OCTOBER MINGLE

[etrayamods]

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⏴

Comments

[100more]

"Not exactly, but several months at least."

Hob thought he might be the only normal person here. Even those without powers seem to have incredible skill. Of course, he's normal in most ways except the part where he never dies, but what does that do for his world, exactly? It only ever mattered to him, and he can't save a universe with it.

"Yes, I suppose so, but what chance do ordinary folk have against those with super powers?"

[banworthy]

"I see. Still unfortunate..."

He wonders if perhaps she did something to prove herself not a worthy candidate for her world. Could these questions be prompted to Aurora? However, if that were put on the table, it would cause undo panic so -- he doesn't expect to get an answer. There's enough panic as is, isn't there? Quietly bubbling under the surface of everything.

"Very little." He offers a smile but his words have a bitter sound to them. "The most we can do is remind them that ordinary people exist, hm? It is something people can forget when they have power."

[100more]

The lack of real impact they might have does make Hob frown slightly, but Vincent is certainly right.

"Yes. Ordinary people are important, too. What's the point of saving the world if we're going to neglect the majority of the people in it?"

A smile follows.

[banworthy]

"Exactly!"

The two of them may be having separate conversations, but Vincent feels the need to vent a little about the madness he had to endure. Heather understands, partially, but he probably would bore her with all his complaints. Or maybe, she would like to know how angry the whole matter made him.

"Don't you feel those with power end up becoming lunatics that can't understand average people's lives?" He holds his hand up. "No, no, that's not it. They think they know best how to help others without thinking of the ramifications, is a better way to put it."

[100more]

Thankfully, Hob is a very patient man, and he can certainly understand the need to vent now and again.

Given his past experiences, he nods thoughtfully at Vincent's words.

"I think that could happen, yes, unless they remain in touch with those people's lives. I suppose one with that level of power might find ordinary people little more than simple creatures, if they are out of touch. If one were to live for thousands of years, it might be hard to imagine the long term ramifications of their actions on the world unless they have to live with those outcomes."

[banworthy]

"Yes, I suppose that would be true." Vincent bites back a grimace and smiles.

Lifting his hands, he rubs the sides of his face roughly. It helps to bring circulation back lest he start yelling more about Claudia. A little venting is good; too much and he'll end up sounding insane.

"I suppose I feel a bit at a loss as someone without powers, but shouldn't put that on you, Hob." A beat. "Ah, I've almost forgotten the original topic -- candy, was it?"

[100more]

"I understand how you feel. Not all of the trials we're put through benefit from powers, though. Some are quite... normal." If such information helps put Vincent at ease.

The face rubbing is a bit odd, but he figures the man is stressed. Who wouldn't be here?

"Oh, yes, but it's hardly important." It's just candy, after all. "You can help yourself, though. There's plenty."

[banworthy]

"What are some of the 'normal' ones?"

Though, will knowing be of any use? Probably not. It seems like nothing is set in stone and there's a level of uncertainty to it that breeds anxiety. Or maybe, he just wants to be anxious. Echo is nothing like his god; no one present seems to be as insane as Claudia. But the time spent here is still young.

A bounce of his shoulders as he gives a quick shrug. "Sure. Thanks, Hob." His mouth quirks into a quick little smile as he takes one of the candies. One that the man has already eaten.