Cyber Fair: The Age of Apophis, part 2 (Escape from Club Apophis, 56)

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STORYLINE: Forbidden Zone border. 1 pm.

For one brief moment, the Ruler of the Night believed he had won. The boy, Jihoon, was finally his fledgling. MasterGin's centuries-long plot was completely dismantled. Order had claimed the board.

"Cancel the ceremony," he said, savoring the words.

The robotic lioness’s heavy titanium tail stopped its rhythmic swaying. Its synthetic optic lenses suddenly whirred, expanding into wide, black rings.

"But, my King, the nobles from all around the world are already arriving."

The Ruler paid the beast no mind. He activated an archived hologram on his wrist display. Lucien Ginerva, the man the world knew as MasterGin, was draped across his shoulder in a candid nightclub shot. Clad in a plunging gold chainmail dress that clung to his pale frame like liquid metal, Lucien looked breathtaking, scandalous, and entirely in his element. His head was thrown back in a wicked, limelight-stealing laugh. "I am sorry, my dearest friend,” the Ruler murmured to the projection. "Your machinations were impressive. But Order will always claim the board.” He pressed a gloved finger to his lips, then traced the glowing contour of Lucien's cheek with a tenderness he showed no living creature. "Our game will continue another thousand years."

He leaned back against the alley wall, lost in thought.

Suddenly the air changed, as if a cloud passed over the sun. The temperature plummeted ten degrees in a single heartbeat. Automated streetlights along the avenue flickered to life.

The lioness froze. Its metal ears rose. It's retinal HUDs flickered across its optical sensors as it looked toward the sky.

"WARNING. Photonic Decay Detected."

The sun sat squarely overhead, but the light turned a sickly, bruised gray.

“Cause?” The Ruler scanned the horizon.

"Solar output remains at one hundred percent," the lioness stated, its voice carrying an unsettling micro-second of latency. "Surface illumination in this sector has dropped to twelve percent. Cause undefined."

Shadows stretched across the concrete like spilled ink, swallowing the midday glare. His ocular implants auto-compensated, cranking brightness to maximum, but the rising dark simply absorbed the artificial light.

A sharp ping rattled his audio receiver.

"Priority Alert," the AI interrupted from the wrist display. The hologram shifted into a tactical map. A heavy strike hovercopter had just crossed into Korean airspace.

The Ruler zoomed in on the optic feed. The heavily armed UN gunship swept low over the coast. Emblazoned across the black hull were the stark white letters UN beneath the logo of the black widow spider.

Maximilian. His arch enemy.

The Ruler tapped his console, routing a direct, encrypted frequency straight to the White House. A veto from the US in the UN could scuttle any resolution. A single vote from Washington would force Maximilian to retreat.

The line rang. Busy signal.

He redialed immediately, overriding security protocols.

A synthesized voice chimed in his ear. "We're sorry. The number you have reached is no longer in service."

The Ruler froze, his hand hovering above the glowing interface. The line disconnected. He didn’t ask the AI for an explanation. He already knew. This was Lucien’s fault. The idiot had insulted the leader of the free world. His half-hearted apology had lead to their undoing.

High above, the sunlight faded further. A bitter chill swept across the alleyway.

He removed his glove and exposed his bare hand to the sky. He felt no burning. No blistering heat. The daylight had lost its teeth. Soon, the creatures of the night would discover the truth.

Chaos was winning.

The screen of his wrist device glitched, resolving into the static logo of Monstrum, a sigil designed by Lucien himself.

The Ruler stared at the emblem of the serpent swallowing the sun. For the first time in a thousand years, he felt something cold move through his chest. He had greatly underestimated Lucian.

"Your orders, my King?"

The Ruler bolted toward the hovercar, clearing the armored door in a single leap.

"Get Lucien on the line now! Mobilize every division! Seal the northern gates!" he roared into his comms, slamming the throttle to maximum. "And delay the cancellation of the ceremony. Tell no one. We need all the incoming nobility for the war."

The engine screamed to life, tearing out of the alley and plunging into the dimming streets of the Forbidden Zone.

At noon, the world was drowning in shadow. The serpent had swallowed the sun. The Age of Apophis had arrived.

On him, MasterGin:

Outfit: MASON - SINTETIC BODY - LARAX [mesh](CyberFair)

Boots: ANTAYA - Boots "Mora" LaraX[mesh](CyberFair)

Tattoo: ARANA - Sci Arms  -Arms Example 2K [BOM]

Nails: AsteroidBox - Simple Nails - LaraX[mesh]

Collar: Cruel Sulfur Gorget, Legacy M [mesh]

Hair: bonbon - tame hair, naturals [mesh]

Eyes: S0NG - Vampy, Old Ice Eye [BOM]

Skin: Skin Arcana - Maverick, FAIR [BOM]

Skin: Pink Fuel - [PF] <Porcelain> Boi/Athletic [BOM]

Head: LeLUTKA - CAMDEN 4.0 [mesh]

Body: Maitreya - Mesh Body LaraX [mesh]
Body mod: Maitreya - Mesh Body - LaraX FlatChest Add-on [mesh]

Pose: piXit - Sensual - Secret Couple Pose

On him, The Ruler:

Top: Bartimeu - B-120 Cyber Shirt [ATHLETIC] [mesh](CyberFair)

Skin, face: VOGLIA - "THOROS" FANTASY Skin (EvoX) (tinted)[BOM](CyberFair)

Pants: Bartimeu - B-53 Pants L/A [mesh](CyberFair)

Eyes: SHIMM - CYBER XV BONUS [BOM](CyberFair)

Hair: NO.MATCH - NO_COLOURS male [mesh]

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

Head: LeLUTKA - CAMDEN 4.0 [mesh]

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

Setting:

Set: Bersav - Chrome Noir // Top Build Piece [PBR][mesh](CyberFair)

Trees: Little Branch - LB_CyberBloom{Animated}*P[mesh](CyberFair)

BONUS IMAGES: inworld raw shots, hi-res, midday sky, default camera:

Midnight Order: The Pink Door (Escape from Club Apophis, 53)

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STORYLINE:  Romance drew one long, shaky breath. Then he turned toward the 1929 Ford Coupe.

It rested inside the warm pulse of the Safe Zone. To everyone else, it was a sanctuary designed to protect humans from Monstrum. To Romance, this one in particular was something stranger: a wound in time, still smoking from a crash a century old. Sophia's death-date should have been written across her soul two years ago. Instead, the date unraveled, hidden from the laws that governed the dead. Two clocks, both wrong, in opposite directions. It had to be why this barrier burned so bright.

"I know you’re there," Romance whispered into the quiet drip of the sewers. "These cursed eyes can see you."

Fire kindled in his gaze, burning gold in the subterranean dark. A burst of pink vapor enveloped him. His gritty punk outfit dissolved, replaced by the somber, ceremonial attire of a Jeoseung Saja. Deep black robes draped over his shoulders, his pink hair turned red, dark thorn-like patterns crept across his darkening skin, and the wide brim of a traditional gat hat cast his face in shadow.

He drew his demonic hwando from its sheath, a blade crafted for a single purpose: dispatching ghosts. The steel began to smoke with a pale-pink mist, sparks of fuchsia embers raining down from the edge, hissing as they touched the water.

"You were the only one who looked at a soul-sucking leech and saw a human worth saving," Romance rasped, his voice trembling as he looked down at his clawed hands. "And now look at me, Sophia. I have to play the monster once more... just to save you from becoming one. I will never allow you to become another of those hideous faceless Void Nuns haunting the zone. Do you hear me? Never."

He stepped toward the barrier, his boots heavy. He hated this form. The claws. The dark thorns crawling beneath his skin. The cold weight of the blade.

"Do you remember the last time I came down here?" Romance said, his voice breaking into something almost like a laugh. "To help you run the ratline. I was in these tunnels exactly forty-five minutes."

Static wavered from the car. A breath of amusement hummed from the radio, and she finally spoke. "You slipped into a pile of ghoul dung."

"I will not confirm that."

"You screamed so loud the Enforcers three blocks up thought someone died."

"Someone did die. My dignity. I never recovered."

He smiled, hearing her familiar laugh, even if it was carried through static now.

The laughter faded. The soft sound of rushing water filled the space between them.

"We were supposed to rebuild Neu Seoul together after winning the war. A Monstrum-free Korea. You drew city grids on paper napkins. We argued for three hours about where your waste-water recycling restrooms would be in resistance headquarters. And for the record... ew."

A soft, broken hiccup of static answered him from the dashboard radio.

Romance’s smile vanished, replaced by a devastating weight. "I've spent two years pretending you weren't dead. I still send you text messages. Still stupidly buying your favorite coffee every morning. Searching every shadow because I couldn't bear the thought that you were gone."

The static hissed, darkening. "I’m sorry, Pink. It's all my fault. Everything. I messed up. I was desperate to undo it. Turns out, the past is immutable. But of course it is."

"No! Nothing’s your fault," Romance choked, his grief bursting through. He lurched toward the Safe Zone, reaching for Sophia without thinking.

The barrier rejected him.

Pink-white sparks erupted beneath his fingertips, hurling his hand back. He stared at the glowing wall, stunned. Safe Zones had never denied him before.

"What...?"

He pressed his palm against the sizzling edge anyway. Sparks seared his skin. His eyes searched the shimmering barrier for any weakness, any way through.

"Free Energy. Harvesting the entropy from the past. It was genius. No one has to suffer. But they corrupted your technology, and now you're rotting in a sewer, blaming yourself for things you didn’t do. No, Sophia. No. This is how you fall. You’re already a Level 3 poltergeist!"

With gritted teeth, he plunged his blade deep into the barrier, shouting, "It isn’t fair!"

"No! I must protect my son!" a shriek tore through the radio speaker.

The air around the car buckled. Heavy iron wrenches, shards of twisted metal, and shattered glass erupted into motion, flying violently across the corridor toward him.

Romance didn't move. He stood his ground, holding onto the tiny puncture in the barrier, letting a jagged piece of shrapnel slice across his cheek. Blood trailed down his jaw. "Let it hit," he thought desperately. "Let it hurt. The pain means she's still real." At the very last second, his survival instincts took over, and his body dematerialized into mist. A heavy iron pipe flew straight through the space where his chest had been, smashing loudly against the limestone wall.

When he rematerialized, the debris clattered uselessly into the water.

Sophia’s voice sobbed through the static, horrified. "Romance... I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to... I can't control it anymore..."

"I know," he whispered, leaning his head against the damp concrete. His breath came in ragged gasps. "You hid from me. You knew this would be the last place I would ever look. You tried to protect me from having to be the one to reap you."

The radio stilled.

"Idiot," he laughed weakly, wiping blood from his cheek. "You always thought about everyone else first. And look where you are now."

Silence.

Romance reached up, took off his gat hat, and let it fall to the muddy floor. He unclasped his heavy black outer robe, dropping it into the water.

He stopped being the Jeoseung Saja. He stopped being the idol. He stopped being the revolutionary leader.

He sat down in the mud as simply himself: just the man who had loved her. There were so many things he wanted to say, but nothing came out. He pulled his knees to his chest. Words weren’t enough. So he reached for the only language grief had left him. He began to sing. It wasn't a performance. He didn't use his polished stage voice. It was quiet, fragile, and rough with tears.

"Come closer. 

You feel it, don't you? 

That pull, that hum. 

You already know you're doomed. 

Let me make the last thing you ever hear

 a song of surrender.

Don't be scared. 

The dark is just a room. 

Pink is only a doorway. 

You won't cross it alone."

The static on the radio wavered. Romance’s voice soared, giving sound to heartbreak:

"Come through the pink door... 

come through the pink door... 

My love, come through the pink door.

Once you step inside, there's no turning back. 

I cradle every soul, 

sing every stranger home. 

But when it’s you..."

Romance’s voice died in his throat as grief choked him completely. Tears spilled down his cheeks, his raw sobs echoing through the cavern.

Then, softly, the car’s speakers played three ascending musical notes, answering his melody with a reply only he would recognize.

He looked up, startled.

Inside the glowing boundary of the Safe Zone, a pale, ghostly figure materialized beside the driver's side door. Sister Sophia stood in her simple nun's habit, her spectral face translucent, tears shimmering like spilled light down her cheeks.

She looked at him, really looked at him, for the first time in two years. She stepped toward the inner edge of the barrier.

"Why must love and duty be enemies?"

Romance shook his head, stunned. "What?"

Sophia’s ghostly eyes flashed with a faint, familiar spark: the brilliant, dangerous light of an inventor who didn’t bow to dogma.

"I refuse to accept this," she said, her voice growing clearer. "It’s just another problem to be solved. A hypothesis worth testing... if you’re willing to take one last leap with me."

Romance felt that old, familiar tug in his chest: Sophia, daring to dream of impossible things. "I'm listening."

"Instead of reaping me... make me like you." A subtle, hungry tilt touched the corner of her lips, a hint of poltergeist energy curling beneath her spirit. "I can stay with you, protect Jihoon, and perhaps... make a few monsters regret their life choices."

Romance stared at her, terrified. "Sophia... the Jeoseung Saja have rules. You're already a Level 3. What if I try to bring you into the spirit realm and it fails? What if you turn into nothing?"

He had never been more afraid of his own hands.

"Then I have nothing to lose except the chance to try," Sophia replied quietly, stepping right up to the edge of the barrier. "Inside this temporal lock, insulated from time, it feels like I've been waiting forever. I am stronger than you know. It’s you who needs to come to me."

Romance stood up slowly. He reached his clawed hand out toward the sizzling barrier. He didn't push with force or authority; he simply offered his hand in total surrender.

His hand passed straight through the barrier without a single spark. The glowing shield recognized mutual consent, dissolving around his wrist like warm water, spreading outward until the boundary unraveled entirely.

"I can't believe that worked," he breathed.

"Functioned exactly as designed." Sophia stepped forward, her spectral fingers wrapping tightly around his. "Take me away, you romantic fool. One last adventure into the unknown."

Romance looked at her, tears spilling down his face, as a genuine, radiant smile finally broke across his features. "Thank you for believing in me."

Sophia squeezed his hand tight. "We've always been at our best when laughing at those who said it couldn't be done."

Romance chuckled through his tears. "You really are impossible."

"Obviously."

With a sudden, brilliant flash, rose-pink smoke erupted from the ground at their feet, swirling upward in a column that filled the cavern. It enveloped them both and the mummified figure inside the car, pulling everything upward into the dark in one consuming spiral.

Then, nothing. Only an empty sewer. An empty car.

Epilogue

Around the bend, Kyra stopped in her tracks. Echo paused beside her, clutching her bandaged collarbone.

The sewer corridor behind them had plunged into absolute, dead silence. The warm glow of the Safe Zone faded, leaving only the sinister violet pulse of the Entropy Engine peeking out from under the hood.

Without Sophia's temporal shield, a century of frozen time crashed over the 1929 Ford Coupe all at once.

The ancient steel groaned. Corrosion bloomed across the frame in real time; rust flaked off in heavy sheets, the rubber tires dry-rotted and collapsed with a slow hiss, and the windshield cracked into a spiderweb of yellowed powder. The car sank inches into the sewer sludge, disintegrating from a sanctuary into a decaying heap of ancient iron.

Goosebumps crawled up Echo’s arms. Her eyes widened. "What? What’s happening?"

Ghost jumped in front of them, raising a heavy iron pipe, his jaw set in a hard line.

The rushing stream of sewer water slowed to a trickle... stopped completely... and then began to flow backward against gravity, churning into dark, frothing ripples that crested upstream.

Minjo grabbed a wrench from her belt and stood shoulder-to-shoulder beside Ghost, her face turning pale. "Do you hear it?" she whispered, adjusting her new AR goggles as they flickered wildly with red error warnings. "Something big is coming."

Kyra’s cybernetic eyes whirred, cycling rapidly through infrared and analog spectrums until the subterranean gloom shifted in her view. She froze, trembling, then slowly raised her arm to point down the dark tunnel into the churning water.

"Snake!"

On him, DJ Romance:

Hair: DURA - U139, Light [mesh](Midnight Order)(390L)

Outfit: Gild - UQC coat set_Black legacy(m) [mesh](Midnight Order)(250L)

Claws, rings: NI.JU - Acantha Rings/Nails Set - legacy m [mesh](Midnight Order)(250L)

Wings: Axis Mundi - Lust Demon, Male [Bento] [mesh](Midnight Order)(2000L)

Shoes: cococat - Gomusin - Black (Legacy M) [mesh]

Hat: Dope+Mercy Saja Gat, Sheer [mesh](Gift)

Earring: RavenBell - Starlit Earrings [Moonlit] [mesh](350L)

Waistchain: L&B Swear Plain Key Chain, LEGACY ATHLETIC [mesh]

Tattoos: HISS - PATTERNS FACE ROMANCE [BOM](250L)

Bodysuit: Bas de Laura Store Laura's Black Sheer Bodystocking with Long Sleeves [BOM](150L)

Eyes: S0NG - Oxy, Sunshine Eye [BOM]

Head: LeLUTKA - KANE [mesh](3990L)

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

Pose: created in Firestorm

Setting:

Setting: Dirty Rat - Sewer [mesh]

BONUS IMAGES: inworld raw shots, hi-res, midday sky:

Midnight Order: Escape from Club Apophis, 10

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STORYLINE: A dense fog curled over the stadium like a digital filter gone rogue, muting color and casting everything in a washed-out grey.

Still, the crowds came.

Fans poured in from all sides, decked out in crimson Jae Won Dragons jerseys, reactive face paint, and pulsing halo banners. One projected a flickering “GO DRAGONS!” in bold red above a kid’s head. Another shimmered with a sarcastic thumbs-down emote, aimed squarely at the freak weather.

Overhead, news drones buzzed like flies drawn to prophecy.

Then Lisa Liemawr’s voice dropkicked the stadium speakers like a pop idol crash-landing onto the PA system.

“Don’t adjust your glasses. No, your optics aren’t glitching,” she purred. “It is seriously foggy out here! Like—OMG, who ordered the haunted mansion DLC for opening day? Someone cancel the séance and bring back the sun!”

Her laughter crackled like static glitter.

“But don’t panic. Your girl Lisa is locked in with a full drone squad, so you won’t miss a single steamy second of our cyber-prince, Lathandro, making his legendary baseball debut!”

She winked into the cam drone. “This is Hexa Herald Live, your #1 source for everything scandalous, cyber-beautiful, and definitely not school-sanctioned.”

A sharp burst of static.

Then a clipped male voice: “We apologize for the unauthorized transmission. For official coverage of the Jae Won Dragons Season Opener, please connect to the Jae Won Athletic Portal.”

Cut to Lisa, already halfway up a stairwell toward the upper deck, red hair swinging as her drone hovered behind. “Okay, okay. Maybe I wasn’t technically authorized to hijack the PA system. Boo, censorship!”

She gestured behind her at the looming glass skybox, carved like a luxury mausoleum into the stadium’s upper ring.

“That, my scandal-hungry sweets, is the brand new Obsidian Lounge. Gilded ceilings. Black-tinted views. Total donor drama. And I’m getting in.”

Cut to her crouched by the matte-black door, holding up a silver device.

“I know what you’re thinking. Lisa, isn’t this wildly illegal?”

Grin.

“Only if you get caught.”

Click. The door hissed open, icy air slipping out like breath from a crypt.

“Behold. Where megadonors sip nutrient wine... and pretend to care about sports.”

She steps inside. The drone follows, revealing sterile opulence: hover chairs without a crumb in sight, temp zones, anti-UV glass, mood lighting like a Bond villain’s spa.

“Bougie much?”

No chatter. No drinks. Just rows of blank black monitors. 

Lisa’s grin falters. She shivers, rubbing her arms. “Okay, exclusive tour complete. Time to bounce before they send security.”

She spun to leave, and froze.

Where there had been an open doorway, now a thick curling fog coiled inward, slow and deliberate, seeping across the polished marble like something alive.

Her Cam Bot whirred, zooming ahead, just before static fuzzed the lens.

The tall figure stepped from the fog like royalty arriving late on purpose. His heels clicked with absolute disdain. A cape of white trailed behind him like smoke. He paused on the marble threshold, lifted his gloved hand, and slid his sunglasses up just enough to hide the faint, unnatural glow beneath.

Lisa’s eyes widened. Her camera bot hovered uncertainly beside her, still streaming.

She forced her signature grin. “Okay, Dragonlets, plot twist! We have a surprise cameo from none other than Dr. Lucien Ginerva, founder of GIN AESTHETICA™, biotech visionary, and the megadonor behind this gorgeously extra Obsidian Lounge! Aaaand I definitely did not break in to get here.”

She gave a theatrical shrug, trying to keep it light. “So, what do you think, Doc? Worth the donation?”

MasterGin's smile was elegant and rehearsed, yet somehow colder than the fog curling around his boots. "Functional. Though the security is appallingly thin."

Her laugh flickered, high, hollow, and a little too loud. “Haha, classic rich-guy shade. Sooo... you here to catch your golden boy’s debut? Lathandro’s big moment?”

He turned slowly, savoring the question like a fine wine. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he purred. Then his smile thinned. “We need to speak privately.”

He pivoted with surgical grace, navy leather gloves catching the light, each fingertip tipped in gleaming gold. As he flexed his hand, a visible arc of electricity jumped claw to claw.

The first thing to die was Lisa’s cam drone.

Zzzt.... A snap of blue light. The drone spiraled and crashed in a plume of smoke.

Then he turned to her, claws still humming.

“You and your cheerleader accomplice should have stopped at fan merch,” he said smoothly. “But you profited off what doesn’t belong to you. You sold what I created: the face, the body, the name, the branding. Everything Lathandro is a registered trademark under GIN AESTHETICA™... right down to the perfectly placed mole on Yoon Jihoon’s ass.”

Lisa stepped back, posture faltering. “You can’t… you wouldn’t,” she said, her voice stretched taut behind the flicker of a falling grin. “Let’s make a deal. I’ve got reach. Influence. You want to control the narrative, right? I can help—”

“Enough. Your little puppet show’s over,” he said coldly. “My lawyers are en route to your apartment. Yes, where your real body sleeps behind a firewall that won’t hold.”

Her avatar twitched, lips flickering with a static stammer.

“I look forward to your prison stream, my dear. No filters, no enhancements. Just you, as you really are. A tragic downgrade.”

Zzzt.... Another flash of voltage.

Lisa’s avatar collapsed like a doll with cut strings, glassy eyes flickering once before going dark.

With a whiff of ozone and scorched plastic, MasterGin stepped past her crumpled body as if she were a steaming pile of refuse befouling his polished obsidian floor.

From behind the tinted windows, Lucien Ginerva raised his chrome-sight binoculars.

The thick fog gripped the stadium like white velvet steeped in rot, soft and suffocating, leaving just one immaculate sightline: Jihoon, alone in the dugout, head bowed.

He wasn’t wearing the high-tech gear personally designed for him. Not the UV-proof bodysuit laced with nanofibers. Not the smart boots. Not the reenforced carbon-fiber bat etched with the Lathandro™ brand.

Instead, Jihoon was with her, that grimy little machinist with a spinal column of schematics. She was touching his Lathandro, defiling those perfect cheekbones with drugstore sunscreen.

Gin’s grip tightened on the viewing rail. His rings creaked.

*I warned you, Little Worm… You don’t belong among them anymore. Daylight will crack your pretty dollface.*

Jihoon’s eyes immediately flew open and frantically searched the stands for The King Cobra.

From his lofty perch, the doctor stepped into the hazy daylight, his long white hair whipping like fire. In one hand: an ornate bottle rimmed in gold—an exact twin of the SPF 100 Nano-Serum he had sent Jihoon.

He flicked a gold claw. The bottle opened. Then, slow and deliberate, he poured its priceless contents across the ground. The serum hissed as it hit the warm concrete.

No smile. No parting glance. Just a turn, heels clicking into fog like a metronome counting down to tragedy.

Outside the skybox, he paused.

Above him, the stadium’s half-dome loomed, the curved jumbo screen flashing Jihoon’s face in slow motion as he stepped up to bat, smiling nervously at the crowd.

The fans chanted, “LATHANDRO! LATHANDRO!”

And by the time the King Cobra reached the garage, the fog had thinned. A black limousine idled. Diplomatic plates gleamed. Gold flags on the hood bore the crest: a snake swallowing the sun.

Just behind it, sleek, low, and quietly seething, hovered his personal car, penned in by the limo.

His eyes narrowed. 

This wasn’t a pickup. It was a leash.

The chauffeur stepped out: tall, faceless, chrome-masked, “The Ruler is expecting you. Your flight to America is waiting.”

MasterGin said nothing. His claws tapped once against each other. Then he turned, flung his cape over one shoulder like armor, and entered the waiting car with a haughty sneer.

The door hissed shut behind him like a blade into its sheath.

Through the rear window, the fog that cloaked the stadium began to dissolve, retreating like a fading shield.

The crowd roared. A bat cracked. Then a gut-wrenching screech cut through the air.

A terrible hush fell over the stadium.

Ambulances screamed past as the limo glided onto the elevated expressway. 

Enraged, MasterGin’s hand slammed the console. Mozart’s Requiem surged through the cabin, loud and relentless.

He sat rigid, every muscle locked tight as he fought the flood inside, -- the grief, the anger, the silent plea.

A single tear slipped down behind his dark sunglasses. Hot. Traitorous.

He wiped it away.

No one should ever see cracks in a perfectly sculpted mask.

For followers who made it this far in the ongoing Apophis series, thank you. This is an ending but with a strong option continue in a sequel. 

Midnight Order is going strong and this round there are several gothic themes not covered before, such as Kpop Demons and the Dark Ages! For this image, I focused on Elegant and Gold. MasterGin is wearing the OneDays Regalia Outfit gold fatpack. The cape comes separate. A single color version is 350L, You know I love me some fancy.   ...Speaking of fancy, check out the gorgeous ISHIKU Dionaea guided crystal drink and bootle set. I hope you can see from the picture how nice it is. Masterful textures and materials.  ...And it goes perfectly with the Eclectica- Gothic Bar Set. I love the arches on the wall and dresser display! The barstool includes several poses, the bar includes useful poses for the bartender including cutting limes, polishing glass, pouring wine, stacking glasses. It can Rez bar items like tap, port, wine, limes, and anyone can sit on bar to trigger items. Just touch the glass/bottle/barrel to get your drink.   ...My bartender for the image is the Whats Lost Spirits TV MAN. His face inside the tv is an aniamated eye. It's mod so I gave him a slight gold tint. to make it fit with slightly cyber theme instead of retro, I hid his rabbit ears antennas. He is a very fun sculpture!   ... {anc} always excells at elegance and mood. The panel lamp stands are more soft winners that can add a dreamy polish to a room.   .... From Random Matter is the Stargazer [Part II], part of a themed set. You can find other items in the at thier booth in Midnight Order.  ... From CABALPIER is the elegantly twisted Forgotten Birdcage. I included a 2nd image below so you can see the poor bird who didn't make it.

On him, MasterGin:

Outfit, cape: Onedays Nightborn Regalia Outfit gold fatpack, Athletic [mesh](Midnight Order)(1500L)

Bottle, glass: ISHIKU Dionaea Guilded Crystal Set[mesh](Midnight Order)(470L)

Hair: Ginko Hair #97 Hair - Rigged, Male [mesh]

Gloves: CURELESS[+] Nepenthes Glove L / LEGACY M[mesh]

Cigarette holder: GRAAL SMOKING SNAKE [mesh](349L)

Glasses: Kumaki Glasses K_gs Kasha_R2 [mesh]

Eyes: S0NG Vampy, Old Ice Eye [BOM]

Skin: Skin Arcana Maverick, FAIR [BOM]

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

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

Pose: ZZANG Strength 002 (edited in firestorm)

Setting:

Bar: Eclectica Gothic Bar set [mesh](Midnight Order)(550L)

Globe: Random Matter Stargazer [Part II] Globe, Gold [mesh](Midnight Order)(125L)

Lamps: {anc} panel lamp stand 2Li (amber) [mesh](Midnight Order)(269L)

Birdcage: CABALPIER Forgotten Birdcage <PBR>  [mesh](Midnight Order)(345L)

Bartender: Whats Lost Spirits WLS - TV MAN  [mesh]

PBR Walls, Floor: Erfe Design Medusa Floor PBR Material [PBR]

Skybox: CANARUN Rock/Concrete Loft Skybox [mesh]

BONUS IMAGES: inworld raw shots, hi-res, midday sky :

Engine Room: The Night Fliers

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STORYLINE: It was risky flying night time bombing runs over Berlin. Sure, the cover of night would protect the bombers but the bombs rarely landed on their intended industrial targets. Faced with this problem, Winston Churchill had an idea. He called the leader of his secret new ally for help, the Children of the Night. This is how the Crimson Bat rose to fame in the newly formed Vampire Nation. He had been a smuggler working in the Pacific with a stolen Zero, and now he was the leader of the Night Fliers, the fighter escort for the nocturnal Allied bombing raids.

This post was inspired by the Deiselpunk elements at the 2nd round of the Engine Room. This round is even larger than the first, and stuffed with amazing and creative quality items. Don’t miss it! The hat by Ungod comes in brown or black, with wrench emblem or not. The Bomber jacket by Krankhaus has fits for major bodies in both mainstream and anime styles. It has a hud to change the change the textures of many separate texture zones. To add a little more of a vampire twist to the outfit, I used the bat barrettes by Cae and earring by Supernatural like medals for a vampire airman. Lol The eyepatch is from the Military Girl gacha by Silvery K. The pants are a gacha from Riot, Bird of Prey. I wanted a unform looking top to go under the jacket, and found a great solution in the Perseo Space suit by L’Emporio&SL. Adding a bit more DieselPunk elements are the headphone by the forge and belt by Deathrow. The Gloves are by Contraption, and undersuit by Blue Falcon Industries. I had a very hard time finding a plane, thats how I ended up with a Zero instead of a B-17 Flying Fortress. HaroMotors has a lovely Zero with well made insides and outsides, and a very hud with many capabilities.

MAY 4 UPDATE: After a week of waiting, a dead monitor was confirmed to be problem. However the replacement monitor is defective. A new new-monitor will arrive May 13th. Meanwhile, here is my attempt to power-on despite the woe... Enjoy some DeiselPunk from the Engine Room! Its Half-time now, with new releases and gifts!

On him, The Crimson Bat of Night Fliers:
Hat: Ungod Iron Legion Cap [mesh] (Engine Room)(149L)
Jacket: Krankhaus Airman Jacket, Jake [mesh](Engine Room)(200L)
Top: L'Emporio&PL Perseo Space Suit, Black [mesh](430L)
Belt: Deathrow DRD Steampunk Belt [mesh](175L)
Headset: The Forge Aviator Headset steel, Head Units gacha [mesh](75L)
Bodysuit: Blue Falcon Industries Armored Undersuit, light (300L)
Medals: Cae Trick or Treat Barrettes - Set 1[mesh](325L)
Pants: RIOT Birds of Prey pants black, gacha [mesh](50L)
Eyepatch: Silvery K Military Girl(Eyepatch Silver)13, gacha [mesh](80L)
Gloves: ContraptioN Dapper Dandy's Gloves [mesh](350L)
Boots: Lapointe Bastchild L&B Swear "Drift Mesh" Leather Jacket Outfit - Mens [mesh]
Medal: Supernatural Natasha Septum Silver #6, gacha [mesh]
Medal: Supernatural Natasha Septum Silver #9, gacha [mesh]

Eyes: S0NG Sublime Eye, Vampire Eye [mesh](50L)
Eyeliner: Lovely Disarray The Guyliners : Slept in [BOM](110L)
Scar: Usagi Cafe Usagi Cafe hunt item #4 [BOM]

Hair: Action Hair Base 04 Veganic - Snow [BOM](107L)

Skin: Tableau Vivant Noctis skin - bald -Tone 01[BOM]
Mesh head: Raven Bell James, Bento [mesh] (2000L)
Body: Belleza Jake 2.0 Bento Mesh Body  [mesh](2999L)
Pose: [3M] standing2_m_001_1

Setting:
Plane: HaruMotors HM A6M2b-Kaga [mesh](2500L)

Location:
Tulagi Seaport & WWII Central [VICE]

Dream of the Yuki-Bidanshi

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STORYLINE: Wind whistled through the bare branches of the frozen wasteland. It seemed to Yuri to be loneliest sound on Earth. The coldness bit into his skin. He pulled his coat closer. He shouldn't linger here, there was something he needed to do. But just then, he heard the soft crunch of steps in the snow behind him. He spun around to see a shimmering ghost emerging from the forest. Was it a seductive Yuki-Bidanshi come to lure him to a wintery death? The long mane of the specter whipped wildly in the wind. He should run, but still he stood frozen completely mesmerized by the approaching vision of beauty and elegance. The Yuki-Bidanshi's eyes sparkled with mischief as it glided before him. It was remarkable just how much it looked like his coach Victor. "Wake up, Sleeping Beauty,” the spirit smiled playfully. “Lessons began half an hour ago. You’re late." Oh shit! Yuri bolted straight up out of bed and fell face first on the floor. Its time to celebrate Japanese New Year! Japonica returns with New Years decorations for home and avatar. Don't miss this wonderful event full of the best designers of Japan! For more information, go to: https://baroquedjaponica.blogspot.com/

On Him, Yuki-Bidanshi Victor:
Kimono: Sakka Studio ~Ss~Uchikake { OIRAN } outfit - green [mesh](Japonica)(350L)
Wrap: katat0nik (20) Fur Shawl RARE, gacha [mesh](Japonica)(50L)
Horns: SOUEN Suzune Horn' Silver[mesh](Japonica)(250L)
Hair: Air Kazura A01_Tail (ADD)_white_CM[mesh](Japonica)(100L)
Eye makeup: Clemmm At Death's Door Transparent eyemakeyuu, TMP (93L)
Nails: Hello Dave Slink Avatar Enhancement Nail Appliers - December Frost (99L)
Eyes: S0NG Frost Aqua Eye [mesh] (50L)
Brow: Aeros brows applier TMP (free)
Head applier: Tableau Vivant Marcus(2), Mort Vivant TMP applier(400L)
Hand applier: Tableau Vivant Mort Vivant applier, Slink (400L)
Hand: Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands - Male [mesh](450L)
Head: TheMeshProject (BETA) Head(m) - Anime (Deluxe) [mesh](5000L)
Body: TheMeshProject (BETA) Deluxe Body [mesh](5000L)
Pose: Del May DM - Aloof (50L)

Location:
{Hide & Seek}

The Judgement of Kitsune Sensei

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STORYLINE: "Your training is almost complete but you lack, ...strength."  It was these words, spoken by their Sensei, that set the Kitsune Twins on a mission to find the strongest man in the village. No Ninja squad could be complete with only two members. So they guessed their Sensei meant they needed to recruit someone strong to the group. Now as they returned, they could barely hold their excitement. "Master," they bowed deeply before the old nine tail fox. "We have found strength. Behold...." From the shadows stepped a tiny oni. The twins ears twitched nervously. "This is the Kuro Oni, little brother of the strongest in the village, the Ketsueki Oni. It's Kuro's dream to train under you and become a true ninja." Sensei stood. In his hand grew a bright ball of spirit flames. Suddenly he hurdled the flaming ball towards the little oni. Kuro's many hours of training kicked in and dodged the sudden attack. A smile grew on the old fox's face, "I accept you, Kuro. Just I as accepted your big brother, Ketsueki to my squad when we were both lads. Back then, he was no bigger then you are now. Welcome to the family."

On Him, Kitsune Sensei:
Tail: Cubic Cherry 01 {Catty-fox} ninetailed fox pastel RARE, gacha [mesh](50L)
Hair: Tableau Vivant Trey naturals 1 [mesh](250L)
Pants: !gO! Shinobu - Hakama, gacha [mesh](Fantasy Gacha)(75L)
Top: !gO! Shinobu - Kataginu, gacha [mesh](Fantasy Gacha)(75L)
Mask: W-Zero 00-YokoGchaF, gacha [mesh](75L)
Mask: W-Zero -00-Yoko-EarringsRed, gacha [mesh](75L)
Mask: W-Zero -00-Yoko-EarWhite, gacha [mesh](75L)
Mask: W-Zero -00-Yoko-Fox Mask_Red, gacha [mesh](75L)
Mask: W-Zero -00-Yoko-KoteB, gacha [mesh](75L)
Mask: W-Zero -00-Yoko-UnderYoroiA, gacha [mesh](75L)

Fur: Aii Wht InuDaiyoukai Fur mantle v.II [mesh](350L)
Makeup: Aii InuDaiYoukai Makeup Pack - TMP (150L)
Undershirt applier: ADN ASSASSIN omega applier (99L)
Eyes: S0NG Oxy Sunshine Eye, gacha [mesh](50L)
Body, hands applier: Tableau Vivant Slink body Mort Vivant (400L)
Head applier: Tableau Vivant Minos Mort Vivant TMP - shadow(600L)
Head: TheMeshProject (BETA) Head(m) - Anime (Deluxe) [mesh](5000L)
Hands: Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands [mesh](450L)
Body: Slink Physique MALE Mesh Body V2.9[mesh](1,250L)
Pose: momomuller / 3M standing16_m_back_001 (edited) (40L)

The Mokuren Oni

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STORYLINE: The Magnolia Oni, Mokuren, was visited by the Hell Butterfly. Time stood still and the world fell away into a strange white haze. "Am I dead?" he wondered. The sympathetic Hell Butterfly smiled sadly. "Damn. It's not right, what the humans are doing. This is sacred Oni land. The humans shouldn't be here. An Oni like me is not too strong, but I can push back. What can a tree do? Hope it's thick centuries-old trunk can break their chainsaws?" He laughed bitterly. As he lay dying, the Magnolia Oni began to reminisce about his life. The Hell Butterfly was in no hurry, she delighted in hearing his tales. As the time passed she grew to love him. Before she thought it through, she handed him her scythe. "I refuse to take you to the other side. This weapon is yours now. It's deadly to all living creatures, including humans. Use it wisely and you can protect the silent ones who can’t fight for themselves."

The 2nd second round of The Gathering has lots of lovely original mesh gachas in the fantasy themes such as Scifi, Asian, Halloween, Gor, and Medeival. It ends soon, so don't miss it.  Shown above from the Gathering is the cool Scythe by Cila, the Elf ears by CerberusXing, the AXIX Wuking mask, the Dystopia Wings by E.V.E, and the excellent Moments of Contemplation teahouse set by 22769 ~ [bauwerk]. The Magnolia tree and horns are by AIR. The Kimono is by Silvery K. Hair Jeal is by Ayashi and comes in rigged and non-rigged. Eyes are by S0ng on sale at Nightmares. And eye makeup is by Lovely Disarray. The Achelous horns by Souzou Eien include headdess jewerly, but for my image I went for a more simple horn style. The horns are mod, so you can change them how you like. For Slink Male body users, you can pick up an applier to match your favorite skins. The appliers will automatically apply to the hands and feet too. Nice! .....Stay tuned because my Blogger Bat buddy Aarya Phamtomhive will be bringing you the 2nd part of this story as the Hell Butterfly.

On Him, Mokuren Oni:

Weapon: Cila Sickle of the trial RARE, gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(50L)

Ears: CerberusXing Elven Ear Long Tunnel, gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(75L)

Mask: Axix Wukong Mask - All colors, gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(75L)

Wings: E.V.E Dystopia Wings Purple C ULTRARARE, gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(75L)

Horns black: Souzou Eien Achelous Horns [mesh](200L)

Hair: Ayashi Jeal hair - white set [mesh](250L)

Eyes: S0NG Vampy - Plum Eye [mesh](The Nightmare)(50L)

Makeup: Lovely Disarray Hozuki : Makeup Set (150L)

Kimono: Silvery K Men's  Yukata 2015 Purple [mesh](180L)

Necklace, bracelet, ring: Mandala LUSTFUL-Jewelry-set male [mesh](437L)
Horns plant: Air Magnolia_Head Accessory_Luna_CM [mesh](no longer available)
Sandles: CerberusXing Sasu Geta Black [mesh](300L)

Hands: Slink Male Hands [mesh] (450L each)
Feet: Slink Male Feet Flat [mesh] (650L)

Skin: Tableau Vivant Kat Skin - Tone 01 (no brow) (990L)
Skin body applier: Tableau Vivant tone 1 Slink male (400L)
Body: Slink Physique MALE Mesh Body Release 1[mesh](1,250L)

Pose above: yzk mens pose 4 hero1 (10L)
Pose below: Black Tulip What was left of her #5 (175L)

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On her, The Hell Butterfly:

Guest Appearance: Aarya Phantomhive

(For more of this story from the Hell Butterfly point of view go to the Dark Phantom blog):
Wings: Souzou Eien ~*S.E.*~ Wicked Fae Wings [Dark Red] 

Staff: Cubic Cherry 03{Sekai} staff onyx back RARE, gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(50L)
Staff: Cubic Cherry 05{Sekai} collar B , gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(50L)
Staff: Cubic Cherry12{Sekai} L-bracialet, R-bracialet C, gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(50L)
Staff: Cubic Cherry15{Sekai} halo C , gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(50L)
Faceband: Cubic Cherry  {CHO} faceband CRIMSON
Tattoo: Clemmm Unkin Body Smear
Tattoo: The Nebulae Tattoo Layer - Mouth Ooze
Belt: The Nebulae  Bat Patch - Black Leather
Ring: The Nebulae Chiroptera Ring - Black
Ring: The Nebulae  Chiroptera Ring - Silver
Top: The Nebulae  Tattered Tube - Insectivorous
Piercings: Haus of Darcy .HoD. - Otherside - Slide
Skirt: Riske Countess Skirt (Noir)
Ears: Mandala SHORT_(L) [MANDALA]FANTASY_ELF_EARS
Piercings: [ni.Ju] Monroe Piercing
Eyes: S0NG Sugar~ Vampire Eye
Skin: Glam Affair - Sia Ghost - Polar 01 A
Body: Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara V3.4

Setting:

Tree: AIR Magnolia tree_luna_CM [mesh] (200L)
House: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Moments of Contemplation, ULTRARARE gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(50L)
Little Well: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Moments of Contemplation, gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(50L)
Sakura Tree: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Moments of Contemplation, gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(50L)
Garden Gate: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Moments of Contemplation, gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(50L)
Meditation Bell: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Moments of Contemplation, gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(50L)
Japanese Stone Lantern: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Moments of Contemplation, gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(50L)
Stone Garden: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Moments of Contemplation, gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(50L)
Windchime: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Moments of Contemplation, gacha [mesh](The Gathering)(50L)

What We Do In Cursed, 3

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STORYLINE: Lilandra was an eccentric artist. Unlike the other Darks, she slept in the night and worked during the day. Her paintings were highly prized among the Dark for the powerful emotional chords they struck with the viewer. Others tried to emulate her style but ultimately failed. It was a mystery. She said needed privacy to create her masterpieces. Most accepted this explanation, however there was more to it. 

Happy WORLD GOTH DAY everyone, and welcome Akira Voorheese to the blog. She was a great help. I told her I was looking for a Bride of Dracula, ancient, vampire, and elegant. And just like that, BOOM, she had it done. Awesome. ... This first image uses heavily the wonderful Vanitas gacha by Noctis that ran in the October Tag gacha. When you touch a painting, it will slowly become more painted. It will also send you a paint palette and paint brush. I love these. (5/23/15 UPDATE: Good news! This gacha has returned to the Noctis mainstore at New Babbage.)  I included a few more artists studio gacha items from the School Festival last month by Sorgo and vive atelier. I'm a sucker for art studio stuffs. Love it. ... Akira is wearing several nice gacha from the Fantasy Gacha: the deviousMind crown and necklace, and the Una Bronte dress. She's wearing two hairs by booN. She thought I was crazy to suggest wearing 2 at the same time, but it looks great. Thanks for your help, Akira!

Setting, Painting room:
Chair, pose: Noctis Vampirium2 Parlor chair wings, 3li [mesh](255L)
Rug: Noctis Semi antique Chinese rug (55L)
Pencils, cup: SORGO Water Cup gacha, 2li [mesh](75L)
Sketchbook: vive atelier 09 Artists Sketchbook gacha, 4li [mesh](50L)
Painting, palette, brush: Noctis Vanitas painting 5/Edwaert Collier: 1663 gacha, 3li [mesh]
Painting: Noctis Vanitas painting 2/E Collier, Natura Morta con Teschio gacha, 3li [mesh]
Painting: Noctis Vanitas painting 3/Ambrosius Bosschaert 1630 gacha, 3li [mesh]
Painting: Noctis Vanitas painting 1/Phillipe de Champaigne, 1646 gacha, 3li [mesh]
Stool: Noctis Vanitas artist's stool wood gacha, 2li [mesh]
Barrel: Noctis Vanitas artist's barrel w brushes gacha, 6li [mesh]
Crate: Noctis Vanitas artist's paints and pallette on crate gacha, 6li [mesh]

On her, Lilandra:
Guest appearance: Akira.Voorheese of The SL Chatterbox blog
Necklace: deviousMind VictorianGothic - Crystal Cross 2-row Necklace , gacha [mesh](Fantasy Gacha)(75L)
Crown: deviousMind VictorianGothic - Crystal Cross Crown , gacha [mesh](Fantasy Gacha)(75L)
Dress, belt: Una Bronte Drees and belt, gacha [mesh](Fantasy Gacha)
Hair 1: booN MMK375 hair black [mesh](280L)
Hair 2: booN POI481 hair black [mesh](280L)
Tattoo: SongBird Messy Eater - Rather Hungry (100L)
Makeup: cStar Limited Cat Liner - 009 - Hardcore Cat (no longer available)
Eyelashes: Mon Chéri *MC* "Falsies" Eyelash [mesh](299L)
Fangs: Cain Realistic Vampire fangs (50L)
Lips: MUDSKIN Candy Lips_Deadly Apple glossy_Dark
Skin: Plastik Immortalia Skin-Femme:// Avicus
Eyes: S0NG Sweety~ Vampire Eye (50L)
Body: Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara V3.3 [mesh](2750L)

(click to enlarge)

STORYLINE: The truth was Lilandra mixed blood into her paints. She collected "blood scent" from various places, animals, and people. You see, to a Dark a blood scent can evoke a mood. It's similar to how music, or color can effect a human.

Oh man you guys, this setting is beautiful! I am in Vampire Heaven! lol The gorgeous bed is by Death Row. It comes with a hud to change 2 of the drape colors, comforter, and pillows. Like all Death Row furniture, it includes lots of poses for male, female, couples, and adult. It will attach props to you too, just click accept when a menu pops up. ... From the Fantasy Gacha is the beautiful gothic gacha by Ravenghost. The Sarcophagus is interactive, the lid will slide open with a nice creepy sound and you can lay down inside. The candles have a cool melting wax texture animation effect. And the Gazebo is very lovely too. ... I hear it all the time, people are looking for nice statues in SL. Guess what? You can find these amazing statues by Papermoon and The Muses at the Fantasy Gacha too! The Rares for statue and candelabra come with a hud to change all the textures, 7 statue colors, 7 candle colors, the metals. (You can mod tint the drapery if you like too) The commons have a texture hud for the candles. The swinging chandelier is it stunning.  ... Ok now all your goth loving people, Raise your Goth Flag and let it fly proud! Happy World Goth Day! Head down to World Goth Fair, shop, listen, dance, and chat with all other lovers of the gothic culture. Below is today's DJ schedule at Club Gothika at World Goth Fair.  .... p.s.  There will several new releases for WGF today since today is World Goth Day. Go check it out! Have fun!

Setting, Castle Max:
For additional pictures bv Akira, go to: https://theslchatterbox.wordpress.com/2015/05/24/lilandra/
Bed: Death Row DRD drapery bed, 8li [mesh](pg 699L, adult 999L)
Candle: Ravenghost Requiem Low Pillar Stand, gacha 1li [mesh] (Fantasy Gacha)(69L)
Candle: Ravenghost Requiem Medium Pillar Stand, gacha 1li [mesh] (Fantasy Gacha)(69L)
Coffin: Ravenghost Sarcophagus 1.2 RARE, gacha 8li [mesh] (Fantasy Gacha)(69L)
Gazebo: Ravenghost Requiem Gothic Ruin RARE, gacha 16li [mesh] (Fantasy Gacha)(69L)
Statue: Papermoon / The muses Visage: Stone - Statue 05/RARE, gacha 3li [mesh] (Fantasy Gacha)(50L)
Chandelier: Papermoon / The muses  Visage: Light - Swinging RARE, gacha 5li [mesh] (Fantasy Gacha)(50L)
Statue: Papermoon / The muses  Visage: Stone - Statue 06/RARE, gacha 3li [mesh] (Fantasy Gacha)(50L)
Skybox: Dysfunctional Designs [DDD] Khan's Keep Base, 55li [mesh](495L)

World Goth Fair: What We Do In Cursed, 1

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STORYLINE: Good evening mortals. Welcome to Cursed's 4th annual World Goth Fair. As relations between The Dark and Humans normalize, we hope a tour of the city with opportunities to meet our colorful denizens will help promote understanding and trust. I am Commander Ashe of the Night Troops. I will be your escort. We are not that much different than you. We creatures of the night put on our black leather pants one leg at a time too. But if I were you, I would not lag behind. Some of the residents have more hunger than sense. Follow me.

The bats have left the belltower, its time to get your Goth on! The World Goth Fair is open! Each year World Goth Fair tries something new: things that didn't work out get dropped, and new ideas are tried. There will be staggered releases throughout the event, and several on May 22 for World Goth Day itself. And I am excited to tell you this year a little batty whispered in my ear something very special is going to happen. Something that uses the words "Gothic Bands" and "LIVE in SecondLife" in the same sentence. Watch the official World Goth Fair blog for an official statement, bands, and times!

If you are new to this World Goth Fair madness, check out this nice Dark Beauty Magazine interview with one of the holiday's co-creators, DJ Cruel Britannia. In fact, Cruel Britannia will be one of the many DJ spinning the tunes right here inside SL for the all day party on May 22 for World Goth Day! Don't Miss it!

Pictured above is the new Sgt Nemesis Marching Band outfit by Avatar Bizarre. You can get it in male or female, and it includes the coat and pants. It's one of many fun things you can pick up at World Goth Fair. A list of all merchants and map of the store locations is here. In the background in front of Club Gothika are two cool statues by Lost Junction, Reaching for Redemption. You can pick them up at One Word. (Note: Technically One Word ended on the 15th, but the displays are still up as of this morning.)

On Him, Commander Ashe:
Coat, pants: Avatar Bizarre AB Sgt Nemesis Marching Band Male [mesh](World Goth Fair)(225L)
Hat, nose chain: Remarkable Oblivion Paragon Cap, Nose chain - Forever Black [mesh](249L)
Eyeliner: Lovely Disarray The Guyliners : Slept in (110L)
Scar: Usagi Cafe Usagi Cafe hunt item #4 (past hunt, free)
Ear Piercings: Haus of Darcy KYO Mesh Ear Piercing, Facial Piercing - Frost [mesh] (150L)
Face piercing: Haus of Darcy Fire In The Water Prt. 1 (50L)
Ears: Mandala Unisex Simple Ears [mesh] (297L)
Gloves: Adjunct Luxury Winter Gloves - Black, gacha [mesh](no longer available)

Latex: Red Devil Devastating Black (199L)
Armband: Epia Symbol Armband [mesh] (group gift)(free)

Scalp: Action Hair Base 04 Veganic - Snow (107L)
Shoes: PixelFashion Bradford Shoes Black V [mesh] (390L)
Eyes: S0NG Sublime - Vampire Eye [mesh] (50L)
Skin: Tableau Vivant Noctis skin - bald -Tone 01 (Boystown) (990L)
Pose: ZZANG Strength 006

Setting:
Statues: Lost Junction Reaching for Redemption Statues [mesh] (One Word)(200L)

Location:
World Goth Fair