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etrayalogs2024-08-09 10:32 am
etrayamods) wrote in etrayalogs2024-08-09 10:32 am
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
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 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 ⏴ 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. 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. |
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[ The question comes after a pause, a near blue screen after Fabian says what he does. It's not the problem? How isn't it the problem? The idea that it can be anything else; it confuses Gorgug immediately, to the point of: ] Yeah it is. You think I'm stupid. I'm being stupid. I'm friendly with a companion bot.
[ Of course you think I'm stupid. How can it be anything else? Because Gorgug doesn't entirely blame Fabian's emotions to a degree, even if he doesn't like the shape they've taken and been directed at him.
So what other problem can there be? Is he just trying to be nice about Gorgug's feelings now because Fabian's aware he's always not felt very smart? Which, this isn't really the time for that, and he would like them to focus on how Fabian actually does think he's being dumb, thanks. ]
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Because.. it really is what Gorgug thinks. All this stuff Fabian has been thinking, the stuff he's been stewing in all afternoon, and all along Gorgug was thinking that Fabian was mad at him because he thought Gorgug was stupid? Of all things? Sure, there may have been some moments where he thought the other was stupid - particularly when he kept asking random people if they were his dad over and over again during freshman year - but Fabian doesn't think he's thought it for a long while already now.
How the hell did Gorgug make that out of what's actually going on? It's so far away from Fabian's own line of thought that he can't even figure it out, can't even trace his own path back to the point where Gorgug's diverged from it. ]
No, it's not. [ He finally manages to say, still looking puzzled. Almost a little offended, really, that Gorgug would even do as much as assume that is what Fabian was thinking. Like he's throw a tantrum over that. ]
Why would I think you are stupid? You're not stupid at all! Stop assuming other people are thinking that about you, because they would be wrong!
[ .. is Fabian getting offended on Gorgug's behalf.. about thoughts Gorgug was assuming other people were thinking? Yes, he is. Apparently. He's offended enough about it that he's standing up as he says it.
Him being so baffled helps with one thing though.
It removes his brain to mouth filter, and thus takes care of Fabian's determination to not talk about what's bothering him. It can't kick in if the half-elf just outright isn't thinking. ]
I am upset because we were supposed to spend time together at the beach, and then I find you spending time with a companion bot instead of with me! Holding their hands, even! [ Somehow the way Fabian says it - all dramatic - makes it sound so much more scandalous than that. ] I mean-- If you find them better company than me, all you had to do was say so!
[ ...
Now who is the one assuming things about themselves here, huh. Fabian. ]
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But I was on the beach 'cause of you. [ He's staring at Fabian, some part of his mind trying to think back to them all going there to hang out, and was there something said? Yeah, he chose to stick back on the beach, but-- ] You were out on the water, and I was hanging back and we were gonna-- hang out? [ Hanging back to hang out...! ] I was just chatting with them 'til you were done in the water, and we could-- I thought we gonna sit out on the beach too? I thought we were gonna eat food.
[ Did Gorgug have the wrong impression about what people do on a beach? Were they just there to swim? But Gorgug knows--he's not dumb, right. It's called being on the beach because the sand is the beach! You spend time on the beach, he's got the right idea!
His expression hasn't changed, and some part of him is starting to doubt himself. Truthfully, he looks a little pathetic at how lost he's feeling right about now, as: ] Weren't we gonna hang out on the beach...?
[ He was so sure they were going to do this hanging out thing that it's all that's coming out of his mouth, Fabian. This is how sure he was of this plan. ]
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Because he can at least tell the other isn't lying about all of this. He likes to think he knows Gorgug too tell to not be able to tell when he's lying, and this isn't a lie. Everything about the other's confusion seems so genuine, even though Fabian isn't sure why this kind of confusion would exist in the first place. ]
Gorgug, why-- [ Fabian just.. gestures with his hands.
Helplessly.
Like he's trying to convey something he wishes he could show the other through interpretative dance more than through words, because he doesn't know how to put it into words. It's so baffling. ]
Why would I want to go to the beach with you and then not do things together? It's not as if I wanted to force you to swim, that's why I went to swim by myself even though I prefered us swimming together, but you-- you weren't even paying attention to me after that.
[ Fabian is trying to hard here to sound Cool. To sound Tough. Like all of this wasn't getting to him.
But he is failing at that. Miserably so. The obvious hurt - not even an angry hurt, no, it's so much more a sad hurt, like a lost child - creeping into his voice more with every word. ]
It felt like you were replacing me. Like I was not good enough.
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Because why would Fabian think that? Did it really seem that way? When all that time, Gorgug thought he was being a good friend, but in reality, he wasn't--he was making Fabian feel this upset the entire time?
Was he the wrong party all this time? Because it feels like the wrong kind of step he would make, and-- he would never want to do that to a friend. He would never want to make anyone feel so horrid.
Gorgug lowers his head, feeling a certain kind of way he hasn't in a while. Dumb, without the anger attached to it, as it had been earlier. He was in the wrong after all, just not in the way he thought he was, and it didn't feel great. Nothing about this feels great, for neither him and Fabian. Gorgug can tell by the way Fabian sounds, that this happened in the first place. ]
...I wasn't replacing you. I really was watching. I...
[ He's slow to speak, the rush of confusion gone, and glances up at Fabian before dropping his gaze again. ]
I'm sorry. I didn't know I made you feel so bad. I really thought we were going to spend the day at the beach.
[ Not just in the water, but out of it, too. He thought it counted. He thought it meant the same thing.
He never knew. ]
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It should feel good, given how much Fabian wanted his feelings validated this entire time, but.. it doesn't. Now he's actually faced with it, Gorgug apologizing feels kind of awful, actually. Especially when he can start at his friend and see that expression on Gorgug's face. He looks so crestfallen, so guilty, and it squeezes Fabian's chest with guilt in a way that feels more painful than anything else.
It leaves him struggling for a response for a moment. His mouth opens, then closes again without saying anything, then opens once more..
.. and he slowly shakes his head. ]
No, I-- I am sorry.
[ It's not easy for him to say. It's never been easy, though Fabian has been growing a little bit more into it over the past two years or so. Trying to do better, because he absolutely can't just stare at his friend looking like this and feel okay with it, no matter how hurt he felt before. ]
I.. should not have reacted that way. [ Especially not before hearing Gorgug out. God, he could just have asked the other. This misunderstanding could have been cleared up right away, but no, Fabian was too busy getting trapped by his own feelings to consider communicating with Gorgug about it. ] I was so afraid of getting left behind, but-- I should have known that you wouldn't do that to me.
[ Maybe that's what he's apologizing for. For hurting Gorgug's feelings, yes, but-- also for having such an unfavorable perception of the other in his mind, even if it was just for a few moments. ]
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But he doesn't want to be a downer. Fabian's apologising, and he can't dismiss that, and he should work on being a better person in his own time--try and make it up to him, get that present of his done now that they're back in Etraya. But Gorgug can't tell Fabian about it until it's ready, and he doesn't want to use a birthday gift as a way of winging favour to a pal. So- ]
...we can go to the beach again, sometime. Into the water? [ Into the water, this is the specific part, and Gorgug reassures before it can even be doubt: ] I'll go, I'll go in this time. I just wasn't... I wasn't thinking about it because I felt bad about how our plan in Moorecroft went, or how I didn't, I could've given you guys a lot more. And I didn't grow up around oceans or pirates like you.
I'm okay with it. [ Because that might give the impression he doesn't, that it's some thing he's willing to put up for Fabian (and maybe it's partially that right now). But, simply: ] But I guess I'm used to being on the beach more than in the water.
[ Picnics with his parents, splashing around a lil', but having as much fun on the sand. ]
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Are you sure you want to swim? You really don't have to, especially if you would just be doing it to make me happy. [ Sure, Fabian loves people going out of their way for him. It feels nice to be seen like that, to be made to feel special.
But considering the stuff Gorgug is saying - how that thing in Moorecroft still haunts him, even though Fabian didn't blame him for a moment, even though he's made sure to tell Gorgug that he helped just fine, both before and after - Fabian doesn't want to push him into anything right now.
He sucks in a breath, shoves his own hurt feelings and annoyance at himself down, and instead manages to find some lightness in their wake, putting a smile on his face. He's always been good at this sort of thing, thankfully, especially for the sake of his friends - and he feels like one of them needs to get lighter right now, or they're both going to spiral down into something more and more awkward and sad. ]
I have fun doing anything with you. Surely we can find something we would both enjoy, hm? I'd like to see something bring a smile to your face again as well, Gorgug.
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He does smile, small as it is, shy to begin with; the edges of his mouth peeling back for his tusks as they manage to poke out, making his face--even when he's not trying--look like he's grimacing.
But the smile does show. We promise. ]
You not being mad at me makes me happy. [ That's really the most important part to Gorgug, if he's honest. ] And we can swim--I want to.
[ There's also something else, though he needs to consider it, looking at Fabian, but also thinking more than he's searching outwardly for anything. Fabian seemed to like them back in Moorecroft, but Gorgug also doesn't want to overstep boundaries. But maybe this would be good? And it might help if he doesn't wait to see if Fabian asks.
So... ]
You wanna hug? [ He opens up his arms just a little to show the gesture, adds as well: ] You're my friend and my team mate, I'd never replace you. Team promise.
[ Bro. ]
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But it really throws him off when he's doing his best to try and cheer up Gorgug, and then the other suddenly throws this sweetness back at him in spades. It makes him look a little flustered, dark cheeks only further darkening, before he manages to adjust to this exceeding of his expectations with a smile on his own face as well. ]
Of course I want to hug.
[ Please, Gorgug. This is a man who always wants to hug, and just sucks at actually asking for it.
So it doesn't take long at all before Fabian is already stepping forward into the hug, wrapping his own arms around Gorgug as well.
(Perhaps moving to stand on his toes just a little bit so the hug doesn't feel quite as awkward.) ]
I'd never replace you either, man. Hoot growl and all. [ His words are maybe just a touch muffled in the hug, but clearly audible for the two of them anyway. ] .. not that you are worried about that, but-- I just wanted to let you know the same thing.
[ Otherwise it would feel unfair, when Gorgug is telling him so many sweet things in this moment. ]
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I know, [ he says, when Fabian talks about replacements--and who isn't. ] I'm really hard to replace, I'm too big and green. I don't know if there's anyone else that's big and green, only one or the other.
[ Like any of that is a factor... ]
But if there was another half-elf like you, I wouldn't go for them, [ he goes on. ] So you can tell me if you feel bad. I'm trying my best to listen.
[ ...he gets there eventually. He just needed to take the long way around to his point, about Fabian being the one and only. ]
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Please don't tell Fabian how the tips of his ears are definitely darkening with a blush right now. He doesn't want to hear it. He doesn't want to think about it. He can definitely feel it though, considering how it feels like heat is starting to gather in there the more Gorgug talks. ]
I mean-- Ragh's right there. [ Too big and green? Not to put all half-orcs into one category, but he sure fits the description! And he is their close friend now! ] But I'd-- uh-- I'd still choose you. Don't tell him.
[ Not that Ragh probably hasn't figured as much out already - party member privilege and all - but still. Fabian can't handle the idea of their Bloodrush pal looking that forlorn, bro.
Though he thinks he can't say more about this choosing stuff. It's making him feel all weird in a way he doesn't want to think about for too long. Maybe it's got something to do with how the tips of his ears feel so, so hot right now.
He lingers in the hug for another moment, but then Fabian pulls back, rubbing the back of his neck a little sheepishly. ]
I don't know about the part about telling you when I feel bad though. There are just so many bad things here, you know? I'd probably never stop talking about it, and then it would get incredibly annoying for you.
[ Please, Fabian.
Like you don't whine all the time already. ]
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Isn't it nice to be selfish, sometimes? To think about being chosen. It makes their hug warmer for it, and all the bad feelings of the day since their fight on the beach seems like something else that happened on another day. It's wiped a clean slate, and Gorgug looks pleased when they do pull away: smiling at Fabian fondly, not paying any mind to any specific part of Fabian than his face.
His hands have shoved away into the pocket of his hoodie, comfortable. ]
Yeah, but if something new came up that bothered you, it's probably something we would talk about anyway. [ It doesn't seem bad to complain about Etraya-related problems, despite Gorgug underselling here how Fabian can complain. But he acknowledges as well: ] --but I know it's not, it's weird to talk about stuff-- you don't have to if you don't want to, but I thought back in Moorecroft that maybe... we could talk to each other more, if we needed it. Or, we should? Since you felt like you had to hold back a lot going for you...
[ He's rambling, trying to get to his point, and now he's the one taking back out a hand to rub at the back of his neck. ]
I tried talking to Riz, but... I know it's weird, just talking about stuff. We know how bad it is being here.
[ So why bring it up? Why bother? When there's nothing they can do about it. Gorgug hasn't come to any conclusion about what to do about it: if it's worth forcing stuff, or just letting it be. He doesn't want to make Riz--or Fabian--uncomfortable.
This isn't his strong suit. His 10 charisma is showing. ]
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Well, talking about how genuinely miserable it makes him sometimes is way harder. He hadn't even told Riz and Adaine that after the mission with the stuffed animals, like he just couldn't put into words how awful it had been for him to be so isolated from them both.
It leaves Fabian quiet for a moment, one of his feet idly kicking at the floor, like his nervous energy needs something to do, rather than just root around inside of his own head. ]
Would you think it's weird if I talked to you about stuff?
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[ And he pauses, thinks about how he says that: how he feels it on a personal level, but how it comes out. It's not that listening to them is hard, but... ]
...Or I'd hope, [ he says, like correcting himself, or clarifying--or both, ] that you wouldn't think it was a waste of time trying. [ He looks at Fabian, tugs his mouth to the side in a half-hearted smile. ] I wouldn't want to make you feel bad. 'Cause you tried.
[ That would be the worst, wouldn't it? ]