etrayalogs | 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

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.

... 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.

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.

[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]

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.

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.]

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.

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

I can at least do that.

[ She was all heart. ]

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

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.]

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.

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.

Yeah.

[ Well, at least she wasn't alone in his unscheduled and unwanted vacation. It wasn't great but Jessica knows that it could be worse. ]

This is where I'd say we should make the best of it but that's not me. Instead, I'm gonna drink until whatever this is ends.

Not even sure what the best of it would be. [she supposes at least the fbi and cia aren't after her here, breathing down her neck about her criminal history to reclaim her as government property. but even that small silver lining doesn't make up for how trapped and helpless she feels about being dragged into this clearly doomed mission.]

... or how long this will take to end. [so yeah, she'll push the limits of her pathetically nonexistent alcohol tolerance just to numb it out for the night, in solidarity.]

Just try not to think about it.

[ That's Jessica's best advice, at least. ]

It's happening, we're stuck, just try and not to not think about it too closely and distract yourself. However you wanna do that.

[as much as that advice is tempting, unfortunately she's a chronic obsessive overthinker... prone to isolating herself, and lacking in healthy coping mechanisms. it's fine. it won't backfire or anything.]

Guess I could use some hobbies.

Yeah? Go find a kid named Fabian.

[ He seems to like finding hobbies for people. Jessica shrugs. ]

He volunteered to find me a new hobby so I'm sure he'll do the same for you too. He's very excitable about that kind of thing.

I'm guessing he didn't suggest drinking?

No.

[ No, he did not. And she rolls her eyes for it. ]

But, that's not going to stop me from doing it.

I'll drink to that. [grins, oblivious to the fact she's setting herself up for the worst hangover of her life.]

[ Hey, look at that, so will she.

So, at least she won't be drunk alone. That'll be a decent night. ]

MISSION 004 WRAP-UP

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