Catching a rainbow

L’Arc-en-Ciel, WinterFall (Flickr)

I’ve been an admirer of Asa Vordun’s work ever since I happened across her Caprice and Easy A, which I first wrote about in November 2013. As Caprice Village, I returned there in April 2014, again dawn by Asa’s creative eye. So when I saw some beautiful pictures taken by Hans Inshan of a new design by Asa, I had to hop over and take a peek.

When I initially arrived at L’Arc-en-Ciel, it was clearly a work-in-progress, although Asa wasn’t around at the time. So I grabbed a couple of quick shots before scampering off, promising myself I’d pop back for more. I did so a couple of more times, bumping into Ziki Questi on one occasion, and did catch a few changes and additions since my initial drop-in. Indeed, even with the visit which preceded this blog post, Asa was still adding some final touches!

L’Arc-en-Ciel, WinterFall (Flickr)

Just as the rainbow from which the region takes its name is defined by its bands of colours, so L’Arc-en-Ciel is defined by the multiple islands which make up its whole. There are five in all, bordered by  an off-sim surround of rolling hills and pine trees.

Each of the islands might be a chapter in a book, or possibly a standalone short story, as each has a little tale of its own to tell. walk along the wooden pier which forms the arrival point to the region and descend the steps, and you’ll find a discarded dress and shoes, as if their owner has decided to take a little skinny dip … but look closer, and the journal lying beside the dress, the nearby suitcases and the little Jack Russell staring out at the departing schooner might suggest another story … perhaps that of runaway lovers….

L’Arc-en-Ciel, WinterFall (Flickr)

Follow the pier in the other direction, and it’ll lead you to one of the islands, this one with a distinct agricultural feel, with wheat growing across the hilltop and horsed grazing on the far side. A bridge from here leads to the largest of the islands, which offers several points of exploration both at ground level and up on the rocky outcrops which rise from its grassy-sandy base.

Here are many stories awaiting their chance to suggest themselves to the observant visitor. Just who is the tin man, apparently camped on the shore and looking somewhat dejected before his painting? What of the house at the end of the track? Are the people there just back from vacation, packing to go on vacation, or are they holiday-makers, newly arrived…? And what of the white house on the rocky headland?

L’Arc-en-Ciel, WinterFall (Flickr)

Two more bridges provide links to two much smaller island. On one stands a lighthouse and on the other a small folly. The final island is reached by crossing a shallow band of water. On it, the rain of a summer shower beats on the roof is a run-down cafe which, despite its decrepit state, still appears to be offering someone a home – but who?

Perhaps the key to the stories here lies in the dedication for the region, borrowed from The Story of Life by Jim Hendrix:

The story of life is quicker than the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye.

L’Arc-en-Ciel, WinterFall (Flickr)

I found the Hendrix connection somewhat appropriate; wandering the island put me in mind of Catch the Rainbow by Rainbow, a song in part inspired by Hendrix’s Little Wing. This being the case, it seems only right that I should leave you with a video featuring that song. Given some of the imagery within the region, maybe it’ll help you cast your own stories amidst the beauty of Asa’s delightful L’Arc-en-Ciel.

Related Links

• L’Arc-en-Ciel SLurl (Rated: Moderate)