There can be worth in all things. Lightbridge: A sprawling metropolis situated as the sole jewel crafted by man's hand in the Pacific Ocean. Situated a few hundred miles west of the Hawaaiin Islands, Lightbridge is somewhat isolated but enjoys a large influx of tourists; while possessing a sizable and diverse population of its own. Massive Bulwarks protect certain parts of the artificial island, though there exists beach access; both in the upscale sections and the more modest.
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Dayglow Academy: Situated in the cetner of Lightbridge and comprable to a manor-complex, the Academy hosts students of middle to high school level. Despite its lavish appearance and strict environment, it is a public school. While there exist dormatories, they are reserved for students with exceptional potential and are only granted to those of a high-school level.
While the four-storey main building houses only the higher grades, there exist two tertiary buildings; a similar, albeit smaller building for the younger students and a gymnasium. The grounds, themselves are well-kept and provide a variety of athletcis-based additions (track, field, etc).
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Cinkaid Park: Once a frequented landmark, the Park (as it is colloquially known among the less savory inhabitants of the city) is a hot-spot for vagrants and drug-deals. Of course, more serious crimes can occur there; but the systemic and surprisingly efficient rotation of groups and posses (as dictated by a long-standing arrangement between the 'rulers' of the Park) keep violence at a reasonable level.
Winding paths through ill kept grounds lead to many different areas in the south-east side of the city, making it a reliable local shortcut; assuming one can avoid confrontation. In the center of the Park sits an impressively vandalized pedestal...bearing only a bronze foot, its jagged ankle pointing skyward. Once housing a full statue of Evra Cinkaid (head of the Lightbridge Project), the large space and tiered concrete 'bleachers' serve to host a variety of Park regulars.
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Subway: The subway system in Lightbridge is expansive and, in some ways, pervasive. Most people choose this method of transportation, be they locals or merely visiting. With entrances in every quarter of the city, and an incredibly low fare with designated security aboard; the trip is generally uneventful, barring the seemingly frequent accidents along a particular stretch of the C-Route.
Each Route is straightforward in its labeling. A is North, B is East, C is West, and D is South.
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Myriad Aegis Cathedral: One of the oldest buildings in Lightbridge, the Cathedral is an impressive modern twist on the Victorian style of design. Resilient stained glass dominates the building's facade, with no concrete or steel visible; making the front of the Myriad Aegis a moving sight. The rest of the building is high-rising steeples and a tower that hosts a massive bell.
The bell rings out on the hour, coating the north-western section of Lightbridge with an echoing harmony. Many people come here, particularly, to give praise and worship. Though some people around the city consider it a 'mega church', the clergy take their congregation and their duties very seriously. It is most active on Sundays and Wednesdays, though there are also services on Friday.
Myriad Aegis is situated in front of what is called the Northcoast Bulwark; which is a stark visual opposition to the Cathedral its self.
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Johnny’s: Hidden in the alleys of the Eastern quadrant is a quiet, largely unknown restaurant. Students who know about it joke that it’s like a cursed island: you can only find it if you know where it is. To those who have been there, it is known simply as “Johnny’s.”
Run by the man himself, the small cafe has the same laid back mood its owner does. Several booths are pressed up against the walls, a few round tables fill the floor, and a swinging door leads back into the kitchen where the magic happens. Johnny is famous for his vast culinary repertoire—he tells of traveling the world and collecting every recipe that has ever existed. His favorite customers are the lower-class students from the Academy who want to go out somewhere to eat without breaking the budget. He’ll accept everyone, though, with a kind word, a soft joke, and a twinkle in his narrow eye. (Provided by
@TaroAndSelia)
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The Lightbridge Zoo: While the plans for an aquarium never made it off the seabed (sea life was abundant off any shore), an enterprising Indian man successfully established a small zoo to bring some nature to the artificial island. Settled in the northeast of the city, the Lightbridge Zoo advertises itself as family-friendly and educational--and not at all dangerous, they insist, despite the number of large cats they support. (Provided by
@TaroAndSelia)
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Stormy's Place: Not far off the main thoroughfare that carves its way through the eastern side of the city, down a shambling cobblestone path that meanders slowly forward, this way and that, past the old tea rooms, the family-run butcher’s and the chocolate shop, past the jewelers that sells little silver trinkets and masterfully-crafted pocket watches, as the buildings crowd more and more overhead, and the alley gets narrower and narrower, it ends, and opens out into a quaint little courtyard.
In the courtyard, nestled between Mr Wong’s tea and accoutrements store and the store with the flaking sign of a painted alpaca that is run by a lovely Peruvian man, and opposite the large antique shop, which is piled high and hiding treasures, is Stormy’s Tattoo Parlour.
Inside it is rather homey, with the main centrepiece being the two chairs where business happens, and a little stand for her tools, but off to one side are a worn-in sofa and two armchairs, around a Persian rug underneath a squat coffee table, both purchased from the antique shop across the courtyard, in front of a little fireplace whose flame seems to perpetually crackle in the hearth, forever on the verge of guttering out, but never quite wanting to leave, seemingly content to boil the iron kettle that is hung over it from time to time.
Half the wall is bare brick, and the lower half is covered in the same old oak planks that are used as the floorboards, but these ones are decorated with hand-painted flowers, of pastel reds, blues and yellows, as one might expect to find in Romani Bohemianism. Over the wobbly table that holds the old, crank-operated till and a leather-bound photo album, hangs a large dreamcatcher of bright reds and oranges and earthy browns and tans. In a corner, between the stairs leading to Stormy’s room and the fireplace, is a wonky shelf, stacked with books, boxes of tea, and, on the highest shelf, cups and mugs. Around the base of the shelf are two boxes of old vinyl records, and on the floor, perched upon its own cushion, is a turntable that will always be playing some sort of prog-rock or blues. (Provided by
@jdh97)
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The Talos Building: One of five new skyscrapers sharing it's likeness, part of the first major expansion of the increasingly successful corporation. The building is tall, stretching up with great big tinting windows, giving the outside something of a checkerboard appearance, with some windows darkened and impossible to see into, others more grey, and some giving a view into the very white offices and labs, the insides being all clean surfaces, bright lights, and expensive looking furnishings. Security in the building is ruthless, only employees are allowed past the lobby and even then they're restricted to only certain floors. The building overlooks the nice part of town, with the upper floors getting a nice view of the ocean. The Director of Research is a native to Lightbridge, and is fond of recruiting the most talented of students straight from Dayglow Academy. (Provided by
@Ceta de Cloyes)
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Pleasant Hearts Refuge: Tucked away neatly in the bad part of the bad part of town, what the single story homeless shelter lacks in aesthetic appeal, it more than makes up for with the dedication and passion of those who volunteer their time and money to keep it running. It was built in the late sixties and has the concrete walls and concealed asbestos lining to prove it. It’s not as big as the Red Cross shelter down the way, but it can comfortably accommodate ten people overnight in its dormitory area (constructed and funded by a class at the academy in the nineties), and it’s kitchen and ‘rec’ area frequently see upwards of a hundred people a day, trailing through in search of something to eat and someone to eat it with.
It’s not really somewhere you would choose to spend your time, but that doesn’t matter to its guests. It’s better than the streets any day, and if just so happens that the manager, Ruth, likes to show a lot of cleavage and if Jimmy-round-the-back has the best deals in town? Well, no one’s complained yet. (Provided by
@2plus2isnot5)
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The University of Lightbridge: Established in 1974 by a tycoon with too much money and the hots for a girl who didn’t even know she existed, the University of Lightbridge has long struggled to outgrow its humble beginnings and establish itself as a ‘serious institute’. As such, it has endured several different what can only be termed ‘phases’, much to the consternation of the academic community, its students, and the residents of Lightbridge alike.
As such, it’s campus is a mashup of buildings and architecture snatched from different eras, reaching into and across different parts of the city. Whilst the main campus is located a few miles North of the city centre, it’s not uncommon to find university buildings plopped randomly in East, West, and even South Lightbridge.
Despite its difficult start, over the past decade, it’s been making strides in the areas of science and technology, attracting several esteemed lecturers from around the globe and an increasing number of students from outside of the city limits. Whilst it is yet to be seen what kind of impact the newcomers will have on the existing, somewhat eclectic, faculty members and the local area, one things is certain - a balance has shifted, and things are about to change. (Provided by
@2plus2isnot5)
WIP! More to come! 
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