This post aims to give you better idea of the meta world I’m writing about. (I received feedback that my chapter posts don’t really tell much without a backstory – but I actually intended to give small snippets of information that you’re supposed to pick up on to help you piece up the world. Something or somewhat(I try at least) like the Harry Potter series(and Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them) in the sense that she gives parts of this larger world bit by bit through each book released. Each time, it gives you a better idea of what’s going on and more in depth understanding of the characters, world etc.)
General World Story & Inspiration
Environment
This world is very colourful. It’s generally made of very brightly coloured buildings – think pink, blue, yellow houses or towers standing side by side. There is no real order in the colours, they are very haphazard in nature as they are chosen by their owners to represent themselves. The colour of your house is one of the few means to express your inner feelings/soul. Yet there are some buildings which are white or black. These can be either due to the owner’s personal choice or the Authority. (The Authority doesn’t always mandate you paint in black or white, they can enforce another colour such as turquoise etc)
This world is heavily flooded. There are no pavements/dry walking land. Rather, there are waterways. People here use special umbrellas turned upside down as their mode of transport. They sit in the upside-down open umbrellas and cruise to their desired destination. Mysteriously, the rain flows upwards instead. This was inspired by my imagination, Magic the Gathering(especially Minamo on Kamigawa!!, Kaladesh, Zendikar, Mercadia) and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH1mJpOnxDE. In a way, I guess all these water and rain are a sadness projection of my personal mind which is also a contrast to the happiness(colourful buildings) in my mind.
People
The people in this world are faceless. As they do not have faces, they project their emotions through body language and the colours of their buildings. They are black and almost silhouette like. In a way, I feel that it represents how I feel as a person as someone constantly being ignored and looked down upon, that I’m just a sad faceless person. I am also inspired by No-Face from Spirited Away. There’s this very transparent-translucent float-y yet grounded quality of it that I like.
Chapter-ing
Each post, I start with the keyword given for the week (for example AUTHORITY) which is the idea that the post wraps around. The next line is either “-Jadeite-” or “-Yat-“. They are the main characters(or only characters in this series. The chosen name will signify the character’s point of view(,thought process and opinions) the particular post is done in. This was referencing Twilight series(I bet you are heavily judging me now). Somehow it was this series that reminded me how the book was split into different point of views. They weren’t explicit(by giving the name in which the particular chapter was written from), however I decided to be more explicit in mine as they are really short stories hence I felt it would give the reader a clearer picture.
Characters:
-Jadeite-
This character is modeled after me.
This meta world is based on my psychological world and how I feel. Oh and how I talk too. I have a failure in expressing myself in words(be it written or speech). Which is reflected in the very choppy and speech-like writing style(because speech style is less formal, less emphasis is placed on grammar).
Also, I think in a very coded/quite not understandable manner. When communicating with most people, I find that they often don’t understand what I’m saying or my jokes. I guess I have a lot of implicit and coded words. They are very specifically chosen. (So if you are reading the posts, read in a sequential order as each post has *ahem hidden ahem not really actually* elements related to the previous few!)
I also love nature and immersing myself in it. It’s very calming and poetic for me. I especially find it delightful just by observing flowers and birds. Hence I try to reflect my love for nature through how I prefer living in a more nature-sque surrounded house or how I love the water which is a prominent source in this world.
-Yat-
This character is modeled after my boyfriend.
He has this contrasting behaviour whereby he has OCD in how things should be done/organized yet he’s messy at the same time. He has this compelling urge to drink water in gulps of 5, or have colours arranged in an organized ombre rainbow. You will see how this manifests throughout the chapters.
He also has this artisan creative part of him. He loves handmade things. He feels that there’s meticulous skills and emotional investment apart from time and energy being put in to create the final product. He stands by this strongly as he feels that the product is more valuable and meaningful this way. Which is reflected in Yat being a artisan umbrella maker by trade in this meta world. His hobby is making ocarinas from scratch and playing them in his free time. He feels that music is a platform for feeling himself, reaching towards his soul. Each ocarina becomes a medium to transport him back to different memories.
Another prominent trait is that he takes a lot of pride in and feels immense enjoyment when taking on or fulfilling a different role that no one else is willing to do and/or is being needed. This is explored as he is one of the last few remaining umbrella artisans despite the huge demand for umbrellas as the work is too tiring and time consuming.
Inspiration Pictures:
Magic the Gathering