etrayalogs | MISSION 004 WRAP-UP

Entry tags:

MISSION 004 WRAP-UP

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: August 9th and going forward
WHERE: Returning to Etraya
WHAT: End of Mission 004 Log
NOTES\WARNINGS: N/A

⏵ there's no place like home ⏴
On the morning of August 9th, every Etrayan’s earpiece receives a message from Eos: FAIL or PASS in big, bold letters with no further context. Players are free to choose which response their character gets; if they were able to go through Moorecroft without letting on that they were from Etraya, or another city bubble in general, they will receive a PASS. Those whose identities as Etrayans were spoiled, will get a FAIL. This response has no bearing on whether or not they participated in the midnight breakouts, nor what condition they’ve managed to get themselves into.

It wouldn’t be the first time some kids from Moorecroft tore up the town looking for answers, even if it is the first time in a while they’ve managed to get as far as they had and cause as much damage as they have.

Regardless, any responses sent to Eos will bounce right back to the original sender, with a RECEIVER UNAVAILABLE error: it seems that, shortly after sending through their results, all of those from Etraya have been disconnected from Eos’ network, and reconnected to Aurora’s by the friendly companion bots stepping through another portal in the middle of Moorecroft’s park. They’ll offer waves of their hands, and usher everyone back to Etraya proper. They’ll offer explanations similar to what Aurora would give to newcomers arriving to those who were dropped in with Eos, as well as offer to assist them in getting settled in Etraya.

The companion bots will allow Etrayans to step through the portal with items they can carry, minus the smaller android babies. If they insist, it will be explained to them that, much like the companion bots native to Etraya, these babies are meant to assist newcomers in settling, and they cannot take them from Eos.

Welcome home.

At the very least, everything looks normal on this side.

⏵ whispered secrets of the night ⏴
Or it seems normal enough. While previous excursions outside of Etraya have featured environmental changes, the city bubble now appears exactly as it had before everyone left. Buildings stand as pristine as ever, animals have been fed and cared for, and everyone is invited to return to their homes for a quick rest.

But as you meander through the familiar streets and over bridges, an unsettling stillness clings to the air. The usual sounds of Etraya–the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the chatter from the companion bots– feel slightly off. Shadows stretch a little too long, lingering in the corners of your vision, and the light, although warm, seems to cast an unnatural tint over everything. It’s as if the city itself had been holding its breath in everyone’s absence.

As days pass, the eerie stillness begins to ebb. The animals gradually resume their usual activities, and companion bots return to their routines, chatting with Etrayans as they wander the city and help set up new facilities.

Yet despite the return of normalcy, a sense of unease lingers. The city feels different as if it’s been touched by something while you were away. There are no curfews on Etraya, unlike Moorecroft, but those who wander in the dark may be unable to help but notice that it almost feels as if something is watching you, waiting for you to let your guard down. Etraya appears to be the same, but something has changed, shifted. And it’s only a matter of time before that change reveals itself.

Those who wander outside at night during their first several days back will feel like they are being watched, but will be unable to find what is watching them, regardless of the method they use to try and discern what it is.

⏵ sea la vie ⏴ The unsettling sensation of being watched gradually fades over the next few days. Etraya begins to feel more like the place you remember: slightly empty, but comfortably so. The weather shifts unpredictably, with cool breezes one day and almost stifling warmth the next.

The companion bots, seemingly oblivious to any lingering unease, appear to be in full vacation mode. They spend a significant amount of time on the two small, sandy islands that are just south of the hospital, setting up for what looks like the perfect beach day. Chairs are arranged in neat rows, colorful towels are spread out across the sand, and a small shack has been built just off the side of the bridge that offers swimsuits and any other beach-related item that they could need - or most of them! The narrow river means surfboards are out of the question; instead, the bots provide massive tube floaties, perfect for lazily drifting down the currents.

⏵ polaroid pandemonium ⏴ Everyone receives an invitation to Corrine’s Cafe, along with a table number. The invitation may arrive via a companion bot delivering it to them physically, or as a direct message from Aurora via their earpiece. The invitation instructs them to meet at the cafe at a specific time and sit at a designated table.

At each table, two envelopes sit in front of two chairs, each containing a collection of photos. These images capture significant moments from your history - events you may have forgotten or ones that have shaped who you are. On the back of each envelope, instructions for the task await: discuss the moment featured in the photo with your partner, and share what it means to you. Whether it’s a memory of a terrible ordeal, or one of your happiest times with your loved ones. The choice to participate is yours; however, Aurora and the companion bots make it clear that your place at the table is pre-reserved whether you show up or not - meaning, your photos may still be viewed by others, even if you decide not to show up.

⏵ NOTES ⏴

This log marks the end of their visit to Moorecroft! Characters return to Etraya on August 9th regardless of what shenanigans they were getting up to within the other city bubble. We'll be following up with the mission: breakout threads, as well as continuing to follow through with NPC threads and provide further information for those still participating in plotting.

For any questions relating to the contents of this log, please use the mod queries thread. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ.

⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Krouse smiles wider as he shrugs, then unceremoniously sinks down to a cross-legged seat on the sand. ]

That's why they invented sunscreen...although you'd need, what, SPF Transylvanian?

[ Or: she has a point. ]

I'm kidding, before you toss me into the river. Just came by to say hello. How've you been?

Don't worry, I'm too comfortable to get up and toss you anywhere right now.

[ Even if she's hot and not really built for sitting on the beach. So, he's safe for now. ]

I've been...here. I don't know if that's good or bad. But, I'm still here. Hurray for me. And you, it seems.

[ The rise of Krouse's eyebrows suggests he's tempted to test how far she'll value comfort over throwing him into the water - and then he relents, leaning back on his palms with a small shake of his head. ]

I'd considered asking for an early checkout, but you can't beat the amenities.

[ Lightly sarcastic as ever, but with a certain settled quality underneath that. He might actually be letting this place grow on him. The people, specifically. ]

We even got to go on a field trip. How can you be dissatisfied with the state of our prison now?

Prison.

[ You've answere your own question. Jessica rolls her eyes slightly before smirking. ]

Did you have fun on our little trip?

[ That's more than fair enough. ]

Who doesn't love the suburbs?

[ He cocks his head, affecting a smirk. ]

It was all right. Participated in a curfew break, stared into the maw of the abyss, went to the movies.

[ The first two items on the list are delivered with genuine casualness, while the last has a slightly strained undertone. He glances out to the river, his throat bobbing as he swallows. ]

You?

Drank a lot.

[ Some things never changed. ]

Broke curfew a few times, tried not to kill the guy that was supposed to be living with me. Fun times.

[ Sort of. ]

[ Other people's domestic problems are automatically more interesting than his own. Krouse perks up with unabashed curiosity. ]

It wasn't all fake married rainbows and bliss, huh?

What was the problem with him? Didn't do dishes, going out with the guys too often, or from some primitive misogynist timeline?

Annoying.

[ He was perfectly fine, honestly, but he wasn't Jessica's type and that meant he was annoying. ]

Too goddamn optimistic for his own good.

Mm. I can see where the friction arose.

[ He doesn't mean to give Jessica offence, here, but he knows they're on the same page when it comes to that one. ]

Kudos on not squishing Jiminy Cricket. I'd give you a gold star if I had one.

Wow, that'd be a first for me.

[ She wasn't really a gold start person. Probably shocking, she knows. ]

And you seem to have come out of it okay. Do I owe you a gold star too?

If you've got one.

[ He doubts it, but it can't hurt to ask. ]

I think anyone who survives suburbia probably deserves one, honestly. Really reminded me of all the shit I don't miss.

Raincheck.

[ She does not have one and probably won't ever have one. ]

Last time I did anything like that, I was a kid. Didn't get much better from that time so I think I'll keep passing on that particular thing.

[ He makes a little noise of general agreement in the back of his throat, tipping his head back with his eyes closed to soak up the sunlight. ]

I always kind of assumed I'd end up moving somewhere else.

[ And of course she did. She just doesn't seem like the type to dream of white picket fences and backyard barbeques. ]

New York was up there, once. More an idea than the place. Chicago, Portland, LA...Las Vegas, actually, if you can believe that. [ He cracks his eyes open a slit, smile faint and rueful. ] Can you keep a secret?

[ He knows she can. ]

Secrets are pretty much my life.

[ And she doesn't let anyone have those secrets if she can help it. So yeah, she can keep a secret. ]

I'll keep your secret. Tell me.

[ Now, she's very curious. ]

[ He lifts a sandy palm to his chest, over his draped towel, a picture of modest honesty. ]

When I was a kid, there was a year where I wanted to move to Les Vegas to be a stage magician.

[ And he waits. ]

A...what?

[ She stares at him for a moment before letting out a little laugh. ]

Really? A stage magician? Pulling rabbits from hats?

[ He savours her laugh, as good as applause, and nods cheerfully. ]

Rabbits from hats, escaping locked boxes, levitation, conjuring doves, the whole thing.

[ He drops his hand and tips his head sideways, caught between old embarrassment and a tinge of unexpected nostalgia. ]

I got really into it this one summer. I was going to sleepaway camp for the first time that August, and I thought if I went with a few tricks...well, there's a ticket to instant popularity, right?

Didn't exactly work out like that, but I got pretty good before I found that out.

Can you still do anything?

[ Not that Jessica's in a rush to see a magic trick but it might be a little entertaining and a break from the norm. ]

Pull a quarter from behind my ear or something? Saw me in half without killing me?

We're a little short on quarters, and sawing in half takes a whole magic box.

[ He glances towards the beach shack, weighing possibilities. ]

I could see if they've got any decks of cards over there. People play cards at the beach, right?

[ Old people, but still. ]

I wouldn't know. I can't remember the last time I went to the beach.

[ New York City wasn't really a beach town even if there was a coast somewhere in the state. ]

Don't think it's illegal though if you wanna show me what you can do with a deck of cards.

If it's illegal, I'll just get you to distract them while I run. Deal?

[ He seems to assume it is, rising to his feet in an easy unfolding with an equally easy grin. He holds up a finger - one second - and lopes off to the beach shack, sand shaking from him as he goes.

It's a little more than one second, but he has long legs, so it's not an unbearable amount of time. He comes back with a little white and blue cardboard pack, already thumbing open the top as he sits within arm's reach. ]

Our lucky day.

[ He slides the deck loose into his palm and discards the box before he starts to shuffle, cards a liquid whisper in his hands. ]

Want to do 'pick a card, any card', or is that too cliche?

[ At that, she nods becuase sure, it's a deal. She waits while he runs off to grab some cards and sits up a little when he's back.

She eyes the cards in his hand. ]

No, let's go with the classic. You gotta ask me though. Gotta say 'pick a card, any card'. I wanna hear it.

Happy to oblige, ma'am.

[ He's got a feeling Jessica isn't the type to love being called 'ma'am', and his teasing smirk shows it.

The cards snap crisply as he warms up, the deck better constructed than he'd have guessed a beachside stand would offer. For the hell of it, he throws in a faro shuffle, deck split and perfectly slipped back together. Then he flicks the cards out into a fan and holds them up to her, eyes wide and almost guileless. ]

Pick a card, any card [ the patter comes back as easy as the shuffle ] take it out, give it a look, and don't let me peek. You know the drill.

[ Yeah, she's going to roll her eyes at being called ma'am bt there's no heat behind it. It's Krouse being Krouse and doing his best to wind her up a little bit.

She eyes the deck of cards and then selects one. A moment later, she looks at it and finds that she's got a five of spades. Once she's got it memorized, she presses it against her thigh. ]

Got it.

Excellent choice.

[ He nods sagely, channelling every ounce of convincing wisdom he can muster. It's not much. That's part of the routine. ]

Now, contemplate your card. Make a connection. It doesn't work unless you're attuned to it, so I'm putting myself in your capable hands.

[ The deck ripples back and forth between his hands, then snaps into two almost equal halves, his eyes never dropping down. He offers one of the halves to her and closes his eyes. ]

Please place your special card on the top of the deck, and remember - don't stop thinking about it.

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