Fall 2020 Newspaper Clippings

Headline: Ornamental Flowers Cause Flower Shop to Freeze Over, Catches Thief

Story: With steadily increasing traffic between Manta Carlos and other worlds and dimensions, the city has seen a boom in diversity with materials, fabrics, fashion, pets, and entertainment. While customs do filter for dangerous things, a mix-up with deliveries can still happen. And although rare, these mix-ups can cause problems, and although even rarer, they solve them.

A month ago, a local florist had planted ornamental flowers she had imported as part of her exotic selection. However, the seeds were from a different flower that was never meant to be sent to Manta Carlos. "They were beautiful, so I continued to grow them," the florist said in an interview.

The flowers were put on display inside her shop for three days, where it was sold as gifts and as part of floral arrangements. However, at night when the store was closed, the flowers released a cold blast that froze everything inside until early morning when residents noticed the frozen doors and windows. With the help of emergency services, the store was opened and they found a shivering individual in the corner of the shop.

Security footage revealed that the individual lockpicked the front door and entered, taking money out of the register and stealing some small pots and seeds on the shelves. When the thief reached out to pluck the offending flowers, they released a cold mist that quickly spread frost, icing in the whole store and preventing the thief's escape.

The thief was sent to the hospital immediately, but didn't suffer any permanent damage. The flowers that had been sold didn't cause any trouble for the ones who bought them. During the investigation, the supplier that sent the seeds revealed that the flowers themselves had a degree of sentience and could understand one's intent, and claimed that in defense of the florist that raised them, they trapped the thief until someone could catch them.

The flowers are now under review by customs officials.

Headline: Mertown Thrives!

Story: The Manta Carlos Aquatic District, nicknamed Mertown by many of the islanders, has become a cultural haven and inspiration in building a solid community from next to nothing. The district itself may still be in its infancy, having been established only six months prior, yet many of the citizens of both land and sea have settled into a sense of normalcy as if Mertown has always been a part of Manta Carlos. There are a variety of options to explore within the Aquatic District, such as the Rainbow Coral Reef, a shopping haven filled with merfolk clothing and extravagant accessories that bring a fresh breath to the fashion scene. Also popular is the culinary block, jokingly nicknamed the Crab Trap due to many visitors being lost in there for hours. And of course, one cannot forget the entertainment center that is the Siren's Pearl, where one of a kind music and performances dazzle both locals and visitors alike!

However, Mertown itself is not known only for its unique cultural experiences, but also its scientific potential as well. Dr. Sana Farhan is a researcher tied to the Starlight University who has recently partnered with Mertown scientists to study the aquatic life near the district. Due to the diplomatic agreements between King Choi'k'bon Suna'i XVII and the Manta Carlos government, a large section of the ocean has been deemed the Suna'i Preserve where all manners of sea life can live in tranquility without being disturbed by fishing boats and other possible pollutants. Dr. Farhan is excited for this venture, noting that, "This natural preserve will allow us in the scientific community to safely study the undersea flora and fauna while avoiding disturbing the fragile ecosystem they need to thrive in. Without the assistance of King Choi'k'bon Suna'i XVII and his people, we wouldn't have nearly the same amount of research potential in such short a time. We look forward to releasing new data as soon as it becomes available!"

Headline: Group of Spelunkers Discover Bones of Extinct Fish Species

Story: A group of spelunking cave enthusiasts were surprised to find more than just tunnels when they entered the Wolf's Head Cave beach entrance on the east side of the island.

Wolf's Head Cave is known for its complex tunnel systems that all sorts of adventurous people enjoy exploring. The three friends, Bai, Sheia, and Tell, are just one of many groups to investigate these tunnels. These three, however, discovered a small opening they had never noticed during previous expeditions.

"Sheia's a pixie, so she shrunk herself down to see of there was anything on the other side of the hole," explained Bai.

"And then next thing I know, I'm in the mouth of this skull surrounded by these big sharp teeth!" Sheia added.

Professional archeologists were called in to extract the bones.

The bones belong to a now-extinct fish species known as the Beowolf Barracuda, a massive fish native to only Manta Carlos.

"The tunnels were likely underwater initially," archeologists explain. "This particular specimen got stuck in here then buried as rock formations shifted, presumably.

The massive skull along with the rest of the bones are now in possession of the Manta Carlos Museum and will put on display on the first of December.

Headline: Portals Malfunction as Dimension Collapses.

Story: Researchers from the Starlight Observation Station had breached a dimensional barrier earlier this week and sent an exploratory team of four to survey the new dimension. Preliminary expeditions with probes reported that the new dimension was safe for exploration. However, a day after the exploration team went through, all portals leading to and from the Observation Station had suddenly malfunctioned. Whether they were magical or technological in nature, they were all tuned to this new dimension where hectic signals came through.

When decoded, the researchers reported that they were the team's memories from birth until their departure. About twelve hours later, the dimension shrunk into itself, sending various debris and some valuable minerals through the portals, and a single individual with no recollection of their past, but knew nearly all of the researchers on the station.

DNA samples from the individual were constantly shifting, but were found to match all four of the exploration team's. This was a cause for concern as the team was made up of four completely different races from different planets. The individual has been contained, and the portals had been fixed. Additionally the Observation Station has put in place some tighter regulations for entering and leaving, with individuals who do the latter needing to go through some health evaluations and medical scans, as the collapsed dimension may have introduced some parasites or other anomalous concerns. However, the station authorities say that this is just a precaution, and nothing concerning have been found yet.

Headline:
Thankful (A Personal Note)

Story:
Although many of the island's inhabitants come from many times, places, dimensions, and a whole litany of other descriptors, I'm quite "normal" in comparison. I was born and raised in the United States, only coming to Manta Carlos in the last few years due to discovering some minor magical abilities. I've had so many wonderful and unique experiences upon my arrival, made friends from a multitude of backgrounds, and even met my partner and started a family together. I'm submitting this story on what would be the American celebration of Thanksgiving, which is a time for family and togetherness.

For those on the island who might not know, Thanksgiving is a celebration in the United States representing a celebration of harvest and a congregation of the Native Americans and colonial settlers before the founding of the country. Of course, the holiday is contested on whether such a meeting occurred but that is not the point I wish to discuss with all of you. I see this holiday as a means of getting together, uniting the family. Of bringing ourselves to a common place and bonding with love and kindness. And here on the island, everyone on Manta Carlos is like one big family. We strive to live together, to learn together, to grow and be better together. Do we argue? Absolutely. Is everything perfect? Of course not. But we strive for more, strive to be good to one another. To be kind to our neighbor, to help those who need it, and live our lives the best we can.

So, I am thankful, Manta Carlos. From the Starlight Observation Station to the Farmlands to Mertown, I am thankful. I am thankful for the Twelve who preside over the island and offer their boons. I am thankful the Academy which brings everyone from various walks of life a place of safety and security. I am thankful the people who I've met, befriended, loved, and lost. I am thankful for the ones who I've yet to meet and how they will influence my life.

Thank you, Manta Carlos, for holding the ideal that regardless of who you are or where you come from, you will always have a seat at the table.

-David Ramirez, journalist at the Manta Carlos Gazette