Over the years I’ve covered many of region settings designed by Bella (BellaSwan Blackheart), and have always enjoyed my time exploring them and taking photos. So when I saw via Bella’s Second Life profile that she now has a place called Between the Clouds, I was curious to see what it might be all about.
Sitting within a Full region split into 16 4096 sq metre parcels – something which, as a by-the-by, I haven’t dropped into in a very long time – Between the Clouds is much smaller than Bella’s other settings. As a result, and upon arrival, the setting might be mistaken as a sky build mostly comprising building shells and – other than upper portion of a tower block apparently thumbing its nose at gravity – little else. But first impressions often deceive, and such is the case here: there is a lot going on and waiting to be discovered.
Welcome to this little hideaway high upon the sky and discover the hidden spots this place has to offer. Feel free to enter the buildings that are accessible and hang out wherever you want. No nudity or any sexual activities please!
– Between the Clouds About Land description
Take, for example that floating tower block roof area; it forms the setting’s Landing Point, and the rooftop on which people arrive is speckled by colourful paper cranes whilst the roof over the elevator winch room has been imaginatively turned into a little swimming pool.
The stairs alongside the winch room lead down to the rest of the remnants of the tower – including the upper doors of an elevator shaft. However, given the rest of the building is not longer there, trying to call for the elevator might be a little difficult. Instead, the stairways offers the most immediate route down – but do beware of the last step, it’s a big one (although a paddling pool has thoughtfully been provided to enable incoming bodies to splash down 😀 ).
Further progress to the setting’s street level requires a further leap of faith. Or at least a leap; one which will drop you down into a grassy courtyard with little businesses tucked into it – although most of these appear to have been shuttered and to have seen better days.
Two routes out of this courtyard are offered; a narrow alley link through to a much larger square, again overgrown with grass and around which various businesses are arrayed on the ground floors of stubby apartment blocks, one of which appears to have never been completed. The second route away from the courtyard is via stairs leading between more squat buildings. However, this doesn’t go too far – but it down offer a route to a couple more of the little spaces set aside throughout the setting for people to sit an pass the time.
What then of all the little details I mentioned? Well, these take many forms – find the right door, and you can take the stairs up to a trio of small apartments being put to various uses, for example. Another door offers a similar upwards climb ending in the rather unsettling sight of a couple of hazmat-suited figures in heavy gas masks apparently observing the square from behind the gaping maws of frameless windows, one of which has an equally not-too-reassuring sign reading FALLOUT SHELTER beneath it. This little tableau, together with the office space in the same building where a monitor screen warns NO SIGNAL PLEASE STAND BY, possibly offer the makings of a narrative for the setting – but I’ll leave you to work out what form any story might take.
Also in the large square is a sturdy builder’s scaffold; but while there are building blocks on and under it, it now appears to be in support of a stone statue and fountain, adding another mystery to the setting – a mystery furthered by the apparent hints of habitation which suggest whoever lived here may have rapidly departed: bicycles sit in a rack or propped against walls along with a deserted moped; underwear hangs on a washing line; slippers await feet by an armchair and, most intriguingly of all, a pair of glasses holding paper papers with scribbled sketches and partner by an old cell phone and a stagnant cup of tea, as if suddenly abandoned.
Not that the place is entirely devoid of life; beside the two strange figures up in the apartment building, this is a place rich in bird song and the cooing of pigeons; there’s even a big dog apparently awaiting the return of its owner, who appears to have left some handwritten cards and little bear (perhaps a toy for the dog?) on the bench – and I’ll leave you to find the other dog 🙂 . Then there are the setting’s cats; around a dozen of them are scattered around, some keeping an eye on things, other catching up on their sleep – and one taking on the role of an unusual star of a television!
Deceptively engaging, Between the Clouds is one of those locations which demonstrates you don’t have to have a complete region in which to allow your imagine loose; small can be equally as a captivating and photogenic.
SLurl Details
- Between the Clouds (Starry Isles, rated: Moderate)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 