Here there be dragons! Behave…

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https://Here there be dragons! Behave...

Like most lovers of fantasy, I LOVE dragons… I just finished a fabulous book where the premise is that truly desperate people could choose to live inside a book… every booklovers’ dream!  The primary female character’s first reaction is “can there be dragons? I LOVE dragons”, so I know I’m not the only one.  Several times she quoted the line “Here there be dragons”, which is a phrase from old mapmaking (though AI says it was actually only used once, although ancient mapmakers did draw sea monsters and dragons on blank, unexplored areas to “show danger and the limit of human knowledge.”  But dragons are an inherent part of fantasy and mythology, and the idea of riding one, well, enough said! But getting off the topic here, since I’m obviously not soaring through the sky on a dragon here, and yes, the picture got a bit busy, but still, DRAGONS!!! Sighs…

  • Petrichor– Calerien.  Co-designed with Ersch, just one more example of why Petrichor is such a leader in fantasy wear… every style captures the very essence of fantasy dressing! Calerien  includes the bodysuit (with options for a short or long skirt), pauldrons, & sleeves (which have a special HUD for optional positioning of the arms), plus full-body gemchains.  Sized for Legacy+Perky, Reborn+Waifu, LaraX+LaraXPetite, Kupra, Belleza Classic+Curvy, & Bombshell, she’s available in 10 single colors, 4 Fabric Fatpacks each with a 40-color HUD to change, hide/show just about everything, or a Megapack that includes all the options (see the Ad below). Introduced at Fantasy Faire, Calerien is now at the main store.   Demo available.
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Camila
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  iSO – Splice, worn in Lavender Fairy (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  CHAIN – Safari
  • Eyes:  OJAYO – Yoshi
  • Makeup:  YINN – London Eyeshadow; VENGE – ‘Wicked’ BOM Lipstick
  • Ears:  FaeTal – Fifer (earrings)
  • Horns:  VENGE – Celest
  • Wings:  Aii – Dark Fae Wings
  • Prop:  Bad Katz – Dragon Pet
  • Pose:  Synnergy.Tavis – Dragonrider
  • Backdrop:  SATO – Dragon Path

Come a little bit closer…

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https://Come a little bit closer...

In a little café just the other side of the border
She was just sitting there giving me looks that made my mouth water
So I started walking her way
She belonged to bad man José
And I knew, yes I knew I should leave
When I heard her say

Come a little bit closer, you’re my kind of man
So big and so strong
Come a little bit closer, I’m all alone
And the night is so long

So we started to dance, in my arms she felt so inviting
That I just couldn’t resist just one little kiss so exciting
Then I heard the guitar player say
Vamoose, José’s on his way
And I knew, yes I knew I should run
But then I heard her say

Come a little bit closer, you’re my kind of man
So big and so strong
Come a little bit closer, I’m all alone
And the night is so long

Then the music stopped, when I looked the café was empty
Then I heard José say, “Man, you know you’re in trouble plenty”
So I dropped my drink from my hand
And through the window I ran
And as I rode away I could hear
Her say to José

Come a little bit closer, you’re my kind of man
So big and so strong
Come a little bit closer, I’m all alone
And the night is so long

I just can’t get this song out of my head… and yes, the overall lyrics don’t match the scene at all, but the important part of beckoning? yes, that definitely fits lol…  But the fact is that this dress does quite a bit of the beckoning all on its own, don’t you think? and so much better of a title than something along the lines of Sunset and Lace (my ability with titles has sadly abandoned me of late)…

  • Outfit:  Carol’s Store – Alessandra Dress.  Is there anything more romantic & feminine than lace?  And this is not just lace… it has 3 different patterns & is on a simply gorgeous style with a tied bodice, slightly belled sleeves, & solid underneath so the lace is almost like sheath covering a sexy little skirt & top… the result? ooh la la!  Alessandra is available in 14 single colors or as a fatpack (the fatpack includes a HUD with all colors plus a color picker to let you customize them to the exact tone you want, which is what I did here.). ORIGINAL MESH with materials enabled, Alessandra is sized for Reborn+Waifu, Legacy+Perky+Bombshell, Lara+LaraX+PetiteX, Kupra, Erika, Lovemomma, & Nhumana  (see the poster below), & can be found at the mainstore as a NEW RELEASE.   Demo available with all colors included.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn+Waifu
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Vania, in Bronze (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  Exile – Catrine Remix
  • Makeup:  WarPaint – Naiad ES + Angel Liner;  Cazimi – Ethereal Eyeshadow; Sequoia – Safron LS
  • Moles:  Moccino – GIFT (Face); Ambar Beauty – Natural Moles (Body)
  • Tattoo:  Venge – Boheme
  • Jewelry:  Kunglers – Milena Earrings; L&B Jewelry – Radiance Ring
  • Pose:  [piXit] – Annette
  • Backdrop:  Empire Textures – The Conservatory

 

If only I could teleport…

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https://If only I could teleport...

Travel just isn’t what it used to be… I’m definitely dating myself, but I remember when travel was fun.  Before all the security.  Before cascading delays.  You showed up half an hour before your flight, you were good.  My favorite was the old Eastern shuttle between Boston and NY.  You got to the airport, you filled out a slip of paper, and you were on the next flight (they were every hour and you paid on the flight).  If a plane filled up, it took off and you took the next one.  That was also before they charged you for every little thing… you want to bring a carryon? That will cost.  You want to choose your seat so you can sit with your child or lover or spouse?  That will cost.  Delays happened of course, mostly due to weather, and I do remember getting caught all the way across the country during a strike, but it was so unusual that it became an adventure to get home.  Travel in general just wasn’t so exhausting and frustrating as it seems to almost always be today.  I was very fortunate on my two recent trips by air… on one trip, we were only delayed on the way home… it was more than 4 hours, but we were heading home, which is somehow more bearable than when heading to your destination where you have PLANS.  And on our last trip, we had smooth sailing on BOTH ends despite huge warnings about backups in getting through security… what a delight that was!  But easy travel shouldn’t be unexpected… the DELAYS should be unexpected, not the norm.  Patience is definitely a requirement in today’s world if you want to actually go somewhere.  If only we could teleport IRL!!! Just imagine that… (I know that I do, every single time I travel lol)!

  • Outfit:  JUMO – Briana.  Includes blouse + pants + belt + sandals + bag… the only choice you MUST make has to do with color/pattern, which is a lot harder than you would think lol!  Each of the 5 elements can be changed individually on the HUD that includes 20 “smooth” colors + 5 animal prints + 5 florals (like what I’m wearing).  Sized for Reborn+Waifu, Legacy+Perky+Bombshell, & LaraX+Petite, Briana is EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the July round of Designer Showcase, open through TOMORROW July 20th.  See the poster below; demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Vania, in Bronze (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  WINGSDG – EF0403
  • Eyes:  EUPHORIC – Freya
  • Makeup:  WarPaint – Naiad ES + Angel Liner; CAZIMI – Ethereal ES Gold; Sequoia – Safron HD LS
  • Moles:  Moccino – GIFT (Face); Ambar Beauty – Natural Moles (Body)
  • Tattoo:  Venge – Boheme
  • Jewelry:  Earthtones Boutique (defunct) – Dragonfly earrings; L&B Jewelry – Radiance Ring
  • Nails:  CAZIMI – Purple Prose
  • Pose:  FOXCITY – Chilling
  • Location:  Frogmore

Give me details, ALL of them

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https://I want ALL the details

Are blogs like mine becoming obsolete? More and more, I’m seeing bloggers who post only on Flickr/PrimFeed, putting topline details in the description/comments.    When I first started blogging 9 years ago, having an actual blog was an almost-if-not-quite a requirement.  These days, not so much; one blogger app actually PREFERRED all the details being on the post there rather than having to click over to a blog.  Which made me start to wonder — again — why I spend so much on mine.  The answer is actually very simple… I do it for ME.  First of all, there are times when I just really appreciate this ability to spontaneously talk about whatever is on my mind; it’s very cathartic.  Secondly — and sadly most important — it’s a record for ME of how I did an outfit, all the little details that aren’t captured in my “saved outfits”, or when I want to “borrow” part of a look.  It’s a fashion and photo shoot diary of all those supportive details that would otherwise just be lost.  And since (I’m rather embarrassed to say) it’s rare that I actually re-wear an outfit other than gowns and swimsuits (always working on the NEXT post!), the “detail diary” can be quite useful, especially in my fantasy posts.  When I had to migrate to a new hosting site I realized how much info I could lose without the actual blog.  Now that everything is prepaid for several years, it’s more idle questioning than anything else.  But for ME, it’s often those non-sponsored-item-details that I look for on someone else’s blog (I get a little pissed off when I click through to only see the exact same info on the main item when I want to know the hair or the pose or the backdrop or where it was shot, etc).   But with views — and therefore faves — tanking on Flickr (unless it’s just me and my work? though I hear it from other bloggers and designers too), I’m beginning to wonder how much effort I’m willing to continue putting in.  Well, I guess time will tell, though I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts as well! Just comment on the post or even reach out inworld…  Otherwise, enjoy!

  • Gown:  PurpleMoon Creations – Clementine.  PBR ONLY, this sensational gown is available in your choice of 12 glorious shades, or as a Megapack so no choosing involved!  Sized for Reborn+Waifu, Legacy, & LaraX, Clementine includes optional body lights to really make Clementine sparkle, plus a HUD to turn the sheer panel on the chest on/off.  EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the July round of Designer Showcase, open July 5th – 20th.  See the poster below; demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Vania, in Bronze (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  S-Club – Elsa (includes tiara)
  • Eyes:  EUPHORIC – Freya
  • Makeup:  WarPaint – Opaline ES + Angel Liner; Velour – TikTok Diva LS
  • Moles:  Moccino – GIFT (Face); Ambar Beauty – Natural Moles (Body)
  • Tattoo:  Venge – Boheme
  • Jewelry:  Suga Baby – Tierra earrings & necklace; L&B Jewelry – Radiance Ring
  • Nails:  Veechi – Precious Metals
  • Pose:  OMY – Opal 2 w/ eye focus
  • Backdrop:  SATO – Silk Night Oasis

When the coffee guy is so cute you overstay your coffee break…

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https://When the coffee guy is so cute you overstay your coffee break...

This photo is one of those “happy accidents.”  I was busy playing with different locations, poses, windlights, etc. when I accidentally took a picture… and then found I liked it better than all the “planned” shots that had both preceded it (different locations) and followed (different poses/windlights)…  Isn’t that so often the case???  So much time and effort looking for the perfect whatever, only to stumble on a find that just wins your heart — even if you don’t recognize it at the time lol!  Enjoy!

  • Outfit:  Anastyle –Zamira White Lace & Denim.  A little white lace tie-top with separate sleevelets & low-slung bellbottom jeans, so sexy & casual & comfy, what else can you ask for?  You can choose the complete outfit as shown — which includes the long necklace — or you can opt for the jeans in any of 7 colors or as a fatpack, with the top, sleeves & necklace all sold separately. Sized for Reborn+Waifu+Squish, Legacy, Maitreya+LaraX, Zamira is at theJuly round of Designer Showcase, open July 5th – 20th.  See the poster below; demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Vania, in Bronze (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  TRUTH – Odyssey
  • Eyes:  EUPHORIC – Freya
  • Makeup:  HYPE – Something ES; Goreglam – Crystal Lipgloss (Premium Gift)
  • Moles:  Moccino – GIFT (Face); Ambar Beauty – Natural Moles (Body)
  • Tattoo:  Venge – Boheme
  • Jewelry:  e.marie – tressa earrings; L&B Jewelry – Radiance Ring
  • Location:  Burrow

Ready to hit the town, but where do I start?

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https://Ready to hit the town, but where do I start

Life certainly has its ups and downs, but I seem to be stuck in a down spiral.  A 5A visit to the ER with my husband (he went by ambulance), followed by 12 hours sitting in a bay with no answers, transferred to another hospital for admittance, and more waiting.  Now that he’s home, we’re running from doctor to doctor… frustrating and oh so frightening…  And my escape, my SL?  The last restart seems to have frozen my region, and I could see my home, but could not approach, and all I got was a message about my credentials not being authorized or some such thing.  After a lot of frustration I learned it the region needed a reboot… but of course this was over the holiday weekend.  I camped over at Thea’s place (my fantasy alt) so at least I had a private place to change, but it’s just not the same thing sleeping in a bed that’s not your own.  I had planned on doing this shoot with a backdrop that was all set up, but since I couldn’t get to my platform, I had to scout for a new location.  But working on this gave me focus and got me out of my worried brain, providing a much needed energy boost and some calming energies… now to keep it going IRL!  Here’s to better days!!!

  • Dress:  13 Avenue – Miss K Dress. NEW!  What a sassy little dress this is!  And the patterns, oh my!! Me, I went totally gaga over the “slashes” with netting (which alone has 9 pattern variations), but there’s a wide range of other patterns boasting net edging instead (see the Ad below).  The little sleevelets are optional, & panties are included (yes!!! makes life so much easier lol).  Sized for Reborn+Waifus, Legacy+Perky, & Lara+LaraX+Petite+PetiteX, Miss K is available in your choice of 28 patterns or a Fatpack with all options.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Vania, in Bronze (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  TRUTH – Dusk
  • Eyes:  EUPHORIC – Freya
  • Makeup:  Sequoia – Anabella + Madalina; Goreglam – Crystal Lipgloss
  • Bag:  purple moon – Dina handbag
  • Moles:  Moccino – GIFT (Face); Ambar Beauty – Natural Moles (Body)
  • Tattoo:  Venge – Boheme
  • Jewelry:  e.marie – tressa earrings; L&B Jewelry – Radiance Ring
  • Pose:  La Plume – Ambre
  • Location:  Seacloud Estate

Cat crazies

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https://Cat Craziness

OK, I’ll admit it… I’m a crazy cat lady here in SL.  But lately I’ll admit something else… my cats are starting to make me crazy.  Maybe it’s because I’m just not inworld as much, but anytime I sit or stand anywhere on my property, I’m inundated by cats.  I’m suddenly a virtual cat magnet, with them constantly demanding attention (not to mention photo-bombing lol).  I suppose that makes it even more like real life, where sometimes my pets start getting a little too overdemanding for pets as well.  The problem is that I have so very many KittyCats inworld, but I just love them so, and they definitely help make my SL house into a true home!!!  Have a happy!

  • Outfit:  Carol’s Store – Celeste Top & Pants.  Openwork + fringes, not to mention color-matched panties… I’m in love!  And I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about these fringes… when we were out dancing, my partner commented how cool it was that the fringes moved with my body.  Of course, they don’t actually move, but there was definitely the illusion of moving, maybe because of how the fringe is multi-strand at different angles, & when you’re moving, the light continually hits different parts. That’s my theory anyway, but I can say that it was definitely mesmerizing! Celeste is available in 14 single colors or as a fatpack (the fatpack includes a HUD with all colors plus a color picker to let you customize them to the exact tone you want, which is what I did here.). ORIGINAL MESH with materials enabled, Celeste is sized for Reborn+Waifu, Legacy+Perky+Bombshell, Lara+LaraX+PetiteX, Kupra, Erika, Lovemomma, & Nhumana  (see the poster below), & is EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the current round of Dubai, open June 20th – July 15th.   Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Vania, in Bronze (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  S-Club – Dana
  • Makeup:  Izzie’s – Birthday Eye Make-up; Goreglam – Crystal Lipgloss (Premium Gift)
  • Moles:  Moccino – GIFT (Face); Ambar Beauty – Natural Moles (Body)
  • Tattoo:  Venge – Boheme
  • Jewelry:  U-Refined – Melissa Earrings; L&B Jewelry – Radiance Ring
  • Pose:  K&S – Luna
  • Cat:  KittyCatS – Gigi
  • Location:  My home in Second Norway

Is there a problem here?

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https://Is there a problem here?

Lighting… I struggle so with it.  I’m not sure why exactly; it seems to me that most bloggers barely pay attention to it, but then again it feels like many bloggers just concentrate on the “look” and don’t bother very much with the rest.  But for me, it’s a big part of why I like doing SL photography.  Even after the look is done, the pose is selected, the setting, I’ll spend hours playing with windlights, facelights, bodylights, etc… and then comes the struggle choosing the shot.  This time, I ended up with 3 finalists… how to choose, how to choose… since my job is to advertise fashion, I almost always go with the one that shows the outfit to the best advantage, but admittedly I do sometimes get swayed by which one is the better photo, as long as the outfit still looks good.  Which is the better way to go, I internally debate constantly, but with views (and therefore faves) dropping on Flickr as its popularity has declined as its restrictions and cost have increased, I sometimes choose based on which I think more people will like as opposed to what I personally prefer.  Which is the right way to go? I have no idea, which is why I struggle so…  But one thing is certain… I still love to shop, which is why I love to blog!!!  Happy shopping!! CHECK OPTIONS ON ZORA

  • Outfit:   Petrichor– Zora.  Co-designed with Ersch, this set is a perfect example of why Petrichor is such a leader in fantasy wear… this style just captures the very essence of fantasy dressing! Zora includes the 2-piece dress (with options for a short or long skirt), & caplet arms (which can be worn small, large, or big, plus there’s a special HUD for optional positioning of the arms).  Sized for Legacy+Perky, Reborn+Waifu, LaraX+LaraXPetite, Kupra, Mounds, & Bombshell, she’s available in 10 single colors, 7 Fabric Fatpacks each with a 40-color HUD to change, hide/show just about everything, or a Megapack that includes all the options (see the Ad below). Introduced at Fantasy Faire, Zora is now at the main store.   Demo available.
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Camila
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  iSO – Splice, worn in Pink Fairy (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  no.match – NO EMPIRE
  • Eyes:  Gloom – Anamanaguchi
  • Makeup:  YINN – London Eyeshadow
  • Ears:  FaeTal – Fifer (earrings)
  • Horns:  Endless Moon Haus (EMH) – Lunareth
  • Wings:  –FAS– Bento Faery Wings
  • Pose:  Amitie – Lavender
  • Backdrop:  SATO – Celtic Ruins

Lanterns by the Sea

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https://Lanterns by the Sea

Weather appears to be more extreme every year.  The winters are colder, the summers are hotter, more storms or droughts or whatever depending on where you live.  It’s been so very hot here in central FL that I am living in sundresses and extremely lightweight little tops and shorts.  I wish I could wear something like this… but even if I could find it, I definitely no longer have the shape for it lol!  But that is part of the beauty of SL… my body is just the way I want it (don’t you wish you had sliders IRL?), & the sun is never too hot, making me all sweaty and grumpy…  Enjoy it!

  • Outfit:  I.M. Collection – Laurele Dress.  You’re the picture of summer in this airy openwork crochet dress with beading detail to kick the design up a notch.  Sized for Reborn+Waifu, Legacy, & LaraX (see below), she is available in 12 single textures or as a fatpack; just be aware that this little dress shows EVERYTHING, so if you’re a bit more shy than that (as I am), please note that I’m wearing nipple covers (more due to Flickr regs than my own concern) AND I added panties that really blended in.  Laurele is currently available at the current round of Designer Showcase, open through June 20th.  Demo available (click on poster for Menu, then DEMO).
  • Backdrop:  SATO – Lanterns by the Sea.  I’ve been using SATO backdrops for a long time ago.  Each themed package contains 10 backdrops, sized 2018×2018.  One of the things I love about SATO is the lighting in their backdrops, since that’s one of the key things I concentrate on in my photos.  This is one of six packages currently available at the current round of Designer Showcase, open through June 20th.  See the ad below to see all of the backdrops in this package.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Vania, in Bronze (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  TRUTH – Shadow
  • Makeup:  HYPE – Something ES; Goreglam – Crystal Lipgloss (Premium Gift)
  • Lingerie:  LARRY – Sheer Lace Panties, in Coral
  • Moles:  Moccino – GIFT (Face); Ambar Beauty – Natural Moles (Body)
  • Tattoo:  Venge – Boheme
  • Jewelry:  Maxi Gossamer – Cabo San Lucas Leather & Shell earrings; L&B Jewelry – Radiance Ring
  • Pose:  [piXit] – Annette

Picture of Confidence

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https://Picture of Confidence

SL photography, and blogging itself I suppose, is such a funny thing… at least for me anyway.  Sometimes a look tells me exactly what it wants, and then I try to make that happen within my limited resources (I do NOT use AI).  Other times… well, to take this post in point, I had originally envisioned something on a tropical shoreline, beautiful sunset, etc.  But I wore the dress out on a date with my partner who I hadn’t seen in a few weeks due to overlapping but non-coordinated vacations.  And as I’m watching myself walk all the way through a crowded dance venue, from a long entrance bridge through the entire dance floor to a side alcove we prefer.  And for some reason, I was just struck with how confident I looked, just striding through the crowd, how confident I MYSELF felt watching that (from the rear, mind you)… and thus the concept for this was born, though I obviously wanted the shot to be from the front in order to show off this magnificent outfit.  I spent more time playing with lifting my chin “just so” and the angle of the shot… now I’m just trying to be equally confident in the outcome since Flickr has NOT been that friendly on my latest pix… summer slump that I always seem to forget happens lol…  Happy shopping all!

  • Outfit:  JUMO – Lyra, top+skirt+bag.  So many options for this slinky look & they’re all awesome!  LOVE LOVE LOVE the way lace is used, though I really struggled between the floral & the animal print for the skirt (both of which had 5 color choices, plus another 20 textures!), but you can see which was the winner in my pic.  Sized for a wide range of bodies & including a fabulous multitexture HUD for the top & the skirt, plus a separate HUD for the bag (see the Ad below).  On sale at the current round of Designer Showcase, for 20% OFF, June 5th – 20th.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Vania, in Bronze (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  WINGSDG – EF0401
  • Makeup:  Warpaint – Naiad ES; CAZIMI – Mocha LS
  • Moles:  Moccino – GIFT (Face); Ambar Beauty – Natural Moles (Body)
  • Tattoo:  Bliss Belle – Neva
  • Jewelry:  Eclectica – Boho earrings; L&B Jewelry – Radiance Ring
  • Pose:  [piXit] – Gothabilly
  • Backdrop:  LORI NOVO – Piano, Suspicious in the Dark