+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

[Winter is... nearby! And Miracle Country is now shifting to reflect it. With a little extra this time. Snow will fall across the island, with occasional hailstorms now and then.

But of course, our residents won't be left to freeze. For maximum cozy points, today people will find that the hotels are temporarily gone, and the forests seem to have expanded to take over that area. Accessible through many ladders and interconnected through hanging bridges, large treehouses meant to accomodate everyone have been set up. You'll want to look around to find your own, as rooms don't exactly match: the tree houses are big, some meant to house several people in it (with only the usual mini-kitchens missing from them), while others will work the part of the common rooms such as the cafeteria and other underground locations, holding food supplies, blankets and clothes, or even the TVs and other items like books or electronics available.

You might not even notice this at first, however. Some will not be in one of these treehouses, and instead find themselves in smaller huts found across Miracle Country's islands, even on places such as the beach, deep in the forests, or outside the amusement park! Small and cozy, they can either work as more private housing, or simply be an option to take a short break in while walking around. Some of them will carry fitting items for the occasion - things like bags of marshmallows, chocolates, or even scarves and dry, fluffy socks for anyone who might've been caught up in the storm.

With everything looking so accomodating for the most part, it might come as a surprise if certain events happen during these days, given the chances of them happening seem to be a little higher than usual. Perhaps you'll be lucky and simply get to enjoy the changes as they are. ... If you're not the type to enjoy sharing a space with others too much, though, you'll have to learn to manage - the treehouses and huts will remain this way until Sunday 20th!]

[During Friday, there'll be an easy way to relax after the week. Miracle Country's taking advantage of the last few days before the winter, and so the Usyagi will be flying around, handing out little cards encouraging people to take a boat ride. Even if they don't get one, it'll be clear they're set up specially for the evening, all of them looking new as ever and decorated with small lights around them, ready to take those who feel like accepting the offer over to the beach. The ride will be slow and let them enjoy the peaceful trip over to the beach (or the company of anyone riding with them). Maybe you found yourself on one of the boats with someone you didn't mean to take the trip with? Well, it's either enduring the ride, or jumping into the cold river. The choice is up to you.

Once there, they'll find the beach is also set up to receive them. Lanterns light up the way around seats under parasols, some fancier and set up with tables and plenty of food to be shared, some cozier and meant to be used by fewer people. There'll even be a few bonfires you can gather around, if you'd like.

Late at night, the lights from lanterns or fires will seem to dim, allowing the starry sky to be seen more brightly. It might look a little strange, however. Is that constellation meant to be a pig? Perhaps that one's a rabbit, then. Some might make even less sense. At least it's still pretty to look at, right?]

[That's right, dear Kiseki residents, it is that time again! The time you have all been waiting for with bated breath! It is time... for the Modernity Club to gather once again!

Throughout the week, posters similar to this one can be found in various places: the hotel lobby, the school, the bulletin boards in different shops. And on the weekend, should you venture down to the common rooms of the hotel, you shall find-- well.

Something that looks pretty chaotic at first.

All the rooms have been labeled on the doors: one of them reads "well-known movies in three minutes or less", one of them "electronic appliances and how to use them" (the room is full of all small electronic appliances found in Kiseki, along with some posters, such as one that depicts a man in a bath, holding a toaster in his hands, with the headline Don't drop a toaster in a bath unless you want to become toast!), another "interpersonal skills 101" (with a bullet-point list taped next to the door, about How to sneak around (but seriously just talk to people instead), on the cafeteria door "dishes you never knew you could cook", and finally, on the wall next to the lounge, "eat and mingle --->".

Stiles, not being able to be in all the places at once, starts in the room about the movies, standing around with books and actual DVDs he's been able to find; the other rooms have their own people in charge of the education. So pop in, learn things, come in to teach others, or maybe just come there for the free food and drinks!]


( ooc: this is a mingle log! if you want your character to be in charge of one of the very educational presentations, feel free to just assume it or poke me on plurk! if you want to interact with stiles himself, his top level is here. )

[Now that things are more settled down, the Charmings have taken to inquiring with the usyagi (or Constance, if she happens to be on shift) about having larger rooms so that they can stay comfortably with Yukine, or find a space big enough in order to have Emma and Stiles stay with them, too. It seems that their insistence proves fruitful, though, because it isn’t long before there’s a little house situated just beside the hotel – connected through the underground tunnels just like any other hotel room.

So it’s moving day for the Charmings! The house isn’t completely ready for them all, as that’s their “price” for getting the new space – having to fill it up and move their things, get some more furniture, paint the inside and outside walls, hang up curtains – all the little décor touches. They have to work to make it inhabitable.

Feel like helping out? I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to receive help.

Or, at least, they’d say so if they weren’t totally distracted. All day today, Snow and David are being revoltingly sappy (what else is new?), smiling at each other and giggling a little and kissing as they paint the walls. So, you know, their ‘kids’ are likely steering clear of that.

Once Snow isn’t horrendously distracted, she’ll be making some treats to share, so anyone passing by catching that scent is more than welcome to check it out! Or, come by and help out with move-in day!]


[This is an open log, so feel free to have your character interact with others while helping out - you don't have to interact with David and/or Snow both in order to participate and feel free to make your own top comments, too, if you'd like :D]

[It’s been a long few weeks with the dragons, and as the days pass it’s clear that the Alpha is getting worse and worse despite the dragons’ efforts, and the efforts of those who were willing to help him in the first place. It starts out simple, the Alpha just sleeping more and more, his breathing coming out in wheezing gasps. Then, slowly, the Alpha stops moving so much, hardly reacts to any food or medicine.

But with every passing day the Alpha gets worse, the world around you starts to get worse, in turn. Plants start dying. Water starts drying up. It stays darker for longer. There might have been a few cave-ins towards the back of the tunnels.

It’s finally too much, though, and when the Alpha does die, it lets out one final, earth-shaking roar before it collapses and bursts into a wave of sakura petals. With that, the world around the Alpha dies as well – the bridges collapsing, the caves starting to fold into themselves, the island crumbling into the water as the regular Miracle Country returns to itself.

Be very mindful of where you are, then – because the world is going to change back. Trapped in the caves with the cave-in? You may be there a while. Were you in the reservoir? Then you might find yourself suddenly at the Wings Island. The forests, the top of the Ferris Wheel at the Amusement Park, stuck on the stairs of the lighthouse at the beach – you could appear anywhere. Everyone is scattered around and it’s not likely you’ll be lucky enough to show up in the park or the hotels.

It’ll be difficult to get back, though – because there’s a heavy wind blowing all over the islands today. Reacting to the sudden shift from one world to another, Miracle Country is still trying to adapt, and the wind is strong enough to push you off your feet if you’re not careful. That, and it’s raining sakura petals all over, which might make it difficult to see. There are respites and places to shade yourself from the onslaught – little alcoves, buildings, the forests – but that might mean little when you’re trying to find your friends and family, after all.

The Miracle Country you know and love isn’t completely untouched despite the sudden change, however – while the dragons’ world might have dissolved along with the Alpha, the remnants still appear in certain spots. Some of the dragons survive the sudden switch and now live in the forests. There are a few caves left over within the forest, the path in the first layer leading towards it.

And, most striking, there is a large skeleton deep in the forest – the final resting place for the Alpha Dragon.]

[Days with dragons have hardly made the nights easier – the strange way the dragons’ eyes glow from the shadows, the way the fog rolls in at the night, the sound of far cries from the dragons as they fly just beyond sight, that deep grumbling from the sleeping Alpha Dragon, the way it just steadily grows colder and colder as the night progresses.

This night is no different. It starts with a sunset, blazing and bright, the shadows stretching long and lingering. And once it’s gone, dusk passing, the night creeps in. The fog grows thick and those sounds come again. Dragons rustling, dragons calling, the nocturnal dragons large and difficult to spot – never seen during the day and seeming so strange, perhaps a little less friendly than the ones who come out during the day.

The air grows colder still, so it might be a good idea to collect wood for a large fire, to find a place to stay warm and safe. Or maybe you’re feeling adventurous. Maybe you need water. Maybe you need to find something fun to do, just for the sake of doing it. Maybe you’ve lost your way as the day draws to an end and you’re desperate to get back.]

[Miracle Country has once again changed, the entire island shifting overnight into an archipelago. There’s a scattering of far-flung islands, but you’ll find yourself at the very center of it all – and it’s not just you there. Oh no – this is a world populated by dragons. You’ve found yourself in the Alpha Dragon’s nest. There are dragons that fly, some land dragons, and some dragons that primarily stay in the water – and they are everywhere. There are flocks of dragons everywhere you look. Large dragons, small dragons, nocturnal dragons, diurnal dragons, two-headed dragons, dragons the size of your palm, dragons that breathe fire, ice-breathing dragons, camouflaged dragons, feathered dragons, and baby dragons that just act silly.

What used to be the hotels is now a series of caves - you'll be able to find your old rooms in there, although they're a bit more basic now - no such thing as electronics available (not that you'd need them with nowhere to plug them in), no kitchens, but everything else remains. Clothes, beds, even a small bathroom. The maze-like nature of the caves means the rooms might be a little harder to find this time around, and you could end up choosing to just crash with someone else if it gets too late. They're cold, as well, being inside a giant ice-fortress, so find ways to keep the place warm!

There are also other sorts of rooms, of course, some empty and some with supplies like weapons or staple food, some with a few seats and cushions where you can gather around, build a fire, and risk having a flock of dragons come chill with you a little less, if it happens to bother you. The caves are all rather cold and dark for the most part, and within them are many maze-like turns and corners and passageways, so it’s easy to get lost, especially since many of the caves open up to strange and new locations. Plenty of things to explore – and plenty of ways to be separated from others.

And at the very center of it all is a large structure of ice, that juts up and forms into the shape of a large, winged egg. Within this egg is the dragons’ nest – one corner of this structure has a large sakura tree that the dragons love to sleep in or fly around. At the other end is the Alpha Dragon itself – the largest dragon in creation, white and pink and spending most of its time sleeping. And at the very center of a large expanse of water is a little island with the only source of fresh water – a reservoir. Surrounded by saltwater for miles around, the dragons have no trouble reaching it – but you might.

The best way to travel is by dragons, of course. But for those of you who can’t fly too well, walking isn’t really an option. But don’t worry, there are a series of bridges that fall and crumble and rotate around. You’ll never walk the same bridge twice. They’re reliable enough, so long as they don’t start to move while you’re on them. If you don’t trust the bridges, there’s always the option of climbing through the maze-like caves… but try not to get lost.

Why are the dragons approaching you now? They need your help. The Alpha Dragon is sick – and he’s the reason all the other dragons are here and safe.

You’re here one reason: to help the dragons. There are smaller dragons, but also larger dragons, but don’t worry they’re not as scary as they look. In fact, it’s possible to tame or bond with them. Of course, that’s based on how well you get along with animals, mystical or otherwise, in general – not great with pets? Probably not going to be too great with dragons, either.


((Have a dragons event! Further info & FAQ can be found HERE))

[If you've gone to school today, either as a student, teacher or visitor, it's likely you've run into David, who's requested a little help. The idea is simple: keep Snow occupied for a while, so she won't come out of the building or look outside until he's finished with a few things.]

[By midday, it'll be clear what it was. The tables outside of the school have all been set as if for a fancy kind of picnic, with pretty tableclothes and all sorts of flowers picked from the forest and gardens. And, yes, food, in the form of a large picnic basket and other bags with snacks and other things for anyone who'd like to join in.]

[As to why, well, Snow was almost all on her own and upset for far too long, and it's about time she gets pampered a little.]

[[Tiny mingle! David will be HERE but feel free to thread among yourselves and abuse the post as needed o/]]

[Time to deal with Kiseki's menacing creatures again! Except this time, they might not be so menacing. The lake and river are a little more lively than usual, as the fish population in them has increased overnight. Some of them aren't even freshwater fish, so what are they doing there? Not waiting to attack anybody, no.

All along the park and the river banks, there are fishing rods and other tools set up, as well as anything you'd need to get a fire going, and grill your food... You get the point, I'm sure. Whether you want to have an outdoors lunch of freshly caught fish, or wish to stock up on them for later, or even want to try and keep one of them as a pet, it's clear today is meant to be spent by the water. Just in case, the Usyagi will notify anyone who's missing out on the fish gutting fun, so no worries there.

To the delight of certain questionable residents, there's a bonus brought by the presence of the fish... Most of Kiseki's roaming stray cats will be drawn to the river and lake, either to catch their own meal or to steal some from the people around. So if you're not much of a fishing person, or can't cook at all, you could still hang out with them.]

P'kyuu?

[This is the image that will greet you if you answer the journal's calling about a new entry tonight. Ao has found Shinah's journal, and she's evidently considered as close enough to Shinah himself to be allowed to use it... Which means she managed to turn the video function on while nibbling on it.]

[Behind Ao's curious face, however, there's some commotion in Yona's room. Apparently Shinah & co. are caught up in some kind of argument, or maybe just being ridiculous, or, quite possibly, both. Shinah himself, dressed in fluffy moon-patterned pyjamas, is trying to get outside through a window, while Yona holds to his arm and refuses to allow such a thing. The others, some also with sleeping clothes on, are engaged in an enthusiastic discussion the journal can't easily catch...

Perhaps it'd be easier to simply walk by the open hotel room, and try to overhear what they're all saying.]

[[Open log! Interact with Yona and her dragons, or do your own thing! And yes, you can reply to Ao on the journal too, and have the most ridiculous thread. The HHB be here: Yona | Shinah | Zeno | Jaeha | Kija ]]