+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

The day is finally here – the day that everyone has been waiting for after so long. It’s the day for the Meeting of the Realms, The Bridge Between Worlds finally open to all three worlds. For those who have never attended the meeting before, it is a formal affair, and many arrive to the Bridge in order to discuss these negotiations for peace. The main point of this meeting is for the rulers of the three realms to negotiate for peace and establish themselves this way – and these discussions will span over the course of days. The rulers and a small contingent of their closest advisors and strongest allies will accompany them for the official meeting, but the Bridge is open to all members of the realms who wish to attend and meet within that world.

It’s a formal affair, certainly, but also one of celebration – for many, this is the first time in centuries that a Bridge Meeting has even taken place, and being able to witness the temporary collapse of borders is one to be remembered. The last Bridge Meeting was short and brief, due to a collapse in negotiations – but many are hopeful that this time will be different. It’s a chance for everyone to come together on neutral ground and meet with the other worlds, exchange cultures and understandings – it is, after all, the overall hope to achieve peace and acceptance. What better way to do so than to truly get to know your world neighbors?

The world in which the Bridge resides is a small little bubble of a world in comparison to the expansiveness of the other three realms. To explore the entire world, it takes only a few hours’ trek across fields, around the lake the Bridge stretches across, or navigating the mountains. The world, though small, is mountainous, and the air is crisp, clear, and clean. The Bridge and its lake lies centered in what appears to be a valley, surrounded by mountains and beautiful sky.

The Bridge itself is an old-fashioned relic of past cultures long since lost, the remaining remnants of an era of peace and prosperity. It’s old, but sturdy. Korra and Aang, maintainers of this world, have done well to preserve it and prepare it for the many new arrivals to this tiny realm. They’ve taken all they’ve learned of the various worlds and incorporated it into this realm to make everyone feel as safe and welcome as possible – there are clusters of trees reminiscent of the Otherworld, the waters of the lake are the purest and cleanest outside of Heaven, and there’s even a fire pit similar to the one found in Hell.

The first day of the Meeting is taking place on the winter solstice – and it’s clear wherever you look, the entire world dusted with a layer of snow, and the clouds above threatening more at any moment. There is definitely more snow incoming. It’s chilled and crisp, so perhaps best to keep warm or stay warm with someone else.


[ooc: Again, if needed, check out info & plotting for this event in regards to what will go down during this meeting - and please keep your top levels to the appropriate subthreads.]

For centuries, the three worlds – Heaven, Hell, and the Otherworld – have been separated, often at war, sometimes in stilted tension waiting for the next war, but never, truly, in harmony. Thankfully, between the three worlds, there is a neutral ground – the Bridge Between Worlds. The purpose of the bridge is to be a connection point for all three worlds, in which peace treaties can be negotiated and signed on a neutral platform without having to invite potential enemies into one’s own realm.

For the first time in decades, the Bridge is being opened and the three worlds are meeting – and everyone is waiting in anticipation for that moment. The barriers between the worlds have slowly weakened over the years, making it easy for demons, otherworlders, and angels to drift between the worlds if they so choose (and some certainly have), when means of communication through magically-connected journals no longer seems enough. In addition to this, there have historically been long, grueling wars between the worlds that have only recently started to wane in intensity. With this weakening of the borders over the decades and the long war, the need to reach agreement between the worlds couldn’t be stronger, and sorting out those differences is goal number one.

… Or so it might seem. Because there are rumors that Hell isn’t as on board for peace as the other two worlds are. In fact, there are whispers that the Demon Queen has perhaps had her hand in disruptions. There’s no way to prove this, and certainly anyone to suggest as much would unleash another decade of war. Still, things are tentative and tenuous between the three worlds, and the success of the bridge meeting is imperative.

Still, such rumors give light to a truth – things are tense between the worlds, and not even the entire worlds are in agreement. There are rumors, too, that the two Otherworld rulers are in disagreement about how to proceed with respect to the other two worlds – one wishes for connection, the other for isolation.

And while things may seem good and peaceful in Heaven, perhaps not everything is as it seems there. Heaven is very powerful, and very populated – more and more angels are being born every day, and there are stirrings within the Otherworld and Hell wondering if Heaven is truly as good as it seems, if they aren’t planning some form of invasion themselves with their gathering numbers, their protection of their barriers, their secretive insistence on peace. Perhaps there’s something more selfish hidden behind the guise of kindness and compassion.

But things aren’t going smoothly already. With random attacks happening every day across the worlds, things are more and more uncertain – and there’s no telling what will happen at the bridge meeting, or even if everyone truly wants peace.

And it’s no good to go into negotiations feeling as if you’ve been pushed to be there, after all… The Bridge Meeting is only a few days away and, regardless of one’s position on it, there is a quiver of anticipation – the opportunity for peace or, perhaps, for the opportunity to meet others who have, until now, been separated from one another.


[ooc: Please check back with the info & plotting for the event if need be, and if you want a list of where everyone is, check this thread. Please note that this event is a full AU, meaning that your character has no knowledge of Miracle Country or any details from their old life. This post is purely for characters to interact within their world – the bridge will appear in a few days time with a new log; characters can move between worlds, but it’s difficult to do so at this time, emphasizing communication through journals or through messages sent through Korra & Aang, and interaction with one’s own co-worlders. Each of the three worlds has its own individual thread.]

[In the spirit of obnoxiously early holiday decorations, Kiseki is getting an early winter! That's right, days are shorter, nights are cold, and snow is starting to fall every day. The lake has yet to freeze over, but it's definitely not suitable for jumping in anymore (sorry, Haru), and the overall scenario is clearly fitting of the season, with most trees finally losing their last leaves (save for that one sakura exception, as usual). Even the native Kisekians are looking the part, now dressed for a colder climate.

Some of the shopping district areas have began to be decorated, even, while others might be offering sales on things like warmer clothes, thick blankets, or comfort foods such as cocoa. They might notice that many of these clothes have feather patterns on them, although for anyone who's spent a long time in Kiseki, feathered-themed things shouldn't seem too out of place...]

[Oddities aside, winter is here! Stock up on comfy socks, get your coziest blankets out, and start planning out awkward family dinners! You might not have a chance to do it later on, afterall.]

[Those who know Porthos well - loud and usually around throughout the day, doing homework or messing around in the park - might notice that he's suddenly just not around at all. Which is entirely unlike him, even when he mysteriously disappears for a while with Aramis. So, where is he? The answer becomes clear for anyone who might visit the garden island or look at their journals to watch the recording there, in which Porthos is clearly not on the main island at all.]

[Because oh look there's Porthos now, stumbling out of the maze in the center of the garden island - looking shaken, distracted, and bleeding from a cut on his forehead. There are other cuts and bruises all over him, it seems, as his shirt is being bled through in certain spots.]

[He's successfully completed the maze's contest/goal, and as a result, he's been given a prize! .............. A basket of bran muffins. Porthos moves to the basket, picking it up and frowning down at it.]

[And then he tosses it down turning away and moving back towards the maze's entrance. If he beat it once, he can beat it again, right? If only so it'll just... distract him. He doesn't want to be able to think. He doesn't want to do anything at all.]

[He wipes at his face - clearly just his forehead to rid himself of the blood, and he's definitely not wiping at his eyes, don't be ridiculous why would he be wiping at his eyes.]

[Of course he then takes note of his journal recording and fumbles with it with a low curse, trying to get the recording to stop, trying to get it to delete the recording already there because there's at least one person in particular he doesn't want seeing this.]

[But then a thought occurs to him and he laughs, completely without mirth. And just stops. Don't be ridiculous. He won't even see this. And so he just tosses the journal away, instead, and it skids towards the discarded basket.]

[He rolls his shoulder, flinching once, and then draws his sword again and walks into the maze, leaving his journal behind.]


[ooc: Of course, the journal will magically find its way back to him for anyone wanting to respond via journal. Action tags are welcome - and of course feel free to catch him when he's eventually making his way back towards the main island. Also this post is a bit closed off, but feel free to use it to your heart's content - no interaction with Porthos necessary]

[Anyone passing by the candy shop today or glancing at their journal will see Himawari outside the candy shop's front door, holding a little tray of little baskets, all full of little candy-coated chocolates, and sparkling at anyone who may be passing by]

Free samples! Today only - try our new recipes and flavors!

[Over the past seven years, this day has usually been one for melancholy or thoughtfulness, considering it marks another year in Kiseki, but this year, Himawari is determined to face it with more cheerfulness and happiness than previous years. Dare she even think maybe with a kind of hopefulness? Regardless, her good mood doesn't seem faked for once.]

Free samples for everyone today to mark the candy shop's anniversary! [It's not the exact day for the shop, of course, but she's long since forgotten the day she got the job here - or the day she inherited the shop from Kakei and Saiga. So today works as well as any]

The candy shop has been around for almost seven years now, so I just wanted to do my part to thank everyone for your continued support and business over the years - to both old and new customers. Thank you very much! Shizuka-kun, Lancelot-san, and I are all incredibly thankful!

And if you like the candies, please consider returning and buying all our different lines of candy!



[Of course, anyone who actually does take the candy samples from her will find themselves, a short time later, undergoing some strange side-effects, ones that no one might necessarily expect, least of all Himawari. Suddenly, her good mood (and lack of good luck) seems to be spreading to others around - and everyone's suddenly just a little bit lovestruck.]

[The effects of the candy will last for as long as half of an hour, or shorter. Your character will eat the candy and then fall in "love" with whoever they happen to see first upon eating that candy. For more information about the original event, go here. The candies being offered will be listed in the cut below.]

( ooc: candy colors & their type of love )

[Look at that calendar, dear Kiseki residents! Do you see what day is today? Do you?

Exactly

It's Harry Dresden's birthday! Yay!

It's such an important date that the land itself decided to throw a themed party for him, in which he's trapped and unable to leave before midnight. Therefore, starting at around 10 am, a big section of the park starts resembling Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!

That'd be the wrong wizard named Harry but who cares as long as the food is good, right?

We have, among other things, a Quidditch field with brooms that don't fly - unless except MAYBE if you ask an actual wizard to enchant them -, a TARDIS-sized Shrieking Shack, and a replica of the Great Hall where there are tables with lots of food and cake and more cake and the ceiling is just like the sky… No, wait. That is the actual sky.

Oh, oh. I guess it's Halloween too. Thus, some of the characters who wander inside the party zone may have their clothes changed to the Hogwarts house they'd be in if they were students. Even if they have never heard of anything Potter.]

((OOC: Everyone is welcome to the party! And welcome to mingle, of course =) You can give your good wishes to the birthday boy in his thread here))

[Today seemed as though it would be another quiet day in Miracle Country. Mild weather, a peaceful atmosphere, people probably had no idea anything would soon be wrong when they set off to work, school, or a day of goofing around.

Soon it'll be clear it won't be that simple. Creeping out from the forests and from within the lake or ocean, some creatures will set out to attack others. Becoming impossible to stop at the exact moment of this attack, these monsters will set out to steal something important to people: an ability they have, or an important personality trait, which will now take the form of a tangible, brightly glowing light.

The monsters don't seem to want them for themselves, however. They'll either sneak away quickly, and end up hiding what they took in some difficult place, or they'll challenge the owner - or anyone else who'd like to step up and fight - to a battle for the stolen traits or abilities.

If the creatures get away from you, either because they've gone off to hide your skill/trait or because the battle was lost somehow, the owner of what was lost will always be able to find their skill or trait eventually, as their presence will call back to them. Similarly, if they find someone else's lost skill or trait, they'll be able to know it's not their own. Perhaps they'll want to give it back, too, or maybe even keep it for themselves for a while? While they cannot absorb the abilities or traits themselves, it could be a good way to manipulate others or get a favor from them...]

[[Mingle for the lost traits event! Keep in mind the timing, since any new post opened until the 21st will be happening within the context of this event.]]

[The video opens on a young girl standing in what appears to be Sakura Park. Despite seeming calm, there's an air of anxiety around her.]

Hello.

[She seems a little unsure as to whether it's actually working or not. The ladies told her that she could make her own movers and send it to everyone with a journal. She reasoned that it's the fastest way to find help. So she launches right in and gets straight to the point.]

My name is Jinora and I'm new here. The ladies at the Welcome Center told me I could talk to other people using this journal, so I hope it works.

[A little of her anxiety shines through before she pulls herself back to the issue at hand.]

They couldn't answer some of my questions, but do you know if there's a way to find out if my friends and family are okay? This journal has a feature where I can broadcast my voice, like a radio. Is there a way to send this signal outside of here? They'll need to know that I'm okay, and I have something important to tell them. I would really appreciate any help you can give me.

They also told me that there might be people I know here. If that's true, if you know me, please contact me as soon as you can.

[Quietly:] Thank you.

[Ever since the start of this week, you may have noticed a change in the weather and the general mood of Kiseki. Yes, summer is over. While it was really quite warm following up to this week, this week it's a little cooler, a little crisper - and other than the sakura tree that's always in bloom, all the other trees in the park and forests have begun to change color and fall. Fall is here in Miracle Country!

This week, maybe you need a little adjusting. Need to buy some warmer clothes? Have a sudden urge to eat something pumpkin-flavored or caramel-flavored? There are piles of leaves to hop into, maybe.

And throughout this week, the crisp, clear skies may cloud over and it'll start to drizzle, and sometimes even just rain. It'll drizzle throughout the day with some sun breaks, but it's definitely a clear indication of the change in the seasons.

But when it's not raining, and your character feels like exploring, they'll find literal cornicopias of fruits and vegetables all throughout the garden island, the park, and the forests. Sample them for yourselves, or perhaps make a pie with them.

Autumn is a time of harvest and abundance but also a time of waning sunlight and longer nights... so perhaps you feel that shift in the air, and are left reflecting on it.

Regardless, autumn is here.]

[So it's a nice start to the weekend, and maybe you're looking for something to do. Fear not, because perhaps you get it in your mind to explore some of the islands. Should you find your way to the sports island, you'll find a lot of fun opportunities to have some fun: sports courts, fully-equipped gym, ice rink, a giant frickin' swimming pool...

Wanting to have some fun? Work-out? Scope out the hot eye candy working out? Harass the workers? Plenty of opportunity for all these things and more.

Korra, for her part, is one such worker who's in the process of collecting some stray basketballs rolling across the court. Eventually, she gets tired of trying to herd the things so she just sends out a massive airbending attack!!1 to get all the balls rolling in one direction... of course, then they just bounce off the walls, hitting it too hard, and start bouncing all over the place.]

... Geez. [Stop that.]

[She starts airbending again but the basketballs all have their own thoughts and keep bouncing around everywhere.

And then all of a sudden there's a giant polar bear dog bounding in through the front doors and across the court, trying to catch all of them at once. This isn't totally unlike her, though, so Korra what did you expect?]

Naga! Wait - ! [and that's when the video ends.]


[[ooc: this is open for a basic mingle, as well. Come over to the sports island and have fun!]]