etrayalogs | OCTOBER MINGLE

Entry tags:

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⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ the wink is met with the same impassive look as ever, and though chrollo's point isn't flawed in and of itself, 6 finds that the balance of the scale seems to be tipping.

it is exactly the reason why he finds conversation to be so difficult, why outsiders are not permitted on the island, and why he remains so quiet now. 37 at his side is puffed up like an angry and threatened cat; her tangled hair would be bristling if it were something she was capable of. she has to settle for a stubborn look, brows furrowed, instead. he's almost concerned that in her confidence, she won't meet him with a compromise at all.

she does, but all the same, 6 looks troubled. ]

(the math is not mathing, 33+30 is definitely not 52, but then again, arguing with her further is an unnecessary exercise. poor six.

for a second here, he's glad their own phantom troupe child member, while younger at their whole 12 years old, he supposes, is an obedient, calm, in control, murdering child and part of him would find it immensely funny to watch them attempt to interact with 37.

alas. impossible.)

I suppose I'll leave you to your endeavors before she has a heart attack. Would that be alright?

Instead of fleeing, why not learn how to understand.

( there is one thing that is familiar, it's that people never stay for the lesson. she doesn't expect him to understand, but she does expect him to learn, because he said it himself moments ago.

she is to teach. )

52 spells hello. If you take the Phenomenal World's alphabet and count, you obtain the number. I was greeting you, which must be common in your world, is it not?

[ 6 watches quietly, not responding to chrollo yet — he dare not disturb the balance — but observing how he might respond to this olive branch. ]

(he did try to understand many minutes ago, miss!!! but he's nothing if not a patient man. the olive branch will be responded to in kind, with a notebook and a pen put between them.)

Would you show me?

In the World of Matters' language, you all use phonetic symbols to make a name. To go out of your way to make things more tedious... however, I have adapted to your form, taking it to the next layer.

( she stands up, dusting herself off of whatever dirt sticks to her attire as she lifts up one hand then stops mid action.

with her hands on her hips now, 37 clears her throat with a smile as she looks down on both the two boys on the ground. )

The number you must break down is 52 into those symbols, but first is to understand what word I'm conveying to you. A simple greeting that is only 5 symbols itself, "hello", is what you're familiar with. A, B, C, 1, 2, 3. Yes, that equals 6. Hey, 6!

( she looks to him with a nod. ) Will you do the honors? The same method that I acquired your namesake.

[ 6 remains silent as the two continue, though at 37's request, he will lift his finger to the air in front of them. at its tip, small specks of light begin to gather like condensation, coming together to form shapes — letters, and underneath them, numbers glow faintly, visible even under the early evening's sunlight. each number seems to drift lightly through the air, but never so far that each piece of the equation becomes unrecognizable:

H + E + L + L + O
8 + 5 + 12 + 12 + 15

as 37 continues her explanation, letters disappear and numbers shift, merging together with each other one at a time, beginning with those at the end to become 27, 39, and 44. 6 wears the same dull expression as 37 continues to go over the basic arithmetic of each subsequent addition until there is only one number that remains:

52 ]

Oh, that's actually simpler. It's unlike the system I've seen in my world--

(oh. many intriguing things happening right in front of his eyes. from the explanation that will allow him to get a little closer to them, which he understands without too much effort, to the fact that six displays something he was not yet expecting.

it's almost a habit of his now, his eyes focused on the ability displayed right in front of him-- nen? no, naturally it couldn't be, but what are the applications? the limitations? what else can six do that he wasn't aware of-- is it something he might have an interest in long term? he'll ask his questions, naturally, that will fulfill two of his conditions, the other two should be easy enough if it's something that he finds useful. things are different here, so he might be able to snatch it, right? (he isn't).

either way, he makes sure his face is of utter awe, an excited tone to go with it, like he has never seen anything quite like it.)

--Woah, that's cool, what was that?!

Arithmetic.

[ keep up, chrollo, this is basic addition that even children can do. ]

Though it is an unfitting number to be used as greeting, as it is considered untouchable.

[ that would hold the exact opposite meaning, no? which is to say: he understands that 37 was trying to humour him by attempting with a number that he should be familiar with by her expectations. if those phonetic symbols are so important, then surely the populace is aware of the numbers that count them. ]

It is still untouchable, 6. He didn't even understand, so it is as it should be.

( she reassures him easily though chrollo can't understand what he didn't know. this is her only alternative as she doesn't want to shake hands, but she is pretty satisfied with 6's help in this as the numbers continue to float in the air. even though she's supposed to be partaking in the phenomenal world, much like 6 said before, to hear his input of the number returns her to their roots on the island.

maybe it is fine to still keep the connection no matter what with how important numbers are to them. )

If you do not understand it, then I can teach you the basics of it. It would do you well to have some understanding on the importance of numbers as it is the building block for the shadow you live in.

( the world of matters is like that, and it's there pieces of their connection to the transcendental world that shines through. it's why no matter the shadow or the dappled sunlight that filters between the leaves are unable to obscure the truth, the number still standing within it all visible to her and chrollo. )

No, I get the numbers just fine--

(the laughter he gives is genuine, because how is it that they think his reaction is to the math and not to the clear display of supernatural skill is actually beyond him.)

I mean the fact Six here just materialized light. Is that something you do as well, 37?

The light is not our topic of discussion as of now.

[ it's a little chastising — 37 is respected, after all, and her lectures are given with sincere intentions. it seems a waste to set her numbers aside without first exercising proper courtesy. 6 will not linger on the fact however, shaking his head at the inquery. ]

I take it arcanum holds no presence in your world, then?

[ it isn't hard to identify if someone has heard of it, after all. ]

( her eyes flicker over to chrollo once 6 points out the question of arcanum, it is a peculiar response as if he's never seen it before. rather than pouting, she grows quiet eyeing him up and down, squinting and taking in their surroundings of shapes and numbers that huddle together. )

That is odd, are you capable of doing anything familiar? You are not empty like an Imaginary Number...

( rather than answer his question, she's now circling around chrollo like a vulture, her blue eyes latched to him. )

Apologies, it was just very, very unexpected. You have never spoken of having a skill such as this before, so I was intrigued. I'm unsure if it does, I have never heard of this.

(but then, 37 is gazing upon him, and he doesn't know exactly what she is seeing, which is a little nerve-racking. his nen, perhaps? or beyond? she's sharp.

he should keep a very close eye to her. how much can he reveal without expressing he's a threat? he shouldn't materialize the book, with all the abilities in there useful in the long term.

well. stall.)

What do you mean, empty?

( one step after the other, 37 continues to from one side to the other of chrollo. yes, he's not empty like what she's seen from other imaginary numbers, there's something there, and if she took her time to...

he speaks to her, and she stops in place behind him to look down. )

It is as I said, you are not empty like Imaginary Numbers, you have an essence.

( she had ignored it at the start, but his queries and lack of knowledge has only brought 37 to become curious. )

Your shape... your true Form.

You are forgiven.

[ 6 will offer that much for his error, as he holds no ill-will in his correction even as 37 draws to a stop, making an attempt to clarify her own statement.

should he consider the words for a moment, they may even remind chrollo of something that 6 had made mention of earlier — the essence of his soul.

he does not interrupt as she speaks, however. just moments before, chrollo had been having difficulty with 37s eccentricities, and 6 is aware that it may seem overwhelming, or even aggressive, should the two of them try to speak to him at the same time with such authority on something he does not yet understand. he'll offer his clarifications only if asked for. ]

(what to offer, he wonders. he has not yet summoned bandit's secret in this land, he doesn't know who's watching, when, whether his own secrets are safe from it, and doing so is off the question. none of the skills he holds in it should be revealed as of now, they're useful as little stolen secrets rather than a show of power.

nen in its purest form might do. it's easier to explain, and he can dazzle them with the mathematics and systems involved in it, without giving too much about himself. well, then it might be it.)

Oh, you may be speaking of my Nen. It's not something we in my world speak openly, as the most advanced users can do quite some damage, so it's kept quiet not to alarm the general population, although it's not inherently destructive - it's the manipulation of your aura, or life energy.

(that much is true, at least. not that he gives a single thought about what the people in power prefer, but anyway.)

Would you like me to show you? There's math involved.

Edited 2024-11-03 00:45 (UTC)

That is not essence.

( she starts, looking to him a little curious about what he believes to be it. 37 shakes her head before turning it to 6 to see what he finds of this "nen" ability. slowly, she comes to stand right before chrollo, looking down because even though it's not the same, she is curious about whatever this ability is that he has.

how curious, to manipulate aura and life energy, isn't that in a way... dangerous? )

If it involves math, I want to see! What formula will you make by doing so.

( as excited she is, 37 claps her hands together. ) Show us the process, and then the outcome.

[ so it is a secret, though 6 is sure that there are similar arcanists residing in the outside world, knowing how discriminatory imaginary numbers can be. he listens to chrollo's explanation attentively before offering a nod as 37 requests a demonstration. ]

In return, we shall teach you of our Arcanum.

[ it's only fair, and neither of them will require much depth of explanation regardless. ]

Alright, that's actually easier, although I hate to disappoint that you won't get big displays out of me. I can only perform very basic principles.

(needless to say, it's bullshit through and through, but it's wiser than asking her to elaborate. not now, when they're much more interested in what nen has to offer. takes away the focus out of him, and into a world none of them have ever witnessed, so it must be enough to keep this conversation much more in systems, theories, numbers, rather than himself. it must be so, when 37 might be pinging him more than he would like.

his... essence? does she see that? can she find it? it's long lost.

either way. he'll sit, tapping the floor for both of them to join him, as it requires him to draw. luckily, he always has a notepad and pen handy, the same he had offered 37 in the first place.)

That sounds good. Well, here.

(first of all, here is a hexagon, and he writes - although his alphabet is a perhaps too foreign, the categories where one's aura can fall into.)

Everyone has aura, and everyone can learn how to use Nen, and all Nen-users fall into these categories, see? Enhancers are self-explanatory, they can enhance their physique or objects around them. Transmuters can change their aura to match a certain thing, electricity, water, you name it. Conjurers, self-explanatory too, they can create an object from their aura. We'll skip Specialists for now, but Manipulators can control animate and inanimate things, and Emissors can detach their aura from them. Think portal-users, or something of the like. Here is the math for you, 37. Let's say I'm an Emitter, and I'm 100% capable in it, I'm able to master Enhancement and Manipulation at an 80% rate. What am I the worst at?

Edited (i cant english) 2024-11-03 20:46 (UTC)

Oh! 6! 6! 6!

( she points to the hexagon once he makes it with a smile, and it's with this shape that she knows she must do good. the information given to her is a littkek difficult to process since it's a subject this is her first time hearing about. she trots behind him again, one hand rest on his shoulder as she looks over him to see what he's writing. )

This doesn't make sense, if you are 100% within Emitter...

( she hums, bringing a hand to her lips as she begins to process the numbers, first rather than the information on the paper. she starts to create her own formula in her head, pouting as she leans against him not impressed by the information offered. ) Why do you only have 80% towards two, do you lose 20% every time, or is it spreading the other 20%! What a horrible word problem.

( finally looking at the chart, she doesn't think she's gotten the full picture of what everything can do. that's why she can only guess... )

Conjurer? But I'm not sure if that's 0% or a percentage higher, I do not understand why you reduce to 80% and where the 20% from those two go unless you can gain it!

[ in their eyes, the visual manifestation of arcanum into simple arithmetic they offered earlier isn't particularly interesting either, so it will be an equivalent exchange of knowledge then — balanced, if you will.

in any case, the beginnings of a smile begin to pull at the corner of 6's lips at 37's excitement over the simple hexagon, but he remains quiet for the demonstration and answer. by that point, his expression has returned to perfect neutrality, eyes flickering from the earnest look on 37's face to the notes scribbled down by chrollo. as for their own display, he will offer it once chrollo and 37 have f

he has no separate guess of his own to offer. ]

(it seems to be working. she's much more affectionate and child-like as such, much less irritable and suspicious. he's not going to touch her back, but chrollo allows the touch with no resistance and a soft smile to encourage it. so this is the way, hm?

he can't give all the information, naturally - the basis is fine, but the inner workings will be misinformed. these two are too smart for their own good, and to have himself made further, or worse, his comrades should they arrive... not something he's willing to do, as much as he finds them enjoyable to be around.)

Correct, it's 20% less efficient, because it's not your aura's property. So, if I'm an Emitter, I can perform 80% out of what a 100% Enhancer could, and their lowest is at 40%, the Conjuring. The exception is... Right here.

(he'll tap 'Specialist', the very bottom of the hexagon.)

These are different. They are 0% for everyone. No one can enter this category except those born into or developed it.

(but also, six, he saw that little smile. :) )

We find these out via a test. Would you like to see it?

( the puzzle still doesn't do much for her, it doesn't scratch that itch in her brain that's always searching for a mathematical problem to solve. )

Like the probability theory? It includes the numbers "0" and "1" and could be used to figure out if there's a chance of it happening! Which one will you use? Classical Probability, Empirical Probability, Subjective Probability, or Axiomatic Probability?

( since this is all through math, then it should end with math about conjuring right or is this a test for his own abilities? either way, it's math, and she's already moving away from chrollo to stand next to 6 in order to get a better look.

hopefully he will not remove what has made this interesting for her, but she is paying attention. )

[ it's a very interesting concept, perhaps a necessary way to categorize abilities deemed supernatural by a human populace. the concept is comparable to their own differences of afflatus, if one squints, but not so much as to warrant comment. instead, 6 observes silently, and when 37 turns her head to look his way, he nods an affirmation — chrollo may continue. ]

OCTOBER MINGLE

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sorry about the creepy ass icon i needed it

i chuckled

stop me

👁️👁️

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