WE WERE DREAMING, WAITING FOR NIGHT.
» THE PARK — INTRODUCTORY NOTES
When District 3 opens up, subtle and silent at first, the most noticeable area is the large park. A mixture of open picnic fields and heavily wooded trails, the park offers an escape from the cityscapes for those who seek an oasis amongst nature. Benches and light posts dot the twisting paths, offering a moment's rest to anyone traversing the park for a leisurely stroll or running for… exercise. Unlike its smaller cousin to the south, this park is devoid of statues or monuments, instead more of a tribute to nature and the pursuit of its company. There are, however, several small playgrounds spread around the outer edges for anyone who seeks some playtime with their inner child.
Speaking of your inner child, should you venture to the southern half of the park, you'll find a small carnival that appears to be abandoned. The rides and stalls all appear to be in decent condition despite lying still and silent; if you choose to hop the fence, you'll find that the cables running haphazardly over the grass are connected but powerless. No amount of effort to turn on the rides nor break into the games will prove fruitful, but the park at large has posters stapled to trees here and there advertising the opening of the fun fair very, very soon.
For those who are brave enough to leave the paved walkways to venture deeper into nature, you may find hidden gems—a quiet pond covered in lilypads with a small dock to sit on and dip your feet into the green waters; a romantic pair of swings atop a small knoll overlooking a creek; a shortcut through the trees where even your footsteps are muted by the leaves and dappled sunlight barely reaches your face through the trees above. Here and there you'll find the woods open up to a secluded meadow where the grass is tall and the wildflowers grow thick.
You may also find yourself imagining things just out of reach, like shadowy figures darting from bush to bush, predatory in nature. The phantom call of a crow may echo through the forest's canopy though, like the rest of the city, there is no wildlife to be seen nor heard otherwise. Was that the shout of a woman in the distance, or the cry of a fox? The longer time stretches on, the harder you'll find it is to make your way back out of the treeline, and the trees stretch far above to block out any hope of navigating back to the familiar buildings of the surrounding city. You might want to call for help—if you get find service for your device, that is.
The new park is a permanent location that is open to residents 24/7 as there are no fences nor gates. It's larger than the one new City Hall and has more potential for exploring as well as different features from its cousin. For those that are familiar, it will evoke thoughts of New York's Central Park with its mixture of open areas contrasting with thick woods. Paved walkways, freshwater ponds, picnic areas, and a couple of playgrounds can all be found throughout the park. Along with these, residents may stumble upon other natural and man-made areas such as rocky outcrops, unmarked trails, bicycle paths, fountains, and other things typically found in large urban parks—minus the wildlife. It can be a romantic setting as easily as it can be a horrific one depending on the time of day as well as the company that you keep.
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THEN THE HEAT BROKE, THE NIGHT WAS CLEAR.
» THE FAIR — RIDES & ATTRACTIONS
At 6:00 PM City time on September 19th, the numerous light bulbs of the fun fair burst into blinding color simultaneously, lighting up the darkening sky as loud carnival music slowly churns to life from unseen speakers. The rides all spring into motion, operating on a strict schedule that will allow carnival-goers the time to get on the ride as well as stumble back off after they've had their fun. No one is running the rides that you can see, though they all have the typical podium with an array of buttons that could be used to start and stop the machinery that creaks and groans with age. If you'd like to see what it's like working as a rider operator, you're more than welcome—just make sure you're not making everyone sick.
Due to the fair's small size, the rides are all fairly tame in size and speed. There's a merry-go-round with brightly painted horses to ride along with a handful of mermaids, sculpted hair permanently billowing in the wind. One section at the edge is dedicated to a massive stationary head, evocative of a ventriloquist's dummy, with its mouth gaping open for riders to sit inside, perched on the tongue-shaped bench. For the braver riders, a few other unnerving steeds await, such as a lion with blood dripping from its teeth and claws, a zebra with eight legs, an uncomfortably hairy tarantula, and a gray-skinned creature with its eyeless head split open into a massive mess of razor-sharp teeth. Though the merry-go-round spins at a leisurely pace, staying on if for too long is likely to induce a strange sense of dizziness even after disembarking and attempting to walk it off. The repetitive groan of the pipe organ rings in your ears, hardly helping your disorientation at all though you seek a quiet place to recuperate.
Further along in the fair is a low building comprised of little more than a laminate floor, metal grating roof, and bright red railing that encloses all sides. Strewn about inside are bumper cars, big enough for two if you want to squish in together with a friend, but lacking seatbelts. As you run to find a car you like, you can hear the electricity begin to hum through the roof and spark with the bent antennae of each car as their motors awaken. Loud rock music drowns out the sound of squealing wheels as the drivers begin the arduous task of steering the bumper cars into each other. It's all fun and games at first, but it's easy for a little competition to turn into a grudge match.
The last ride looks like a large metal bowl with steep sides painted dark blue and covered with stars, plantes, galaxies, and a comically simplistic spaceship. The archway standing just in front of the ride's entrance calls it "THE GRAVI-ATOR" with a disclaimer in small print about holding on tightly to personal belongings once on the ride. Stepping into the door cut out in one side, you'll find there are no straps nor seats—everyone should find themselves a comfortable place to lean, preferably in one of the spots that has padding on the walls, because soon the ride will begin to spin and everyone will be pinned down by centrifugal force.
Though they may not be as thrilling as the mechanical rides, there are a few tamer attractions for those seeking a break from the bright lights and loud sounds of the carnival. A hall of mirrors stands to one side of the area, a gaping clown mouth serving as the entrance to the dark building. The laughter and screams from outside are quickly muffled as atmospheric music plays lowly while you try to navigate through a maze of mirrors, many of which distort your appearance. You may see flashes of people that you don't remember seeing come inside, oddly shaped and shadowy where the corners of two mirrors meet. Did you feel someone brush up against you? No, impossible in such tight corridors, but you should probably hurry along to the exit.
There is also, of course, a tunnel of love, though it is a cheap imitation of one. Rather than sitting in a romantic gondola, those interested in going through will do so on foot—a rather daunting task considering that you'll be in the dark once you walk through the heart-shaped door and through the musty red curtains. Still, there's enough time to steal a kiss, or grasp blindly for a hand to hold if you're scared of the dark. Has your lover always had such cold, rough hands? It might be soothing in the muggy warmth you find inside, or maybe it's reason enough to find the way out on your own.
Located in the southern half of the large park is a small fun fair that will open to the public the evening of September 19 with operating hours from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM City time. Before opening, none of the rides or games will be operational; however, there will be fliers advertising its opening all around the city on billboards and telephone poles, and adventurous characters are able to hop the fence and explore if they so desire. However, they will not be able to turn on any of the rides or games, and will not be able to break into the rides or booths under any circumstances.
Upon opening, there will be a number of rides running themselves on a schedule that allows people time to get on, have some fun, and then get back off again. Though there's something unsettling about the music they play, or maybe how shaky they feel, there's no apparent danger anywhere. Residents are encouraged to enjoy themselves with a group of friends, or maybe a date, and experience all that the fun fair has to offer! The fair will not be open forever, though; its gates will close permanently at 11:00 PM on September 30 and all traces will disappear that night to leave a large, open field behind in the park.
This is a good, ol' fashioned carnival designed to bring together groups of people for thrills and fun. Though there are no overt game mechanics at play, we encourage everyone to get creative and add their own flair to this month's event. If you have any questions about player plots you'd like to run, please revisit the Events & Interactions section of the F.A.Q. and drop us a comment on the mod contact for any additional questions.
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IT SEEMED AN HONOR TO HAVE A MOUTH.
» THE FUN — GAMES & FOOD
The majority of the fair is occupied by stalls full of fair games, their walls and awnings decorated in various themes to match. The shooting gallery is a scene from the American West, cowboys astride horses with a background of cacti and orange rocky mesas. The targets themselves are a variety of desert animals: vultures flying from the roof, lizards skittering along the ground, and coyotes chasing rabbits throughout the middle. A handful of rifles are waiting along the half wall in front, chained and bolted to the wooden surface to keep them from getting carried off, and an array of hats hang above them as prizes displayed for winners. There are the typical cowboy hats, then some pink and green ones, some multi-colored jester hats, and a few that look like uncomfortably realistic rubber masks of faces twisted into horrifying expressions.
The next stall over is as different as can be imagined with psychedelic rainbows, glow-in-the-dark smiley faces, and paint splotches covering all surfaces. Inside is a grid of brightly colored balloons that rain silver glitter once they're popped. Cups of plastic darts lie in wait for those who wish to try their luck to pop five balloons in a row, though the observant will notice there are only four darts per cup. The sides are lined with prizes ranging from sticky fingers, slide whistles, and bouncy balls to an assortment of blow-up weapons such swords, hammers, maces, and frying pans.
Another quintessential carnival game is ring toss, set up in an extra large stall with three open sides for groups to play together if they wish. The bottles are all uniform in size, shape, and their clear color, but if you get a good look at a few, some appear to have items floating inside of them, suspended in glowing liquid. Above, massive stuffed animals hang from every possible section of the ceiling. None of them look quite right, though, such as the smiling bear with an extra row of teeth or the goose with two heads at the end of one floppy neck. The dog is pretty cute, but it's missing an arm and a leg in a way that appears intentional, and that cat has its eyes sewn shut.
Of course, no fair would be complete without food. There are plenty of stalls ready to serve, much like the restaurants in the city, where residents are welcome to swing by for some greasy grub. Corn dogs, fries, funnel cake, pizza, shaved ice, and fried junk food are all easy to find around the carnival. Spread amongst the stalls are popcorn machines playing cheerful music, carts with towering racks of bagged cotton candy, and poles planted in the ground with rainbow lollipops and candied apples sprouting from them. In one corner of the fair where the biggest concentration of food stalls can be found, there is an area of tables with umbrellas for anyone to sit and eat. Food at the fair adheres to it's own unique reset cycle and can be found replenished every evening at 6:00PM just in time for opening.
Despite the potential for danger from the shooting gallery and balloon dart games, both are designed to be as harmless as possible—the bullets are rubber, and the darts are made of plastic. While they will still leave a bruise, there shouldn't be risk of blood loss. The shooting gallery guns are chained in place, unable to be stolen. Removing the darts from their stall will result in thiefs walking in a tight circle that always brings them back in hopes the darts will be restored to their rightful place.
Though the food and games are free, the prizes are not—anyone who attempts to steal prizes without winning the games first will find themselves misplacing their items before leaving the carnival. If residents become aware of this phenomenon and try extra hard to focus on not losing their stolen prize, it will nevertheless slip from their hands and be lost—though a keen eye might see it back in its rightful place at the game stall. If you have the right temperament, this could become a game in and of itself!
Additionally, if there are any fair games or foods that have not been explicitly mentioned above, players are welcome to assume they can be found. Nothing as extravagant as a theme park or amusement park will be present as all of the stalls are designed to be mobile—this is a traveling carnival, after all. Similarly, players are welcome to design their own brand of unsettling game prizes as long as none of them can be used as an actual weapon or to otherwise harm fellow fair-goers.
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WILDCARD.
The city is by no means small, and there are plenty of things for you to see. There's no rush in exploring, so feel free to take your time looking around and peering into various nooks and crannies and alleyways—and don't worry, you're not very likely to find anything peering back.
If none of the above prompts appeal, feel free to check out the Locations and Maps pages and write your own freestyle prompt using one or many of the available locations.
This month's event headers come from "Midsummer" by Louise Gluck.
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citylogs2023-09-19 09:00 pm
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Louis. What a wonderful name. Much more Victorian than Yanese... Leithanien, perhaps? (That it might be from the old empire of Gaul doesn't occur to Midnight quite yet. What does occur to him is that these people are probably not from his Terra. Most aren't!)
Anyway, even at play, Midnight can be rather competitive, and looks over at his rival only when he's halfway up the structure... less to see if he's ahead and more to make sure this is close enough to be exciting. ]
Well, if you ask me, three's a party. I do love parties, don't you?
[ Louis is welcome! Midnight does like meeting new people, even if those people have a mild allergy to joy. (Especially so, actually. They tend to be fun to bother.) ]
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Lestat also has a tendency to be somewhat competitive, and since he's been withholding his mounting energy while trying to goad Louis into even so much as stepping foot into the park with him, he's finally got an excuse in this sudden climb to use some of that energy to his advantage and keep a close tail on this entertaining stranger. The turn to check his progress has Lestat easily speeding up, but still remaining all but a nose-breadth away from overtaking, to the point that he wonders, perhaps, if he should let his human guise fall and utilise more of his preternatural gifts in order to take the lead. ]
I certainly do..!
[ He wishes he could see Louis' face now, particularly when he does just as he had planned to, and increases his speed to a far beyond human pace and overtakes their new friend. ]
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( It's a familiar warning, a worried call that pitches upward toward the end in something reminiscent of a yelp. It's a sound that only ever encourages Lestat, and Louis should really have learned better after two centuries — but old habits die hard, and some immortal habits, it seems, never really die at all.
But of course the thing Louis is trying to warn him about, not revealing his preternatural gifts, is exactly what Louis can't just say aloud. And so he huffs uselessly from below, watching the two of them scale the structure, feeling his vampiric blood pressure rise. )
Are you certain three isn't a crowd?
( Don't mind Louis, please — he doesn't attend many parties. )
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Which means when Lestat wins, it's a very genuine victory, but perhaps not one in the precise spirit of the exercise all the way through. Still, when Midnight hauls himself over the lip of the platform at the very top, he's laughing. Good game. ]
I think... I was, perhaps, a bit more careful than I ought to have been, sir. And there is nothing wrong with a crowd either, in my humble opinion.
[ The latter is shouted down to their judge at the bottom. Midnight, abhorring company? Unforgiveably offbrand. ]
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Lestat is beaming with pride, his ego which is already much too inflated receiving a hearty boost from his victory and the addictive curiosity of someone new to talk to and look at. How delightful still that he isn't a sore loser, and how nice the sound of his laughter is.
Lestat holds out a hand clad in a dark burgundy brushed leather glove, for a polite shake between first and second place. ]
Perhaps next time you'll throw caution to the wind and we can really see what you're made of.
[ Its a throw away comment, but he wouldn't be opposed to a rematch. For now, though, he looks down at his handsome companion with that stern look on his face and oh, it's so reminiscent of times when Lestat felt so impossibly enamoured with him that he wanted to stomp his feet, that Lestat can't help but lean slightly against the railing to gaze happily down at him. He enjoys all of Louis' moods so thoroughly, the good and the bad, and this one is particularly pleasing to him right now. ]
Exactly, Louis. I've been selfish with your attention for too long, haven't I? There's nothing wrong with a little socialising every so often.
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( Louis rolls his eyes, but there's a great deal of fondness in it, even if his feathers are quite ruffled. He lets out a sigh, and with it some of his irritation seems to leave him. This is a man accepting his fate. )
I suppose it would be rude of me to remain down here, then?
( With a shrug, Louis begins scaling the frame. He's unhurried and graceful (as graceful as a nearly six-foot-tall man climbing a child's playground can be), but it's still quick work. He joins the pair of them, wiping his palms against his dark jeans in a cursory fashion, then offers a gentlemanly bow in greeting, as if trying to salvage the dignity of the situation somehow. )
My name is Louis; my companion, Lestat. ( He nods toward Lestat, though he knows the introductions are more polite than necessary, considering: ) I'm afraid no one's shouted your name for us to overhear...
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[ Said in a mild undertone to Lestat, the raise to his eyebrows a promise of a future challenge, but Midnight laughs, shaking off his initial reaction to read the other man's wording, his preternatural speed. What it is is an invitation. Midnight knows he has a tendency to read into such things, tries to curtail it where he can.
Instead, he joins Lestat in beckoning Louis up, making room for the two of them to sit across from him, his head resting against a nearby post as he idly notes their body language, the way they speak to each other, they way they look at him. What a handsome pair. They seem close. Midnight understands what it is to be welcomed here. He sits up after the introduction, beaming. ]
Lestat, Louis. You sit with a connoisseur of good company, a seeker of the blessings of fine liquor. A provider of levity when certain parties are opposed to the very notion. [ Midnight aims a wink at Louis. He sees you. ] Midnight, at your service.
[ A returned bow, which is a little cramped, seeing as how they're all jammed at the top of a child's play structure, but as far as Midnight's concerned, it's the thought that counts. ]
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His grin spreads further at Midnight's introduction, and he shares a look with Louis that's full of the kind of excitement it's almost definitely strange to see on a grown man. He even goes so far as to laugh, a tinkling half-giggle, clearly not as restricted by thoughts of propriety as his companion is. He seems weirdly delighted by the wink, too, or simply just curious at how Louis will react. ]
A pleasure to meet you, Midnight. I'm glad to meet more people who put levity at a higher priority than most. [ He clasps his hands at his cheek in a pantomime of a theatrical swoon and then, affectionate and almost sickly it's so tender: ] My Louis could do with more fun in his life. I am but one man, being his only source of joy is a heavy cross to bear.
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I'm surrounded by such generosity...
( The most long-suffering of sighs! )
Do you often accept challenges from strange men in playgrounds at night, Monsieur Midnight?
( There's a little bite to the question, but his tone is good-natured, even perhaps a little sweet — yes, he thinks both of them are ridiculous, but there's something undeniably endearing about it. Otherwise, Louis wouldn't be here, would he? )
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Only from opponents of exceeding charm and singular good looks, I assure you. Especially in a place like this, you know. If one doesn't answer the call to adventure here, when will such an opportunity arise again?
[ Midnight readjusts and sits more comfortably, leaning forward in a mirror of Lestat's interest. "Monsieur"... It's been a while since the empire's fallen, but that is Gaulish, isn't it? What's become of this pair's version of Gaul? These and more questions circle around Midnight's head. ]
And what of yourselves? I'm terribly flattered by your invitation, but were I blessed with such company as yourselves... Well, levity or no, I wouldn't object to keeping such attention to myself, if I may be so bold to say so.
[ ... They're very attractive, this pair. ]
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When Lestat settles his stance - hip cocked, thumb through his belt loop, crossing one leg over the other at the ankle - he lingers rather closer to Louis than a normal situation might require, apparently intent on making sure the line of their arms are touching. ]
Be as bold as you like, monsieur, and don't feel the need to restrain it.
As for what we're doing out here, Louis and I are something like night owls, so when I heard about this new park I suggested we take a walk. I thought we might find some interesting nightlife. [ A tilt of his head to the other side, blonde curls tumbling across his shoulder. ] And I'm very pleased to be proved right.
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He's grateful when Lestat chimes in and gives him a moment to recover, but then the brush of his arm sets Louis' heart knocking against his ribs again. He hesitates a moment, uncertain, then presses back against him just a fraction. It's reassuring, despite Lestat taking delight in his interpersonal agonies. )
The nightlife in this city is lacking, ( Louis admits, his cheeks flushed, ) and I'm hardly what they call a social butterfly. It's much too quiet here with only the sound of our own voices for company.
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(That flush is very cute. Again, Lestat is very lucky, if Midnight's reading this dynamic correctly.) ]
The people here are quite kind here, I've found. Or at the very least, and as a whole, I think we've realized we're better off coexisting than giving each other grief.
How long have you been here, then? This is September, so... Yes, I do believe I'm past my second month here and into the third. Plenty of time to get familiar with faces, but I haven't seen yours. More's the pity... I would have liked such a sight.
[ Midnight grins easily at them both. There, Louis, less pressure; you're free to imagine that Midnight has more of his attention on Lestat than you, even though it's more a case of both. ]
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(That flush is cute. Lestat is very lucky, if Midnight is reading this dynamic correctly.) ]
The people here do tend to be social, but they are the sort to carry on their affairs during the day... Still, I've met kind people, or at the very least we've the sort here who've gathered that coexisting serves us better than causing each other grief.
How long have you two been here, then? Let's see... It's September now, so I'm past my second month here and well into my third. Plenty to meet other people, daywalkers and night owls alive... Oh, that I'd met gentlemen as lovely as you sooner. I'd have more reason to live up to my name.
[ A grin aimed at the both of them. There, Louis, less pressure on you. There's room here to imagine that more of his attention is on Lestat, even if he's really splitting his attention between both. ]
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[ As though he might be able to see better from the angle, Lestat hops up onto the nearby railing of the climbing frame, body poised on the small balance beam, and seeming to spend very little effort actually staying put and not wobbling all over the place.
He's also purposefully not looking at Louis, because he really doesn't need to; he can picture the quirk of his eyebrow, the slight frown at watching Lestat flaunt his vampiric abilities so easily, for the second time this evening. What's life without a little fun, he would reason. ]