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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Merely taking in the sights.

[ The corner of his lips curve up in a quick flash of a smile before it is gone. ]

That town -- it lost a lot of what it once was and I forgot what an average place looks like. [ In a moment of honesty, he decides to explain what he's doing. It's no different than his original answer, but context behind what is said. ] Though, I guess we really can't call this place "average," either, can we?

[ He hums. ] Did you know that this place started to break down before you came here? Well, it felt that way, anyway. [ Crossing his arms, he continues: ] Fear bled into everything and you'd be surprised what I most fear, I'm sure.

To be honest, I'm glad that it got resolved before it took hold of your mind, too.

( well if he was looking for more empathy from her, he succeeded in the endeavor. it reminded her of how helpless and sheltered she once was, alongside with claudia. the two would create little worlds together, wondering what a normal town and life would be. her love for claudia had once been so strong but now...

with a soft shake of her head, she simply put down the costume she had been holding and kept her focus on vincent now. she wasn't going to offer him kind words [she doubted he wanted it], but she was curious about what he was saying. )

What do you mean?

( a cryptic test? who knew. )

You....fear....there's really something you feared that much?

I mean what I mean.

[ Vincent quips flippantly back. ]

Of course. I'm not incapable of it. [ He breathes a laugh through his nose. A common sound that she's probably used to hearing. ] It's only that I don't fear death or monsters that probably bring you pause. I never was in any danger back home, after all.

Only a person could kill me in the end. [ His face, for a moment, twists in irritation and anger. He closes his eyes as he controls his emotions. ] What I feared is deeper than that... I feared the rebirth of God. No, not Her rebirth, but the one that Claudia desired.

Something that has already come true.

( heather isn't quite sure how to approach this or how to truly feel about the situation. a part of her is annoyed that he's bringing this back up, throwing it in her face. how long will they do this song and dance?

and another part of her truly does feel guilty for allowing it to happen. however was it truly her fault she had been taken from her world right as she held the gun up to her? )

I see..

( it's evident that his words had an effect on her. she immediately held her hand up to her face and sighed a bit, a stressed expression taking over. )

Should we really be arguing over this in such a public place? Weren't you the one who told me not to tell anyone about our world?

It's fine -- I said my piece.

[ Until the next time that he is going to jab the figurative knife into her side. He offers her a smile as he thinks that he could say they do have something in common -- both of them have tasted what it is to die and come back from it.

But he holds off on that, for now. ]

I'm real sorry, though. Ruined the fun Halloween mood, huh? [ He holds his hand out, palm up, and wiggles his fingers. ] Come on. Wanna hold hands? Forget our troubles for a bit?

( she wasn't expecting her subtle manipulation to work on him this way, but she was glad that at the very least vincent could still be reasoned with to a degree.

heather was this close to sighing in relief when he brought that back up again. it almost seemed like he had allowed that temporary lapse in judgement to throw it back in her face for the future. )

Hold your own hand, I'm here to shop. You're welcomed to join if you aren't too jaded by the whole thing.

( happiness, celebrations, treats, all seemed like things he would scoff and look down on if she were to be asked. )

Sure, more than happy to walk along.

[ He holds his hands out a little closer to her before bringing his hands behind his back so he can hold his hands that way. ]

What makes you think I'm jaded about Halloween?

[ Vincent tips his head to indicate that she can lead and he'll follow. ]

I see nothing wrong with a little fun.

( it truly was just like him to get in one last jab regardless of what the situation was. for now she opted to ignore his little gesture, a silent roll of her eyes all over again.

at his indication, she turned on her heel and began to wander around the store, coming across the 'horror' aisle filled with bloody masks, ghost disguises, and other paraphernalia from popular medias. in the past she may have been a bit spooked by such things, but remembering the things she had gone through both as alessa and herself, well all of this seemed like child's play. )

I didn't take you for the type to care about such trivial things really. I guess everyone has a child within them regardless of their age...

Yeah, I guess that is one way of putting it.

[ Vincent tucks his hands into his pockets as he walks along. He tilts his head at the costumes and decor; nothing really speaks to him. Nothing holds the same fascination as his town. Of course, now that he's away from it; he feels like a fog is lifting. ]

I wasn't always in that town. I left for a short time. [ He barely avoids saying: "Engaged with outsiders." Vincent recognizes how that sounds and bites the words back. ] Spent enough years outside to appreciate the way that people gave themselves scares. Charming, really.

It's all just a bit of magic and fun... safe without any consequences.

( if one were to ask heather on her thoughts on vincent and what she knew of him, she wouldn't have much to say. from the time she first ran into him up until his death, she never really thought of him as more than the role the he had filled.

the menacing cult leader subtly trying to manipulate her for his own gain.

yet here she was, actually having a conversation with him and hearing more about his past. the feeling she got from this was eerie- it was as if she were unmasking a monster. yet this monster...was the only person she had from her world. she would be alone otherwise. )

I didn't know you had ever left that town. Why.....why did you return?

It's thanks to that scheming father of yours that I was able to leave.

[ Vincent casually says as he stands in front of one of the racks. He tilts his head this way and that; reaching out to flip through the costumes on either side to see if there is anything worth appreciating. ]

Found my way. Retired early. Experienced all the pleasures that monetary wealth could offer. [ He makes a flippant dismissive gesture with his hand and steps back, giving up on what is there. ] However, such pleasures did not lead to happiness.

[ Holding up his index finger, he chimes: ] But I was quite happy with the Order and its people. So I returned. [ Simple as that. A look crosses his expression as he blinks, like that doesn't sound right to him, but he shrugs and walks to check out the bobbles on a half-shelf. ]

( there's an anger that rises within heather as she hears the flippant way he casually spoke about her father, a reminder of an argument they once had long ago over the matter. while she detested the way everyone in the order seemed to view him as a pest, she had an eternal gratitude for him. for taking care of her when she was cheryl, for not killing her when she reincarnated into what she was now.

but instead of arguing with vincent, she relented for now, hearing what he had to say. he seemed lost...his entire life wasted with the order. he had 'escaped' by all means, and yet he returned.

she couldn't help but wonder why he did that, as he looked around the store. )

And you don't regret having returned to Silent Hill? You don't ever wonder what your life could have been like?

I already experienced what my life could have been.

[ Dabbling in science and finances, he developed into a person so far away from religion and spirituality that he still sometimes thinks in transactions and money. ]

The only thing I regret is not finding a way to neutralize a psychopath sooner.

[ 'Course, what could he have done? Everyone accepted her power as being blessed by God. There wouldn't have been anything that he could have done. Still, he likes to humor the idea that he could have done something if he had more time and resources. ]

You didn't get to experience the Order as it was meant to be. A pity, really, but -- [ His shoulders lift and lower in a half-shrug. ]

( and there it was, the same man as before. all she could really do was scoff at his comment. she had absolutely experienced the order as it was meant to be. the looming fear of dahlia and her abuse, the dread of wanting to die when she laid in that hospital bed but couldn't because of dahlia's incantations-

the abusive nature of it all was sickening. in fact, at his comment, she couldn't help but make a face of disgust. was there any point in arguing with him though? of telling him that he hadn't suffered what alessa had in order to bring forth the god dahlia and claudia wanted? )

Let's talk about something else. You don't have to think about that stuff anymore here anyways.

Edited 2024-11-13 23:43 (UTC)

'Course I have to think about it.

[ He doesn't snap his words at her, but instead waves her comment off with a flick of his wrist. ]

If we end up successful in sparing our world, I may return. I may return a corpse. [ A wag of his finger and smile on his lips. ] Which is hilarious to think about, don't you think? Returning as a corpse. Like I'm a book being checked out. [ His lips widen more as he finds the humor. ]

But the Order will always be part of my thoughts. [ Such is life. ] However, I won't bother you too much with it, Heather. [ He reaches out and pats the air over her shoulder rather than making contact. ] To say it was unkind to you would be an understatement, you may very well be the greatest victim of the Order here and then.

[ He pulls his hand back. ] My faith should not diminish your pain, though. Shame that none of the others could learn this simple lesson, no? [ Another wave of his hand. ] Bah, but we're still on this -- so what do you want to talk about?

Want to dress up like a serial killer?

Edited 2024-11-15 03:15 (UTC)

( there's a part of her that wants to be surprised at his words, to be in shock over what he is saying, but all she can do is watch him and feel a sense of repetition in all of this. in life and now in what should be death, he hadn't changed at all.

she remained silent, letting him go on and on, but when he did come close to her to pat 'the air' over her shoulder, well she simply moved back. she didn't want his sympathy or a constant reminder of what she had failed at. she had suffered a lot because of the order, but deep inside she knew vincent could care less.

he had his goals and while she wasn't necessarily a part of them anymore, she knew his rage over what she told him was far greater than what he showed. )

You're telling me that you of all people care about my pain? but yeah I guess it would be amusing, to see you there on the ground, next to Claudia's corpse.

( she isn't as vocal as he is and she certainly isn't as eloquent with her words, but she could get in a few licks back. for now though she does stop, not wanting to bring unnecessary attention to them here. )

I think you'd be better suited for that. I found the perfect costume actually-

( in helping to steer the conversation, she reached for a familiar mask and knife set, showing it to him. it was of 'jason'. )

[ Vincent does have a way of blustering on regardless of what other people might have to say. He probably would carry on talking even if someone attempted to interrupt him. Because he has a point to make and will make it regardless of what anyone has to say to deter him.

But it is nice that Heather lets him go on as he does; he supposes he's grown a little used to steamrolling her with what he has to say. Maybe it's because she's younger than he is that she feels she has to wait. Or maybe it's just she's a considerate person? He turns his head and wants to chuckle; neither one of those sounds right.

He turns his head back. ]

'Course I care about your pain. [ He decides to say that even though his face twists in disgust about the idea of having his corpse next to Claudia's. ] I hate that thought. Though--

[ Stopping himself, he shrugs. He would say something cold and heartless: like he's surprised there's anything left of Claudia to be considered a corpse from what Heather told him. ]

That so?

[ Walking over, he pauses to stare at the 'Jason' costume. His eyes drift from it to her. ]

Can I ask why? Is it because you don't want to see my face anymore? [ He smiles. ]

Vincent...

( it was a difficult thing to admit, to be called out so boldly in the store when all she wanted to do was forget the pain of the past. truthfully to her, all members of the order deserved to die. she wanted to kill claudia specifically, but vincent wasn't out of the question.

however that rage and desire for revenge had died out when god had been born and claudia died from it. now she felt empty and lost despite the brave front she put up. so she wasn't going to comfort him-

that wasn't her job after all, being the younger one. )

That wouldn't be so bad, but I'd prefer to silence you first.

( she forced a smile, a subtle laugh as if to play off what she really felt. she didn't want to argue with him here, but she had her ways of getting her message across. )

Are you even going to dress up?

Fair enough.

[ Bending down slightly, he tips his head to indicate that he got her message. There are certain things that they should talk about and certain things they shouldn't. ]

I might get a better outfit than the one I came in. [ He tugs lightly on the vest that he's wearing. ] But other than that, probably not. [ A smile filters itself across his face. It's brief before it's gone. His smiles are best when they're like that, as he's aware that smiling doesn't suit his face. ]

But you should dress up. Have some fun.

Maybe you should consider updating your wardrobe a bit?

( truly, he wasn't beating the 'weird cult guy' allegations with that outfit. in a way too, maybe she was trying to help him.

she wasn't a fan of his, but she didn't outright hate him. she just knew that if she had to take a stance against him, even if it meant killing him someday, she wouldn't shy from that idea.

for now though, she simply nodded at his words and began to walk down towards the aisle they were in. )

You're right, I'll probably go crazy if I don't take a break from all of this...

Wanna help me shop?

[ He cocks his head in her direction, staring down at her, as he jokes along. ]

Plead the fifth on that -- [ Holding his hands behind his back like before, he peers at the costumes with a more scrutinizing eye. ] -- still, I wonder if they're going to do something like trick-or-treating.

[ Vincent frowns, not looking at what is in front of him. ] And now, I wonder if I have to worry about getting candy. [ His face scrunches up as he shrugs. ] Would you partake in that sort of tradition if people here asked?

Egg someone's apartment door if they don't give treats? [ Idly, he tosses out that idea after his question. ]

( joking or not, did he truly want to risk having her dress him up in early 2000's fashion? surely he would lament the day he let her pick anything for him.

she continued on, fingers touching costumes that appeared on the racks with idle curiosity. she turned her head back towards him as he spoke, shrugging a bit at his question. )

I mean I guess I'll give a try, but I don't think I'll be eating anything here-

( to his last question, she rose an eyebrow up in curiosity. what exactly was he getting at here? )

If they forced me to, I guess I would have to. I don't really want to be punished for not complying.

Feeling shy? Worried you'll hold other people's hands? And here I thought we were becoming best buddies, Heather.

[ Vincent rests his hand against his chest, in an attempt to look offended and hurt. His hand drops shortly after. ]

Fair enough. But I'm saying that you should do those things in general, you know.

[ Guess she doesn't. ] Unless you're too old for that sort of thing?

You're never letting this go are you?

( in response to his 'dramatic' response, heather simply rolled her eyes as far back as she could to show him how little she truly cared for his humor. )

You and I both know I'm technically far too old to for all of this anyways, but I have to try and live out what was stolen from me all those years ago.

( was she implying that he was responsible for that? absolutely. she wasn't sure what he was up to during the time dahlia had been trying to nurture her past self with hate, but being a member of the order made him guilty by association.

with a soft sigh, she picked up a costume that had caught her eye and she turned on her heal, fully indicating she was done with this conversation. )

I guess I should get going before you try and hold my hand again. You seem...rather starved for affection.

What do you think?

[ A quick smile.

The smile fades as he actually doesn't have anything to add to her comment about what was stolen from her. He clicks his tongue instead as he offers a small nod in agreement. In a lot of ways, he feels a great deal of sympathy for Alessa and Heather.

What happened isn't anything that Vincent would have wanted, but his sympathy feels more like pity since it does make him feel better to be able to pity someone so much more than what he is. ]

Yeah... that sounds like me. [ He flashes another quick smile before making a gesture for her to take her leave. ]

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OCTOBER MINGLE

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cw: child abuse mentions

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