+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

[There's a short video recording in Merlin's journal, showing him in one of the common rooms underground, snoring softly as he sleeps awkwardly bent over an open book, a few others piled up next to him.]

[After the recent flood, things have somewhat settled down. Or, at least, the water has.

It seems as though it's been forever since the change, at least looks-wise; the old buildings now buried underwater have been corroded and invaded by corals and other marine life. If you dive deep in, you might even start finding treasure here and there - not just the old abandoned items in the hotels and shops, but things like weapons or even gold. Banks of fish are swimming around at ease, their number increasing more and more (and of course the areas where the forests are now submerged home much more dangerous sea creatures). And near the area where the beach was, a gentle, massive manatee-like creature will be found, ready to carry people around, be fed vegetables or simply be happy to play around in the water.

The vegetation is thriving, embracing the change, trees growing all around buried buildings, those which hold the tree houses seeming sturdier, their tops getting thicker and thicker leaves, almost camouflaging the houses from view, but at the same time making it easier to travel above the land, as branches from different trees connect to each other.

The rafts are still around for anyone's use, and during the night, fireflies will show up all over Kiseki to help illuminate the way of anyone still awake.]

This Saturday night, when it’s quiet enough and nothing around you is moving, as the night progresses and you look up at the sky, you see that the moon is, slowly, turning red and then fading from sight – an eclipse, blocking out the moon entirely.

Along with this eclipse, you might begin to hear the steady drip-drip-drip of moving water. Quiet at first, just a few drips and drops, like rainfall or a faucet that forgot to be turned off. And then the sound of water grows louder, and louder, and suddenly the ground feels a little wet. And steadily, as the night fades into morning, the water just keeps on rising, flooding everything. It starts ankle-deep but it slowly begins to rise, inch by inch. There’s no use going for higher ground, though, because the water just keeps on rising.

Soon, as the day progresses, everything is underwater. The buildings crumble down due to sudden erosion, and the entire island is covered. Plants, trees, grass, walkways, hotels… it’s all gone, beneath the water. There are parts, throughout the island, where the water is shallow enough to stand in, so don’t fear drowning. There are other parts, though, that are deep as can be – and if you peer down into the water deep enough, you can see the ruins of lost ships and lost cities, and if you peer even deeper, you’ll see the underwater caves, settled down beneath coral reefs and underwater vents.

There are pockets of dry land, only large enough to hold a few people at once – but fear not, for it is dry land. But don’t be surprised if it suddenly disappears beneath the water and resurfaces elsewhere throughout the day or night. But it isn’t your only means to get out of swimming: there will be rafts floating throughout the watery paradise, and when it comes to sleeping and eating – there are large trees growing high from the water, with tree-houses for your convenience.

Afraid of going under the water? Anyone who braves the deep dives will find that they can hold their breath for much longer than they thought. It might also seem like they’re basically breathing under water. But certainly it makes exploring all the things under the water much easier.

[Tonight, after an uneventful, peaceful day, it'll be the perfect moment to sleep and relax and get ready for another morning in Kiseki.

Except not, because apparently someone doesn't want people to be able to sleep. Late into the night, coming out of various places around the hotels and outside of them there will be a probably familiar sound. If you bother to look it up, you'll find cuckoo toys hiding in cupboards, under beds, on top of shelves, and so on. These will not only do the usual cry, but carry a sign around their necks saying feed me.

If ignored for long, their crying will only get louder and louder. Can you simply destroy these? Absolutely, but only to be replaced by others eventually. So the solution is, obviously, to feed them!

What do they like? It depends. Some of them will take any kind of edible food, others might be pickier and want specific things - sweets, or vegetables, and so on. How insufferable or not your little bird toy is, is up to the players. And yes, the toy will physically eat the food given to them, although they won't be too responsive beyond that. Once full, the bird toy will close its eyes and seemingly fall asleep.

And more importantly, it will shut up.]

[Anyone who regularly passes through the area opposite to the shopping district might notice that there's a new building, near the library. Small, and would-be-unremarkable except for the fact that it's entirely painted in soft pink colors, it has a sign up above its door, with little wings on each side.

"Sheriff's Office".]

[If you're spending the day out and about today, and suddenly reach for your wallet/purse/bag/whatever -- you might find that it's suddenly gone. If you look around quickly enough, you might see a little boy running off with your things. And he can move pretty damn fast, so good luck catching him when he ducks away into small places.]

[Having suddenly arrived in a new place that is most decidedly not the Court of Miracles, a young Porthos is doing what any sensible little boy would -- stealing money and hiding. So he might be difficult to spot, but, anyone walking around the shopping district today or the park will find him hiding and ducked out of sight, putting on a brave face but... most assuredly scared.]

[During the evening, everyone with a bit of magic in them will feel a loss, that something - someone - is missing. Watanuki has gone home, his shop now entirely left to Rumpel, except there are small packages laid out on the porch, in a neat row, each bearing a name on them. The names belong to those who have, at any point, approached Watanuki for a wish: Yuuki, Jamie... and of course, even though he has no way to pay the price of gifts now, Himawari and Doumeki.

But even if you don't go anywhere near the shop tonight, you will see black butterflies flying in the darkness, dissolving into nothing if you try to touch them.]

[[OOC: With Watanuki gone, feel free to make up a wish if you want your character to have received something! The mentioned packages contain more blood tablets for Yuuki, spider's web for Jamie, a glass necklace with a miniature sunflower inside it for Hima, and a bottle of sake and a plate of fried shrimp for Dou. Feel free to use this post for general mingling! ♥]]

[Rose can be seen sitting by a bench at Sakura Park with the tree behind her. She's really just taking a minute or two to catch her breath as she's been doing a bit more exploring today. She's unaware of the small thought bubble looming above her head projecting a cafe and tea.]

Maybe some tea later would be nice.

[ooc: She's going through the thoughts bubble event, feel free to bug her. :D]

[Ucchii starts his video with a formal bow, but when he raises his head he's grinning from ear to ear.]

I have just finished calculating based on the modern calendar and have come to the realization that today is the anniversary of my birth. However, much has changed since the Sengoku Period, and I do not know the first thing about birthdays in the modern age. Does anyone have any advice for how I should celebrate? If possible I would like to make it fun for as many people here as I am able, so any ideas that would accommodate others would be very much appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

[He bows again and then ends the video to go bug Daigo to take him out for ice cream.]

[Today is a beautiful day in Miracle Country! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and all around there’s an encouragement to get outside and enjoy the idyllic spring day.

And in a world that seems to emphasize walking everywhere, or magical train-travel, it seems it's time for your character to get geared up for a change: characters might be surprised to find that, suddenly, Miracle Country has bikes! Any kind of bicycle you can imagine is suddenly there, a personal gift for Miracle Country residents: road bikes, tandem bikes, tricycles, unicycles, there’s even a few penny-farthing bikes rolling around.

Seize your perfect bike today, because after today, your character will have to purchase a bike at the bike shop if they want a ride.

And throughout Miracle Country, there are bike racks to park your bike, helmets, bike trailers for babies or small kids, and various other bike shenanigans to help personalize your bike. And in the park, it seems there are more little paths to explore with your bicycle.

Why bicycles, you wonder? Whatever, just roll with it.]