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

[decohere]

[a cross of her arms, she stares back down at her feet while she walks.] No way I could fix it. Screwed up enough myself, I'd make everything far worse. Best left to the annoying hero types.

[ebrius]

There's plenty of those.

[ Or so she's heard. She hasn't really looked into it that much. ]

So, what's your plan, then? Just mess with people from the shadows?

[decohere]

Always. Even billionaire war profiteers dressed in a tin can suit claim to be these days. [rolls her eyes.]

My plan... is to lurk, more or less. Yeah. Gather information. Wait for an opportunity. Put my fist through anyone who makes the mistake of trying to control me.

[ebrius]

Just try and keep your lurking to a minimum around me.

[ She's not a fan. ]

I'm not in the market to control anyone so we're good.

[decohere]

... [she knows it's not quite a 'stay away from me' but her lack of confidence in her ability to read social cues makes her wonder if that's what is meant by it. Ava's shoulders slump slightly, her expression closing off.] Alright.

But for the record, we just happened to cross paths. I was not intentionally spying on you. I don't even know your name.

[ebrius]

Jessica.

[ See, now they were acquainted. Jessica doesn't offer her hand but she does nod. ]

And if you do try and freak people out from the shadows, let me be around so I can laugh.

[decohere]

[a small hesitation, realizing she had inadvertently cornered herself into an introduction. she's not sure which name to give. her first feels almost too personal when she's trying to hold people here at a distance, but her codename gives away that she even has need for a secret identity. ugh.] Ava.

[she laughs, wasn't expecting such a comment.] Well if you have anyone in mind that deserves it... [a conspiratorial smirk.]

[ebrius]

I could probably get you a list.

[ Eventually. ]

Ava. Just don't do it to me again. I might drop my drink and then I'd really be pissed.

[decohere]

[well at least it's relatively harmless compared to the sorts of targets she used to be sent after.]

... actually, do you want to go for a drink? [she isn't particularly a drinker, but maybe it'll help take the edge off her stress.]

[ebrius]

Sure.

[ Well, she's not doing anything else right now so why not? She shrugs. ]

You got a place you want to go?

[decohere]

[having just arrived and still struggling to get properly oriented, she hasn't had much time to really explore over the last couple days. she's been particularly avoidant of areas that seem to have too many people hanging about.] I think I saw some sort of... pub? Back that way?

[but since Jessica mentioned having a drink to hypothetically drop, Ava figured she was the sort that would be more familiar with where to find one.]

[ebrius]

I know the one.

[ There's not a lot to this town so she thinks she's found all the pubs to be had but hey, maybe she'd missed one.

Still, she starts walking, nodding for Ava to come along with her. ]

Come on, let's go. I'll even buy the first round.

[ Isn't she nice? ]

[decohere]

As long as it has a good cliched dark corner to hide away in. [as much as Ava would claim she absolutely much prefers to be alone, the idea of checking an unknown place out with... backup helps her feel far less uneasy about it. and Jessica seems far more tolerable company than most she's come across.

Ava follows along, eyes still warily inspecting the dark because the feeling of being watched is rather hard to shake. something is out there.]

... Oh. Do things cost, here?

[ebrius]

Don't worry about it.

[ If it's going to be an issue, she can buy the drinks. She's fine with that. ]

We'll get drinks, I can pay. I've got some money since I don't spend it on anything else.

[decohere]

... Thank you.

[lucky for Ava, she has very little in the way of material wants, that refusing to participate in whatever is expected of her to earn an income really isn't something to worry about. just another means of control she can stubbornly ignore. she learned to completely suppress silly things like wants and comforts over a decade ago, that the idea of spending on anything frivolous feels ridiculous. she can get by without.

she shoves her hands in her pockets.]

This never starts feeling normal though, does it.

[ebrius]

Yeah, yeah.

[ Guess she's just in a decent mood despite the woman jumping out of the shadows at her like some boogeyman. It's the most exciting thing that's happened to her in a few days.

That's pretty sad. ]

And no, it doesn't. I think I'd be pissed off if it ever did. Means you're getting too used to it and I don't think that's a good thing.

[decohere]

[she sighs out at the answer.] I've barely even slept since I got abducted. I don't understand how anyone is keeping it together, honestly. Unless the solution really is just drinking until you can't feel anymore.

Then again most everyone I've met has been teenagers. [ok some of them have been early 20s and Ava can't quite tell the difference]

[ebrius]

Yeah, there's a lot of kids here.

[ Kids being anyone around twenty and under. Those were kids in her eyes so she's right there with you. ]

Don't know what this place wants with so many kids but it makes me feel old.

[ Older than she was and she wasn't all that old. ]

I'd say you should sleep but I'd be a hypocrite. I'm not sleeping much either.

[decohere]

Guess they're easier to convince that they're somehow saving the world. To go along with all this. I certainly fell for a lot of stupid manipulation at that age. [which is less a condemnation of the 'kids' in question, and of whoever is selecting them instead.]

But ugh, as long as nobody is looking at me as some responsible adult. [doubtful, luckily.

she shrugs, knowing the suggestion to sleep is a good one, but knows it's not happening anytime soon either.]

[ebrius]

Yeah, I'd rather avoid that too.

[ She can barely take care of herself let alone others. Don't make her do anything like that and no one's going to end up scarred and traumatized. ]

Don't worry, I'm not gonna ask you to babysit me.

[decohere]

Hah. [a pause.] Though if I drink too much you might have to point me back in the direction of the living facilities.

[ebrius]

I can at least do that.

[ She was all heart. ]

I won't let you sleep in the bar. Probably not too comfortable.

[decohere]

They'd probably kick me out in the gutter, yeah? I've slept worse places.

... So where are you from? Your accent sounds American. [but hell, she doesn't want to assume anything, because hers is British and she's never lived anywhere close.]

[ebrius]

New York.

[ There had been a few excursions along the way but the less said about those, the better. ]

Spent all my life there up until now. This wasn't a scheduled vacation that I wanted to take.

[decohere]

Ah, that place always seems to attract trouble. [hulk smashings and alien invasions and tony stark's big dumb tower...]

San Francisco. For the last several years. [shuffled around between SHIELD bases and secret facilities before then, but that's not where she wants to take this conversation.]

Traveled a bit for work before, but... never really had a vacation. This really isn't the sort of place I'd pick, bur unfortunately I'm used to not having much choice.