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

...I don't know that I can live that long. [ Does he know how long his kind can live, actually? That's another thing he doesn't want to think about, but he's considering what 'human years' means, the bridge of his nose wrinkling. ]

I'm seventeen by the calendar in the world I come from, and we have humans, too. They'd be seventeen when I'm seventeen -- and, I'm half human?

[ He gestures down himself, as if this might make his half human qualities more visible. But it's more that he thinks it has to count for something, right? If she's human and he's human, it's probably the same?

But also, he should probably add: ]

Also, I don't wanna attack you.

[ He voices it as a joke, as reassurance, and just to keep the mood light. He even tries for a smile with it, though the way he pulls his lips and his eyebrows dip makes it more like a pleading expression. Please don't think I'm going to attack you, thanks? ]

( the message was loud and clear, he was being friendly and while she didn't think he would attack her, the reassurance was still appreciated. so much so she couldn't help but laugh at his words. )

I appreciate that, I really do, but if you ever did-

( and in an effort to keep the mood light, she gave a twirl with her cape and held out her hand towards him like a pistol, thumb twitching to mimic a gun going off. )

I can defend myself plenty! Maybe I'd struggle if you sat on me...

[ It's delayed, his voice is too small when he goes "ow!", but Gorgug puts a hand to his chest and attempts to act like he got shot, even if he immediately goes on to say: ]

It's okay, I don't sit on people. People sit on me? --M-my friend, [ he hurries on to say, since, um, oh god, that's weird, right? He's gotta explain: ] my friend's a goblin, he's small-- he, he likes to feel tall.

[ He ducks his head for a second, hand still pressed to the side of his breast because he hasn't thought to lower it. ]

People don't sit on me, [ he tries again. Trying so hard not to sound so uncoool...!! ]

( despite having a conversation with an awkward half-human, half-orc, heather felt happy for the first time in a long time. this was normal despite appearances, they were even joking!

it was cute in an endearing way and a great distraction of all the things that had been happening to her. )

Well people either sit on you or they don't! Don't worry, I won't.

Your friend...is he here too?

Okay, [ he says, slipping it in after the reassurance of no Heathers sitting on him--and it's good that she continues on, because that was definitely about to be a subject that he wouldn't let go about.

Not that thinking about his friend is entirely better, but he nods. ]

Yeah, a--couple of us are here where I'm from. [ A beat. ] You don't know anyone here?

[ It's not unusual, and he's expecting a yes. It's definitely not the first time he's asked this, and gotten confirmation. ]

( his question seemed to draw her back to reality, reminding her of the truth of her situation. she had been pulled from her world at a critical point, making her wonder if it was even still there. if it could be saved or was worth saving.

additionally, she wasn't here alone. the only other person from her world was a man who had spent his entire life following a cult that viewed her as their tool. it was complicated to explain that to a stranger-

so she opted to keep it simple. )

I do actually....he's this man named Vincent, have you met him?

[ Gorgug shakes his head, a crinkle on the bridge of his nose. ]

No... I haven't met a lot of new people. I've been-- sick, [ he lands on, taking a second to get there, and his gaze diverting when he does. ]

If he is new. Is he doing okay?

( unbeknownst to gorgug, that was a rather loaded question. she absolutely could care less how he was at this point-

there was a time where she had empathy for him and wanted to see how he would handle being given a new chance at life. now though? she would lie, something she didn't care to do with someone as nice as the person before her. )

Uh...he's fine.

( she decided to change the topic, turn the attention on him. )

I'm sorry to hear that, are you doing okay now? Should you really be out in this cold?

[ It wasn't a kind of sickness affected by the cold, but he doesn't want to explain it. He looks away for a second, tipping his head aside as, awkwardly: ]

I was heading to the apartments, but, I'm, I'm doing better now. But maybe this cold isn't good for anyone. [ He nods to her, since... ] Do you like the cold? I don't know if the bots will give you another prize if you changed clothes again...

[ Maybe? Maybe not?? He still doesn't know what that was actually about, but he's also not going to, you know, ask. ]

I don't think they will, and yeah I get it. I'm going to head back to the apartments myself soon, now that I got my prize and all.

( really, the excitement of the whole thing made her forget how cold she was and his words seemed to remind her she was dressed rather lightly.

so she wrapped her arms around herself and decided it was time to head out. )

I can walk with you there if you want?

Okay. [ It's an agreement to her offer, Gorgug turning on his foot in the direction that, checking, he can see the apartments some distance from where they are. He's fairly used to this side of Etraya to know where he's going, thankfully, and he tucks his hands away inside the pocket of his hoodie, out of the cold. ]

It's a pretty good prize right now, [ he remarks. ] I should see if they have any at the Kwik Trip. I don't usually stay out this late.

( heather began to follow him, remaining at his side as he spoke. in the meantime, she turned on her flashlight, holding it in front of them and towards the ground. )

I don't mind making a pitstop if you want to go there now, although I'm not sure if it's still open at this hour...

I guess if you ask me nicely, I can lend you my flashlight.

Everything's always open. It's not like... normal shops? Normal for us. [ So he's taking a guess, considering she's bringing up about it being open or not. Still- ]

But it's okay. I can see... it's just the mist. It makes it harder, but your light's good. You should keep it in case anything happens. Missions can be all over the place.

You're right about that, I guess. It sounds like you've been through quite a few of them yourself now, is that right?

( maybe he has some sage advice for her, or a clue as to what to expect. as of right now, it seemed this place was strange-

one minute it messed with your mind in unique ways, and then they had things like this, where something silly like a 'trick' landed a reward. it was confusing for heather, who had become used to being surprised with monsters and terrifying visuals. )

[ He counts off some fingers, though even as he does: ] I've been through--three? I haven't been around as long as some people. There were two other missions before I showed up. That's what I remember being told.

[ Just from thinking off the top of his head. He rolls his shoulders, his hoodie decent in the chilly weather, but he can still feel a nip through the fabric. ]

The first time I heard anything about Etraya, I was on a spaceship. [ He pauses, then looks at Heather. ] Do you know what a spaceship is?

( despite how serious the conversation had gotten [and her silly outfit on top of it all] she couldn't help but laugh loudly at his question.

he couldn't be serious could he? then again, this was someone who towered over her, was half-human, asking her this. )

Do I really look that primitive to you? Of course I do, we have computes, cellphones, subways, cars, all that at home.

( but his comment does make her think for a moment. )

Wait, did you arrive here on a spaceship?

[ He doesn't react with embarrassment to her response, but just curiously, even though--okay, so she knows what spaceships are. He wonders if that means she's been on a spaceship too (what's primitive, in this case?), but for now.. ]

I showed up on a spaceship, and then one day I was down here. It's the spaceship that crashed, [ he goes on, ] if anyone told you about that. I've never actually been on a spaceship before that. Or a space station? It was a vacation spot.

[ Or something of the sort... ]

( woah slow down there gorgug-

that was quite a bit of information for heather to process and while she had arrived in what was a hospital, she was now starting to wonder just how exactly this place worked. was he on a spaceship because that's where he was on in his world? or did echo bring them in like that to test them out?

all good questions as they began to get closer to the apartments. )

No one told me about any crashes or spaceships. I guess we were brought in differently? But now I'm curious, did anyone die during the crash?

No... [ He starts slowly; like there's a but in there, except: ]

There wasn't any bodies-- there was no one there. But there had been before. People picked to come to Etraya who were on the ship even showed up here on Etraya, before it crashed.

[ Which most likely doesn't make any sense, and Gorgug isn't trying to be confusing. ]

The spaceship was a mission. [ He's no mind reader, but he thinks it's relevant to make clear? Even though, right after: ] The way we arrived was fucked for a while.

[ So he thinks. Maybe they fixed it now? ]

( there's a lot of confusion being caused by the words he was saying and while she wanted to act like she truly understood what he was saying, she was just lost. so as they continued walking, she thought about what he was saying and finally she thought of something that could help decipher all of this for her. )

Did you pick to come to Etraya?

( that's the only thing she can think of in between wondering what exactly he meant by 'fucked' when talking about the way they had arrived. )

No, [ he answers. ] I showed up covered in...something. I was on the ship, and then I wasn't.

[ He's doing a good job explaining, right? He totally thinks he's got this. Even if explaining anything about Etraya and how it functions is usually what ends up tripping up most conversations (because the why is a question that nobody can really answer). ]

( well his explanation was certainly confusing, but his efforts weren't dismissed. she appreciated being told about anything and everything-

after all, she truly felt like she had been plucked from her world and dropped here without a thought or any guidance as to what the history of this place was. little by little she was piecing the pieces together. )

I guess that answers things a little more clearly. Anything else I should know about?

( such as if this place had a tendency to torture them all unnecessarily...

although technically it already had with the food trucks. )

Edited 2024-11-21 17:38 (UTC)

Well... [ Since they are talking about missions... ] Your head gets messed with a lot with the missions. One mission people got obsessed over stuffed toys they got that made them get defensive over them, and our last mission-- I don't know if this was supposed to be it, but people were kept trapped in their fears until they got out.

So, I guess... you should watch out for yourself. Or, find people who can watch out for you. You don't wanna get stuck alone around here. [ He's shaking his head, looking at her as he says, ] It wasn't a good time... I wouldn't want anything to happen to you.

[ Ah- ] Even if you can-- [ He mimics the same shooting motion as she did, but at her, this time. But, in doing that: ] ...do you have a gun?

( his words did seem to get to her, bringing about a concerned expression. it seemed she had been pulled out of the 'frying pan' and straight into another. while she knew she could handle most things on her own [and she had been], this was difficult.

the only person she truly had here wasn't a friend, far from it. he had mentioned the thing about fears, but at the time she was so out of it she didn't quite grasp the severity of it.

but would she cling to this stranger for help? most likely not, but she appreciated him nonetheless. at least he was upfront. )

Watch out for me? Is that what you have? With your friends?

( she wasn't trying to sound harsh, but she was clearly starting to grow anxious. it wasn't until he so casually mimicked her and asked that question that she shook her head. )

No...I guess I should do another trick and see if they'll give me one. Am I seriously going to need one here?

[ His expression turns into something unsure, brows dipping in the middle, a frown that pushes close into one of his cheeks. Is that what you have? With your friends? He knows the answer, and there's a but, the sort of one that maybe he should be careful about how he explains.

Still, Heather mentioning doing a trick does make Gorgug slow his pace, in case she wants to turn back around? ]

It...couldn't hurt, [ he admits. ] We don't fight a lot, but a mission did have it, I think. But-- yeah, my friends look out for me. But they don't have to be your friends? The people who look out for you. I mean, I know that's a lot to find when you've showed up in a weird place like this.

[ Making friends out of thin air? Hard! It's hard even back home, in Gorgug's experience! ]

But people knowing you exist means... it's good if people can check up on you. I know that sounds weird, too...

[ Kind of trailing off after admitting that.... ]

OCTOBER MINGLE

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cw: simulated gun

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sorry on the wait! i got sick

no worries at all

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good place to start wrapping it up?

sure!