Rukh was standing before a cage that contained nothing but a small brown spider weaving a modest web across the bars. “Arachne of Lydia,” he told the crowd. “Guaranteed the greatest weaver in the world – her fate’s the proof of it. She had the bad luck to defeat the goddess Athena in a weaving contest. Athena was a sore loser, and Arachne is now a spider, creating only for Mommy Fortuna’s Midnight Carnival, by special arrangement. Warp of snow and woof of flame, and never any two the same. Arachne.”
Strung on the loom of iron bars, the web was very simple and almost colorless, except for an occasional rainbow shiver when the spider scuttled out on it to put a thread right. But it drew the onlookers’ eyes – and the unicorn’s eyes as well – back and forth and steadily deeper, until they seemed to be looking down into great rifts in the world, black fissures that widened remorselessly and yet would not fall into pieces as long as Arachne’s web held the world together. The unicorn shook herself free with a sigh, and saw the real web again. It was very simple, and almost colorless.
“It isn’t like the others,” she said. “No,” Schmendrick agreed grudgingly. “But there’s no credit due to Mommy Fortuna for that. You see, the spider believes. She sees those cat’s-cradles herself and thinks them her own work. Belief makes all the difference to magic like Mommy Fortuna’s. Why, if that troop of witlings withdrew their wonder, there’d be nothing left of all her witchery but the sound of a spider weeping. And no one would hear it.”
Soft brown and Tyrian purple: dusty clove and blackcurrant.
Bear –
Knave of Heart is almost overwhelmingly sweet when I first put it on, but it quickly reels itself in to reveal layers of fruity currants and buttery, flaky pastry! The rose is there just on the outskirts of the scent, wafting in from time to time to support the pastry. The rose reads more like a rose lokum. I was really surprised by this perfume and I’m absolutely delighted by it!
My only problem is now I have to go out and buy some fruit tarts to appease the sudden craving.
Gloame –
Wow, what? This smells like chocolate and spice to me. Nathan says it smells like holidays. Really really lovely. After a second application, I get that bready note like in Mari Lwyd—a bit of fermentation. Ugh, I fucking love this.
Where I’d wear this: New Year’s Day, baking for luck
sarahheady24601 –
Fruity delicious pastry– I do think I can smell currants specifically. I wish this had a touch more rose, but it is warm and comforting and pleasant. It’s very loud when wet, but dries down softer.
olgaleshchova –
In the bottle, and freshly applied on my skin, “Knave of Hearts” smells ecactly like creme brulee. As it dries down, and for the rest of the time “Knave of Hearts” stays on my skin, it anells like church candles. I’ve had this perfume for three or four year’s. In that time, the scent has greatly intensified, but not changed. I prefer to use “Knave of Hearts” as an incense oil, rather than, a perfume oil.
rmazar –
I don’t so much get rose from this, though I think it’s woven in there. I get pastry and pie filing, possibly blueberry, to be honest. Though my familiarity with currants is a bit limited. I love it. It’s beautiful and comforting.
imaweirdowhodrawsevilpastries –
BEST SCENT EVER! I have no idea how I ever survived without this stuff!