(click to enlarge)
The Ruler’s presence announced itself long before he appeared. He did not enter; he descended. A vibration crawled through the chandelier’s crystal bones, a hum that made the very air hold its breath, a digital sigh. His form materialized from a swirling vortex of shadow and shimmering code, a storm with no need for thunder. Even in tailored modern attire, the ghost of a Pharaoh clung stubbornly to him: broad shoulders draped in shadow, long golden dreadlocks arranged across one side like a polished nemes. His eyes were molten ore, terrible in their patience, with a faint, low-res static flickering deep within them.
Gin, ever the performer, adjusted his hair in one sweep and arranged himself into his most provocative silhouette, defiant mischief lacquered onto every angle.
“You disappoint me, Lucien.”
He did not raise his voice, yet the velvet syllables dragged centuries of command behind them, a resonant echo that vibrated deep in Gin's bones.
“Your unauthorized indulgence risks exposing us. Scandal won’t lull human curiosity, -- it will sharpen it.”
Gin flicked invisible dust from his shoulder with a hand too languid, too deliberate. The pout that followed was operatic, designed for drama, but for a split second, the performance dropped. The muscles in his jaw tightened, a flash of something hard and bitter crossing his features before it vanished.
“You could have ordered him into obedience,” the Ruler said at last, his shadow lengthening until it coiled like a leash. “Instead, you left him raw. Exposed.”
“One doesn’t break a spirited horse, Darling. Let it choose the bridle of its own volition. I’m an artist, not a butcher.”
The Ruler’s silence stretched. It pressed against the room, against Gin’s skin, as if a blade hovered just above the vein. The air grew perceptibly colder, the electric hum from the walls dipping to a near-silent thrum.
Gin’s grin faltered, then reassembled itself in defiance. He met the Ruler’s gaze.
“You will apologize.” The Ruler’s words dropped like iron, and his breath, when it came, felt hot and arid as a desert wind.
Gin blinked, his lashes fluttering. “To Jihoon? He should apologize to me for refusing my devotion. I gave him—”
“No.” The Ruler’s lips curved, cruel and amused. “To the President of the United States.”
For one heartbeat, even Gin had no script. His perfect posture broke, his back arching slightly in shock. Then he let out a sound halfway between a laugh and a cough. “Oh. …ah… that little… misunderstanding.”
“You threatened to melt his face off. On live satellite stream.”
“Darling!” Gin gasped, spreading his hands like a martyr. “It was metaphor. Performance art. Americans are so literal.”
The Ruler did not blink. “You will apologize.”
Gin collapsed backward into the velvet couch with mock despair, the bio-fibers of the couch shifting to accommodate his weight. He draped an arm across his eyes. “What a ghastly punishment. To abase myself before that decrepit man. Very well—if I must. But I’ll do it on my terms. A gala. Lights, cameras, an audience worth my humiliation. My apology will be spectacular.”
The Ruler stepped closer, and the air chilled. His gold eyes burned like twin suns sinking into an eclipse. “Don’t mistake indulgence for mercy. Your leash is mine. Pull once more against it, and you will choke.”
Gin’s smile remained, but the set of his jaw revealed steel beneath the glamour. He rose slowly, sweeping his silver locks from his shoulders in a practiced cascade.
The Ruler’s voice followed, low and commanding, his voice a disembodied whisper as if from a thousand miles away: “Get your equipment. You are keeping your appointment and apologizing if I have to drag you by the hair myself.”
“As you command,” Gin murmured, bowing low.
The Ruler’s hand rested briefly on Gin’s shoulder. It felt cold and unyielding as stone, a chilling point of contact that felt less like a touch and more like a brand. Then he gestured toward the doors. Together, they left the sanctum, a storm of elegance and menace, bound for a world unready for their theatrics.
This image was inspired by Marilyn Monroes's "Happy Birthday Mr President" and details from this week's chapter in the ongoing Apophis series. It was a very challenging chapter and image concept. The setting was built from scratch, even the Washington Monument! But enough about the behind the scenes, here are some details of the cool items shown....
Over at Sabbath is the another luxurious sexywear outfit by YUEBIN for men and women, with panty options. The deep scoop neckline is very cool, and there is scoop in the back too! Double the cool. ...Over at Androgyny Event ending soon, are Cult's must have pair for boots for fashionably daring men, the Lanneah boots. It includes fits for female avatars too of course. ...From Trap is the adorable Doll Collectable. You just pick the hair style you want with the outfit you want, and buy it. You can buy additional eyes. And there is a free developer pack to make your own textures too. Its mod, so I added to the little fellow a little shine effect and a Jihoon's trademark teal shirt. The doll comes with 6 doll poses, a hud to change the eye art, and they each trigger an avatar hold pose for the doll. Very fun!
On Him MasterGin:
On Him MasterGin:
Boots: CULT Lanneah - Legacy Male [mesh](Androgyny Event)(369L)
Dress: YUEBIN Luminara dress and panty, Legacy male, white [mesh](Sabbath)(350L)
Doll: Trap Doll collectable [mesh](Androgyny Event)(199L)
Jewelry: Yummy Blood & Prayer Set - Linked Earrings, Necklace, male (395L)
Hair: bonbon tame hair, naturals [mesh](439L)
Fur: Dernier Endrit Fur Stole, White [mesh]
Bodysuit: Bas de Laura Store Laura's White Sheer Bodystocking with Long Sleeves [BOM](150L)
Head: LeLUTKA CAMDEN 4.0 [mesh](3990L)
Body: TheShops [BODY] Athletic Meshbody (Legacy)(m) (1.7.1) [mesh](5000L)
Pose: *{( konpeitou )}* mermaid (slight pose edit)
Setting:
Sakura: Tsunami Creations TC - Ultimate Japanese Wild Gnarly Sakura Tree w. animations B
Sakura: LOVE - CHERRY BLOSSOM TREE - A - PINK
Sidewalk: MAke a MArk - Japanese Sakura River site (model 2)
Water: MBC Realistic PBR Water
BONUS IMAGES: inworld raw shots, hi-res, midday sky
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