+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

[Days with dragons have hardly made the nights easier – the strange way the dragons’ eyes glow from the shadows, the way the fog rolls in at the night, the sound of far cries from the dragons as they fly just beyond sight, that deep grumbling from the sleeping Alpha Dragon, the way it just steadily grows colder and colder as the night progresses.

This night is no different. It starts with a sunset, blazing and bright, the shadows stretching long and lingering. And once it’s gone, dusk passing, the night creeps in. The fog grows thick and those sounds come again. Dragons rustling, dragons calling, the nocturnal dragons large and difficult to spot – never seen during the day and seeming so strange, perhaps a little less friendly than the ones who come out during the day.

The air grows colder still, so it might be a good idea to collect wood for a large fire, to find a place to stay warm and safe. Or maybe you’re feeling adventurous. Maybe you need water. Maybe you need to find something fun to do, just for the sake of doing it. Maybe you’ve lost your way as the day draws to an end and you’re desperate to get back.]

[Miracle Country has once again changed, the entire island shifting overnight into an archipelago. There’s a scattering of far-flung islands, but you’ll find yourself at the very center of it all – and it’s not just you there. Oh no – this is a world populated by dragons. You’ve found yourself in the Alpha Dragon’s nest. There are dragons that fly, some land dragons, and some dragons that primarily stay in the water – and they are everywhere. There are flocks of dragons everywhere you look. Large dragons, small dragons, nocturnal dragons, diurnal dragons, two-headed dragons, dragons the size of your palm, dragons that breathe fire, ice-breathing dragons, camouflaged dragons, feathered dragons, and baby dragons that just act silly.

What used to be the hotels is now a series of caves - you'll be able to find your old rooms in there, although they're a bit more basic now - no such thing as electronics available (not that you'd need them with nowhere to plug them in), no kitchens, but everything else remains. Clothes, beds, even a small bathroom. The maze-like nature of the caves means the rooms might be a little harder to find this time around, and you could end up choosing to just crash with someone else if it gets too late. They're cold, as well, being inside a giant ice-fortress, so find ways to keep the place warm!

There are also other sorts of rooms, of course, some empty and some with supplies like weapons or staple food, some with a few seats and cushions where you can gather around, build a fire, and risk having a flock of dragons come chill with you a little less, if it happens to bother you. The caves are all rather cold and dark for the most part, and within them are many maze-like turns and corners and passageways, so it’s easy to get lost, especially since many of the caves open up to strange and new locations. Plenty of things to explore – and plenty of ways to be separated from others.

And at the very center of it all is a large structure of ice, that juts up and forms into the shape of a large, winged egg. Within this egg is the dragons’ nest – one corner of this structure has a large sakura tree that the dragons love to sleep in or fly around. At the other end is the Alpha Dragon itself – the largest dragon in creation, white and pink and spending most of its time sleeping. And at the very center of a large expanse of water is a little island with the only source of fresh water – a reservoir. Surrounded by saltwater for miles around, the dragons have no trouble reaching it – but you might.

The best way to travel is by dragons, of course. But for those of you who can’t fly too well, walking isn’t really an option. But don’t worry, there are a series of bridges that fall and crumble and rotate around. You’ll never walk the same bridge twice. They’re reliable enough, so long as they don’t start to move while you’re on them. If you don’t trust the bridges, there’s always the option of climbing through the maze-like caves… but try not to get lost.

Why are the dragons approaching you now? They need your help. The Alpha Dragon is sick – and he’s the reason all the other dragons are here and safe.

You’re here one reason: to help the dragons. There are smaller dragons, but also larger dragons, but don’t worry they’re not as scary as they look. In fact, it’s possible to tame or bond with them. Of course, that’s based on how well you get along with animals, mystical or otherwise, in general – not great with pets? Probably not going to be too great with dragons, either.


((Have a dragons event! Further info & FAQ can be found HERE))

[It's just a shot of the ceiling, too ordinary to give any clue as to where exactly in Kiseki we're getting a peek into. Probably boring, too, with everything silent unless you're listening carefully and start to hear the recorded breathing of two people out of the shot. They're distant, each breath labored, waiting during what seems like a heavy pause.

No need to strain for long, though -- almost too suddenly, it starts again, the silence turning into shouts and quick steps and the unmistakable echo of hand-to-hand combat. The pacing is fast and aggressive, neither person shown thanks to the angle the journal's at, and even their voices are still muffled and hard to make out entirely.]

So, this all you got?

[Hah.] Don't count me out yet.

[That's all there is. Legs sweeping around and kicking or an arm making for a grab, a shoulder bobbing in or out of the way... Each time's almost-but-not-quite making it to the camera's full view before there's only the ceiling again. Soon there's a loud thud, just as one of the two ends up flipped over and thrown on his back on the ground, this time much closer to the journal. A mess of white hair is visible a bit out of focus, while Art gasps for air, makes an effort to lift his head.]

This is what you get, for takin’ it so easy on me. [Bucky’s voice grows clearer, now, as he continues with exasperation.] It ain’t because of my shoulder, is it? Cause I’m pretty sure I told you it’s fine. But since you didn’t wanna believe me, I guess this is what you de--

[Bucky almost comes into view entirely then, as he walks closer to where Art is, but the moment is too brief. His words cut off as he disappears down in a sudden motion, just as Art very much takes the opportunity of his approach to sweep his legs out from under him and in one smooth move get over him and pin him.]

Yield? [He sounds calm, easy, but also downright smug. Hi.] That was careless of you.

... Damn.

[And with that one word that’s as much impressed as it is admiring, the journal cuts off.]

[ooc | joint post with Bucky and Art! responses will come from both unless specified and all the usual.]

[If you've gone to school today, either as a student, teacher or visitor, it's likely you've run into David, who's requested a little help. The idea is simple: keep Snow occupied for a while, so she won't come out of the building or look outside until he's finished with a few things.]

[By midday, it'll be clear what it was. The tables outside of the school have all been set as if for a fancy kind of picnic, with pretty tableclothes and all sorts of flowers picked from the forest and gardens. And, yes, food, in the form of a large picnic basket and other bags with snacks and other things for anyone who'd like to join in.]

[As to why, well, Snow was almost all on her own and upset for far too long, and it's about time she gets pampered a little.]

[[Tiny mingle! David will be HERE but feel free to thread among yourselves and abuse the post as needed o/]]

[Time to deal with Kiseki's menacing creatures again! Except this time, they might not be so menacing. The lake and river are a little more lively than usual, as the fish population in them has increased overnight. Some of them aren't even freshwater fish, so what are they doing there? Not waiting to attack anybody, no.

All along the park and the river banks, there are fishing rods and other tools set up, as well as anything you'd need to get a fire going, and grill your food... You get the point, I'm sure. Whether you want to have an outdoors lunch of freshly caught fish, or wish to stock up on them for later, or even want to try and keep one of them as a pet, it's clear today is meant to be spent by the water. Just in case, the Usyagi will notify anyone who's missing out on the fish gutting fun, so no worries there.

To the delight of certain questionable residents, there's a bonus brought by the presence of the fish... Most of Kiseki's roaming stray cats will be drawn to the river and lake, either to catch their own meal or to steal some from the people around. So if you're not much of a fishing person, or can't cook at all, you could still hang out with them.]

P'kyuu?

[This is the image that will greet you if you answer the journal's calling about a new entry tonight. Ao has found Shinah's journal, and she's evidently considered as close enough to Shinah himself to be allowed to use it... Which means she managed to turn the video function on while nibbling on it.]

[Behind Ao's curious face, however, there's some commotion in Yona's room. Apparently Shinah & co. are caught up in some kind of argument, or maybe just being ridiculous, or, quite possibly, both. Shinah himself, dressed in fluffy moon-patterned pyjamas, is trying to get outside through a window, while Yona holds to his arm and refuses to allow such a thing. The others, some also with sleeping clothes on, are engaged in an enthusiastic discussion the journal can't easily catch...

Perhaps it'd be easier to simply walk by the open hotel room, and try to overhear what they're all saying.]

[[Open log! Interact with Yona and her dragons, or do your own thing! And yes, you can reply to Ao on the journal too, and have the most ridiculous thread. The HHB be here: Yona | Shinah | Zeno | Jaeha | Kija ]]

[It’s been a long week, what with the monsters and the new powers to adjust to, and now there is an eclipse occurring – the sun and the moon meeting in the sky and blocking each other out so that you can only see stars in the sky, and the ring of the eclipse.

And to celebrate the end of a long week, you and everyone you know are cordially invited to attend an eclipse ball! You’ll just suddenly appear at the ballroom, as if by magic! You’ll be dressed for the occasion, of course, and given a mask for the masquerade ball – either with a sun or moon theme to them to fit the style of the last week.

There might still be a few monsters lingering in the garden, but for the most part you’re just urged to enjoy music and food and dancing. That same urge you once felt towards your opposite type, either attraction or repulsion, will still remain – and it might manifest itself in the need to dance or the need to get away for some fresh air. The ballroom will be darker, with little lights & lanterns floating throughout, just like stars, to guide your way.

And as the night continues, you’ll feel your powers slowly starting to seep away – rejoining the sun and the moon in the sky and leaving you as you were before. As the night passes and the morning comes, the eclipse will pass and the sun will rise just as before – and you will all be returned to normal.]

[Something strange is happening in Miracle Country. For the next week… strange creatures and monsters will begin to appear all over the islands. They seem to have originally started in the forest, but the barriers have dropped, and the creatures are exploring wherever they can find. These creatures come in a variety of different forms and will attack indiscriminately. But they seem to be divided into two types: lunar powers and solar powers.

How convenient, then, that you seem to have gone through a transformation, too. Suddenly, you possess powers based on the sun or the moon. You’ve been granted with brand new powers, either defensive-based or offensive-based. You might have any power you can imagine up, or something based off what suits your personality best. To mark the transformation, you’ll find yourself wearing an outfit that reflects your new powers, or you’ll be marked with an earring or a necklace or some sort to indicate whether you’re sun or moon.

But be warned, you’re stronger against the opposite of your own power: if you have solar powers, you’re better off fighting a lunar monster, and vice versa. It’s possible to fight your own type, but it’s difficult. Don’t worry, though. Sometimes the monsters fight out in the open, where you can get away easily and search for help, or take them down with minimal effort. The stronger creatures, though, the stronger monsters who seem to appear more and more often as the week progresses, they’ll only appear to you if you make a wrong step into a kekkai, a magical barrier set up to keep you and the monster in. Sound scary? Don’t be too worried – the kekkai going up is something like a resounding cry to the other powers that might be nearby. If you stumble into a sun kekkai, your friends with their own moon powers will feel it calling to them, and come to assist you.

As time goes on, it’ll be clear that the two sides are responding to each other. You’re drawn to the opposite type. There’s a mutual calling, a pulling and a drawing between one another. A lunar power will always feel drawn to a solar power. A solar power will always feel drawn to a lunar power. Working together makes you stronger. But it will also drain you faster – even if it’s someone you know and care about, being too close to them for too long might make you start to feel uncomfortable, drained and ill, or even unsettled.

It’s best to stay strong. And you will start to feel depleted. The best way to do that is to walk under your own power source: solar powers will always feel stronger during the day and lunar powers will always feel stronger during the night. Being under direct sunlight and moonlight will recharge you, so it’s best not to stay inside. Especially because not even the hotels are safe. It’s rare, but kekkais have been known to catch you and others even in the hotel. The creatures will become more bold as the week progresses, seeming to seek you out. Are you feeling tired? They’ll know and they’ll exploit your weakness.

Better to stay on guard, stay strong, and stay together no matter where you are.]

[The video happens outdoors. There's a blond boy who you might not have seen before, surrounded by a couple of Usyagi as he pets them happily. He seems relaxed. He's actually waiting for someone to find him, his soul and presence is reaching out to three people in particular. You can't tell that by the video, of course.

They'll find him. This time he's letting them get to him first. They never got to search for him formally anyway, so it's fine. But just in case, it's good to have a backup plan since he's starting to get hungry. He stops playing with the bunnies with one hand, and waves at his journal.]

Hello, hello~! Where can I get some food? Or is it hard to find?

Hey, Happy Hungry Bunch, Zeno is here! I can feel Hakuryuu and Seiryuu and Ryokuryuu, so come find me.

[A man with a green ponytail here is very bothered by being stalked by a book, though he can only be seen from behind.] I've seen many things in my life, but that's definitely a first. Somebody, please tell me that I am dreaming. I'm not seeing that right, am I? What's up with that?

[A few steps later, he sighs.] Okay, this has gone far enough now.

[He turns around, his face now visible.]

Alright, I know I'm extraordinarily beautiful, but that is no reason to follow me around like that. I don't appreciate being pursued, okay? Try another tactic.

[Then, in a smaller voice, as if he is talking to himself.] I can't believe I am saying that to a book.

[A few steps later, Jaeha becomes a bit more frustrated, even if it is not exactly visible on his face.] Hey, you still haven't stopped it. Just what kind of book is that?

[He jumps, leaping right into the sky.]

Hehe, I told you, I don't like being followed around! Give up! [... though he'll learn his escape won't be too successful.]