Cocktails with Gloom

“This is not the cleavage you were looking for,” is what he told the guy at the bar who was staring at him. And this was not a pickup joint, anyhow, nor a place to meet clients; this was his favorite neighborhood dive, or close enough. So Gloom took his third? Fourth? Hypnotini back to his table–maybe a bit unsteadily–and sat again at the booth he had to himself.

Shan, the waitress came by to tell him that he didn’t have to get his own drinks.

“But I’m trying to save your poor feet. Now I think you have to sit and talk to me.”

She sighed, but sat. Gloom usually got his way, and he seemed pleased that she sat, giving her a charming smile.

“Now,” he said, gesturing with both hands–somehow not spilling his drink before slurping up half in one go. “What’s on your mind?”

Shan blinked at him, being as he’d asked her to sit, not vice versa. “Just checking up on you. You know, you’re in by yourself tonight.”

“Indeed I am,” he said conspiratorialy. “Brothers have their differences sometimes, you know? If Hesperos knew I was out here getting shit-faced by myself, he’d have kittens.” He straightened up at that, taken by the notion. “You know, I’d like to see that. I’ve always wanted a pet.”

“Why haven’t you had one?”

“Keep scaring them,” he said, and arily waved the arm that was encased nearly to his armpit in the cyber-prosthetic. Little staticky balls of essence-lightning rolled off his fingertips, and Shan looked like she suddenly understood why he couldn’t keep a cat: it was making her hair stand up.

Now, one didn’t usually ever ask Gloom his business, but she felt bold, since he was forthcoming–and she’d been serving the brothers for years in this joint. So, she asked, nodding at his arm, “That conduct or generate it?”

“Conduct. I get my own.”

“Oh…” And that meant that even though he looked Gaiain, he certainly wasn’t. “Um, then you’re not Gaian. Rakshasa?”

He leaned so close she could smell the liquor on his breath mingling with the scent of his soap–and a faintly musky odor–not because he hadn’t washed, however. It was faintly minky, but it told the story. “We,” he confided, “Are half-Chidimbari.”

Shan made herself smile. Well, mystery solved as to why they brothers got their way in the cafe, and why they were so secretive. Chidimbari-hani (male Oni of the Chidimbari nation) were considered weapons-grade biologicals. And Gloom, here, he was a sorcerer, too. Oh yes, there was suddenly a lot that made sense, now.

And he cocked his head, beautiful eyes nailing hers, soft, rough voice very quiet. “You’re a friend, Shan. But if you breathe a word of that, I’ll eat your heart raw.”

She just nodded. He was cute when he was trashed…but he was still Gloom, and ever so dangerous.

Production notes: Surreality’s Equinox character with shaders adjusted to use Poser Pro2012′s SSS nodes; Coflek-gnorg’s RazorRider diner; cocktail glass from Powerage Hype bar, but with other shaders; Cyberpunk M4 cyberarm and pants; Nagase for M4 with a PD-Gothic texture applied. Postwork done in Photoshop for hair, a bit of touch-up, and some light f/x work.

Cheers!

Yes, it was horrifying. Mostly because the outdoor furniture seems to have gotten totally drunk off its ass and got laid. Well, I suppose that IS one way of coping.

No, really. We had a little bit of a blow (*cough*) and the rain was gentle. We got off easy.

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On June 15, we were introduced to the latest “Let’s Pull Amtrak Apart, Pulverize All the Pieces In a Blender, Dump It Out, and Get People Who Have No Idea What They’re Doing or Talking About Attempt to Mold Something Back Together” bill.

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/mica-shuster-eye-passenger-rail-competition-3234.html

Even Jesus Thinks You're Doing It Wrong.

Chopping up Amtrak and selling its bloody parts to the highest bidder? Epicly bad idea.  Over time, I’ve learned that handing over the reins for a public good to a private firm gets us, the taxpayers, exactly nowhere but more broke and now? Stranded without a ride. The cost doesn’t go down. Efficiency doesn’t go up. Please, how many businesses fail within their first years? Nearly all of them.

Hand your well-being to the accountants, and you will end up suffering with nicely balanced books. This is such a sucky idea, Congressman Mica, it’s just unbelievable.

Think Fannie Mae.

This guy said way better than I can: The public pays a price for privatization. Read it, dude.

I particularly like the Pawlenty-style notion of replacing all of Congress with 4chan.

But back to human beauty. IF you are a Poser user, you have the ability to morph faces on your human figures, whichever ones you use. Want to make something ugly or good looking intentionally? We have the lowdown, thanks to Jim Farris (again).

The Golden Deckagon

You can see more about Dr. Marquardt’s research on his web site.

Just for fun, I’m going to assemble a gallery of wallpaper-sized (1920×1200 pixels) Vue images as they trickle off the line..

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That, and Xaa (Jim Farris) and Wayii have been, between them, spiffing up Victoria 3 Reduced Resolution. Wayii has complete a boatload of really nice sci-fi themed second skins, and Jim is doing the morph and other magic.

Therefore, we (the 3D artists and forumites) seem to be in need of a list of Victoria 3 Resources. We’ll include reviews if and when they’re made. You know how that goes.

Well, the tab’s at the top of this page ^^^. Enjoy!