gabbyncat

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North Quarteris Italian, it would seem...

NB. This needs expansion, but we need to know technical stuff about building construction first.

NBB. This is all a bit meh! It needs more detail, and more interaction between Harry and Alex, but I'm not feeling very museful today.

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( Section 3 )

(posting because Gabby hasn't)

Link to Plot Outline

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( Harry approaches Alex )

( Under the Cut )

I'm thinking we've got a rocky promotory, next to a big natural bay and a swampy river delta. So the old city is tucked into a flatish bit which is nevertheless rock for building on. This slopes gently down to the sea and the harbour, and is full of picturesque (or not so picturesque) old and cramped housing. Then the slope of the promotory gets much steeper and no one really built there, although there is a keep (?disused, ?ruined) at the top and a lighthouse on the point. However these days the steep slopes have been terraced and wealthy cliff-top mansions built overlooking the old city and the harbour. Meanwhile poorer housing has sprawled out from the city towards the marshy land of the delta, some of which is being reclaimed for yet more new housing. The old road from the city runs along the edge of the rocky ground, trying not to get too high. Meanwhile upriver from the delta is fertile farmland which used supply food to the city. There are a couple of much smaller rivers which essentially bring rain water run-off down from the ridge into the old quarter.

Hmm... not on the map but maybe a reservoir up there now and a hydro plant?

Harry leaned out of her sitting room window. Her small apartment was at the top of one of the old city tenements that teetered over the street below. If Harry looked down she could see the cobblestones of the street and the long-disused central gutter directly beneath her. If she looked out, her gaze was carried over the cascade of rooftops as they tumbled down the steep hillside and into the bay.

On mornings like this, when a light sea breeze blew up the hill and the sun was bright, everything looked fresh and inviting. The cramped, jumble of streets and houses became a delight.

If she craned her neck round a bit she could see the ugly squat squares of concrete of the new buildings in their rigid and space-efficient grids, although even they had flashes of colour where the residents had placed window boxes or the graffiti artists had left their mark. For all its awkardness, and density and inconvenience, Harry had to admit that it was a beautiful city.

Next Bingo Square: Dancing