Editing General Setting Information (section)

===== Water's Edge<ref>https://alogos.dreamwidth.org/2425.html#Watersedge</ref> =====
'''Contains:''' Moderately-Priced Housing

''Earnestly'' middle-class, this region is clinging desperately to its hard-fought self-perception of being decent, proper, and educated. Many of the people here have jobs in administration, but can't afford to live there (and ''refuse'' to live amongst the bustle of the East side of Belle Ville).

In recent history, the district had been dedicated to heavy industry, and the richest families here made their money that way. They all attempt to downplay this. Though the pollutants have been largely cleaned up (and ironically replaced with the now ever-present arcane radiation), coastal property is still not seen as glamorous, high-status, or particularly desirable. Associations with sewage, bad smells, and the danger of the open ocean remains... but in reality it ''is'' quite nice. Factories converted into residences attempt to be both chic and old-world, and only add to an unintentionally eclectic style in the district. Water's Edge is trying to escape its past through any means available, but has yet to show any signs of succeeding.

Businesses within Water's Edge are infrequent, and exist as modest corner-stores, groceries, and the occasional small library. ''Quiet'' shops are all that's permitted, and nothing indecent either; if there was ever a district concerned about propriety and morality, it would be here. This is a position that has only sharpened over the past decade, as the problems with arcane radiation show no sign of letting up, nor the outside world becoming any safer. Some fear the return of heavy, dirty industry to the district, ruining their already fragile self-perception further (But with Katalyth unappetizing as an energy source these days, what else can the city do but return to oil and coal?).

Opinions on the Augmented are therefore on the more unforgiving side—as once you start showing fur, scales, or feathers, you become a tangible sign of change, and everything they're afraid of. With the effort the Augmented have put into helping the middle class the people here have warmed up a ''trifle''. As in, they'll let you in their shops, and will avoid looking too uncomfortable about it.

One thing they ''do'' appreciate, if not entirely understand, is that the Augmented seem to have fewer negative associations with the ocean, and don't see anything repulsive about hanging around it. Their district ''isn't'' filthy (anymore), or dangerous—so why can't other Karterians see it?
{| class="wikitable"
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|'''NOTABLE LANDMARKS & BUSINESSES'''

<big>♕</big> '''The Waterfront''' — The heart of business in Water's Edge, both in the past and now, with only the nature of that business changing. Currently it is host to a selection of bakeries, small grocers, cafes, bookshops, and knickknacks. None of it is as upscale as it's pretending to be, but that's not to say that any of it is ''bad''. It's a perfectly cute place to visit, if overpriced for the quality you get. And with many a bench conveniently situated to sit and observe the sea (or those shopping), going to the Waterfront on a nice sunny day isn't the worst way to spend a break.

Business isn't going great though, and never has. Only the residents of Water's Edge ever go here, as a perception of the water as ''dirty'' and ''dangerous'' persists, despite their efforts to clean up that reputation. Even the locals don't sit outside, and without that draw (truly, it's a disadvantage), why would anyone else go out of their way to shop here, when they could get the same things closer to home?

<big>♕</big> '''Old Factory Lane''' — The impromptu name for the area became the de-facto one, much to the residents' distress—though they pretend this makes it sound ''charmingly'' rustic, rather than rusty. These streets (as there's more than one, despite the singular 'lane') ''are'' somewhat charming despite this, if in a very self-conscious sort of way. Constructed largely from converted factories and mills, the style has been kept as deliberately 'industrial'. Exposed pipes are a given. Concrete is an aesthetic.
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