SLEA - The Quiet Between Worlds

 

By Netera Landar

The  Masquerade Ball in the Ballroom. (Photo courtesy Neme Marville)

I went to an event celebrating “The Quiet Between Worlds” region an hour before singer Austin Moores’ gig. Max Kleene was singing live during the Masquerade Ball. 

 

Max Kleene

He was dressed in a black suit and wore a mask that covered half his face. On a blue, sparkling dance floor, 40 participants were surrounded by tall arches and floating candles. Many were dressed casually, while others chose formal gowns, suits, or styles that suited them.

The landing point information board.

“The Quiet Between Worlds” was created from a growing sense of unrest and exhaustion – both online and offline – that now permeates our world: the constant performance, polarization, and pressure to define and defend identity. The region is a refuge that offers true emotional safety and comfort. It is LGBTQ+ centered on care and visibility for the most vulnerable members of the Second Life community. Here, visitors can experience moments of peace and reflection, mourn loved ones that they have lost, and support our fellow brothers and sisters,” according to Team Nabi/Butterfly Nation. Over 1,500 people have visited so far.

The team includes Nemesis Marville – engines, storytelling, and meshes; Nyx Marville – scripting and dynamic art; Dean Acer – meshes and textures; Cypher: Muse and the boss of Dean; and Rin Nemeth: artists’ coordinator and manager.

A week after the music event, I met with Neme, who lives overseas, and Nyx. They gave me a tour of numerous parts of the region and offered explanations at each highlighted space.

“Our grant started in January of 2026. We have this region through Second Life Endowment for the Arts for six months. So, the region will end and go on to a new artist at the end of June 2026,” said Neme.

The team members met in a region where the community was supportive of LGBTQ residents. When it closed, they discussed ideas on how to offer a safe space. The opportunity came, and they began their work.

They create unity and bring people together by holding weekly events. One of which is a week-long watch party in their theater, and on Sundays, a DJ mixes ambient tunes and more. They hope to offer more events, especially for Pride coming up, now that the building phase is nearly complete.

As for the tour, Neme and Nyx showed me the upper levels. I explored the beach area myself. Not far from the landing point is a guitar stage with rainbows and stars streaming from the sand. Bean bag chairs surround the area. 

 

A memorial park features a marble headstone and a touching message, a harp that plays after you click it. Sit on the Pride bench and listen.

 

Step into the wooden cabin and watch a special video.

Watch the interactive video in the wooden cabin. Relax by the fire pit or in the cuddle heart.

Neme’s tour led to the exploration of the upper part of the build. He told me to walk slowly towards the first teleport, which should bring us up.

“This marks the end of the world as we know it,” said Neme. “This is why in the book up there it says choose wonder over fear.” We went over the bridge instead. “This is a spot for gatherings, for friends and family, and for concerts and events. This is the Ballroom biome. It’s the face we show to the people around us. It’s what we want them to perceive us as,” he told me.

I recognize it as the room where Max performed. Neme tells me that every arc in the room has a message, and together they become whole.

The Little Prince build.

We took the portal to the next area. He said this was the Little Prince biome, which features elements from the book.

“You can either be the Little Prince or the Narrator, as they are the only characters missing,” he said, and asked if I knew the story. 

 

Netera with Neme.

“It should feel like they were just here, and their absence should be notable. I think the first thing people do is think of a loved one who is now among the stars. People react with feelings of nostalgia, some even grief. Although it’s more introspective in a way. It’s the feeling of lost potential, of what life could have been if they were still around."

Another wooden cabin for sitting and reflecting.

We then move on to the cabin. Neme said that this is a place to calm down from the feelings we experienced in the previous setting. Most of the scene has interactive areas to hang out, contemplate, or just share a moment with someone you’re close to.

He added that there is an important over-arching theme that extended across all the builds in the region and that was the opportunity to contemplate your life as well as options for making memories.

“Which is so important in a space like SL where folks are looking for connections,” Neme said. “Around this ark/biome, this is a place where you can withdraw and relax and leave whenever you feel ready to. A place to be yourself without having to meet any expectations.”

“There needs to be safe places to come,” I told him.

“Exactly,” said Nyx. “Whether it is someone decompressing from real life, or looking for a way to reach out to a community, that is what SL is at its heart. A place to be more than you can imagine and to find your chosen people.”

Nyx stated, as Neme did, that their region will be open to the end of June, and then another team will create an installation, or whatever their passion is, and it will be bittersweet.

“We do not have an option yet to move elsewhere, but we are open to any opportunities folks may have. We put in a very concentrated effort to do everything ourselves. So, approximately 98% of what you are seeing is something our team members made or created together,” Nyx added.

A tree-house build focusing on grief, how it is love with nowhere to go. Play your song anyway.

Onward we went. This time, we were transported to a floating treehouse, which Neme said was a standard blender ruins made with mesh.

Not all wishes are meant to come true...some are meant to change you.

“Neme has created much of the mesh you see around each scene. Each scene is encapsulated within its own biome. Right now, we are about 2,500m over the beach below,” explained Nyx. “I think we have space for everyone to claim a spot as their own at this point.”

Neme tells me I’ll love the next area. He points across the bridge to a piano, the next portal, he said. There are messages.

“He has made pieces, since we started, that tell stories, follow a narrative, and make people connect. This piece made me teary-eyed,” Nyx admitted.

Nyx and Neme.

We are at a gazebo where the stars sparkle above. Neme said that there are four messages and poses, perfect for couples. Perfect to ask your loved one to marry you, and there’s even a wedding venue downstairs.

“If you wish to book space for a wedding, it’s free. If you want to flex your DJ skills on any given night – free. If someone wants to hold a morning yoga class, the only hurdle is your imagination and wanting to see it thrive,” said Neme.

You are not alone.

“I think the little messages are cute and endearing,” added Nyx.  “Sometimes it’s hard to find the words to say how one feels.”

You are more than what hurts you.

Neme explained that they tried to alternate heavy places with places to rest your mind and soul so it wouldn’t be overbearing.

Your journey just begins - we are walking it with you...

“I think the vastness of massive objects like space, reminds us of how small we are and how small our troubles can be in the grand scheme,” said Nyx.

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLEA8/56/66/32

Netera Landar

  

The Willows

 

By Netera Landar

 

I found out about The Willows through the events directory. Faleen Renard, the club’s owner, mentioned they were hosting a pre-Valentine’s Day event and invited me to check it out, which I did, and I wrote a short article about it. I came back to attend their pirate event. Who can say no to stepping back in time when men and women didn’t follow the rules of social conformity?

Within the large venue, men were dressed in buccaneer costumes, with frock coats, shirts, and breeches, and women in corsets, low-cut bodices, and skirts. The DJ was surrounded by an outdoor market run by pirate vendors, whom you wouldn’t want to bargain with for the best deal. You might lose more than just your coins.

What I like about this club is that almost everyone welcomes you to dance with them. They seem comfortable in the setting and with each other.

Before I learned about the club, I wanted to find out what motivated her to come in-world and what her learning process was like. She said she discovered Second Life through her real-life job. 

“I was involved in a project for Teen Second Life, when it existed,” she stated. “I had quite a learning curve back in 2007, because I worked in online community management, but none of it mirrored my experience joining Second Life. It took me some time to convert my mindset from text-based to the visual experience, to experiment with avatars, and also to participate socially. I thought I would be done at the end of that work project, but 19 years later, I’m still here.”

Her exploration in Second Life led her to music venues and social spots. She discovered that she enjoyed meeting new people with shared interests. 

“Within a couple of years, I became a hostess at one of the popular ballrooms. I progressed to training and managing the hosting staff and then became a general manager,” she said.

Afterward, she managed several other venues before deciding to open The Willows. Her launch date was Jan. 16, 2012. Faleen said she learned a lot over the years and felt ready to provide the kind of experience she had grown to love. She continues to pursue her goal of “making the club feel like home,” where people feel welcomed, comfortable, entertained, and included as part of the family.

Faleen said that people come in-world for many reasons and like to be entertained in different ways. One of the first people that she met in Second Life was a woman with physical limitations. 

“She told me that, in Second Life, she could do all the things she couldn’t do anywhere else. I learned that fun and changing experiences made people happy and kept them engaged. I decided that a themed venue was what I wanted. Music, décor, and style of dress would change nightly,” she said.

Faleen designs and builds her settings and has learned, improved, and expanded what is offered. She’s acted on guests’ requests for specific themes. She credits her dedicated team of talented DJs for knowing what everyone will love hearing, and Steverino and Kylie for backing her up and supporting her, especially when real life keeps her off-line.

So, what themes can you expect there? First, there are “fixed nights.” All-Country Monday, Formal Saturday, and Sock-Hop Sunday. Faleen has numerous settings for these events. The themes are categorized by music, decade, and holidays. 

“Specific examples would be 60’s (Feelin’ Groovy,” Woodstock, British Invasion), Disco, several 80’s styles, Biker Bar, Blues Night, beach parties, Tiki and Toga parties…and I try to catch all holidays (even the silliest ones!) from Valentine’s Day through until New Year’s Eve. It’s an extensive list!

You will find The Willows open from 7 to 11 p.m. SLT every night. Also, three mornings a week at The Willows Open Air: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. SLT on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. The Willows Winter Serenity, a cozy winter area, is open year-round to visitors. The teleport system is available at the fixed landing to have a look around the area. 

I asked Faleen what her plans are for the club’s future. “Going forward, it is my hope to continue to build, to continue to offer new and expanded themes, to highlight great DJs and to meet and welcome more of the Second Life community, including beyond the North American time zones,” she said.

 

SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Donatelli/104/187/3753

Netera Landar 

 

Design 

Cafe Lilardo

 

Friday February 6 was the grand opening of a small new club, Cade Lilardo. Located high above the Crest sim, the music started at 2PM with DJ Rex, and would go on throughout the afternoon and evening, with DJ Juana at 4PM, DJ Whiskey at 5PM, DJ Squeaks at 7PM, and finally DJ Gwen playing from 9 to 11 PM SL time. Several times there were contest with several thousand in prizes given out. 

 

The venue is owned by Ardo Topaz, with LilyBethPatterson helping to run it. "Our grand opening was this evening and our goal is to be a venue for theme events, coffee talk and great vibes," she told me, "I have been a manager at Scorn and co-owner at SIN so with that experience we wanted to own a club or venue that had a feel good vibe. So with Ardo's experience and mine...we were dancing one evening and chatting and decided to give it a try."

Of the club's structure, a green-framed building of glass , Ardo would say, "I was perusing LEONs when I came upon the greenhouse pavilion. I had seen the huge one at Merrymount and I thought it would make a nice cafe and hangout. Extend the idea yet shrink it in scale."  Ardo would also say he's going to install a Bellisserian passport stamp terminal. 

A counter would show 71 people in total dropping in that day and evening.

 

As of now,  a weekly schedule is still being drawn up. Lilybeth says they should have something available soon.  

 

The club is located in http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Crest/98/224/3502

 

Addition: On Sunday, Lilibeth would post this message:

 

The Grand  Opening at Café Lilardo’s was a great success!!  We had around 71 guests (friends and family) who stopped by to support our venture.  The evening was filled with fun, laughter, jokes and dancing.  However, the most impressive moments of the party were the friends and family who took the time and effort with their love, guidance and advice.  I would like to take this moment to give a special shout out to the following people because without them ,we would have not been able to succeed the way we did.

•    Brandi:  You are a beacon of positivity, a burst of energy and an all-around superstar.  We are humbled and thankful for your friendship, support and guidance.  You ROCK on all levels!!
•    Maliit:  Thank you for the time, grace and coaching you have always shown.  We are forever grateful for your love and unwavering support.
•    Juana:  We beam with pride that you carved time to support our goals and vision. We are forever grateful for your love.
•    Whiskey:  Thank you for coming through and always being the supportive back-up that we need.
•    Gwen:  Thank you for your counsel and presence in our lives.
•    Zee:  What a rock she is!! You always bring THAT VIBE wherever you go! 
•    Rex:  We are happy you have been a part of our journey with your love and support.
•    Jade and Noc:  We are blessed for your cheerleading spirit and support.

There are so many more people to put on this list and you know who you are as we extend hugs and love to you all.  Café Lilardo has been placed on the map as we plan and prepare for our next BIG event.  We are READY!!  So, be on the lookout for our next event. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Kondor’s Art Café

 

By Netera Landar

Hermes Kondor arrived early to greet guests before the art café opened.

A Facebook invitation announced the grand opening of a new space for Kondor’s Art Cafe on Sunday, Jan. 11. Hermes Kondor’s artwork was featured in the Dickens Project Art Show last month, and I learned that he has an art center. Arriving early to the event would allow me to take pictures of Hermes’ collection without disrupting the event. To my surprise, Hermes was at the center. 

Hermes explained that the art café is a transformation of an old concept called “The Terrace,” which had functioned more like a club. His notecard explained the concept and intention of the art café.  It would serve a small but meaningful purpose as a Sunday cultural and elegant salon. The terrace would motivate people to meet in an art and cultural environment, to socialize, listen to good music, and to dance. Thursdays would feature exhibitions, and Sundays would focus on connection and atmosphere. 

As Hermes started greeting other early guests, I clicked on the sim’s music stream and began walking through the realistic art center. Sydney Couerblanc was greeted by Hermes. She explained that she couldn’t attend the 1 p.m. opening but was interested in seeing his new materials. She told him she liked the tight color palette and the highlights and shadows in one of the photographs, then continued her self-guided tour.

From the stairway, interior view.

My own tour was one of observation, appreciation, and a desire to speak with each photographer and artist about their composition. What were they trying to capture and express? Art is like poetry; you can try to interpret it, but it’s more than a personal point of view. The poet feels compelled to select the right words, while the photographer waits for the perfect angle and lighting to capture the image he/she desires. 

Before I knew it, artists, photographers, and art supporters began arriving. Thirty-three at my last count. They gathered on the terrace and listened to DJ Pris and then DJ Medea. The majority were dressed casually. All commented positively on the collection and said they couldn’t wait to see future exhibits.

Artists represented in the art center/museum.

Here are a few pieces from the collection.

 

“Waves Roll in My Thoughts” by Paola Mills.

 

“Fighting the Dark” by Duraya.

“Tangled” by ilyra Chardin

“Shoot Speed Kill Light” by Traci.

“Distortion 24” by Angelika Corral 2023

“Failure” by Margherita Hax.

“WOS Away” by eta Mae

 

“Relativeco” by Selen Love.

Slurl: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Royal%20Tea/159/82/30

Netera Landar
 

Meeroos Addresses It's Pet Issues

 

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Meeroos have been around for a long time, since 2011. While they've long past their heyday, there are still some people who continue to raise and care for some. This includes one friend of mine who will remain anonymous in this article. They did have some trouble early on when Linden Lab banned the asset manager of the company by mistake. But it was smooth sailing once that was resolved. 

 

For quite some time things have been uneventful other than their cute noises and asking for snuggles. But a couple weeks ago, she started telling me they had problems, not working right. Some were unable to eat. Other people in the Meeros group were saying they were having troubles too. But there was nothing heard from the staff, no announcements. And the website at http://www.worldofmeeroos.com/ hadn't been updated since 2022. 

 

Finally there was an update, an announcement which my friend passed to me, from a 77ecb6 (UrsulaMarie Sakura). 

 

As most of you know meeroos is having some issues, and i'm aware of most of them. I'm the one who broke everything during the transfer.

Meeroos previously was located on some hosting that had massively scaled up in costs that was untenable putting everything in the red and causing moxie to have to pay out of pocket to keep it all up.

I was called in during the holiday to find solution, the main solution was migrating off old hosting to reduce costs and cancel some sims to further reduce costs. 

Meeroos is not going away or dying, however, I did encounter some issues in the translation of things from 2010 operating system and code to modern operating system and code. 

Thus a ton of bugs and issues occurred from this sadly. With that being said at this time best course is to reduce breeding in this time frame while I repair the core functions and stabilize the systems.

My main focus is the game core first, then csr internal systems/site, then lastly the public facing website. Is no point for me to fix the public site when current CSR's can't even access the tickets, 

I have to do the things in a specific order that makes sense, obviously the game core is the most vital and most important aspect, everything else is bonus beyond that, not forgotten just in the queue of tasking.
I'm the only one working on this as no one else has the knowledge or familiarity of the systems involved. If i didn't step in we would have already been at our end at the end of 2025. That's not my goal as Meeroos is my childhood and matters greatly to me so i'm doing my function to get everything back on track. 

I know about the meepets and starving red text, I have already helped quite a few customers with this problem, right now the best solution is to do REBUILD on the live meeroos to ensure they sync up properly, I was with a customer for hours last night while we investigated it even further and tracked down the issue that her roos stopped talking since the 9th JAN 2026 and the updates were not going in. She rebuilt half her roos last night and this morning the half that was rebuilt is back to normal, the other half she rebuilt this morning after giving her the all clear. So if your facing this problem then please try a REBUILD, if after 24 hours if not looking better, let me know, I will provide a means of how to let me know at the bottom of this notecard.

I'm aware of the glitched nest skin problem, investigating this problem, Every Meeroo ID past 8715393 will be fully audited once I'm assured that the birth/nesting process is stable, any that are incorrect will be rectified to at least equivalence of the parents. If you have these nests please avoid birthing them / breeding with them in this time as it will just result in more clean up.  I will find all these in the audit, but if you have further concerns please follow the contact information at the bottom and will be able to sort it out once rectification is complete.

The CSR's and Moxie are very limited in what they can help with at this point, CSRs can still recover nests and lives, but are unable to process tickets at this time, a lot of the recent issues are stuff that I will likely have to resolve, so please have patience at this time. 

I can't resolve a nest if it has no meeroo_id, if this happens try to rebuild the parents. 

If you encountered an issue that isn't above please contact me.

My friend would go on to say her pets were better. So it would seem Meeroo's latest issues of pet problems is being fixed.

 

After about fifteen years, the company behind Meeroos is still taking care of it's pets.

 

Bixyl Shuftan