The party was just getting started, but already people were piling in. One wall was dedicated to a set of tables packed with food from local businesses and restaurants. An open buffet, as it were.
The whole of City Hall's auditorium had been turned into a party space, with streamers and other colorful decorations hanging from the ceiling and walls. The stage was set up with speakers and lights as the first of many musicians and DJs set up their equipment to start playing their music.
Security was tighter than last year, with the New Year's Party and the March Virus fiasco still fresh in everyone's mind. But the security didn't seem to impede the party at all, save for those who might look to start trouble.
Cordelia Moore stepped forward onto the stage, microphone in hand. She gave a warm smile out to the crowd and spoke, a hush temporarily falling over the dozens of conversations throughout the room.
"Hello Carlosians. Here we are again, Founder's Day. It has been a particularly rough year since the last time we all met here. We have gone through a number of trials, both as individuals and as a community.
But we have persevered, as we always have. I am proud of the school and this city and all it has become. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful that we have this place to call our home, where we are free to live and come together in ways no one could have ever imagined.
So eat, drink. Enjoy yourselves. Get to know someone new. Take on a new perspective. And take some time to reflect on the challenges we face and how we overcome them. Together. Happy Founder's Day."
Stepping back a bit at the rise of applause, Cordelia motioned for Inscius, one of the business owners who had helped make the party possible to come up on stage.
She passed them the microphone and encouraged them to say a few words as well.
The whole of City Hall's auditorium had been turned into a party space, with streamers and other colorful decorations hanging from the ceiling and walls. The stage was set up with speakers and lights as the first of many musicians and DJs set up their equipment to start playing their music.
Security was tighter than last year, with the New Year's Party and the March Virus fiasco still fresh in everyone's mind. But the security didn't seem to impede the party at all, save for those who might look to start trouble.
Cordelia Moore stepped forward onto the stage, microphone in hand. She gave a warm smile out to the crowd and spoke, a hush temporarily falling over the dozens of conversations throughout the room.
"Hello Carlosians. Here we are again, Founder's Day. It has been a particularly rough year since the last time we all met here. We have gone through a number of trials, both as individuals and as a community.
But we have persevered, as we always have. I am proud of the school and this city and all it has become. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful that we have this place to call our home, where we are free to live and come together in ways no one could have ever imagined.
So eat, drink. Enjoy yourselves. Get to know someone new. Take on a new perspective. And take some time to reflect on the challenges we face and how we overcome them. Together. Happy Founder's Day."
Stepping back a bit at the rise of applause, Cordelia motioned for Inscius, one of the business owners who had helped make the party possible to come up on stage.
She passed them the microphone and encouraged them to say a few words as well.
Leandro smiled happily, applauding the speaches, it had been years sense he'd last been on Manta Carlos. He'd come back with his clan to finish school, so he'd be staying a while. He tilted his head to the side and then to the other, allowing the sounds to form a moving picture of the area in his head.