In New Haven, off the coast of Maine, there is an island that is surrounded by debris and the wreckage of old ships. Early settlers who came to Maine in the early 17th century would note this landmass, and warn sailors to avoid it lest the harsh winds push their ships against the jagged cliffs that surround it. Nevertheless, the site was a center of more crashes than are accurately documented today.As the Ship Graveyard grew, and the wreckage began to be pushed out in the New Haven area, rumors began to circulate about the island. New Haven had always been a region plagued with madness, even when the people did not wish to hear it. They said the land near the island was cursed, and that the ghosts of the tormented dead haunted those waters, whispering to the living to pull them into their mad embrace. Amidst these rumors, and the very real dangers of the winds and sea, these settlers gave this island a name:
Requies Finalis - Final Rest.
Of course, that is just the origin story to the island - and as the New World began to prosper and grow, and old superstitions were tossed to the wayside, people began to see the island as something as a tourist site - stories of haunted sailors and rumors of the incidents that occurred across the area had prospered. The island was renamed into Arkham Isle, and after some government work and some purchases, a number of small towns and cities rested on it - but the most notable feature that the island had (besides the graveyard) was something that every New Haven Resident knew of and feared.
The Asylum.Arkham Isle these days is considered a rich and prosperous location, and it's due to the amount of money that is funneled into it's rather famous rehabilitation center. There is no easy way to reach the island, as even to this day the wreckage still exists - and even has more recent additions to it. Deep Sea Salvaging Co, which has bases on many of the port cities and a Headquarters in River Run spends much of it's time trying to haul up debris and wreckage from the old site - but for all their efforts, the graveyard is still many years from being emptied. Enough wreckage has been moved that a ferry can move between the Island and the coast, but even so - visits to and from are typically done by helicopter unless a large number of people or supplies need to reach the shore. Considerations to build a bridge have been in the works for some time but the people are unsure if it will ever be completed due to the winds and the large number of obstacles.
Because of these considerations, Arhkam Isle and the towns that make up it needed to be at least partially self-sufficient. Despite the presence of the Asylum, the presence in most of the towns here are that of wealthy and high class individuals. The island has a hospital separate from the Asylum, commissaries, and multiple school districts - as well as the renowned Ashtown University.
Among the towns that are included in the area, Ashtown is probably the wealthiest and most affluent due to the university that exists within it. Brunswich is fairly wealthy too, and notable for it's restaurants and nightlife - but that same nightlife is probably why it's a little more dangerous than even Jameson's Pass, which is one of the least wealthy locations in the area - but still rich if you were to compare it to say, Havenswood or the Downtown New Haven Metropolis area.
You were a child of law, and what that meant was that you were raised with the idea of parents, rather than actual parents. You knew your mother and father of course - your mother worked as a prosecutor in the district attorney's office - and worked on several important cases, many of which lead to individuals being placed either within the penitentiary or in the Asylum. Your father worked as an vice officer for your local neighborhood. Both jobs kept them away more than it brought you together - and you ended up being raised by your au pair more than your parents.
Your parents only seemed to show interest in you and your life when you got in trouble. Oh they came home from time to time, but they were always busy. Mom was looking into her files, studying for her next case while Dad could be pulled into work at any time, even when he was sleeping -- but when you got in trouble, that was when their eyes were turned to you - as if the only thing you could do was wrong.
These days, your family seemed to be even more distant. Some big time criminal group was being rounded up in the area for trafficking, which was a little shocking given how close to the Asylum things were and how hard it was to smuggle things into the area. Organized crime here required elements that went up to the top, and both the district attorney's office and the police department were eager to know how the drugs were getting funneled in and who was responsible for it at the end of the day - which meant that recently the only face you saw at home was Iris's.
It was frightening - to think that something like that could be happening even on Arkham Isle. But it never really bothered you, because despite the idea of it's existence, you were safe - as was your town and the people in it. Every day you went to Crystal Lake High School, studying fervently - or not - to try to get into the prestigious University a stone's throw away - but you found your mind distracted by both the shenanigans you found yourself up to, as well as your parent's eternal absence (though perhaps you'd never admit such a thing).
It was Saturday, however, that your life changed. It started with a text from Harper, checking up on her - seeing if she was busy that day or if she wanted to hang out. Maybe go to the mall or to the movies, or do whatever. Of course, you had the project that had been set up by Professor Schmit for your science lab, but honestly - it was a group project and while it SHOULD be getting done, you really didn't FEEL like doing it.
Nicole:
*Alone, alone, alone, she huffed and just rolled on her bed, idly looking at the text and answer Harper* 'where would we go?' *eyeing the distant laptop, placed on her desk, nha.. science could wait*
A minute passes by, watching the three little dots on the phone come up as Harper texts back. She is so bored, it feels almost like an eternity before the little ding fills the room, followed by four more dings in a relatively quick succession.
From: Harper
Could go to the Mall.
Get some sexy clothes for Shaun's Party.
Stop by food court.
I dunno.
What do you wanna do?
Could go to the Mall.
Get some sexy clothes for Shaun's Party.
Stop by food court.
I dunno.
What do you wanna do?
Nicole:
*She blinks, huffing a little bit* 'sexy clothes? really?! *rolling on her stomach to type* Let's get sommething to eat, then if you want we can shop for ... what ever
More dots on the screen.
From: Harper
Hell yeah!
If you've got it, flaunt it.
I could go for a gyro.
Maybe not too much food though.
Especially if we're checking clothes out right after.
Actually, maybe food should be after clothes?
Hell yeah!
If you've got it, flaunt it.
I could go for a gyro.
Maybe not too much food though.
Especially if we're checking clothes out right after.
Actually, maybe food should be after clothes?
Nicole:
*she huffed, rolling her eyes at Harper, typping* but hungry!! fine fine.... but let's not take a gazilion hours inn clothes... now I really want something to eat
From: Harper
Alright.
We can get some food first.
What you in the mood for?
Meet me at the food court at the mall?
Alright.
We can get some food first.
What you in the mood for?
Meet me at the food court at the mall?
Nicole:
*She smiled, turning and jumping onto her fet, as she texted* Japanese!!! and sure thing, seeyou there *going on for shoes and a jacket to be able to sneak out!*
The Mall in Jamestown was fairly standard, as far as malls went. It was almost always full of people - the rustle and vibrancy of voices as people chattered all around you but never to you. People passed by on their way to somewhere, anywhere - a specific store, a specific brand, the food court. Of course, for you it was the food court you were heading towards - both because of the food and because it was an easy to find meeting place for two teenagers coming to go shopping together.
