At the heart of Upper Yard City stood a spacious European-style plaza, paved with slabs made from island cloud. It looked clean, white, and bright.
A clock tower stood in the center, squat and square, with steps on all four sides.
The tower was white, with a golden clock at the top that gleamed in the sunlight.
Its base was set inside the tower, hiding the lower half from view.
A small squad of Shandia warriors in traditional clothing guarded the clock tower. Their appearance somewhat resembled Native Americans.
Although they had better equipment available, they generally kept to tradition unless circumstances demanded otherwise.
Building complexes occupied three sides of the plaza.
On the inner side stood an ancient Greek-style palace.
On the right stood a Gothic cathedral.
On the left stood a Baroque villa.
People of various backgrounds crossed the plaza in small groups, coming and going from these buildings.
There was not much foot traffic, but it was hardly deserted.
Skypieans with little wings made up the largest share, though their clothing and behavior still showed some differences.
Most clergy were Birka people, those dressed more freely were Shandians, and the friendly, mild-mannered ones were Angel Islanders.
Humans also made up a fair proportion. Merfolk were rarer, while Giants, Tontatta, and others could occasionally be seen.
Apart from a few people who seemed to be in a hurry, everyone moved at a leisurely pace.
Most people were entering or leaving the cathedral in the Right Hall. Babylon's main administrative offices were all located there.
Thump... thump... thump...
A faint "earthquake" rumbled out through the main entrance of the large villa in the Left Hall.
"Ah... that sound."
"Must be a Giant."
Two mermaids seated on "floating bubbles" were about to enter the Left Hall. Hearing the rumbling, they