+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

[Normally, the Usyagi are off doing their own thing, unless someone requires their assistance - new arrivals, customers at the various shops in the city, people who wish to request something from them. So it might be surprising at first to see them much more present than usual. Unsettling to many, considering their apparent link to the magic of this world, and various events...

What are they up to? Well, should you approach them, or should you ignore them for long enough that they decide to seek you out instead, they'll hand you a little card, and leave. In this card, there's a simple question:

"Truth or Dare?"

Should your characters answer this question, out loud or mentally (maybe they think anyone would pick 'dare'!), the card will then change to a specific truth or dare set out of them, with a note that they must fulfill the requirement (talk about a deep secret, say what they really think of someone they know, help out somebody, insult the first person they meet, get up to the middle of the park and sing a song at the top of their voice, make a new friend, try to steal a cake from one of the shops, and so on) within the next few days. If they picked truth, then it'll be up to them to find someone to tell these things about. If they picked dare, then the same applies, as long as the dare involves other people.

And what if they ignore the note? Or pick one, but choose not to follow through? Well, they'll be pranked by Miracle Country. They'll find themselves with an embarrassing outfit, or realize their shop was invaded by stray cats that won't stop making a mess, or find that their rooms have been turned upside down. Nothing fatal, but it might be easier at times to simply play along... Of course, if you absolutely hate your truth/dare, you could always complain enough that maybe you'll get a different one - usually switching to dares, as people sometimes are more comfortable doing ridiculous things than being honest about some topics.

Oh, and of course, nothing says someone can't get more than one card. So have fun with that!]

[[Truth or Dare post, as you can see! It isn't mandatory, so feel free to use this for mingle purposes outside of these shenanigans.]]

Let it never be said that Sebastian doesn't provide exceptional and enthusiastic service: everywhere you go, on every island, in every store window, and possibly on the back of a certain person's head are posters advertising the Funtomhive Company's new sister line.

That's right, kind citizens. If you are homesick and want to surround yourself with more familiar items, or miss sleeping by the light of that special lampshade that beautifies your side table, or even worse, can't live without your Aunt Martha's ugly figurine, the Funtomhive Company's new decorative line, Funtom Décor, will work with you to recreate whatever your heart desires. He'll even make bread lamps for you, if that's what you want.

There's nothing so gaudy as a price list in print, but the phrase "Commission on Demand" does guarantee that your piece will be one of a kind. Or ten of a kind, if you seriously want to go that route. Any requests, the flyer says, inquire within through care of post or visit to Earl Ciel Phantomhive or Sebastian Michaelis. The address listed underneath will lead you to a newly opened store in the shopping district- tasteful, small, and with this logo hanging over the door.

Thank you, Sebastian, for correctly interpreting the animal Ciel had chosen.

Inside the door is where the restraint stops, the interior resembling a mini-mansion to the extreme. Why? Because Sebastian. That's why. And because Sebastian's involved, light refreshments are placed to the side, mysteriously refilled every so often with no visible maid in view.

Come explore if you're strolling on by and partake in the fresh, baked goods.


(ooc: Will adapt to your posting style. Anyone looking to commission their services can also seek out Sebastian at his various job locations (what is it, 7 now? you definitely can't miss him), or Ciel at his educational institution or around his hotel. Also feel free to use this post as a mingle, to discuss furnishing/item requests among yourselves. Or discuss it and ixnay it, whatever works!)

[The tremors from the earthquake may be over but things are shakier than ever in the days that pass since the ball. Exposed vampires and their motives have been brought into question. Humans have been turned and fed from in the bloody mess of it all, and even the balance of the kingdom is at stake now. Hunters gather to decide how to handle the situation, while vampires with the most to lose from the leaked secrets must be frantic to keep anyone looking to flee Samara from escaping. No one can simply leave, not now.

But the fact is that neither side can hold out for long either. What will those caught in between do? There's plenty of injured (and vampires crazed by all that blood, even more likely to lose it and attack) and visitors that had nothing to do with the conflict and now dragged into it beyond anything they could have imagined. The rumors are running wild among those recovering and there's the feeling that they all have only moments before hunters and vampires are facing off against one another. Samara may well be on its way to becoming the location of sparking a full out war.]

[Beyond any skirmishes that break out, they won't get to decide -- A powerful wind of black flower petals sweeps through the world in a blur and with that everyone returns! To themselves and their own memories and the familiar landscape of Miracle Country. Typical cutesy Halloween decorations hang everywhere in sight, most so at the park where they'll all return to, greeted by food and drinks and candy alike, and costumes of all kinds courtesy of the same magic. Hope you enjoyed the drama... and Happy Halloween.]

[It is a cool night in Samara, but the night is clear. If you look up, you can see stars, and there are lights lining each path that’s leading towards the center of town. After the flurry of activity and hard work to get the ballroom prepared, you can now see the fruits of that labor: tonight, you are cordially invited to welcome Queen Anne of Leridae in a grand ball.

Turns out those rumors about Queen Anne were true. Don’t worry, you won’t be required to talk to her if you’re shy or not too keen on royalty, as the ball is expansive enough and with enough people that it might actually be difficult to approach her so easily, what with all her bodyguards.

But that’s alright, because the party itself is well underway. There’s the beautiful lilt of music to dance to, floating candles that dart away just beyond reach – a little trick of magic to keep the ambiance – and the beautiful gardens out beyond the balconies, for those who need some fresh air. There’s a distinct lack of food to partake in, but that’s just as well. All the better to not be distracted from the beautiful sights, the beautiful costumes, and the beautiful company.

However, not everything is glitter and loveliness tonight. What is promising to be a quiet, delightful night full of politeness and dancing will take a sharp turn towards midnight – where the ground will suddenly start to shake in a massive earthquake. Perhaps at first you think it’s some kind of attack, the force of it all so sudden and debilitating.

The earthquake is so extreme that the walls buckle around you, the glass in the windows shatter, and the ground beneath your feet begins to crack. There’s falling debris everywhere, so try not to get hit or pinned beneath falling beams. Hopefully you aren’t standing too close to the glass windows and get shattered glass hitching against your skin.

That is to say: you probably aren’t getting out of this party unharmed. That is, of course, unless you’re a vampire with healing powers. Quite the inopportune time for your secret to be revealed, isn’t it? And what do you know, hunters – all this time, you were in the company of so many vampires.

How are you going to reconcile all of this?]


[[More information here]]

[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.]]

[As the days pass, the colder weather becomes more evident, and Miracle Country's taken note of it. People around the islands will find colorful flyers around, indicating there's a sale on warm clothes! Anything from blankets to sweaters, hats, jackets, gloves and even fluffy socks, now's a good chance to stock up on these. The shopping district will appear to have more clothing stores than usual, with varied styles and different items on sale.

So why not take advantage of the weekend to stroll around and get what you need? Perhaps even take pity on those newly arrived and get them some gifts, too. It'll be quite peaceful for the time being, no tricks, no magical clothes doing anything... Although it might seem strange that with Miracle Country's love for themed holidays, Halloween decorations and items aren't really set up this time.]


[[Little lazy mingle! Use as you'd like.]]

[Fall has started, and to those unfamiliar with the seasonal changes in the world, the abrupt change might seem odd. The temperature's dropped, the days are getting shorter, and quickly and surely, the leaves in most trees will dry out, starting to fall and cover the paths and ground all around Miracle Country.

Moreover, this time around they seem a very insistent red color, rather than the usual mix of browns you'd expect from such a view. The reason for it should be obvious by Sunday, when a blood moon joins in to add to the tints of red everywhere, as once it's passed, the landscape will slowly change into the more usual one for the time of the year.

Until then, enjoy the view.]

[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.]]

[It's late at night, probably time for everyone to call it a day and head off to bed. Nothing too unusual. In fact, even those who usually stay up late might feel the need to get a good night of sleep today, so it'll make for a quiet night everywhere...

Only after a couple of hours, they might realize there was some movement, possibly even wake up from it if they're light sleepers. Surprise! You're not alone, if you went to sleep on your own. Or you're not with the person you were sharing with, if you were already accompanied. Hell, it might not even look like it's your bed you're sleeping in - beds all over the hotels will have changed, to fancier ones at times, other times to smaller, more cramped ones, maybe even just sleeping bags. You could even find yourselves in one of the many locations outside, on a hammock, or a more elaborated set-up, even inside a bubble of sorts.

Whichever the switch is, you'll have to learn to embrace it for a while (or embrace your new bed partner, we don't judge here), because it'll be impossible to get away for at least some time after the change. Not only that, but the switching around isn't limited to the one night. Lasting for the weekend, the general sleepy feeling will come back again (sometimes during the day, as well) and provoke random naps from people... who might end up in a bed with other victims yet again.

At least Miracle Country worries about hurt sensibilities, so of course if your character might lean towards lighter clothing while sleeping (or none at all - again, we don't judge), the magic of the world shall provide them with cute, warm pyjamas to wear once the switch has happened. Even if it happens during the day, they wouldn't want anyone to be uncomfortable. Of course, should they find themselves ending up wearing something less appropriate, that's just their bad luck.]

[[Replay of the bed sharing event! Mingle as you'd like. The plotting post for it can be found here.]]

[A couple of days after Porthos' party, Kiseki received a new arrival. Mia had been talking to Usyagi after her arrival, needing to know if Leo was here too.]

Where is he? Where is Leo? I need to see him. Please you must let me speak to him, he needs to know I'm okay. If you won’t let me talk to him then at least don't let him be alone. Tell him I’m here and that everything is going to be alright.

[But no answers had been forthcoming and eventually she had taken the items she had been given and listened to the explanation of where she was. As unbelievable as it was they didn't seem to have a need to lie. Leaving the large white egg shaped building she looked around wondering where she should go first]

Well there must be somebody around