+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

The day is finally here – the day that everyone has been waiting for after so long. It’s the day for the Meeting of the Realms, The Bridge Between Worlds finally open to all three worlds. For those who have never attended the meeting before, it is a formal affair, and many arrive to the Bridge in order to discuss these negotiations for peace. The main point of this meeting is for the rulers of the three realms to negotiate for peace and establish themselves this way – and these discussions will span over the course of days. The rulers and a small contingent of their closest advisors and strongest allies will accompany them for the official meeting, but the Bridge is open to all members of the realms who wish to attend and meet within that world.

It’s a formal affair, certainly, but also one of celebration – for many, this is the first time in centuries that a Bridge Meeting has even taken place, and being able to witness the temporary collapse of borders is one to be remembered. The last Bridge Meeting was short and brief, due to a collapse in negotiations – but many are hopeful that this time will be different. It’s a chance for everyone to come together on neutral ground and meet with the other worlds, exchange cultures and understandings – it is, after all, the overall hope to achieve peace and acceptance. What better way to do so than to truly get to know your world neighbors?

The world in which the Bridge resides is a small little bubble of a world in comparison to the expansiveness of the other three realms. To explore the entire world, it takes only a few hours’ trek across fields, around the lake the Bridge stretches across, or navigating the mountains. The world, though small, is mountainous, and the air is crisp, clear, and clean. The Bridge and its lake lies centered in what appears to be a valley, surrounded by mountains and beautiful sky.

The Bridge itself is an old-fashioned relic of past cultures long since lost, the remaining remnants of an era of peace and prosperity. It’s old, but sturdy. Korra and Aang, maintainers of this world, have done well to preserve it and prepare it for the many new arrivals to this tiny realm. They’ve taken all they’ve learned of the various worlds and incorporated it into this realm to make everyone feel as safe and welcome as possible – there are clusters of trees reminiscent of the Otherworld, the waters of the lake are the purest and cleanest outside of Heaven, and there’s even a fire pit similar to the one found in Hell.

The first day of the Meeting is taking place on the winter solstice – and it’s clear wherever you look, the entire world dusted with a layer of snow, and the clouds above threatening more at any moment. There is definitely more snow incoming. It’s chilled and crisp, so perhaps best to keep warm or stay warm with someone else.


[ooc: Again, if needed, check out info & plotting for this event in regards to what will go down during this meeting - and please keep your top levels to the appropriate subthreads.]

For centuries, the three worlds – Heaven, Hell, and the Otherworld – have been separated, often at war, sometimes in stilted tension waiting for the next war, but never, truly, in harmony. Thankfully, between the three worlds, there is a neutral ground – the Bridge Between Worlds. The purpose of the bridge is to be a connection point for all three worlds, in which peace treaties can be negotiated and signed on a neutral platform without having to invite potential enemies into one’s own realm.

For the first time in decades, the Bridge is being opened and the three worlds are meeting – and everyone is waiting in anticipation for that moment. The barriers between the worlds have slowly weakened over the years, making it easy for demons, otherworlders, and angels to drift between the worlds if they so choose (and some certainly have), when means of communication through magically-connected journals no longer seems enough. In addition to this, there have historically been long, grueling wars between the worlds that have only recently started to wane in intensity. With this weakening of the borders over the decades and the long war, the need to reach agreement between the worlds couldn’t be stronger, and sorting out those differences is goal number one.

… Or so it might seem. Because there are rumors that Hell isn’t as on board for peace as the other two worlds are. In fact, there are whispers that the Demon Queen has perhaps had her hand in disruptions. There’s no way to prove this, and certainly anyone to suggest as much would unleash another decade of war. Still, things are tentative and tenuous between the three worlds, and the success of the bridge meeting is imperative.

Still, such rumors give light to a truth – things are tense between the worlds, and not even the entire worlds are in agreement. There are rumors, too, that the two Otherworld rulers are in disagreement about how to proceed with respect to the other two worlds – one wishes for connection, the other for isolation.

And while things may seem good and peaceful in Heaven, perhaps not everything is as it seems there. Heaven is very powerful, and very populated – more and more angels are being born every day, and there are stirrings within the Otherworld and Hell wondering if Heaven is truly as good as it seems, if they aren’t planning some form of invasion themselves with their gathering numbers, their protection of their barriers, their secretive insistence on peace. Perhaps there’s something more selfish hidden behind the guise of kindness and compassion.

But things aren’t going smoothly already. With random attacks happening every day across the worlds, things are more and more uncertain – and there’s no telling what will happen at the bridge meeting, or even if everyone truly wants peace.

And it’s no good to go into negotiations feeling as if you’ve been pushed to be there, after all… The Bridge Meeting is only a few days away and, regardless of one’s position on it, there is a quiver of anticipation – the opportunity for peace or, perhaps, for the opportunity to meet others who have, until now, been separated from one another.


[ooc: Please check back with the info & plotting for the event if need be, and if you want a list of where everyone is, check this thread. Please note that this event is a full AU, meaning that your character has no knowledge of Miracle Country or any details from their old life. This post is purely for characters to interact within their world – the bridge will appear in a few days time with a new log; characters can move between worlds, but it’s difficult to do so at this time, emphasizing communication through journals or through messages sent through Korra & Aang, and interaction with one’s own co-worlders. Each of the three worlds has its own individual thread.]

[Today, perhaps you're traveling from the main island to check out one of the outer islands - there's one island in particular, the wings island, is suddenly seeming more inviting than usual. Perhaps you feel a strange urge to visit the island with the wings, to walk along the sand, to stand at the reservoir and stare down into the water.

It's one of those weeks in which the outer islands have moved close enough to join the main island, so it's a simple enough walk - no trains required today - and if you stand near enough and just let the wind brush through your hair, you might feel the slightest kiss of sand traveling across the two islands, inviting you closer.

And as you get closer to that island, closer to those ruins, you might start to feel the effects of that island, as well - thinking of your family, of your friends, of all those who are precious and important to you... and suddenly, that bond you share feels like the only thing you can think of.

And in response to a recent arrival, it seems there are sakura petals falling everywhere you look. Not a lot, just enough to spark that memory - of someone familiar, of someone important, perhaps... or perhaps no one at all.

( CW: brief description of water )


[[ooc: please feel free to use this as a mingle - Sakura's actual intro will be the first comment to this entry, should you wish to interact with her specifically.]]

[So today, it's a bit chilly outside, so maybe you don't feel like going outside too much -- thinking of maybe just hanging out in the underground tunnels beneath the hotel -- there's the cafeteria, and a few common rooms with televisions and couches and fluffy places to relax.]

[In one of these places, you might find Arthur and Merlin, who were attempting to spend a peaceful afternoon but have now, as usual, descended into Arthur's frustrated grumbles/shoutings. Merlin's all cuddled up on one of the couches, noming on some popcorn and curled up in a big blanket and Arthur is kneeling down in front of the DVD player and television]

[Arthur, for his part, looks grumpy -- this is his attempt to help Merlin relax a bit, since the deal with all those loses before ended up shaking him up a lot more than might be immediately noticeable. But this blasted modernity!!]

I don't understand! I made it work before! Emma showed me.

[The video doesn't really demonstrate it easily, but anyone super observant will be able to see that Arthur is putting the DVD in upside down in the machine, although he doesn't realize this]

It goes in, see! It should work now. [Stares at the screen, which stays frustratingly blank.] I press this button, and...

[Nope, blank screen. On the couch, Merlin says I could just--]

Shut up, Merlin, I can figure this out. The movie's 79 minutes, so I just... [he presses 7 and then 9 on the remote and then suddenly the screen goes fuzzy] [asdlghasld;] What happened?!

[Merlin sighs behind him and says yes, Sire all the while grinning obnoxiously, in his "you are dumb and cute" kind of way and keeps eating some popcorn, watching as Arthur continues to struggle and adds, I believe in you, Sire.]

... Shut up, Merlin. [Arthur blushes a it as Merlin continues to smile oh so innocently and wiggle his toes a bit under the blanket]

[Maybe you'll have more luck than these two, though. Feel free to hang out with everyone, have some fun or just relax... or put these two out of their misery.]


[ooc: Post is open for mingling! If you'd like for Arthur or Merlin (or both) to respond to your comments, just note in the subject line or as an ooc note in your comment!]

[Anyone passing by the candy shop today or glancing at their journal will see Himawari outside the candy shop's front door, holding a little tray of little baskets, all full of little candy-coated chocolates, and sparkling at anyone who may be passing by]

Free samples! Today only - try our new recipes and flavors!

[Over the past seven years, this day has usually been one for melancholy or thoughtfulness, considering it marks another year in Kiseki, but this year, Himawari is determined to face it with more cheerfulness and happiness than previous years. Dare she even think maybe with a kind of hopefulness? Regardless, her good mood doesn't seem faked for once.]

Free samples for everyone today to mark the candy shop's anniversary! [It's not the exact day for the shop, of course, but she's long since forgotten the day she got the job here - or the day she inherited the shop from Kakei and Saiga. So today works as well as any]

The candy shop has been around for almost seven years now, so I just wanted to do my part to thank everyone for your continued support and business over the years - to both old and new customers. Thank you very much! Shizuka-kun, Lancelot-san, and I are all incredibly thankful!

And if you like the candies, please consider returning and buying all our different lines of candy!



[Of course, anyone who actually does take the candy samples from her will find themselves, a short time later, undergoing some strange side-effects, ones that no one might necessarily expect, least of all Himawari. Suddenly, her good mood (and lack of good luck) seems to be spreading to others around - and everyone's suddenly just a little bit lovestruck.]

[The effects of the candy will last for as long as half of an hour, or shorter. Your character will eat the candy and then fall in "love" with whoever they happen to see first upon eating that candy. For more information about the original event, go here. The candies being offered will be listed in the cut below.]

( ooc: candy colors & their type of love )

[Look at that calendar, dear Kiseki residents! Do you see what day is today? Do you?

Exactly

It's Harry Dresden's birthday! Yay!

It's such an important date that the land itself decided to throw a themed party for him, in which he's trapped and unable to leave before midnight. Therefore, starting at around 10 am, a big section of the park starts resembling Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!

That'd be the wrong wizard named Harry but who cares as long as the food is good, right?

We have, among other things, a Quidditch field with brooms that don't fly - unless except MAYBE if you ask an actual wizard to enchant them -, a TARDIS-sized Shrieking Shack, and a replica of the Great Hall where there are tables with lots of food and cake and more cake and the ceiling is just like the sky… No, wait. That is the actual sky.

Oh, oh. I guess it's Halloween too. Thus, some of the characters who wander inside the party zone may have their clothes changed to the Hogwarts house they'd be in if they were students. Even if they have never heard of anything Potter.]

((OOC: Everyone is welcome to the party! And welcome to mingle, of course =) You can give your good wishes to the birthday boy in his thread here))

[How's it going, Kisekians? Are you weirded out or traumatized enough yet? Have you lost your ability to feel anything at all and therefore don't care about trauma? Are you angry because you can no longer tie your shoes?

No worries, though, Miracle Country has just the way to cheer you all up. Stopping the attacks? Please, are you new? Come on. In fact, you might be so not new you might've already spent a whole year here! Kiseki is celebrating opening itself up to more dimensions, not that anyone around would understand that's the point.

In the Sakura park, in place of its usual perpetually pink tree, there'll be a massive, multiple-layered cake, decorated in white and, you guessed it, little pink sakura flowers. On top of it there'll be a candle indicating one, and there'll be small tables with plates and utensils to eat the cake if anyone'd like to. There'll be balloons and confetti falling randomly on people all day, as well as native Kisekians passing around party hats.

It seems even the monsters are celebrating, as today any you encounter will be carrying its own cute party hat as well. Not even being a soulless-NPC can stop Miracle Country's festive cheer!]

Hey, hey, are you joking? There’s no way -- …… -- I don’t care about -- ……… -- just tell me where -- ……… [At first, there’s nothing but this short audio file, the words interrupted with static, making the speech disjointed and nearly unintelligible. The static gets louder, and soon there’s a sound of what sounds like a hundred tasers activating at once, a snap and the sound of glass shattering – and for a while, that’s it.

But, never fear, citizens of Kiseki: soon there’s a video feed appearing in your journals, of the hospital lobby, with a ton of candles spread all around it, because for some reason, all the lightbulbs are broken. The video shows a guy with flaming orange hair wearing a black tracksuit and sunglasses (yes, sunglasses, even though it’s dark enough that his face is barely visible in the video), clearing his throat and starting to speak in a manner that can only be described as grandiose.]

My fellow prisoners! Your tragic circumstances have just been brought to my attention! Oh, how my heart weeps for you, all alone and stranded here in a strange world! But there is no need for despair… yes, because Lord Lemon is here to help you!

[A dramatic pause, to make sure everyone understands he’s talking about himself.] There’s a story of a fisherman in Yokohama, who spent all his savings on a new boat. But the next night, there was a storm, and his boat sunk! But the fisherman didn’t let that get him down. Instead, he marched to the loan office, threatened them with a gun and stole enough money to get a new boat!

[He feigns wiping a tear.] A truly inspirational story! So remember…

[There’s another pause, for full dramatic effect:]

When life gives you lemons… reject them and make orange juice instead!

[Birthday grins, tossing a battery he’s been holding in his hand up in the air, catching it and—yep, biting on it as the feed cuts off.]

[[ooc: the lost traits event is going on, so if you want to action it up that is a-okay!! Birthday won't lose anything, at least not yet.]]