+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

[Something feels different. Like a déjà vu gone completely wrong, like you've forgotten something important, missed a relevant date. The feeling lasts through the day, and all calendars showing there's been a missing week, or the fact that you might've woken up at a place you don't remember falling asleep in, won't help with the confusion, most likely. But this unusual sensation, or finding yourselves inside the forest for no reason, or floating at the pool in the sports islands, and so on, isn't all that feels off. The world itself seems to be uneasy for a moment, and for those sensitive to magic, or auras, and such things, it's clear something's up...

Until it stabilizes. And then it's back to normal. Except it isn't, or at least not entirely. The Usyagi flutter around, looking busy, most of them heading towards a specific location: the shopping district, which now looks rather different. Quieter, less bright. Most of the shops that one can usually find, and the moving maze of magically appearing and disappearing stores, are now replaced with an odd stillness and boarded up store-fronts. It seems almost every shop has closed up, save for a few of them. These only carry very basic goods - perhaps a few clothes, basic necessities, staple foods. And not much else.

For those with long experience with Miracle Country's shenanigans, it might not seem that unusual, right? Supplies have been cut before, only to come back a while later. And yet, this change is here to stay. The cafeteria in the underground tunnels will now carry some staple foods as well, should anyone go and check for availability there.

But well, it's not so bad, is it? Afterall, there is a massive farm around, now. There're the fast-growing fields at the garden islands. There're fish at the river and sea, there're wild animals at the forests, and the shops owned by those who were brought here are still intact. Maybe it's a good time to get more familiarized with all of those, if you're far too used to the convenience of finding anything right away. And should anything prove too difficult to obtain, there's always the Usyagi to turn to. For a price, of course.]


[[What it says! Changes are established here, do ask us about any questions or doubts you might have regarding what's available or not.]]

[Are you busy watching that special person from afar, convinced they will never notice your existance? At home, working hard on that home-made lunch to share with them? Busy rehearsing that perfect confession to your special person, to say during a windy day so that flower petals flutter all around the two of you? Alone, longingly thinking of that one person you can't meet, the world separating the two of you...



Wait, that doesn't sound right, does it? But today, it might not seem that far-fetched. It's St Valentine's Day, and today, love is in the air. Cheesy, clichéd, corny love, it seems, the kind that makes you trip in slow-motion into the arms of the object of your affections, reach your loved one just in time for a perfect confession, get to do all the things you love with that person, find that ridiculous teddy bear or gift that'll turn you and your significant other into pure mush around each other, and so on.

But of course, there's no need to always stick to the traditional and obvious. So if that confession which you didn't plan on ends up being heard by someone you can't stand, or if you get momentary romantic feelings from someone sneaking into your room at midnight to hide, or maybe something more upsetting such as your confessions being interrupted constantly, well, here's to new traditions!]

[[Romantic cliches event! No need to stick to CLAMP themes, pick your favorite trope and roll with it.]]

[Another bright day in Miracle Country, where everything is calm and quiet and... colorful? Not just pink this time, either. It'll be hard not to notice that something's different, even from simply looking outside each house's windows.

Outside, it's a jungle. A plastic one! Slides, rainbow-colored net bridges or tunnels connecting different buildings, or treetops, or the many maze-like structures that have been magically put up during the night. And all around, ball pits, massive ones full of little colorful plastic balls to swim in, or struggle to get out of. It seems simple enough, right? Climb through the ladders and bridges, slide down the slides, and reach your usual destination... Well, some of the bridges may vanish now and then, leaving you to fall to your colorful, plastic-y doom. There are false steps on some of the ladders that'll cause the same results. Sometimes you'll find yourself taking a wrong step and falling down a slide that you could swear wasn't even there before. Even the usual comfort of the underground seems at risk, given that it's possible to take a wrong step or turn there and find yourself going down a slide... that might lead to another end of the islands entirely.



Basically, you're very likely to get lost, confused, and frustrated... Or have a ton of fun jumping from here to there in this magical game, especially once you notice not all the plastic balls are the same! Some are squishy like stress balls, some might be large bubblegum, others might have effects like tickling the people touching them, and so on. Now, for those who aren't so keen on it, don't despair - some of the ballpits are set with things like picnic baskets, or even pillows - maybe just grab a snack, or rest from a tiresome day of playing around. Some of the bridges and tunnels going across the trees of the various islands lead to little treehouses where you can catch a break, as well. And should you be stuck out there even through the night, you'll notice that the different plastic balls start to glow, helping with visibility.

So perhaps it's better to have a more positive outlook at the situation, and simply have fun with others... Or pray that your tunnel doesn't lead straight into the forests while help is difficult to come by. Well, you do all have a handy way to communicate at least, right?]

[It’s a beautiful winter’s night, clear and crisp, with the stars and moon out, even the occasional shooting star. What better time than tonight to have a winter celebration? Tonight is a Kiseki Snow Festival – as will be clear to see once the sun is set and the decorations show up, little glittering snowflakes attached to buildings or hanging from trees, snowmen holding signs, some snow shelters should you get too cold once it starts snowing.

Throughout the islands, there’ll be small lanterns floating in the air – delicate and cute, almost like little snowflakes themselves with candles flickering inside, and there’ll also be little snow huts along the paths to guide travelers along – take a nice night stroll through the snow.



There’ll be little festivities throughout the night – hot chocolate carts from the Usyagi, ice skating on the lake, little booths set up to play games for snow-themed prizes, and even fireworks at midnight. The world is inviting you to relax and to enjoy, and to stay warm during the winter months. Everyone is invited to attend and you might even feel that familiar compulsion to join in the fun, even if you’re someone who might sit it out.

So enjoy yourself! Take a nice walk with someone special, or try your hand at winning prizes, or serve up some hot chocolate to friends and family. The lights will guide you along all night, and the lanterns will start to float away before morning comes. ]

[With his last planned event not going as well as expected, and the time of the year asking for a celebration of some sort, Lucifer's set out to hold a successful party this time. Changing his approach entirely, he's booked the ballroom by the garden islands for the night, rather than use the bar.

Knowing him, you might expect something scandalous and inappropriate; instead, it only looks expensive. The place is fully decorated in reds, with small round tables full of food and drinks, and the usual space to dance. It doesn't even look too different from parties that were held there before... save maybe for the presence of Lucifer himself, on one end of the room by the piano he had brought over from the bar. Even the fact that glasses, plates, and other things have a wing motif isn't too out of place there.

He'll have sent out invitations conveniently forgetting to mention who was organizing the whole thing, and noting it's a formal party so people need to wear their best clothes. Certain people might even find that bit's been underlined several times. But of course, if anyone failed to comply with that part, Miracle Country can always help with it, and give them a proper outfit once they're there.

By the late evening, there'll also be a note in the journals, reminding people to not miss the event... And then another one. And another one. Remember how journals don't like it when people don't pay attention to them? Or try to hide them? Enjoy the flashing book following you around, then. It might be easier to simply give in and go, even if it's for a short while...]

[In events that have nothing to do (directly or indirectly) with recent ice-and-snow themed arrivals, it's now been snowing heavily all night. As the recent chilly days signaled, winter is almost here, and just like that, the residents will wake up to a white scenery, the new dome houses now resembling igloos more than anything else (or snowballs? ice cones? don't let anything stop the truly important debates going on). The lake has frozen over as usual, and snow covers the ground everywhere...



The most noticeable thing, for now, is the large snow sculptures that are decorating the place. Large snowmen, of course, but also things like snow Mokona in various sizes, what will likely resemble a snake to most people around, snowy winged eggs, and other cute creatures.

Most of these snow creations are absolutely harmless, by the way, and at most will provide inspiration to create one of your own, or look nice while you walk around... But some might move to toss a pile of snow at people who pass by. Some can move around and make the layout confusing. Some might decide the best place for resting is right at the entrance of your home. Some might look cute, and be hiding a certain type of tree under it... Be careful not to get caught up in their energy.

Even with a few possible incidents happening, it's still a perfect occasion to enjoy the snow, play some games, maybe get some hot chocolate, or be reminded to stock up on warm clothes for the months ahead... Surely a different kind of Snow will help you on that one. If you're more the type to grump about the cold and stay inside, the underground cafeteria will be stocked up with plenty of hearthy meals, and the common rooms are always there to be abused, now with extra blankets in case they're needed.]

[After a particularly cold day in Miracle Country the sun sets at least and it seems like the perfect day to just call it early and go into your warm, warm bed and hope that the next day isn’t as cold as this one was. But at always it seems the place has a different idea.

Just barely a couple of hours after the sun sets, the power goes out. Yet one quick look through the window makes it pretty obvious that there is some sort of light source out there. And it’s definitely worth a look.



Northern lights, brighter than what they usually would be, are lightening up the sky. It’s certainly a sight to behold and it makes stepping outside a bit easier. After all, being a little cold is worth it to see something like this. After all, they are only going to be there until dawn.

To help those brave enough to fight the cold just to watch the lights, there will be small carts moved by the Usyagi that carry all sort of warm beverages: hot chocolate, coffee, tea, anything you might desire they probably have it.]

[Many are probably not even aware that Miracle Country has a skating rink in it, right? Now it'll be a little harder to ignore - even if you ignore the hand-written flyers detailing what's going on, and placed here and there among common buildings (the welcome center, the underground cafeteria, the school) asking people to go over there, there's now also a video that'll make the journals alert you soon enough.

This video shows the rink itself, and the smiling!!!! face of the journal's owner, as he waves cheerfully.]

Hello! Please come over to the sports island! Not only is it fun, of course, but just for today, you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from me! [And maybe he rather needs to be able to teach someone, but that's just a small detail.]

I'll be here until the evening, so don't be shy! I can't skate and record myself at the same time, so you'll have to see it for yourselves, alright? [MORE SMILES and then the recording stops.]

[[A little log so he can get his special custom skates here! Poke him in his thread or use the log as you'd like!]]

[Most people around are likely familiar with the cute flower shop in the main island - it's been around for so long, even to those who aren't customers of it, it should be a place they've seen in passing. Now, it's looking rather different, as there's a whole new building next to it!

An old-fashioned sort of place, this funny-smelling store is full of all sorts of strange bottles, varying in sizes, colors and contents. Some are labeled as remedies, some appear to simply be ingredients for other things. There are some more familiar items - things like containers with various sorts of teas, spices, and so on... The common theme is clear once you browse a little: all these items are made out of some sort of herb or plant, and of course, many are made with flowers and the kind of thing the flower shop itself sells.

If you decide to come over and investigate, you'll find the place's new owner, busy checking everything, and... perhaps looking as confused as anyone else might be. Surely he'll manage.]

[[Merlin can be found here, otherwise use the post as you'd like! Feel free to say a bottle's contents had a certain effect, or burned your character's hand, or whatever else.]]

[It's a certain someone's birthday - not that he's told anybody - but instead of celebrating it, he's decided there's an opportunity to celebrate everyone! Once the rain has let up, at least a little, there's a giant message-board near the new houses. It seems to have everyone's names on it, and above is written -

HAVE A VERY MERRY UNBIRTHDAY, EVERYONE!

"What's an Unbirthday? Why, that's a day that's not your birthday! You deserve a chance to celebrate yourself, because you're amazing! And if you think someone else is amazing, be sure to let them know!"

With all the pens and markets waiting at the bottom, it seems to indicate that you're encouraged to write compliments under people's names. Try to be anonymous? Get caught in the act? Only compliment yourself? Give it a try!]