Since 1783, when the Montgolfier brothers (Joseph Michel and Jacques-Etienne) successfully managed to fly a manned balloon 80 feet (tethered.. that was as long as the tether was), hot air balloons have captured our imaginations. Even though the technology might be considered outdated, people have enthusiastically and passionately still pursued it (as evidenced by Per Lindstrand and Richard Branson setting world records with their trans-Pacific flight in 1991).
My imagination is no different. I dream of the smell of the air so high, the creak of a basket as it shifts; It seems to me to be terribly exciting to see the world from that perspective, having no barrier between myself and the wind. And I cannot imagine not wanting to share that with someone I care about.
With that in mind, I've created a very special couple's vehicle for Second Life. Now, I'm not the best vehicle creator, so it's taken me some time to release this special object, just simply because I wanted to do it right. I started with a simple balloon shape, made a frame.. and made it in the colors I find the most pleasing. Beautiful shaded ivory tones and a copper metal basket.. with copper highlights. As I was showing it to my cousin, Kembri.. she mentioned it would look lovely with a more colorful balloon. I stepped back and thought about it, so I decided to give it some different options. Then I thought, well, not everybody loves copper and brass the way I do, so I gave it the options for two wicker baskets. This gives the owner the option to customize the balloon up to 15 combinations.
As I pondered what kind of animations to make for it, I had a fair idea of what I wanted. I wanted a personal, intimate vehicle. Something two friends could feel like they were sharing secrets in.. something you could float on the wind and idly chat as you looked over the landscape. So, I made two custom set of synched animations (4 animations) for just.. friends. I also wanted some very intimate animations, so I made a kiss.. just a standing kiss, that seemed very sweet. In case the two passengers are more than friends, this vehicle carries 3 "cuddle" positions. These positions are adjustable, as every avatar is completely different.
Lastly, I've experimented with so many different vehicle engines. There are balloons that go quickly, bank, fly by at the speed of an airship. This is a hot air balloon. I wanted it to feel like a hot air balloon. You have control over the up and down.. and some moderate control over turning the balloon and moving in a direction (and this was done deliberately) but nothing is fast. No movement is that of propulsion. When you rise, a burner with a flame kicks on at the base of the bladder.. when you stop rising, it kicks off. I've even given you a "drift" option, so.. you can rise above the city, or the sea.. and just drift, while conversing or.. sharing an intimate moment.
And should someone want to tag along, there is a sit option for a 3rd passenger: Hanging off the side of the balloon by one hand. Chuckles Can be purchased at XstreetSL for $500.00L.
Special thanks to Elfod Nemeth for the .. generous use of his avatar for the photos.
