Songs from The Nightingale

On Samhain night, by the New Toulouse graveyard, a group of residents sits around a fire.



[9:46] Gabrielle Riel looks around at the group assembled before the fire
[9:46] Gabrielle Riel: Welcome ladies and gentlemen of New Toulouse
[9:47] Gabrielle Riel: To our first Samhain ceremony and celebration here
[9:47] Gabrielle Riel smiles
[9:47] Gabrielle Riel: I have done many a Samhain ceremony in the land of my birth, Caledon
[9:48] Gabrielle Riel: But I am no longer there....I am here with you all now
[9:48] Gabrielle Riel: Thank you for being here for this, my first one in New Toulouse
[9:48] Gabrielle Riel: Magic runs deep here - this I know
[9:49] Gabrielle Riel: And so tonight we part the veil
[9:49] Gabrielle Riel takes a deep breath
[9:49] Gabrielle Riel: Tonight is also important to me....
[9:50] Gabrielle Riel: I am sure many of you know of the tragedy that befell a daughter of our city, Miss Obedience Mactavish, in the City of New Babbage....
[9:51] Autopilotpatty Poppy nods and mumbles
[9:51] Gabrielle Riel: She was taken from us far too soon by an unknown murderer
[9:51] Roberto Viking nods and remembers the tragedy...
[9:51] Gabrielle Riel: Shot to death at the Masquerade Ball in New Babbage one week ago tonight
[9:52] Gabrielle Riel closes her eyes
[9:52] Amber Palowakski: mumbles words of anger and outrage
[9:52] Autopilotpatty Poppy: shifts positions in agitation
[9:52] Roberto Viking's soul is troubled that such a thing could happen here
[9:52] Gabrielle Riel: I knew that her move to New Babbage and her betrothal to Dr. Obelensky would be fraught with difficulty....but This....
[9:52] Tash Frakture stares into the fire... tears of sadness and anger flowing down her cheeks.
[9:53] Roberto Viking: Dr. O always seems to draw trouble around him
[9:53] Gabrielle Riel: And so tonight, when the connection between the worlds is close, I want to say goodbye to her and wish her peace
[9:54] Gabrielle Riel's eyes flash with anger
[9:54] Gabrielle Riel: Indeed Mr. Viking. Especially as he tried to kill me with his death ray.
[9:54] Autopilotpatty Poppy nods and wipes a tear away
[9:54] Gabrielle Riel smiles wickedly, but he did not know with whom he was dealing
[9:55] Roberto Viking chuckles to himself, "no indeed"
[9:55] Sinder Radikal nods... a trace of a smile flickering across his lips.
[9:55] Gabrielle Riel grins
[9:55] Amber Palowakski smiles knowingly
[9:55] Gabrielle Riel takes a deep breath
[9:56] Gabrielle Riel: Now let us commune with those that have passed
[9:56] Gabrielle Riel: We are here at the New Toulouse Cemetery
[9:56] Gabrielle Riel: Tonight we dance with the New Taloosters gone before us!
[9:56] Roberto Viking closes his eyes and enters a contemplative state, open to the other side
[9:57] Gabrielle Riel: Let us all breathe together...
[9:57] Amber Palowakski takes a deep breath, preparing her mind to commune with the dead
[9:57] Tash Frakture sways slowly back and forth... Her eyes fixated on the flames.

[9:58] Gabrielle Riel begins to speak...
[9:58] Kelli Kristan sways slowly
[9:58] Gabrielle Riel: On this night of Samhain I mark your passing,
[9:58] Gabrielle Riel: O Summer Sun, through the sunset into the Land of the Young.
[9:58] Gabrielle Riel: I mark also the passing of all who have gone before,
and all who will go after.
[9:59] Gabrielle Riel: O gracious Goddess,
Eternal Mother, You who gives birth to the fallen,
teach me to know that in the time of the greatest darkness there is the greatest Light.
[9:59] Gabrielle Riel moves forward and stirs the fire before us
[9:59] Gabrielle Riel: Wise One of the Waning Moon,
Goddess of the starry night,
I create this fire within Your cauldron
to transform that which is plaguing me.
[10:00] Gabrielle Riel: May the energies be reversed:
From darkness, Light!
From bane, good!
From death, rebirth!
[10:01] Gabrielle Riel: Remember the way of the Wind
And breathe and blow,
Remember the way of the Fire,
And sparkle and glitter and glow,
[10:01] Gabrielle Riel: Remember the way of the Water
And ebb and flow
Remember the way of the Earth
And abide until Springtime, then grow....
What is remembered lives.
[10:02] Gabrielle Riel: Let us all remember the ancestors of New Toulouse...and let us remember Miss Obedience Mactavish
[10:02] Amber Palowakski sways gently
[10:02] Gabrielle Riel: For what is remembered lives
[10:02] Roberto Viking: images of departed ones flow past the mind's eye
[10:03] Gabrielle Riel: Samhain, Hallow'een, All Soul's
[10:03] Gabrielle Riel: Night of the dead
[10:03] Gabrielle Riel: This night death walks the streets and the dead wake
[10:03] Gabrielle Riel: Day of the Dying
[10:04] Gabrielle Riel: When the veil is thinnest between the worlds
[10:04] Gabrielle Riel: When the gates open between the worlds.
[10:04] Gabrielle Riel: Let us then thank the Gods and the elements, and celebrate Samhain this night in New Toulouse!
[10:05] Gabrielle Riel: Blessed be to one and all
[10:05] Gabrielle Riel exhales...worn out




[10:05] Sinder Radikal inhales sharply... his eyes rolling back.
[10:06] Roberto Viking feels presences moving about at the edge of the firelight
[10:06] Amber Palowakski: Blessed be to one and all, from God and Goddess during this sun's fall
[10:06] Gabrielle Riel trembles a bit...feeling odd
[10:06] Tash Frakture shivers... her back stiffening suddenly.
[10:07] Abigail Raymaker: May God and Goddess bless the fine people of New Toulouse
[10:07] Gabrielle Riel: And now ladies and gentlemen...go into this night...or remain here and dance with us
[10:07] Gabrielle Riel: Because all ceremonies end with a dance :-)
[10:07] Amber Palowakski follows with her eyes the shapes drifting through the smoke
[10:08] Autopilotpatty Poppy trembles with cold chills creeping past my neck
[10:08] Gabrielle Riel struggles to stand for dancing, but stumbles
[10:08] Gabrielle Riel: oh goodness
[10:08] Autopilotpatty Poppy looks up, startled
[10:08] Roberto Viking reaches out, gives a steadying grip to miz Gabi's elbow
[10:08] Gabrielle Riel smiles - thank you Mr. Viking
[10:09] Gabrielle Riel shakes her head
[10:09] Gabrielle Riel: Strange, I feel....well...strange!
[10:09] Roberto Viking: an odd experience indeed
[10:09] Gabrielle Riel: Not like I usually do after a Samhain ceremony...
[10:09] Amber Palowakski: Yes indeed
[10:10] Gabrielle Riel lips curve up as she remembers the ceremony in the garden at Coughton Court in 2007
[10:10] Sinder Radikal shudders... his eyes blinking the strange trance away.
[10:10] Gabrielle Riel gasps
[10:10] Gabrielle Riel: Oh no!
[10:10] Roberto Viking: [ surreptitiously consults an instrument in his coat pocket, nods at the high reading]
[10:10] Gabrielle Riel: Poppy!
[10:10] Amber Palowakski tries to warm her hands in teh fire, but feels nothing but coldness
[10:11] Gabrielle Riel moves quickly to Poppy's side and tries to wake her
[10:11] Kelli Kristan glaces over alarmed
[10:11] Abigail Raymaker shudders
[10:11] Autopilotpatty Poppy feels terribly ill
[10:11] Autopilotpatty Poppy: so dizzy
[10:11] Roberto Viking cocks an eyebrow in Poppy's direction "Is she OK"?
[10:11] Gabrielle Riel looks around a bit desperately...I have never had anyone faint at one of my ceremonies before!
[10:11] Amber Palowakski looks in her sachel for reviving herbs
[10:12] Gabrielle Riel kneels at Poppy's side
[10:12] Gabrielle Riel: Are you ok?
[10:12] Autopilotpatty Poppy: starts to stand
[10:12] Tash Frakture looks at Poppy, her face white with fear.
[10:12] Gabrielle Riel watches Poppy faint again



[10:12] Gabrielle Riel: Oh dear!
[10:13] Gabrielle Riel shakes her again
[10:13] Autopilotpatty Poppy feels like wretching.. but.. so dizzy.. so cold
[10:13] Gabrielle Riel: Oh no :-(
[10:14] Roberto Viking passes over a peppermint from his pocket "This sometimes helps with nausia"
[10:14] Sinder Radikal glances at Poppy... Closes his eyes and begin muttering an undecipherable prayer ... over and over... swaying foreward and back.
[10:15] Amber Palowakski prepares some ginseng tea to give Patty energy
[10:15] Gabrielle Riel: Poppy...I should take you home to Edison
[10:15] Roberto Viking: I can accompany her- I'm going that way
[10:15] Gabrielle Riel looks with concern at the rest of you
[10:15] Roberto Viking: if she needs me
[10:15] Tash Frakture nervously rises to her feet.
[10:16] Gabrielle Riel: Oh thank you Mr. Viking!
[10:16] Kelli Kristan stands up slowly
[10:16] Amber Palowakski: She fainted again
[10:16] Gabrielle Riel: Please stay and dance....if you feel able....
[10:16] Roberto Viking: she almost fell in the water
[10:16] Gabrielle Riel: Oh egads!
[10:16] Autopilotpatty Poppy screams wildly!
[10:16] Amber Palowakski hands Patty a cup of ginseng tea
[10:16] Autopilotpatty Poppy screams wildly!
[10:17] Abigail Raymaker: Oh dear
[10:17] Amber Palowakski: oh dear
[10:17] Roberto Viking looks about nervously, sees nothing
[10:17] Gabrielle Riel: Please excuse me...we must get her home
[10:17] Gabrielle Riel: Blessed be to you all!
[10:17] Sinder Radikal stands suddenly... his face beaded with cold sweat.
[10:17] Roberto Viking: but notices a from the instrument in his pocket
[10:17] Amber Palowakski: Yes, please
[10:18] Abigail Raymaker: I hope she will be okay
[10:18] Autopilotpatty Poppy shivers
[10:18] Amber Palowakski invokes the watchers around Patty
[10:18] Autopilotpatty Poppy: wipes the beads of sweat from my brow
[10:18] Sinder Radikal stares after Poppy and Gabrielle as they leave.
[10:18] Gabrielle Riel whispers thank you Amber....
[10:18] Amber Palowakski: Gabi, we forgot to invoke the Watchers before the ceremony!
[10:19] Gabrielle Riel stops
[10:19] Amber Palowakski: We might have unleashed something!
[10:19] Autopilotpatty Poppy looks up at everyone.. startled
[10:19] Autopilotpatty Poppy: afraid
[10:19] Roberto Viking walks along with Poppy and Miz Gabi, wtching over his shoulder nervously
[10:19] Gabrielle Riel: oh....
[10:19] Gabrielle Riel: This feels different :-(
[10:19] Amber Palowakski: The circle was never properly sealed
[10:19] Tash Frakture faints.
[10:19] Autopilotpatty Poppy: goodness
[10:20] Autopilotpatty Poppy: I think I'm ok
[10:20] Autopilotpatty Poppy shivers
[10:20] Gabrielle Riel sees to Tash...Tash, can you hear me?
[10:20] Amber Palowakski: Mr. Roberto, do your sensors detect where the presence is strongest?
[10:20] Kelli Kristan steps back from Tash
[10:20] Tash Frakture stirs... sitting up... looking confused and terrified.
[10:20] Roberto Viking: while Poppy was shrieking
[10:20] Autopilotpatty Poppy puts face in palms
[10:20] Gabrielle Riel looks miserable
[10:21] Autopilotpatty Poppy: frightening, frightening
[10:21] Roberto Viking: and a few minutes earlier when Miz Gabi was chanting
[10:21] Gabrielle Riel: Amber...we are going to need to be vigilant
[10:21] Amber Palowakski pulls her athame out
[10:21] Autopilotpatty Poppy looks up wide-eyed'
[10:21] Gabrielle Riel looks around
[10:21] Gabrielle Riel: We all are.
[10:21] Roberto Viking: definately a lot of energy in flux at those times
[10:22] Gabrielle Riel: I want you all tell me if you experience any more strange symptoms.
[10:22] Autopilotpatty Poppy: goodness
[10:22] Autopilotpatty Poppy: whew
[10:22] Autopilotpatty Poppy takes a deep breath
[10:22] Abigail Raymaker wispers *Oh dear, what is going on?*
[10:22] Gabrielle Riel: Of if you notice anything that seems...off...in the energy here
[10:22] Amber Palowakski starts to draw a circle of protection
[10:23] Gabrielle Riel smiles
[10:23] Autopilotpatty Poppy suddenly is so warm
[10:23] Autopilotpatty Poppy: the coldness seems gone
[10:23] Tash Frakture looks around her nervously... "I... I'm sure all will be fine come dawn." Her face clearly showing that she does not believe her own words. "I really must get home."
[10:24] Roberto Viking checks his pocket agin, frowning at the instument " polarity of the tau energy is 90 degrees off"
[10:24] Autopilotpatty Poppy: whew..
[10:24] Gabrielle Riel sways a bit, still feeling unsteady
[10:24] Gabrielle Riel: I need to return home...I need to rest
[10:25] Roberto Viking: I think we all do
[10:25] Autopilotpatty Poppy looks at Gabi with concern .. whispers that I'm feeling almost back to normal except a bit frightened
[10:25] Gabrielle Riel smiles at Poppy weakly, please rest though ok?
[10:26] Tash Frakture looks at Mr. Viking... his words meaning nothing to her... she lights a lantern and disappears quicky into the night.
[10:26] Autopilotpatty Poppy: yes, I will
[10:26] Autopilotpatty Poppy: oh no!
[10:26] Autopilotpatty Poppy: Miss Tash
[10:26] Autopilotpatty Poppy: !!
[10:27] Amber Palowakski chants to hold thehold the evil presence
[10:27] Amber Palowakski attempts to dismiss any evil spirits
[10:27] Gabrielle Riel takes a deep shuddering breath
[10:28] Tash Frakture whirls around... hearing Poppy's words... but unable to bring herself back to the fireside... she hesitates a moment, then runs off.
[10:28] Autopilotpatty Poppy slips off unnoticed into the shadows
[10:28] Kelli Kristan slips away
[10:28] Gabrielle Riel: Thank you Amber....I do hope that has closed anything I might have unintentionally opened
[10:29] Amber Palowakski closes the circle but looks concerned



[10:29] Gabrielle Riel nods
[10:29] Gabrielle Riel: I know
[10:29] Sinder Radikal bows his head and walks off slowly into the night... A feeling of dread weighing upon him heavily.
[10:29] Roberto Viking: I must be off to correlate this new data....
[10:29] Gabrielle Riel bids you all a good night

Posted by Gabrielle Riel at 10:34 AM | 0 comments    

Zombies. Ya gotta love 'em!

The residents of New Toulouse are used to having zombies around. We have regular infestations in New Toulouse Algiers, and the locals sit on their porches and pick them off with their rifles. The residents of New Babbage recently dealt with their first crop of zombies, and they handled it all quite well for novice zombie hunters!

And now, just in time for Halloween, Storyteller and Filmmaker Afsaneh Metaluna brings us this fabulous and funny film about zombies. Afsaneh broadcasts once a month on Radio Riel, telling stories for the Caledon Library. Enjoy!

Posted by Gabrielle Riel at 6:53 AM | 0 comments    

Ok all you Aussies, stay at home Euros and Brits and North American Insomniacs! Please join me (Gabrielle Riel) as I play live at the Berlin Stage at Burning Life from 2:00am - 5:00am SLT on Wednesday, October 21. Yes, I think I did lose my mind when I told the organizers that I could play at any time...

You can tune in on http://event.radioriel.org - I am simulcasting to our stream. I am going to play some Steampunk, some Electronica and whatever else I can think of. Or please join me on the Giant Scorpion at the following SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Burning%20Life-Sulphur/231/6/26 . (Yeah, the stage is a giant Scorpion...definitely the most unique stage I will have ever played.)

Posted by Gabrielle Riel at 12:20 PM | 1 comments    

Today I discovered a new store (new for me) in Second Life that broke so many of my comfortable fashion paradigms, I simply must blog about it!

I don't blog about fashion much. I think the last time I did so was for Skye Qi's fashion show that she held in Caledon Victoria City in the Summer of 2007! But fashion is my favorite Second Life leisure activity. I adore discovering new designers and finding gowns that have not yet been discovered by the majority of the ladies in the Steamlands. Perhaps I will bring down my "wall of silence" regarding fashion and discuss it more often here in my blog.

I suppose it is ironic that my post today is not even about vintage fashion, but contemporary. I am technically on SL vacation at the moment (yeah, yeah, what was I doing in SL if I am on vacation? Answer: Estate Owner business never lets you go. ;-) ). I've dressed myself accordingly for a vacation in SL in a teeshirt, a pair of jeans and trainers. I looked at my rather pathetic collection of teeshirts, all at least 2 years old, and thought that it might be time to add some new ones to my wardrobe.

When it comes to contemporary casual clothes in SL, I like classic simplicity. I don't want to look like a 19 year old in a tacky belly shirt. Simple, clean, LONG, tees are what I seek....and oh my goodness it's hard to find decent ones in SL! Until today!

Say hello to fri.day .


I found their main store location in the Friday Sim. Here is the SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Friday/167/129/32 .

It's filled with the types of casual clothes that I adore...simple basics! There are teeshirts of all kinds and in all standard colors. The mix and match and layering options are endless. And the tees cover your belly!!!


I have been wearing the same basic jeans in Second Life for...oh...about 2 1/2 years. Well, it's not like I wear jeans that often! Plus I can never find jeans I like in SL, that is until today at fri.day. They've got an assortment of leg styles (skinny vs flared etc) and 4 color washes of denim. And I bought some! My first new pair of jeans in SL in over 2 1/2 years. I also bought a red boatneck tee and some simple black pumps.


The clothing that fri.day offers made me so happy, and then it got even better. Their hair!!! Now I am a *serious* hair snob in SL. I have, with a few exceptions, worn *only* ETD hair for 3 1/2 years. Every other brand I've tried looks like a mop sitting on my head, far too big for the shape of my skull. No matter how I adjust it, any hair besides ETD looks horrible on me, well until today!

It's absolutely bee-you-tee-ful!


I was giddy with glee. New hair!! That I actually like! It actually looks exactly like my RL hair. I am now officially in love with fri.day.

Of course I was curious as to who is behind this wonderful shop, with the very high quality items at decent prices, so I checked out their website, http://www.fridayofsl.com/ . Look at the "About" section. There they are...the designers and staff...all with the last name of "Monday". So I checked out their profiles and rezdays.

Profiles are basically empty except for fri.day information. Most of the rezdays were all the same day, July 7, 2009. They own their own sim, which they have kept as an empty island with just the store on it. Whoever they are, they know what they are doing. And they've clearly been doing it for much longer than just three months. I'd love to know which designers these gals *really* are. :-)

However, it's not going to keep me up at night if I never discover who the primary Avatars are behind fri.day, because I will shop there no matter what from now on. Happy shopping to you too!

~ Gabi

Posted by Gabrielle Riel at 10:30 AM | 1 comments    

I stood alone on the dance floor of the Piermont Landing Ballroom. The crowd had left. Only I remained. I rubbed my forehead and released a huge sigh. I felt like I had been holding my breath all night long. I still could not believe what had happened.

We had gathered several hours earlier to attend the Wedding Rehearsal of Miss Obedience Mactavish of New Toulouse and Doctor Obelensky of New Babbage. Miss Mactavish is the last of the Mactavish Family, one of the most prominent families in "old" New Toulouse. You would have thought that a single family of Scots would have felt awkward in a town of mostly French immigrants, but no, the Mactavishes had both risen to prominence and had been well loved in the community.

I had thrown myself into studying the history of New Toulouse, as I really wanted to fully understand and appreciate the community. I was an NT "newbie" still, even though I was the Prim Minister. My arrival in New Toulouse and assumption of the leadership was the equivalent of 5 minutes ago in a place that had a history like NT did. It was important for me to be there at the Wedding Rehearsal for Miss Mactavish, and I was so pleased that Miss Nnara Fernstalker, Miss Griss Alexander and Ambassador Magdalena Kamenev were there with me to represent the New Taloosters. I had also hired an orchestra to provide music for the dance that was to follow the Rehearsal.

As much as I wanted to support our hometown girl, I would be remiss in mentioning that I was *none* too happy about her future husband, Doctor Obelensky. I already detested the Evil Mastermind of New Babbage, but my dislike had transitioned into utter loathing about a month ago when the Doctor zapped me with his death ray at the dance during which he reappeared in New Babbage after having been presumed dead. There is nothing like someone trying to kill you to solidify your negative opinion of them. The Doctor had not succeeded, as he did not know that I am not an "ordinary" human being...

To say that the Wedding Rehearsal did NOT go off as planned is an understatement. Miss Mactavish announced to the stunned crowd that the event was not a Wedding Rehearsal, but the actual wedding itself! Before we could regain our wits, Doctor Obelensky, true to form, turned tail and RAN from the altar, leaving Miss Obedience alone and jilted. By this time, the guests were all stunned and gaping.

Well, that was simply not going to do! Not when *I* am assisting with an event! I ran to the orchestra, ripped ALL of the sheet music off of their music stands and literally threw an hour's worth of new pieces at them, and then ordered them to start playing. They did, as they were terrified by the rage they saw on my face. They have worked with me long enough to have learned an important lesson: do NOT make me angry.

To their credit, the guests stayed to dance, socialize and comfort Miss Mactavish. We ended up having an impromptu community dance for New Toulouse and New Babbage. It was quite enjoyable! And most enjoyable for me at the very end...

(Note: For more details, please refer to Miss Breezy Carver's recollection and Ambassador Kamenev's transcript of the events.)

I took a deep breath as I walked to the edge of the ballroom and looked up at the flags of the Aether Chrononauts flying there. I found the one I sought and focused in on it...the flag of New Toulouse.


Something was stirring in me...something I had not felt in such a long time. I might be "new" in New Toulouse compared to its long time residents and its history...but I was *not* going to let this disrespectful slight against a Lady of New Toulouse stand without repercussions. I turned and quickly walked to the carriage that was waiting for me, Mr. Piedpiper at the reins.

Upon arriving home at La Maison Riel in Edison, I dashed up the stairs and threw open my armoire. I pulled aside all of my new gowns, digging into the back of the closet. There it is. I pulled a white gown from the it and tossed the white silk and lace on to my bed. Then I ran into my study, and stopped...looking at the pieces of furniture that were covered with sheets. It's time.

I pulled the sheets from the tables and dropped them into a pile in the corner. I approached each table and carefully inspected them. Everything is still here, and in perfect condition, including the box of matches on the largest table. I picked it up, and turned to face the small round table. I knelt, struck a match and lighted the 3 candles. Then I stood and looked at the room...

I smiled. My Witch's Workshop was back and ready for action. Very few people knew that I was a Witch, never realizing it even as I cast my spells of music on them on a regular basis. Something had happened to me after I left Caledon, a dampening of my powers and my desire to use them. I had simply covered all of my tools and tables with sheets after the move to Edison.

And time passed. The residents of my new communities had no idea that I wielded powers of the Light, or that I used to wield them. That part of me seemed to just....die after leaving the home I had known for my entire life. The home where I had learned and practiced my spiritual arts. It was only a month ago that I realized my powers still lay within me, when Doctor Obelensky had tried to kill me with his death ray, and did not succeed.

At the end of the dance last night, I revealed my powers to the remaining guests and I invited any and all interested ladies of New Toulouse and New Babbage to join me in the creation of Les Sorcières de Vapeur (The Steam Witches).

I threw back my head and laughed. Ah Doctor Obelensky, you have *no* idea what is in store for you...

(Note: I have created a Group on the New Toulouse Ning called "Les Sorcières de Vapeur". I set this Group up in the NT Ning because I want to honor New Babbage's "original" philosophy on magic, which was, it does not exist in New Babbage. Before all of you Magical Babbagers start screaming at me, please understand that I *know* there is some magic in New Babbage now, but it just makes more thematic sense to set the group up under NT, as we are, and have always been, rife with magic, voodoo, zombies etc.)

Posted by Gabrielle Riel at 11:00 AM | 0 comments