+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

[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.]

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.

[With less experience using the journals, it's taken a while to figure out there's a way to make a PSA that Pan can't interfere with. But he has managed it]

I know this might sound odd, but for anyone who's met Peter Pan - that blonde kid who arrived recently - you need to be careful. He's the nastiest person I've ever met, and he's ridiculously powerful. We don't really know what the hell he might be up to, but you don't want to mess around with him. Or get caught up in his crap. [BASICALLY JUST STAY AWAY FROM HIM HE'S THE WORST.]

[He sighs, looking at what he's written down. He... hopes it'll be enough. It's not like Emma and her parents can't cover whoever doesn't believe him, they've got enough friends between the three of them]

[It's just Himawari in the candy shop today - as it has been for the last few days now. She keeps waiting, and hoping, but... since both of their things have disappeared, it doesn't seem likely, does it?]

It was only a matter of time, wasn't it? [She sets out a sign outside the door, on a sandwich board, advertising 50% off chocolates today only - and goes back inside]

[She's organizing a shelf, but her movements lack a lot of luster, and even though she's smiling, she's undoubtedly sad. Tanpopo chirps sadly from her shoulder and she shakes her head]

Isn't it interesting, Tanpopo? That I could be here for so many years and yet... never get used to it. How many people have I had to say goodbye to, over the years...? [it seems that, no matter what happens, she's always saying "goodbye" without the proper chance to. How many friends has she lost along the way, too? Kohane, Yumi, Mong Ryong, Hideki, Rikuou, Fay, Shara... Eventually, anyone who gets to know her just disappears, never to return. She's not so presumptuous to assume it's her fault, but...]

[... she really has gotten used to Doumeki's aura keeping things relatively normal. Being without it now...]

I guess saying goodbye - or not getting a chance to - is something you never get used to. Maybe you shouldn't get used to it.

[She touches at the necklace around her neck - a little sunflower in a jar, given to her by Watanuki - and then fiddles with the ring on her finger, given to her by Doumeki.]

[...] [She wipes away one betraying tear]

... Happy Anniversary, Watanuki-kun. Shizuka-kun.

[During the evening, everyone with a bit of magic in them will feel a loss, that something - someone - is missing. Watanuki has gone home, his shop now entirely left to Rumpel, except there are small packages laid out on the porch, in a neat row, each bearing a name on them. The names belong to those who have, at any point, approached Watanuki for a wish: Yuuki, Jamie... and of course, even though he has no way to pay the price of gifts now, Himawari and Doumeki.

But even if you don't go anywhere near the shop tonight, you will see black butterflies flying in the darkness, dissolving into nothing if you try to touch them.]

[[OOC: With Watanuki gone, feel free to make up a wish if you want your character to have received something! The mentioned packages contain more blood tablets for Yuuki, spider's web for Jamie, a glass necklace with a miniature sunflower inside it for Hima, and a bottle of sake and a plate of fried shrimp for Dou. Feel free to use this post for general mingling! ♥]]

[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...

[There's a boy who should look familiar to a few of the people here, standing under the big sakura tree in the park, which he inevitably got drawn to. He stays there for a while, just quietly looking up at it, a sort of longing in his expression]

[Eventually he sits down under it, though, picking up the journal he was given to write a quick note in it]

Kurogane-san, Fay-san, Mokona... I don't know why we got separated, but I'll find all of you.

For now, I'm in a park in this city, under a sakura tree. I'll wait a while, and keep searching if you can't reply or don't show up.

[He figures it's smarter this way, since then they don't all keep wandering around and possibly missing each other. But he's worried about them splitting up]

[Happy White Day, Miracle Country! It seems that this year, Miracle Country hasn't been very celebratory - having skipped Valentine's Day entirely - but perhaps White Day is a chance to make up for that?

Not so much. As a means to "celebrate", the world's magic is doing an anti-Valentine's event. Suddenly, affection is not only frowned upon, but actively discouraged. Couples today will find all kinds of obstacles interrupting any attempts to be romantic with friends, family, and lovers.

Holding hands? Suddenly there's a tree root to trip you. Going in for a kiss? Suddenly there's an invisible wall blocking you from your partner. Trying to cuddle? Water balloons are getting tossed at your head, or a bucket of very cold ice water. Trying to... get intimate? Well, enjoy that incredibly loud and annoying alarm bell that's suddenly ringing and won't stop until you stop, or perhaps that feeling that your pillow is full of rose thorns...

All kinds of things can happen (and feel free to make up your own): water balloons, tree roots, even quicksand in places! Sudden gusts of wind, sudden rain showers, birds landing on your head and pecking until you stop, sudden patch of ice causing you to slip...

But maybe if you hide away, it'll be alright. It seems that Kiseki isn't always looking to disturb the couples, and those that find interesting hiding spots and solutions might be able to have a moment or two with their sweetheart. Hide away, and maybe it'll stop...


Except, take heart couples, because White Day isn't all for naught: as the evening approaches, characters will fell compelled to go to the ballroom where everything is set up for Kiseki's very own Bitter Ball, complete with all the party decorations! And an abundance of alcohol.

It's almost as if Miracle Country wants you to get romantic, though, despite the mixed messages: there's plenty to eat and drink, there's music playing with a big open dance floor, and lots of pretty decorations for White Day. But help the poor couples who decide to show up together, because as soon as they step inside, Miracle Country is forcing them to opposite sides of the room.]

[The video starts up to show the facade of an old-fashioned toy shop colored with soft pinks and whites. A sign reading "Twin Bells" and a picture of the same is painted above the door.

But perhaps you noticed none of that because Utsusemimaru is standing in front of the door in a full bunny costume.

He is very enthusiastic about his new job.]

Come one, come all! At Twin Bells you can have a ball! We have toys of every color and shape, so come in, don't just stand agape! Bears and dolls so full of pluck and wishing cards to try your luck! Don't frown or cry or make a fuss - for fun toys you can count on us!

[ooc: This post is free for mingling, so please tag around with each other. Ucchii will be around to help you find the best toy you could wish for and to kick out any troublemakers should they start a ruckus.]