Welcome to Gaia! ::

[...[ A peek back to good ol' 2007 ]...]

On the edge of the continent, there is a resort. It houses everything a person should need to be comfortable, no matter what race they are.

One would walk or drive up the path there, and enter to find the entryway both comfortable and stylish. There would be the choice to continue on to the bar and lounge, or book a room for however long they are staying. The enchanted window on the west wall would show whatever scene the owner wished it to show. However, most of the time, it just showed a paradise getaway, with palm trees and a warm breeze.

Going through the door in the east wall would lead to the bar and lounge. There, one can find any drink, served by bots. The seats are comfortable, and the tables always clean. Here, there isn't much room for shenanigans, but there is enough space so that the most claustrophobic can be at rest.

Following through to the balcony, one would find more space on a platform looking over the sea. There would lead to a beach, and a few cave structures that one can explore if they feel the urge.

Back inside, and through the door behind the bar in the bar and lounge, one will find the kitchen. It doesn't have everything that a person could need, but it has enough so that cooks can wander through, and create almost any dish. The fridge is magical, and if one thinks of what they want, it will appear inside.

Though...moderation is needed, as the fridge picks up cravings as well, and will overflow given the proper thought.

Going through to the main room, there is a stairway that leads up to the other floors. Up there, one will find a dozen rooms, all open for people to live in. Each holds the same things, and none are different in any way until a person moves in and makes them their own.

Our groundskeeper is building a garden to the East of the Lands End near the woods.

Open for Business

Estelle had awoken that morning with the urge to walk somewhere. With no destination in mind, she walked to the nearby beach. After about an hour of walking, a thin fog descended upon her.

As the fog thickened, she found herself singing to alleviate any possible claustrophobia. Not that she is claustrophobic, but just to be safe. She sang for what felt like hours, before the fog suddenly lifted, causing her to stop her steps and her singing.

The suddenly sunny weather revealed a young woman with blue hair sitting on the sand, looking around. There were less than ten feet of distance between the two, and Estelle wasn't sure where she was anymore.

This was a beautifully peaceful place, with a building not far away, though certainly nowhere close to the dilapidated oceanside she had started walking along. Most people would probably be amazed by the serenity of the sight, or even curious about the lone stranger in front of them. Estelle instead felt nothing. No amount of wonderment could move her heart. The only thing that escapes her lips as she takes in the rest of the view is a shallow "Huh."

Estelle takes a full ten seconds of awkward silence to take in the stranger's greeting. Was it a greeting? She honestly wasn't sure, not having spent much time around people lately. The less she interacted the better, especially with what's been described as a permanent scowl on her face.

Without a word or hesitation, Estelle gives the stranger a wide berth, especially since the girl is looking a little green. She is mildly surprised at how little her heavy boots sink into the sand, and is glad her shirt is short sleeved. A shirt and some dark green high-rise shorts was all the clothing she currently owned, having departed without much thought or preparation.

Her gaze focused on the building, she begins heading for what looks like the front entrance of this place. She pauses halfway there to stare up at an odd tree. Tall with wide leaves only at the top, Estelle had never seen such a plant before.

A few questions race through her mind, including how she could possibly have travelled what seemed like an impossibly long distance without having realized it. Had the fog had some mystical properties? Did it have something to do with her singing and being half Siren? She'd stopped singing almost immediately as the fog had let up, so could she potentially have gone farther?

Just as quickly as she wondered, she realized she didn't care. At all. If she'd truly cleared a good deal of distance in just three short hours, she should be glad. The further away she was from the cruelty of what she had once called home, the better. Not that it really mattered. If someone sought to do her harm, it wouldn't matter where she is.

Estelle slowed her pace when she heard footsteps approaching. She didn't want to be too rude, nor continue having potentially negative interactions, especially in such a strange new place. Anyone else would be fascinated and curious, Estelle quickly realized. Though her only priority is finding out some information, since that was often the one deciding factor of her survival. Traveling alone had only made her more cautious, and much more wary of strangers.

As the girl tilts her head almost to match the stance of her body, Estelle can't help but think it's a cute act being put on. Not that she hates it. Her brow furrows just slightly, however, a minor tick she'd developed to hide her true feelings. This was not the time for her cheeks to redden because of such a simple act.

The statement almost threw her off. Estelle had expected a question, but was instead analyzed. Not that her face would show it, of course.

"This place seems much farther than where I was earlier," is all the explanation she gives before looking straight ahead. She's doing her best not to trip on the unfamiliar terrain, and speeds up her pace just enough to outpace the stranger as her heavy boots find it easier to traverse the path than her mind. Estelle keeps expecting something to jut up just below and trip her, or for some unknown creature to attack her. That's how she's survived so long, after all.

Not the first time? Estelle momentarily wonders if this particular place has some ability to transport people to it. Probably, she quickly decides. It's not even the strangest thing she's experienced this month.

As they enter the building, the blast of cool air sends a brief shock to Estelle's system. She definitely hadn't been prepared for it, even though her current companion barely reacted to the change in temperature.

When the small robot approaches the table, Estelle jumps back half a step, one arm raised as if she's going to defend herself or something. When the blue-haired girl places a drink order and the little bot just stares at her, Estelle suddenly feels self conscious.

Lowering her arm slightly, her other hand pats the small bag at her hip. She feels her cheeks fill with a bit of color as she realizes what kind of place this is.

Slowly, quietly, her voice eventually comes out, aimed at the little bot. "Sorry, I'm not carrying any money right now."

Upon hearing the explanation of this haven's rules, Estelle again responds with a simple "huh." She certainly never expected any place that could just exist for others to use like this. Wherever this is, it suddenly feels worlds away from Rat's Cove.

"Make it two, then," Estelle speaks flatly to the flying robot. She still wasn't convinced it wouldn't attack her for something in exchange and only visibly relaxes a bit once it hovers way.

Taking a seat next to this well-informed stranger, Estelle decides that she has at least two questions she wants answered. "You seem to know a lot about this place," she observes almost too casually for the situation. "My name's Estelle, by the way," she extends a fist bump towards the girl, like she did with her brother when they were children.

As ring adorned fingers bump into hers, Estelle is suddenly very aware of how different this young woman is compared to her. She looks healthy, intelligent, inquisitive, and she's friendly to boot. Estelle had never felt like any one of those things in her life, let alone all of them at the same time. She manages a small smile for the briefest moment.

"The pleasure is all mine, Rina." She tried to match Rina's friendly tone but was immediately aware of how flatly it had fallen out of her lips. In an attempt to salvage the situation, she wills her face to return to normal, letting her gaze naturally fall to where the small hovering robot disappeared to. Suppressing the urge to clear her throat, she gets on with asking some questions of Rina.

"How long ago was this place home for you?"