+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

[There's a video recording of a young monk, who once again, has showed up at the zoo, hanging out with his old Hippo friend (who seems to be ignoring him and just munching on his food, too)]

No, I'm not okay! Do you know how much it took for us to get there?! We'd finally-- [~*~ k i s s e d ~*~] [Against a goddamn sunset with a gorgeous view in the background IT WAS PERFECT.]

[Sighs] ... Yeah, I'm happy to see you, too, buddy. But I'm starting to believe this place has no sense of timing.

[Now. Where is everyone else, he wonders...]

[Utsusemimaru has been itching to do something productive, so as soon as he is back to his normal age and has a moment to spare from touching sentai reunions, he heads out to the toy store, paint buckets in hand.

The video starts when Ucchii accidentally presses the recording button while placing his journal next to him. He has a narrow boatswain's chair suspended down the side of the building and it is there that he sits, sleeves and pant legs rolled up to his elbows and knees, and paints the walls a fresh pink. He hums strains of a jaunty tune while he works and seems to be in good spirits despite the manual labor. Maybe even because of it.]

[Yeah he could just write all this, but then he'd be denying everyone a view of his pretty face. Everyone is welcome for his consideration.]

Hello, Miracle Country~ [Sure is a kiss he's blowing to the journal with a smile.] For those who don't know me yet, I'm Ian; I've come here from the same world as Ucchii and King.

[The smile drops and he leans forward to rest his chin on his hand to stare at the journal intently. A black pen is being gripped loosely between his middle and ring fingers, and it gets tapped against his lips occasionally as he considers his words carefully.]

I've been wondering, everyone... How long have each of you been here, exactly? Do you remember what the date here was, and if it was different to what it should have been for you? And what were you doing just before you woke up? If there's some sort of pattern to all this, then those the best places to start looking for it.

[Some of the residents of Kiseki - the female ones, specifically - may not have seen him looking so serious before this. But there are questions to be answered about Kiseki, ladies and gentlemen, and Ian is determined to fill in the gaps in everyone's knowledge.]

Any information further than what the Welcome Ladies can provide would be welcome, too. I'm not entirely sure I buy into the explanations they've been giving. All of the locals seem a bit too... Stepford to be entirely genuine.

[Have they always been like that? Another question for another time, and the hand holding his chin moves away from his face. A quick movement and the pen is flipped into a more correct position for writing, and he scribbles that question down out of view of the journal.]

Well, that's all I can ask for right now. [The smile returns.] I look forward to having everyone's answers soon!

[Because if he acts like he expects it, then he's more likely to get them. A wink and a smooth 'shooting' gesture later don't point out he forgot to put the pen down first, he totally intended it and the video ends.]

[The video opens on...a hand. That quickly moves out of sight to reveal a slightly scruffy, extremely fluffy man. He grins excitedly when he realizes he's recording himself.]

Ah! That's how you do it!

[The view moves out - he's holding the book at arm's length now, you can see the Welcome Center behind him - and the man bows]

Hello everyone! I'm Nobuharu Udo, and I just arrived! [looks at the eggy building] The beautiful women gave me this journal, but I didn't really understand them - they all kept talking over each other. [exaggeratedly runs one hand through his afro] I guess the angels have their heads in the clouds. [jazzhands!]

[Cheesy lopsided grin] Anyway! This place is pretty great and all, but I'm wondering if my friends are here too. If anyone sees my sister Yuuko or my niece Rika, could they let me know? Or any of my sentai, it'd be good to know they're all okay. Our leader is Kyoryu Red, but everyone calls him King.

[Bows again] Thank you for listening! Hope to ear from you soon! [uses one hand to make his ear stick out and waggles his fingers. The video ends on that shot]

[With all the new arrivals lately, it seems that Miracle Country wants to help encourage some new jobs and positions in the community...

Which is why today, flyers are appearing under everyone's doors with advertisements for all of the many attractions in Miracle Country. Want a relaxing job? There's the onsen to consider. Want something more exciting? How about being a keeper at the zoo! Want something more sweet and fun? The amusement park needs ticket-takers. There are lots of ads available and today you might feel motivated to finally get out there and get yourself a paying job!

And for those who already have jobs, or go to the school, perhaps these advertisements don't mean much to you. But, fear not, because Miracle Country wants you to support your friends and family in their pursuits - and you might find some coupons tucked under your door: a free slice of cake at the Cherry Blossom Café, a free ride on the roller coaster at the amusement park, 50% off of a ticket into the museum, etc. The choices and opportunities are endless!

Signing up for a job today means you'll get a small starting bonus, too, so even more reason to get up and get out, find something you'd like to do! There are lots of places and opportunities to explore, either as an employee or as a customer.]

[Since Torin doesn't know how people might react to his looks, he's going to keep his first journal entry as text only.]

Greetings, Kiseki. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Torin, and I have just arrived.

The staff at the Welcome Center have already explained the basics about this strange place… or at least I think I could catch most of what they said. But I have a more specific question. Are there any others from my world here? I am looking for Kiryu Daigo or his friends. I believe there is a good chance that at least some of them are present, given that we seem to have a base.

If any of you are here, please contact me.

[It's time for candy! All around Kiseki, for the following three days, Welcome Center ladies will be offering samples of candy for people to give away. And everyone will receive a little pamphlet, explaining the idea behind this - when someone gives you a piece of candy, you should thank them through a kiss! Kisses on the cheek, hand, etc. are perfectly fine, of course.

But what if you're a grump who refuses to participate, or too shy for it, you happen to not trust Kisekians with anything, or simply don't care? Well, don't worry, because this tradition is just awfully tempting. Your character may find that they simply can't resist giving away candy to others, maybe even to their worst enemy! And sometimes they simply won't be able to stop themselves from thanking this gesture through the necessary kiss.]

[There's a short video recording in Merlin's journal, showing him in one of the common rooms underground, snoring softly as he sleeps awkwardly bent over an open book, a few others piled up next to him.]

[It begins in the park, in the shade of a tree to avoid the light of the sun. He has been to his room, to the library and school. He is angry with you, Kiseki.]

It is cruel to tease.

[Distracted eyes fall on the journal beside him, recording his every movement, his fingers reaching out to touch its cover and binding, concealing its magical pages. One of the many things he doesn't understand, wants to understand, but right now, he can't bring himself to care. There is a heavy disappointment settling on him and a passive expression that could mean any number of things.]

I would have liked to have slept a while longer still.

[For just a second, something wavers in his gaze and he smiles a ghost of a smile, bitterness and annoyance hidden beneath the empty gesture.]

... very cruel indeed.

[Waking, no matter how long, never ceases to remind him of that burning thirst. He finally takes it in his hand, and as he lifts it, so too does the pretense of pleasantness that he is so very good at.]

I hope things have been well, Kiseki. Has it been eventful?

[Video | filtered from Madoka; hackable]
For some of you this will come as little surprise but to others, it needs to be said: If any of you are responsible for making Madoka cry or unhappy, you will pay for as much.

[Too many people lately have been too forward with her, or, worse, not as pleasant as they damn well should be.]

I won't presume to say you cannot befriend Madoka, if she so chooses to befriend you. But don't be so lenient and don't you dare upset her in any way - or you will answer to me. Madoka is kind, and will do much to befriend you all - but that doesn't give you the right to take advantage of that kindness.

So be sure you don't overstep. [And out of seemingly nowhere, she draws a gun from behind the little shield on her wrist, frowning at the journal she's spent all afternoon trying to properly figure out. Anyway, grumpy girl with a gun.]

You've been warned of as much. That's all.