Whenever someone asks me what race or nationality Arlon and Liliana are, or where they live, I always pause for a moment before answering. I never really answer directly. Some people might think I’m being difficult, but it’s more intentional than that. Their world, their existence, transcends the confines of a single country or a specific race. These characters, my beloved creations, aren't bound by the borders or laws of any man-made nation or the limitations of race. They are, in a way, citizens of the imagination, free to exist without the constraints that we impose on ourselves in the real world.
You see, from the beginning, I made a deliberate choice not to specify their location. I wanted Arlon and Liliana, and all the other characters I've brought to life, to live in a world that’s beyond the boundaries of reality. It’s not that I don’t have a clear image of where they exist—because I do—but I want their setting to feel like it’s everywhere and nowhere at the same time. To place them in a specific country would pin them down too much, and box them in a corner. Their world is meant to be flexible, and mouldable, much like the stories I create for them.
It’s a wonderful place, this fictional city where Arlon and Liliana live. The environment there is truly something remarkable, a mix of various elements from places I’ve always admired. Imagine a city that embodies the charm of both old and modern Europe, alongside the unique modernity of places like Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea. But it’s not just a copy-paste situation. It’s more like I’ve taken the greatest hits of these regions, their most striking, iconic qualities, and blended them into one state, one expansive city where Arlon and Liliana can roam freely. The streets have the timeless elegance of Paris, yet the modern energy of Tokyo is just around the corner.
When you walk down the streets of this fictional city, you feel the architectural beauty of old Europe. Cobbled streets, ornate lamp posts, and buildings with intricate details that speak of history. But then, just as you get used to this old-world feel, you turn a corner and find yourself surrounded by the sleek, futuristic structures that you might see in Seoul or Tokyo—clean lines, glass towers, the hum of technology in the air. It's as if the past and future co-exist, creating a harmonious blend of aesthetics.
And it's not just the city that’s incredible. The countryside, too, is nothing short of magical. You’ve got mountains that feel like a mix between the Alps, the Rockies, and the Appalachians. I didn't want to choose just one mountain range because why limit the imagination? Imagine soaring, snow-capped peaks, green rolling hills, and forests that seem to go on forever. It's the kind of landscape where you feel both small and inspired all at once. It’s a place where you could sit on a hill and look out at a scene that stretches on for miles, taking in the crisp air and the sheer grandeur of it all.
The lakes in this fictional world are crystal clear, their surfaces mirroring the sky in such a perfect way that it feels like you’re floating in an endless blue. The skies, oh, the skies are something to behold—always a vivid blue, with the occasional fluffy cloud drifting lazily by. It's the kind of place where it feels like the sun is always shining, casting everything in a golden glow. And when it rains, it’s a soft, gentle drizzle, more refreshing than disruptive. The flora and fauna in this world are vibrant and exotic, adding to the enchanting atmosphere. It's a place where time seems to stand still, allowing you to truly appreciate the beauty of nature surrounding you.
The gardens are, perhaps, one of my favourite parts of this world. Everywhere you turn, you see vibrant colours—flowers in full bloom, their petals bursting with life. There’s an ever-present sense of vitality as if the whole world is constantly waking up to a new day, full of endless possibilities. It’s like spring and summer have decided to make this place their permanent home. I imagine the air smelling of fresh blooms and sun-warmed earth, a scent so pleasant you’d wish you could bottle it up and take it with you.
The aesthetics of this world is also a mix. It has the cottagecore of the countryside, the Frutiger Aero of the solarpunk modernity as this world advocates for sustainability and harmony with nature. It's a place where technology and nature coexist in perfect balance, creating a harmonious and beautiful environment for all who inhabit it. The most colourful aesthetic in this setting is the mix of candy core and kidcore, with vibrant pastel colours and whimsical designs that bring a sense of joy and playfulness to the surroundings. It truly is a visual feast for the eyes, where every corner offers something delightful to behold.
One of the things I’ve worked hard to cultivate in this world is a feeling of timelessness. I want people to look at it and not be able to pinpoint when, exactly, it’s set. It has elements of the past, the present, and even the future, all woven together in a way that feels seamless. The fashion in this world reflects that, too. It’s whimsical, almost childlike in its simplicity and charm, yet there's a sophistication to it that suggests a deep understanding of style. Picture playful dresses with bright colours and patterns, alongside crisp, tailored outfits that wouldn’t look out of place on a Paris runway. It’s a world where the boundaries of fashion, much like the boundaries of the world itself, are fluid.
But I think the most important thing about this setting is that it’s deliberately elusive. I don't want the reader or the viewer to be able to place it in one particular real country. That’s the point. It's meant to be unplaceable, a world that’s familiar in bits and pieces but never entirely recognisable. I think there’s a certain magic in that—the idea that this world could be anywhere, or perhaps nowhere at all. It's a place that belongs to the imagination, a space where anything can happen.
It’s a childlike world in many ways. Not childish, but childlike—full of wonder, innocence, and endless possibility. The skies are bluer, the grass is greener, and everything seems just a bit more vibrant. There’s a certain softness to it all, a gentleness that I think we sometimes lose in the real world. The music, too, reflects this vibe. In my mind, it’s a mix of playful, upbeat tunes that you might hear in a children’s film, with just a hint of something more classical, more refined, lingering in the background. It’s the kind of place where you could imagine children playing freely in the streets, laughter echoing through the air, without a care in the world.
At the same time, it’s not a world without complexity. Though it has the bright colours and open spaces of a child’s dream, there’s an undercurrent of depth. The characters in this world, especially Arlon and Liliana, face their challenges and struggles. But unlike in our world, where challenges are often tied to politics, economics, or social issues, their challenges are more internal. They deal with questions of identity, purpose, and connection—things that, in many ways, transcend the physical world. Their stories are deeply human, despite taking place in a setting that is anything but.
I think that’s the beauty of this world I’ve created. It’s simultaneously simple and complex, familiar and foreign. It's a world that allows me to explore the more profound aspects of the human condition while still maintaining a sense of whimsy and wonder. It’s a place where characters can be free to grow and evolve without the constraints of real-world rules. They don’t have to worry about nationality or race, about fitting into the boxes that we, as a society, often try to force people into.
In this world, Arlon and Liliana are free. They’re free to be whomever they want to be, to go wherever they want to go and to experience life on their terms. And that, I think, is what makes this world so special to me. It’s not bound by the limitations of reality. It’s a place where the only rule is that there are rules from other countries as this world has its own rules and laws. In this world, creativity knows no bounds and imagination is the only limit. Arlon and Liliana can truly be themselves, unencumbered by societal expectations or constraints. This world offers endless possibilities for them to explore and grow, making it a truly magical escape from the confines of everyday life.
In conclusion, when I refuse to specify the race, nationality, or exact location of Arlon and Liliana, it's not because I’m being vague for the sake of it. It's because I want their world to be as boundless as possible. I want their stories to exist in a place that is simultaneously everywhere and nowhere, a place that feels real and yet imaginary. By blending influences from Europe, Asia, and even the mountains of North America, or the aesthetics of kidcore, cottagecore and Frutiger Aero, I’ve created a setting that reflects the beauty of the world we live in, without being tied down to any particular part of it. This fictional world is a testament to the power of imagination, a place where Arlon, Liliana, and all my other characters can live free from the constraints of reality, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.