etrayalogs | OCTOBER MINGLE

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OCTOBER MINGLE

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: October 25th - Early November
WHERE: Etraya
WHAT: The arrival of newcomers, and some holiday fun!
NOTES\WARNINGS: Supernatural elements, temporary physical alterations, mild horror and jump scares, spooky scary skeleton robots, mild suggestion of compulsion or loss of control, mild body horror.

⏵ arrival ⏴
Welcome to Etraya! Everything is fine now. 😊

Arrival goes expected - or it does for the most part. Aurora greets newcomers in the hospital as they awaken, offers a brief explanation and gives them their earpiece so they can communicate with one another.

Around the hospital and outside of it, Companion Bots are hard at work decorating the city for Halloween—complete with festive touches like pumpkins, cobwebs, and glowing ghost decorations. The atmosphere is fun, light-hearted, and maybe just a little spooky. 🎃👻

Some carry buckets of candy, and offer those they come across a trick or treat. Except both options are, in fact, treats. 🍬 Tricks are treats specifically wrapped in a green wrapper that very clearly declares that they are tricks. Treats are wrapped in orange, and labeled with treat! Companion bots will recommend that those who do want to take a trick take them when they're beside their friends. There won't be any permanent effects from these, nor will they be terrible tricks - just fun ones! All effects last roughly 24 hours.

Giggle Drops cause uncontrollable giggling that bubbles up randomly, even during serious conversations.
Beasty Bites cause characters to grow small fangs, and they will begin craving red foods - apples, cherries, etc.
Bat Gummies cause small, bat-like shadows to follow characters around wherever they wander. These shadows are harmless, and super cute.
Pumpkin Puff is a cotton-candy-like treat, that causes their voices to change dramatically. Either becoming significantly deeper or perhaps very high-pitched, as if they've recently inhaled helium.
Floating Fudge gives characters the ability to float in the air! Just a few feet off the ground, but it's still fun. Right?

⏵ getting spooky! ⏴
Etraya is embracing the season - and maybe even going a little overboard.

Around the hospital, a few small pop-up shops are manned by festively dressed companion bots. They offer samples to everyone - although sampling isn't really necessary. After all, everything here is free!

Candy Shops: Perfect for stocking up on sweets and treats for the upcoming trick-or-treating event. These will not stock the tricks the companion bots offer around Etraya, but instead only carry harmless sweets. They do take custom requests, too, and are happy to create the treats others want!

Costume Shops: Find the perfect costume for Halloween! But beware... rumor has it, if you wear a costume, you might become whatever you dressed up as for a few hours. Those who put on vampire costumes may find themselves suddenly craving blood and growing fangs - those with werewolf costumes may find themselves feeling a little wolfish. These effects may last a few hours, up to a few days.

⏵ masquerade ⏴

In the spirit of mystery, Etraya will be hosting a Masquerade Ball outside the hospital through the nights of October 26th and 27th. Dance anonymously with other attendees and make new friends under the cover of your disguise. Everyone receives a single rose they can exchange with someone else throughout the evening. At the stroke of midnight, the roses will reveal the true identities of your masked dance partners. 🌹

⏵ all hallow's eve ⏴

On October 31st, multiple companion bots set up shop along one of the walkways through the larger island towards the center. With chairs and small booths set up, they offer candies out to trick-or-treaters who wander around through the first part of the night. Some of them will request trick-or-treaters to do a trick for them, to earn a bigger treat! They may ask characters to dance, sing, or show a talent unique to them. Can your character bend themselves into a pretzel? They want to see it, and will offer them a nice bracelet in exchange! Can they whistle super loud? Maybe they'll get a nice piece of kevlar armor after showing off. This can be anything within reason - bike parts, small weaponry, armor pieces, toys, canvases for painting. Please request these items HERE.

Not everything is as light-hearted as it seems, however. Aurora issues a warning to the citizens of Etraya: Do not stay outside after midnight. Strange happenings have been reported, and those who disobey may start seeing visions of past loved ones. The visions are compelling—guiding people away from the safety of the buildings and into the mysterious mist surrounding the outskirts.

But be careful, these spirits may not be as friendly as they seem.

If you come into contact with these ghosts, you’ll feel a chilling cold, leading to hypothermia-like symptoms. The longer you’re exposed, the worse it gets. Treatment? You’ll need to be warmed up quickly.

⏵ skellys! ⏴

The Companion Bots wanted to join in on the fun, so they painted themselves with glow-in-the-dark paint to look like skeletons. But in the dead of night, for those already suffering from the chilling touch of the ghosts, seeing glowing skeletons approach from the darkness might not be the most comforting sight. 🤖💀

Stay safe, warm up, and enjoy the festivities!

⏵ NOTES ⏴

For all questions relating to this log, please refer to the mod queries comment. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ.

⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

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⏵ getting spooky! ⏴

It's not even the first costume shop he's been in, but the one he's currently in is small, almost tucked away but still noticeable. Law has started hearing rumors about the shops, and now he's remembering what Fabian told him on his arrival: don't trust anything that just appears. Some food was safe (though he hasn't risked any candy just yet), and some shops appeared to be anchored, but this one? He's suspicious already. Despite his suspicions, he found his way inside, inspecting a rather gaudy vampire costume with feigned interest.

He sighs, walking further into the store before spotting a passingly familiar clown costume and raising a brow. Someone please educate this boy on Halloween, because who in their right mind would want to dress up as Buggy? It even comes with a red nose and it's almost laughable.

It's the pirate costume that has his attention in the end, examining the cheap fabric and very fake sword that comes with it. Someone could maybe pass as one in this, but it's frilly, outlandish, and draws too much attention -- at least in his opinion at any rate.

"Who would even wear this?" And more importantly, why? "Seems like a waste of time."

Sorry if you wanted fun from him.

⏵ all hallow's eve ⏴

Law wasn't going to show off any tricks to the companion bots, so he just wanders through taking in the sights. He's still trying to find his way around, explore the area enough to get a rough idea of what's around and start planning. Ideally, he'll have some semblance of an idea sooner rather than later, but he knows that these things take time. He holds his nodachi tight, keeping it close. He didn't think that someone would attack him, but he didn't want to take chances.

It was getting late, and everything at night was wrong. The night sky, the stars, and even the light was unfamiliar. He already hated being on land more than he had to and wondered how much of this world the others knew. Was there a sea? How far had anyone traveled? His mind wanders with unanswered questions when he hears her.

He stops in his tracks, the color in his face draining as he turns around. Another ghost, he realizes, but the pained expression on his face is one he can't school.

"Lami..."

He was starting to hate this place.

⏵ wildcard ⏴

[Have another idea? Hit me up with a starter or message me on discord @ delphically, or plurk at redfielding.]

Edited 2024-10-30 16:41 (UTC)

The emotional ramifications will have to wait until he's out of physical danger, though in this case it might be further emotional danger. Harold assumes there will be some fallout, though to what extent John will want to discuss it remains to be seen.

"As I don't currently have access to meteorological data, I couldn't say for sure. But those returning from outside have been noticeably cold when they arrive. It seems it may be a side effect rather than an environmental condition. Over."

If being cold is correlated with seeing figments of dead people, that would be very on-theme for Halloween, he reflects sourly.

I apologize, but may I ask what type of place you're from? I've realized I can't begin to guess at what someone's background might be, here.

[ Not when Riz was one of the first people he'd met. That was certainly eye-opening. ]

It consists of shadows.

( she starts, her hold unwavering on the other as she agrees that this place could very considered a surface level read. the question is does everyone know there's a larger picture outside of what everyone sees now. some choose not to look, others aren't aware it's there, but this is only an issue because not everyone is taught that this isn't just it. )

The Phenomenal World filters only a bit of the truth, that's where we see the beauty in the real presentation.

( it's not about the bowls or the plates, but what's really seen behind them, and these are the little truths conveyed into the phenomenal world. very little matters to her here, but there's moments where she can appreciate the design of a certain spiral, or the equation that leads to a perfect answer, or simply to solve. it's these chances that are an opportunity taken and the path to understanding then there are the results. )

If we stripped away the color, the texture, and definition... what would you see?

( now she's really curious about how far this individual's thoughts go, to her, she seems a variety shapes, numbers, formulas, angles and arrows that tell her the proper way of seeing the world. this is the truth, but it is rare for anyone to see that when theyre blinded by the shadow emitted by the phenomenal world.

she wonders if she can help him experience that, and if she can't, at least it will give him something to think over. )

Everything comes from them, I'm not sure what the issue is?

( she smiles. )

6 said it was fine, so it is fine.

[Manny is getting a feeling that 37 wouldn’t give up until he meets her request. In that regard, he reluctantly gives in after a brief moment of contemplation.]

Alright then, I'll take the treat.

[He uses his trunk to take whatever’s inside of the bag.]

[ A month already sounds long enough. ]

What? I can't be here a month. People are dying. I need to go home.

[ This is not going to be easy for Vax to simply accept. ]

[Silence fills the air, and his eyes can't help but wander around the two. His lips curving into a slight frown, as his hand rubs at his eyes absently. Unsure of how to parse whatever he just saw, since it was a good carbon copy of her. It certainly made him sad, but he just ignores it for now, and looks down at 37 with a softened gaze. A quick pause, before he simply nods his head. Unsure if this would be a good idea or not, but what could it hurt.]

... Not sure if that's a good idea, but I can go with you. This place is kind of weird right now, and it's not sitting right with me.

[With that being said, he wasn't about to just let her wander off on her own. That, and he noticed that the ghost went away as soon as 37 approached him with something in her hand. Which prompts him to stare at the lantern in curiosity, before he simply shakes his head. So lost in thought for a moment, that he doesn't even notice the hand trying to grab at her leg.

Whatever the case, something weird was going on here. Though, if it really came down to it, he could use his power or something to combat what he saw. Not that he'd be fond of blasting a ghost that looked like his wife and all, but he does take a step forward and shoves his hands into his pockets. Quietly following behind her for the time being, and keeping his eyes forward.

He could really use a smoke right now.]

Don't go too far though. There's always morning if you wanna adventure out.

[Honestly, he's not even going to hide the fact that it's weird. He seems well aware, as he takes another bite of candy and just. Keeps chewing down on it, as his head shifts toward the younger man as he speaks. Half way through eating, before he can't help but let out a small laugh.]

True, but I'm a teacher. I'll do stupid shit like that just to see what will happen.

[He certainly doesn't speak like a teacher, but his attire might change one's opinion even though his mouth doesn't fit the look. Still, he examines one of the candies, and basically shrugs it off.]

Haven't been here long enough to really know what these robots are capable of. If they're even capable of being malicious like that, though.

I can go larger or smaller, but I wouldn't, say, become something your size without good reason. Around human size is the most I do, and even then, I can't hold the extra mass for too long. This size is the most comfortable and easy to maintain.

[They wonder about why someone would ask. Their shapeshifting didn't extend to color change, so their markings were the same. Although they could do color, it's like their choice on fur. Perfect mimicry is a lot of work.]

Are you having much in the way of size problems? Most of this place isn't built on mammoth scale.

"Ah, but I'm a very special cat. That excuses a lot of quirks," they point out in return.

"I think this container is nearly full, actually."

"It's lacking that silly winged helmet he always wears," Sleeper can't help pointing out. "But I suppose the details are not too far off."

They wonder at it. "What would your outfit be? There seem to be all kinds of options."

No. They don't want us to leave at night, and that is the best time to do so.

( she goes by her own rules even though he's right, it's dangerous to go out at a time like this. having been around him a little more, maybe it's not all irrational with him, perhaps he too fits the calling of an integer. she stares at him a little more, her eyes trying to identify his number, but she turns away as she notices something else in the haze. )

What were you looking for out here? I heard you talking.

( 37 won't say what she heard, but it did sound familiar, a name that he knows better than her. a name that she's heard him say before, but she won't put him in the position to speak if that's not what he wants to tell her.

that's what makes this place interesting to her that people are affected by the oddity of this fog? or is it simply the night? what's special about this night compared to any other night, or is this something that only happens on this holiday? as many questions as she has, she can only find herself caught by there being no answers.

one hand comes to her chin as she hums in thought. )

( whatever deep and emotional sadness she was feeling now, would have to wait yet again. it seemed no matter what heather did, life seemed to push her and prevent her from truly being able to mourn and reflect on the passing of her father.

this time, it was vincent with his quips and unsympathetic stance for her. all she could do now was not fall into his game-

even if it was difficult to do so. )

Seriously?

( she turned her head towards him, wiping aside the tear. heather had wanted to forget about that lapse in judgement but of course he would bring it up. )

Yeah real funny, I think I can find a real fitting costume for you in here since you suddenly decided to become a clown.

[ Harold blinks several times, processing. Fortunately, he processes information remarkably quickly. ]

Structural integrity is not the only possible measure of value, [ he says, bemused. ] Are you talking about Immanuel Kant? Matter as appearance, transcendental understanding being its nature as it is?

[ Not that he's a Kant kind of person necessarily, but he had to teach an A.I. how to recognize shapes. He's put some thought into the problem.

Though he's certainly never heard of someone claiming to have a transcendental understanding of rhombuses. ]

( with his hands on her shoulders, she remained as stiff as a tree to help balance them both. there is nothing but empathy and concern in her eyes for him-

as far as she was concerned, he was in trouble and that was all that mattered. for now though, she returned the gesture, placing her own hands on him to provide some comfort. )

Hey man, it's okay....relax. What did you see? A person who looked like a monster or?

( the question may seem odd, but in her world, such things existed. )

This is the structural integrity at hand, it is a rhombus beyond this construct.

( 37 confirms as they look to the bot, she's even giving it a good up and down of her eyes to take in its appearance. still a rhombus, she sees no changes in this as he continues to speak with her.

he does raise interesting points, ones that catch her attention that causes her to no longer antagonize the bot beside them. )

Do you agree there is much more to what you're seeing? What's been placed before you all in the World of Matters is a shadow on the wall, something to keep you all complacent. Because of it, the Abstract Transcendental World is lost on some, and this is punishment for Imaginary Numbers.

Good! Show me the number that you got.

( she's leaning left then right to try and see around his trunk. )

I have some idea, and I'm certain I'm about to learn much more, [ he mutters, grumbling to himself. But Harold does actually check the safety is on before he tucks it into his leather messenger bag. He's still disgruntled to have it at all, but he made John a promise that he won't lie to him and failing to fulfill an agreement seems in character alike a lie.

Gun safely stowed, he straightens up and faces Heather properly, subtly warmer with someone he recognizes and likes. ]

Good afternoon, Ms. Mason. I assure you there is a friend of mine here who will ensure I do not misuse my firearm. It is at his insistence that I have acquired one.

[ Though he is extremely tempted to simply give it to her immediately, since she apparently knows what she's doing with it and he is now invested in her safety. Harold refrains both because it would aggravate John and because part of him still can't conscience giving a gun to a teenager. ]

That... makes sense. They were warned not to go out, maybe this is the punishment. John gives a particularly violent shiver and drops the walkie-talkie. It takes him a moment too long of staring to realize what it's doing down there before bending down to pick it up. Dimly he realizes that he's lacking some coordination, that his body isn't responding the way he wants it to. He's just so cold.

After setting off again it occurs to him that he should report this to Harold. "I've gotten really cold, can you pull the space heater out for when I get back?" Bear always likes the space heater, they have to fight him for it. He can't think of why... but he won't have to fight Bear for it today.

Tell me you're not from Metropolis without telling me you're not from Metropolis, god. It must be nice to only associate people like Superman with the media you were introduced to them through. Tim doesn't remember what that feels like anymore. Odds are about 25% that he never would've made it his whole life without being involved in a violent supervillain crime in Gotham, anyway, so he doesn't think his perspective is that. "Yeah. Like the hero. Personally, I think Superboy looks so much cooler, but enh. I'm still right; capes are still a style, and you're being pedantic. I say this as someone who excels at being pedantic, so I'll say it again: capes pre-date the Victorian era."

"Mission accomplished then or are you going for round 2 soon?" Jason says, amused.

[Jason nods. He still believes that sometimes, certain actions are necessary. The only difference is that he's less inclined to take those actions now]

You've seen some shit then?

[Well, there's something to be said for owning your flaws. Accelerator stares, wondering if Yomikawa is this reckless. Surely not, as far as he knows she's always been the responsible adult in his life.]

I didn't know that was a characteristic of teachers.

[Maybe this guy is just irresponsible, who knows. At least he can clarify about the companion bots.]

They're not. Aurora's robots are typically well-behaved. They aren't hostile or malicious towards people.

No, they're just annoying.

[And he sees enough bats as it is]

What'd you get?

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Page 20 of 64

OCTOBER MINGLE

trafalgar law | one piece

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