The Hills Came Alive When Libba Bray Visited There!

By Nyllone

 

The news that Libba Bray, bestselling author of young adult novels “A Great and Terrible Beauty” and “Rebel Angels”, is visiting There to promote her last book on the Gemma Doyle Trilogy, “The Sweet Far Thing”, spread fast in-world.  Being on There Fun Times, There Central, There Forums, and The Voice.   

As a big fan of fiction writers in general, I signed up not just for the main event, but also to a couple of pre-events Mackie hosted.  And in the pre-events (Victorian Fashion Show and Gemma Doyle Trilogy Trivia), I got myself a little teacup that matched perfectly with the latest addition in Shop Central Specialty Store: Libba Bray items.  The corset, ball gown and Victorian hat looked so perfect that when I tried it on, it just added up to the excitement as the day of the special event drew near. 

Then finally, the day arrived.  I teleported away to There Events Arena 00, knowing that it would be the first layer Libba Bray would be visiting.  And as we were there an hour early to get prepped, and there were still very few members around, I ran around the place like a five-year-old kid in her Nikes.  I watched, observed, and mingled a bit.   

 

While waiting for the author, members busied themselves by chatting, playing cards, watching the book trailer on the big screen, and reading the book’s excerpt from the link on the Big Book.  Some checked the Libba Bray items on Shop Central as there was also the Best Dressed Contest and the Victorian Fashion Show.  Men looked dashing in their suits while the women looked regal in their ball gowns..  I wore my Victorian Hat for a while, hoping against hope that a single item on would make me a candidate for the Best Dressed Woman.  Then again, maybe that’s pushing my luck too far.

As I strolled around the place, which was then filling up with members, I chanced upon a new member who registered in There for the event.  Apparently, she’s a big fan of Libba Bray and has read *all* of her books.  She told me that she learned about the There Event on IMDb Boards.  It was then, another new member joined our conversation, and introduced herself as a big fan and a member of the IMDb Boards too.  In minutes, we were joined by three more new members who were also excited to meet Libba Bray.  Even just in a virtual world.  

After a while, they started asking, “Where is she? It’s four.”  “It’s seven, she should be here…”  I found myself looking at my computer clock.  I whispered in RL, “It’s seven here as well, but I’m in my morning!”  Talk about time zones.

 

Speaking of time, it was almost at the exact same time that one of the new members said, “I hope Libba didn’t get lost…” I caught from the corner of my eye that “Libba Bray has been added to the conversation” on zone IM.  I informed the new members I was with, who were already jittery waiting for her, that “She’s here!!!”, and we unknowingly ran about in different directions to find her!   

I found Libba Bray standing by the Big Book, donning a gorgeous yellow Victorian gown with matching shoes, a pair of red glasses and a *special* braided red hair with small ribbons on it.  I felt the urge to check the hair in Shop right there and then, but thought it could wait.  I walked towards her to get a good spot.

 

She had technical difficulties at first, whined for a bit that she cannot hear and talk, that she had to relog.  After a while, she came back on the same spot where we were all waiting and she started typing away.   

When she first started to talk, she asked if we could hear her and we said yes.  But a new member said she could not, since she’s not yet voice activated (being a CosmoGirl avie).  I told her that she could just type her question to Libba, and Libba could type her answer maybe.  To which Libba replied:  “Will type for food.”   

That instant, I knew this was going to be a fun event.  

She raved about the “Janet Jackson move”, which was actually the ‘bodywave emote and even danced in front of us.  She liked the bunny ears when she saw one wearing them.  Although she’s a self-confessed *technologically-inept person* and calls herself as the “Jessica Simpson of Technology”, she seemed to enjoy everything she saw in There as she commented on things that she found nice and cool.  “Loving that spiked hair…”  She told one male avie in front of her.  She raved about her *special* hair made especially for her, (which burst my bubble ofc) that she said she wanted to tell all the people who were mean to her in high school that she’s got a superfoxy special virtual hair.

 

In the Q&A with Libba on Layer 04, to which I had the privilege to be invited, it was when I really cracked up.  (In fact, I was trying to Fraps the event, and when I viewed it, all I could hear was my chuckle, as I forgot that I had the headphone on ¾ of the time.  ‘Doh!) 

 

When someone asked if she likes the TV show Hell’s Kitchen, she replied in voice:  “No, because he’s always shouting.  If I want that, I would go to my family instead!”  When someone asked her to be his prom date in There, she replied, “Can I wear my red hi-tops?”  It was early Wednesday morning for me, but I was cracking up like crazy in my jammies.   

But this is the best part.  When she noticed the building in the background, she blurted out singing, “The hills are alive in the sound of music…”  I had to double-check if I had it on Fraps. 

As we were all saying our thank yous and goodbyes, she spoke.  “Thank you so much.  I hope you all had fun…  But I think I am stuck here for a long time.”  As she cannot seem to move her avie.

I was surprised that someone, as popular as her, could be so bubbly, carefree and warm.  Her childlike appeal just shines through effortlessly.  No wonder she excels in her craft as author of young adult novels.  She has a sense of humor that could make both young adults and not-so-young adults roll on the floor laughing. 

It was such a feel-good event.  I really had fun.  And it actually would be no surprise when you hear the news that:  The Hills Came Alive When Libba Bray Visited There! 

You can check out more about the author through these links: Libba Bray’s Live Journal and her official website Libba Bray.