+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

[The tremors from the earthquake may be over but things are shakier than ever in the days that pass since the ball. Exposed vampires and their motives have been brought into question. Humans have been turned and fed from in the bloody mess of it all, and even the balance of the kingdom is at stake now. Hunters gather to decide how to handle the situation, while vampires with the most to lose from the leaked secrets must be frantic to keep anyone looking to flee Samara from escaping. No one can simply leave, not now.

But the fact is that neither side can hold out for long either. What will those caught in between do? There's plenty of injured (and vampires crazed by all that blood, even more likely to lose it and attack) and visitors that had nothing to do with the conflict and now dragged into it beyond anything they could have imagined. The rumors are running wild among those recovering and there's the feeling that they all have only moments before hunters and vampires are facing off against one another. Samara may well be on its way to becoming the location of sparking a full out war.]

[Beyond any skirmishes that break out, they won't get to decide -- A powerful wind of black flower petals sweeps through the world in a blur and with that everyone returns! To themselves and their own memories and the familiar landscape of Miracle Country. Typical cutesy Halloween decorations hang everywhere in sight, most so at the park where they'll all return to, greeted by food and drinks and candy alike, and costumes of all kinds courtesy of the same magic. Hope you enjoyed the drama... and Happy Halloween.]

[It is a cool night in Samara, but the night is clear. If you look up, you can see stars, and there are lights lining each path that’s leading towards the center of town. After the flurry of activity and hard work to get the ballroom prepared, you can now see the fruits of that labor: tonight, you are cordially invited to welcome Queen Anne of Leridae in a grand ball.

Turns out those rumors about Queen Anne were true. Don’t worry, you won’t be required to talk to her if you’re shy or not too keen on royalty, as the ball is expansive enough and with enough people that it might actually be difficult to approach her so easily, what with all her bodyguards.

But that’s alright, because the party itself is well underway. There’s the beautiful lilt of music to dance to, floating candles that dart away just beyond reach – a little trick of magic to keep the ambiance – and the beautiful gardens out beyond the balconies, for those who need some fresh air. There’s a distinct lack of food to partake in, but that’s just as well. All the better to not be distracted from the beautiful sights, the beautiful costumes, and the beautiful company.

However, not everything is glitter and loveliness tonight. What is promising to be a quiet, delightful night full of politeness and dancing will take a sharp turn towards midnight – where the ground will suddenly start to shake in a massive earthquake. Perhaps at first you think it’s some kind of attack, the force of it all so sudden and debilitating.

The earthquake is so extreme that the walls buckle around you, the glass in the windows shatter, and the ground beneath your feet begins to crack. There’s falling debris everywhere, so try not to get hit or pinned beneath falling beams. Hopefully you aren’t standing too close to the glass windows and get shattered glass hitching against your skin.

That is to say: you probably aren’t getting out of this party unharmed. That is, of course, unless you’re a vampire with healing powers. Quite the inopportune time for your secret to be revealed, isn’t it? And what do you know, hunters – all this time, you were in the company of so many vampires.

How are you going to reconcile all of this?]


[[More information here]]

[Fog rolls into the town of Samara – another cool autumn day, the sky murky and the tress shedding their leaves. The nights are longer now, the moon hanging low in the sky – and that can only mean one thing: stirrings. With the darkness creeps the dangers. You’ve likely heard those whispers all your life – those murmurs of caution, of danger, of otherness. Be mindful not to step out into the shadows for too long and risk losing yourself entirely.

The little town of Samara might appear quiet at first, unassuming, gentle even – a far outpost and a far cry from the Leridae kingdom’s capital. But it isn’t too far-flung from there, although hidden away in its own little haven, the trees growing closer and closer to its city lines with every passing year. No, this town is not as unassuming as it might seem. You might have grown up here – you’d know as much. Or perhaps you were drawn here for the same reason so many others have been drawn here:

Here in Samara, the rumors are simply that – just rumors. After all, who would ever think that vampires would prey upon such an unassuming, quiet town. But those who whisper the rumors might just shake their heads, looking out towards the forest, towards those darkened alleyways between the old, rickety town. Vampires are one thing. Hunters are another. And Samara has long since been the established epicenter of hunter activity – their meeting ground, so to speak, their headquarters. The hunters, of course, are branches of factions, individualistic in some ways and community-based in others. There is no set leader but there are clans within those hunters, those who strive for certain aspects of the hunter code – and others who operate well outside the set parameters of that.

This place has always been quiet, despite the heavy hunter presence. Few vampires risk staying too close within this town simply because of the danger to them. For years now, decades and decades, the hunters and the vampires have been at odds. Recently, these fights and tensions have only grown more devastating, with loses on both sides – tearing friends and families apart. The hunters hold pride in their abilities and the vampires, secretive and hidden, search for a means to survive in a world that rejects them. Or, perhaps, there are those few who seek the living for the sport of it. Just as there are hunters who seek to kill for the sport. Each side has had its demons and its loses.

And in this, the sleepy little town of Samara is mired with one rumor that just keeps being whispered again and again: that Queen Anne of Leridae is coming – or is already here, as the rumors indicate. Rumors speculate to her purpose – many assume that it’s her wish to form a formal alliance with the hunter factions. Others aren’t so sure. A few more believe that the rumors are just that: rumors. What purpose would a queen have to visiting this quiet little town where absolutely nothing ever happens ever at all? What purpose could such a queen have to coming to a town known for its hunter populace and devastating vampire attacks? Will peace come at last?

Despite this, the large meeting hall at the center of town is undergoing some sprucing up, some redecorating. There’s a grand ball planned, set to be open to the public and the higher-ranking hunter guilds within the next few days. That seems indication enough that something important is underway – or, at the very least, a royal visitor is imminent.

In the end, though, this quiet little town is certainly just meant to be quiet… But with the promise of Queen Anne’s arrival, there’s a new flurry of preparations: decorations everywhere, preparing housing for guests, trying to clean up the streets – and trying, so desperately, not to be bitten when the moon is high. And with the rumors of Queen Anne’s arrival come all the other new arrivals, seeking different desires: to join the hunters? To escape hunters in other regions? To find lost friends? To try to meet royalty? To find something to eat? To be turned? Or, perhaps you are more innocent in all this – just a bystander dragged into these strange happenings, torn between this conflict that seems to have no end.

Perhaps, then, there can be hope – and perhaps, someday, peace. Welcome to Samara.]

[[Our vampire AU event begins! Find more information here.]]

[As the days pass, the colder weather becomes more evident, and Miracle Country's taken note of it. People around the islands will find colorful flyers around, indicating there's a sale on warm clothes! Anything from blankets to sweaters, hats, jackets, gloves and even fluffy socks, now's a good chance to stock up on these. The shopping district will appear to have more clothing stores than usual, with varied styles and different items on sale.

So why not take advantage of the weekend to stroll around and get what you need? Perhaps even take pity on those newly arrived and get them some gifts, too. It'll be quite peaceful for the time being, no tricks, no magical clothes doing anything... Although it might seem strange that with Miracle Country's love for themed holidays, Halloween decorations and items aren't really set up this time.]


[[Little lazy mingle! Use as you'd like.]]

[Fall has started, and to those unfamiliar with the seasonal changes in the world, the abrupt change might seem odd. The temperature's dropped, the days are getting shorter, and quickly and surely, the leaves in most trees will dry out, starting to fall and cover the paths and ground all around Miracle Country.

Moreover, this time around they seem a very insistent red color, rather than the usual mix of browns you'd expect from such a view. The reason for it should be obvious by Sunday, when a blood moon joins in to add to the tints of red everywhere, as once it's passed, the landscape will slowly change into the more usual one for the time of the year.

Until then, enjoy the view.]

[It's late at night, probably time for everyone to call it a day and head off to bed. Nothing too unusual. In fact, even those who usually stay up late might feel the need to get a good night of sleep today, so it'll make for a quiet night everywhere...

Only after a couple of hours, they might realize there was some movement, possibly even wake up from it if they're light sleepers. Surprise! You're not alone, if you went to sleep on your own. Or you're not with the person you were sharing with, if you were already accompanied. Hell, it might not even look like it's your bed you're sleeping in - beds all over the hotels will have changed, to fancier ones at times, other times to smaller, more cramped ones, maybe even just sleeping bags. You could even find yourselves in one of the many locations outside, on a hammock, or a more elaborated set-up, even inside a bubble of sorts.

Whichever the switch is, you'll have to learn to embrace it for a while (or embrace your new bed partner, we don't judge here), because it'll be impossible to get away for at least some time after the change. Not only that, but the switching around isn't limited to the one night. Lasting for the weekend, the general sleepy feeling will come back again (sometimes during the day, as well) and provoke random naps from people... who might end up in a bed with other victims yet again.

At least Miracle Country worries about hurt sensibilities, so of course if your character might lean towards lighter clothing while sleeping (or none at all - again, we don't judge), the magic of the world shall provide them with cute, warm pyjamas to wear once the switch has happened. Even if it happens during the day, they wouldn't want anyone to be uncomfortable. Of course, should they find themselves ending up wearing something less appropriate, that's just their bad luck.]

[[Replay of the bed sharing event! Mingle as you'd like. The plotting post for it can be found here.]]

He needs his shield. It is an extension of himself. The longer this goes on the more Steve has to acknowledge that this could be real. This could be an actual place where Bucky is both alive and well. In that instance, he needs to be prepared to protect him and everyone else residing here. The way to get it is surprisingly simple. All he has to do is promote the park and get three adults to have some fun there. The trouble was he was fighting with the only adult he actually had any history with. He has to rely on the kindness of strangers on this one. Maybe he'll be better off for it.

Regardless, Steve uses some of the money he converted into yen recently to get some decent poster paper and colored pencils. He draws up some fairly realistic sights from the park along with some information on other attractions at the park and posts them around. In case you are wondering yes he is hesitant to write in the journal despite how much easier it would be.

Once the job is done, he heads out to the island and essentially waits for someone to come along. He is going to convince you to play here even if he has to join you. Steve is kind of stubborn that way. Eventually he does crack on his journal stance and hesitantly draw up images from the park sans people into it and waits to see if anyone actually does respond.


((ooc; Will match writing style accordingly! Also be aware Steve may have a bit of a learning curve with the journals and likely will keep updating his with drawings. This may even include people eventually! It will all be unfiltered and text based for the time being.))

[If today you're walking by the entrance path to the forests, you'll see that there's some Usyagi creeping around, their eerie little giggles easily distinguishable in the quietness of the place. What are they up to? One of the nearest huts has been refurbished, and is now surrounded by a fence, one which extends further and marks a larger area around the hut. Why a fence? Well, to keep something inside of course!

... Except what needs to be kept there is currently not in that area. Nasir and Agron have approached the Usyagi earlier (well, more like Nasir did and Agron loomed in the background. Either way...) and inquired them about anything similar to farming grounds. After some confusing chatter with them, this is what they were given, their own little spot to raise some animals, in exchange for caring for them and selling whatever they produce. Only they couldn't be bothered to place the animals they were given (some chickens, and a couple of goats) in that specific place, so now they're running loose until they're recaptured and guided over there.

So if you run into a chicken today, or find a goat chewing on your window's curtains, or wonder why there's a rooster chillin' out under the sakura tree, well, that's why. Perhaps you'd like to lend them a hand, if you find out about the situation.]

[[Nagron shenanigans, as promised! They can be found here and here, otherwise feel free to use this as a mingle post! Having shenanigans with their new pets among yourselves is just fine, too.]]

[In the past days, surely you've had a chance to see Aramis had been a lot happier than the lousy mood he'd sunk into since the 4th wall visitors arrived. Even if you didn't yet know him, it would've been easy to realize he was cheerful and happy to meet their guests at the party he helped set up.

Since then, he's been suspiciously quiet, mostly remaining in what was Anne's and his son's room, because he's found out they're both missing. Of course, people come and go from this world very often, so he set out to wait for them... But it's been a few days with no sign of them returning, and with any moment that passes by, his hope for their quick return is disappearing.]

[Today his journal turns on to show a brief video of him sitting in that same room, some food left out for him abandoned nearby. He's curled up, one hand fidgeting with the cross he always wears, looking moody and uncharacteristically subdued.]

[[Baby angst post! It needed a catchy name. Aramis will be HERE if you want to thread with him, as Anne will also later return in this same post. ETA: She's here.]]

[So it’s that time again. Anyone who was around last year might remember that it’s a certain someone’s birthday today! And like last year, a Porthos Party basically just means lots of drinking, lots of carrying on, shenanigans, card games, shouting, more drinking, more carrying on, more drinking…

The entire beach has been commandeered for this. Aramis has even set up some things to make it obvious it's a party going on. There might even be a few stray balloons floating around (or a few broken balloons since inevitably they're going to be shot at).

You’ve probably been invited. Or maybe you’re party-crashing. Honestly, Porthos isn’t about to complain. And no presents necessary (although if you wanted to bring something more to drink, he won’t complain, either).

Trying to ignore the party? Good luck, cause it’s lasting all day and well into the night. And just getting progressively louder and louder. Are those gunshots?

But not totally dissimilar to last year, it seems this world wants to get into the celebrations, too! So during the party, you might suddenly find yourself in a whole new outfit that you weren’t expecting! Maybe that new costume will start to influence your behavior, too…]



[ooc: this is an open log and feel free to jump in however you’d like. If you’d like to interact with Porthos specifically, his top comment is here. Otherwise, mingle as you see fit! Also note that the event replay is not mandatory.]