+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

[This new world is holding up. With the warriors fighting the monsters attacking, and the priests and priestesses giving their own power to heal the sakura, the crumbling world recovered enough so that it would not collapse entirely. The sky cleared up a bit, the buildings are now staying in place... It's tiring, though. Battle after battle, the loss of energy, people's blood being spilt. You should be able to tell by now, you won't manage to hold on forever. Something has to change. Something has to give in.

When the ground shakes, and the largest creatures so far make their appearance, it feels like the answer - they're heading straight to the biggest tree in the middle of it all. Grab your weapons, or be ready to give up your life energy, and meet them there, hopefully for the last time. It won't be the only thing to change. In the middle of the battle, and with the help of those able to aid it, the central tree's power will grow stronger, and stronger, until it overflows, its magic too large for it to contain. The tree will break, releasing a darkness that will trap everyone, swallow them into the tree itself...

... And then you'll wake up. The fighting is over, things are silent now, and you'll find yourselves in beds scattered across the usual Miracle Country, covered in sakura petals. For those who were injured, fighting or protecting the trees, they'll find that they've been bandaged up, the energy given up by others having acted as a price for the cure. Were you asleep for a while? You'll feel fine now, aside from the lingering injuries that will already start to heal faster than should be possible. You may get up, leave the beds, and look around. Everything looks normal - the tree is back at its usual place, strong and unmarked, in full bloom as always. The other trees are blooming just as pink for the day.

Don't think your efforts went unnoticed. The general peaceful atmosphere appears to make it easier to rest comfortably and heal, for those who need it. The clothes and weapons you used are now yours to keep, fixed up and good as new. The rooms at the hotel are all freshened up and sparkly clean, ready to receive their usual guests - you'll find fresh flowers set up near windows, nicer bedsheets and towels, and so on. There are picnic clothes and baskets set out around the islands, near the beds or the temporarily all-pink trees, where you can enjoy a meal with others, if you'd like. Even the Usyagi, usually distant and strange, seem cheerful today, floating around and giving away colorful balloons to people (and look around - if you get one that looks like it shines, you'll have a good dream that night).

Of course, it's April 1st! A day for celebration in this world. Welcome back.]

[[Our Sacred Sakura event ends! Happy CLAMP day!!]]

[Things seem more settled now – the last few days peaceful enough, save for the monsters on the other side of the barrier. It’s a peaceful enough night now, the stars out, the moon shining low over the sakura.

Except, something feels off. Maybe you’ve felt it the last few days: the monsters are stronger. Or, the barrier is weaker. Or maybe it’s a mixture of both. Those monsters that have broken past the barrier don’t seem to be aiming for you – but then what are they aiming for?

In the meantime, the sakuras are fading away. Perhaps it’s subtle enough to miss at first, but some of the smaller ones nearer the barrier are fading out, the petals turning bone-white. The largest sakura at the center of the city is still pink, but it’s clearly fading in color.

And all around you, things are crumbling. The river is flowing a little sluggishly, with less fish than before. The crops in the field are starting to rot from the roots outward. The buildings around you are starting to crumble.

It’s not an entire disaster, though. Those basic weapons you had at the start? They’re evolving, too – and at least they aren’t crumbling around you like everything else. No, the more monsters you destroy, the sturdier your weapons are.

But what about those who weren’t given a weapon? Now that the monster attacks are growing stronger, the barrier growing weaker, it might become clear to you that your skills are – not helpful against fighting the monsters. In fact, anything you try to do is just useless against them.

But those without weapons – perhaps you’re starting to feel what your place in all this is. As a priest or priestess to the sakura, you’re responsible for protecting them – so even if you don’t have the sword, you can always be the shield: protect the trees, at all costs, or else all is lost. The sakura need to be protected.

The monster attacks are increasing, the sakura are losing their color, the world around you is crumbling, and the clear, calm nights are slowly slipping away – are those thunderclouds in the distance? Whatever’s happening, might be best to figure it out quickly.]

[On this fine afternoon, the residents of the hotel will find a notice board right outside the hotel, and written in large block-letters, it reads the following:]



[Stiles has been hard at work -- there are many things he would love to learn about different places, especially everything he can use to add to the bestiary he has been compiling... and dragons seems like a good place to start.

So mark down your answer in the right column, read what others have already written down, maybe add in your own two cents about what you think of dragons or what their role is in your world, or just shake your head at this if you see no point to the whole thing. The word is, after all, free.]

( ooc: this is a mingle log so use it to your heart's content!! stiles will be hanging around and reading the responses every few hours, he has a top level HERE where you can approach him about this whole thing if you're so inclined. )

Toooooooh~

[Anyone walking by Sakura park today has likely noticed the unfamiliar bird calls echoing around it. If they try to ignore the noise, they might find a golden bird with long, trailing feathers, swooping down in front of them, landing on nearby branches and just generally trying to get their attention. Once he has it, he'll somehow give the strange impression that they should be following him and starts flying towards the river.]

Kiiiiiiiiiii~

[Eventually the bird will lead your character towards a spot not far away from the river's edge. There the Supreme Kai of Time is sat crosslegged on a rug with a crystal ball placed on her lap. She smiles and waves over anyone passing by (lead by the bird or not) and the bird lands gracefully on top of a wooden sign, feather beard nearly blocking the Free Fortune Telling written on it.]

Hello~! Come on over here, you!

[ooc; This is a log for Time's regain of Tokitoki! She needs to tell five people their fortunes- but she can't actually do that so she'll be cheating. Let me know if you want a silly fake fortune, a more serious one based off guesswork, or one based off mindreading.]

[If you don't happen to walk by these two while they hang out near the fountain in the shopping district, Bull sitting down with Dorian draped across his lap as he usually does, maybe you're watching the journal record a video of it. At first it seems they're having a vaguely serious sort of chat. The journal’s started to record about halfway through Bull’s response, and he’s clearly very excited about whatever it is he’s talking about – he’s grinning and petting through Dorian’s hair, looking completely relaxed]
( And then there's chatter )

[[... Silliness. Let us know if you want one or the other, or both, in the tags!]]

[As many are surely aware, it is once more time for the sappy to rejoice and the cynics to huff! That's right, be ready for syrup and disgusted noises, it's Valentine's Day! With Miracle Country being the land of sparkles and pink, of course we're having some special activities, aside from the usual themed decorations you'll be able to see everywhere. EVERYWHERE there is no escape.

During the day, you'll all find there's a large, very pink tent set out at the Sakura Park, surrounding its namesake's tree. Inside it, you'll be able to find many different stations set out. Some are full of different stationery items, the perfect place to make your own ridiculous and sparkly Valentine's card. There're others for various other stereotypical projects - one for creating your own hand-made teddy bear, one for floral arrangements, even a place to prepare your own chocolates or other appropriate candy. Now you're all set for making a customized, hand-made gift! Or a complete disaster, depending on your skills. Maybe ask around for some help, if you're having trouble.

Should you not wish to engage in the crafts and arts activities set for you, perhaps the evening's plans will seem more appealing! As our cute Usyagi will make sure to inform everyone (they're harder to miss today, as they're all dressed like little bunny cupids), there'll be a ballroom dance at the usual place in the Garden Islands. The bridges and paths leading to it will all be blooming with white, pink and red roses, and once there (because you chose to go, or maybe Kiseki simply dropped you there. We like the illusion of free will, but let's not get too crazy here), you'll find a simple, romantic set up - tables with food and drinks, plenty of space for dancing, slow music...

But of course, what would be the fun of it, without a little magic? Throughout the day, and more noticeably during this night dance, people might notice something odd is happening when they come close to each other. The atmosphere around them, the scents in the air, even their surroundings, might all change, to represent the bond they share together. So maybe Aramis and Porthos will smell gunpowder and melon and some distinct scent that's just them when they stand close together. If Merlin and Freya are outside in the park or gardens, strawberries will grow out of the plants surrounding them. If it's Yona and Shinah, they might feel like lights are brighter around them, or hear the chime of bells.

So be ready for a busy day, get your hands dirty (however you'd like to interpret that, we suppose), take the chance to show off your prettiest clothes, and enjoy yourselves! If anything, celebrate that for once, nothing is trying to kill you, wipe your memories, or embarrass you endlessly. It probably won't last long.]

[Despite the many complaints about it, it's still winter. Now that the world isn't changing things around nor causing a blizzard, why not take advantage of the cold to have a little fun?

With a little help from certain resident wizards, and the intention of cheering up a certain shinki, the lake's been polished for use as a skating ring, and David & Snow are setting out ice-skates in various sizes (left over from previous, more dramatic ice-related shenanigans) for anyone who'd like to give it a try. If twirling around on ice isn't really your thing, there'll surely be some who engage in snowball fights instead, or play other games in the snow.

Maybe you simply want to watch the others, or end up being curious about what's going on and just come over to chat - there'll be plenty of the Charmings family's trademark hot cocoa with cinnammon for anyone who'd like some, regardless. You might want to watch out for Snow trying to fuss over your clothes not looking warm enough, though, don't think she won't try and shove an extra sweater or scarf your way.]

[[Charming house mingle! Hit up the residents of their home while they do various things, or play out your own threads among yourselves.]]

[Ah, jealousy. Who hasn't felt jealous once in a while? If your answer is never, I'm so confident and secure, well, today's your lucky day. Or everyone else's unlucky days, however you'd like to see it. While people go around doing their usual thing, they'll occasionally feel jealous - it's that simple. It can range from small, little bursts of it to a more complicated situation.

Does it feel like your best friend is ignoring you? Or maybe you can't stand watching them talk to someone else? Are you suddenly convinced they're going to ditch you forever, and must clearly be showing this by deciding they won't stick by your side at all hours of the day, maybe even dared to act friendly to others?

Perhaps you're jealous other people are paying attention to them, rather than you. Or feel jealous about things others have, maybe driving you to more questionable methods of obtaining them for yourself. Perhaps you're feeling particularly possessive of your significant other, or upset thinking of all the times they obviously were flirting with that one person they usually interact with.

Maybe you're already usually a jealous person, and then you'll either notice nothing different, or become fully melodramatic and ridiculous at the smallest things. ... Or you're the poor bastard who isn't affected by any of this, and is tired of people making a scene at them. Well, before you start considering giving out sleeping pills or shaking your partner for a while out of sheer frustration, keep in mind that while the unjustified jealousy can easily come up for a couple of days ahead, it should wear off after a short while. It'll simply be a matter of putting up with it, and... maybe try to suggest no one challenges anyone else to a duel, or takes other extreme measures, until a few hours have passed.]

[The eclipse is now fully over, and it's time to return to the usual routine... and hey, what better way to clear your head from a series of bad dreams than with some exercise? If anyone mentions being hit with sticks, don't listen to them.

It so happens that today you'll have a perfect chance for this. Where the (momentarily) half-empty bike shop was, now you'll notice a whole lot more activity. The place was refurbished, and a weapons shop has been added to it. Perhaps because of the empty storage place, or because the current owner is somewhat responsible... In any case, passing by the store will likely catch your attention: if it isn't the impressive sword collection currently on display (and don't bother trying to grab them or steal them, they're all carefully protected with magic), or the actual (less impressive, surely) swords, bows, arrows and other items on sale, it'll be the noise: now and then you'll hear a robotic-like voice repeating PARRY PARRY, THRUST over and over.

You might hear those outside of the shop, as well, since the opening of the new shop means it's a great chance to try out weapons and train a little, and so people are taking advantage of its closeness to the park, to have a special practice day. Whether you're a complete newbie to any sort of fighting technique, or an expert, surely there'll be someone who can match your skills, or teach you... or simply put up a bit of a show to impress you. We're not running out of show-offs, either.]


[[Training/shop log! Pearl can be found here, Neal is here, otherwise mingle as you'd like!]]

[Winter is finally here, and of course, it's holidays season as well. With the treehouses gone, Miracle Country will dress itself accordingly, with the Welcome Center, hotels, and other buildings getting snow-themed decorations, christmas lights, and other various things. You might notice that a few of the huts remain, here and there in the garden island and inside the forests - well, the usual cabins in the forest are a little cold for this season, aren't they?

In any case - it's a good time to check out the shopping district to get gifts, or ask about holiday traditions around the multiverse, should you be less familiar with some of them...

The one that's very likely to come up is mistletoe, as these little plants will be appearing along with the decorations; some perfectly harmless and normal, others the magical ones which some of our residents will be familiar with. These'll get people stuck under them until they fulfill one of these randomly-picked instructions, so have fun with that... or, as these could show up anywhere and are indestructible, maybe watch out for them and try to stay close to someone you trust, or even opt for hiding in your room. Don't forget, your handy journals can aid you in finding someone to get you unstuck. Afterall, no one wants to spend the holidays glued to one spot, right?]