MISSION 004 WRAP-UP

[etrayamods]

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⏴

Comments

[shoplifter]

[Oh, now this is a change of pace. She blinks at the picture, at first pleased by the sweetness shown in the image... and then looking a little more puzzled, just before she looks back up to Ororo. A lightbulb has taken far too long to light up in her head. In her defense, she's eleven.]

Were you boyfriend and girlfriend?

[She learned the concept in school, during their last mission.

The children where were obnoxious about it.]

[agoddessonce]

[ Ororo is anything but obnoxious about it, smiling as she lays it on the table for Laura to take, if she wanted to. ]

Something like that. We have known each other a long time, and I love him very much. [ She sees no need to lie or embellish their relationship, not to Laura, even if this was not the Logan she was familiar with. ]

He's a little bit different from the Logan that was here briefly. Much shorter, as you can see.

[shoplifter]

[She does pick it up. It's always a little more special, when you can hold the memory in your hands.]

I hope I don't stay so short.

[Mean, Laura! But also, it would be nice to not be so small. She is so used to being underestimated by people who look (literally) down at her. The woes of being a child with very few feet on her. She makes up for it by stabbing lower, but still...]

What else is he like? your Logan. He knows the other me like you do, yes?

[agoddessonce]

I think your mother's genes will help make you a little taller. [ And keep her slim enough to do some fancier kicks and tricks than Logan would be capable of as he's built like a tank instead. Ororo finds herself smiling at the unintentional comparison she makes. ]

Logan does know the other you, yes. They have worked more closely, more often. [ Which doesn't mean he knows Laura well, but he should at least know Laura better than Ororo knows Laura. ]

But as for what he is like? ... He is a man with a very difficult past. It's given him quite a lot of rough edges - but he's one of the most honorable men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. And when you become important to him, there is nothing he won't do to keep you safe. [ Her eyes turn fond, distantly affectionate. ] He'd argue that he doesn't ever do the right thing - but I have often found that he does his best to, especially when it counts. I trust him with my life.

[shoplifter]

[Laura smiles.]

I hope so. I don't know how tall my mom was...

[She doesn't know anything about her mom. Sometimes, she imagines what she could have looked like. If she looks in the mirror and squints, she can pretend she sees the woman who carried her — possibly against her will, and most certainly to a tragic end.

But she turns her attention to the Wolverine, and Storm's fond description of him.]

Logan's a good person. A very good person.

[A pause, and then:]

He is just an aggravating one.

[:)]

[agoddessonce]

Oh, very aggravating. It just takes a little finesse and being aggravating yourself to get him in line. [ Ororo smiles; Laura is in good company since she shares the same opinion. ]

I've known him many years. Almost half my life now, I think. We often circle back to each other.

How long have you known yours, if I may ask? When our Laura came to the X-Men - it was by accident, and she was older than you are now. She surprised everyone when she kicked Logan in the face with one of her own foot-claws. [ They didn't even know about those back then. ]

[shoplifter]

[She looks amused by the idea, of Ororo tormenting her father until he caves in.

To be a fly on that wall.]

... I didn't know him very long. Only a week.

He didn't know I existed until then; Transigen was very quiet about what they did.

Logan was surprised when I followed him home. And very surprised when I used my claws.