+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

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.

[Zero is feeding one of the cuckoo toys on one of the counters of Hinahito. It's a sleepy little thing and quickly nods off. The first thing you might notice about Hinahito--is it's really quiet. Zero has done a pretty spectacular job of putting all of the toys he's found to sleep as quick as possible.]

I seem to have things under control down here at Hanahito, if any of you want to get away from the noise.

[He's been running things pretty much on his own since Shara left with help from the few employees that had been recruited right before she went missing.]

My food costs are taking a hit, but--

[There is a stray cuckoo sounding, it's quiet but Zero immediately drops the subject and starts opening cupboards to track it down.]

At least we're open.

[He moves a large sack out of the way, only to have a stream of crystals spill out onto the floor.]

Dammit. Did you have to get into the salt?

[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.]

[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.]

(BACKDATED) Zero meets up with Ichiru after his arrival, and finally gets him back to his place. Takes place after Ichiru's arrival

( Read more... )

[Anyone listening to the journal or passing by the Welcome Center today will hear a baby's cry and Snow White shushing him, cradling him close and rocking him gently, trying to get him to sleep again, even though it's clear that she's moving relatively quickly, all things considered, in order to find Emma and Charming]

Shhh... it's alright. It's alright now. [She smiles, soft, as the baby shushes] We'll find them...

[Good morning, Kiseki! Perhaps you were starting your day off already, thinking of the morning ahead in school, at one of the stores you work at, training by yourself, or even just being lazy and finding ways to spend the time… Well, not today.

Shortly after waking up (and without even the chance to dress up! If your sleeping attire is not suitable, Kiseki shall provide pyjamas or bath robes), you’ll be drawn to the ever-so-versatile sakura park, where many tables with food are set out. All kinds of breakfast things are available, from pancakes to sausages, eggs, breads and pastries, to fruits and yogurts, many kinds of teas and coffee, hot chocolate, fruit juice, and anything you could possibly want. While some tables are set for eating at them, you might choose to hang out in the many Mokona-shaped beanbag chairs set around the ground on top of big picnic blankets.

It’s one big lazy morning off for everyone, so enjoy the treats and have fun.]

[ It's a nice day, so rather than stay inside the school after classes let out, Kobato's sitting in the center of the plaza, leaning on the edge of the fountain and using that to write on. She's got her journal open, a private entry (maybe... who can say with this place), and is talking aloud. ]

I wonder if I can still call it a bucket list. An after the bucket list bucket list...? What do you think, Usagi-san? [ A glance up to the statue. After a moment of silence, she nods, and brings her pen back up to the paper. ]

I'm going to assume that silence means yes. [ But since when was Usagi-san very talkative to begin with.]

Bucket List

• Climb a mountain (or maybe just a big hill)
• Learn to swim (better)
• Share a milkshake with everyone
• Ride on a ship
• Run a marathon
• Visit all of the islands
• Run an advice column?

[ She hums and glances up in thought. There's so much she wants to do, writing it all down on paper is hard. As she goes to write her next item, the writing becomes faint. Out of ink? She puts it down and reaches inside her purse for another pen. As she reaches, though, a stuffed armadillo tumbles out. It almost falls into the water but she manages to (somehow) catch it in time. ]

T-That was close! [ So relieved. She hugs the 'puppy' or 'rat' or whatever it really is to her. ] I wont let you get ruined, or else my name's not Kobato Hanato! [ When she pulls back, she stares down at it a moment... and becomes a touch sad. ]

Yeah. I miss him too. [ A quick swipe across her eyes, and she sets the plush down atop her bag. ] But if he was here and remembered, he would want me to be happy. So I'll do that. But first... pen-san!

[ Oh right-- it's in the bag. ]

[Anyone going to school today will notice that their classmate is looking very dashing~*~

He's dressed up, all fancy and composed, aka: he didn't dress himself. Today the shirt is frillier than usual, passing by him he smells like some kind of flowery perfume or something of the sort, and he's wearing a fancy red bandana instead of his usual black one - when he's not wearing his hat, which he would be should you run into him doing his homework outside in the schoolyard, as he usually does during lunch break.]

[So he's looking very fancy and sparkly and ~*~ but is also a little :T at times, and although not blushing, does seem vaguely embarrassed - whether in the classroom and knowing that Aramis is hanging around outside POSITIVE that he's going to get positive feedback. Or when he's out having lunch with him. Especially since Aramis is beaming with pride and looking entirely too pleased with himself.]




[Beyond just Porthos shenanigans, though, the school's been a little odd today. The most telling thing being that arts & crafts is now being taught by the strange video screen, now that Snow White's gone home. And her puppy for a husband is standing at the window, staring off sadly as it rains on only him.

Maybe today's the day you finally decide to join the school? There's always a need for students - and now there's clearly a need for teachers, as well, since so many of the classes are taught from the video screens rather than an actual person.

Or, maybe you're just enjoying the nice day - it's sunny and more springlike by the day, and maybe you and your classmates are feeling a little bored with the video-talkers.]

[The very initial feed shows a crease to the brow of a fairly young looking kid, however it might rival to that of a very certain vampire hunting vampire here in Kiseki.]

So, what's so 'miraculous' about this place? Those women were annoying enough that I couldn't even tell how much of what they said was actually helpful. [No, more than just annoying. But anyway. He lets out a sigh]. . . I guess it all seems nice at first, or something, though. Or at least it looks like it.

[There's a bit of a frown afterward, though. There's something that's been bugging him, even in the short time he has been here.]

Ah. . . I want to ask, though: anyone see a guy named Zero? He just left the room for a moment, but now I don't see him anywhere. His lessons just ended, and he almost always lets me know if he's planning on going elsewhere, but I haven't heard anything, which of course really isn't like him.

[this is kind of scaring him, though he won't really admit it. Instead, he puts on a smile (maybe even a grin).]

He looks exactly like me, so he shouldn't be hard to find at all! Tell him Ichiru is looking, okay? That'd be great!
_______________________

{ ACTION }

[Anyone near or around the Sakura Park might notice a young boy who is looking up at the majestic tree. He rather likes it, although is also rather distracted, because of the whole suddenly being in a new, unfamiliar place kind of thing. It's tough to tell exactly how he feels on the matter, however it isn't incredibly positive, if you look hard enough. At some point, he steps closer, bringing up a hand to lightly touch its wide base. It is rather pretty.

To those who may approach, however, you might notice something very familiar about him. The pale violet eyes, light silver hair that is more unkempt than not.

—Regardless, he does seem to be rather new, here.]