(click to enlarge)
STORYLINE: Deep in the Neu Seoul headquarters of Monstrum, MasterGin lounged with the poise of a cat who had clawed open a birdcage only to find the prize dull. The sanctum’s grand mirrors, polished obsidian reflecting a glitchy, fragmented reality, caught him in splintered fragments—silver skin, silky cuffs, a grin rehearsed for an audience not yet assembled. The air, heavy with the scent of synthetic of oriental spice and overclocked servers, held a faint electric hum. And a neon pink glow from the bioluminescent cave garden outside pulsed erratically, casting lurid shadows that danced like phantoms across the mirrored walls.
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, yet the weight of it was strangely familiar, a chilling point of contact that felt less like a touch and more like a brand. It was the same touch that had once pulled Gin from mortality and into a new life of eternal servitude and shared dominion. For a moment, a memory flickered between them—of a promise made in blood and a bond forged in centuries of shared secrets. The Ruler 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 the Lanneah dress, 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....
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, yet the weight of it was strangely familiar, a chilling point of contact that felt less like a touch and more like a brand. It was the same touch that had once pulled Gin from mortality and into a new life of eternal servitude and shared dominion. For a moment, a memory flickered between them—of a promise made in blood and a bond forged in centuries of shared secrets. The Ruler 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 the Lanneah dress, 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. (BONUS Scoop: There is wonderful PBR limited edition gift version of this outfit in the Enchantment Nevermore Hunt. Hunt the YUEBIN store for the raven to find the gift.) ...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! ...From Yummy is great glam goth jewelry set for men! I used the Gianni fit for Legacy Male with no trouble. I love this exists, now I want a PBR version. ...The stole I picked up on the last weekend sale at Dernier, perfect timing. ...The nylon bodysuit by Bas de Laura Store looks simple, but close up its very detailed with texture and well placed steams like nylons. Love it. ... I am forever searching for the perfect Sakura. In this post are some of the best yet, the LOVE Cherry trees and the very detailed TC Wild Gnarly Sakura. The detailed one has a large land impact, so use as a statement piece instead of landscape. ...The Tame hair by BonBon has a bit of a modern update to the Marilyn style hair. ...I looked for the perfect bar stool and found a nice one by Dogma that was also mod! So could change it up with PBR textures that suit the scene. ....The sidewalks come from the Make a Mark Japanese Sakura River site model2, and I added the led lights to cyberpunk it up, and created the Washington Monument with simple prims.
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)
Jihoon Doll: Trap Doll collectable [mesh](Androgyny Event)(199L)
Jewelry: Yummy Blood & Prayer Set - Linked Earrings, Necklace, male (395L)
Hair: bonbon tame hair, naturals[mesh][mesh](439L)
Fur: Dernier Endrit Fur Stole, White [mesh]
Bodysuit: Bas de Laura Store Laura's White Sheer Bodystocking with Long Sleeves [BOM](150L)
Makeup: DeeTaleZ Glitter Eyes, and cheeks, Silver, EvoX [BOM](gift)
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 Ultimate Japanese Wild Gnarly Sakura Tree w. animations [mesh](200L)
Sakura: LOVE Cherry Blossom Tree pack [mesh](499L)
Stool: Dogma Letona Bar Stool Black [mesh](90L)
Sidewalk: MAke a MArk Japanese Sakura River site (model 02) [mesh](249L)
Water: MBC Realistic PBR Water [mesh](250L)
BONUS IMAGES: inworld raw shots, hi-res, midday sky
