve the true Chosen One. As the advocate of Yoon Jihoon, how may I assist you?"

Minjo looked at the blurred shape of the woman kneeling before her. She didn't offer comfort. She didn't offer a speech about forgiveness. The variables of their survival had just changed. She needed to exploit them.

Minjo dusted off her knees and rose.

"Can you get us into the ceremony?"

"Yes."

"Good. I need to know exactly what happened to Jihoon when he entered Club Apophis. I need the logistics of the Opening of the Mouth ceremony, Monstrum, the Old Ways." Minjo reached out and found the silver strands by feel, lifting them from Paine's hand. "And I'll be taking this mutant DNA sample. Thank you for your assistance."

For those still following along for the continuing storyline, this chapter just revealed who the Magic Mirror is in my cyberpunk horror retelling of Snow White. Paine is the mirror to MasterGin's evil queen. lol The Prince and the Huntsman will be revealed, as well as wrapping up the character arcs for Lisa, Ghost, Echo and Jihoon. I estimate there are roughly 4 more chapters left and an epilogue. What a journey!

This post was inspired by the series and wonderful items on this round of Engine Room which ends tomorrow. The setting has so many lovely things, and both outfits are gorgeous.   ...On MasterGin is the Nixon outfit by OneDays. It's one-piece outfit you buy in a single color or fatback.   ...On the long suffering Paine is the Rebis Scholar Garments. It comes in fits for men and women. It has textures in PBR that give the metallic edges sparkle, and a tattered hem.   ...From Milkbath is the Censer. Just wear it and it will trigger a 1 of 4 poses which you can alter in the texture hud. It comes in left and righted version, swing, and non swing.   .... From Cult is the Cornelia boots (shown below) for female avatars. The boots include gear details, and a spooky spinal vertebra heel. They are elegant gothic style with metallic details. But I really love the suede texture options, along with the leather.   ...The Bedroom set is by Eclectica. It includes the bed, dressers, mirrors, and lamps. The mirrors are PBR and will reflect the environment. It comes with a texture hud to change the metal color, and fabrics.   ...From Lore is the Captain's Lounge Chair, tables, and lamp. They are PBR with a hud to change the chair textures.   ...Also from Lore is matching skybox, Nemo's study. Its fantastic with elegant PBR textures.   ...From Duplexity is an art deco Radio.   ...From Ishiku is another stunning crystal glass set, Vintage Floral Decanter. It's mod, so I tinted it green to match my theme.   ...From Puddles is the Royal Scribe's Collection with lectern, feather pen, and book stack.   ...From Apika is the spooky Madame Palmelope, a hand holding a teacup, that when touched, will give you your fortune.   ..In the back, is the Architect Volta fireplace. I tinted the flames green for a spooky effect.

The Apophis series will be taking a break for the first time in almost a year, as I shift to blogging the Fantasy Faire. Be looking forward to it.  Apophis will return after that. 

On Her, Nurse Paine:

Outfit: REBIS - Scholar Garments . LaraX . OMNIPACK [mesh](Engine Room)(2000L)

Censer, pose: MILKBATH - Samael Censer [mesh](Engine Room)(799L)

Boots: CULT - Cornelia [mesh](Engine Room)(369L)

Headdress: ONEDAYs - UNHOLY HEADRESS [UNRIGED]

Hair: Limerence - Tamesis hair [mesh](990L)

Gloves: ContraptioN - Dapper Dandy's Glove, Maitreya [mesh]

Tears: SAXO - Bleeding Eyes lel EVOX Unisex [BOM]

Eyes: VelvetVue - Hibrida blue eyes :: sclera #1 [BOM]

Skin: VOGLIA - ELEKTRA Skin, EvoX, Icy With Brows [BOM]

Head, eyes: LeLUTKA - RAVEN 4.0 [mesh](3990L)

Body: TheShops - Legacy (f) Special Edition (Basic) 1.2 [mesh]

On Him, MasterGin:

Outfit: ONEDAYs - NIXON OUTFIT, Black, LEGACY [mesh](Engine Room)(350L)

Shoes: Deadwool - Dandy shoes - non rigged - black/silver wingtip [mesh](360L)

Claws: L'Emporio&PL - Oblio Vampire Claws male [mesh](350L)

Hair: bonbon - tame hair, naturals [mesh](439L)

Body: TheShops - [BODY] Athletic Meshbody (Legacy)(m) (1.7.1) [mesh](5000L)

Setting:

Bedroom set: Eclectica - Steampunk Bed [mesh](Engine Room)(850L)

Chairs. tables, lamp: LORE - Captain's Lounge Chair [mesh](Engine Room)(1700L)

Radio: Duplexity - Aetherys Lux Radio - Wood/Gold [mesh](Engine Room)(299L)

Glass set: ISHIKU - Vintage Floral Crown Decanter Dispenser [mesh](Engine Room)(490L)

Books, scroll, feather pen: Puddles - Royal Scribe's Collection [mesh](Engine Room)(300L)

Hand, teacup: Apika - Madame Palmelope [mesh](Engine Room)(499L)

Fireplace: Architect - Volta Fireplace [mesh]

Skybox: LORE - Nemo's Study [PBR] [mesh]

BONUS IMAGES: inworld raw shot, hi-res, midday sky.

Engine Room: Birth of Monstrum (Escape from Club Apophis 21)

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STORYLINE: The brass ring shuddered to life, gears grinding as the hologram burst into shape, projecting the scene into the center of the workshop. The view was from a pocket of time thick with the grime of the industrial age. Gaslights sputtered, casting a sickly yellow glow on wet cobblestones. They weren’t watching history. They were trespassing in it.

ARCHIVAL RECORDING — CHICAGO, FEBRUARY 14, 1929

The speakeasy pulsed with brass and gun oil, jazz horns bleeding through the haze of cigarette smoke. Beyond the bar’s false wall, men in pinstripes and fedoras polished Tommy guns, their voices sharp with the kind of bravado born from knowing the law itself had abandoned this city.

At the far end of the room, seated as though on twin thrones, were two figures no gangster would dare disturb.

The Ruler leaned on his cane, the cut of his coat immaculate, his features marbled in the elegance of old courts. He looked out over the tables with the disdain of a monarch forced to sit among peasants. His deep voice was velvet over steel when he spoke:

“Since the War, crowns topple like dominos. Kings strangled by parliaments. Czars executed by mobs. Maximilian Spyder whispers his poison into the ears of the newborn of our kind, turning subjects into citizens.” He spat the word like a curse. "Weakness masquerading as liberty."

Beside him, lounging with insolent ease, MasterGin twirled the stem of a coupe glass between long fingers. His smile was a smear of lacquered sin under the low light.

“Oh, listen to you,” Gin drawled. “The last Emperor of Shadows, pouting because the world doesn’t curtsey with quite the same flourish. Monarchies fall, darling, because they are boring. People want jazz, motorcars that roar like beasts, liquor brewed in bathtubs filthy enough to make them forget they’re mortal." He lifted his glass, catching the light. "And I, for one, adore it."

The Ruler’s eyes narrowed. “Industry belches smoke. It pollutes everything. Filth. Men who sit on factory thrones possess no bloodline, no divine mandate. They are merchants playing at godhood. And you...” he leaned in, “why do I suffer you, jester? Why should I not unmake you here and now?”

Gin’s laughter was silk on a knife’s edge. He leaned closer, brushing his hand, featherlight, against the Ruler’s chest, daring the strike.

“Because, my King,” he whispered, eyes gleaming with decadent amusement, “without me, your immaculate mausoleum of a world is unbearably dull. Admit it, Horemheb. You crave my disorder. My sin. My razzle-dazzle. Without a little glorious sin there's nothing to correct.”

The Ruler stiffened, outraged by the touch. “You dare defile my righteous presence with your corruption, in a public house? I should kill you for it.”

Gin only tilted his head, his grin curling like smoke. “Tell me again, my King, how wicked I am. Say it slowly this time.”

The Ruler’s nostrils flared. “Pervert. Worshipper of Apophis.”

“And you,” Gin countered, “are the greater pervert. Because nothing excites you more than watching purity rot.” The tension between them was electric, sharper than the knives hidden in the gangsters’ coats. Gin leaned in closer still, his voice hushed and venomous. “Even your goddess Ma’at, keeper of order, never demanded the destruction of chaos, only balance. That’s why you don’t kill me, my King. Because together,” his hand traced the Ruler’s arm, insolent and intimate, “we are balance.”

The Ruler’s lips parted—perhaps in denial, perhaps in warning—when the world dissolved into a percussive nightmare.

Bullets tore through the opulent room as glass rained like diamonds. In the smoky haze, men screamed, their fine suits blossoming with crimson. The Ruler staggered, not from the force, but from the sheer insult as hot metal ripped through his side. His face, a hardened mask of granite, twisted not with pain, but with the absolute outrage of a god whose temple has been defiled by insects.

From the shadows of the victorious side, a single, portly figure in a fine suit watched his men execute the last of their rivals, a cigar clenched in his teeth. He was the architect of the carnage. The Ruler’s burning gaze fell upon him.

In the space between heartbeats, the immortal was upon him, his hand gripping the man’s throat, lifting his considerable weight effortlessly off the ground. The cigar dropped, showering embers on the floor. The gangster's psychotic glee vanished, his eyes bulging with terror. He stared at the bullet holes in his captor's chest, at the man who should be dead but wasn't.

The Ruler spat curses in the tongue of Pharaohs, each syllable an avalanche of titles and divine rights, before his voice dropped to a whisper that cut through the cacophony. "You command with fear and coin. An empire of grime."

"Wait, darling," MasterGin cooed, gliding to their side with an artist's appreciation. He circled the pair, tapping a long finger against his chin. "Don't smash the new toy. He's an absolute couture specimen of the age. All brutal ambition and vulgar appetites. Like a tailored suit cut from filth." He leaned in, sniffing the air around the gangster. "He absolutely reeks of it. Greed. A vulgar, but undeniably powerful, perfume. We could learn from this one.”

The Ruler’s grip loosened, and he dropped the man. The mob boss collapsed in a heap, coughing and rubbing his throat before pushing himself to his feet.

"Name’s Capone," he wheezed, straightening his tie, fear already masked by opportunism. "You two aren't from Chicago, but I know power when I see it. Maybe we can do business."

The Ruler sneered, a look of profound disgust. He turned his back on the mortal, a gesture of ultimate dismissal. He no longer saw a man, but a lesson. His gaze swept across the carnage, and for the first time, he truly saw it. This was not chaos. It was a hostile takeover.

The billowing smoke, tainted by the coppery reek of blood, was the new incense. The staccato rhythm of a fallen pocket watch, ticking its last seconds on the floor, was the new hymn. He looked at the dead men, not as warriors, but as assets, expended. His eyes fell upon the Tommy gun, its polished wood and blued steel a marvel of mechanical death. Beside it lay a fallen briefcase, burst open to reveal stacks of money—prayers to a new, paper god.

This was the new order. An empire not of faith and bloodlines, but of gears, capital, and mass-produced violence. His divine right was a useless relic here.

"He commanded them with this," The Ruler said, his voice a low rumble. He nudged the machine gun with his foot. "And paid them with worthless paper." He motioned toward the cash. "A throne of bullets and false wealth. While we were gods. That man…” he gestured dismissively toward Capone, “…he does not demand worship. He buys it. He doesn't need a crown. He doesn't even need gold. He has paper men believe is worth dying for.”

"Savage, yet it has a certain… panache," MasterGin said. "Don't you find mortal delusions fascinating?"

The Ruler was silent for a long moment, the chaos of the scene reflected in his ancient eyes. Then, he smiled. It was a chilling sight, devoid of all warmth, the expression of a predator discovering a richer hunting ground.

"You were right, Lucien," he said, his voice ringing with the cold clarity of a funeral bell.

He knelt, not in reverence, but in appraisal, and picked up a single, blood-spattered dollar bill. As he turned it over, his gaze fell upon the pyramid on its reverse. A sneer twisted his lips.

“They dare inscribe my tomb upon their paper and call it theirs.” With a contemptuous rip, he tore the bill in half, shredding the All-Seeing Eye from the pyramid.

"Mortals never change, only what they value does," he said, his voice resonant with terrifying certainty. "We will not command armies, but corporations. Our new priests will be their politicians, their CEOs, their bankers. We will amass wealth beyond the dreams of Pharaohs and control their world from the shadows."

He stood, crumbling the blood-soaked shreds in his fist, his eyes burning with a new, terrible purpose. "We will build a syndicate on the foundation of their avarice."

He looked at Gin, his gaze alight with fire.

Gin’s smile sharpened, a blade curving upwards. “The serpent swallows the sun. A Mafia of Monsters.”

(Present Day, 2055)

The hologram flickered and died. The swirling vortex of Roman numerals in the brass ring collapsed into nothing, leaving only the sound of ticking gears in the sudden silence of the workshop.

Minjo, Echo, Ghost, and Plague stood frozen, their faces pale in the soft glow of the vacuum tubes.

They hadn't just found a major clue. They had just witnessed the birth of Monstrum.

I hope you all like this Art Deco themed travel to the past. Readers of my blog and this Apophis series got a treat this chapter, the scoop on the Ruler, MasterGin and Monstrum!  ....From the current Engine Room round, is a gorgeous suit and accessories from ArchiveFaction. I love the over the shoulder coat, I wore for half the year their other shoulder coat, it's so great to have a new style. You get what pieces you like, or buy the whole set. I used the Fatpack for Jacket to show some more retro warm colors. The brooch on the lapel is a gift from this round. It's mod, so I tinted it gold.   ...Over at Androgyny Event, are the Coffin Core Glasses by Phase. It's mod so you can scale the size for a perfect fit, and tint the frame and lenses.   ...MasterGin is wearing Priscilla Dress which comes with fits for Reborn-Burly Pecs-Mounds-V-tech-Waifu, and Legacy Athletic. The Dress is semi-transparent lace with corset. I dressed it up as a crossover between 1910s and 1920s.  ...The Swiss miss hairpins are ZAP hair 146 at Engine Room. It's mod so you can turn on masking, or tint.  ...From Guild is a wonderful neck corset that makes me think of a train grill. It's a fun look.   ...From AURO is the Ritzy Opera Cigarette holder. I love me a long steam cigarette holder, and let me pick clove cigarettes too! It has 4 AO animations.   ...From the Muses is lovely retro style BOM undergarment, The Alanguie Chemise. It's wonderfully made with nice texture details. It comes in either black or ivory.   ...From Cult are the Agatha Boots with a guillotine heel!  Twisted, and perfect for Halloween.   ...From Static is the Sultry Parasol of black satin and lace. Just wear it and it will trigger a pose animation.   ...From Duplexity is a table that worked perfectly for the Art Deco themed room, the Pathfinder's set with Table, stools, and Relic. It's PBR enabled and looks great with advanced lighting. I did something crazy and uses the Stools as Plant stands. They were mod, so I could scale them up or down and they matched the table perfectly!   ....The setting is unlike anything else in SL, a truly Art Deco style room with all the lux glitz too.  I added to the wall custom wall carving for the Sun and Apophis. I think it worked out pretty well.  .... (Yes, I spent a lot of time working on this chapter. With lots of new events are coming for Halloween, I will be very busy, so I might have to pause Apophis for a bit. I will do what I can!)

On him, The Ruler of the Night:

Jacket: Archivefaction Penumbra Blazer_Legacy M, fatpack [mesh](Engine Room)(1650L)

Tie: Archivefaction Penumbra Tie_Legacy M [mesh](Engine Room)(350L)

Pants: Archivefaction Penumbra Trousers_Black_Legacy M [mesh](Engine Room)(330L)

Cloak: Archivefaction Penumbra Cloak_Black_Unrigged [mesh](Engine Room)(550L)

Gloves: Archivefaction Penumbra Gloves_Legacy M_Slim Fingers [mesh](Engine Room)(550L)

Brooch: Archivefaction Penumbra Albert Chain_PBR [mesh](Engine Room)(Gift)

Shades: PHASE Coffin Core Glasses [mesh] (Androgyny Event)(250L)

Hat: CRYPTID Noir Fedora [mesh]

Staff: David Heather Ankh Staff [mesh]

Shoes: Deadwool Dandy shoes - non rigged - black/silver wingtip [mesh](360L)

Head: LeLUTKA CAMDEN 4.0 [mesh](3990L)

Body: TheShops [BODY] Athletic Meshbody (Legacy)(m) (1.7.1) [mesh](5000L)

On him, MasterGin:

Outfit: BUFFY'S Priscilla Dress - Legacy M. Ath [mesh](Engine Room)(999L)

Hair: ZAO +146 Hair [mesh](Engine Room)(432L)

Collar: Gild legacy(m/A)  Neck corset_FATPACK [mesh](Engine Room)(185L)

Cigarette: AURO Ritzy Opera Cigarette - Without Smoke [mesh](Engine Room)(299L)

Underwear: The Muses - Alanguie Chemise - BOM - Inke [mesh](Engine Room)(250L)

Boots: CULT Agatha - Legacy Male  [mesh]

Parasol: Static Sultry Parasol {Nautilus} [mesh]

Gloves: Starchild Designs Flapper #5 Gloves [BOM]

Head: LeLUTKA CAMDEN 4.0 [mesh](3990L)

Body: TheShops [BODY] Athletic Meshbody (Legacy)(m) (1.7.1) [mesh](5000L)

Setting:

Table, Globe, stools: Duplexity Pathfinder's Seat, Table, Relic [mesh](Engine Room)(399L)

Background: Dirty Rat Art Deco Lobby, Backdrop [mesh](495L)

Chairs: Architect Arcadia Armchair [mesh]

Glass, bottles: ISHIKU Dionae Gilded Crystal Glass set [mesh]

Leafy Palm: Soy Potted Traveler's Palm Tree [mesh](75L)

Hanging plant: Soy Super long Hanging Hedera [mesh](75L)

Ferns: Soy Voluminous Potted Ferns [mesh] (100L)

BONUS IMAGES: inworld raw shot, hi-res, midday sky. (Note: Undergarments shown)

Engine Room: the Automaton Blood Doll

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STORYLINE: Miss Anna was stuck in a nightmare. The dream began as she was piloting her small airship above New Deco. She was about to dock at the SkyCrypt, when there was a horrible explosion. Flames, and fire. Then pain, screams, and the roaring wind in her ears. She was falling, falling, falling forever but never hitting the ground. She didn't know how long she was stuck in the dream. Suddenly, gravity hit her like a wall of bricks. Her eyes snapped open to strange sounds like whirls and clicks. “Thank the Gods of Invention and Blood!” That voice.... yes, she knew that voice, it was her master, the vampire Monsieur Bleu. “There was a horrible accident, my love." He lifted her stiff heavy hand. "This was all I could do to save you," he whispered as he kissed it. Strange, she felt nothing. She wanted to scream, but had no voice. She began to thrash wildly. "I will find who did this," his outrage barely contained. Knowing what she wanted to see, he held her hand firmly, as if to say "be calm," and slowly guided her off the platform towards the scene of the blast. Light leaked from the crumbling wall and gleamed on her beautiful metallic doll face. “It is a new day. Whatever challenges come, we will face it together.”

Engine Room! Necrotize! And Halloween! Three of the coolest events in SecondLife! This post was inspired by awesome gothic items at Engine Room and Necrotize that work wonderfully for a classic vampire style. How sweet is that? From the Engine Room: Mr Bleu is wearing an excellent hairstyle all dapper gents need, Ginko Hair #97. And just as elegant is the VC Lab outfit, top and pants, Favorite II. The jeweled brooch is awesome. The skeleton Necro-mask is by Dreamcatcher and on sale at Necrotize. Between Bleu and Anna is the Hot Air Balloon Chandelier by Architect. Anna is wearing the Gracious Dress by toksik. And for when you need to be really over the top, try the Beatrice Collar by DREAMCATCHER! Anna's face is the Bespoke Marionette Doll Head. It takes EvoX textures. For extra machine touches, are the Realm Eyes by TWC, and layers of the Fallen Gods Metropolis tattoo, and Materica skin. Have you tried Aii's new BOM hairstyles? The Sonata Hair comes with a normal hud, but you can also switch it to the fancy next generation of hairstyles by going to BOM mode. And one more fun item from Engine Room is the metal Fan by Arts&Gears. It's interactive with animations to flick your wrist to open and close the fan.

On Him, Monsieur Bleu:
Hair: Ginko Hair #97 Hair - Rigged, Male [mesh](Engine Room)(465L)
Outfit: V.C.LAB Favorite II - Legacy M, red [mesh](Engine Room)(289L)
Mask: DREAMCATCHER Necro-mask [mesh](Necrotize)(199L)
Earring: RAWR! Ankh Queen ELF MALE EvoX Earrings [mesh] 
Claws: RAWR! Merciless Claws Legacy MALE [mesh] 

Eyes: S0NG Charmmy - Lust Eye [mesh] (50L)
Cape: egosumaii Catacomb Prince Cape, gacha [mesh] 

Head, Lips, piercings: LeLUTKA Kane Evolution .2.5 [mesh](3990L)
Body: TheShops [BODY] Athletic Meshbody (Legacy)(m) (1.0) [mesh](5000L)

Pose: FOXCITY Forever After (200L)

On Her, Anna the Automaton Blood Doll:

Guest Appearance: Aarya Phantomhive. For complete stylecard, go to Dark Phantom blog.
Dress: toksik Gracious Dress (Lara) [mesh](Engine Room)(500L)

Collar: DREAMCATCHER Beatrice Collar [mesh](Engine Room)(199L)

Head: BeSpoke Doll Marionette - Head, female [mesh](Engine Room)(600L)

Hair: Aii Sonata Hair [F] [L style3] + {HAIR HELL} [mesh](Engine Room)(500L)

Eyes: [TWC] Realm Eyes (Gld-Blue)(Engine Room)(400L)

Fan: Arts&Gear *AG* Iron fan R[A] (Engine Room)(220L)

Tattoo: Fallen Gods METROPOLIS Rust Prototype, complete[mesh](Engine Room)(480L)

Skin: Fallen Gods Materica female +FGInc.+ RUST Elegance [mesh](1200L)

Setting:
Lamp: Architect Hot Air Balloon Chandelier [mesh](Engine Room)(275L)
Decor: Pitaya The Last Vampire - Long Banner, Curtains, Candelabra, Coffin, Chains 01 [mesh]

Setting: Remarkable Oblivion Danse Macabre - Ruins Stage RARE [mesh]

Thanks for your help, Aarya!

Engine Room: After-Hours Gossip

(click to enlarge)

STORYLINE: “No no,” the Newspaper Delivery Guy said, “I heard it was a secret society behind the Earthquakes.” His incredulous friend, the Barista of Steam Beans, laughed and slapped him on the arm. “For a newsman, you sure do love your fancy conspiracy stories!” He huffed, “It’s not a conspiracy story if its a real conspiracy!” She shook her head and poured gain alcohol on a napkin and dabbed his face with it. “Ouch,” he jumped. “So tell me, you big baby," she smiled, "how you really got those nasty gashes on your face?” He blushed with her so close to him, tending his wounds. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” She gave him The Look. “Fine, fine. I saw a comet hit the ground, buildings fell, and people running out of that Secret Society building I told you about. One of them was screaming back to others still inside, “Lord, he’s coming! Reset it! Reset it!” She was leaning in on his every word, “and then?” He shifted nervous, “I saw a giant emerge from the crater. He was twice, no four times as tall as me. He looked really pissed. And he held a great sword. But get this, it was on fire!” She had that skeptical look on her face once more, "And then what?” "Nothing," he shrugged sheepishly. "Nothing?" ...“Ok fine, I ran! You would have run too if you were there!" She laughed, "Don't tell me, you tripped on a stack of newspapers, and hit the railing with your face." He looked away and blushed. "Oh shit, you did! Poor baby," she pet his arm. He yanked it back, "Nuh uh! I fought that big Angel barehanded and kicked his huge big ass!" She chuckled and shook her head. 

Head over to the Engine Room for steam coolness and gifts, today is the last day! A gallery of products can be seen here: https://secondlifesyndicate.com/events/syndicate-events/engine-room/

On Him, the Newspaper Boy:
Shirt: oni vintage man grey Jake/Legacy [mesh](Engine Room)(300L)
Hat: Deadwool Newsboy hat "1920" herring light [mesh](Engine Room)(120L)

Tattoo face: Broadwing B.W. Mechaneer Wound, Scar [mesh](Engine Room)(200L)

Shoes: Deadwool Dandy shoes - non rigged - black/silver wingtip [mesh](360L)

Tattoo: Clemmm Wretched Arms Black [BOM]

Pants: TheShops PANTS Legacy m Chinos Black(bundled with mesh body)

Head: LeLUTKA lel EvoX KANE 3.1 [mesh](3990L)

Body: TheShops [BODY] Athletic Meshbody (Legacy)(m) (1.0) [mesh](5000L)

On Her, the Barista:
To see Aarya Phantomhive's complete stylecard and continuing story, go to: Dark Phantom Blog
Dress: Insomnia Angel Francesca dress Blouse Mpetite [mesh](Engine Room)(350L)
Boots: Eudora3D Ylva Boots (Legacy) [mesh](Engine Room)(399L)
Earring: Arts & Gear *AG* Steam earrings [mesh](Engine Room)(180L)
Hat: Wicca's Originals  Engine Room Gift Wickham Hat [mesh](Engine Room)(gift)

Setting: 

Cafe set: Kumagami KMGM Steam Beans Cafe [mesh](Engine Room)(398L)

Hanging Plant: Architect Airship Plant [mesh](Engine Room)(275L)

Hanging Light: Air Light_Anniversary gift for CCB_Light [mesh]
Bottles: Apple Fall Argentinian Malbec [mesh](gift)
Newspaper: Apple Fall Crumpled Newspaper [mesh](100L)
Glasses: Apple Fall Wine Glasses [mesh](gift)
Desk Lamp: 22769 [bauwerk] Petroleum Lamp [mesh]
Posters: Noctis barber shop posters
Skybox: TROPIX Vintage Room 01 [mesh](275L)
Poses: ExclusiveShop Bar [mesh](1950L)

Thanks for your help, Aarya!

Engine Room: The Golden Express Bandit

(click to enlarge)

STORYLINE: Kurt Jameson, (formerly known as the Golden Express Bandit), lurched forward falling out of his chair. He had been fast asleep on his post outside the Dark Inventor’s door when the Clocktower Hotel violently shook. Danger! Danger! Danger! All around him were little mechanical sparrows sounding the alarm. He cursed under his breath and searched the wooden floor with his hands until at last he found what he needed. He quickly snapped the strange visor into place over the ruin of his face once more. As it hummed to life, he was able to see again. Without wasting more time, he grabbed his weapons and darted to the window to look outside. A dark ominous crack had formed across the sky, and from inside it, something impossibly bright fell to the ground with such a force the hotel shook again. He took a few steps back. Had the device malfunctioned? When his gaze returned outside, everything was normal. He shrugged and was about to leave when the crack reformed and the bright flaming object fell, but this time when it struck the ground it was so violent two brick buildings nearby fell. He gasped, “What the hell?”

On him, Golden Express Bandit, Kurt Jameson:
Top: Deadwool Malone working vest Legacy taupe[mesh](Engine Room)(390L)

Weapon: AiiZawa Songbird Claw Revolver w/ Grappling hook [mesh](Engine Room)(499L)

Weapon: Val'More Prototype Chainsaw V.2 Steampunk Sling [mesh](Engine Room)(400L)

Mask: Omise OctaScopes FaceArmor [mesh](Engine Room)(200L)

Hat: toksik Varmint Hat [mesh](Engine Room)(300L)

Holster: toksik Varmint Holster [mesh](Engine Room)(400L)

Pet: Rivendale Aether Birb Copper [Animesh](Engine Room)(250L)

Bracers: L'Emporio&PL Bullet Bracers LEGACY/Athletic [mesh](350L)

Pants: TheShops PANTS Legacy m Chinos (Sand)(bundled with mesh body)

Head: LeLUTKA lel EvoX KANE 3.1 [mesh](3990L)

Body: TheShops [BODY] Athletic Meshbody (Legacy)(m) (1.0) [mesh](5000L)

Pose: sakupose+ yzk mens pose 4 hero2 (70L)

Setting:

Birdcage: Air Septem birdcage silver open [mesh](Engine Room)(300L)

Chair: Architect D'Arcy Steampunk Armchair black[mesh](Engine Room)(295L)

Table: Architect Porthole Coffee Table dark [mesh](Engine Room)(245L)

Hanging Plant: Architect Airship Plant [mesh](Engine Room)(275L)

Decanter: HEXtraordinary Kraken Decanter[mesh](Engine Room)(275L)

Skybox: TROPIX Vintage Room 01 [mesh](275L)

Thanks for your help, Aarya!