Virtual Neko in Second Life

Kawaii Neko or Grunge Neko?

If you’re like most humans I’ve met in Second Life, seeing a Neko all dressed up in pink and surrounded by cuteness may seem a bit… odd. After all, we Neko are all about grunge, right? Torn shirts, ratty jeans, skulls, barbed wire and piercings… that’s the epitome of Neko culture, isn’t it?

Think again, my dear little human admirer. If there’s one thing I’ve noticed in all my Neko ramblings and research, it’s this: not all Neko are created grunge. In fact we Neko owe our heritage to Japan, where the standard couture for a Nekomimi is a far cry from the grunge fashion that’s often associated with Neko in Second Life. Instead, it’s all about kawaii.

Curious to learn more? I bet you are. Read the rest of this kawaii story (and get the slurls for the adorable kawaii outfit and props you see above) by clicking here.

© Stacia Villota / Virtual Neko in Second Life – 2009
http://virtualneko.com

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In between Neko fashion and short stories, Bobby thought it might be nice to do an occasional, brief post about a store I’ve recently discovered and/or enjoy. Lo and behold, as I was updating my slurl for the Sweetaholic kimono shop today, I noticed the designer had opened up a separate store earlier this year, featuring more casual fashion.

Even though this isn’t necessarily considered a “neko” store, between the amazing textures, and the range of items that could appeal to all sorts of Neko with different style preferences (from leather jackets and distressed jeans for gals and guys, to lacy shorts and pink winter jackets with fur for the more kawaii set), it seemed like a perfect first “store alert.” Without further ado….

Store: +grasp+
Creator: Asalt Eames
What You’ll Find: Scarves, hats, tops, jeans, jackets, jewelry, belts, bikinis, and shoes
What I Love: Great textures, shadows, details, and casual styles (not to mention the kimono in his other shop next door, “Sweetaholic”) ^_^
Location: Find it on my Where to Shop page

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She of the Blood

He who strays in the forest at late,
Becomes like a worm on a hook for bait.
When the moon is full and the sky is black
He will soon discover the courage he lacks.

The prayers you utter will all be in vain,
For no one escapes the Blood and the Pain.
The Devil herself is manifest
In the very core of the werewolf’s breast.

And she comes at night, when you wander dumb
Under the trees, like you’re under her thumb
She senses your fear, she smells your heart
She’ll rip you to shreds, she’ll tear you apart.

The wolf is her family, the human her feast,
She who is born from the blood of the Beast.

– by Drowned Ophelia on AllPoetry.com

Even a man who’s pure at heart and says his prayers at night
Fears the changing foot prints on the night
When the wolfsbane blooms under the bright beams of a full moon.

- Author unknown

The autumn blood flows in my veins
longing
torn out of time
like a raging wind
touched by you.

The Darkness falls,
full moon rising
and the Wolf wanders on
The rain stroking my fur
like a gentle touch
and soon
I will be human, again.

– by Thomas A Launy

Were-Neko Outfit:

| Hair | AdiCat: Part of the “Were-Neko” outfit. NOTE: this outfit comes with two different looks… a “relaxed” look (without the fur and raised hair) and a “fight” look (producing the furry components I’m wearing above). This outfit would make an awesome choice for Nekos who love roleplay: the right paw is scripted with a lunge combat script, which will deal damage in DCS and many other combat systems. This lunge script also enables you to jump forward in a cat-like lunge animation, allows you to move faster than most flight speeds, and with practice, you can jump through the air in no fly zones and catch opponents who try to run away.
| Ears | AdiCat: Part of the “Were-Neko” outfit
| Tail | Subtle Submission: Roses and Thorns (attached to L Pec)
| Skin | StarFuker: Ocelot V2 Black
| Eyes | PC / Poetic Colors: Hell Fire Neko Eyes
| Furry Arms, Paws and Legs | AdiCat: “Were-Neko” outfit
| Shortie Top | PixelDolls: Love Lace <3 The Year of the Corset, Chemise in black
| Leather Jacket | Aoharu: BR Roll Up Riders in black
| Ripped Pants | LBD / Little Britain Designs: Jeans from the New Rock Flame Hoodie Set
| “Wings” | Urban Dare: Wood Nymph Wings, Fall season, small (Note: This is a freebie that will be available starting November 1 in the “Heart and Sole Changing of the Seasons” Hunt. This gift includes two styles, Fall and Winter, and two sizes in the box. More details here…
| Pose | Kunstkammer: Werewolf (one of several poses in a Halloween group gift)

Visit Bentham Forest in Second Life:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wasted%20Night/110/94/22

The Myths and Truths Surrounding Werewolves:
http://alam25.tripod.com/

The Legend of Loup Garou:
http://rking.vinu.edu/loup.htm

© Stacia Villota / Virtual Neko in Second Life – 2009
http://virtualneko.com

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Dr. Livingstone, I presume, stepping out of the jungle gloom, into the midday sun…
What did you happen to find there? Did you stand a while and stare? Did you meet anyone?*

Sometime after midnight, the moon suffocated in the thick, muggy air. A determined mosquito had managed to penetrate the netting around my cot, and its incessant, bloodthirsty whine was making me toss and turn. I could have sworn I heard something else though… a strange whistling sound… soft footfalls? A quiet chirping?  But I was far too preoccupied with my tiny tormenter to give it any more attention.

When I finally emerged from my tent the next morning, hair awry, eyes red and heavy with insomnia, it took me a moment to notice.

There, laying in the moist earth not far from my tent, was a creature like nothing I’d ever seen before.

The mists rising from the river gave the scene a dream-like appearance. I approached with caution (surely curiousity doesn’t always kill cats)… was it sleeping? wounded? worse? As I bent down for a closer look, I saw its sides slowly rising and falling… the strange lizard appeared to be merely asleep.

I reached back for my notepad… dammit… still in the tent. Not wanting to risk making any further noise, I began a thorough visual investigation.

Nearly three meters in length, a long thick tail that narrowed to a point, smooth skin covered with boldly contrasting stripes, strange quill-like projections on top of its head and continuing down its back lifted slightly with every breath…

Whatever it was, it was not lacking in defense: two large horns curved back from its forehead, while its hands and feet were well-armed with thick, razor-sharp claws. This was definitely not a creature to be…..

!!!!!!!!!  

waking up….

in the middle of…

my preoccupied inspection….

and rising..

slowly…

to stare back at me.

I stood transfixed, watching the quills on its head and back lifting into upright position. Its head tilted, likely assessing how quickly it could catch me and whether or not I’d be tasty prey…

And then it dropped to the ground, scratching and rolling in the dirt at my feet. What the…. ?

And stood back up, bobbing its head, making strange chirruping sounds. I was still too stunned to move.

With a soft whistle, the creature reached out gingerly with one strangely curled hand. Before I knew what I was doing, my own hand lifted in response. Our fingers touched. We both shivered.

Suddenly the creature leapt into the air with a gleeful sound, and came back down on all fours, running in a happy little circle. Play? You want me to play with you? Checking my belt to make sure I was armed (just in case!), I ducked behind the nearest tree root, bent down playfully with my hands on my knees, and whistled back.

Without further ado, a game of tag and a new friendship was immediately underway…

Grendel’s, Avaria, and the Shadowcrawler Avatar

Located in the heart of the Avaria sims, Grendel’s Children sells more diverse avatar shapes, creatures, and beings than any other place in Second Life (at least as far as this Neko knows). It’s also an excellent place to find domesticated Neko skins for those of you wanting to remain feline but change it up a bit.

Second Life resident Flea Bussy is the mastermind behind the Aviaos Shadowcrawler avatar — a creature he describes as “a nimble species, bio-luminescently signaling and chirping to one another in the caves, cliffsides and ravines they call home.”

These delightful avatars come with a hud that gives you endless gestures, actions, sound effects, and body control (including quill raising and lowering). You can even climb the sides of buildings!

What a Neko Exploring Second Life Might Wear

| Tail & Ears | OvaHauled: Oh Explorer Kitty Set – featuring maps, a pocket watch, telescope and knife (tail attached to my Left Pec to keep my pelvis attachment open for my belt).

Kittehs, I can’t say enough about OvaHauled. Every time I visit they’ve released another batch of new ears and tails, each one packed with unique, well-designed accessories. A very warm thanks to Taylor for making this tail and ear set especially for this story (and then having the patience to wait for months and months until this lazy kitteh finally got ‘em blogged!)

| Hair | Electro Kitty: Neoki
| Eyes | CF / Cats of a Feather: Precious Cat Eyes in Amethyst (I keep returning to buy more colors of this store’s eyes!)
| Bra | Insolence: Louise in chocolate
| Collar | Kosh: The Moth Cellar Choker
| Shirt | Last Call: Headhunter piped jacket (Last Call is closed, but you can substitute Casa del Shai’s “Birdwatcher Safari” suit instead)
| Arm Bands, upper | Moloko: Naruto armwraps small
| Leather Cuffs | Bukka: Color bracelet brown (these come in two sizes, both for the left forearm; I modified the larger one to make it smaller, and attached it to my right forearm to make a set)
| Shorts | Elephant Outfitters: Jordyn in Twig (the right leg cuff attached fine, but I had to create a duplicate copy of the left leg cuff, hand-attach to my Stomach, and edit-move it into place (since my thigh strap was already using the Left Upper Leg attachment point. Read more about how to do it on this page.)
| Socks | Shiny Things: Stripe knit thigh highs in khaki
| Belt | DoD / Designs of Darkness: Rare Species No. 1 Belt – this belt is SO COOL.
| Boots | Civvies: Bad Boy Scout, girl version
| Thigh Strap | Defiant Designs: Seeker

Click image to enlarge. Top row, left to right:  DoD Rare Species belt; OvaHauled’s Explorer Kitty ears; Bukka’s arm cuff. Middle row:  Kosh’s Moth Cellar Choker; Moloko’s Naruto Arm strap; Cats of a Feather’s Neko eyes. Bottom row: OvaHauled’s Explorer Kitty tail; Civvies’ Bad Boy Scout Boots; Defiant Designs’ Seeker Thigh Strap.

| Poses | Vain: Crawl; KiiToS: Poseball 03 (kneeling); RYO: Pose 20 (hands on knees); Ayapose: ground sit

Note about Poses: Ever get annoyed when you find the perfect pose, but you’re floating about 6″ above the ground (or the cute car hood, or the bench, or a hill) when you activate it? I can’t speak highly enough about Marcush Nemeth’s amazing PhotoHUD NT. All you have to do is rez his “master” poseball, wear the HUD, activate any pose you have in your inventory, and the HUD will allow you to make infinite fine adjustments, i.e., raising and lowering your avatar, rotating forward to back or side to side, turning you in tiny increments, etc. It’s a must for any fashion blogger or photographer who shoots models.  :)

Buy the Shadowcrawler or other avatars at Avaria in Second Life:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Avaria/128/128/17

Visit the Riverside Jungle of Avaria Sav in Second Life:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Avaria%20Sav/189/179/23

*Lyrics from the Moody Blues “Dr. Livingstone”

Photos by my handsome lizard Bobby Yoshikawa <3***

© Stacia Villota / Virtual Neko in Second Life – 2009
http://virtualneko.com

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Early yesterday morning, a lone, unidentified Neko visited this blog and quietly turned the site meter over to 100,000 visits.

Is there significance in five zeros? I’m not really sure, but it definitely warms my little kitteh heart. So much so that I wanted to pause and say… one hundred thousand thank yous to each and every one of you.  =^..^=

But wait there’s more…!

On the very same day, I received an intriguing IM from a gal named Meja Milosz. In her first life, Meja’s a researcher studying virtual world communities – including (you guessed it) Second Life’s Neko community.

No, we’re not the sole focus of her research project, but she is devoting a couple chapters to us in her PhD dissertation project. Who knew someone could earn a PhD studying us Nekos?

Yep it’s true. Apparently while addressing the topic of “hieararchies and relations in digital games in online 3D worlds such as Second Life,” something about us Nekos made Meja step back a moment and scratch her head. It seems we’re rather unique. (But you already knew that, didn’t you?) In fact we’re so unique that she wants to learn more.

Come be a part of Neko research!

As you can imagine, I’m planning to help. And I’m hoping you will too. (Don’t worry, no Nekos will be caged, experimented on, or harmed in this study, he he).

For starters, I’ve invited Meja to join the Second Life Nekos online community forum. Yeah I know, I shoulda told you all about this forum sooner… I’ve been quietly including it in the Neko Resource Pages section (*points to the upper right corner of the blog*) under “How to Find Other Nekos.” So now that ya know, come join us!

Because in the weeks ahead, Meja (who’s a Neko just like us) will be posting a survey on that forum, in order to find out just what makes us Second Life Nekos so special. And that, my fine furreh-tailed friends, will be your chance to tell her.  ^_^

Join the Second Life Nekos forum, where the study is being conducted:
http://secondlifenekos.ning.com/

Read Meja’s initial study proposal here:
http://miawb.blogspot.com/2009/04/neko-culture-in-second-life.html

Download Meja’s pilot paper on Nekos in Second Life here:
http://underthemask.wikidot.com/papers-2009

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I had passed her Second Life tattoo store countless times in my wanderings. It was impossible not to look inside.

No matter what the hour, there were always two or three would-be victims (sic) people perched on the edge of her ragged couch, paging through tattoo magazines, distractedly awaiting their turn on the tattoo throne.

What intrigued me the most were their faces. Eyes glassy with the thrill of a dare or a secret passion (or maybe just fear), moods passing over their countenances like clouds — I’d try to memorize their emotions and guess what style of tattoo they might end up with. Did the bold ones always go for skulls, dragons, and knives? Hearts, butterflies and flowers for the timid? Was it a commemorative thing? Or a way to strengthen life aspirations? (or maybe just an addiction to the adrenaline of the needle…)

Best of all were the ones who were there because of the art, offering up their naked flesh as an ever-expanding canvas, proud of their dedication to one of the oldest art forms known to man.

Where to Find a Tattoo in Second Life
(including Bruised, Bloody, Scratched or Dirty Marks, and Bandaids too)

Maddison Mokeev’s tattoo parlor (from the store Cloud 9.1) was more than enough to inspire my story, however being the list maniac that I am, I couldn’t stop with just a story. No, I had to create a resource page containing every major tattoo store I could find in Second Life, alphabetized and complete with slurls. Cuz, you know… keeping up 12 *other* Neko resource pages full of slurls just wasn’t enough. *Cough.*

While I was at it, I decided to include some bruises, blood, mud, and bandaids… but only those that could be worn on your existing skin like a tattoo. Yes there are lots of bloody, bruised and scratched skins available in Second Life, but I gotta draw the “slurl upkeep line” somewhere…

So without further ado (drumroll please), please click here:

Second Life Tattoo Stores (and more)

Stacia’s outfit (click image to enlarge) – Background: Dream Ink Tattoo. Inset photos, clockwise from top left: RQ Kitten parts (ear); League Booty shorts, WWI Boyfriend socks with garters, and side view of Manna’s Montmartre belt; CatNip Sucker Punch bloody arm wrap; rear view of Manna’s Montmartre belt, and the RQ tail; Virus’ Mini Steak Dinner necklace and May Creations’ Cuff with aspirin; Manna’s Mayween L’Aventuriere boots, WWI Boyfriend socks with garters, and Urban Dare’s Needles Thigh Strap.

What Maddison was wearing:

| Tattoo | Garden of Ku: Rock & Beers
| Hair | Defectiva: Gaze in black
| Glasses | Steinwerk: Etienne
| Tank Top | Sassy Kitty Designs: Formal shirt, short sleeves
| Necklaces | Naith Smit: Rock ‘n Rolla
| Bracelet | EDO: 19 chain bracelet
| Skirt | *el*: Disorder punky outfit
| Leggings | *el*: Disorder punky outfit
| Boots | UBU / Urban Bomb Unit: Pirate rain boots

(If you want to add a finishing touch to this outfit, consider CatniP’s Inked Tattoo Belt!)

What Stacia was wearing - and why

| Hair | Mirai: Tura in Strawberry – cuz berries were one of the first inks used in ancient tattoo art
| Tattoo | Dream Ink Tattoos: NT-4-4 – cuz I wanted a cool tattoo that covered my arms and belly, from a store few people had heard of
| Ears and Tails | RQ / Red Queen: Kitten parts in Brick – cuz I’m a Neko, duh…
| Tank Top | Neo: Daisy Ripped Tank – cuz I had to get ripped to handle getting tattooed, and I’m not talking clothing, gals…
| Necklace | Virus: Mini Steak Dinner – cuz I kinda felt like a piece of meat
| Wrist Wrap, right wrist | CatniP: Sucker Punch – cuz I thought I might bleed! (I wore hand and right forearm parts; the set also comes with a left forearm piece)
| Arm Straps, left wrist | May Creations: Cuffs with Aspirin and Key – cuz I’ll probably be wanting aspirin after I’m done… if not something stronger…
| Belt | Manna: Montmartre Belt – cuz after all, tattooing *is* an art…
| Shorts | League: Booty Shorts in Light Blue – do I need a cuz on this?
| Thigh Strap | Urban Dare: Leather Leg Strap with Needles – cuz what if her needles broke in the middle of a tattoo?
| Socks | WWI: White Boyfriend Garter socks in grey – cuz wearing something from your boyfriend gives you courage
| Boots | Manna: Mayween L’Aventuriere – cuz getting a tattoo was definitely an adventure!

Visit Cloud 9.1’s tattoo parlor:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ten%20Thousand%20Shadows/174/79/31

More info and photos of Cloud 9.1’s tattoo parlor here:
http://virtualdecay.com/2009/04/second-life-tattoo-parlor-by-cloud-91.html

Second Life Tattoo Stores Resource Page:
http://virtualneko.com/secondlife-tattoos-dirty-bloody-scratched-skins-bandaids/

Photos by the au naturel beau Bobby Yoshikawa <3***

© Stacia Villota / Virtual Neko in Second Life – 2009
http://virtualneko.com

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The assignment went as planned, the operatives were captured without incident, even the explosions were timed perfectly. All of it, every detail, went exactly by the book.

Until my beloved Yusef was captured.

His sweet body was no match for their unspeakable torture. With his blood, he spilled every detail — our background, the mission, even the MI6 operations — but most tragically, our love. It was our weakest link, and they knew precisely how to exploit it: his life would be spared only if I became a double agent.

Their only miscalculation was understanding how deeply revenge would take hold of me. My only miscalculation was James Bond.

From our first meeting, it was clear Bond considered me to be nothing more than a comely assistant, assigned with the simple task of delivering the money, and ensuring he beat LeChiffre by adding an element of distraction.

Ah, but large egos have always been my plaything. Tortured childhoods? I understand these even better. My assignment had all the earmarks of becoming a rather amusing distraction. Until we were both caught off guard.

Somewhere beneath the chiseled jawline, rebellious nature and uncanny wit hid a similarly desperate heart. I faltered. He caught the misstep and together we continued the dance without any detectable hitch. No one was the wiser. After all, we knew the risks.

I can only assume it was my unsteady emotional state that caused it all to unravel… working for a madman like LeChiffre… never knowing for sure if Yusef was alive or dead… my every move a calculated lie… all grievously contrasted against my growing empathy toward this man called James Bond. Never before had I felt… so… ragged.

When I heard James’ torture begin, something inside of me finally snapped. I would not be the cause of another death. Even if it required my own.

“Really Bond, did you ever wonder why you were left alive that night? She bargained for your life in exchange for the money. I’m sure she wished they’d let her go alive, but she must have known that she was going to her death…”

Neko Double Agent Dressed to Kill

This outfit was assembled with the help of two dear friends. The smartly feminine suit was designed by Milla Michinaga, who I humbly credit as a mentor (whether she knows this or not) in the development of this blog. Long before she became a clothing designer, her fashion blog was my inspiration for the kind of quality and attention to detail I hoped to achieve — albeit within my Neko genre.

Meanwhile, my ears, tail, and guns were lovingly crafted by the very sweet and talented Aditya Shippe of AdiCat Designs. When I rezzed the guns that she insisted on creating especially for this story (those of you who are true James Bond afficianados will note their adherence to detail) and saw “Virtual Neko” engraved on the sides, I was touched. Aditya’s motto? “Live like there’s no milk tomorrow, and play with your friends every day.” I’m honored to call this spirited Neko designer my friend.

From left to right (click on image to enlarge): AdiCat’s Leg Holster for the Virtual Neko 9mm; the basic Virtual Neko 9mm; with the extra light accessory; with the silencer accessory. Not shown: the spotting scope accessory, the fold-out stock accessory, and the loader (yes, this gun shoots). All accessory changes animate your avatar. Bond’s “Q” would be proud…

From left to right (click on image to enlarge): Be Happy’s bullet shoulder strap; DoMoCo’s gloves; Kitten Neko Eyes by Tacky Star and Heze sunglasses by Solar Eyewear; Liderc’s Dog Tags necklace.

From left to right (click on image to enlarge): Unique Needs Dolly Goth Spy pumps; AdiCat’s Munitions ears; Rebel’s bullet armband; a sideview of the “Reload” belt by Blitzed and the top of AdiCat’s Munitions tail.

| Hair | Kin: Mairi, tinted to darken the red color a bit
| Eyes | Tacky Star: Kitten Neko Eyes, small with no veins (package comes with four eye sizes and 3 levels of “blood veins” — this store’s unique eyes are worth a visit)
| Ears and Tail | AdiCat: Munitions Loaded Neko Set, Playful 2.0 (Xcite compatible, HUD or voice control, original animations, and color-change to approximately 600 options)
| Glasses | Solar Eyewear: Heze Glasses (HUD-change lenses and frames)
| Necklace | Liderc: Dog Tags (Kitty)
| Left Shoulder Strap | Be Happy: Bullet Shoulder Type 2 for Women
| Blouse | Gisaci: Cambridge Cuffed Shirt in Cream
| Suit | Michami: Stella in Black
| Armbands | Rebel: Bullet armband, right arm
| Gloves | DoMoCo: Gloves Full finger in Burgundy (brown)
| Belt | Blitzed: Reload belt (with a handy resizer script)
| Gun | AdiCat: Virtual Neko-engraved 9mm with Holster (How to use: wear both the holster and the gun, click on the holster to make gun appear, and you’ll get a menu that gives you all sorts of additional amazing “Q”-inspired gun options!)
| Shoes | UN! /  Unique Needs: Dolly Goth Chunky Spy Pumps with Toe Pistols
| Poses | Niqotine, LAP/Long Awkward Pose, and Imperial Elegance

If girls with guns is your kinda thing, you might also like…
http://girlswithguns.ning.com/

Photos by the daring agent provocateur Bobby Yoshikawa <3***

© Stacia Villota / Virtual Neko in Second Life – 2009
http://virtualneko.com

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