The City-State of Tligol is ruled by dictators, holds monthly public executions and is haunted by a benign, fishing, giant, but by and large the inhabitants are content, and the food is amazing. The perfect place for a city break, just as long as you don't want to leave. Ever.
Language has its own relationship to time.
When Jennifer falls for Sam at his execution, she doesn't immediately realise that she can still find and live with him; but the city of Tligol has trains that will take her anywhere, including her own past, and future, and multiple possible variations, just as long as she doesn't leave the city. Jennifer rides the trains, loops around in time and sets an unplanned series of events in motion. For lovers of
The City and The City
... and
Hotel California!