[SIGHTING] [UNCONFIRMED] Weird mural in ██████

[SeraphicIO]

Usually, I don’t post on forums like this. I'm not even sure I'm doing this right?? but a coworker told me about the institute (sort of?) and its weird ██████ led me here. So I guess that was her convoluted way of saying this is the spot to share the odd experience I had a year or two ago. So here goes.

Not long after moving to ██████, I went for a walk to get to know the area. On a wall I walked past, someone had painted a mural over some graffiti. A boy in black and grey, like a charcoal sketch, holding a green balloon. It was stunning. I just had to stop and stare at it for a bit before continuing my walk.

Maybe three or so hours later, on my way back, I passed the same wall again. The mural was gone. Not painted over, not scrubbed off. The graffiti underneath was untouched, like nothing had ever been added.

At first I thought I’d mixed up the street, but I checked again the next day. Same wall, same tags, no boy, no balloon. I’ve asked around, and nobody knows what I’m talking about.

Since then, I’ll sometimes go out of my way to walk past that spot, hoping it’ll be there again. It never is. I don’t really believe in supernatural stuff, but this one has stuck with me.

Kinda just curious if anyone else has had something like this happen.

[Zethus]

It's a little eerie that you found your way here now of all times.

We're literally going through our own Mural Incident right now with some posts changing before our eyes, users disappearing, and more. We're currently discussing as a community how we want to handle these incidents as they come up, and if we want to be more proactive in our investigating.

This may sound like absolute bullshit, but if any part of you, however small, reacts to the strange ██████ of your timing- then know you were meant to be here, right now, in the here and now.

Until we decide, however, you might see folks hesitant to respond.We'll help you in any way we can, once we decide the way forward.

[PenOfDamocles]

I think you’ll find you’re not alone here. By any chance did the mural seem familiar to you? Hold any relevance before that first sighting?

[SeraphicIO]

I don't know about ‎ "meant to be here". But I'm here... I don't even really know if I'm looking for help in particular. I'm fine. Not hurt or scared or anything. But ‎ it was an odd experience, and ██████ said, in her roundabout way, this was the place to talk about odd experiences. Though I do feel a little silly right now, sitting in the restroom during my lunch break, scrolling this forum.

The mural ‎ didn't seem familiar to me beyond the fact that I've seen a couple of charcoal sketches in my life. Though it did sort of remind me of Banksy's Balloon Girl art piece. Is that ‎ anything??

The changing posts and disappearing user accounts could be an error in the ‎ site's backend, or maybe hackers? No offence, but this forum looks like it hasn't been updated in decades...

[Katat0nik]

You aren't wrong about that. We're an old ship. It's possible it could be back end. However, my experience here says the possibility is as high for... Something else at work.

About the mural; can you remember what you felt when you first saw it? Do you remember what you felt when you expected to see it again?

And what did you feel when it was gone?

[SeraphicIO]

The more I look through this forum, the more I understand why my coworker knew about this website. This cryptic stuff is right down her alley…

I felt awe when I first saw the mural. It looked less like something you’d expect to find on some random wall and more like a painting that should be in one of those fancy high end art shows. Like I said, very Banksy-like. Honestly, while looking at it, part of me wondered if Banksy was the one who was inspired by the mystery artist and not vice versa. Genuinely gorgeous. I don’t really think I felt anything in particular when going back to the mural though. Maybe excitement? I didn’t plan on lingering that time around. I just wanted to take a quick peek and a photo of it to send to my girlfriend. She loves art. So, I guess when I saw it wasn’t there anymore I felt disappointed? Definitely very confused. And a little regretful that I hadn’t taken the photo when I had the chance.

[Katat0nik]

Well that is certainly a mysterious happening, indeed. You're in the right place.

I ask about how you felt when you saw it because sometimes these sorts of... moments out of place leave us with a feeling, burrowed deep down or ignored. The ignored part is key. Most of us see things and assume coincidence, forget what we saw because the feelings it evokes are uncomfortable, eerie, terrifying, or even worse: familiar.
It doesn't sound like this thing you saw just wanted to be seen and that's that. It could have been a sign of something to come, if there was anything that popped to mind when you looked at it. It could simply be a touch of beauty from the ██████, a brief glimpse as a small gift.
Can you think of a time where something like this has happened before? Subtle enough to forget, or push it to the back of your mind.

In any case, it sounds like a cool mural. Shame it's gone.

[Fly_Mulder]

According to the kind people at BalloonLabUSA (hell of a source if you ask me), a green balloon represents:

----
Green balloons represent growth, harmony, and nature. They are an excellent choice for eco-friendly events, garden parties, or events focused on sustainability. Green balloons can bring a sense of balance and renewal to your gathering, reminding guests of the importance of environmental stewardship.

The color green is also associated with good luck and abundance. If you’re hosting a celebration that marks a new beginning, such as a wedding or a graduation party, green balloons can symbolize the fruitful journey ahead.
----

A very chipper description. But given what we've been discussing recently, it seems like something might have given you a friendly nudge that lead you here. Bringing a "Renewal" to our gathering, or a "New Beginning".

So, In that vein, Welcome to RT!

PS: Please read the rules in Zethus' "Welcome to the Darkness" post. They might seem odd, but more than one of us have found reason why they exist. (If your work has metal stalls, they might count as "Mirrors")

[SeraphicIO]

I suppose that makes as much sense as anything else does in this situation. It’s been a couple of years since the “Mural Incident” so it’s not as fresh in my mind but I can definitely say I didn’t feel any particular negative or unpleasant emotions around the event. Except the disappointment, confusion, and regret from it being gone. But I felt those at what I’d imagine was a normal amount?

I’m getting the impression that if I had had another similar experience, it would shed light on this one. But I honestly haven’t experienced anything that evoked any of those feelings. I’ve felt deja vu plenty of times. That’s the closest to feeling like something is inexplicably familiar I guess, but I honestly could not give you examples off the top of my head.

If the mural did hold any meaning, I do like your thought, Fly_Mulder. I was just starting my life at ██████ after finally moving out with my girlfriend, so maybe it was a good omen. “New Beginnings” and all that. Glad I might’ve brought that energy to the forum. thanks for the welcome!

PS: Oh interesting. I just gave the rules a read. ODD and eerie... I’ll be sure to keep them in mind... The stalls weren’t metal so I was good on that front.

[MidnightRunner]

Welcome in Sera, you may want to redact or remove your location from your profile, just in case there are things prowling the forum that don't have your best interests in mind.

That sounds really dramatic and I'm sorry but I'd rather warn you and keep you safe.

I do wonder if Mulder isn't onto something. I wonder if it isn't the mural itself but maybe what it was trying to tell you? Do you remember what you felt when you first saw it?