+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

[ The video feed clicks on to reveal a young man of visibly modern stock - the snapback, polo shirt and hoodie combo sort of give it away. He squints dubiously at the camera. ]

Is this thing on?

[ Apparently he decides that it must be, because he stops trying to poke at the thing and starts talking again. ]

Alright, I dunno if anyone can hear me, but my name's Eggsy... sorry, Gary Unwin. Listen - someone wanna explain what the hell's goin' on? Last I knew is the world was goin' to shit and I just finished putting it all back after Valentine nearly got us all killed. Tried asking where I am but all I've got here is a load of fuckin' rabbits in my face, dunno what they're on about.

[ He pauses for a moment. Considers - he doesn't want to give too much away, but at the same time, he's got to make contact if there are any other Kingsman here. ]

Right, and - in case this makes sense to anyone here. Oxfords, not brogues. ... Yeah, 's about it.

[Fog rolls into the town of Samara – another cool autumn day, the sky murky and the tress shedding their leaves. The nights are longer now, the moon hanging low in the sky – and that can only mean one thing: stirrings. With the darkness creeps the dangers. You’ve likely heard those whispers all your life – those murmurs of caution, of danger, of otherness. Be mindful not to step out into the shadows for too long and risk losing yourself entirely.

The little town of Samara might appear quiet at first, unassuming, gentle even – a far outpost and a far cry from the Leridae kingdom’s capital. But it isn’t too far-flung from there, although hidden away in its own little haven, the trees growing closer and closer to its city lines with every passing year. No, this town is not as unassuming as it might seem. You might have grown up here – you’d know as much. Or perhaps you were drawn here for the same reason so many others have been drawn here:

Here in Samara, the rumors are simply that – just rumors. After all, who would ever think that vampires would prey upon such an unassuming, quiet town. But those who whisper the rumors might just shake their heads, looking out towards the forest, towards those darkened alleyways between the old, rickety town. Vampires are one thing. Hunters are another. And Samara has long since been the established epicenter of hunter activity – their meeting ground, so to speak, their headquarters. The hunters, of course, are branches of factions, individualistic in some ways and community-based in others. There is no set leader but there are clans within those hunters, those who strive for certain aspects of the hunter code – and others who operate well outside the set parameters of that.

This place has always been quiet, despite the heavy hunter presence. Few vampires risk staying too close within this town simply because of the danger to them. For years now, decades and decades, the hunters and the vampires have been at odds. Recently, these fights and tensions have only grown more devastating, with loses on both sides – tearing friends and families apart. The hunters hold pride in their abilities and the vampires, secretive and hidden, search for a means to survive in a world that rejects them. Or, perhaps, there are those few who seek the living for the sport of it. Just as there are hunters who seek to kill for the sport. Each side has had its demons and its loses.

And in this, the sleepy little town of Samara is mired with one rumor that just keeps being whispered again and again: that Queen Anne of Leridae is coming – or is already here, as the rumors indicate. Rumors speculate to her purpose – many assume that it’s her wish to form a formal alliance with the hunter factions. Others aren’t so sure. A few more believe that the rumors are just that: rumors. What purpose would a queen have to visiting this quiet little town where absolutely nothing ever happens ever at all? What purpose could such a queen have to coming to a town known for its hunter populace and devastating vampire attacks? Will peace come at last?

Despite this, the large meeting hall at the center of town is undergoing some sprucing up, some redecorating. There’s a grand ball planned, set to be open to the public and the higher-ranking hunter guilds within the next few days. That seems indication enough that something important is underway – or, at the very least, a royal visitor is imminent.

In the end, though, this quiet little town is certainly just meant to be quiet… But with the promise of Queen Anne’s arrival, there’s a new flurry of preparations: decorations everywhere, preparing housing for guests, trying to clean up the streets – and trying, so desperately, not to be bitten when the moon is high. And with the rumors of Queen Anne’s arrival come all the other new arrivals, seeking different desires: to join the hunters? To escape hunters in other regions? To find lost friends? To try to meet royalty? To find something to eat? To be turned? Or, perhaps you are more innocent in all this – just a bystander dragged into these strange happenings, torn between this conflict that seems to have no end.

Perhaps, then, there can be hope – and perhaps, someday, peace. Welcome to Samara.]

[[Our vampire AU event begins! Find more information here.]]

[Things have returned to normal, likely to many people's relief given the past events. These days seem pretty out of the ordinary for Miracle Country, as well, given that things are peaceful and no one is being magically shoved around.

But here and there, on tree branches, window sills, maybe getting close enough to stand on your hand if you'll let them, birds will appear. Birds with mechanical bodies, in various colors, looking and behaving real enough and yet evidently not. They aren't dangerous, they'll just want to sing.

When they sing, their songs will evoke emotions, a lot more easily than any common song could, even a really good one. Feelings of happiness, of belonging, of love. Of longing, and sorrow, and grief. If you're lonely, they might keep you company and try to cheer you up. Perhaps you'll simply be curious about them and end up caught up listening to them. They do want their songs to be heard, afterall.]

[[Little mingle! Abuse it as you'd like.]]

[So it’s that time again. Anyone who was around last year might remember that it’s a certain someone’s birthday today! And like last year, a Porthos Party basically just means lots of drinking, lots of carrying on, shenanigans, card games, shouting, more drinking, more carrying on, more drinking…

The entire beach has been commandeered for this. Aramis has even set up some things to make it obvious it's a party going on. There might even be a few stray balloons floating around (or a few broken balloons since inevitably they're going to be shot at).

You’ve probably been invited. Or maybe you’re party-crashing. Honestly, Porthos isn’t about to complain. And no presents necessary (although if you wanted to bring something more to drink, he won’t complain, either).

Trying to ignore the party? Good luck, cause it’s lasting all day and well into the night. And just getting progressively louder and louder. Are those gunshots?

But not totally dissimilar to last year, it seems this world wants to get into the celebrations, too! So during the party, you might suddenly find yourself in a whole new outfit that you weren’t expecting! Maybe that new costume will start to influence your behavior, too…]



[ooc: this is an open log and feel free to jump in however you’d like. If you’d like to interact with Porthos specifically, his top comment is here. Otherwise, mingle as you see fit! Also note that the event replay is not mandatory.]

[It might be a bad idea or even dangerous, but she doesn't see what choice she has. She has to try and learn about this place if she wants to understand why she's here.]So I've been told these things can write back to you...? I haven't seen magic like that before. Though I did have this weird dream that I had gone inside of a book once. Unless that wasn't a dream....

Does anyone know why we were brought here? I'm under the impression I'm not the only one in this situation. I've always been able to come and go freely no matter what world I was in. But for some reason, that doesn't seem to be the case here. There's got to be some kind of really powerful magic to prevent me from opening a pathway. I've never even heard of this happening. Unless the problem is me again. I'm having trouble summoning my keyblade too. It might have nothing to do with this place. Maybe it's because I'm not near Roxas. I suppose that's for the best. I'd rather not be able to use it than drain his power again.

But I had something important I had to do. People were counting on me to make things right and now...[The text kind of trails off.] ...I don't know what to do. I might be in a mess I can't fix. And they aren't here to help me.

[If you’ve been hanging around the Sakura Park at all today, you might have noticed a huge pile of … well, junk taking up quite a bit of space. There’s a hastily built merchant’s tent with a woman standing in front of it, gesticulating wildly as she tells a story about that one time a human, an elf, and a dwarf walked into a bar. ("You’re lucky you’re so short. That hurt like mad!”)

For anyone even vaguely interested in browsing, she seems amused by haggling attempts and open to trade if you don’t have any coin to toss. Most of her wares are pretty standard medieval fare:

• Health, mana, and stamina potions.
• Jewelry with eye symbols.
• Several bottles of what’s probably alcohol.
• Bits of a demon spider (eyes, claws, etc).
• A ridiculous wheel of cheese.

The mistress of ceremonies herself goes by 'Hawke’ and looks like she stepped out of a hardcore Renaissance fair: mage armor, magic staff, and all. She doesn’t seem bothered by modern conveniences, though, and is more than happy to chat about what she’s selling. If you’re not bothered by teasing, that is.]

[Today, people might've noticed two of their latest residents have kept rather busy, heading into the forests over and over again, each time they returned carrying wood and gathering it up by the lake's edge. By the evening, they'll have stayed up there building a structure, and by nightfall they'll light it up - a large funeral pyre, a tribute to their friends and comrades who were lost in battle.

To those unused to them, it might seem like an odd bonfire, although it's clear from their solemn looks that this one isn't meant to be part of a celebration. Perhaps you'd like to try and help them set it up? Or ask them about it once it's lit... It's big enough that it should be easy to notice across the main island at least (and probably make a pretty nice view if you're travelling on the magic trains or up an air balloon).]

[[Nasir & Agron are here & here for pokings, otherwise feel free to abuse the post as you'd like!]]

[Today, it has been rather dull, grey and cloudy despite the summer season, perhaps causing gloominess or hope for some rain. The day will go on normally, but by the evening, residents of Miracle Country should eventually realize that the power is out.]

[With past events, many might fear something strange happening, perhaps some form of attack, or creepiness about to start...

Yet it all seems rather uneventful, aside from an abundance of Usyagi around the hotels, apparently hard at work to get this fixed. A sign apologizing for the delays will be held up at the main hotel's reception, and the power will take yet many long hours to be restored.]

[In the meantime, it could be a good day to go to bed early, or maybe you want to complain that your stored food got ruined, or maybe you favor a walk under the stars?]

[Today, all around Kiseki, you will find small posters and pamphlets scattered around, with the words Come to the Miracle Country Sports Center written in big, all-caps letters, with some encouraging facts written under it (such as "what's better than a big pool in the summer", "train to your heart's content", "try out new sports and relax at the pool" and in some of them "and if you get real lucky, you might get to play with a polar bear dog" because come on, if that doesn't make you want to come and visit, then nothing will).

In other words, Bucky has noticed there's only the same people frequenting the sports center and frankly, with such a great facility to use? It's a damn shame more people aren't coming there. This is his answer to the problem-- and only for today, to encourage you further, the sports center will also have a table by the pool, full of food and drink graciously donated to the cause, so if sports or swimming aren't your thing, maybe free food is.

So come one, come all, try out things like archery, tennis, acrobatics (there's a whole course set for that), or just come relax by the pool! And don't forget playing with the mentioned polar bear dog... or at least be careful if you're trying anything involving throwing balls.]

( It's tiny mingle time! If you want to approach Bucky himself, he'll be here in the comments for you to poke - otherwise, feel free to make your own top levels and thread among yourselves! )

[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.]